Apply Now!
Apply Now!

Since 2005

In 2000, a group of professionals started a business consulting company, focusing on training today’s leaders to be super leaders through team building, activity-based consulting. They enabled individuals to move beyond their comfort zone and achieve real performance improvement. They decided to transfer their knowledge of business management to the classroom.

Long Story Short

The founders of International American University (IAU) observed the growth of private colleges and universities in the 90s and 2000s. Being working students themselves, they realized that private degree-granting institutions played a very important role in educating the mature, working student, also known as the “professional student.” With the establishment of so many distance-learning schools since the 1990s, what would make IAU unique? It was a question that the founders asked themselves and they eventually found an answer. The idea was to create a school that encourages an inclusive community, offers the same academic rigor as a larger school, hires and retains experienced instructors, offers flexible class offerings, and provides quality student services. To align the institution with the Christian values and principles of its founders, the challenge was to keep costs reasonably affordable to make education available to all.

Rather than focus on the domestic American market with so much competition, the founders saw its potential market with international students who did not have access to a flexible, quality, affordable American education. IAU’s international niche market was two-fold – the F-1 visa international student and the foreign international student.

2005

Incorporation

In August 2005, the MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. was incorporated in the State of California as a private proprietary S-corporation. The Management Institute of America (MIA) sought California State Approval through the now-defunct Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE). Initially conceived as a distance-learning school, overhead costs were minimized because there was no need to have classrooms, whiteboards, desks, chairs, etc. 

2006

BPPVE Approval, Change of Title

In July 2006, MIA received its Temporary Approval to operate by the BPPVE. MIA’s name did not appeal to the international market. Although some very prestigious schools contain the word “institute” in their name (ex, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology), institutes are viewed as less prestigious than “universities” or even “colleges.” In Fall 2006, Management Institute of America, Inc. legally changed its name to the INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, INC.

2007

BPPVE Sunset

In July 2007, the BPPVE sunset, leaving IAU and many other institutions without a State of California oversight agency.

2009

SEVP School Certification Branch Approval

In March 2009, IAU received its approval from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) School Certification Branch (SCB), which is responsible for evaluating the Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student (Form I-17) to determine whether educational institutions meet the minimum eligibility requirements to be approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

2011

BPPE Approval, Moving to Los Angeles, New Campus in Orange County

In December 2011, IAU received its Approval to Operate from the recently established State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). The process took nearly two years to obtain the five-year Full Approval. The approval also included changing the main location from Palmdale to Los Angeles, adding additional undergraduate accountancy programs, removing information technology degree programs, and establishing a new satellite campus in Tustin, Orange County, CA.

2009-2011

2012-2017   

Times of Growth

Between 2012 and 2015, IAU grew from 200 F-1 students to 500. IAU relocated to a new facility at 2525 W. 8th St., Los Angeles. The new 9,000 square foot facility, located about three miles away from the previous facility, was considerably more spacious than the previous location and offered IAU the opportunity to accommodate its growing population of campus students. 

2013

Relocation to a Bigger Campus in OC

In November 2013, IAU relocated its Tustin, CA satellite location to Buena Park, CA.

2017

New Main Los Angeles Site Established

In January 2017, the Hancock Park satellite campus closed and the main campus relocated to 3440 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA to accommodate its student population of 700. The new 12,000 square foot facility, where IAU is currently located, is in Central Plaza off Wilshire Blvd. and Normandie Blvd., known as “Mid-Wilshire.” The location is very accessible to public transportation, has ample parking spaces, and is adjacent to a plethora of restaurants. Students, staff, and faculty responded very favorably to the new location. Central Plaza has security personnel, restricted building access for added security, and monitored parking. There is a strong sense of safety at the current facility, which is important for the IAU community.

Accreditation, Approval, and Recognitions

2018

BPPE Approval, Relocation of OC Campus

In April 2018, IAU received its Full Approval to Operate for five years by the BPPE.

In December 2018, IAU relocated its satellite location from Buena Park to Garden Grove, California.

