The Master of Arts in International Education (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. In this Mediterranean-based program, students spend the fall semester at ACM’s center in Barcelona, participate in a traveling J-Term seminar, and spend the spring semester on the ACM Aix-en-Provence, France campus.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The MAIE program is a practioner-based degree program allowing students access to key stakeholders within the field of international education through professional development opportunities, networking events, and curated site visits. The program is ideal for those interested in study abroad, international student enrollment, higher education policy, and student affairs. Academically, students will engage in International Education Content Core modules, Experiential Project Design, Observations, Capstone Project, a Professional Practicum placement, Language and Culture component, and elective courses in Mediterranean Regional studies. Students explore the cultural and linguistic richness of the Mediterranean while taking courses that provide a comprehensive background in the historical and theoretical foundations of international education.
ADMISSIONS
At ACM, we are committed to providing a seamless admissions experience for aspiring students of our graduate program. We encourage applicants to showcase their unique backgrounds and aspirations, as we value diversity and innovation in our academic community. Please refer to the application timeline below, and head to our graduate admissions page for more information.
Aug. 3, 2026
Application Available
Jan. 6, 2027
Priority Decision Deadline
May 5, 2027
Regular Decision Deadline
ACADEMICS
Program Objectives & Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MAIE program will be able to:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of international education, including key trends, theoretical frameworks, and global best practices.
- Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders about the goals, benefits, and outcomes of study abroad and international programs.
- Apply knowledge of higher education structures and systems to address real-world challenges in international program design and administration.
- Evaluate and support student development, wellness, and intercultural learning in international and cross-cultural contexts.
- Articulate an ethical, student-centered vision for leadership in international education, grounded in cultural humility and self-awareness.
Coursework focuses on the development of essential knowledge and skills related to program development, management, budgeting, higher education policy, mental health and wellness, risk and crisis management, accessibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Program Structure
The program starts with a signature 1-credit launch orientation in Barcelona. Students begin their coursework on intercultural understanding, global leadership, and a proseminar that builds essential communication skills. Additionally, they take a language or culture course based on their Spanish proficiency and two special topics courses in international education covering the foundations and historical context of international education within higher education.
The MAIE Traveling Seminar has been designed to give students a unique exposure to the different facets of study abroad programming including the admissions process, program design, student support services and crisis/risk management. One of the main purposes of the MAIE Traveling Seminar is to allow students to visit a variety of study abroad organizations and meet with stakeholders from advisors to directors and members of executive leadership. Through these visits and informational meetings, students create their own personal action plan for career exploration. (Sites may include: US study abroad institutions operating abroad, local/national universities, non-profit organizations, etc.).
Students continue their studies in Aix-en-Provence, where they delve into advanced topics such as Risk Management, Study Abroad Program Design, Intercultural Management, and take a French language or culture course tailored to their proficiency.
The program concludes with a capstone practicum placement within a study abroad of international education organization (in the US or abroad) to apply their skills in a real-world setting while building valuable industry connections. If the placement is in the US or outside of an ACM program location, it is the students’ responsibility to find the placement, and the placement must be pre-approved by the MAIE Program Director. The focus of the practicum placement can vary from admissions, housing, international education policy, and student support services.
Course Highlights
During this year-long program (two semesters plus January Term and summer practicum), students will take a variety of interdisciplinary core modules focusing on the essential knowledge and skillsets that are integral to international education management. Course highlights include:
- Foundations of International Education
- Internationalizing U.S. Colleges and Universities
- Intercultural Management
- Study Abroad Management and Design
- Risk Management in International Education
- Mental Health in International Higher Education
- Developing Intercultural Competence
- Global Leadership & Ethics
J-TERM
January Term (J-Term) at the American College of the Mediterranean takes place between the fall and spring semesters and offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in an intensive 2-3 week traveling seminar with hands-on learning experiences and cultural excursions that complement their studies. To satisfy their J-Term program requirement, MAIE students must enroll in the following J-Term program:
MAIE Practitioner Seminar
Locations: Aix-en-Provence, France | Rome, Italy | Florence, Italy
This seminar begins in Aix-en-Provence and travels to Rome and Florence, Italy to introduce students to the professional landscape of international education through direct engagement with professionals in the field.
Students will explore a range of study-abroad program models—including U.S. universities with overseas campuses, international education organizations, and custom program providers—to understand how programs are designed, managed, and supported. Through structured informational interviews with practitioners at these institutions, as well as curated observational opportunities and hands-on experience, students will gain firsthand insight into administrative roles, organizational structures, and potential career paths. The course emphasizes applied learning, professional skill-building, and reflective analysis to prepare students for careers in global education administration and program management.
TUITION AND AID
We strive to make education accessible and affordable for all students. Our Tuition and Aid section provides comprehensive information on the costs associated with your education, including tuition rates, fees, and available financial aid options. We offer a variety of scholarships and grants to help alleviate the financial burden, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. For detailed information on tuition rates and financial aid applications, please visit our dedicated resources page.
|
MAIE 2026-2027 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Summer 6-Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,500 | $16,500 | $8,200 | $41,200 |
| Student Life Fees | $2,500 | $2,500 | $1,400 | $6,400 |
| Housing | $5,500 | $5,500 | $2,300 | $13,300 |
| Total | $24,500 | $24,500 | $11,900 | $60,900 |
SCHOLARSHIPS
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.
HOUSING
Students in the MAIE program will spend their first semester at the ACM-IAU center in Barcelona, Spain, and are required to live in shared ACM student apartments.
CAREER PATHS
Graduates are well-versed in both the practical and theoretical aspects of international education administration via field studies, guest speakers, and special topics courses. Studying across multiple countries, including France, Spain, Italy, and other locations throughout the Mediterranean, offers students an enriched understanding of intercultural dynamics and a broader perspective on international education trends, setting them apart in their professional endeavors. Post graduation, alumni from the MAIE program are employed as study abroad advisors, on-site European based advisors, and coordinators within non-profit international organizations.
FACULTY
The American College of the Mediterranean MAIE faculty is comprised of experts in the areas of Higher Education, International Education Leadership, Management, Student Affairs, Wellness, Risk Management, and Academic Affairs. Both academics and professionals in their field, ACM faculty provide the MAIE program with the academic depth and the real-life experience necessary for a well-rounded International Education degree program.