Dubai, Dubai
The School of Arts and Sciences operates as a central academic division within the American University in Dubai (AUD), located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 1995 alongside the university’s founding, the school functions as the primary provider of general education requirements for all undergraduate students at the institution. It is structured to offer a range of disciplinary studies that form the foundation of the American-style liberal arts education model, emphasizing critical thinking, communication skills, and quantitative reasoning. As part of AUD, the school is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The academic framework of the School of Arts and Sciences comprises several departments, including International Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The school offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in specific fields, such as International Studies, while simultaneously overseeing the core curriculum that all students at the American University in Dubai must complete. This core curriculum typically includes courses in English, history, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences, designed to provide a broad intellectual base before students advance into their specialized professional degree programs.
The campus facilities available to students of the School of Arts and Sciences are integrated into the broader American University in Dubai infrastructure. These include specialized laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics, which are equipped to support both undergraduate research and standard laboratory coursework. Students also have access to the university library, which houses physical and digital collections curated to support the liberal arts and sciences curricula. Additional facilities include computer labs, lecture halls designed for multi-media instruction, and collaborative spaces intended for student-faculty interaction and peer-led study groups.
Faculty members within the school hold advanced degrees from international institutions and are engaged in research and scholarship across their respective disciplines. The pedagogical approach focuses on the American liberal arts tradition, which prioritizes small class sizes to facilitate discussion, direct engagement with faculty, and the development of analytical writing abilities. This structure supports the university's mission to provide an education that mirrors the academic standards and practices commonly found in the United States, adapted to the cultural and regional context of the Middle East.
The school maintains a focus on interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to draw connections between various fields of study. For instance, the International Studies program integrates elements of political science, economics, and history to examine global challenges. Similarly, the psychology and social sciences departments offer courses that address human behavior and societal structures, often with a focus on regional demographics and developments within the UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region. These programs are designed to prepare students for careers in government, diplomacy, non-governmental organizations, and private sector roles that require strong research and analytical capabilities.
Beyond its degree-granting programs, the School of Arts and Sciences plays a role in the university's commitment to community engagement and academic events. It hosts seminars, workshops, and guest lectures that explore contemporary scientific, social, and political issues. These activities are intended to supplement the formal curriculum and provide students with exposure to ongoing academic debates and professional developments. The school also collaborates with other schools within the American University in Dubai, such as the School of Business and the School of Engineering, to offer interdisciplinary minors and elective courses that broaden the scope of a student's technical or professional training.
As an entity within the American University in Dubai, the School of Arts and Sciences adheres to the institutional policies regarding academic integrity, student assessment, and quality assurance. The school undergoes periodic reviews to maintain its alignment with international accreditation standards. This ensures that the credits earned and the degrees conferred are recognized by academic and professional institutions globally. The school’s administrative structure is typical of American-style universities, featuring a dean who oversees the departmental chairs and faculty members, ensuring that the curriculum remains current and responsive to shifts in academic trends and industry requirements.
The student body within the School of Arts and Sciences is diverse, reflecting the international composition of the American University in Dubai. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and experiential learning opportunities, which are often facilitated through the university’s career services department. By combining a broad-based arts and sciences curriculum with specific professional preparation, the school aims to provide a stable academic foundation. Its operations remain focused on the delivery of instruction, the maintenance of academic standards, and the provision of resources necessary for students to fulfill their degree requirements within the context of the UAE’s higher education sector.
