Overview

American University’s Gap Program offers an academic and internship experience in our nation’s capital, providing the perfect springboard to develop a foundation for future academic and career success.

One Part Internship + One Part College =                                        One Unmatched Gap Program

Our semester programs include a seminar course of American Politics, International Affairs, or Global Business, plus a three day per week internship, for a total of 7 college credits. Enroll in a single semester (fall or spring) or a full-academic year in the program.

Real-World Career Experience

The internship experience allows you to build your professional skillset, make contacts, and gain real-world experience through the internship and mentored field practicum class. With over 3,000 internship contacts at your disposal, you can explore your interests, whether it is with a non-profit, government agency, business, sports team, or news bureau. You will receive support creating your resume, cover letters, and conducting your internship search, developing skills you will use for years to come.

Interactive Classes

AU Gap Program seminar classes are learning laboratories, taking full advantage of Washington, D.C. The classes are interactive sessions led by a professor who will introduce you to local, national, and global experts. You will participate in site visits to area nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses.

University Resources

While in the program, AU Gap students are fully integrated into the AU community and have access to all campus resources. You will live in the residence halls with other first year students, eat in campus dining facilities, and have the opportunity to join student clubs and organizations, providing you valuable first-hand insight into the college experience.

Apply Now!

The AU Gap Program is an excellent option if you have just completed high school and are searching for a different experience before starting college.  You will receive an AU transcript at the completion of the program detailing your academic record, which can be used for possible transfer to other college programs. Visit american.edu/spexs/augap for more information.

Application Deadlines     

                                  Fall 2018 (or Year Program)               May 15, 2018
                                  Spring 2019 Semester                          November 2, 2018
                                  Fall 2019 (or Year Program)               May 15, 2019               

Cost and Session Information

The following costs are estimated costs - per semester - in the 2017-18 academic year:

FALL OR SPRING SEMESTER:

Per Semester Tuition: $11,109 (7 credits including seminar and internship course)
Housing: $4,998 (double room)
Meal Plan: $2,442
Required Fees: $70
AU Health Insurance: $780 (optional)

Gap Program students have non-degree seeking student status, therefore financial aid is not available. Students/families typically use private loans to pay for the Gap Program.

1 Participant Review

Write a Review
AU Gap was an awesome experience!

AU Gap was an awesome experience!

5
Reviewed on 10/14/2015 by

The American University Gap Program provided me with a semester of experience in Washington, DC that was truly unique to the school and the city. The program involves one course through American University and an internship. The course I took during my semester was American Politics focusing on Justice and Law. Through that class, we visited many locations that are exclusive to Washington, DC. My favorite visit was to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. We received a very in-depth tour of the facility, which was truly exciting as visitors are rarely allowed to see the school behind the scenes. We even toured their mock town where they hold many training events. The second part of my experience was an internship three days a week at the Earth Day Network. This organization is an NGO focused on climate change and the environment. Through my internship, I was able to gain some real work experience. I wrote blog posts for the organization and helped with outreach to South American countries for Earth Day festivities. We also hosted a rally on the National Mall with many guest speakers and musicians, I was able to work backstage at this event. My professor and advisors at American University were extremely supportive throughout the internship application process. They made sure that we were going through the right steps and helped us to strengthen our resumes and interview skills. Another great piece of the program is that you are housed on the college campus. This allows you to participate in all the clubs, organizations, and special events that any college student has access to. Living in Washington, DC also allows you to get involved in just about any topic you could imagine, and there are many special events and festivals that are easy to take advantage of during your time in the city. I would recommend this program to any student is interested in experiencing Washington, DC, living on a college campus, and interning in a political town!

Testimonials

I already knew I wanted to come to DC, find an internship, and take classes, and the AU Gap Program offered all three of those things. It was also one of the few programs I could find that focused on pre-college gap students, and it gave me the chance to experience college life in more of a transitional way.

- Howey Qiu - June 1, 2015

After I graduated high school, I wanted a change of pace and a chance to discover more about my interests by taking a gap year. I wanted the first half of my gap year to feel productive and partially academic. The AU Gap Program allows me to feel like I’m growing academically with classroom-based learning, but also gaining real world knowledge through my internship and the cosmopolitan environment and opportunities that surround me. My favorite experience was attending an Armed Services hearing in the Senate, then reading and seeing many news articles about it the next day!

