Program Completion Requirements for the American Collegiate Program
The Program Completion requirements are the guiding principles for the courses of action taken for students as they progress from one program level to another. Students are expected to meet academic standards enumerated and detailed below.
General Standards
- For the general purposes of program requirements, students will be governed by the catalog year in effect for the academic year in which they are admitted or progressed to the American Collegiate Program.
- The maximum credit load per term should not exceed 17.5 credits in the fall and spring semesters, or 14.5 in the summer term.
- Students must register for and complete all required courses in American Collegiate curriculum as specified by their curricular track.
Upon successful completion of the American Collegiate program curriculum, students may seek admission to transfer into an undergraduate degree program at a U.S. university.
For the general purposes of AU university degree and program requirements, students who are accepted as transfer students to AU will be governed by the catalog year in effect for the academic year in which they are admitted to the American Collegiate program rather than the catalog year in effect at the point of formal admission to a degree program, provided that they successfully maintained continuous enrollment between these two points.
- Compliance with American University academic regulations and standards as outlined in the American University academic integrity code.
Attendance and Visa Requirements
- Regular class attendance for all American Collegiate students consistent with requirements stated on course syllabi is required to ensure students meet the goals of the program.
- American Collegiate students are required to comply with minimum F-1 visa enrollment requirements and maintain good academic standing to stay in the program. They must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits and attend classes as required by the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to meet the enrollment and attendance requirements may lead to loss of immigration status and deportation. Full details of visa requirements can be found in the AU Catalog. Students who receive grades of FX and ZX may be administratively separated from the program.
- American Collegiate students are required to enroll in full-time coursework consecutive semesters, including summer. Students must comply with full-time enrollment requirements as defined through the International Student and Scholar Services. Course selection and load will be selected in consultation with advising.
Language Proficiency Placement
Upon arrival on campus, all American Collegiate students have the option to take an English proficiency test administered by the American Collegiate program. This test is administered for curricular track placement confirmation or course adjustment and to develop individualized academic support for student success through American Collegiate as needed. Curricular track may be adjusted based on post arrival exam results; this may result in a longer program duration and added cost. Students will be advised accordingly.
Progression Plan Options
- Students who fail to achieve the above standards are permitted to retake any ELTA course one time in the next term. All other courses are governed by the existing rules and regulations (see regulation 4.3). Students may repeat a maximum of five courses while at American University (see regulation 4.3.3). Students who are not successful in achieving the minimum grades required for the Quantitative Literacy 1 course, WRT-100, ELTA prefix courses are required to reattempt the course(s) in the following semester, unless the course is not offered. Retaking course(s) is only acceptable if the GPA is mathematically possible to raise to minimum 2.0 in the next 12-17.5 credits.
- In accordance with AU academic regulation 4.3.4, “students are responsible for determining any academic or financial implications for repeating courses. In the context of this policy, passing a course includes meeting any stipulations needed to satisfy a university or major or minor requirement. Grades for each attempt are computed in the overall cumulative GPA, but only the highest grade and the credit associated with that grade counts toward the major GPA requirements.”
- Failure to complete the program successfully in accordance with progression standards above will lead to administrative separation from the university except in those instances where a student was granted a reduced course load as an ASAC approved disability related. Students will be advised on further options on a case-by-case basis.
American Collegiate Program Completion Standards
Students are provided a notation of completion on their transcripts. Standards for successful completion are:
- Completion of all (non-ELTA) Required Courses with a grade of “C” or better
- Complete of all ELTA Courses with a grade of “B- “or better
- Completion of a minimum of 24 transferable credits
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
Appendix: Standards for Progression or Transfer from American Collegiate to Degree Seeking Status at a U.S. University
Where applicable, as noted below, students who meet the progression requirements for a specific university will be eligible to enroll at that university with degree-seeking status. Students cannot remain in the American Collegiate program after their final term and will be advised on next steps.
This document will be updated with progression and/or transfer criteria as more schools participate in the American Collegiate program network.
Transfers to American University (AU)
- Successful completion of the American Collegiate program requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Students who meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress (minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher) will be advised on a case-by-case basis on course and program selection for transfer admission where possible.
IAP Progression Requirements
The undergraduate International Accelerator Program (IAP) is a non-degree program for international students lacking the required English proficiency to be admissible to degree programs at American University (AU). The program is comprised of two distinct tracks:
The Extended Accelerator Program track and the Academic Accelerator Program track. Students are placed in a curricular program track based on their English language proficiency level. The Extended Accelerator track is a four-term program during which students earn a minimum of 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree. The Academic Accelerator is a three-term program during which students earn a minimum of 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree. Within the Academic Accelerator, students with higher language proficiency are placed in the Advanced Academic Accelerator sub-track. Students in all tracks must comply with minimum F-1 visa course enrollment requirements while in the IAP.
Students are not allowed to take any 400 level courses while enrolled in IAP.
Students may take a 300-level course only in their last semester of IAP and with their Student Service Advisor’s approval.
Progression Plan for IAP
The Progression Plan is the guiding principle for the courses of action taken for students as they progress from one program level to another. Students are expected to meet academic standards enumerated and detailed below.
