Fall Semester
Enroll in a shared Complex Problems seminar with students from your residence hall floor.
Attend co-curricular events, planned experiential learning opportunities that tie to your first-year seminar.
Contact Us
University College Program
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
Looking for our webinars? Click here for a recording from March to hear directly from staff, faculty and student leaders!
Living and Learning at AU: University College
Get to know University College, AU's largest living-learning community. This exceptional opportunity for first-year students combines the best residential and academic experiences!
What to Expect in University College
Spring Semester
Continue to build community by living in your shared residence hall with peers.
Deepen your relationships with the larger AU community.
Continue participating in co-curriculars hosted by the University College team.
Joining AU's largest living-learning community helps you make the most of your first year. Whether meeting with experts, collaborating socially or academically with peers, or visiting DC institutions, your Complex Problems professor and program leader connect classroom and residential experiences to the real world.
Browse the “Frequently Asked Questions” for more commonly requested information.
Our Mission
To foster an inclusive first-year living-learning community that support students in their transition to American University while laying the foundation for lives of purpose, achievement, and impact. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and meaningful connections to Washington, D.C. and beyond, UC prepares students to explore their identities, and begin their academic, professional, and civic journeys.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a vibrant, engaging, and inclusive first-year Living-Learning Community (LLC) that empowers students to explore their identities, engage with diverse communities, and cultivate intellectual curiosity while preparing for meaningful academic, professional, and civic experiences at AU and beyond.
Our Values
Our work in University College will be guided by our commitment to...
- Inclusivity - We respect all people, value diversity, and are committed to equity and belonging in all aspects of the student experience.
- Advocacy - We strive to empower students to use their voices to create positive change and engage meaningfully in their communities.
- Collaboration - We cultivate strong partnerships across campus and beyond to enhance learning, mentorship, and student success.
- Belonging - We foster intentional connections and shared experiences that build a strong sense of community and purpose.
- Exploration - We encourage curiosity, critical inquiry, and engagement with new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities, including experiential and global learning.
UC Student Learning Outcomes
Engaged Community: Students will be able to develop a sense of belonging with the AU community by establishing social connections with students, faculty, and staff, through their experiences at the University and beyond.
Social Justice & Global Impact: Students will be able to develop and further their understanding of people, groups, communities, and societies, to help initiate positive, sustainable change.
Personal & Professional Growth: Students will be able to develop socio-emotional and leadership skills that can benefit their personal flourishing and professional success.
Experiential Learning: Students will be able to connect the learned concepts in their complex problems seminar with co-curricular experiences to support their holistic learning and growth beyond the classroom.
Immersive Learning Experience
Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) offer immersive learning experiences that bring students with common academic interests together for heightened intellectual and social success. LLCs assist students by placing them in close-knit living environments that support scholastic success, cultivate safe and supportive environments, encourage personal growth, and foster social responsibility. The ultimate goal is to help students mature into the best version of themselves, both personally and professionally, so they can become leaders at AU and beyond.
Explore AU Cornerstone
Looking to enhance your University College experience? The AU Cornerstone Program is a optional opportunity for UC students who want to jump-start their professional career or international education.
As part of AU Cornerstone, you’ll choose one of two enriching experiences during your first year:
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Credited Internship: Gain hands-on experience in your field while earning credit during the Spring semester.
- Study Abroad: Immerse yourself in a global education with a semester in Madrid (SIS Scholars, Fall) or Dublin (Spring).
Cornerstone students live and learn together in the first-year residence halls and participate in special programming that fosters a shared experience.
Note: AU Cornerstone is open only to University College participants and is an additional option designed to expand your first-year opportunities.
Oldest & Largest Living-Learning Community at AU
Experiential Learning:
Students will be able to connect the learned concepts in their Complex Problems seminar with co-curricular experiences to support their holistic learning and growth outside of the classroom, onto campus and into the rest of DC.
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Floor Themes Guide UC Events and ConversationsExciting Courses
Explore the DC metro area guided by Faculty and Program Leaders.
Acquire critical thinking skills and examine diverse perspectives on societal challenges.
Connect with faculty who can serve as a resource throughout your time at AU.
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Complex Problems Seminars taught by faculty who are subject matter experts and at the top of their fieldConnections
Connect classroom and community to the real world.
“It was great to live on the same floor or right below other people in my UC seminar. Having multiple places to see the same people made getting a social foothold easier.” - 2025 UC Student.
Make friendships and connections that last.