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ACM’s Master of Arts in International Education Administration (MAIE) is a one-year, 38 credit, practitioner-based graduate degree that is strategically designed to prepare students for leadership positions in the field of study abroad as well as the broader industry of higher education. Given the breadth of the curriculum and professional experience afforded by the program, graduates will also be well-positioned for employment in the areas of diplomacy, government, human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as in the corporate sphere. In this Mediterranean-based program, students spend one semester at ACM’s campus in Aix-en-Provence, France, one semester at ACM’s center in Barcelona, Spain, and participate in a traveling seminar throughout Morocco during the J-Term. Students explore the cultural and linguistic richness of these three regions while taking courses that provide a comprehensive background in the historical and theoretical foundations of international education. Coursework also focuses on the development of essential knowledge and skills related to program development, management, budgeting, higher education policy, accessibility, diplomacy, mental health and wellness, risk and crisis management, accessibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Unique to this MAIE program is its strategic integration into and collaboration with the Institute for American Universities (IAU), ACM’s study abroad institute for undergraduate visiting students that welcomes over 1,000 students to its programs each year in France, Spain, and Morocco. Throughout their experience in each location, MAIE students interact closely with IAU-ACM administrators and staff where they observe the skills they learn in the classroom at work in the field. MAIE students also serve as mentors to IAU-ACM undergraduate students in a Student Mentor Circle, a program that provides them with leadership opportunities as they learn about the unique needs of study abroad students first-hand. At the end of the academic program, students will produce a capstone project that incorporates components of all modules into the design of a comprehensive international education program of their choosing.

During the summer term, students complete a professional practicum at one of IAU’s undergraduate study abroad sites in France, Spain, or Morocco. Completing a practicum at a professional study abroad program will allow students to apply what they have learned to real-life international education scenarios. Students work directly with the on-site administration and faculty in managing international programming, including but not limited to student activities, logistics, student mentoring, intercultural engagement, and crisis management. In addition to working with IAU direct-enroll summer programs, students will also have the opportunity to support IAU’s large portfolio of on-site custom and faculty-led programs, where they will work alongside faculty from a variety of U.S. institutions.

MAIE students will graduate with a holistic understanding of international education, a comprehensive capstone project showcasing skillsets essential to the field, and demonstrated leadership and management experience with faculty, administrators, and students in diverse international environments. As a result, graduates will be well-positioned to pursue a career in international education and related fields.



Admissions Requirements

Students admitted to the MAIE must have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (120 credits of academic credit). Students are not required to take the GRE. It is recommended that applicants have international experience and have completed at least one year of either college-level French or Spanish prior to admission. For international applicants who completed their course of study in any language other than English, a minimum TOEFL score of 79 is required.

Degree Overview

The MAIE program is comprised of a Language and Culture component, International Education Content Core Modules, Mediterranean Regional component, Intercultural Engagement and Student Mentor Circle, Observations, Capstone Project, and a Professional Practicum as outlined below.

Language & Culture Component

Essential to the field of international education is an openness to and knowledge of other cultures, and this cultural appreciation is facilitated through the completion of French and Spanish language courses taken over two semesters. Courses are available to beginner, intermediate, and advanced language levels in both France and Spain:

  • French Language & Culture (in France):
    • French language (lower division)
    • French Identities (upper division)
    • Contemporary French: The Linguistics of Everyday Language (upper division)
    • Crossing Spaces in the Intercultural Context (upper division)
    • Provençal History and Culture Through its Monuments (upper division)

  • Spanish Language & Culture (in Spain)
    • Spanish language (lower division)
    • Conversation (upper division)
    • Spanish Civilization and Culture (upper division)
    • Spain as Seen Through its Movies (upper division)


International Education Content Core Modules

The interdisciplinary core modules focus on the essential knowledge and skillsets that are integral to international education management:

  • Foundations of International Education
  • Internationalizing U.S. Colleges and Universities
  • International Education Policy or International Education Practices & Principles
  • Diplomacy in International Education
  • Study Abroad Management
  • International Education Design and Assessment
  • Risk Management in International Education
  • Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
  • Mental Health in International Higher Education
  • Budgeting in International Education
  • Multicultural Psychology
  • Developing Intercultural Competence


Mediterranean Regional Component

In this Mediterranean-based program, it is important that students graduate with historical and/or sociopolitical knowledge of the region. To fulfill this requirement, students choose from one of the following courses:

  • History of the Mediterranean
  • Geopolitics of the Mediterranean
  • International Relations Theory


Intercultural Engagement & Student Mentor Circle

This component provides students with in-depth background on intercultural competence and how to foster it in the international education context. Students explore their own level of intercultural understanding and guide undergraduate study abroad students through an intercultural competence curriculum in Student Mentor Circles (SMC) during the spring semester. MAIE students will serve as mentors to IAU-ACM undergraduate study abroad students in the SMC with the goal to foster intercultural competency among their students. The overarching course component is:

  • Developing Intercultural Competence


Observations

During the fall semester in Aix-en-Provence and the spring semester in Barcelona, students will conduct observations during which they will shadow IAU-ACM administrators and staff in a variety of professional positions (academics, student affairs, wellness, etc.). Students will engage in 10 hours of observation in Aix-en-Provence and 10 hours in Barcelona. The observations are integrated into the required core modules and discussions will be facilitated by core module faculty.


