About American University Chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893, American University (AU) is a private, student-centered research institution located on an 90-acre campus in a residential neighborhood only a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. The University’s mission is carried out by over 950 full-time faculty and more than 1,700 full-time staff. Recognized for its emphasis on experiential education, impactful research, and personalized teaching, AU’s community is deeply connected to the institutions and culture of the nation’s capital, serving as one of the largest employers in Washington, DC and ranking among the Nation’s leading universities. AU is home to seven prestigious schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Public Affairs, Wash