Academic freedom is the freedom for faculty to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to pursue other professional academic activities related to student learning and research, and to explore all avenues of inquiry, learning and instruction in an institution of higher learning. However, academic freedom is accompanied by academic responsibility, which implies faithful performance of assigned academic duties and obligations including a presentation of course content that meets the requirements and learning objectives of each course. Academic responsibility also requires that faculty members make clear that they are not speaking for the institution, unless expressly authorized to do so by AUD, particularly in areas of politics, topics related to religious beliefs, and commercial endorsements. Faculty members should at all times act with integrity, express themselves within the confines of law and competent authority, show respect for the rights of others to hold differing opinions, be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, be culturally sensitive, and make every effort to indicate that statements they make express their own views and not those of AUD.

The American University in Dubai recognizes and will uphold for all its faculty, full-time and adjunct, the freedom to pursue knowledge wherever it may lead, the freedom to test received wisdom, and the freedom to research, review and put forward new, controversial, or unpopular ideas or opinions within the standards of scholarly inquiry and professional ethics, without interference and without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or any of their rights or privileges as AUD faculty.

Per AUD nomenclature "major" means a specialization within an undergraduate program. Hence, Business Administration, Communication and Information Studies, International Studies, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Science, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design are programs. Marketing Communications, Finance and Management are examples of majors within the Business Administration program.
AUD's School of Engineering offers six undergraduate degree programs: Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Computer and Information Technology.

The number of credit hours required by each program is clearly stated in the appropriate sections.

All undergraduate students must declare both their choice of a degree program and, if applicable, concentration prior to their Junior year (i.e., by the completion of 60 credit hours). Undecided students must do so by submitting the required form to the Registrar’s Office. Students wishing to change their degree programs and/or concentrations must obtain the required approvals and submit the form for this purpose to the Registrar.

A student may choose multiple (i.e., more than one) majors within a degree program. Any course listed under more than one major may be used to satisfy the requirements of each major under which it is listed. This reduces the credit-hour burden for students pursuing double or triple majors, while essentially preserving the specialization represented by each major. Credit hours are not, however, applied more than once in the calculation of total hours earned.

Students may change their program of study at anytime with the approval of the Dean or Chair of the new program. It is the prerogative of the new department to set the conditions (if any) for approving these changes. Students are advised to discuss changes with the appropriate Dean or Chair as these may cause a delay in graduation. Formal notification of an unapproved change is forwarded to students in writing by the office of the Registrar. All approved changes are reflected in the students’ degree audits in the term following the approval of the changes.

All course work and other requirements for undergraduate degrees must be completed no later than ten calendar years from the date of initial admission to the program. Study terms and inactive terms, during which the student was not registered in any courses, will all be counted in determining adherence to this time limit.

Students receive advising and are registered for their first term at AUD by an Admissions Coordinator.

During subsequent terms (up to the completion of 60 credit hours), undergraduate students receive advising and obtain authorization to register from an Academic Advisor housed in the AUD Academic Advising Center (AAC).

A student who has earned greater than 60 credit hours is assigned a faculty member who acts as his/her advisor. With the exception of candidates in Engineering, Computer and Information Technology and Computer Science, upon completion of 60 credit hours, students no longer need to obtain an Advisor’s signature in order to register. (Engineering, Computer and Information Technology and Computer Science students must obtain a signature from their AAC Advisor throughout their residency at AUD.)

Beyond 60 credit hours, each student is assigned a faculty member who acts as Academic Advisor. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their Advisor during their time at AUD. Advisors provide them with information and perspective related to academic policy and concerns, specific course related problems/issues and other academic professionally related development.

AUD defines the academic year as a period of time in which a full-time student is expected to complete two semesters (Fall, Spring) of instructional time. A full-time undergraduate student is expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits within the academic year. Undergraduate Students on the university’s visa must register for 15 credits per semester in the Fall and Spring semesters in order to maintain the required full-time status.

AUD’s Academic Calendar operates on the semester system with each semester consisting of 15 weeks of scheduled classes plus a 16th week for study/make-up classes and final examinations. The Summer sessions are optional and fall outside the academic year.

One unit of academic credit is generally awarded for each scheduled class hour (clock hour) per week; e.g., three hours of academic credit is equal to approximately three hours in the classroom per week. Therefore, for every three hours of academic credit awarded, the student receives approximately 45 hours of instruction. Summer sessions entail a higher number of weekly hours. The relationship between hours spent in labs or studios and credit hours varies by discipline/course and is reflected in the Course Descriptions section.

The normal academic load for undergraduate students at the university is 15 credit hours per semester and 9 credit hours for either Summer term. Students wishing to carry additional hours may do so with the permission of their Advisor. Overloads are permitted only for students in good academic standing (i.e., carrying a minimum 2.0 CGPA); and occasionally, depending on the courses comprising the student’s proposed schedule, a higher CGPA may be required.