2020

TRACS 5-year Accreditation as a Category IV institution

In October 2020, IAU was awarded Accredited Status as a Category IV institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission. This status is effective for a period of five (5) years.

2021

BPPE, ACBSP, Jordanian Ministry of Education

In 2021, IAU changed its Approval status with the BPPE to “Approved by means of Accreditation.”

In July 2021, IAU’s “Application for Candidacy Status” was approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

In October 2021, IAU established the San Diego Satellite Campus (IAUSD), located in the neighborhood of Hillcrest, San Diego. In the same month, IAU received recognition from the Jordanian Ministry of Education Recognition.

2018-
2021

2020-2021

COVID-19 STRIKE

COVID had a huge impact on IAU’s international student enrollment. The IAU Orange County Satellite Campus (IAUOC), located in the City of Garden Grove, was closed and stopped offering classes in March 2020. When IAU closed the IAUOC Satellite Campus, many students who lived in Orange County had to commute to the IAU Los Angeles Main Campus (IAULA) to attend classes.

2022-Today   

Under Expansion

2022

Moving OC Campus to Irvine

In September 2022, IAU relocated the Orange County Satellite Campus (IAUOC) to the City of Irvine.

2023

Reorganization and New Campuses

In January 2023, IAUOC and IAUSD and welcomed its inaugural cohort.

In August 2023, IAUSD relocates to downtown San Diego.

In September 2023, IAU received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) – Sri Lanka.

In December 2023, IAU’s first international satellite campus opened in Kathmandu, Nepal (IAUNP). This was IAU’s return to Nepal where it operated between 2009–2015. The international satellite campus allows IAU to grow its brand, recruit different demographics of students, and be able to bring the quality American education to underserved areas who are unable to come to the U.S. to study.

2024

International Expansion

In March 2024, IAU established additional international satellite campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (IAUHCM) and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (IAUMN).

In April 2024, IAU established a satellite campus in Westchester, Los Angeles, near Los Angeles International Airport (IAULAX).

2005
Incorporation

In August 2005, the MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. was incorporated in the State of California as a private proprietary S-corporation. The Management Institute of America (MIA) sought California State Approval through the now-defunct Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE). Initially conceived as a distance-learning school, overhead costs were minimized because there was no need to have classrooms, whiteboards, desks, chairs, etc. 

2006
BPPVE Approval, Change of Title

In July 2006, MIA received its Temporary Approval to operate by the BPPVE. MIA’s name did not appeal to the international market. Although some very prestigious schools contain the word “institute” in their name (ex, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology), institutes are viewed as less prestigious than “universities” or even “colleges.”

In Fall 2006, Management Institute of America, Inc. legally changed its name to the INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, INC.

2007
BPPVE Sunset

In July 2007, the BPPVE sunset, leaving IAU and many other institutions without a State of California oversight agency.

2009
SEVP School Certification Branch Approval

In March 2009, IAU received its approval from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) School Certification Branch (SCB), which is responsible for evaluating the Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student (Form I-17) to determine whether educational institutions meet the minimum eligibility requirements to be approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

2011
BPPE Approval, Moving to Los Angeles, New Campus in Orange County

In December 2011, IAU received its Approval to Operate from the recently established State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). The process took nearly two years to obtain the five-year Full Approval. The approval also included changing the main location from Palmdale to Los Angeles, adding additional undergraduate accountancy programs, removing information technology degree programs, and establishing a new satellite campus in Tustin, Orange County, CA.

2012-2015
Time of Growth. New Campus in Koreatown

Between 2012 and 2015, IAU grew from 200 F-1 students to 500. IAU relocated to a new facility at 2525 W. 8th St., Los Angeles. The new 9,000 square foot facility, located about three miles away from the previous facility, was considerably more spacious than the previous location and offered IAU the opportunity to accommodate its growing population of campus students. 

In November 2013, IAU relocated its Tustin, CA satellite location to Buena Park, CA.

