Thrive in Dakar

French-language business, STEM and social science studies in Senegal's coastal capital.

Overview Academics Support Housing Options In Dakar, Senegal Culture Dates & Fees Application

Academics

As the first private business school in Senegal, ISM was founded in 1992 with the aim of creating open and responsible leaders able to tackle global challenges through innovation, collaboration, and creativity. ISM has since grown to offer dozens of departments across four schools.

An unparalleled classroom and campus experience, APA students are directly enrolled at ISM and can take classes at one or more of the following: School of Management, School of Engineering, and the Madiba Leadership Institute (political science and communications). With ISM’s mandatory Soft Skills Program, students partake in real-life projects.

Students follow four courses, each worth four credit hours. All courses are taught in French. In between language levels? International Management courses are also taught in English.

Opening Spring 2022: Students have the option to take an APA in-house course in French or Wolof.

Download the Academic Calendars

Spring 2023

Coming soon!

Fall 2023

Coming soon!

Take your Pick

Students enroll in up to four courses and each course is worth four credit hours. Prior to departure, students should consult with their academic advisor on campus regarding the minimum credit hours that must be taken while in Dakar.

Students may choose a combination of classes from the following:

School of Management

Courses are available in the following concentrations:

  • International Management (English track and French track both available)
  • Marketing and International Trade (Bilingual track)
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Human Resources Management
  • Agrobusiness

 

Sample courses:

  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Microfinance and the Informal Sector
  • Management: Psychology of Organizations
  • Mathematics: Matrix Calculus & Multivariable Functions
  • Mathematics: Combinatorial Analysis and Probabilities
  • Financial Analysis
  • Digital Marketing
  • Cross-Cultural Management
  • Applied Computer Science
  • The New Economy
  • Corporate Strategy

Madiba Leadership Institute

Courses are available in the following concentrations:

  • Political Science and International Relations
  • Communications and Media
  • Journalism and Information
  • Management and Cultural Events Production

 

Sample Courses:

  • Contemporary African Art History
  • Economics of Cultural Projects
  • African Heritage and Cultural Projects
  • Web Marketing & Fundraising
  • Conflict, Peace and Security
  • African Systems
  • Sociology of Development
  • International Trade
  • Analysis and Evaluation of Public Policies
  • Democracy and Public Liberties
  • Media Economics
  • Fundamentals of Journalism

School of Engineering

Courses are available in the following concentrations:

  • Management and Technology
    • Computer Science applied to Business Administration
    • Technology, Transportation and Logistics
  • Applied Sciences and Technology
    • Software Engineering – Networks and Systems
    • Applied Mathematics – Econometry
    • Electronics Telecommunications and Embedded Systems
    • Computer Science
    • Statistical Modeling (economic and financial)
  • Digital Engineering
    • Web and Multimedia Project Manager
    • Designer and Developer of Digital Solutions

Independent Study

Replace one class with an independent study or research, conducted in French. Requires pre-approval by your home institution.

More about ISM

In 2017, ISM joined the Galileo Global Education network, providing students with access to 45 higher education establishments in the world. GGE is the leading operator of private higher education in Europe and second worldwide. The ISM Dakar campus has 4,048 students (2,699 undergraduates & 1,349 graduates).

ISM is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

ISM Soft Skills Academy

Each month, a new theme is selected for the Soft Skills Academy on campus. Designed to shape students into global citizens and prepare them for their professional careers, activities and events are centered around four pillars: humanitarianism, the environment, sports, and creativity.

During the semester, classes are paused for Entrepreneurship Week, a seven-day break to accomplish soft skills projects with fellow students.

Check out the latest happenings on the ISM Soft Skills Academy Facebook page »

At the end of the semester, APA Dakar will send the following to the student’s home institution:

  • Transcript (includes credit hours, Senegalese grades, and American equivalents)
  • Professor’s evaluation (includes detailed report of the grades earned)
  • Course descriptions and bibliographies
  • Student’s academic schedule
APA Student visiting Luxembourg garden.

Spend a Year Abroad

Take your immersion to the next level and split an academic year abroad between Dakar and Paris, France. Compare cross-cultural experiences between these two Francophone locales while enrolling directly into the local university system.

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