Your information.
Handled with care.
THE A.U. respects the importance of personal information and is committed to responsible practices when information is submitted through its website, admissions processes, academic services, and university communications.
PRIVACY
RESPONSIBLE INFORMATION PRACTICES
STUDENT & APPLICANT INFORMATION
WEBSITE INTERACTIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Privacy is part of responsible higher education.
As a higher education institution serving learners through online and flexible educational pathways, THE A.U. may receive information from prospective students, applicants, enrolled learners, graduates, faculty, staff, and visitors to its website.
This Privacy Policy explains, at a general level, how information may be handled when individuals interact with THE A.U. through its website and related university services.
Privacy practices may vary according to the nature of the service, the information involved, and applicable requirements.
Different interactions may involve different information.
Information You Provide
This may include information voluntarily submitted through admissions inquiries, registration activities, contact forms, applications, academic services, or other university interactions.
Academic & Administrative Information
Students and applicants may provide information needed to support admissions, enrollment, academic administration, communication, records, and related university processes.
Communication Information
When you contact THE A.U., the university may receive the information necessary to understand your request and respond appropriately.
Website Information
Website interactions may involve technical or usage information that helps maintain, secure, and improve the university’s digital services.
Information supports the university’s ability to serve learners.
Respond
To respond to questions, requests, inquiries, and communications.
Admissions
To support admissions, registration, enrollment, and related administrative processes.
Academic Services
To support academic administration, student services, and the delivery of university activities.
Improve
To help maintain, improve, and secure university websites, services, and communications.
Information should serve a legitimate university purpose.
THE A.U. seeks to handle information in a responsible manner and to use information for legitimate institutional, educational, administrative, communication, security, and service-related purposes. Information should not be collected or used without a relevant purpose simply because it is technically possible to do so.
Responsible handling matters at every stage.
Access
Access to information should be appropriate to the purpose for which it is needed and the responsibilities of the individuals or services involved.
Security
THE A.U. seeks to use reasonable practices designed to protect information against unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or loss.
Awareness
Individuals should exercise appropriate care when submitting personal information online and should use secure and trusted channels when communicating sensitive information.
Trust supports meaningful learning.
Privacy is one part of the broader environment in which learners interact with a university. Clear communication, responsible administration, academic integrity, accessibility, and student support all contribute to a stronger educational experience.
For information about how THE A.U. approaches academic standards and quality assurance, visit Academic Standards & Quality Assurance.
Responsible higher education depends on trust, transparency, and respect for the people who learn, work, and communicate with the institution.
Good privacy practices are shared.
Share Carefully
Provide only the information reasonably necessary for the university service or interaction you are using.
Use Official Channels
When submitting important information, use university forms, portals, or other official communication channels made available for that purpose.
Ask Questions
If you have questions about information you are asked to provide, contact THE A.U. before submitting it whenever practical.
Privacy practices can depend on context.
This policy provides general information about privacy and information handling at THE A.U. It should be read together with any specific notices, forms, agreements, academic policies, admissions materials, or other terms presented in connection with a particular university service.
Where a specific service provides additional information about how data is collected or used, that information may apply to the particular interaction.
THE A.U. may also update its privacy practices and this policy when appropriate. The version published on the university website represents the current policy presented to website visitors.
A university built for purposeful progress.
1717 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
For questions concerning privacy, website information, or university services, please contact THE A.U. through its official Contact page.
Explore THE A.U. with confidence.
Learn more about our academic pathways, admissions process, student support, and institutional approach.
WASHINGTON, D.C. • ONLINE • FLEXIBLE • LIFELONG LEARNING