2017
Los Angeles Main Campus Relocated

In January 2017, the Hancock Park satellite campus closed and the main campus relocated to 3440 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA to accommodate its student population of 700. The new 12,000 square foot facility, where IAU is currently located, is in Central Plaza off Wilshire Blvd. and Normandie Blvd., known as “Mid-Wilshire.” The location is very accessible to public transportation, has ample parking spaces, and is adjacent to a plethora of restaurants. Students, staff, and faculty responded very favorably to the new location. Central Plaza has security personnel, restricted building access for added security, and monitored parking. There is a strong sense of safety at the current facility, which is important for the IAU community.

2018
BPPE 5-year Approval, OC Campus Moved to Garden Grove

In April 2018, IAU received its Full Approval to Operate for five years by the BPPE.

In December 2018, IAU relocated its satellite location from Buena Park to Garden Grove, California.

2020
TRACS Accreditation

In October 2020, IAU was awarded Accredited Status as a Category IV institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission. This status is effective for a period of five (5) years.

2021
COVID, ACBSP Candidacy, SD Satellite

In 2021, IAU changed its Approval status with the BPPE to “Approved by means of Accreditation.”

COVID

COVID had a huge impact on IAU’s international student enrollment. The IAU Orange County Satellite Campus (IAUOC), located in the City of Garden Grove, was closed and stopped offering classes in March 2020. When IAU closed the IAUOC Satellite Campus, many students who lived in Orange County had to commute to the IAU Los Angeles Main Campus (IAULA) to attend classes.

 

In July 2021, IAU’s “Application for Candidacy Status” was approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

In October 2021, IAU established the San Diego Satellite Campus (IAUSD), located in the neighborhood of Hillcrest, San Diego. In the same month, IAU received recognition from the Jordanian Ministry of Education Recognition.

2022
Moving OC Campus to Irvine

In September 2022, IAU relocated the Orange County Satellite Campus (IAUOC) to the City of Irvine.

2023
First International Satellite Campuses

In January 2023, IAUOC and IAUSD and welcomed its inaugural cohort.

In August 2023, IAUSD relocates to downtown San Diego.

In September 2023, IAU received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) – Sri Lanka.

In December 2023, IAU’s first international satellite campus opened in Kathmandu, Nepal (IAUNP). This was IAU’s return to Nepal where it operated between 2009–2015. The international satellite campus allows IAU to grow its brand, recruit different demographics of students, and be able to bring the quality American education to underserved areas who are unable to come to the U.S. to study.

2024
New Domestic and International Campuses

In March 2024, IAU established additional international satellite campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (IAUHCM) and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (IAUMN).

In April 2024, IAU established a satellite campus in Westchester, Los Angeles, near Los Angeles International Airport (IAULAX).

...

F-1 international students are students who seek an F-1 visa to come to the U.S. to study. When F-1 students wish to study business, an American school is a top choice. IAU is not just a provider of business education. IAU also offers business students an opportunity to live in one of the world’s most recognized business cities – Los Angeles, CA. Business is not only learned through a textbook and an online course – it is through immersion in the Los Angeles city life. Students are brought face-to-face with faculty who have decades of experience in their respective fields. They learn of other cultures by interacting with international students from around the world in a hybrid classroom setting. They must speak English as a common means of communication as they work on projects or group assignments. They breathe the air of a city so culturally diverse that the communities have names that reflect their diversity, such as Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Koreatown, Historic Filipinotown, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia, Tehrangeles, Little Bangladesh, and Thai Town. 

Not all international students can come to the U.S. to study in Los Angeles. Challenges can be professional or personal obligations, visa approval, or affordability. The foreign international student studies with IAU through its online learning management system (LMS), coined IAUonline. Online students attending synchronous virtual classes can enjoy a classroom experience with local campus students, ask questions to the instructor, and engage in discussions with classmates. Those online students must meet the same internship component as any other IAU student.

ApplyIAU Programs

Join the Blue Eagle Family!