Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area

The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area consists of American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Marymount University, Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College, Trinity Washington University, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, and University of Maryland, College Park.

Note: National Intelligence University, National Defense University, Prince George's Community College, and University of Maryland Global Campus are also members of the Consortium but do NOT participate in cross-registration.

Catholic University students enrolled in an approved on-campus program leading to a degree who need a course not offered at Catholic University to complete their degree requirements may select from the combined offerings of the above institutions the particular course which best meets their needs. Enrollment in the course will be processed by Catholic University's Office of Enrollment Services. Catholic University students enrolling in courses through the Consortium will not need to apply for admittance to the other Consortium institution.

Eligibility for Participation

Catholic University students must be currently enrolled in an approved program leading to a degree in order to register for a course through the Consortium. Students provisionally admitted to a degree program are not eligible to take courses through the Consortium.

Non-degree students, online-only students, provisionally admitted students, and students in the School of Canon Law, the Columbus School of Law, and the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies are excluded from participation.

Instructions and forms for cross-enrollment can be found on the website of the Office of Enrollment Services.

Non-Catholic University students should consult their school’s registrar’s office for eligibility requirements.

Special Notes

Courses taken through the Consortium cannot be used to replace a grade of D or F earned in another course at Catholic University.

Students are STRONGLY advised not to take a Consortium course during their final semester. The academic calendars of the Consortium institutions differ, and final grades for courses taken through the Consortium may not be received by Catholic University until after the semester’s degree conferral date. If this occurs, the student's graduation will be postponed until the next official degree conferral date.

Catholic University students enrolled in courses through the Consortium will pay tuition to Catholic University at its rates. Special fees charged for courses at the visited institution must be paid by the student directly to that institution.

Catholic University students enrolled in courses through the Consortium who wish to drop or withdraw from those courses may do so in Cardinal Students via the normal procedure for dropping a course. Students are also asked to notify the Consortium Coordinator at 202-319-5300 or cua-consortium@cua.edu. Catholic University students do NOT need to notify the visited institution to drop or withdraw from a Consortium course.

Course Exclusions

Each Consortium institution can, at its discretion, exclude courses from Consortium enrollment.

Catholic University students may not enroll in internship, directed readings, directed research, thesis guidance/research, or dissertation guidance/research courses through the Consortium. Additionally, students should be advised that most Consortium institutions do not permit Consortium enrollment in off-campus courses.

All courses taken through the Consortium must be taken for credit; auditing is not permitted.

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences participates in consortium cross-registration on a limited basis. No more than three Catholic University students may enroll in USUHS courses via the Consortium in any one academic year. Students must be enrolled in Ph.D. programs in the health sciences.

Students from other Consortium institutions are not eligible to enroll in the following courses at Catholic University through the Consortium:

  • courses offered in the School of Canon Law
  • courses offered in the Columbus School of Law
  • courses offered in the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies
  • online courses offered in the School of Nursing
  • online courses offered in the National Catholic School of Social Service
  • off-campus courses offered in the National Catholic School of Social Service
  • off-campus courses held at Ft. Belvoir in the School of Engineering
  • off-campus courses held at NSWC Carderock in the School of Engineering
  • off-campus courses held at 300 M. Street in the School of Engineering
  • courses in applied music (subject code MUPI) or music recital courses (i.e., MUS 399/499)
  • courses offered through the Center for Intelligent Transportation & Sustainable Infrastructure (subject code CENT)
  • internship courses
  • directed readings/research courses
  • thesis/dissertation guidance courses
  • comprehensive examination courses
  • courses taught abroad

Other courses not open to students through the Consortium are noted in the Class Schedule in Cardinal Students.