Program Requirements

American Collegiate Overview

The American Collegiate program is designed to prepare international students for rigorous academic study and to transfer to a U.S. institution of higher education.

American Collegiate students enroll in both credit bearing and non-credit bearing courses to improve their academic profile, earning approximately 30 general education credits transferable to the second year of an undergraduate degree. Students enroll in elective coursework in the following foundation areas: STEM, Computer Science, Business, Finance, Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The program includes core, major, and elective courses, allowing students to pursue a wide variety of majors after completion of the program.

American Collegiate students may also receive additional developmental English language support, if necessary for successful transfer to competitive U.S. universities. Students will have the opportunity to consult with program advisors throughout their time in the American Collegiate program, as they prepare for transfer to another US university. American Collegiate students are required to complete the Program in 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.

Curricular Tracks Within American Collegiate

Extended First Year

The Extended First Year requires successful completion of at least 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree. Students may complete the program in as few as three terms.

Curriculum: Extended First Year

Required Courses

• Live, Learn, Grow (OGIS-062)
• English for Academic Purposes (ELTA-070)
• Critical Reading Skills (ELTA-072)
• Quantitative Literacy 1 course (as designated by Math department)
• Academic Writing Skills (ELTA-101)
• Culture of US Higher Education (ELTA-160)
• College Writing (WRT-100)
• Intercultural Understanding (OGIS-130)

Elective Courses

• Major Electives (to be selected with Academic Advising; at least 1 course)
• AU Core Courses (at least 1 course)
• CORE-196 (American University Experience 1)

First Year

The First Year requires successful completion of at least 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree. Students may complete the program in as few as two terms.

Curriculum: First Year

Required Courses

• Quantitative Literacy 1 course (as designated by Math department)
• Academic Writing Skills (ELTA-101) and/ or College Writing (WRT-100) [based on English proficiency]
• Culture of US Higher Education (ELTA-160)
• Intercultural Understanding (OGIS-130)

Elective Courses

• College Writing (WRT-101)
• Major Electives (to be selected with Academic Advising; at least 1 course)
• AU Core Courses (at least 1 course)
• CORE-196 (American University Experience 1)

Students must take all traditional onsite courses; American Collegiate students are not permitted to take any online courses. All ACDC students are required to participate in the Transfer Workshop series.

Progression Plan for the American Collegiate Program

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 Standards

1. 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.
2. The maximum credit load per term should not exceed 17.5 credits, including Live, Learn, Grow (OGIS-062) in the fall and spring semesters, or 14.5 in the summer term.
3. 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. Successful completion requires meeting the progression standards set in the “American Collegiate Certificate of Completion” section.

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.

4. Compliance with American University academic regulations and standards as outlined in the American University academic integrity code.

Attendance and Visa Requirements

1. 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.
2. American Collegiate student 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.
3. 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

1. 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 (seeregulation 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 and Live, Learn, Grow 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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 Certificate of Completion

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successful completion of the program. Standards for successful completion are:

1. Completion of all (non ELTA) Required Courses with a grade of “C” or better
2. Complete of all ELTA Courses with a grade of “B-“or better
3. Passing grade in Live, Learn, Grow (EFY only)
4. Completion of a minimum of 24 transferable credits
5. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better

Pre-sessional English Program (Intensive English): American Collegiate Program

The Pre-sessional English (PSE) American Collegiate Program is a non-degree intensive English Program offered through the English Language Training Academy (ELTA) at the Office of Global and Immersive Studies (OGIS). PSE American Collegiate coursework includes skills and content-based language training, with academic support and advising offered through ELTA and American Collegiate. Undergraduate programs are offered at two levels: ELTA level 4 and ELTA level 5. More information can be found on the following website.

Curriculum: Pre-sessional English American Collegiate Program

Course descriptions and curricular details for ELTA levels 4-5 can be found here.

Progression Plan Standards: Pre-sessional English

Attendance Requirements

• Regular class attendance for all students is required to ensure students meet the goals of the program; a minimum of 90% class attendance is required to progress to the next level.
• 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.

Language Proficiency Placement

All admitted students have the option to take a post-arrival English proficiency test administered by ELTA. This test is administered to determine placement into the appropriate level at ELTA.

Progression Plan Options

“Progression Criteria” refer to those standards required for Pre-sessional English American Collegiate students to progress into the Extended First-Year American Collegiate Program. Students who meet progression plan standards will be placed into next higher levels within the Pre-sessional program and/ or the Extended First Year American Collegiate Program, at which point they will be considered American Collegiate students.

Progression Details:

1. 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.
2. To progress into the Extended First Year American Collegiate Program, students must complete ELTA Level 5 coursework with a letter grade of “B-” or better in each ELTA course.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Students will maintain full-time study in compliance with the regulations of ELTA and visa requirements, including at least 90% class attendance.
6. 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. Requests to extend ELTA attendance further due to extenuating circumstances must be submitted to and approved by the ELTA Director.

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)

1. Successful completion of the American Collegiate program requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. 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.