MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) at the American College of the Mediterranean (ACM) offers students a distinctive approach to the study of politics, one rooted in the program’s unique location and institutional legacy. ACM, the degree-granting institution, carries forward the academic tradition of the Institute for American Universities (IAU)—founded in 1957 with a mission to prepare Americans for careers in the Foreign Service and State Department. This diplomatic heritage infuses the Political Science major with a practical, policy-oriented perspective that remains central to its identity.
Political Science at ACM is not studied from a distance. Students examine political systems, international relations, and public policy while immersed in a region that serves as a living laboratory. The curriculum emphasizes the politics of Europe, France, and the Mediterranean Basin—a region of profound strategic, cultural, and historical significance. Students engage with the political dynamics of North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe through coursework taught by accomplished faculty whose research and professional experience span these areas. Many faculty members are themselves former diplomats, journalists, and practitioners who bring real-world expertise into the classroom.
With its main campus in Aix-en-Provence and additional locations in Barcelona and Morocco, ACM leverages its Mediterranean position to provide an education that is both globally informed and regionally grounded. The major equips students with the analytical tools to understand power, institutions, and political behavior across diverse contexts. Graduates emerge with:
- A strong foundation in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations
- Deep regional expertise in European and Mediterranean politics
- The ability to construct sophisticated arguments and analyze complex political problems
- Practical experience engaging with political issues in a global context
Whether pursuing careers in government, international organizations, law, journalism, non-profits, or graduate study, ACM political science graduates enter the global workforce with a wealth of experiential knowledge and a truly international perspective.
ADMISSIONS
ACM candidates submit their applications through the Common App*, a U.S-based platform that allows students to apply to multiple universities simultaneously. Once an application is submitted, an ACM Admissions team member will reach out to the applicant to schedule a brief online meeting to gather more information and to answer any questions about the ACM or the application process.
* Beginning Summer 2026, ACM will no longer accept Common App applications from students requesting application fee waivers via school counselors.
Aug. 3, 2026
Application Available
Jan. 6, 2027
Priority Decision Deadline
May 5, 2027
Regular Decision Deadline
ACADEMICS
ACM’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.
Lower Division Courses, 9 credits
- IRL 103—International Relations
- POL 105—Introduction to Political Science
- POL/PHI 112—Ethics in Society
Upper Division Political Science Courses, 36 credits required (up to 9 upper division credits may be taken in an approved course in a related field)
- POL/IRL 303—International Relations (3 credits)
- POL 307—The European Union: Integration, Enlargement, Unity (3 credits)
- POL 308—Geopolitics of the Mediterranean Basin: Security in a Diverse Region (3 credits)
- POL/ENS 309—Global Environmental Politics (3 credits)
- POL/PHI 312—Ethics in Society (3 credits)
- POL/IRL 318—The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (3 credits)
- POL/PHI 319—Contemporary Political Philosophy (3 credits)
- POL/HIS 321—French Colonialism in the Middle East and North Africa (3 credits)
- POL 322—Contemporary French Politics (3 credits)
- POL 360—The International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict (3 credits)
- POL/FRE 376—Contemporary French Identities (3 credits)
- POL/FRE 417—Dissent in the Mediterranean: From Albert Camus to Leïla Slimani (3 credits)
- HIS 301—Europe: From the Invention of Cinema to Trench Warfare (3 credits)
- HIS 303—France and Europe in the Cold War (3 credits)
- HIS/SOC 304—Muslim Presence in Europe (3 credits)
- IRL 305—US Diplomacy in an Age of Change: Case Studies and Practical Exercises (3 credits)
- IRL/COM 316—Media and Conflict (3 credits)
- IRL/MED 323—Migrations, Borders, Hospitality (3 credits)
- IRL/ENS 334—European Union Environmental Politics (3 credits)
- IRL 448—Global Justice (3 credits)
Upper Division Electives in Related Fields
- FRE/SOC 333—Contemporary France: Society, Politics, and Culture (3 credits)
- Any BUS, ECO, or HIS course listed in this catalog (except Business French)
Political Science Capstone, POL 490 (3 credits)
January Term Seminar (3 credits)
Total Major Credits: 51
Political Science Capstone
The Political Science Capstone is a rigorous project-based course that serves as the culminating experience for the major. Students are required to synthesize theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches acquired throughout their coursework to produce a significant piece of original scholarship or a professional policy analysis.
Working in weekly one-on-one or small-group consultations with a faculty advisor, students will design, research, and execute a substantial project. This project must demonstrate a mastery of political inquiry, including the ability to construct a coherent argument, critically engage with primary and secondary sources, and address a salient political question or public problem.
