The American Academy

The American Academy (AA) is a dual-enrollment program offered jointly by Kent State University and the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), located in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Launched in July 2018, the program allows students to complete their first two years of undergraduate study in Brazil at the PUCPR campus, taking Kent State classes taught in English by Kent State faculty members, and earning academic credit from both universities simultaneously. The program consists of a liberal arts fixed-curriculum offered in a four-semester carousel, with new student intake at every semester. At the end of the two years, students will earn a KSU Associate of Science degree and can then choose whether to finish their bachelor’s degree in the United States at Kent State’s Kent Campus, or in Brazil at PUCPR. Depending on which degree path they choose, students will receive a Kent State bachelor’s degree, a PUCPR bachelor’s degree, or a double degree from both universities. Students who choose to complete their degree at the Kent Campus will be able to choose from any of the more than 200 undergraduate degree programs offered, 36 of which can be completed in four years.

The American Academy aims to provide a smoother pathway to a U.S. education for Brazilian students, including those who have not yet decided on a major. We do this by offering a liberal arts curriculum, which aims to give students exposure and knowledge on a variety of disciplines, along with academic and career advising designed to help students find their purpose. This approach represents a higher education option that was previously unavailable to students in Brazil. In addition, American Academy students may find their transition to the Kent Campus is easier than for other international students as they will have a Kent State advisor who has already been working with them for two years, they will already be familiar with the U.S. style of learning and teaching, and they will transition along with a cohort of Brazilian students with whom they have already been studying for two years.

• AA website (English version)
• AA Launch video
• PUCPR and Kent State University - American Academy Commencement Ceremony - December video
• PUC American Academy Formatura - September video

News articles about the AA:

• How The American Academy Kept Students on Track in Brazil During COVID-19
• The American Academy Celebrates First Commencement
• American Academy Growing in Brazil, Poised to Bring Students to Kent State
• Kent State and Brazil’s Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná Partner to Launch the American Academy
• Classes Begin at the New American Academy in Brazil
• Main websites: PUCPR and KSU

With over 60 undergraduate degree programs available from PUCPR and over 200 from Kent State, students will complete their first two years of undergraduate study in Brazil at the PUCPR campus by taking Kent classes taught in English by Kent state faculty members. Students will earn academic credit from both universities simultaneously and will earn a KSU Associate of Science degree at the end of two years. They can then choose whether to finish their bachelor’s degree in the United States at KSU’s Kent campus, or in Brazil at PUCPR. Depending on the degree path chosen, students will receive a Kent State bachelor’s degree, and PUCPR bachelor’s degree, or a double degree from both universities.

The program consists of a liberal arts curriculum that gives students the opportunity to be exposed to different areas of knowledge as they learn comprehensive skills that can be used in their chosen career. The American Academy curriculum consists of 20 courses, five courses per term in a four-semester carousel, with intake at each semester.

Courses typically meet for three weeks, Monday through Friday, from approximately 9AM until 2:30PM; the exact number of days and start/end times will vary, depending on holidays and other factors.

Current Students

You are a Kent State student from the moment you begin the American Academy, even though you may not set foot in Kent, Ohio for another two years. The Kent State University faculty and staff are here to help you succeed and FIND YOUR PURPOSE from day one – explore the below helpful resources, and contact us if you need additional information or support.

• AA Library Guide
• Exploratory Advising Resources
• Majors and Degrees
• KSU catalog
• After completion of the four-semester American Academy program, students may come to Kent campus to complete the undergraduate degree of their choosing. In your final semester in Brazil, KSU advisors will begin working with you, we will offer you the opportunity to connect with current KSU students as a peer-mentor, and our ISSS office will email you instructions about how to obtain a student visa, traveling to the U.S., housing, immunization requirements, and more. Information about these steps and processes can also be found here.

Prospective Students

The American Academy aims to provide a smoother pathway to a U.S. education for Brazilian students, including those who have not yet decided on a major, by bringing American higher education to Brazil. More information about the application process can be found here.

American Academy faculty members are Kent State University employees committed to the academic and professional success of every student.

If interested in teaching at the American Academy, contact your department chair.

• American Academy Faculty Handbook

The American Academy aims to provide a smoother pathway to a U.S. education for Brazilian students, including those who have not yet decided on a major, by bringing American higher education to Brazil.

STEPS TO APPLY:

1. Access the online application form.
2. Pay the application fee (R$90,00) – you will receive payment instructions from PUCPR after completing the application online.
3. Upload of the following documents: High School and University transcripts, personal statement of interest, English proficiency test scores (acceptable tests and scores).

Read what our students are saying about the American Academy International Undergraduate Program:

"I made the right choice for my future"

"American Academy was the most fantastic thing that ever happened to me"

"Combined my passion for traveling and exploring new cultures"

"American Academy was essential for me to find a program closer to my professional dream"

"I plan to major in Computer Science at Kent State"

"I learned a lot, I had fun and I can say that I had the best experience of this stage of life"

In the U.S.
Valerie Reed, Interim American Academy Program Coordinator
Office of Global Education, Kent State University
Tel. 330-672-7980
[email protected]

In Brazil
[email protected]
Tel. +41-3271-2492