The Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes (ASP) is a service of American University's Academic Support Center in collaboration with the Department of Athletics. The ASP assists student-athletes as they work to reach their academic, athletic, personal, and social goals, while also promoting excellence, responsibility, and personal initiative. Connecting students to the rich resources and facilities at American University, ASP staff members focus on the development of the total person.

What services are available for student-athletes?

Guided Study: A proactive monitoring program, which identifies student-athletes who may confront a variety of challenges either in their transition to AU or as upperclass students. Student-athletes selected for guided study meet weekly with an academic counselor to develop study skills, including time management, in order to effectively balance their academic and athletic commitments.

Individual Counseling: Any student-athlete can meet with an academic support counselor. Students contact the ASP office to make an appointment.

Study Hall: All first-year and transfer student-athletes are required to attend study hall in the library during their first semester at American University. Once student-athletes demonstrate successful academic progress, as defined by their team, student-athletes manage their own study time. At any point in their academic career, student-athletes may again be required to attend study hall if their grades fall below team standards.

Progress Reports: In order to identify when a student-athlete may need academic support, progress reports are given at mid-semester to first-year and transfer student-athletes as well as those student-athletes with a GPA <3.5 or as requested by the student, professor or coach. Professors are asked to indicate the students' progress and current grade. Progress reports are returned to the ASP office and shared with coaches and student-athletes.

Peer Tutoring: The ASP also provides individual peer tutors for student-athletes. A student should contact the ASP office to request a tutor as soon as there is a concern about course material.

Additional assistance: There are a number of ways to get the help you need. Professors and teaching assistants hold office hours specifically for students to ask questions. Referrals to other campus resources, such as the Writing Lab, the Writing Center, and the Mathematics & Statistics Tutoring Lab, are made on an individual basis.

What kind of life skills programming do you provide?

Freshmen:

• Thinking and Learning Opportunities for New Student-Athletes (TALONS) Workshops help first-year and incoming transfer student-athletes understand and cope with academic, social, athletic, and personal pressures related to the transition to AU.

• TALONS provides new student-athletes with practical strategies and information to adjust to college academics and athletics.

• Leadership Development Workshop Series
  

• EverFi Financial Literacy Program helps students develop financial literacy skills around topics such as savings, banking, financing higher education, investing, payment types, and credit scores. Through a 10 week online class, students completes this interactive course, helping them to improve their financial health.

• Resume development

• Begin career search, partnering with AU Career Center and the Kogod Center for Career Development, which provides job placement fairs as well as mock interviews for students.

• Senior etiquette dinner gives student-athletes the opportunity to dine at a fine DC restaurant while learning proper etiquette from a professional protocol teacher, which can benefit students during job interviews.

• Continue career search, finalizing resume and cover letter for job applications.

How will I choose my classes?

Before arriving at summer orientation you will receive information to help guide you in selecting your courses for your first semester. During summer orientation you will meet with your academic advisor in your school or college to review your course selection and make any necessary changes. The ASP office also provides your name and travel schedule to your advisor so that they can help you arrange a class schedule that does not conflict with practice. The ASP staff is also available to assist you.

What is priority registration?

Beginning with the second semester enrolled, student-athletes receive priority registration which enables them to register for courses before other undergraduate students. When student-athletes register early, class and practice conflicts can be minimized. Student-athletes must meet with their academic adviser before registering and follow all other registration procedures.

Will I miss class for team competition?

Sometimes that is unavoidable. Student-athletes do their best to register for classes that limit the number of absences required for competitions.  At the beginning of each semester, the ASP issues letters for student-athletes to give to their professors with the travel schedule their sport. The letter provides a basis for a student-athlete's discussion with each professor about potential academic/athletic conflicts.

What happens if I miss an exam or a paper is due?

Student-athletes are expected to turn in papers before leaving for team travel or make arrangements with the professor to turn it in electronically. If a student-athlete is going to miss an exam due to team travel, they must discuss it with the professor in advance. If the professor prefers, the ASP office can proctor the exam provided that arrangements are made prior to the student-athlete's travels.

How do I arrange for accommodations if I have a disability?

Students who provide documentation of a learning disability or ADHD can work with both the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes and the Academic Support Center to meet their needs. Students with medical, physical, psychological, or sensory disabilities can request accommodations from Disability Support Services.

Who has access to the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes?

All varsity student-athletes can take advantage of the services offered by the ASP. The program is free of charge for all student-athletes. 

How do I get more information about the Academic-Support Program for Student-Athletes?

The Academic Support Program is located in the Department of Athletics in the Sports Center. If you are coming to campus for a recruiting trip, please ask the coach to make an appointment on your behalf.