Liberal and Professional Studies in collaboration with the American University of Florence (AUF)

Unique Model for International Education

To be eligible for this program, students must have been admitted to a professional track offered by the American University of Florence (AUF).  Interested students should contact AUF admissions for further information at admissions@auf-florence.org

AUF’s mission aims to offer a unique educational model for international students. Through this model, AUF allows students to integrate, benefit, and learn from their academic experience by applying knowledge and competence simultaneously. Knowledge and competence are taught at the same time through educational strategies and several teaching methodologies that are based on the experience, integration, and engagement with the local community.

The model is formally copyrighted in Italy and guides the institution's academic and student life operations through two fundamental pillars: the institutional mission statement that informs all elements of the model, and assessment practices that review and evaluate model outcomes for evidence-based improvement.

Institutional Organization and Instructional Style

Given the range of academic study, AUF is organized since its inception along the lines of a US-style higher education institution with instruction in the English language, processes, and structure comprised of multiple colleges or schools of study as typically implemented in the United States.

The program features a dual undergraduate bachelor's degree program offered by AUF and Fairfield University. This unique opportunity allows students to fulfill AUF undergraduate BA pathways in Florence, Italy and also a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal and Professional Studies awarded by Fairfield University.

Experiential Learning at AUF

AUF is the first academic institution in Italy to establish integration projects affiliated to its academic departments and open to the public, in the form of Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI) under the auspices of the Palazzi Foundation. The CEMI are:

• Dimora AUF Guest Apartments, Fedora School Pastry Shop, Ganzo School Restaurant, and Sorgiva School Spa (APICIUS)
• Corridoio Fiorentino Photography & Design Gallery (DIVA/IDEAS)
• FLY Fashion Loves You - Emerging Designers, Vintage, and Consignment Store (FAST)
• EntrepreLearn Lab (ISB)
• Ingorda Campus Press (J SCHOOL)
• F_AIR Florence Artist in Residence (SAS)
• CCIS Center for Cultural and Italian Studies (SQUOLA)

In addition to the CEMI, the institution is affiliated with a wide network of professional entities and community-oriented organizations engaged in AUF's experiential learning initiatives.

Admission Requirements

• High School completion with 2.50 GPA or higher
• English language proficiency: 6.5 IELTS or 71 TOEFL IBT. Students who score 6.0 IELTS or 61-71 TOEFL IBT may be admitted to the programs but are required to take "Research and Academic Skills" and "Fundamentals of Writing" at AUF in Florence. Students enrolling into the BLPS after having already successfully completed 30 credits of AUF coursework in English will require no additional proof of English language proficiency.

Additional materials required for review:

• Official transcripts: A complete certified/official high school transcript and diploma completed (a certified English translation is required along with course descriptions and syllabi for faculty evaluation). For transfer credit requests related to previous higher education coursework, foreign language transcripts as well as course descriptions and syllabi must be submitted with translations that are certified / authenticated. The Admissions Office reviews the transfer requests with the Academic Affairs Office and pertinent faculty members.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least one letter of recommendation must accompany the application. They must be addressed to AUF Admissions Office and sent electronically directly by the reviewer. Letters submitted by the student are not acceptable. The contents of the letter should address the student's academic ability, potential and what he/she will gain from studying at AUF and in Florence.
• Personal Statements: Applicants must include a personal statement. This letter should help us learn more about the applicant and his/her qualities beyond test scores, grades, and work history.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Applicants can elect to send a Resume/Curriculum Vitae along with their application. This document should reflect the applicant's work and research history.
• Each qualified applicant will be interviewed by an Admissions officer of AUF or their nominee in person, by telephone, or other communication means. The main purpose of the interview is to select motivated applicants with the ability to benefit from a solid commitment to AUF’s program. AUF actively encourages applications from students of all ages, gender, ethnic, and/or social background, and from students with disabilities.