MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (BACS) degree builds on the academic tradition and strong communications curriculum provided at ACM and its study abroad institute, IAU. With its location in a dynamic artistic environment, studies in communications benefit from an intense critical perspective at the heart of IAU’s educational mission. Experienced and cultured faculty push students to see the world in unique and original perspectives, drawing on the creative arts, journalism, and historical presentation. As a part of ACM’s ‘Social Issues Across the Curriculum’ initiative, students and faculty weave topics related to race, class, and gender into everyday discussion both in and out of the classroom.
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 Communication Studies requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.
Lower-Division, Communications and Expression, 15 credits required
- ART 110: Photography
- ART/ARH 201: Survey History of Western Art: Prehistory to Modern Times
- ART/ARH 342: Artistic Encounters in the Mediterranean: Cross-Cultural Perspectives in European Art
- ART 277/377: Creative Writing
Upper-Division Communication Studies, 30 credits required
- FRE/LIT 340: French Children’s Literature: exploring Language, Culture, and Society
- FRE/LIT 358: The (French) National Narrative Revisited
- COM/IRL 316: Media and Conflict
- FLM/FRE 355: France as seen through its Movies, post WWII to the 1970’s
- FRE/FLM 356: France as seen through its Movies, The 1980’s to Today
- LIT/COM/ANTH 375: The European City in Literature and the Visual Arts
- LIT/COM 312: Provençal Culture, from Myth to Media
- COM/HIS 314: France during the Occupation: 1939-1945
- ART/ARH 381: The XIX Century and French Impressionism
- ART/ARH 382: Cezanne and Van Gogh
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.
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 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
Graduates will demonstrate strong analytical, expressive, and cross-cultural communication skills across multiple media platforms. They will be able to:
- Analyze how media, visual culture, and historical narratives shape identity and influence public discourse across different cultural contexts.
- Craft clear, ethical, and strategically sound messages for diverse audiences and platforms, from global brands to nonprofit organizations.
- Collaborate effectively across cultural differences to solve problems and achieve collective goals in professional and civic settings.
- Evaluate how cultural heritage and storytelling traditions are used by institutions and industries to communicate authenticity and value in global markets.
- Express ideas with creativity and precision through writing, visual media, and oral communication, adapting style and tone to purpose and audience.
In today’s interconnected world, effective communication is a powerful tool for change. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program are prepared for careers in journalism, marketing, public relations, corporate communication, and the heritage and luxury industries. Frequent career paths include communications specialist, public relations coordinator, marketing associate, content strategist, and brand manager. These positions may be found in corporations, nonprofit organizations, media outlets, cultural institutions, and government agencies. For graduates interested in advanced study, pursuing a graduate degree in media studies, international relations, or law will expand their career opportunities in this evolving field.
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.