Program Benefits
- Earn college credit
- Enjoy personal instruction from your college professor
- Gain in-depth insight in a field of interest
- Bolster your college applications
- Have an official AU transcript sent to any college to which you are applying
What to expect
American University (AU) is proud to partner with the NSLC to provide NSLC participants with the opportunity to earn college credit from AU, allowing students to pursue areas of interest in greater depth. The credit option is available to all NSLC participants regardless of the location or dates of your program. Each course is for 1 credit and is taught in an asynchronous online format, allowing students flexibility in completing assignments on their own schedule. Students are not expected to complete assignments while on campus. Students may enroll only in the AU course associated with their NSLC program. See Course Descriptions. For a course outline, email collegecredit@american.edu.
Asynchronous Format. The AU credit course is taught online in a self-paced, asynchronous format, allowing flexibility in completing reading and written assignments on your own schedule. Instructional content may include pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, documentaries, and faculty-led discussion boards. The AU online course dates—July 5 (with access as of July 1) to August 18—are structured to incorporate your on-campus NSLC program, regardless of its dates and location. You are not expected to complete any course work while participating in your NSLC campus program.
Course Start Date. Your course access is of July 1; however, the official start date is July 5 to avoid interference with the July 4th holiday weekend. Students enrolled in NSLC campus programs held in June will begin their online course after returning home. Those students enrolled in July and August campus programs will access their AU course before and after their campus program. Each course is structured to provide students enrolled in all NSLC campus sessions with sufficient time (and on their own schedules) to complete assignments by their deadlines.
Course End Date. Working at times that suit your own schedule, you are expected to complete assignments about every two weeks, with a final course completion date of August 18. Extensions are possible, but students must obtain written permission from their instructor.
How to Register. To enroll in the AU credit option, log in to MyNSLC, scroll to the “Options” section, and select “College Credit.” You may also enroll by calling NSLC at (800) 994-NSLC (6752). Students may enroll only in the AU course associated with their NSLC program. NSLC will process your payment and provide confirmation once registration is complete. The deadline to enroll is July 1, 2023.
AU Account Set-Up. Following your enrollment, NSLC will send detailed instructions for creating your AU user account. Please allow up to two weeks to receive these instructions. It is essential that you create your AU user account in a timely manner to avoid delays in accessing your course.
Access to AU’s Canvas Platform. In mid-June, you will receive a welcome email from AU with information on how to access AU’s Canvas platform, which contains your course syllabus and a welcome letter from your professor. Your course will become “live” on July 1; however no work will be due until well past the July 4th holiday weekend.
Academic Expectations. Students will be assigned reading and written assignments appropriate for a 1-credit college-level course. Working at times that suit your own schedule, you are expected to complete assignments about every two weeks, with a final course completion date of August 18. Although the assignments will vary by instructor and topic, students may be expected to read the equivalent of three book chapters, participate in a discussion board, and submit deliverables, one of which may be a written assignment of up to four to six double-spaced pages. Students are expected to observe assignment deadlines and submit their work via AU’s Canvas platform. For a course outline, please email collegecredit@american.edu.
Instructor Access. Instructors are committed to your success. They will remain accessible throughout the entire course via email and/or office hours conducted via Zoom or Skype. Please contact your instructor for any course-related questions.
Course Materials. All readings and course materials will be available on AU’s Canvas platform. There are no additional fees required.
Questions? Please email collegecredit@american.edu for any questions you may have.
Credits
American University awards credit based on a minimum of 12.5 instructional hours and 25 hours of independent student work per credit. The AU credit option expands on instruction derived from the lectures, simulations, and other experiential learning gained through your NSLC program through a supplemental online course taught by AU faculty. AU credit is transferable to many accredited colleges and universities; however, AU recommends that students verify transfer credit policies at institutions they wish to attend. As with AP credits, each college or university maintains its own policies regarding what transfer credit it will accept.
Grades
Students will earn a letter grade (A-F) upon completion of the course. Students do have the option of selecting a pass/fail option. To choose the pass/fail option, you must email the NSLC College Credit Coordinator at collegecredit@american.edu before the "withdrawal" date shown on the syllabus. Please note that a grade of Pass indicates performance of no less than a 2.0 on a conventional grading scale. Note that universities may be less inclined to accept transfer credit without a letter grade.
Please be advised that failure to complete assignments may result in failing the course which will be reflected on your permanent college transcript. If no assignments are completed, the student's incomplete status will default to a failed grade.
Academic Expectations
Students will be assigned reading and written assignments appropriate for a 1-credit college-level course. Working at times that suit your own schedule, you are expected to complete assignments about every two weeks, with a final course completion date of August 18. Although the assignments will vary by instructor and topic, students may be expected to read the equivalent of three book chapters, participate in a discussion board, and submit deliverables, one of which may be a written assignment of up to four to six double-spaced pages. Students are expected to observe assignment deadlines and submit their work via AU’s Canvas platform. For a course outline, please email collegecredit@american.edu.
Late Assignments
Sometimes students have trips or obligations which prevent them from meeting a course deadline; in such cases, students may request an extension from their professor. Late assignments will not be accepted unless you receive written permission from your professor. Failure to complete assignments may result in failing the course, which will be reflected on your permanent college transcript.
Transcripts
Upon completing the course, students may obtain an official AU transcript documenting their academic credit. The AU Registrar now uses an outside firm to assist with transcripts. Students should the directions for "New User" through the online ordering system.
Note: This process will involve creating an account and submitting a few pieces of information, such as your birth date, so that your record can be located. If you have questions, please call 202-885-2022.
Please be aware that the Registrar will never send your transcript without your permission.
TUITION
In recognition of the scholastic aptitude and leadership merit of the students selected for NSLC, American University is offering a special reduced tuition rate of $919.
Payments are made directly to the NSLC. Upon acceptance to your program, please log-in to myNSLC and complete the "College Credit" form. For any payment-related questions, please contact NSLC at info@nslcleaders.org or call 1-800-994-NSLC (6752).
Refunds
Tuition is refundable if NSLC receives notification of cancellation 30 days before the start of the online course. If a student cancels registration after 30 days no refunds will be permitted. This policy is necessary to account for the program costs incurred with each enrollment.
Any changes to a registration must adhere to the following deadlines and will be subject to the refund policy. Changes made more than 30 days before the start of your AU course should be made directly to NSLC. Changes made within 30 days of the start must be communicated to the NSLC first and then to AU by emailing collegecredit@american.edu.
Add/Drop a Course
- Last day to drop a course and receive a refund
- 30 days prior to the start date of the AU course
- Last day to add a course
- Start date of the AU course
- Last day to drop a course (without "withdrawal")
- 5th day of the AU course
- Last day to drop a course (with "withdrawal")
- 26th day of the AU course
Change of Grade Type
- Last day to change the grade type (e.g., letter grade of pass/fail)
- 26th day of the AU course