In the heart of Washington, D.C., nestled within a serene 90-acre arboretum campus, American University (AU) has cultivated a distinctive identity since its founding in 1893 . American University diploma, Get a American University degree online. Chartered by an Act of Congress, AU was conceived as a different kind of institution—one that would prepare students not merely for careers, but for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a rapidly changing world .
Today, that vision has evolved into a dynamic reality. American University stands as a student-centered R1 research institution—the highest designation for research activity—where passionate learners, bold leaders, and engaged scholars unleash the power of collaborative discovery . With a community of more than 13,000 students representing all 50 states and over 110 countries, AU has become a premier destination for those who believe that meaningful change is not just possible but imperative .
The university’s rallying cry—”Challenge Accepted”—captures its ethos perfectly. Whether tackling climate change as America’s first carbon-neutral university, advancing international diplomacy through the top-ranked School of International Service, or launching groundbreaking research as an R1 institution, the AU community steps up, shows up, and says yes to the issues that matter most .
When American University was chartered by Congress in 1893, its founders envisioned an institution that would train the next generation of public servants and leaders . Located in the nation’s capital, AU would draw strength from its surroundings—providing students with unparalleled access to the corridors of power, the halls of government, and the international institutions that shape global affairs.
Over more than 125 years, AU has remained true to this founding vision while continuously evolving to meet new challenges. Instant Access to Your American University diploma Duplicate. The university has grown from a single building on a grassy hilltop to a comprehensive research institution comprising eight schools and colleges, over 190 academic programs, and a worldwide alumni network of 160,000 graduates .
In February 2025, American University achieved a milestone more than a decade in the making: R1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education . This prestigious designation recognizes AU as among just 187 doctoral research institutions in the United States that exemplify “very high research activity”—producing at least $50 million in total research expenditures and awarding an average of 70 or more research doctorates annually .
