June-July 2018

Application/admission to program on a case-by-case basis

June 2018

Receive information on class registration and the internship search
You will receive information about class registration and other important registration related documents. In addition, you will receive resources to assist in preparing and perfecting your resume and beginning the internship search.

July 2018

Receive information on your arrival at American University

August 21-22

Students can move in to residence halls

August 23-24

AU Gap Program Orientation

August 27

Internship Fair (morning), Classes begin (afternoon)

September 3

Labor Day Holiday (no classes, university offices closed)

September 10

Last day to make changes to Fall 2017 registration (i.e. add or drop) Last day to drop a course without a "W" recorded on transcript.

September 12

Students must start their internship by this date

September 17

Last day to drop courses for a 50% refund

September 24

Last day to drop courses for a 25% refund (no refunds after this date

October 12

Fall Break (no classes, university offices open)

October 19-21

All-American Weekend

November 2

Last day to drop a course (with a "W") or change a grade option (mid-term)

November 21-25

Thanksgiving Break (Dining closes after lunch on Tuesday, November 20 and reopens with dinner on Sunday, November 25, 2018)

December 7

Last day of classes and internships

Early December

End-of-Semester Reception

December 10-15

Final Examinations
Make sure to check the final exam schedule on the American University website, or check with your professor before making travel plans.

December 16

All students must be checked out of residence halls by noon.

The AU Gap Program follows the American University Academic Calendar.

November 15

Application deadline for Spring 2019 semester

Early December

Receive information on class registration and the internship search
You will receive information about class registration and other important registration related documents. In addition, you will receive resources to assist in preparing and perfecting your resume and beginning the internship search. Receive information on your arrival at American University

January 8-9

Students can move in to residence halls

January 9

Parent & Student Meet and Greet (late afternoon)

January 10-11

AU Gap Program Orientation

January 16

Internship Fair (morning), Classes begin (afternoon)

January 21

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes, university offices closed)

January 28

Last day to make changes to Spring 2019 registration (i.e. add or drop) Last day to drop a course without a "W" recorded on transcript.

January 30

Students must start their internship by this date

February 4

Last day to drop courses for a 50% refund

February 11

Last day to drop courses for a 25% refund (no refunds after this date)

March 9-March 16

Spring Break (no classes, university offices open)

March 10

Daylight Savings Time begins (set clocks forward 1 hour)

March 22

Last day to drop a course (with a “W”) or change a grade option (mid-term)

April 29

Last day of classes and internships

April 30

Study Day

Early May

End of Semester Reception

May 1 - May 7

Final Examinations
Make sure to check the final exam schedule on the American University website, or check with your professor before making travel plans.

May 8

All students must be checked out of residence halls by noon.

The AU Gap Program follows the American University Academic Calendar.

We have limited space in the Gap Program for two academic sections per semester. We accept applications on a rolling basis – up to the application deadline date for the program/semester to which you are applying.

The Gap Program professors are full-time, American University faculty with appointments to the School of Professional and Extended Studies.

Please see Fall and Spring Programs for seminar topic details.

AU Gap Program students enroll in the classes affiliated with the Gap Program. We cannot offer any AU elective courses beyond what is already offered in the program.

AU Gap staff will provide you with the tools and resources to secure your own internship. Creating a resume and cover letter, developing interview skills, and searching for internships are key skills you will develop through this experience.

Prior to entering the AU Gap Program, you are given access to resume templates, and you will work with program staff to fine-tune your resume and cover letter. After arrival on campus, you will work with the Gap Program team and a professor to refine your search and secure an internship.

You will have access to the School of Professional & Extended Studies Internship Database-the largest of its kind focusing on internships in the Washington, D.C. area. With over 3,000 internships in the database, many employers specifically turn to the School of Professional & Extended Studies at American University for their semester interns. There are internships available in areas of interest ranging from politics and justice, communications, international affairs, psychology, and arts & sciences.

The internship experience allows you to build your professional skillset, gain real-world experience, and start making professional contacts through the internship and mentored field practicum class. Internships are available in areas of interest ranging from politics and justice, communications, international affairs, psychology, and arts & sciences.

AU Gap Program students are enrolled in two classes each semester for a total of 7 undergraduate credits or 6 credits in the summer session program.

If you want or plan to use these credits to transfer to another university, the decision about the transferability of credits rests with the university you are joining after the Gap Program. We encourage you to contact the college or university you are planning to attend after the Gap Program to determine the transferability.

Yes. Gap students are non-degree seeking students at AU and have access to AU facilities and activities. These include computer labs, library, fitness centers, resource centers, clubs, speakers, campus events, etc.

Gap students, like other resident students, are not allowed to bring cars.

Gap students are housed on the AU campus in a residence hall. Gap Program students will room with other Gap students or other first year students.

Yes. All students living on-campus are required to have a minimum 175-block meal plan. However, students may opt to have a larger 200, 225, or 250-block meal plan. Students living off-campus are not required to have a meal plan.

D.C. law states that all students must have health insurance - through their parents or through AU. If a student has insurance by way of their parent’s plan, they can waive AU Health Insurance through their myAU.american.edu portal.

AU Gap students have non-degree seeking student status, therefore financial aid is not available. Many students secure private student loans, including non-degree educational loans, to pay for the Gap Program. In addition, students may also choose to participate in the American Payment Plan (APP), which breaks tuition into monthly payments.