Preparing you for a bright future
Our programs will help you establish professionally.
The American University of Afghanistan offers Afghan women and men Associate, Bachelor and Graduate degree programs.
At present, AUAF is operating fully online. All courses, assignments, student groups and resources are accessible virtually. Our student campuses are closed until further notice.
We believe education should open doors – to new ideas, to purposeful work, and to service. A liberal arts education does all three by teaching students how to think, not what to think – so they can shape solutions, create opportunities, and lead with integrity in any field.
Liberal Arts Education?
What is a liberal arts education?
Why does a liberal arts education matter?
A liberal arts education provides a broad foundation of knowledge and develops key intellectual skills. Instead of focusing on a single narrow vocational path, students explore multiple disciplines – from the sciences to the humanities – to understand the connections between different fields of study.
In an ever-changing global economy, the ability to adapt is crucial. A liberal arts degree prepares you for your first job – and your last. It fosters the mental flexibility needed to navigate career shifts and technological disruptions.
What do you study at a liberal arts university?
What outcomes can I expect?
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Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages, and the Arts.
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Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Political Science.
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Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Studies.
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Formal Sciences: Mathematics, Logic, and Statistics.
- Critical Thinking: Analyze evidence and identify biases.
- Communication: Present ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Global Perspective: Understand diverse cultures and systems.
- Problem Solving: Apply creative solutions to unforeseen challenges.
Common myths about a liberal arts education
- Myth: Liberal arts graduates are unemployable. Fact: Employers highly value 'soft skills' like adaptability and analytical reasoning.
- Myth: It’s just about 'the arts'. Fact: Liberal arts includes rigorous study in mathematics, biology, and data science.
How do you learn in a liberal arts university?
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Critical inquiry and intellectual debate in small seminar-style classes.
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Hands-on research opportunities alongside faculty mentors.
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Interdisciplinary projects that solve complex, real-world problems.
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Reflective writing and persuasive oral communication exercises.
Our Degrees Programs
Associate Degree Program
The Associate degree in Arts is a two year undergraduate degree in which students will choose a focus area in Business, Computer Science or Liberal Arts. An associate degree gives students a broad understanding across multiple disciplines, focuses on critical thinking and communication skills, and introduces foundational courses of their focus area.
Bachelor of Arts Program
The Bachelor degree in Arts is an undergraduate degree in which students will choose a major in Computer Science, Law & Human Rights, or Political Science. The third and fourth year courses will primarily be in the major and will build upon the courses in the first two years. In the fourth year students will bring their learning together in a senior project focusing on their chosen concentration.
The Bachelor degree in Business Administration is an undergraduate degree in which students can choose one of two concentrations: Finance or Management. The third and fourth year of courses will build upon the courses in the first two years and give students a broad but comprehensive grounding in all business disciplines. In the fourth year students will bring their learning together in a capstone project focusing on their chosen concentration.
The Masters of Business Administration is a graduate degree. Students will receive a comprehensive education in the principles of business and management.
Bachelor of Business Administration Program
Masters of Business Administration Program
Degrees Offered
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Associate of Business Administration
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Associate of Arts in General Liberal Arts
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Associate of Arts in Computer Science
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Bachelor of Business Administration
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Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies
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Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
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Master of Business Administration
Meet some of the faculty
Chris Henderson
Chair of Social Sciences & Humanities
Arni Thor Arnthorsson
Associate Professor
Jacqueline Armijo
Associate Professor of English
Chris Henderson has been with AUAF since 2009. Having begun as an instructor, he was promoted to Assistant Professor of English in 2013 and has since held various teaching and administrative positions in the English Department and the Division of Social Sciences and Humanities. His teaching ranges from courses in the first-year core English and Afghanistan studies to classes in Linguistics and upper-division English and Business Communications for AUAF’s business department. He has contributed to AUAF’s development and resilience in the face of challenges over the years. Chris holds an MA in Education and a PhD in Applied Linguistics, with research and professional interests centered on student and lecturer literacy practices in English-medium higher education, particularly in American universities abroad. He is currently chairing the Division of Social Sciences and Humanities at AUAF and feels privileged to work with such dedicated colleagues, peers, and staff.
Dr. Arni Thor Arnthorsson, a native of Iceland, specialized in Marketing with a Ph.D from the University of South Carolina, USA. His work has expanded to the fields of leadership, diversity, motivation and research. He has worked and lived in nine different countries in his career, including the last eight years with AUAF. He was in administration roles from 2018-23, but was always connected to the classroom, teaching when he could.
Dr Arni is now a full time professor in the Business Department. He firmly believes that education will make a difference, and that Afghan students are the most inspirational and motivated students he has had the privilege to work with. He currently lives in Madrid, Spain, where he works remotely and tries to learn the language with limited success.
Dr. Jacqueline Armijo, a scholar of the history of Islam in China, has spent most of the past twenty years teaching at different international universities across Asia, most recently as a Visiting Associate Professor of History at New York University’s campus in Shanghai. She has carried out extensive fieldwork in China, as well as in the UAE and Qatar, where she was based for 13 years. Her research interests and publications focus on: Islam in China; the growing importance of China-Gulf relations and their rapidly developing cultural and educational links; the Chinese Muslim (Hui) diaspora around the world; and China’s use of education and research initiatives to strengthen regional relationships related to the Belt and Road Initiative across Asia. She has also taught at the Asian University for Women (Bangladesh), Qatar University, Zayed University (UAE), and Stanford University.
Nadeem Nooristani
Assistant Professor of Practice of Political Science and Public Administration
Nadeem Nooristani joined the Political Science and Public Administration Department at AUAF in 2017 as an adjunct faculty member and currently works as an Assistant Professor of Practice and Executive Coordinator of the Political Science and Public Administration program. Previously, he has worked as a teaching and research graduate assistant in the Political Science Department of Ball State University. He has years of extensive professional experience working for both national and international organizations in Afghanistan and abroad. Nadeem holds a BA in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University, a BS in Economics and International Relations, as well as an MA in Public Administration from Ball State University. His future research pursuits are centered on public administration, public policy, and local governance. Nadeem has taught a range of courses at the undergraduate level, including Introduction to Public Administration, Public Policy Making, Afghanistan Government and Politics, State-Building and Political Development, History of Afghanistan, and Civic Engagement.
Associate Professor Joanne Giesbrecht brings 25 years of management experience and holds an International MBA from the University of Edinburgh. She currently serves as the Interim Dean of Faculty. For the past two years, she has served as the Chair of AUAF’s Business Division, where she has collaborated with faculty to adapt the program to Afghanistan’s evolving needs. Joanne began her academic career as a consultant for a Canadian college in Qatar, but she soon discovered her passion for teaching and working with students. Her academic interests include cross-cultural management practices and identifying constraints to operational efficiency.
Outside of her professional life, Joanne enjoys sports, reading a wide range of literature, and continuous learning. She believes that the ability to learn, think critically, and communicate effectively is essential for societal development, and AUAF uniquely fulfills this mission. Joanne is consistently inspired by the resilience of AUAF’s students and the dedication of her colleagues. She is proud to be part of the AUAF community and considers it a privilege.
Interim Dean of Faculty