If an applicant to a graduate program at American University selects “yes” on the criminal disciplinary question on the application a supplemental review process is initiated by the university. This process guided by the Learning Community Safety Committee determines whether or not an applicant’s current or prior criminal history poses a safety concern for American University’s learning community.

Process

American University reserves the right to deny admission to an applicant deemed to be a threat to the university community and the decision may not be appealed.

Based on the information the applicant has provided, the university will initiate a background check by the university risk management office. The facts from the background checks are submitted to university’s Learning Community Safety Committee. Based on the information from the background check and the information the applicant has provided, the committee will determine if the applicant should be denied admissions based on prior criminal disciplinary history and a judgement that the applicant would pose a risk to the learning community.

Confidentiality

American University prioritizes the privacy and confidentiality of all student information. If an applicant indicates “yes” on the criminal disciplinary history question, only the admissions director, the university office of risk management, and the Learning Community Safety Committee will be made aware of the response and any written explanation of the response.

Faculty reviewers will not be provided information on the applicant’s response to the criminal disciplinary history question and determine an applicant’s admissibility based on the standard application materials provided.