American InterContinental University: Accreditation, Rankings, and Program Overview

American InterContinental University (AIU) is a private, for-profit university system headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, known for its career-focused curriculum and flexible online programs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of AIU, covering its accreditation, rankings, program offerings, student experience, and factors to consider when deciding if it's the right fit for you.

A Brief History and Overview

Established in 1970 as the American Fashion College of Switzerland in Lucerne, the institution was founded by Helen and Jack Barnette. A year later, it gained authorization to award college degrees. By 1978, the school had expanded its course offerings beyond fashion to include commercial art, interior design, and business, with approximately 300 students. The school eventually moved its Switzerland campus to London, England and was renamed the American College for the Applied Arts. Over the years, AIU has expanded to include multiple campuses and a robust online presence. AIU currently has two campuses in the United States, one in Atlanta and one in Houston. The AIU Houston building was severely damaged by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

Accreditation: Ensuring Quality and Recognition

Accreditation is a crucial factor to consider when evaluating any university. It ensures that the institution meets specific standards of quality and academic rigor. AIU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This accreditation applies to the entire university, signifying that AIU has met HLC's standards for educational quality, institutional effectiveness, and commitment to continuous improvement.

AIU also holds several program-specific accreditations, demonstrating excellence in particular fields of study:

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): The Master of Education program is accredited by AAQEP.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): All business programs at AIU are accredited by ACBSP.

These accreditations are important because they assure students that their program meets industry standards and that their degree will be recognized by employers and other institutions. Active regional accreditation is necessary for institutions that want to participate in the federal student loan program. In addition, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements has approved American InterContinental University as an institution capable of providing interstate postsecondary distance education courses.

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Rankings and Recognition

AIU has received recognition for its online programs and support for military students. The university is also recognized as a military-friendly institution and supports the needs of both active military members and veterans.

It is important to note that rankings should be viewed as one factor among many when evaluating a university. Students should also consider program offerings, faculty expertise, student support services, and career outcomes.

Program Offerings: A Focus on Career-Oriented Education

AIU is known for designing its curriculum specifically for careers in business, design, criminal justice, information technology, education, and healthcare management. Almost every program offered at American Intercontinental University is available online to provide flexibility to non-traditional students, but there are also campuses throughout the world for those who prefer a more traditional learning style. AIU offers a wide range of programs at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels, both online and at its campuses in Atlanta and Houston.

Here's a glimpse of the programs available:

Online Associate Degrees:

Business Administration
Criminal Justice

Online Bachelor's Degrees:

Accounting
Business Administration (with 10 specialization options)
Criminal Justice
Healthcare
Information Technology

Online Master's Degrees:

Business Administration
Education (with three concentration options)
Healthcare Management
Information Technology (with three concentration options)

AIU also offers a Bachelor of Accounting degree that is completely online or available at the Houston or Atlanta campus. The program provides instruction in preparing financial documents, distinguishing between financial, managerial and cost accounting as well as the ethical and legal conflicts that exist in the accounting industry. Students are able to differentiate between accounting principles needed for federal income taxation as well as to evaluate the differences between taxation principles on financial statements along with decision-making. The Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting provides students with an understanding of today’s accounting practices while also including instruction in a broad business core. Graduates are able to apply mathematical, statistical and research techniques in order to analyze contemporary business practices while also applying concepts of finance and accounting to make effective decisions. Students are able to discuss current operations management practices while also understanding the relationship between macro and microeconomic concepts. The Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance allows students to gain an understanding of the finance industry in order to help them manage financial investment, international finance, capital planning and the analysis of a company’s financial health. Graduates are able to apply principles of accounting and finance to the business environment as well as implement quantitative tools to review today’s business functions. American Intercontinental University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting that focuses on advanced knowledge in the field of accounting. The MBA with an accounting emphasis looks beyond the balance sheet and provides students with an understanding of strategic leadership tools that allow them to use financial data, economics and management techniques to make a business successful. Graduates are able to analyze a variety of characteristics that demonstrate leadership while also demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing needs in a business environment. Students learn qualitative reasoning and are able to apply principles of both quantitative and qualitative research to business cases in order to evaluate research. Students gain an understanding of economic concepts, principles and theory while also developing the ethical skills necessary to succeed in the accounting world. The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance teaches critical thinking, management analysis and strategy, designed for students who want a global perspective on economics and financial management. The degree has a strong global focus with an emphasis on derivatives and their role in risk management. Graduates are able to apply their knowledge of economic concepts as well as principles and theory to critically analyze and evaluate problems related to the economy.

