MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (BAES) at the American College of the Mediterranean prepares students to understand and address complex environmental challenges through an integrated liberal arts lens. The field of Environmental Studies is inherently multidisciplinary, examining the dynamics of the Earth’s physical, biological, and social systems. The major provides students with a robust scientific foundation alongside the critical tools to interpret and evaluate the human-environment relationship. The program addresses the multifaceted dimensions of contemporary environmental issues by integrating natural science rigor with policy, economics, and ethics. Leveraging ACM’s strategic location in Southern France and its interdisciplinary tradition, it prepares graduates for growing careers in environmental analysis, sustainability consulting, policy, field research, and graduate study.
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 Environmental Studies requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.
Lower-Division, 15 credits required
- MTH 101—College Math: An Applied Approach (3 credits)
- ENS 200—Ecology of the Mediterranean (3 credits)
- ENS 201—Principles of Environmental Systems Science (3 credits)
- POL/IRL 303—International Relations (3 credits)
- PHI/POL 312—Ethics in Society (3 credits)
- BUS 301—International Business Today and Tomorrow (3 credits)
- ECO 201—Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
Upper-Division, 30 credits required
*Courses numbered 3XX are under development and expected to be offered on a rotating basis. Substitutions may be approved by the program director.
- ENS/POL 309—Global Environmental Politics (3 credits)
- ECO 304—Economic Globalization: Growth and Development (3 credits)
- ENS/POL 334—European Union Environmental Politics (3 credits)
- BUS 336—Sustainable Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
- BUS 323—The Business of Responsible Fashion (3 credits)
- ENS/ARC 338—The Development of Mediterranean Civilizations: A Landscape Archaeological Approach (3 credits)
- ENS/WGS 360—Developing Sustainable Food Systems (3 credits)
- ENS/WGS 380—Applied Sustainable Viticulture (3 credits)
- ENS/WGS 385—The Art and Science of Applied Winemaking (3 credits)
- ENS/WGS 385L—The Art and Science of Applied Winemaking Lab (1 credit)
- POL/IRL 308—Geopolitics of the Mediterranean Basin
- POL/IRL 360—The International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
- ENS/POL 3XX—International Law and Institutions in the Age of Sustainability (3 credits)
- ENS/ARC 3XX—Environmental Archaeology (3 credits)
- ENS/PHI 3XX—Environmental Ethics (3 credits)
- ENS/WGS 3XX—Soil Science (3 credits)
BAES Capstone Requirement (3 credits)
January Term Seminar (3 credits)
Total Major Credits: 51
BAES Capstone
In their final year, students complete one or more of the following tracks:
- ENS 401 Capstone—Independent Study – A creative, academically-grounded project. Examples include producing a documentary film or podcast series; creating an eco-art installation or illustrated field guide; designing a sustainable product prototype or data visualization tool; or developing an environmental education campaign.
- ENS 402 Capstone—Research Project – A major research project culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.
- ENS 403 Capstone—Internship – A professional internship with an organization, NGO, or company, accompanied by a substantive analytical report.
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.
Diplomacy & Human Rights
in the Mediterranean
Europe & the
Islamic World
Great
Cities
International Business & Emerging Markets
Mediterranean
Basin
Theatre
Alive
Wine, Gastronomy, & Sustainability of the Mediterranean
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 2026-2027 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,900 | $11,900 | $23,800 |
|
Student Life Fees |
$2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Housing | $5,500 | $5,500 | $11,000 |
| Total | $19,900 | $19,900 | $39,800 |
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
Upon successful completion of the major, students will be able to:
- Explain the scientific principles governing environmental processes and their interaction with human systems.
- Integrate knowledge from natural and social sciences to evaluate global environmental challenges.
- Critically analyze environmental theories and practices and creatively propose evidence-based solutions.
- Communicate complex environmental issues effectively to diverse audiences through advanced writing and oral presentation.
- Apply quantitative, laboratory, and field-based methods to assess environmental data and problems.
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.