A student may audit a course at his/her discretion and with the permission of the Dean, Chair or Program Director of the academic unit offering the course. An audited (i.e., not-for-credit) course may not be taken for credit at a later date. The normal fee schedule governs audited courses.

While it is difficult to generalize from program to program (and student to student), the university has firm beliefs concerning course sequencing in terms of what makes academic sense and will enable students to complete their degree requirements by the expected date of graduation.

Regulations regarding the satisfaction of Arts and Sciences requirements can be found here.

University-level competency in English is instrumental in student success at AUD. Where ENGL101/102 are indicated as specific prerequisites to a course, the prerequisites will be rigorously enforced. Furthermore, even if not stated as a prerequisite, students are advised not to register for a 300 or 400 level course without completing ENGL102. It is likewise advisable that students complete ENGL 101 prior to registering for 200 level courses unless it is recommended that the course be taken concurrently with ENGL101. The completion of ENGL101/102, required by all academic programs, will help students complete program-specific course work successfully.

Students should consult their academic advisor if they have any questions.

AUD recognizes the challenge of attending a university for the first time and supports the success of all new undergraduate students through a first year experience program. The program includes a comprehensive campus Orientation, workshops, and a course on university success. The UNIV 100 (The University Experience) course helps to maximize a student’s ability to benefit from higher education and to ease his or her transition into the university environment.

UNIV 100
To be successful at The American University in Dubai, Undergraduate Students need to understand and adapt to the standards, approaches and expectations of the American university system. Because these may differ significantly from the standards, approaches and expectations that incoming students have experienced in previous educational institutions, it is important for AUD to facilitate the socialization process. Therefore, all Undergraduate Students entering The American University in Dubai* are required to take UNIV 100 (The University Experience). In this course, first year Undergraduate Students are introduced to the structure, norms and expectations which underpin American education and which guide the university’s assessment of student performance. These aspects of American education give priority to critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, goal-directed behavior, personal initiative, ethics and cultural tolerance. In essence, UNIV 100 enables Undergraduate Students to adopt the posture of “student-as-a-professional” and to reach their full potential during their tenure at AUD and beyond.

Undergraduate Students who delay UNIV 100 will not be exempted from this requirement.

* Except those who have completed five courses (semester basis) and three courses (quarter basis) at a recognized college or university.

All candidates for an AUD Undergraduate degree are required to complete successfully ENGL 101 (Composition and Rhetoric), ENGL 102 (Advanced Composition and Research), ENGL 103 (Introduction to Literature), COMP 101 (Introduction to Computers); and depending on their Major and placement test results, MATH 111 (Mathematics for the Arts) or MATH 160 (Mathematics with Business Applications) within their first 60 credits earned. If applicable, ENGL 100 (Developmental English), MATH 098 (Developmental Mathematics I), and MATH 099 (Developmental Mathematics II) must also be successfully completed within one year of initial registration. Failure to do so will result in the student's non-eligibility to register for any for-credit courses until the remaining developmental courses are completed successfully.

Math requirements for Engineering and Architecture students vary, and students should consult their advisors for Years I and II sequencing.) All eligible first year students must take UNIV 100 (The University Experience) within their first 30 credits earned.

Failure to comply with this Policy may result in dismissal from the university.

Students educated in a language other than English or who have earned two years of high school credit or its equivalent in that language (regardless of the grade received) are not eligible to register for courses at the 101 level. Students desiring to study at a more advanced level (i.e., 102 and above) should consult the Arts and Sciences Dean to obtain authorization to register.

Students are expected to be in class for all scheduled class periods (including make-up classes). All matters related to student absences (making up work missed, tests missed, etc.) are specified in the course syllabus. Because the university believes that attendance in classes is an indispensable part of the learning experience, the following rules regulate attendance and grading:

• There is no difference between excused and unexcused absences. An absence is an absence;
• Excessive absence, defined by the equivalent of two weeks (semester) or one week (summer session), may lower the student’s class participation grade. The degree to which the class participation grade is lowered is at the discretion of the instructor, as clearly defined in the course syllabus;
• Absences are counted from the first day of the term.

Students are expected to be in class on time.

The instructor will be responsible for denoting the attendance policy (including tardiness) and including guidelines for assessing class participation on the class syllabus. The policy for handing in assignments late is determined by the instructor and is stated on the class syllabus.

At the discretion of the Office of Academic Affairs, absences incurred due to participation in AUD-sponsored activities or sports tournaments may not figure in the calculation of a student’s total absences. Students must complete an Absence Notification Form at least two weeks prior to the actual absence. This Form is available from the Student Activities Coordinator. Prior authorization by the Office of Academic Affairs is required.