Project Options:
Students may produce:
- A scholarly research paper (8,000–10,000 words) suitable for presentation at an undergraduate conference or as a writing sample for graduate school.
- A portfolio of 4-5 policy briefs (each approximately 1,500–2,000 words) or a series of op-ed articles clustered around a common political issue.
- Alternative Media Project: With prior approval from the faculty advisor and the School of Global Affairs, students may propose a sophisticated media project (e.g., a documentary film, a podcast series, or an educational website). This option requires a parallel academic scaffold, including a full literature review, a project bibliography, and a final analytical memo (approximately 4,000 words) that explicitly grounds the creative work in foundational political science theories, debates, and literature. The written component will be weighted equally with the media project in the final assessment.
J-TERM
As part of their degree, ACM students take part in a January Term program (J-Term), a multi-country traveling seminar. Travel spans from 2-3 weeks and explores the politics, economics, histories, and cultures of the countries visited. All ACM students are required to participate in J-Term within the first academic year of enrollment.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the Europe & the Islamic World, Great Cities, or Mediterranean Basin seminar in alignment with ACM’s Core Curriculum. Students must meet with their academic advisor to choose a seminar that best fits within their major and academic plan.
HOUSING
ACM has different housing options in Aix-en-Provence available to undergraduate students, including homestays with a local host or student residence apartments.
All undergraduate students must live with a homestay during their first year of study. After their first year, they can request an ACM student residence apartment or non-program housing upon approval. Living in a homestay is a challenging yet enriching experience, and essential for students to immerse themselves in French language and culture at the start of their ACM experience.
TUITION AND AID
|
Bachelor of Arts 2027-2028 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,500 | $12,500 | $25,000 |
| Program Fee** | $2,800 | $2,800 | $5,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee*** | $5,800 | $5,800 | $11,600 |
| Total | $21,100 | $21,100 | $42,200* |
Commitment Fee (due upon admission): $500
January Term Program Fee (3 Credits): $3,950
*All ACM students are required to complete one January Term course as a graduation requirement.
Summer Program Fee (3-6 Credits): $4,000
*Summer programs are optional for undergraduate students.
Student Life Fee (for students in approved non-program housing): $2,200
*This fee is in lieu of the above stated Housing & Student Life Fee
- Semester: $2,200
- Summer: $1,000
Operational costs are sometimes affected by factors over which ACM has no control. Therefore, the charges and financial aid policies quoted on our website and in the catalog are subject to change without notice.
Scholarships & Aid
The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM) offers several scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities to its students each year. ACM strives to keep its published costs low, especially in comparison to many U.S.-based degree-granting institutions. Additional funding is provided for those who qualify for merit, diversity, and need-based awards.
If you are planning to apply for aid, you will need to submit the required materials along with your program application, as ACM reviews both simultaneously on a rolling admissions basis. To be eligible for ACM scholarships and grants, students must be enrolled full-time and abide by all ACM policies and regulations as stated on the policies page. Please contact admissions@acmfrance.org with any questions.
For details about how ACM awards aid, please read the Financial Aid & Scholarship Process document.
CAREER PATHS
Outcomes and Learning Objectives
Bachelor’s students in the Political Science program will learn to:
- Recognize and compare the principal systems, structures, institutions, and dynamics that shape the exercise of power in modern state systems;
- Differentiate between the various theoretical and ideological schools of thought that motivate political actors;
- Appraise the contrasting narratives surrounding the distribution of power and resources in the global order, with a focus on North America, Europe, and the MENA region;
- Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating key political debates with an appreciation of their historical, cultural, socio-economic, and geographic dimensions;
- Demonstrate the robust research, writing, and oral presentation skills required to explore and communicate complex political science concepts and controversies;
- Develop informed, ethical, and pragmatic policy responses to the political challenges of the 21st century.
Graduates of the Political Science program are prepared for dynamic careers in government, international organizations, policy analysis, media, and the nonprofit sector, supported by a strong foundation in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. Through interdisciplinary coursework focused on Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, students develop critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness, and the ability to analyze complex global issues and power structures. These skills, combined with rigorous training in research, writing, and communication, equip graduates to pursue impactful roles in an increasingly interconnected global environment.
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
With the inauguration of the new School of Humanities in 2013, a new twelve thousand square feet of state-of-the-art building, called Manning Hall, was put in to operation for ACM. Located in the old section of Aix-en-Provence, Manning Hall is equipped with smart boards and 21st-century media technology to enhance the student learning experience.
Once a 17th Century Hôtel Particulier, the School of Humanities was completely renovated and dedicated under its new name in honor of Donna Dillon Manning, whose exemplary philanthropic generosity led to a capital campaign to fully fund the renovation project of the new school.