The International Education Master of Arts program is taught in English at the American University of Florence (AUF). The program consists of 30 credits and is typically completed in 12 months. Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Master of Arts degree.

General Program Structure

• Common Core: Candidates must successfully complete 6 credit hours with a focus on research methods and leadership
• Concentration Courses: 9 required credits of focused concentration coursework
• Electives: 12 credits, of which 6 credits are program requirements and 6 are chosen from other graduate-level disciplines
• Capstone Project: 3 credits for the final capstone project required for graduation

Objectives and outcomes for International Education:

• Gain fluency in the theories and practices of higher education in an international context.
• Develop an articulate and mission-focused approach to education leadership.
• Apply advanced-level and specialized research perspectives to relevant topics and issues in the field of education.
• Acquire cross-cultural skills for implementing learning and institutional strategies aimed to serve a diverse student body.
• Gain the capacity to conduct appropriate curriculum design and practices for implementation in a global campus environment.
• Identify future trends and transitions in international education in order to address evolving student needs.

Program Curriculum

Common Core (6 credits)

• LAIERM560 Research Methodologies for International Educators
• LAPYEL550 Ethics, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship

Concentration Courses (9 credits)

• LAIEET610 Strategies for Effective Teaching in International Education Experiential Learning
• LAIECI615 Comparative International Education and Student Diversity
• LAIEIP600 Innovative Practices and Technology in International Education

Elective I (6 credits)
2 courses from:

• LAIEAE630 Advanced English for International Educators
• LAIESJ620 Social Justice in International Contexts
• LAIEIL640 Teaching Methodologies for Italian Language Instruction

Elective II (6 credits)
2 courses from:

• BUMAHR630 International Human Resource Management
• DIDMDC610 Digital Communication Strategies
• HPHTCL650 Customer Loyalty and Engagement

Capstone Project (3 credits)

TOTAL CREDITS (30 credits)

For additional information about this program, please see here.

Your SAI Admissions Counselor will guide you in submitting all required application and enrollment materials.

Application
Upon submitting a SAI application to this program, you will begin to work closely with your SAI Admissions Counselor who will assist you each step of the way. While the final admission decision is made by the host school, SAI Admissions Counselors work closely with AUF and are able to guide and advise you in finalizing your application. If you have any technical questions about the degree, your Admissions Counselor can facilitate a conversation with the host school. Upon acceptance to your program of choice, your SAI Admissions Counselor will guide you and provide important resources through each enrollment step, including financial processing, visas, housing, and travel.

Financial Processing and Loans
To make a degree program abroad more achievable, SAI is able to offer US students the ability to obtain a private loan through St. Martin’s University to pay for their program. As you reach the point of enrollment, the SAI Business Office can provide assistance with financial processing, as well as student loan applications. Please contact your SAI Admissions Counselor for details about the student loan process.

Housing
Securing the right housing is an important step in having a positive experience abroad. Your Admissions Counselor can assist you with your overseas housing search: we can provide advice regarding good areas of the city, as well as options for housing agencies to consider. In general, students can expect to pay from $800 to $1,500 per month in housing, depending on criteria.

Visas
US students pursuing this degree program will be required to obtain a long stay study visa. Note that the visa application process can be complicated; we can assist and guide you as you go, but it’s important to begin this process as early as possible.

Not sure what to do next? Fill out the Get In Touch form below, and your Admissions Counselor can help!

This is a SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!

• Program tuition
• Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
• SAI orientation to the host city and school
• SAI staff on-site providing assistance as needed and 24-hour emergency support

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

• Admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
• Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
• Assistance with student visa application
• Assistance with financial aid and loan processing
• Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
• SAI alumni network

Please see the following links for up-to-date calendar information:

Fall 2026 Intake

*prices are subject to change

Are you interested in one or more SAI graduate programs, or just have questions? Fill out the form below and one of our Admissions Counselors will reach out to you shortly.