The American College of Greece (ACG) was founded in Smyrna, Asia Minor by United Church of Christ American missionaries in 1875. It was originally a primary and secondary school for girls. As of 2020, it has 5.774 students enrolled in all three of its divisions.

Located in Athens, and originally founded in 1875 in Smyrna, Deree – The American College of Greece is the oldest American-accredited college in Europe and the largest private college in Greece. ACG is an independent, not for profit, nonsectarian, co-educational academic institution.

About Deree – The American College of Greece

Founded in Smyrna, Asia Minor, in 1875, by missionaries from Boston, Massachusetts, The American College of Greece is the oldest and largest US accredited college or university in Europe. For over 145 years, ACG has been offering transformative education and cultivating a fertile intellectual and cultural collaboration between Greece and the United States.ACG is an independent, not for profit, nonsectarian, co-educational academic institution.

The 60-acre campus located in Aghia Paraskevi on the slopes of Mt. Hymettus, 10 kilometers from the center of Athens, offers world-class academic and athletic facilities.

Deree College is a co-educational liberal arts college in the American tradition of higher education, with over 3,000 students enrolled in degree programs. Deree College awards Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting and finance, business studies, computer information systems, international tourism & hospitality management, international business and European affairs, management, and marketing. Bachelor of Arts degrees are awarded in art history, communications, economics, English, history, liberal studies, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, theater arts, and visual arts. The Graduate School of Deree – The American College of Greece offers the following Master’s degree programs: MA in Strategic Communication and Public Relations, MA in Digital Communication and Social Media, MS in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy and MA in Applied Educational Psychology.

Structure

The college is run by the namesake 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Dr. John S. Bailey served as president from 1975 to 2008. Dr. David G. Horner has been the president since 2008. The College is governed by a Board of Trustees.

The college has three divisions:

• Pierce, for secondary education
• Deree College, for undergraduate and postgraduate
• Alba Graduate Business School

Pierce

The American College of Greece was founded in Smyrna, in Asia Minor in 1875 as a school for girls. It was relocated to Hellenikon, Athens, after the loss of Asia minor to the Turks at the invitation of then Prime Minister of Greece Eleftherios Venizelos. During the Axis occupation of Greece, its premises were used as a hospital under German command. After the war, the College reopened at Hellenikon, where it remained until it moved to its new campus in the Athens suburb of Agia Paraskevi, where it operates to this day.

Pierce won the British Council International School Award for the academic years 2015-2018 bestowed by the British Council in Greece and is a member of the International Schools Theater Association.

As of January 2016, Pierce is an authorized IB World School and has been offering IB Diploma Programme since September 2016.

Deree

The American College awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1969. In 1973, its undergraduate division was renamed Deree in honor of Greek-born benefactor from Chicago, William S. Deree (born Derehanis). In 2004, it offered its first graduate programs.

Deree is an educational institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in the US and validated by the Open University in the UK. The campus is located in Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, with four schools: Business & Economics; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts; and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences that offers Master’s degrees in applied psychology, communication, and leadership.

Deree currently offers the following majors:

School of Business & Economics:

Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance

• Accounting with Finance
• Economics
• Finance

Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports

• International Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Sports Management

Department of Management and International Business

• Management- Operations Management
• Human Resources Management
• Entrepreneurship Management
• Shipping Management
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• International Business

Department of Management Information Systems

• Management Information Systems

Department of Marketing

• Marketing Management
• Marketing Communications

The school offers minors in: Accounting, Business, Business Analytics, E-Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship Management, Finance, Financial Markets Trading, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, International Reporting and Auditing, International Tourism and Hospitality Management (ITHM), Leadership and Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Shipping Management and Sports Management.

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of Communication

• Communication
• Cinema Studies

Department of English and Modern Languages

• English and American Literature
• English Literature with Linguistics

Department of Science and Mathematics

• Biomedical Sciences
• Engineering & Science (in collaboration with Clarkson University)
• Environmental Studies

Department of History, Philosophy, and the Ancient World

• History
• International Relations and European Affairs
• Philosophy

Department of Sociology

• Sociology

Department of Psychology

• Psychology

Department of Information Technology

• Information Technology – Digital Media Technologies
• Information Technology – Software Development
• Cybersecurity and Networks

The school offers minors in: Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Cinema Studies, Classics, Communication, Crime, Law and Justice, English, Environmental Studies, Gaming Technologies, History, Information Technology, International Relations, Modern European Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.

Frances Rich School of Fine & Performing Arts

Department of Music

• Music
• Music Performance

Department of Theatre Arts and Dance

• Theatre Arts

Department of Visual Arts and Art History

• Art History
• Graphic Design
• Visual Arts

The school offers minors in: Art History, Dance and Movement Studies, Graphic Design, Music, Music and Musical Theatre, Theatre Arts and Visual Arts.

Alba

ALBA Graduate Business School at The American College of Greece (ALBA) has been placed among the top 250 business school universally, according to the 2017 QS Global 250 Business Schools Report. Specifically, ALBA, placed amid the top 100 institutions in the list, has been classified as a “Superior Business School for Research and Employability”, midst the top institutions from 36 countries that offer Full Time MBA’s. In 2017, Eduniversal published its Ranking for the 4000 Best Masters and MBAs in 32 fields of study worldwide. Many of ALBA’s programs appear in a prominent position within their category. More specifically:

MSc in Strategic Human Resources Management, ranked N° 25 in Human Resources Management, Western Europe (TOP 200 – Regional ranking within the 9 geographical zones).

The ALBA MBA, ranked N° 28 in MBA full time, Western Europe (TOP 200 – Regional ranking within the 9 geographical zone).

MSc in Tourism Management, ranked N° 39 in Tourism and Event Management, Worldwide (TOP 100 – Global ranking).

