New undergraduate program drastically broadens the scope of the first and only American-accredited University in the former Soviet Union.

YEREVAN, Armenia, Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking a monumental step forward for the intellectual discourse between the United States, Armenia, and the culturally diverse region that surrounds it, the American University of Armenia proudly announces the matriculation of its first ever undergraduate class.

For the last 20 years, the American University of Armenia has offered a comprehensive American graduate education to a global community of students, promoting the universal values of academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity, scholarship, leadership and service to society.

Accredited through the prestigious Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the American University of Armenia is the first and only American-accredited University in the former Soviet Union.

With the creation of its groundbreaking new undergraduate program, the university aims to expand its role connecting young minds from all over the world, and empowering them to become the next generation of leaders in Armenia.

"Seeing these young undergraduate students exploring the campus and attending classes for the first time has been a profoundly moving experience for all of us," said Bruce M. Boghosian, president of the American University of Armenia. "We have always strived to enhance intellectual and cultural bonds between students and faculty from across the world. We are proud to see that happening on our campus every day, and we know that our new undergraduate program will help us make our educational experience even stronger."

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia offers a broad slate of graduate – and now undergraduate – programs, including in Business and Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Public Health and the Environment.

In addition, the university engages actively in philanthropic efforts across the region that are giving underserved students access to educational resources; empowering entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs; helping to protect endangered regional wildlife habitats; and contributing to many other critical efforts.

The American University of Armenia was founded in 1991 through a unique partnership with the University of California, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian government.

For more information about the American University of Armenia, visit us online at www.aua.am.

SOURCE American University of Armenia