American InterContinental University

american-intercontinental-universityStudying Business at AICU

American Intercontinental University in our ranking of the Top 24 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Project Management.

American Intercontinental University offers nine onlinegraduate level programs in business, all of which are subsets of the degree of Master of Business Administration. The nine degrees are all specializations in business, and they are:

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Healthcare Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Operations Management
  • Project Management
  • Technology Management
  • General Management

As with any online programs, these are designed with study-life balance in mind. Students are able to complete the programs in their own time without losing any of the benefits of face-to-face instruction. Should the student wish to take classes on campus, these nine programs are also available at the brick-and-mortar campuses in Houston and Atlanta. American Intercontinental University also provides extensive undergraduate programs in business at both online and campus locations.

About American Intercontinental Universriy

American Intercontinental University was founded in 1970 as an institution that strove to break the traditional mold of learning institutions. The core philosophy of the university was, and continues to be, the focus on the practical over the focus on the theoretical side of the topics it teaches. The curricula of the various programs at the university are student-centric. Students are encouraged to explore personal growth instead of just academic growth. The gist of the instruction is to prepare students for life in the business world of the 21st century rather than to highlight what has happened in the past. American Intercontinental University developed and refined its desired Institutional Outcomes over the last 48 years, and they now are:

  • To embrace an educational culture for a diverse student body supported by faculty and staff, who provide a personalized approach in support of student success
  • To deliver an integrated learning experience to support students’ intellectual growth, academically and professionally
  • To employ innovative technologies to deliver an immersive learning experience that engages the varied learning styles of our students
  • To provide a curriculum emphasizing learning that prepares students for success in a dynamic professional environment
  • To maintain a pool of practitioner faculty who possess relevant industry experience

American Intercontinental University Accreditation Details

Chief among the university’s accreditations is that of The Higher Learning Commission, which has accredited both its face-to-face and online programs. The school’s business programs have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The Inquiry Brief Commission of Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredited the university for five years beginning in 2013. Additionally, American Intercontinental University is licensed in Georgia by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission and in Texas by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Both of these organizations have granted their approval of the university as well as licensing its operation.

American Intercontinental University Application Requirements

Despite the university’s history in Europe, it does not accept applications from students whose home is in the European Union. Students who wish to apply must contact one of the university’s an Admissions Advisers by phone or live online chat. Students must be able to produce proof of a high-school diploma or GED certificate and provide all applicable transcripts. Graduate students must include college transcripts as well as high-school transcripts.

Students must also prove English-language proficiency and appropriate mathematics skills. Homeschooled students and students who attended high schools and post-secondary institutions that are not recognized by the American Intercontinental University’s admission policy must provide additional paperwork and material to be considered for admission.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate tuition is $661 per credit hour for the MBA program. That program requires 48 credit hours to complete, which results in a total cost of $29,328. Each online graduate student must pay a technology fee of $175 and, when the time comes, a graduation fee of $150. Online undergraduate degrees require either 90 or 180 credit hours to complete and have total costs ranging from $29.250 to $58,500. Because American Intercontinental University allows students to forego certain class requirements because of life experiences and/or military service, the tuition costs might be less for some students than it is for others. The university allows up to 75 percent of the course load to be supplanted by such experience. Books and other learning materials are included in the tuition costs.

Students wishing to apply for financial aid should begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Classes begin the first week of August, so it is highly recommended to have the FAFSA completed and filed well before that date. Students may also apply for scholarships, grants, and other awards in addition to filing the FAFSA. The university itself provides 14 combined scholarships and grants for its online students and 16 each for its students who study at either the Atlanta or Houston locations. These scholarships and grants provide either a percentage of tuition or a block amount. Some have to be used only for tuition while others can be used for living expenses and other costs. Military students can receive so-called “full-ride” scholarships if they qualify. Students should research each scholarship or grant for which they plan to apply before applying.

Of course, there are many grants and scholarships for online study available from outside sources based on academic achievement, life situation, or other achievements outside of academics.

Some of these include:

  • ACS Scholars Program for Native Americans
  • Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
  • Amish Descendant Scholarship
  • Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise
  • Incight Scholarship for persons with disabilities

Each of these, and all of the others that are available, provide different amounts of assistance. Some of them cover all costs while some only cover about $500. Students should plan ahead to apply for these not only by the deadline for the award in question but also in time for proper processing before classes begin at American Intercontinental University. Students should also bear in mind that there are an equal number of scholarships and grants available for study at the physical campuses in Houston and Atlanta. Many such awards are based on residence, so it behooves students to do their research.

American Intercontinental University offers an accredited yet nontraditional approach to earning one’s MBA online.