The Center for Linguistic & Multicultural Studies (CLMS) was founded in 1980. Its mission was the teaching of the Spanish language and Mexican culture exclusively to foreign students.

It was during this time that CLMS developed the concept of intensive, small group learning for Spanish language instruction. Since its inception, CLMS has worked using the "Group 5 System", where no more than 5 students grouped according to level of prior Spanish fluency are assigned to each professor.

At CLMS, it is of the utmost importance to group students according to their ability to master the language. In 1997, CLMS expanded and as Universidad Internacional, opened its doors to Mexican students seeking their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This created the possibility for foreign students to seek bi-national degrees and to complete their undergraduate studies in Mexico.