Common Advising Issues
Click below to learn more about your specific concern.
If you cannot find the topic you are searching for, please call the advising
office at (202) 885-2453 for more information.
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE ISSUES
Making an Appointment with CAS Academic Counselors
Registering for Classes Online
Dropping and Adding Classes
Enrolling in a Filled Class ("Blue Carding")
Study in the Washington Consortium
Academic Calendar
Registration
Scheduling Process
Registration Schedule
Final Exam Schedule
ACADEMIC PROGRAM ISSUES
Selecting a Major or Minor
Declaring a Major or Minor
General Education Program
Honors Program
Internships
Study Abroad
Summer Study Elsewhere
Leaving the University Temporarily or Permanently
Exceptions to University Regulations
GRADING & GOOD ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Academic Warnings and Probations
Academic Dismissal
Grading System
Grade Point Average
Dean's List
Academic Integrity Code
Freshman Forgiveness Rule
Incomplete Grades
Review of Academic Records
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
Nonacademic issues - see Student Resources
CAS Annual Student Research Conference
CAS Undergraduate Student Council
Federal Work-Study Program
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE ISSUES
Making an Appointment with
Your CAS Academic Counselor
Appointments with academic counselors should be made at least 24
hours in advance by calling 202-885-2453 or in person in Battelle
100. During the busy registration periods, counselor appointments
sometimes fill quickly, so schedule your appointment well in advance.
If you have an urgent matter at any time, contact your advisor directly
via e-mail or by phone, or visit Battelle 100. Someone else will
assist you if your advisor is not available. During the first two
weeks of classes in the fall and spring semesters. Counselors are
available on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis to assist
students with registration questions.
Registering for
Classes Online
Students who have successfully completed a semester of study at
AU are able to register for courses online on their specified registration
date and anytime thereafter. Prior to registration every semester,
however, the student must first meet with their academic counselor
or faculty major advisor and receive an electronic clearance (be
‘released’ to register). Student athletes, Honors Program
students, and students in special programs may also need to obtain
additional authorization from their advisors in these areas before
registering.
Dropping and Adding
Classes
Prior to your first semester at American, you will work with your
academic counselor to select courses and your counselor will handle
the actual registration process. Once your first semester begins,
you are then able to go on-line to change your course schedule and/or
grading options. In subsequent semesters, you will also register
for your courses on-line, on your designated date and after you
have obtained an electronic authorization from your academic counselor
or your faculty advisor. Every student is required to meet at least
once a semester with their advisor to discuss current and future
academic plans, and you are encouraged to schedule additional meetings
whenever you feel it necessary.
Enrolling in a Filled
Class ("Blue carding")
In certain circumstances students may receive special permission
to register for a course that is already filled to the normal teaching
limit. Procedures for obtaining this special permission, in the
form of a blue card filled out by the specific CAS departmental
staff or faculty, vary within CAS departments. Students should check
directly with the department sponsoring the coursse for details.
In most cases, faculty permission is also required. If you are successful
in obtaining a blue card, fill out an add/drop from and take it
and the card directly to the Office of the Registrar (Asbury 200)
to be enrolled in the course.
Study in the Washington
Consortium
American University is a member of the Consortium of Universities
of the Washington Metropolitan Area. AU students may seek permission
to register for a consortium course if the course is not offered
at American University. For more information about policies and
procedures, please refer to http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/registration/consortiumreg.htm
.
You should also discuss your plans in advance with your academic
counselor or your faculty advisor.
Academic Calendar
(http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/calendar.htm)
lists all important dates in the semester and is more comprehensive
than the entries in most other publications. Review the dates listed
and be sure you understand what they mean. You are responsible for
acting in accordance with this information. Contact your academic
counselor if you have questions.
Registration
Scheduling Process
The date that you are able to register is based on the number of
credits you have completed at American and the number of credits
earned from examinations or college courses elsewhere which have
been accepted and entered into the your official AU record. For
that reason, you should strive to ensure that all official documents
(exam scores, college transcripts) are received in the correct office
no later than October 1 for the fall semester or March 1 for the
spring semester. Several University offices are usually involved
in this process, therefore you must plan ahead to allow time for
it to be completed.
The Registration Scheduleis found at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/registration/regdates.htm.
Beginning at 12:01 am on ‘your’ registration date, you
should be able to go on-line and follow the simple prompts to create
your class schedule for the next semester. Additional detailed information
is available from http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/registration/contstudents.htm.
REMEMBER: You MUST receive the electronic signature from
your academic counselor or faculty advisor before you are able to
register at all, and in some cases additional permission must be
obtained for some specific courses (as indicated in the course listing
on the Schedule of Classes).
