POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC HONESTY
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
At AUD, students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity by completing their own work, assignments and assessments. Effective planning and progress must be accomplished for students to be successful in their degree program of study. Submission of work from another person, whether it is from printed sources or someone other than the student; previously graded papers; papers submitted without proper source citation; or submitting the same paper to multiple courses without the approval of all instructors involved can result in a failing grade or be reported to the Dean, Associate Dean or Chair for appropriate sanction or disciplinary actions. All students are expected to maintain the standards as set forth in the Code of Student Conduct and Statement on Academic Honesty.
POLICY NAME: AUD HONOR CODE PLEDGE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The administration and faculty of AUD believe strongly in the Academic Policies and Procedures concept of an honor system. This belief is based on the knowledge that in competitive professional environments, greater emphasis is placed on originality and integrity of ideas and work. All members of the AUD academic community, including faculty, students, and administration, are expected to assist in maintaining the integrity of the university, which includes reporting incidents that violate the Statement on Academic Honesty.
To this end, all students are asked to adhere to the honor pledge that reads as follows:
“As a student of The American University in Dubai, I pledge that all tests taken by me and that all work submitted by me will be original and solely the results of my own efforts. Furthermore, as a student and member of the academic community of The American University in Dubai, I am bound to uphold standards of personal integrity and honesty and to accept my personal, academic and professional responsibilities in the community.
Specifically, I pledge:
POLICY NAME: PENALTIES FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY VIOLATION
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
A. Following careful consideration at the school Dean level or deliberation at the University Honor Council (UHC) level, a penalty commensurate with the seriousness of the offense and the degree of student culpability will be determined from the menu below:
POLICY NAME: STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
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. This freedom also extends to students as they engage in learning activities and inquiry related to those activities. However, academic freedom is accompanied by academic responsibility, which, for faculty, 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. For both faculty and students, responsible exercise of academic freedom involves adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity in all teaching, learning and research-related activities. 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 and students 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, and for its students, 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 academic integrity, 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, or of academic detriment or penalty as students.
A faculty member or student who believes his or her academic freedom has not been protected due to violation of this Statement may seek redress by filing a grievance with the Grievance Officer. The grievance process described on General Policies will apply to the processing of grievances related to academic freedom.
POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC CREDIT HOUR DETERMINATION
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD follows commonly accepted American best practice for determining course credit hours.
The number and mode of delivery of weekly contact hours determine the credit hours assigned to a course.
For every three hours of lecture delivered weekly throughout a semester or summer session, amounting to approximately 45 contact hours of instruction, three hours of credit are assigned.
Learning experiences such as studios and laboratories, which serve the primary purpose of reinforcing the learning and understanding of previously presented material and/or putting theory and principles into practice, ordinarily receive one-half the credit value of a lecture; that is, for every two hours weekly spent in a laboratory or studio during a semester or summer session, one hour of credit is assigned. Accordingly, a semester course consisting of three weekly hours of lecture and two weekly hours of studio or laboratory would be assigned four credit hours.
In calculating credit hours, AUD’s courses must follow the above principle and apply the ratio between the value of an hour of lecture and an hour of another form of delivery (e.g,1:0.5) in determining the credit hours assigned to a course. However, there may be a reason to propose a deviation. Proposals to deviate from this ratio of contact hours to credit will only be considered for the non-lecture-based component comprising a given course. The amount of contact time required to constitute a credit hour may be adjusted, depending on judgment concerning the instructional intensity or other factors of this component of the course.
Subject to ratification by the Academic Council, it is the purview of the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) to evaluate the credit hours assigned by the schools to those courses proposed for inclusion in the university’s curriculum.
Internships and field experiences provide students an opportunity to earn credit by working in a professional capacity in a position related to their degree discipline. Unless otherwise specified in a program, and by consensus across the university’s schools, all students must work a minimum of 225 hours (i.e., 15 weekly hours) in a professional setting to be awarded three credit hours. The amount of credit generated by such workplace activity in any given term is usually capped at three.