General Guidelines
- For the general purposes of university degree and program requirements, students will be governed by the catalog year in effect for the academic year in which they are admitted to the IAP rather than the catalog year in effect at the point of formal admission to a degree program, if they successfully maintained continuous enrollment between these two points.
- The maximum credit load per term should not exceed 17.5 credits, including nontransferable credits.
- Upon successful completion of the International Accelerator curriculum, students may transfer into an undergraduate degree program if they meet the progression standards set below and obtain the minimum GPA standards for the degree program.
- Students must maintain compliance with AU’s Undergraduate Academic Regulations (http://www.american.edu/provost/regulations.cfm) including AU’s Academic Integrity Code (http://www.american.edu/academics/integrity/code.cfm).
- Students must maintain compliance with AU’s Student Conduct Code
(https://www.american.edu/policies/students/student-conduct-code.cfm).
- Students on academic probation must satisfy all conditions of their probation before they will be considered for progression.
Attendance and Visa Requirements
Regular class attendance for all IAP students consistent with requirements stated on course syllabi is required to ensure students meet the goals of the program. Students who receive grades of “FX” or “ZX” may be administratively separated.
- F-1 students are required to maintain good academic standing and immigration status in every term to stay in the program. They must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits and attend classes as required by the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to meet the F-1 visa enrollment and attendance requirements may lead to loss of immigration status and deportation.
- Students may complete their program in consecutive terms. Depending on their start date, a summer term may be included in the program and therefore a full course of study may be required, unless it is the final term with approved reduced course load in consultation with ISSS.
Language Proficiency Placement
Upon arrival on campus, all admitted IAP students have the option to take an English proficiency test. This test is administered for curricular track placement and to develop individualized academic support for student success as needed.
Standards for Transfer from IAP to Degree Seeking Status
- Completion of an appropriately designated Quantitative Literacy I course with a grade of “C” or better.
- Completion of WRT 100 with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Completion of all ELTA courses with a grade of “B-” higher.
- Grade of “C” or higher in American University Experience I
- Completion of a minimum of 24 credits and maintenance of minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA is needed for a student to be guaranteed matriculation to AU.
Progression Plan Options
- Students who fail to achieve the above standards are permitted to retake any ELTA course one time in the next term. Students who are not successful in achieving the minimum grades required for Q1, WRT 100, OGIS 130, ELTA prefix courses and AUx1 are required to reattempt the course(s) in the following term. All other courses are governed by the existing rules and regulations (see regulation 4.3). Students may repeat a maximum of five courses while at American University
- Students who fail to earn a 2.0 and complete 80% of their attempted credits are subject to warning, probation, or dismissal (see regulation 5.7)
- Retaking course(s) in the next term will only be considered if the student is able to raise their cumulative GPA to a minimum 2.0 in the next term while enrolled in a minimum full-time course load (no fewer than 12 credits). Retaking course(s) in a final term will only be considered if the student is able to fulfill progression requirements by completing remaining required coursework and/or raise their cumulative GPA to a minimum of 2.0 during that term while enrolled in a minimum full-time course load.
- Designated remedial courses: Students who do not successfully pass the designated remedial course required for their program on the first attempt are required to repeat the course in accordance with AU academic regulation 4.3. (https://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/undergrad-rulesand-regulations.cfm)
- In accordance with AU academic regulation 4.3.4
(http://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/undergrad-rules-andregulations.cfm), “students are responsible for determining any academic or financial implications for repeating courses. In the context of this policy, passing a course includes meeting any stipulations needed to satisfy a university or major or minor requirement. Grades for each attempt are computed in the overall cumulative GPA, but only the highest grade and the credit associated with that grade counts toward the major GPA requirements.”
Pre-sessional English Program Progression Requirements:
The Pre-sessional English (PSE) Program is a non-degree intensive English Program offered through the English Language Training Academy (ELTA). PSE coursework includes skills and content-based language training, with academic support and advising offered through ELTA and IAP/ACDC. Undergraduate programs are offered at two levels: ELTA level 4 and ELTA level 5.
Attendance Requirements
- Regular class attendance for all students is required to ensure students meet the goals of the program.
- Failure to meet the enrollment and attendance requirements may lead to deportation due to loss of immigration status. Full details of visa requirements can be found in the AU Catalog. Students who receive grades of “FX” and “ZX” will be dismissed or administratively separated.
Progression Details:
- To progress to the next level within the pre-sessional program, students must achieve a letter grade of “B-” or better in each ELTA course.
- To progress into the Extended First Year, students must complete ELTA Level 5 coursework with a letter grade of “B-” or better in each ELTA course.
- If a student receives less than a grade of “B-” in any ELTA course, the student is required to repeat the entire level of courses.
- For students who eventually matriculate at AU, only courses that students do not pass count towards the quota of five repeatable courses. Courses that students passed, but must repeat as per the #1 rule above, do not count towards the repeatable quota.
- Students will maintain full-time study in compliance with the regulations of ELTA and visa requirements.
- Students are permitted to repeat one ELTA level one time while maintaining compliance with AU immigration standards, AU Undergraduate Academic Regulations, and AU Student Conduct Code.