Capstone Project

This culminating project encompasses the frameworks presented in the international education content core modules subject areas. Students thoughtfully design an international education program taking into consideration the various planning phases that are the make-up of a high-impact program. Students also design assessment tools to measure program effectiveness and impact.

Professional Practicum

MAIE students will apply skills learned while completing their professional practicum at an IAU undergraduate program in either France, Spain, or Morocco. Depending on availability, students may also have the opportunity to complete their practicum in the U.S. Office of Admissions and Alumni Affairs in San Diego, California. Students work alongside administrators and faculty in managing international programming while supporting undergraduate students in their intercultural exploration. During the practicum, students are supported by ACM faculty as they complete a discussion-based virtual course and document the integration of their knowledge and skills in an international professional setting.

Courses

Early Start Program (Aix-en-Provence): August

All students will participate in this week-long intensive cultural and language immersion program upon arrival. Students will experience the program through the lens of a student participant and also through the lens of a coordinator, as they learn the essential components of designing a cultural immersion experience.

  • Elements of the Cultural Immersion Experience (1 credit)


Fall Semester (Aix-en-Provence, France): September - December

Students take four core modules, one language & culture course, and one Mediterranean regional course for a total of 14 credits. Students will also engage in 10 hours of observation, where they will shadow IAU administrators and staff in a variety of positions.

Core Modules: Students are required to take four of the following core modules:

  • Internationalizing U.S. Schools (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Foundations in International Education (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Diplomacy in International Education (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Study Abroad (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • International Education Policy (6 weeks), 2 credits

Language & Culture Component: Students are required to take one language and culture course depending on French level:

  • Lower-division students choose one of the following semester-long options:
    • FRE 101: Elementary French I (3 credits)
    • FRE 102: Elementary French II (3 credits)
    • FRE 201: Intermediate French I (3 credits)
    • FRE 202: Intermediate French II (3 credits)
    • FRE 211: Living in France: Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
  • Upper-division students choose one of the following semester-long options:
    • FRE 328: Provençal History and Culture Through its Monuments (3 credits)
    • FRE 376: Contemporary French Identities (3 credits)
    • FRE 411: Crossing Spaces in the Intercultural Context (3 credits)
    • FRE 412: Contemporary French: The Linguistics of Everyday Language (3 credits)


Mediterranean Regional Component: Students are required to take one of the following courses:

  • History of the Mediterranean (3 credits)
  • Geopolitics of the Mediterranean (3 credits)
  • International Relations Theory (3 credits)

January Term Traveling Seminar: Late December - mid-January

Students participate in one J-Term traveling seminar that includes travel to Morocco and will take the following course:

  • Multicultural Psychology (3 credits)
  • Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Europe and the Islamic World (3 credits) 


Early Start Program (Barcelona, Spain): Late January

All students will participate in this week-long intensive cultural and language immersion program upon arrival. Students will experience the program through the lens of a student participant and also through the lens of a coordinator, as they learn the essential components of designing a cultural immersion experience.

  • Developing Intercultural Competence (1 credit)


Spring Semester (Barcelona, Spain): February - May

Students take one language & culture course, four core modules, and the Intercultural Engagement and Student Mentor Circle (13 credits). Students will also engage in 10 hours of observation.

Language & Culture: Students are required to take one language and culture course depending on Spanish level:

  • Lower-division students choose one of the following semester-long options:
    • SPA 101: Elementary Spanish I (3 credits)
    • SPA 102: Elementary Spanish II (3 credits)
    • SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish I (3 credits)

  • Upper-division students choose one of the following semester-long options:
    • SPA 300: Conversation (3 credits)
    • SPA 327: Spanish Civilization and Culture (3 credits)
    • SPA 357: Spain as Seen Through its Movies (3 credits)


Core Modules: Students choose from the following modules:

  • International Education Design and Assessment (semester-long), 3 credits
  • Recruitment Strategies and Enrollment Management (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Budgeting in International Education (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Risk Management in International Education (6 weeks), 2 credits
  • Mental Health in International Higher Education (6 weeks), 2 credits


Intercultural Engagement and Student Mentor Circle (1 credit): Throughout the semester, students work in teams to develop intercultural engagement opportunities for IAU undergraduate students in Barcelona. Students also participate in a Student Mentor Circle with the goal to foster intercultural competency within themselves and among IAU undergraduate students.

Graduation Ceremony: Students travel to Aix-en-Provence to attend the graduation ceremony, but will only receive their diploma upon the submission and successful completion of their Capstone Project.

Summer Term: late May - mid-August 

Beginning in late May, students will be placed in practicums at one of IAU’s international centers in France, Spain, or Morocco. While completing their practicum, students will be supported by a faculty member through a virtual course and will also write their final capstone project, which will be due on the last day of the summer practicum. Practicums will be self-designed to suit the students’ interests. Examples include supporting U.S. faculty who are leading a custom program with IAU, designing and implementing student life programming, organizing field study and study tour logistics, and facilitating student housing.

  • Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
  • Practicum (3 credits)

TOTAL = 38 credits


Faculty

The American College of the Mediterranean faculty is comprised of experts in the areas of Higher Education, Management, Leadership, Student Affairs, Wellness, Risk Management, Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy. Both academics and professionals in their field, ACM faculty provide the MAIE the academic depth and the real-life experience necessary for a well-rounded International Education degree program.


For program-related questions, please contact Dr. Jessica Calhoun, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Alumni Affairs.

For admissions questions, please contact ACM's U.S. Office of Admissions at admissions@acmfrance.org or call 1-800-221-2051.

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