- Jemima Ford - Dec. 5, 2015

I graduated a semester early from high school, and in my semester off, I chose to come to AU for the Gap Program. I was ready for a change of pace. I am used to small town life and I was ready to experience life in a city, and my interest in politics really brought me here initially. I really love that DC has so much to offer. You can find an organization or event in DC for just about every interest you can think of. I interned at the Earth Day Network. The NGO advocates for environmental protection through various campaigns and programs. I loved that through my internship I had the opportunity to do a variety of projects. I wrote blog posts, worked on climate literacy programs for schools, and handled outreach to South America for Earth Day. We also put on a rally on the National Mall for Earth Day. Around 300,000 people showed up to the event and we had many guest speakers and musicians celebrating Earth Day with us. My favorite experience was visiting the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This was really special because they do not allow many visitors to the Academy. We were also given a very in-depth tour. The Academy has a mock town that they practice scenarios in, and we were able to walk through the town and explore some of the mock houses. It was a really interesting and unique experience.AU Gap is truly an in-depth look at DC.

- Oonagh Cavanagh - Aug. 13, 2015

1 Participant Review

Write a Review
AU Gap was an awesome experience!

AU Gap was an awesome experience!

5
Reviewed on 10/14/2015 by

The American University Gap Program provided me with a semester of experience in Washington, DC that was truly unique to the school and the city. The program involves one course through American University and an internship. The course I took during my semester was American Politics focusing on Justice and Law. Through that class, we visited many locations that are exclusive to Washington, DC. My favorite visit was to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. We received a very in-depth tour of the facility, which was truly exciting as visitors are rarely allowed to see the school behind the scenes. We even toured their mock town where they hold many training events. The second part of my experience was an internship three days a week at the Earth Day Network. This organization is an NGO focused on climate change and the environment. Through my internship, I was able to gain some real work experience. I wrote blog posts for the organization and helped with outreach to South American countries for Earth Day festivities. We also hosted a rally on the National Mall with many guest speakers and musicians, I was able to work backstage at this event. My professor and advisors at American University were extremely supportive throughout the internship application process. They made sure that we were going through the right steps and helped us to strengthen our resumes and interview skills. Another great piece of the program is that you are housed on the college campus. This allows you to participate in all the clubs, organizations, and special events that any college student has access to. Living in Washington, DC also allows you to get involved in just about any topic you could imagine, and there are many special events and festivals that are easy to take advantage of during your time in the city. I would recommend this program to any student is interested in experiencing Washington, DC, living on a college campus, and interning in a political town!

Testimonials

I already knew I wanted to come to DC, find an internship, and take classes, and the AU Gap Program offered all three of those things. It was also one of the few programs I could find that focused on pre-college gap students, and it gave me the chance to experience college life in more of a transitional way.

- Howey Qiu - June 1, 2015

After I graduated high school, I wanted a change of pace and a chance to discover more about my interests by taking a gap year. I wanted the first half of my gap year to feel productive and partially academic. The AU Gap Program allows me to feel like I’m growing academically with classroom-based learning, but also gaining real world knowledge through my internship and the cosmopolitan environment and opportunities that surround me. My favorite experience was attending an Armed Services hearing in the Senate, then reading and seeing many news articles about it the next day!

- Jemima Ford - Dec. 5, 2015

I graduated a semester early from high school, and in my semester off, I chose to come to AU for the Gap Program. I was ready for a change of pace. I am used to small town life and I was ready to experience life in a city, and my interest in politics really brought me here initially. I really love that DC has so much to offer. You can find an organization or event in DC for just about every interest you can think of. I interned at the Earth Day Network. The NGO advocates for environmental protection through various campaigns and programs. I loved that through my internship I had the opportunity to do a variety of projects. I wrote blog posts, worked on climate literacy programs for schools, and handled outreach to South America for Earth Day. We also put on a rally on the National Mall for Earth Day. Around 300,000 people showed up to the event and we had many guest speakers and musicians celebrating Earth Day with us. My favorite experience was visiting the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This was really special because they do not allow many visitors to the Academy. We were also given a very in-depth tour. The Academy has a mock town that they practice scenarios in, and we were able to walk through the town and explore some of the mock houses. It was a really interesting and unique experience.AU Gap is truly an in-depth look at DC.

- Oonagh Cavanagh - Aug. 13, 2015

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