Refer to your welcome email and connect with your Student Success Coach (SSC) who will work with you to ensure you feel prepared starting the program. 

Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor to discuss future course planning, progress toward graduation, and more personalized insights on program courses and educational experiences.  

• Scroll to the bottom of this page for first semester course recommendations.
• Check course offerings.

• Reference the Student Planning Registration Instructions and Registration FAQs. 

• Register ASAP after registration opens (Date above). Registration remains open until the semester begins.
• Waitlists: Check your AU email daily for waitlist notifications. Please send a test email to your university email address to verify access.

• Directions to set up your AU email.

• Once set up, send a test email to verify access to your university email.

• Confirm with your Admissions Counselor that all official transcripts are on file (unopened and sent directly from your academic institution(s) to AU). 

• Send official transcripts electronically to applicationservices@ironline.american.edu. 

• Request missing official transcripts within 3 days of receiving your SSC’s welcome email. 

• Official transcripts must be received by the start of the semester. 

Learn more about graduation requirements.  

• Log into Canvas and self-enroll in the Canvas City Training Course. 

• Complete week one Canvas coursework before your first live class. 

• Attend the Mandatory New student orientation (Virtual)

  Date: January 9th

  Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM (ET)

  Registration: https://bit.ly/s25-newstudents-sisolexec

• Access your Canvas SIS Online Graduate Programs Orientation course for program details and AU resources.
• Explore the SIS Online & Executive Canvas Hub for new student resources, advising, and program information. 

Connect with us through our SIS Online & Executive Programs social media channels: 

• Programs LinkedIn 
• Students LinkedIn group 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 
• Academic Advising Webinars 
• Virtual Community Nights 
• Program Speaker Series 
• Programs X 
• Graduate Student Council Email 

• Change to: Access to Canvas is typically 1-2 weeks prior to semester start. 

• Ensure Canvas course enrollments match your Eagle Service schedule. 

• Email your academic advisor and student success coach if your Eagle Service & Canvas courses do not match. 

• Use Eagle Finance to pay your semester bill.  

• Refer to Student Accounts for payment instructions. 

• Contact financial aid/your award office if you have questions. 

• Access SIS Online Career Resources –job search steps recommended each semester of your degree, resume samples, and more 

• Attend drop-in advising starting in or before your first semester 

• Activate your account with AU’s Handshake to register for career events 

• Contact siscareer@american.edu for more information.   

• Complete the program Bootcamp by the deadline listed above.

• An invitation to this Canvas course, which covers critical skills for your graduate program, will be sent by the program office. 

• Register for an upcoming SIS Economics Placement Exam, as applicable. 

• For more information, please check the Economics Placement Exam page.

• Discuss during your first academic advising appointment. 

• Register for the SIS Language Tool of Research Exam, as applicable. 

• Check the Language Proficiency page on the IR Online Advising website for offered languages and registration details. 

• Click on registration link above to find upcoming exam dates.

• Discuss during your first academic advising appointment.