Benefits of AU Credit
Through this unique opportunity, you will:
- Enjoy personal instruction from your college professor.
- Participate in online discussion groups and/or instruction through the university’s electronic Canvas platform.
- Receive feedback and work with your professor as you complete your final project/assignment.
- Learn how to navigate library E-reserves and online academic journals/resources.
- Bolster your college applications by checking-off/submitting your college-level course for credit on the Common Application.
- Have an official American University transcript sent to any college to which you are applying
The AU college credit courses are designed to relate to your NSLC program. Taught by AU faculty, students explore relevant and engaging topics in an innovative, encouraging, and personalized learning environment. This instruction may include pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, documentaries, and discussion boards. Readings and assignments will be available via AU’s Canvas platform. Students may enroll only in the AU course associated with their NSLC program. To read about the course associated with your program, visit Course Descriptions. For a course outline, email collegecredit@american.edu.
The AU online course dates are July 5 (with access as of July 1) to August 18. 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. You are not expected to complete any course work while on campus.
AU credit is transferable to most accredited colleges and universities. In recognition of the scholastic aptitude and leadership merit of students selected for the NSLC, this credit is offered at a reduced tuition rate of $919 per credit hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I sign up for American University (AU) college credit?
Students who enroll in the American University college credit option will experience personal instruction from an AU faculty member. They will get a jump-start on learning how to navigate university electronic resources, including Canvas and E-Reserves. When it’s time to apply to college, students may check off on their Common Application that they’ve taken a university class for credit. And they will enhance their overall NSLC experience by engaging in subject material on a more academic level. Please visit www.american.edu/nslc for more information on the program.
What should I know about American University?
American University is a private liberal arts and research university located in Washington, DC. American University provides a rigorous academic experience where talented students and faculty thrive in a collegial and supportive setting. A leader in global education, AU enrolls more than 8,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students from throughout the United States and nearly 150 countries, providing opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation’s capital and around the world. The AU community is distinguished by its internationally renowned scholars, highly talented and engaged students, and alumni leaders in public service, nonprofit work, and the private sector.
Is AU college credit offered at all NSLC programs?
Yes, the AU credit option is offered to participants across all NSLC programs, regardless of dates or locations.
How is the AU credit course structured?
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 provide sufficient time before and after your campus program to complete course assignments. There are no live class sessions; however, some faculty may hold optional office hours via Zoom.
Will the college credit course interfere with my NSLC program?
No, you are not expected to complete any course work while on campus participating in your NSLC program. The course dates are structured to provide sufficient time before and after your campus program to complete course assignments. Those students enrolled in July and August campus programs will access their AU course before and after their campus program.
What are the dates of the AU credit course?
The AU online course dates are July 5 (with access as of July 1) to August 18. 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.
Is it possible to obtain an extension?
Extensions are possible, but students must obtain written permission from their instructor.
How will I access my AU credit course?
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.
What are the academic expectations for enrolling in the AU credit course?
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 meet assignment deadlines and submit their work via AU’s Canvas platform. For a course outline, please email collegecredit@american.edu.
Will enrolling in AU credit bolster my applications for college?
Successfully completing the AU college credit option program will allow you to demonstrate that you have stretched yourself and taken initiative beyond what is normally expected from high school students. On your college applications, you will be able to list your course and “check off” that the course earned college credits (beyond AP and IB).
May I list my AU college credit class on the Common Application?
Yes. The Common Application, an undergraduate college admissions application used by 900 colleges and universities in the U.S., includes a section for students to list any college credit classes (other than AP and IB) that they have taken. The application will ask for American University’s CEEB code (5007) as well as the name of the course. See sample drop-down menu taken from the Common Application.
Will American University send my transcript to colleges where I am applying?
Yes, American University will send transcripts; however, AU will only do so with your permission. Once you have completed your course, AU will provide instructions on how to request transcripts.
How do I send my transcript to colleges and universities?
If you are a former NSLC student who took an AU Credit course with your NSLC program and would like to receive an official American University transcript of your grade, you will need to submit a transcript request. The AU Registrar now uses an outside firm to assist with transcripts. Follow 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. please email AU’s Registrar at transcript_services@american.edu.
Is the credit transferable to other colleges and universities?
Yes. However, as with Advanced Placements credits, each college/university has its own policies with regard to accepting academic credit from other institutions. Students are advised to contact universities to which they are interested in attending to inquire as to its policies.
What is the discounted tuition per credit?
The discounted tuition for the AU college credit option is $919 per credit—roughly 50% off the normal AU undergraduate per-credit cost.
What final research papers/projects are required?
The assignments per course vary depending on the instructor. In general, students will be required to complete two assignments, the longer of which might be a four to six double-spaced paper. Please see the question above on academic expectations. For a course outline, please email collegecredit@american.edu
Questions?
Please email collegecredit@american.edu for any questions you may have.
