AU First Generation Student Union
AU Honors
AU Honors fosters critical thinking, intellectual growth, and readiness for careers or graduate school. Beyond the carefully structured first year, each semester in Honors prepares students by building skills and knowledge for the next.
AU Honors application is open to incoming first-years and rising sophomores.
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/honors/index.cfm
AU Abroad
AU Abroad is the primary office for undergraduate study abroad programs. There are options to study abroad for the semester, year, and summer.
https://auabroad.american.edu/_portal/home
Alternative Break Programs
Alternative Break Programs are immersive service-learning experiences crafted to raise participants' awareness of vital social issues, foster personal growth, and equip them for a lifetime of meaningful social action.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/volunteer/alt-break-programs.cfm
University College
University College is a one-year experience for first-year students and is open to all schools and majors who opt to live on campus and who are not already participating in another living-learning community (LLC)
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/universitycollege/index.cfm
AU Compass
AU Compass is a living-learning community where sophomore students can both engage with and explore their academic pathway at AU. AU Compass gives students more time for focused exploration alongside a supportive network of peers, faculty, and staff. Students will participate in guest lectures, off-campus trips, self-inventories, and so much more, helping shape their journey as an Eagle and beyond.
Available to rising sophomores
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/au-compass/index.cfm
Cornerstone DC
In Cornerstone DC, you will gain professional skills while discovering what DC organizations have to offer. In addition, you will expand your network and acquire valuable experience that gives you an edge to compete in the job market.
Available to incoming first-years
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/universitycollege/au-cornerstone/dc/index.cfm
Cornerstone Greece
Cornerstone Greece is a spring semester study abroad opportunity offered exclusively to select first-year students. Cornerstone Greece allows you to get a jump start on your international education, letting you experience international culture firsthand while being supported by AU and international university partners.
Available to incoming first-years
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/universitycollege/au-cornerstone/greece/index.cfm
Cornerstone Madrid
Cornerstone Madrid: SIS Scholars is a first-semester fall program offered exclusively to Cornerstone students planning to major in the School of International Service. This program allows students to get a jump start on their international education. Students will experience international culture firsthand while the onsite AU Madrid Center staff and faculty guide and support them.
Available to incoming first-years
Community-Based Courses
Community-Based Learning & Research courses offer undergraduate students the opportunity to experience service-learning as part of an existing course. Students complete 20 hours of community service or a service project related to their course content and facilitated by the faculty member. Community-based courses are a great way for students to put their education to use and get practice with hands-on skill application.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/volunteer/cbl-students.cfm
AU Summer Scholars and Artists Program
American University invites advanced undergraduates to apply for the Summer Scholars and Artists (SSA) Fellowship. Funded by the Office of Undergraduate Education and open to all rising juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA or above, successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 for eight weeks of full-time research with the potential for significant scholarly or creative outcomes.
SSAs collaborate closely with faculty mentors, who receive a $500 stipend for their guidance on the project. Projects may be joint efforts with professors, but evidence of substantial original work by the SSA is required.
https://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/summer-scholars/
Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunities
American University is committed to supporting undergraduate research by providing funding and resources to support students in all stages of their research pursuits. This includes opportunities to serve as paid research assistants to full-time faculty, funding to engage in independent research projects and conference participation, and more in-depth summer research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor, as detailed below.
Applicants must be full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree. Applications will be individually reviewed on merit, with special attention given to overall academic progress and success within the student’s area of research. Funding cannot be granted for travel and presentations given after officially graduating from the university. Only one travel reimbursement can be received per academic year. If applying for summer travel, the student must be registered for classes at AU in the coming fall.
https://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/research-funding.cfm