Final Exam Schedule
The semester final exam schedule is made available at the time the
semester course schedule is posted. Once you have created a preliminary
course schedule, it is recommended that you review the final exam
schedule (found at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/finalexam/index.htm)
to ensure that your exams are appropriately spaced. If not, you
can make changes to your course schedule before you register for
classes. It is best to assume that changes to exam dates will not
be made except in extraordinary circumstances; consult with your
professors immediately if that is necessary.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM ISSUES
Selecting a Major or Minor
The process of selecting a major is important. Students are encouraged
to take courses in a variety of areas to test out their interests;
to discuss their ideas with faculty, academic counselors, and their
peers; and to use other resources such as the Career Center as part
of their exploration. CAS advisors periodically sponsor panel discussions
with upperclass students from a variety of majors, most of whom
started either in a different major or were undecided. Students
discuss their own process of selecting a major and what elements
were important to them in making that choice, what they particularly
enjoy about the major, the types of careers they are considering.
Declaring a major or minor
Click here for more information about declaring your major or
your minor.
General Education Program
Many CAS students have discovered their majors through courses they
took as part of the AU General Education Program. The program is
designed to be completed within the first two years at American.
Plan your General Education course of study carefully and thoughtfully,
in terms of course content, the sequencing of courses, and the ‘discipline
limits’. Consult with your academic counselor if you have
questions, and also see http://www.gened.american.edu/index.htm.
If you expect to use a General Education course for both Gen Ed
and major requirements, you must register for it for a grade A-F
and you must receive a grade of C or higher. Otherwise, a grade
of D or higher will suffice for General Education credit. You may
also receive General Education (but not major) credit for a course
you take Pass/Fail, and receive a grade of Pass.
Honors Program
Each semester, a select number of new students are invited to join
the University Honors Program at the time of their admission. Current
students who have achieved an excellent academic record in a minimum
of one semester of study at AU may also apply to join. Visit the
Honors Program website at http://www.american.edu/academic.depts/honors/welcome.html
for more information about the program. See the FAQ section for
more details about the self-nomination process.
Internships
Each year, hundreds of CAS students gain valuable experience
and insight, as well as academic credit, in internships in a variety
of workplaces through the metropolitan area. Discuss this option
with your academic counselor or faculty advisor well in advance,
since arranging an internship takes time and advance planning. The
Career Center staff includes an internship coordinator with special
expertise for CAS students. Consult the Career Center website at
http://www.american.edu/careercenter/ for more information.
Study Abroad
The opportunity to study in another country always enriches a student’s
personal and academic experience. College of Arts and Sciences students
are strongly encouraged to consider this option as part of their
undergraduate study. Begin as early as possible, with a discussion
with your CAS counselor, faculty in your intended or declared major,
and with staff in the AU Abroad Office. Careful planning and some
independent research will help you find a program that best meets
your needs.
AU Abroad has arrangements with a large number of academic institutions
in a variety of countries, and up-to-date information about each
of those institutions is available at http://auabroad.american.edu/.
AU Abroad staff members conduct frequent information sessions and
special programs featuring recent returnees or faculty from specific
sites abroad.
Summer Study Elsewhere
American offers a full range of courses during two summer sessions,
and many AU students use this opportunity to complete requirements
early or to take electives they would otherwise be unable to fit
into the regular term. Occasionally students need to return home
for the summer and wish to attend a local institution and transfer
course credits back to their AU academic record. All arrangements
must be made well in advance of the close of the spring semester.
In every case, permission from various departments as well as your
academic counselor and the CAS dean must be obtained. Consult with
your academic counselor for more details. Reminder: all General
Education requirements must be completed at AU once a student has
enrolled.
Leaving the University
Temporarily or Permanently
Occasionally it becomes necessary for a student to leave the university
either temporarily or permanently. Temporary leaves of absence can
be obtained for a semester or a year for students in good standing
who intend to return to their programs at AU. Students who wish
to end their course of study at AU should fill out a Voluntary Withdrawal
form prior to leaving campus in their final semester. Students should
discuss their options with their academic counselors as soon as
possible. If necessary, the academic counselor will take the student’s
request for either a Leave or Voluntary Withdrawal via e-mail and
fill out the necessary forms on behalf of the student. The associate
dean’s approval is required.
Exceptions to
University Regulations
All AU students are responsible for knowing the regulations governing
academics and for abiding by these rules. Academic regulations are
available at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/AcademicReg/index.html.
Exceptions to these regulations are considered only in extraordinary
and infrequent circumstances. Students should meet with their academic
counselor first to determine the feasibility of pursuing an exception
and, if the situation warrants, the procedures for doing so. If
the Associate Dean supports the exception, the request will be forwarded
to the Registrar’s Office for a final decision.
