Policy Number: AUS-AAP.001.001

Audience: Students and academic personnel

Sponsor: Office of Academic Affairs

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Courses at AUS are taught in English, unless otherwise noted in the course description (for example, foreign language courses).

Academic Engagement: Active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the student’s course of study that:

1. Is defined by the institution per any applicable requirements of its State or accrediting agency;

2. Includes, but is not limited to

   1. Attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, physically or online, where there is an opportunity for interaction between the instructor and students;

   2. Submitting an academic assignment;

   3. Taking an assessment or exam;

   4. Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;

   5. Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that the institution assigns; or

   6. Interacting with an instructor about academic matters; and

3. Does not include, for example:

   1. Living in institutional housing;

   2. Participating in the institution’s meal plan;

   3. Logging into an online class or tutorial without any further participation; or

   4. Participating in academic counseling or advisement.

Academic Preparation: Any other academic-related activities that support the learning process.

ACADEMIC CREDIT

• Academic work at AUS is measured by credit, which are used to evaluate the amount of time a student has devoted to a particular course and to determine a student’s academic level.

• All AUS courses are assigned a credit value.

• The term AUS Semester Credits is indicated as ASCS.

  • The term AUS Undergraduate-level Semester Credits is indicated as AUSCS.

  • The term AUS Graduate-level Semester Credits is indicated as AGSCS.

ACADEMIC LEVELS

• Undergraduate academic level is based on completed and in-progress units, not years attended. Undergraduate is indicated as U.

  • Freshman (UFR): 0–29.9

  • Sophomore (USO): 30–59.9

  • Junior (UJR): 60–89.9

  • Senior (USR): 90 or more

• Graduate academic level is based on the degree objective, whether or not students are advanced to candidacy for a doctorate, and/or completed units. Graduate is indicated as G.

  • Advanced Master's: Master’s degree objective

  • Professional Master's: Master’s degree objective

  • Doctorate 1: Not advanced to candidacy

  • Doctorate 2: Advanced to candidacy

• Undergraduate students will not receive graduate credit for G-level courses. Their transcript will always reflect U-level credit.

• Graduate students will receive N-level credit for any undergraduate subjects. N-level subjects cannot be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements, but letter grades are calculated in Grade Point Average.