Explore American InterContinental University

Admissions

In order to get admitted into AIU, prospective undergraduate students must possess appropriate credentials. Such credentials include a high school diploma or GED and a completed assessment of math and English skills. The assessment can be in the form of the SAT, ACT or TOEFL exams. Candidates must also complete an application and submit a fee of $50. As a final step, candidates will participate in an admissions interview, during which an advisor will talk to the candidate about his or her education goals.

The graduate admissions procedure varies depending upon the specific program, but there are general requirements. These include an application, an application fee, and an admissions interview. Candidates for a graduate program must also have completed a baccalaureate degree, during which they must have maintained at least a 2.0 grade-point average.

Students must also take computer classes that prepare them for an online education. Online Colleges 101 guides students in the use of AIU’s online campus and provides students with a background in the basics of online learning. In this course, students learn how to effectively access and participate in their online education. That way, students that do not have an extensive background in technology and working on the Internet can become more confident with AIU’s online tools, and students that do have a thorough background in technology will have the opportunity to brush up on their knowledge. Such courses ease the transition into online learning.

The Online Classroom

At AIU, students also use video chat to connect with professors and fellow students. “The online process was so interactive that we really felt [like we were] in the classroom,” said Roston. “We used video classrooms and were able to see each other.”

According to Roston, the information for AIU’s degree programs are delivered in a similar fashion to campus-based lectures. Professors use power points, discussions, and question-and-answer sessions to explore course content. Assessments consist of exams, mid-terms and finals, and can range in format from multiple choice to essay. Exams may also differ depending on the program of study. “In fashion, the midterm and final are designed items of clothing or a full collection,” said Roston.

AIU’s virtual campus was recognized as “Best of the Best” in the Education and Academia category of the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program. True to this award, the coursework is easy to access through its virtual campus. “It is very easy to navigate, and, if not, there is a library of tutorials to guide you,” said Roston. AIU’s website provides an online campus tour, which covers the resources students will use for their coursework.

As an addition to AIU’s online campus, many courses utilize an online program known My Unique Student Experience. M.U.S.E. provides additional learning opportunities in the form of eleven learning experiences. These include hearing, seeing and creating, which facilitate learning by making it into an experiential, interactive event. M.U.S.E. earned the Career College Association’s 2010 Innovative Best Practice/New Program Award.

Faculty

The faculty at AIU is both experienced and professional. AIU ensures that students receive education from experienced instructors who are experienced in their fields. The professors at AIU are also “always accessible and helpful,” said Roston. Many have their PhDs in their fields, and most have specialized professional experience as well.

Dr. Hal Campbell formerly served as the Chief Analyst and Law Enforcement Planning Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Now an instructor for AIU’s school of criminal justice, Campbell uses his experience to teach the future generations of criminal justice leaders.

Notable faculty members include Dr. Hossam Banna, a supervising project manager and civil engineer, teaches in AIU’s school of business. “In the classroom, I can share what I’ve learned working on multi-million dollar projects and managing teams with incoming students,” he explained.

What Makes AIU Stand Out?

• American Intercontinental University’s virtual campus was recognized as “Best of the Best” in the Education and Academia category of the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program. AIU is easily accessible and its learning tools, such as M.U.S.E., provide unique, interactive learning experiences for students.
• AIU provides a sense of community despite the distance between students and professors. By utilizing Skype, Facebook, and other social networking programs, students have the opportunity to interact with each other and professors in a way that keeps distance from hindering social growth and experience.
• AIU’s stuidy abroad program allows students to experience life in either Paris or London, while engaging in their academic pursuits. In contrast to the independence of a typical online program, these abroad programs provide AIU students an opportunity for studying in another country and interacting with fellow classmates.Students are housed in flats with other students, are given the opportunity to attend lectures and guided educational programs, and are provided with networking opportunities. AIU has campuses abroad, and students that choose to utilize these campuses have the opportunity to receive a taste of classroom-based education, with the option of utilizing a blended learning program when abroad. The program is open to all majors and students even have the opportunity to receive assistance in establishing valuable internships.”AIU provided me with an absolutely fantastic Study abroad experience,” said Gina Moorehead, a Seattle Pacific University student who studied abroad through AIU’s program. “I feel like the classes I took [while abroad] were some of the most rewarding class of my whole educational career.”
• AIU’s career counselors assist students in the creation of their resumes, the building of interview skills, and job hunting.
• AIU’s Alumni Association has more than 75,000 alumni around the world and provides long-term opportunities for interaction and networking for graduates.
• Alumni volunteer to mentor incoming students by providing information, assistance and encouragement. This eases the transition for incoming students and gives them the opportunity to interact with graduates.

Financial Aid

AIU provides various financial aid opportunities for enrolled students. Students can apply for federal and state aid, private loans, and a series of AIU-specific grants and scholarships, including the AIU Veterans Grant and the AIU Graduate Studies Scholarship. These loans and scholarships ease the burden of tuition and provide education opportunities to those in need.

According to Patricia Roston an AIU student, class of 2012, the financial aid process is efficient. Financial aid officers coach students through the application and remain available for questions and assistance. “They process everything on time and every question is answered promptly. That has truly been the experience for me,” said Roston. A streamlined financial aid process is very beneficial for students, as it eases the burden of the application.

For students who do not receive aid, AIU provides payment plans. “They have payment plans catered to individual students,” explained Heather Cavanaugh, a former admissions advisor for AIU. These payment plans break tuition down into manageable sums to be paid periodically throughout the semester, rather than all at once.