All dates and deadlines subject to change

August 15

Application deadline for fall 2020 semester

August 24

First day of classes
Deadline to pay AU bill

August 26

Virtual Internship Fair (1:00-4:00 PM ET)

September 4

Deadline to submit any requests for registration changes to augap@american.edu
Courses dropped after September 7 will be recorded with a "W" on your AU transcript and will no longer receive a 100% refund.

September 9

Deadline to submit Experiential Learning Form (ELF) and begin internship

September 14

Last day to drop a course for a 50% refund

 

September 21

Last day to drop a course a 25% refund
No refunds after this date

 

October 9-11

Fall Skills and Career Development Days

 

October 30

Last day to drop a course or change a grade option

 

November 24

Tuesday classes cancelled; Friday classes meet

November 25-29

Thanksgiving break
No classes; university offices closed Thursday and Friday

December 4

Last day of fall classes and internships

December 7-12

Final examinations
Exam dates and times to be provided by professors

The AU Gap Program follows the American University Academic Calendar.

All dates subject to change

December 15

Submit survey for optional off-campus housing

January 7

Extended application deadline for Spring 2021 semester

January 11

Final deadline to submit the Consent & Pre-Registration Form
Deadline to submit a headshot for your AU ID
Deadline to submit Immunization Form to AU’s Student Health Center
Deadline to enroll in or waive the AU student health insurance plan

January 14-15

Gap Orientation
Mandatory for all Gap students

January 18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No classes; university offices closed

January 19

Spring classes begin

Final deadline to submit your resume/cover letter for review

January 20

Inauguration Day

No classes; university offices closed

January 21

Virtual Internship Fair, 1-4 PM ET

February 1

Last day to add or drop an elective or research project course without a W on the AU transcript and for a 100% refund if applicable

February 3

Last day to submit ELF and begin an internship

February 8

Last day to drop a course for a 50% refund if applicable

February 15

Last day to drop a course for a 25% refund if applicable
No refunds after this date

March 14

Daylight Savings Time begins
Turn clocks forward 1 hour

March 26

Last day to drop a class or change a grade option

April 26

Spring classes and internships end

April 27

Study day

End-of-Semester Celebration
Tentative

April 28-May 4

Final examinations
Professors will provide exam schedule information

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.

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 meal plan. Students living off-campus are not required to have a meal plan. View list of meal plan options.

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.