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Logistics

Logistics

Expectations

Tuition

Registration Changes

Asynchronous Format. The AU credit course is taught online in a self-paced, asynchronous format, allowing flexibility in completing reading and writing assignments on your own schedule. Instructional content may include pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, documentaries, and faculty-led discussion boards.

Summer 2026 Course Dates. The AU online course runs from June 29 to August 7 and is designed to fit around your NSLC on-campus program, no matter when or where it takes place. You are not required to complete coursework during your time on an NSLC campus. However, you are required to communicate with the AU professor to make up any work you missed.

Course Start Date

• Course Access via Canvas: Begins on June 22. Students should check their course syllabus for upcoming assignments and schedule their time accordingly to meet any deadlines.

• Course Official Start Date: June 29.

  • If your NSLC on-campus program is during the week of June 29, you'll begin your online course after you complete this session.
  • If your NSLC program is in July or August, you should begin your course assignments before and after your on-campus program.

The course is designed to allow flexibility for all NSLC campus participants, with ample time to complete assignments by their deadlines. Be sure to review your syllabus and plan ahead!

• Course End Date: August 7. All course assignments must be completed by this date.

How to Register. To enroll in the AU credit option, log in to MyNSLC, scroll to the “Options” section, and select “College Credit.” You may also enroll by calling NSLC at (800) 994-NSLC (6752). Students may enroll only in the AU course associated with their NSLC program. NSLC will process your payment and confirm once registration is complete. The last date to enroll is June 25, 2026.

AU Account Set-Up. Following your enrollment, NSLC will send detailed instructions for creating your AU user account. Please allow up to two weeks to receive these instructions. You must create your AU user account promptly to avoid delays in accessing your course.

Access to AU’s Canvas Platform. In mid-June, you will receive an email from NSLC with information on how to access AU’s Canvas platform. Your course will become “live” on June 22; Classes begin on June 29.

Academic Expectations. Students will be assigned reading and writing assignments appropriate for a one-credit college-level course. Working at times that suit your schedule, you are expected to complete assignments according to assigned deadlines, with final course completion by August 7.

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 observe assignment deadlines and submit their work via AU’s Canvas platform. For a course outline, please email collegecredit@american.edu.

Instructor Access. Instructors are committed to your success. They will remain accessible throughout the entire course via email and/or office hours conducted via Zoom or Skype. Please contact your instructor for any course-related questions.

Course Materials. All readings and course materials will be available on AU’s Canvas platform. There are no additional fees required.

Questions? Please email collegecredit@american.edu for any questions you may have.

Credits

American University awards credit based on a minimum of 12.5 instructional hours and 25 hours of independent student work per credit. The AU credit option expands on instruction derived from the lectures, simulations, and other experiential learning gained through your NSLC program through a supplemental online course taught by AU faculty.

AU credit is transferable to many accredited colleges and universities; however, AU recommends that students verify transfer credit policies at institutions they wish to attend. Each college or university maintains its own policies regarding what transfer credit it will accept.

Grades

Students will earn a letter grade (A-F) upon completion of the course. Students do have the option of selecting a pass/fail option. To choose the pass/fail option, you must email the AU-NSLC college credit team at collegecredit@american.edu before the "withdrawal" date shown on the syllabus. Please note that a grade of Pass indicates performance of no less than a 2.0 on a conventional grading scale.

Please be advised that failure to complete assignments may result in failing the course which will be reflected on your permanent college transcript. If no assignments are completed, the student's incomplete status will default to a failed grade.

<strong>Academic Expectations</strong>

Students will be assigned reading and writing assignments appropriate for a one-credit college-level course. Working at times that suit your schedule, you are expected to complete assignments according to assigned deadlines, with a final course completion date of August 7, 2026. 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 observe assignment deadlines and submit their work via AU’s Canvas platform.

Late Assignments

Sometimes students have trips or obligations that might interfere with a course deadline; in such cases, students may request an extension from their professor. Late assignments will not be accepted unless you receive written permission from your professor. Failure to complete assignments may result in failing the course, which will be reflected on your permanent college transcript.

Transcripts

Upon completing the course, students may obtain an official AU transcript documenting their academic credit. Students should 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 birthdate so that your record can be located. If you have questions, please email transcript_services@american.edu.

Please be aware that the Registrar will never send your transcript without your permission.

TUITION

To honor the academic excellence and leadership qualities of students selected for the NSLC, American University is offering a special reduced tuition rate of $1,044 for the Summer of 2025.

Payments are made directly to the NSLC. Upon acceptance to your program, please log-in to myNSLC and complete the "College Credit" form. For any payment-related questions, please contact NSLC at info@nslcleaders.org or call 1-800-994-NSLC (6752).

Refunds

Tuition is refundable if NSLC receives notification of cancellation by June 1, 2026. If a student cancels registration after the cancellation deadline, no refunds will be permitted. This policy is necessary to account for the program costs incurred with each enrollment.

Any changes to a registration must adhere to the following deadlines and will be subject to the refund policy. Changes made to your AU course before June 1, 2026, should be made directly to NSLC. Changes made after June 1, 2026, must be communicated to AU by emailing collegecredit@american.edu.

Add/Drop a Course

• Last day to drop a course and receive a refund

  June 1, 2026

• Last day to add a course

  June 25, 2026

• Last day to drop a course (without "withdrawal")

  July 3, 2026

• Last day to drop a course (with "withdrawal")

  July 24, 2026

Change of Grade Type

• Last day to change grade to pass/fail

  July 24, 2026