General Provisions:

Unless the student is enrolled in an established, approved concurrent, joint or dual degree program, the following rules apply.

University-wide requirements can be counted toward two degrees at the respective degree level upon the request of the student.   University-wide requirements include environmental studies at the graduate level, or physical education, civil defense, first aid and foundation courses at the undergraduate level.  Note:  This does not include other General Education courses.

Cap on credits applied toward fulfillment of concurrent, joint or dual degrees.   Even with prior authorization as noted below, the number of credits that can be applied toward the student’s AUA degree is limited to 25% of the total credits required for each degree at the respective degree level, excluding courses fulfilling university-wide requirements at that degree level. 

Fees and tuition.  This policy does not address fees or tuition implications for applying credits to more than one degree or waivers, nor does it affect full-time or part-time status.   Students are advised that fees may be applicable and should check with the Office of the Registrar for current rates.

Concurrent Degrees at AUA

In rare instances, with the prior approval of the Program Chairs of both degrees, a student may pursue two degrees simultaneously at AUA after being admitted to both programs.     In such instances, the presumption is that the student will complete all of the requirements for both degrees, unless the student has received prior written authorization from the Program Chairs at the time of enrollment for counting courses that are substantially similar toward both degrees, which shall be determined at the discretion of each program.

Non-Concurrent Degrees at AUA

Students who have completed an AUA degree and are returning for another degree at the same level must complete all requirements for the later degree, unless they have received prior written authorization at or before enrollment in the degree program to count courses taken for the prior degree toward the new degree.   Such non-concurrent degrees being rare are handled on a case-by-case basis by the Program Chair of the later degree program in consultation with the Registrar.   As there may be lapses in time and intervening changes in course content, there is no automatic counting of courses or credits toward more than one degree; students may be required to retake courses. 

Concurrent Degrees with Other Institutions

Full-time students are discouraged from pursuing degrees concurrently at other institutions (full-time or part-time).   In general, courses may not be applied toward the fulfillment of both the AUA and the degree at the other institution; however, at the undergraduate level, credit may be transferred to AUA for state-mandated requirements applicable to degrees at both institutions (physical education, first aid, civil defense, Armenian Language and Literature, and Armenian History) in line with the AUA Transfer Credit Policy.   The standards for granting credit for coursework earned at other institutions are the same as for Transfer Credit (as set forth above).   Transfer credit is not available if the student has failed the relevant course at AUA.

Waiver of requirements for university-level courses

Students must fulfill all course requirements for their degree.   If students have satisfactorily completed a university-level course (evidenced by an official transcript from a recognized institution of higher learning, licensed by their local Ministry of Education and Science or equivalent and accredited by a regional or national accrediting associations) that is substantially similar to the AUA course elsewhere, they may petition for a waiver of the course requirement.  Waiver is subject to equivalency evaluation by the relevant degree program in consultation with the Registrar.  The equivalency evaluation may include review of the course materials, content, outcomes and teaching and assessment methods, and may be verified by the Program Chair through written and where appropriate also oral examination.    Waiver does not imply credit for the course; however, it does permit students to enroll in other courses for which the waived course was a pre- or co-requisite.  Waived courses, like transferred courses, are noted on the student’s transcript, but not factored into the student’s GPA. A waiver is not available if the student has already failed the course at AUA.

AUA does not grant waivers for other forms of prior learning.