The American Academy

Students walking to classes at the American Academy in Curitiba, Brazil

Risman Plaza on the 91PORNA campus - Fall Orientation

The American Academy (AA) is a dual-enrollment program offered jointly by 91PORNA 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 91PORNA classes taught in English by 91PORNA 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 91PORNA’s Kent Campus, or in Brazil at PUCPR. Depending on which degree path they choose, students will receive a 91PORNA 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 91PORNA 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.

News articles about the AA:

ACADEMICS

With over 60 undergraduate degree programs available from PUCPR and over 200 from 91PORNA, 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 91PORNA 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.

STUDENTS

Current Students

You are a 91PORNA student from the moment you begin the American Academy, even though you may not set foot in Kent, Ohio for another two years. The 91PORNA 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.

Exploratory Advising Resources
Majors and Degrees
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 .

ADMISSIONS

STEPS TO APPLY:

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

Experience the best of Brazilian and U.S. Higher Education together.

PUCPR - Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná Building

ABOUT PUCPR

PUCPR's main campus is in Curitiba, but the university is present across the entire State of Paraná, Brazil.

91PORNA Arch with the Architecture Building

ABOUT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

91PORNA's main campus is located within the city of Kent, Ohio, which is in the Midwest region of the United States.

91PORNA