Brief Accounts of Institutional Philosophy

AIU Online serves an adult career-oriented segment of the student population and, as a result, has developed an academic philosophy and learning model specifically designed to meet the needs of this group. This online model focuses heavily on concept formation and skill development through collaborative learning. Students are able to adapt to meet the demands of a dynamic, team-based learning environment.

At AIU Online, each 10-week quarter is comprised of two 5-week sessions. To be considered full-time, Associate's degree students generally take two courses in each session; Bachelor's and Master's degree students take one course each session over the 10-week quarter. This academic model is based on the adult learning theory, which supports the contention that adult learners are more successful when they focus on one or two courses at a time.

However, the real question is "What Makes AIU Different?" That would be our award-winning Virtual Campus (the 2009 Computerworld Honors award recipient). Our Virtual Campus gives students a sense of community. Students can attend class, visit the online library, meet with instructors, access financial aid and other services, and participate in clubs and virtual graduation ceremonies. Developers of the Virtual Campus even added support for podcasting and built iPhone-friendly capabilities. Check out our Virtual Campus at: http://www.aiuonline.edu/degree-programs/virtual_classroom.aspx.

AIU is also moving ahead with a tool called MUSE (My Unique Student Experience) which lets students choose the format in which their course materials are delivered to them (be it text or audio). This aspect allows students the option to complete their students in many different modalities.

AIU strives to meet the unique needs of adult online learners through our Integrated Learning Environment. This environment includes:
-Technology and instructor-led instruction
-Anytime/anywhere learning and real-time interaction, support, and feedback
-Instructor-initiated and student-directed instruction
-Competency-based academic skill development

American InterContinental University's mission is to provide for the varying educational needs of a culturally diverse and geographically dispersed student body with the goal of preparing students academically, personally, and professionally for successful careers.