The American University of Florence is a free-standing, private, non-profit, and non-denominational institution located in Florence, Italy.
November 18, 2021 US accreditation update:
The New England Commission of Higher Education has determined that AUF is eligible to proceed with an application for candidacy for accreditation within two years. A determination of eligibility is not candidacy or accreditation, nor does it indicate a likelihood of eventual accreditation. Questions about eligibility and the accreditation process should be directed to the President of the Commission.
AUF is also reviewed yearly for European quality certification (Certified by IMQ S.p.A. - ISO 9001:2015 Cert. N.9175.FLRU).
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 University is comprised of nine schools and their respective community projects.
Schools - Community Engagement Member Institutions:
APICIUS International School of Hospitality - Dimora, Ganzo, Fedora, Sorgiva
DIVA School of Digital Imaging and Visual Arts - Corridoio Fiorentino
FAST School of Fashion and Accessory Studies and Technology - FLY Fashion Loves You
IDEAS School of Interior Design, Environmental Architecture, and Sustainability - Corridoio Fiorentino
ISB International School of Business - EntrepreLearn Lab, Pomario
J SCHOOL School of Journalism, Communication and Publishing - Ingorda
SAS School of Arts and Sciences - F_AIR
SQUOLA Center for Cultural and Italian Studies - CCIS
School of Graduate Studies - AUF Operation
AUF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
The AUF academic community in Florence to identifies innovative as the bridge between classroom learning and the opportunity for the student to express learned competencies in a real, community-based enterprise. AUF’s efforts dedicated to cultural integration results in the projects and activities of the CEMI Community Engagement Member Institutions associated with each of the University's schools. The CEMI and AUF campus facilities are located in beautifully renovated historic palaces well known to the Florentine community and represent unique urban campus environment.
CEMI
An important aspect of AUF education is the collaboration and exchange between academic departments and CEMI projects for cultural integration – spaces connected to the institution that are open to the local community and operate in cooperation with the faculty and student body as a part of the academic experience at AUF. The educational aim of involved courses is aligned with these spaces in order for students to directly apply Experiential Learning in a training ground that fosters the intermingling of communities and cultures.
The institutional CEMI for AUF is the Palazzi Community Center; it is open to the public and serves as a cultural center for outreach opportunities that the Florentine community may benefit from. The center's activities embrace events and initiatives involving all academic divisions, feature services for the community, and sustains entities representing the local territory (independent bookstores, cultural associations, charities, sustainable food/wine producers, community gardens, artists, designers, etc.).
Each of the 9 academic divisions at AUF features its own distinct CEMIs:
APICIUS International School of Hospitality
- Dimora Guest Apartments
- Ganzo Restaurant
- Fedora Pastry Shop
- Sorgiva Spa
DIVA School of Digital Imaging and Visual Arts
- Corridoio Fiorentino Photography and Design Gallery
FAST School of Fashion and Accessory Studies and Technology
- FLY Fashion Loves You – Fashion Retail Store
IDEAS School of Interior Design, Environmental Architecture and Sustainability
- Corridoio Fiorentino Photography and Design Gallery
ISB International School of Business
- EntrepreLearn Lab
- Pomario Botanical Retail Store
J SCHOOL School of Journalism, Communication, and Publishing Ingorda Campus Press
SAS School of Arts and Sciences
- F_AIR Florence Artist in Residence
SQUOLA Center for Cultural and Italian Studies
- CCIS Center for Cultural and Italian Studies
School of Graduate Studies
- AUF Operations