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Frequently Asked Questions


If you are a current student, you register for a SAMI course the same way you would register for any of your other courses. The registration process is through Eagle Service. Contact your advisor with any questions!

If you are an SPA graduate alum, please refer to the instructions for enrolling as a non-degree student here.

Yes! Beginning Summer 2021, SAMI courses are available to all SPA graduate alumni by enrolling in either the no-credit, alumni course (typically noted by SPA-085-90X) or the one-credit course (SPA-685-00X). Learn more about enrolling in SAMI as an SPA Alum.

To complete the certificate, students or SPA graduate alumni need to take a total of three classes. These classes can be a mix of credit and non-credit, i.e. two for credit and one non-credit. Once you have completed three courses, to request your certificate, please complete .

Yes! SAMI courses are available to SPA alumni by enrolling in either the alumni course (SPA-085-90X) or the one-credit course (SPA-685-00X). 

After graduation students can either enroll in the non-credit alumni section of a course or enroll in courses for one-credit. Alumni will need to pay tuition for either section, based on the credit. Tuition for the non-credit alumni section is $450 (spots are limited); one-credit tuition is set by the university. Instructions for enrolling as a non-degree student are available here.

To complete the certificate, students need to take a total of three classes. These classes can be a mix of credit and non-credit, i.e. two for credit and one non-credit.

Both the non-credit and one-credit versions of the same course will meet together like other cross-listed courses. The main difference is having them count towards your SPA degree. If taken for one-credit, an advisor can approve them for a degree. Non-credit courses cannot count towards your degree.

One-credit classes will be graded on an A-F scale and count towards your degree with permission from your advisor. Non-credit classes will be graded P/F and will not count towards your degree.

Failure to attend a class will result in an F, which will appear on your transcripts.

No, your course grade cannot be changed from a P/F to letter grade, or vice versa, after the course is concluded. Please work with your advisor to be sure you register for the section (SPA-085 or SPA-685) that most supports your degree plan!

Graduate students in other schools can take the one-credit version of the class.

To request your certificate, please complete . For questions about your certificate, please email SPAGradAffairs@american.edu.

The certificate will not appear on your transcript; although, the classes will. You can list the certificate on your resume.