GRADING & GOOD ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Review of Academic Records
At the end of each fall and spring semester, academic counselors
review grade reports for each CAS student and, after consulting
with the Associate Dean, recommend various actions appropriate to
the academic record. Students with qualifying records are nominated
to the Dean’s List, and a congratulatory letter from the Dean
is also sent. Other actions are conveyed by letter after consultation
with the Dean. The range of possibilities includes academic warning,
academic probation, or academic dismissal. Students are also referred
to other University resources for appropriate services. Additional
information is available at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/AcademicReg/New/reg2510.html#12
Freshman
Forgiveness Rule
Students in their first two full-time semesters at AU who receive
a grade of F or X in a course, and who then repeat that course within
the next calendar year, may be eligible to apply the Freshman Forgiveness
Rule. Once the academic unit has verified to the Registrar’s
Office that the student is eligible, only the second grade for the
course is used in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
The first grade, however, remains on the student’s transcript.
A course in which a failing grade was received due to an academic
integrity code penalty is NOT eligible for freshman forgiveness.
This rule is frequently misunderstood. Please consult with your
academic counselor for accurate information. The complete rule is
found at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/AcademicReg/New/reg2510.html#6
Incomplete Grades
Under some circumstances a professor may assign an incomplete grade
(I) to a student who is performing well in a course but is unable
to complete all assignments. Students seeking an incomplete should
speak directly to their professor as early as possible. If the professor
is willing to allow an Incomplete, an agreement is reached with
the student stipulating the work to be done, the completion date,
and a default grade should the work go unfinished. Academic regulations
require that the work be completed no later than the last day of
classes of the following semester, but an earlier date can be stipulated
by the faculty member.
Academic Integrity
Code
By enrolling at American University, students acknowledge that they
understand and will abide by the University’s Academic Integrity
Code. Academic integrity is at the heart of our common
Academic Warnings
and Probations
Counselors review students' grade reports at the end of the fall
and spring semesters. Students who show signs of struggle may be
issued a letter of academic warning. Warnings alert students to
problems and advise them of resources that might assist them. Warnings
do not become a part of a student's permanent record. Students who
show extreme difficulties or have multiple semesters of poor performance
will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation are
in jeopardy of being dismissed from the university if performance
does not improve. Counselors may require regular meetings or additional
actions from students placed on probation. Academic probations become
a part of a student's permanent record and are reported on the university's
transcript.
Academic Dismissal
Students who show no improvement in their academic performance can
be dismissed from the university. In the event of academic dismissal
counselors will make every effort to notify the student as far
in advance of the next semester as possible. Dismissed students
are not eligible to take classes or live on campus for one calendar
year. Dismissed students seeking to return to AU after one year
must reapply for admission. If readmitted, students become responsible
for the degree program as it exists in the year of readmission.
Grading
System
Students may opt to take classes for a letter grade (A-F), on a pass/fail basis,
or to audit the course for no credit. Tuition for all grading options is the
same. Undergraduate students should remember that major requirements must be
taken for letter grade, and that a maximum of 50% of courses can be taken on
a pass/fail basis. Grading options are chosen at registration and cannot be changed
after the second week of classes.
Grade Point Average
American University calculates student performance on a 4-point
scale based upon the letter grades assigned in class. Students
must maintain a minimum 2.0 ("C" average) to be in
good standing at the university. For information on how to calculate
your GPA, see the registrar's Web site at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/AcademicReg/New/reg2510.html#7.
Dean's List
Students who demonstrate exceptional work during a semester are
honored by being named to the dean's list. Eligible students must
take a minimum of 15 credit hours in the semester with at least
12 hours of course work taken for letter grade (A-F) credit and
must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students who
receive an incomplete grade ("I") in a course are not
eligible for dean's list. A letter of congratulation from the dean
is sent to every student on the dean's list.
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
Nonacademic issues
See Student Resources.
Ann Robyn Mathias Student Research
Conference
This annual CAS student research conference, held each spring, showcases
the original scholarly and creative works of CAS graduate and undergraduate
students, as well as other AU students who submit work completed
for CAS courses. Presentations and panel discussions continue at
multiple locations throughout the day, and colleagues, faculty,
family members and friends of participants are invited to join presenters
at a lunch hosted by the College. For an application, see http://www.american.edu/cas/src.html.
CAS Undergraduate Student
Council
The CAS Undergraduate Student Council serves as an advisory group
to the Dean and undertakes various projects throughout the academic
year, including the sponsorship of College-wide student social activities.
The Council encourages participation from a wide variety of students;
please call 202-885-2687 for more information.
Federal Work-Study
Program
The College of Arts and Sciences offers many opportunities to students
who have been awarded aid through the Federal Work-Study Program
to earn income and experience while taking classes at AU. Students
eligible for Work-Study positions should visit the Human Resources
office for a list of open positions.
