History of the Inter American University Inter American University of Puerto Rico was founded in 1912, by Texan missionary John Will Harris. Known then as the Polytechnic Institute, it offered elementary and secondary education to impoverished youth in a mainly agricultural economy. The first college-level courses were offered in 1921. This accreditation has been maintained since.
Enrollment increases yearly in both the graduate and undergraduate programs.
Over 44,000 students are enrolled in the nine campuses, our prestigious School of Law and the only School of Optometry in the Caribbean. Another first for IAU is the Aviation Program adscribed to the Bayam n Campus . The campuses and schools are strategically located in the municipalities of Aguadilla , Arecibo , Barranquitas , Bayam n , Fajardo , Guayama , Ponce , San Germ n , and the San Juan Metropolitan Area .