MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (BAIR) degree builds on the academic tradition and strong international relations curriculum provided at ACM and its study abroad institute, IAU. ACM strives to create global ethical leaders and policymakers in an increasingly interconnected global community that includes classroom discussions on European, French, Mediterranean, and North African topics facilitated by accomplished and well-traveled faculty.
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. Additionally, during their undergraduate career, students will participate in ACM’s Global Diversity (GD) requirement, taking at least one course that meets the GD requirement, which focuses on exploring and analyzing typically underrepresented groups of people on the global stage and incorporate international and cross-cultural studies. These experiences allow graduates holding a BAIR to enter the global workforce with a wealth of knowledge gained through experiential learning.
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 International Relations requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.
Lower-Division Courses, 12 credits required
- POL 102: Introduction to American Politics
- POL 103: Political Theory
- POL 105: Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POL 106: International Relations
- Upper-Division Courses, 40 credits required
- IRL/POL 303: International Relations
- POL 307: The European Union: Integration, Enlargement, Unity
- POL/ENS 309: Global Environmental Politics
- PHI/POL 312: Ethics in Society
- POL 315: American Political Thought
- COM/IRL 316: Media and Conflict
- POL 318: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
- POL 320: Judicial Politics
- HIS/POL 321: French Colonialism in the Middle East and North Africa
- POL 328: State Politics
- POL 361: Nationalism and Contemporary World Politics
- FRE/POL 376: Contemporary French Identities
January Term Seminar, 3 Credits
Total Major Credits: 55
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
The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations opens doors to a variety of exciting career paths. Graduates can pursue roles in multinational corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Many of our International Relations majors continue on in careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service or in international business. With a strong foundation in international affairs, diplomacy, policy, and law, students are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the global affairs. Whether you aspire to work in diplomacy, law, business, politics, activism, and journalism, this program prepares you for a successful and impactful career in international relations.