Any student who is experiencing psychological distress and is unable to attend his/her scheduled classes must first see the AUD Counselor. The Counselor will carefully assess the student’s psychological state. Should the Counselor determine the student is unable to attend classes, the Counselor will immediately contact the Provost/Chief Academic Officer and inform him of the student’s condition. Respecting the confidentiality policy of counseling services, the Counselor will only disclose the minimal information needed to explain the situation. The Provost/Chief Academic Officer will authorize any absences, if any, from the course. (The student retains the options of withdrawing or seeking an Incomplete.)

All undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 50 percent of their degree program credit requirements in residency at AUD in order to qualify for a degree. The total number of credits in residency required is determined by calculating 50 percent of the total number of credits required for the student’s program of study. Furthermore, all students must complete their last two semesters (i.e., obtain a minimum of 30 credit hours) at AUD to be awarded an AUD degree.

Students enrolled at AUD are required to have on file within their first term of residence official transcripts for any institutions of higher learning previously attended. The Admissions Office will ultimately verify/ certify the institution’s eligibility for transfer credit.

In order for AUD to accept transfer credit from an institution outside the UAE, such institution must be licensed or officially recognized by the Education Department or Ministry of the country where it is in operation.

Several transcript evaluation services are available to students. Services which are either recognized by AACRAO (Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) or a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.) are acceptable services. Students are responsible for all applicable fees. Specific requirements for the evaluation and award of transfer credit at AUD include:

• Application for transfer credit, accompanied by all required documentation, must be made in the student’s first semester of residence. Records and documentation received following the first semester will not be considered for transfer credit.
• Students may transfer in a maximum of 50% of the required program credits.
• In those cases in which students present courses for transfer constituting greater than 50% of a program’s credit hour requirement, courses will be eliminated (to get to 50%) per the following order of priority:
  • Major
  • Core
  • Professional Elective
  • Foundation
  • Arts and Sciences
• Official college or military transcripts are evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
• Only courses at the 100 level or above will be eligible for transfer credit.
• In order to be granted transfer credit for 300/400 AUD-equivalent courses, a minimum grade of B or better is required. This does not apply to AUD students enrolled in an exchange program unless the course serves as a prerequisite for which AUD requires a grade of B or higher.
• In order for AUD-equivalent courses to be eligible for transfer credit at the 100/200 level, a grade of C or better is required.
• 3-semester and 4-quarter credit courses may be considered equivalent to AUD’s 3 credit courses. A course-to-course analysis of outcomes may result in credit transfer from accredited institutions of higher learning.
• Under no circumstances will the total number of credit hours transferred exceed six (i.e., two courses) of the student’s chosen major.
• Under no circumstances will the university grant transfer credit for courses designated as capstone, senior project, portfolio, internship or study tour. Examples include: MGMT 499, MCOM 431, VICD 455/456, IDES 423.
• Transfer credit is never granted for upper division (i.e., 300/400 level) courses in the B.S.C.I.T. program.
• Following a student’s initial enrollment at AUD, he/she may transfer a maximum of 9 credit semester hours or equivalent, subject to approval by their Dean or Chair. This rule does not apply to students who receive authorization from their Dean or Chair to spend a term (i.e., semester or summer session[s]) abroad, either at a university with which AUD has an exchange agreement or another university chosen by the student (subject to AUD approval). In these cases, students may be authorized to transfer up to 15 credit semester hours or equivalent.

In no case may the total number of transfer credits following admission to AUD exceed 15; and these must fall within the 50% of credits earned in residence required to be granted an AUD degree. Click here to view institutions with which AUD has exchange agreements.

After initial enrollment at AUD, students will, subject to prior approval, receive transfer credits only for pre-approved courses from the following sources:

• AUD-approved exchange programs;
• AUD-approved study abroad programs;
  or,
• Other AUD-approved institutions.

AUD students who wish to earn credit at another university must obtain prior approval for the courses they intend to take. (Forms for this purpose are available at the Registrar’s Office.) Failure to do so prior to the commencement of study may result in AUD’s denial of transfer credit.

Students wishing to participate in an AUD-sponsored exchange program, must meet the following criteria:

• Carry a minimum CGPA of 2.5;
• Be in his/her sophomore year or beyond.

One of the exciting opportunities for students at AUD is the opportunity to earn academic credit toward their degree while traveling on university-sponsored study tours. In the past, study tours have included New York, Paris, Milan and Florence. A student may only receive credit (three hours) towards graduation for one study tour. In order to register for a second study tour, a student must obtain the written approval of the Study Tour Advisor. Academic credit will be granted and a grade assigned for the second tour, but not in fulfillment of degree requirements.

Withdrawals from study tours are not permitted. Study tours are used by students to fulfill General Elective requirements and carry the following course codes: NYST 275 (New York) and ITST 275 (International). Should students majoring in a given discipline wish to take a study tour specific to that discipline, the Office of Academic Affairs will consider authorizing such a Tour to fulfill Professional Elective requirements. In such cases, the course discipline-specific code will be used (e.g., BUSI, VICD, IDES).

Study Tours are graded on a Pass (P or P+)/Fail (F) basis.