MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in Art History (BAAH) builds on the Institute for American Universities’ academic tradition as one of the first American institutions abroad to create a full studio art and art history curriculum founded on the rich artistic traditions of the south of France and Aix-en-Provence. The founders of IAU had this in mind as they formulated a full art curriculum which grew out of a studio painting course started by Léo Marchutz in 1960. Its defining characteristic resides in the educational principle that any art-related study should combine in a holistic manner the three (3) disciplines of art history, studio practice, and critical studies.
The artistic traditions of the south of France and the Mediterranean Basin will naturally serve as the intellectual backbone of the Bachelor of Arts in art history. Originally founded by the Romans, Aix still has architectural and archaeological details dating back to the Middle Ages and prior, including Roman baths, walls, and roads. Local excursions provide students with an enhanced awareness of Provençal culture while giving them a unique and unparalleled French experience.
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 Art History requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.
Art History, Lower-Division (3 credits required)
- ART/ARH 201: Survey History of Western Art: Prehistory to Modern Times
Art History, Upper-Division (30 credits required)
- ARC/ARH 312: European and Mediterranean Prehistoric Art and Archaeology
- ARC/ARH 313: Powers and Identities in the Ancient Mediterranean
- ART/ARH 320: Picasso, Matisse, and the Mediterranean
- ART/ARH 340: Medieval Art and Architecture
- ART/ARH 342: Artistic Encounters in the Mediterranean: Cross-Cultural Perspectives in European Art
- ART/ARH 363: Baroque Art and Architecture
- ART/ARH 364: Contemporary Art in the Mediterranean
- ART/ARH 373: Renaissance Art and Architecture
- ART/ARH 381: The XIXth Century and French Impressionism
- ART/ARH 382: Cézanne and Van Gogh
- ART 399: Independent Study
Studio Art (9 credits required)
- ART 108: Smartphone Photography and Videography
- ART 112: Ceramics
- ART 327: Arts and Cultural Leadership
- ART 306: Drawing into Painting
Liberal Arts – Creative Writing (3 credits required)
- LIT/ENG 277/377: Creative Writing
Liberal Arts – January Term Seminar (3 credits)
Total Major Credits: 48
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 2026-2027 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Summer (Optional) 3-6 Units |
Academic Year Total Without Summer |
Academic Year Total With Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,900 | $11,900 | $3,800 | $23,800 | $27,600 |
|
Student Life Fees |
$2,500 | $2,500 | - | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Housing | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $11,000 | $11,000 |
| Total | $19,900 | $19,900 | $3,800 | $39,800 | $43,600 |
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
Graduates leave the program prepared to continue on to Ph.D. study in art history or to begin professional careers in the arts and cultural sector. Alumni pursue opportunities in:
- Museums and galleries
- Cultural heritage organizations
- Teaching and education
- Independent curatorial or guiding work
The combination of academic and practical training ensures that students gain the intellectual tools, research methods, and field experience necessary to thrive in a variety of roles.
SCHOOL OF ART
ACM art courses are housed in the Atelier Marchutz. Situated on the outskirts of Aix on the renowned ‘Route de Cézanne,’ the school’s location in Aix-en-Provence has many advantages, among them its light-filled space, the studio’s proximity to the famed Chateaunoir and Sainte Victoire and most importantly, its calm and contemplative atmosphere conducive to sustained, artistic concentration. The studio itself was designed by architect Fernand Pouillon.