In Cornerstone DC, you will gain substantive real-world skills, expand your network, and acquire valuable experience that gives you an edge to compete in the job market.

DC is Your Classroom

In Cornerstone DC, you will gain professional skills while discovering what DC organizations have to offer. In addition, you will expand your network and acquire valuable experience that gives you an edge to compete in the job market. Gaining this experience will help you better determine a course of study, leading to your future career.

Cornerstone DC is not a placement program, so you are not automatically placed in an internship. Instead, you receive hands-on support from Cornerstone staff to explore internship opportunities after your first year.

Benefits of Cornerstone DC

• AU Cornerstone is the only program for AU first year students that provides multiple staff members that provide wrap around support to help students prepare for and explore internship opportunities. You will be guided by the mentorship of experienced AU staff and professors.

• You will be able to participate in special sections of career readiness courses available in the spring semester. As a part of the your first-year at AU, you will also take and satisfy AU Core and major required courses, putting you on track to graduate on time.

• You will enjoy the University College LLC and Cornerstone only events, designed to help you navigate DC and your overall college experience at AU. 

• Through our partnership with University College (UC), students will join AU's largest living-learning community.