Atlantic University (AU) is a

private college Private universities and private colleges are higher education institutions not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. However, they often receive tax breaks, public student loans, and government grants. Depending on the count ...

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Guaynabo (, ) is a Guaynabo barrio-pueblo, city and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality on the northeastern coastal plain of Puerto Rico. Located west of the capital San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan, east of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Bayam� ...

. It was founded in 1983 by Colonel Ramón M. Barquín. It is one of the few colleges or universities in the

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

specializing in digital arts education in all of its forms.

History

Atlantic University is a non-profit institution and is located in the heart of Guaynabo, facing the city's central plaza. It is the first university founded in

Guaynabo Guaynabo (, ) is a city and municipality on the northeastern coastal plain of Puerto Rico. Located west of the capital San Juan, east of Bayamón, south of Cataño and San Juan Bay, and north of Aguas Buenas, Guaynabo is spread over 9 barrio ...

and is located in the city's historical district, which preserves the distinctive Spanish colonial-style architecture that characterized Puerto Rico's towns and cities in earlier times. Atlantic University was founded in response to Guaynabo's need for a local institution of higher education, as well as the growing demand for

digital arts Digital art, or the digital arts, is artistic work that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentational process. It can also refer to computational art that uses and engages with digital media. Since the 1960s, various names have ...

expertise in the commercial sector. AU's core programs were first offered in 1981, and now include a growing range of bachelor's and master's degree programs. The institution officially changed its name to Atlantic University on August of 2023.

Administration

AU is a private institution of higher education operated by Atlantic University, Inc., a non-profit corporation established under the laws of the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...

and registered with the U.S. State Department.

Accreditation and licensing

Atlantic University authorized by the

Puerto Rico Education Council ''Their mission'' is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to all the students. The Council of Education of Puerto Rico (CEPR) is an agency of ...

and accredited by the

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States that provides national accreditation to Private school, private post-secondary educational institutions. It is re ...

to award bachelor's, and master's degrees. AUC is also approved for students with educational benefits in the different

G.I. Bill The G.I. Bill, formally the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I. (military), G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in ...

programs.

Memberships

Atlantic University is a member of the following associations: *

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities A Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is defined in U.S. federal law as an accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institution of higher education with 25% or higher total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time equivalent (FTE ...

(HACU) *

Council for Higher Education Accreditation The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is an American organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for academic quality through accreditation in order to ...

(CHEA) *

American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) represents professional academics, researchers, educators, and students in the United States of America and focuses on issues affecting Hispanics in higher education. It functions a ...

(AAHHE) *

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development ASCD, formerly known as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, is an education non-profit organization founded in 1943. It has more than 125,000 members from more than 128 countries, including superintendents, principals, te ...

(ASCD) *

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. The f ...

(CT Program) *

International Game Developers Association The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is a nonprofit professional association whose stated mission is to "support and empower game developers around the world in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers." The IGDA is incorp ...

(IGDA) *

Printing Industries of America The Printing Industries of America was a nonprofit trade association that advocates for the United States printing industry. It was the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, representing more than 6,500 member companies and an industry ...

(PIA) * Asociación Puertorriqueña de Investigación Institucional *

Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR) is a private, voluntary, and non-profit chamber of commerce in Puerto Rico. The Chamber was formed in 1913 as the San Juan Securities and Supplies Llotja () by a group of businessmen for the purpose of ...

Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA) is a private, non-profit, and voluntary trade association in Puerto Rico formed with the intent of joining the manufacturing in Puerto Rico, manufacturing and Service industry in Puerto Rico, serv ...

* Asociación de Educación Privada

Departments

* General Education * Business Administration * Digital Cinematography Sciences * Digital Graphic Design * Digital Animation Sciences * Video Game Art and Design Sciences * Graduate Studies

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control 1983 establishments in Puerto Rico Universities and colleges established in 1983 Private universities and colleges in Puerto Rico Art schools in Puerto Rico Buildings and structures in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Digital art