IAU (IAU, French: Institut Américain Universitaire) is an American institution of higher learning situated in southern France.[1] Its main campus is located in Aix-en-Provence, France, and it operates satellite programs in Spain, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. Established in 1957, IAU was among the earliest American-style, English language, liberal arts educational institutions in Western Europe.[citation needed] The institute holds a charter from the Regents of the State University of New York and is recognized by both the Rectorat of Aix-Marseille University and the French Ministry of Education as a private higher education institution. IAU is recognized for its significant presence as a study abroad program in Europe and for being the pioneering institution to offer study abroad options beyond French language studies.[2][3] In 2015, IAU expanded its offerings by introducing master's and bachelor's degree programs through its sister institution, the American College of the Mediterranean (ACM).[4]
History
Manning Hall houses IAU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
IAU was founded in 1957 by academics and former diplomats, including Herbert Maza who served as its initial President,[5] Evron Kirkpatrick, and Jeane Kirkpatrick. The institution aimed to provide a platform for Americans interested in diplomatic relations and careers in foreign service and the State Department. It was established under the authority of Aix-Marseille University and offered a study abroad program, allowing students to earn transfer credits by living and studying in France for a year.[5] IAU was the pioneering institution offering study abroad programs for students pursuing majors beyond language studies.[2]
By 1966, the Institute had an enrollment of around 150 students,[6] and in 1984 it established a partnership with the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing (founded by Leo Marchutz in 1972), although the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing is no longer affiliated with IAU. Over the years, IAU's program expanded, serving more than 700 colleges and universities as of 2015, with over 20,000 undergraduates having participated, and an annual enrollment exceeding 700.[7]
Programs and locations
IAU College Dean, Leigh Smith, leads students through the Borghese Gallery in Rome as part of IAU's January Term/Intersession programs.
IAU operates its main campus in Aix-en-Provence, situated in the southern region of France. The programs of study at this campus are offered in both French and English.[8] This campus hosts the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the ACM School of Art, the School of Business and International Relations, and the Centre d'Etudes Françaises.[9] Additionally, IAU offers French language studies at its Paris campus, which is located at the Université de Paris-Sorbonne. The institution also facilitates semester and summer programs in Barcelona, Spain, catering to students seeking Spanish language and cultural courses.[9]
IAU conducts traveling seminar programs that allow students to explore multiple countries during their studies, including France, Morocco, Spain, Greece, Italy, Czechia, and England.[9]
IAU's ownership encompasses all of its properties in Aix-en-Provence.[10][11]
Students working in the library at IAU's main campus in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Accreditation and affiliations
Established in 1957, IAU holds a charter from the Regents of the State University of New York and is recognized by the Rectorat of Aix-Marseille University and the French Ministry of Education as a private higher education institution.[12] IAU's status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the United States is registered. The institution is a founding member of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU),[13] a national charter member of the Forum on Education Abroad,[14] and a member of the National Association of Foreign Student Admission (NAFSA), the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS),[15] and the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA).[16]
IAU maintains partnerships with two U.S.-accredited institutions, namely Northern Illinois University and Fairfield University. These partnerships allow students to transfer their coursework completed at IAU to either of these institutions. IAU's business courses have been approved by Fairfield University and Northern Illinois University, both of which possess accredited and top-ranked business schools recognized by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).[17][18]
Faculty and governance
Former Professor and Assistant Dean John Gasparach assisting a student with her landscape painting.
IAU is governed by a private, autonomous Board of Trustees and offers programs leading to bachelor's and master's degrees. It also provides an array of study abroad experiences for students from over 250 partner universities from around the United States, including private institutions such as Harvard University,[19] Cornell University,[20] Tufts University,[21] Rice University,[22] and Boston College[23] and state universities such as University of Texas at Austin,[24] Penn State University,[25] University of Arizona,[26] and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[27]
Student body
Students are primarily enrolled at American institutions, coming to IAU to study abroad.[28]
The student body take internships at local businesses and have lecture series, social events and classroom excursions in collaboration with the neighboring Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po- Aix) and the Institut Universitaire Technologique (IUT) of Aix-en-Provence.[29][30]
Notable people
Philip Breeden, Diplomat and professor of international relations at IAU [31][32]
Frances D. Cook, IAU alumna, former IAU Trustee, and former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi, Cameroon, and Oman
^Boudin, Auriane; Boudin, Erika; Gimberg, Lucile; Pnault, Nicolas (14 March 2005). "Les Américains en raffolent" (in French). L'Express. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