In cases where various instructional experiences are blended (e.g., lecture and internship), the ratios cited in this policy are used to determine credit hours. Study tours ordinarily require some lecture, visits to discipline-relevant sites, report writing and other assignments. The contribution of each experience to credit hour calculation is determined with a view to the hours dedicated to each component and the judged intensity of instruction.
In awarding transfer credit (see pp. 19, 77-78 of the 2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog), all courses are evaluated for their equivalency to AUD courses in terms of content and contact hours. For those systems not based on semester credit hours, conversions are made to the semester credit hour system using the above criteria.
POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC YEAR
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
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 student is expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits within the academic year. (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. An Internship term consists of 16 weeks (May-August). A detailed Academic Calendar is included in this Catalog.
POLICY NAME: AUDITS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
A student may audit a course at his or her discretion and with the approval of the Dean, Associate Dean or Chair 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.
POLICY NAME: COURSE LOAD
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Undergraduate Students
The normal academic load at the university is 15 credit hours per semester and two courses for either Summer session. Students wishing to carry additional hours may do so with the approval of their advisor. Overloads not exceeding one course may be permitted in Fall and Spring for students in good academic standing (i.e., carrying a minimum 2.5 CGPA). For Summer sessions, overloads not exceeding one course may be permitted for students carrying a minimum 3.0 CGPA. Different schools may have higher CGPA and additional requirements.
Graduate Students
The normal academic load in the graduate programs is six credit hours per semester and three credit hours for the summer term.
POLICY NAME: DEFINITION OF “PROGRAM” AND “MAJOR”
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Per AUD nomenclature “major” means a specialization within a program. Hence, Biology, Business Administration, Communication and Information Studies, International Studies, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design are programs. Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications, Finance and Management are examples of majors within the Business Administration program. AUD’s School of Engineering offers four degree programs: Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. The number of credit hours required by each program is clearly stated in the appropriate sections of this Catalog. Optional majors (where applicable) are also listed, together with the required credit hours for each.
POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC ADVISING/REGISTRATION
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Students are advised by their assigned academic advisor housed in the Office of Student Affairs beginning their first term at AUD.
All undergraduate students (up to the completion of 90 credit hours), must receive advising and obtain authorization to register from their Academic Advisor. However, Engineering Students are advised and must obtain prior approval from their Academic Advisor throughout their residency at AUD.
Moreover, students returning from suspension are to be advised and should receive prior approval from their assigned Academic Advisor throughout their residency at AUD, irrespective of the CGPA attained subsequent to their return from suspension.
With the exception of candidates in Engineering, upon completion of 90 credit hours, students no longer need to obtain an Advisor’s approval in order to register.
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. However, because students are expected to assume responsibility for program planning and course selection since ultimately the responsibility for fulfilling degree requirements rests squarely with the student. They are required to become intimately familiar with the various program requirements and necessary requisite coursework and sequencing.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate students should contact their Program Director for academic advising and approval of courses prior to registration.
Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their Program Director during their time at AUD. Program Directors provide them with information and perspective related to academic policy and concerns, specific course related problems/issues and other academic matters. However, students are required to become intimately familiar with the various program requirements and necessary requisite coursework and sequencing and are expected to assume responsibility for program planning and course selection. Ultimately the responsibility for fulfilling degree requirements rests squarely with the
student.
POLICY NAME: COURSE SEQUENCING
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
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.
Students should consult the course sequencing charts in the program-specific sections of the Undergraduate Catalog. See regulations regarding the satisfaction of Arts and Sciences requirements.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Students admitted to a graduate program may be required to follow a specific course sequence, which will depend on the student’s program option at admission (i.e., choice of concentration/track if applicable). All course sequences will be based on a set schedule, and will be designed to make it possible – assuming a Fall term start and a course load of two courses per semester – to complete a program in just six consecutive terms (excluding Summer II); i.e., in less than two years. This program completion time would become significantly shorter for students who take a full course load of three or more courses per term.
