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 Communications 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 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 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.