The Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, France, was founded in 1957 as a center for education abroad for American college and university undergraduates.  IAU is a not-for-profit institution of higher education, chartered permanently by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and registered with the French Ministry of Education.

As an independent, non-degree granting institution, the Institute for American Universities issues its own transcripts.  Because it does not grant its own degrees, the Institute is outside the scope of regional accrediting bodies, such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Since its beginning, however, the Institute has worked with over 700 U.S. public and private colleges and universities, many of which are familiar with the high standards of Institute programs and which accept Institute recommendations for the direct transfer of academic credit to the home institution.  A number of these American universities and colleges have signed direct affiliation agreements and provide for that direct transfer of academic credit.

Where individual institutional or state regulations require that credit be transferred via accredited institutions only, students may enroll in the Institute through Northern Illinois University (for whom the Institute is the official program in France), the College Consortium for International Studies, or Eckerd College.

A list of institutions accepting IAU recommendations for direct transfer of academic credit, as well as contact information for Northern Illinois University, the College Consortium for International Studies, or Eckerd College may be obtained by contacting IAU's U.S. Office, 1830 Sherman Avenue, Suite 402, Evanston, Illinois 60201, Tel:  800-221-2051; Fax:  847-864-6897, Email: usa@iaufrance.org.