MSc in International Business and Management, ranked N° 42 in International Management, Western Europe (TOP 200 – Regional ranking within the 9 geographical zones).

MSc in Marketing, ranked N° 44 in Marketing, Western Europe (TOP 200 – Regional ranking within the 9 geographical zones).

MSc in Business for Lawyers, ranked N° 48 in Business and Commercial Law, Western Europe (TOP 200 – Regional ranking within the 9 geographical zones).

On June 28, 2018, Eduniversal published the 2018 ranking of the best Masters & MBAs programs. This year, more than 25 000 programs have been analyzed and among which 5000 programs are ranked in the best Masters&MBAs across a range of institutions in 154 countries. Many of ALBA’s programs appear in a prominent position within their category:

MSc in Tourism Management, ranked N° 36 in Tourism Management, Worldwide (TOP 80 – Global ranking).

MSc in Shipping Management, ranked N° 23 in Maritime Management, Worldwide (TOP 50 – Global ranking).

In 2012 the American College of Greece’s Degree division formed an alliance with Alba Graduate Business School, a nonprofit institution funded by student tuition and fees that offers MBA programs in shipping, financial services and banking. The arrangement allows “the schools to pursue a joint strategy to boost their already leading position in south-east Europe.”

The two institutions are distinct legal entities with integrated governance and organizational structures. Under this arrangement, Alba is also accredited by NEASC under Degree-ACG’s accreditation.

In 2011, Kerin Hope of Financial Times reported, “Alba has gained a place on the global business education map through high-quality research published by its 22-member faculty, and an unmatched record in the European Business Plan of the Year competition. Its 2,500 alumni are seen as a catalyst for change in corporate activity in Greece, which traditionally sends more than 10,000 young people to study abroad every year because of a lack of specialised courses at state-dominated universities.

american college of greece requirements

ACG welcomes students from North America
to complete their degree!

We are excited that you are considering studying at The American College of Greece. ACG offers a unique college experience in the country where learning began.

Students who are currently located in North America are welcome to apply as degree seeking students at The American College of Greece. You can apply as a First Year Student or as a Transfer Student if you are already enrolled in a university.

We invite you to take the first step to studying in Greece by applying!

First Year Students

Students who are currently in high school, students who have not attended college after high school graduation, or students with less than 15 college credit hours are considered First Year Students.

The following documents are needed for admissions:

• Completed Online Application Form
• A 250-300 word personal statement which addresses how studying at ACG will further your life goals. The essay can be completed online along with the application form
• Official Transcripts
• High School Diploma / GED
• One academic letter of recommendation
• Copy of Passport

All first-year students must have a secondary school completion credential; or have the recognized equivalent of a secondary school completion credential.

Transfer Students

Students are considered Transfer Students if they have 15 or more credits from an accredited college. Transfer students are held to the same application requirements as other applicants, with the exception of test scores, and high school transcripts. Should you have fewer than 45 US college/university credits, we do require official final high school transcripts and may request SAT or ACT scores.

The following documents are needed for admissions:

• Completed Online Application Form
• A 250-300 word personal statement which addresses how studying at ACG will further your life goals. The essay can be completed online along with the application form
• Official College Transcripts from all Institutions Attended
• One academic letter of recommendation
• Copy of Picture Page in Passport

Documents

Documents can initially be sent electronically via email; however, official documentation must be provided prior to enrollment at ACG.

All official documents should be sent to the following address:
The American College of Greece
North American Enrollment and Study Abroad Office
31 State St. 4^th Floor
Boston, MA 02109

For further information on ACG or on the admissions process please contact:

Mara Nisdeo
Dean of North American Enrollment and Study Abroad
mnisdeo@acg.edu
Office: (857) 284-7908
Cell: (617) 935-5148

Justin Schaefer
Associate Dean of North American Enrollment and Study Abroad
jschaefer@acg.edu
Office: (857) 284-7908
Cell: (410) 303-9387

Elli Grapsas
Manager, North American Enrollment and US Federal Aid
egrapsas@acg.edu
Office: +30 (210) 600-9800 Ext. 1406

Vicky Lamprinou
Study Abroad Coordinator, Office of North American Enrollment & Study Abroad
vlamprinou@acg.edu
Office: +30 (210) 600-9800 Ext. 1409

Merit Scholarships for North American Students

For incoming high school students or for students who have under 15 credit hours from a university, their high school transcript will be evaluated.
For incoming students who have 16 credit hours or above, their college transcripts will be evaluated*.

3.4 – 3.59/4.0: 20% reduction on tuition
3.6 – 3.79/4.0: 30% reduction on tuition
3.8/4.0 and above: 40% reduction on tuition

The equivalency requirements for high school students is evaluated on an unweighted GPA
Students must maintain their GPA in order to renew their award.

* Students who are enrolled in college courses during high school will have their high school transcripts evaluated. 

US Federal Loans

ACG participates in the U.S. Title IV Loan Program for Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and Parent PLUS loans. If you are a United States citizen, or an eligible non-citizen, enrolled in an undergraduate or an approved graduate program at The American College of Greece you may be eligible to borrow U.S. Federal Direct Loans. For further detailed information Title IV Aid application and procedures please visit our Federal Direct Loans page

North American Payment Instructions

Currency: Permanent U.S. residents or Canadian citizens are required to make all their payments in U.S. Dollars.

Check payment instructions:
All Checks should be made out to:
The American College of Greece
Send to: The American College of Greece
31 State St. 4^th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: North America Enrollment

Wiring payment instructions:
Bank of America
Swift Code: BOFAUS3N
Wire ABA: 026009593
Account Number: 0046 4058 1448

Students’ payments during the duration of their studies at ACG will be in the currency they chose initially.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY – STUDENTS

Deree – The American College of Greece admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.