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Students may also be able to customize their degrees by taking electives in areas in which they are interested.

The Online Learning Experience at AIU

AIU's online programs are designed to provide flexibility and accessibility for students who need to balance their education with work, family, or other commitments.

Key features of the online learning experience include:

Flexibility: Online classes are completely flexible at American InterContinental University. Students can study on their own time, even pausing classes halfway through when more urgent priorities come up. Class schedules can be customized based on each student's individual availability.
Accelerated Format: Students can earn their degrees as quickly as they'd like by choosing their rate of study.
Competency-Based Learning: The Intellipath program is a competency-based learning format that allows students to move through familiar material quickly. Competency-based formats can be a great choice for students with non-traditional learning experiences.
Mobile Access: Classes can be accessed through a computer or a mobile device by using the American InterContinental University mobile app.

Admissions and Financial Aid

AIU employs open admissions. This puts the university in the top 23% of easiest universities to be admitted to in the United States. Undergraduate students who plan to attend online programs must submit an online application along with official high school transcripts and must complete an admission interview. Any applicant who has college credit after high school graduation must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applying to American InterContinental University begins with a conversation with an advisor who will help the applicant through the admissions process and answer questions about degree programs. Prospective students will then complete an online application, which requires no application fee and only takes about 15 minutes to complete. After submitting the online application, students will submit proof of their high school graduation and transcripts or evidence of their college graduation and transcripts. Homeschooled students must submit additional proof of their educational experience.

Tuition for students who attend American InterContinental University varies based on the campus a student attends or whether he or she decides to enroll in online classes. In addition, each program has a distinct per-credit and overall cost. Undergraduate online tuition is $325 per credit hour while online graduate tuition is $611 per credit hour. On campus undergraduate tuition is $317 per credit hour and graduate tuition is $584 per credit hour.

AIU offers various financial aid options to help students finance their education. Students may apply for financial aid from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Most students will want to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will qualify them for multiple types of financial aid. The FAFSA is available entirely online. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed on an annual basis. American Continental University participates in many grant programs including the Advantage, Success, Corporate Educational Alliances, Tribal Educational Alliances, Veterans, Yellow Ribbon, Lifelong Learning grant programs. There are also scholarships available including the EANGUS and Academic Progress scholarships.

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Student Diversity

During the 2017-2018 academic year, there were 1,312 undergraduates at AIU Atlanta with 1,003 being full-time and 309 being part-time.

Factors to Consider

While AIU offers many benefits, prospective students should also be aware of some factors to consider:

For-Profit Status: AIU is a for-profit institution.
Graduation and Retention Rates: As of 2024 AIU has a 6-year bachelor's degree graduation rate of 8% and only a 20% retention rate for first time students pursuing bachelor's degrees.

Alternatives to AIU

Prospective students should also research alternative online colleges to ensure they find the best fit for their needs and goals. Some popular online colleges include:

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU): SNHU offers over 200 flexible, career-focused online degree programs in fields such as accounting, business, healthcare, and technology. As a nonprofit institution, SNHU emphasizes affordability.
Liberty University: Liberty University offers over 600 online degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, aiming to provide flexible and affordable education.
Grand Canyon University (GCU): GCU offers a range of accredited online degree programs, allowing students to pursue higher education with flexibility.

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