Students should consult the course sequencing charts in the program-specific sections of the Graduate Catalog.
POLICY NAME: GRADE APPEAL
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Questions and concerns about grades often result from misunderstandings about grading practices and expected standards. Direct communication between instructors and the students usually clear up these misunderstandings. In some cases, however, a grade appeal is warranted.
Students have the right to appeal a grade and request a reconsideration of the assigned grade within one month subsequent to the issuance of the grade; however, they must provide sufficient, tangible evidence to support their request for a re-examination of the assigned grade.
Reasons for reconsideration of a grade appeal may include:
POLICY NAME: STUDENT ATTENDANCE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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:
POLICY NAME: TIME LIMIT FOR COMPLETION OF DEGREE PROGRAMS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Undergraduate Degree Programs
All course work and other requirements for baccalaureate 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.
Graduate Degree Programs
All graduate course work and other requirements must be completed no later than five calendar years from the date of initial admission to the graduate program. Study terms, inactive terms during which the student was not registered in any courses, and, if relevant, the three-terms time limit for completion of a thesis (plus the one-term extension, if applicable) will all be counted in determining adherence to this time limit. However, terms during which the student was registered in Foundation (non-600 level) courses will not be counted in this determination.
POLICY NAME: TRANSFER CREDIT/RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Undergraduate Students
All 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 of credit.
In order for AUD to accept transfer credit from an institution outside the U.A.E., such institution must be licensed or officially recognized by the Education Department or Ministry of Higher Education 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:
POLICY NAME: GENERAL EDUCATION EXIT EXAM
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
As part of its assessment of student acquisition of general education competencies, The American University in Dubai administers the General Education Exit Examination to graduating seniors. Sitting for this Examination is mandatory.
The General Education Exit Examination is administered twice yearly - once in each of the Fall and Spring semesters. The date for this Examination is announced within the first two weeks of the semester. Students completing degree requirements in the Fall, Spring, or either of the succeeding Summer sessions must sit for the Examination scheduled in the Spring semester.
Fulfillment of a student’s request for a diploma will not be finalized until the Director of Institutional Effectiveness confirms that the student has taken the General Education Exit Examination.
POLICY NAME: GRADUATION/DIPLOMA
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
A student may not request a diploma any earlier than the scheduled date of graduation. The request must be completed online https://registrar.aud.edu/ prior to the end of the student’s final semester. Failure to complete the application online by the specified date may result in either a delay in receiving the diploma or an additional charge.
Diplomas are available for personal pick-up by students at the Registrar’s Office. A student who prefers an alternative for collecting or receiving his or her diploma should consult the Registrar’s Office. (For purposes of graduation verification, the university can provide a letter [stamped] to the student until their diploma is issued.)
POLICY NAME: GRADUATION MODALITIES
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
In order to qualify for graduation, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Academic
POLICY NAME: GRADUATION RECOGNITIONS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Undergraduate Honors
Bachelor’s degree graduates who have maintained a record of outstanding academic achievement will be recognized as follows:
Summa Cum Laude:
A student graduating with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.90 or above.
Magna Cum Laude:
A student graduating with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.70 – 3.89.
Cum Laude:
A student graduating with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50 – 3.69.
Graduate Program Award
For each program, the Graduate Program Award is presented during the commencement ceremony to the graduating student with the highest academic standing.
POLICY NAME: PARTICIPATION IN ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY (ELIGIBILITY)
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The American University in Dubai holds its Commencement Exercises once a year following the Spring semester. Administration of this policy is the purview of the Registrar’s Office. Any situation requiring more specific interpretation of the policy will be referred to the Provost.
Undergraduate Students
In order to be eligible to participate, candidates for undergraduate degrees:
