Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies

Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS)
Type Private
Established 1986
President Stephen R. Guptill
Location Silang, Cavite, Philippines
Campus Almost 49 acres (200,000 m2) of palmed tropical hills.
Colors green
Nickname AIIAS
Website www.aiias.edu

The Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) (pronounced "I-Us"), was established by the Seventh-Day Adventist church because of its commitment to meet the growing needs of the church for more qualified college teachers, church leaders, educators, health professionals, and treasurers. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.[1][2][3][4]

AIIAS is a graduate level educational institution that is both a locally and internationally accredited institution[5][6][7] located in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, about 25 miles (40 km) south of Manila.

Flags around the AIIAS Bell Tower during graduation.

In 2007 AIIAS distinguished itself as being one of the first Adventist educational institutions to confer degrees to students who had earned master's degrees entirely over the internet. In that same year, AIIAS became the very first Seventh-day Adventist institutions to offer a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business.

History

From 1957 several graduate programs, primarily in the area of religion, were offered on the campus of Philippine Union College (PUC), now the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). These programs were organized into a Theological Seminary, which became an institution of the Far Eastern Division of Seventh-day Adventists in 1978.

AIIAS officially came into existence on February 24, 1986 through the Philippine Presidential Decree 2021.[8] On October 6, 1996, an action taken by the Annual Council of the Adventist Church, made AIIAS an institution of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 1991, the school was moved to its current location in Lalaan I, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. Prior to that, it was located on the campus of the Adventist University of the Philippines.

AIIAS Department of Online Learning was established in 2001.

Academics

AIIAS operates a Graduate School with three departments; and a Theological Seminary with three departments as well. There is also an English Center for non-native English speaking students who desire to learn English as a second language. Most students matriculate into the regular academic programs upon completion, which is usually about three (3) months. AIIAS also award degrees through its Division of Online Learning (DOL), and several Distance Learning Centers (DLC)throughout Asia. Students enrolled in the DOL and DLCs have options between several master's degree programs.

AIIAS is rank #32 Top Colleges & Universities 2012 in the Philippines.[9] It is also ranked #6409 in World Ranking in 2010.[10]

Theological Seminary

Degrees awarded by the Department of Applied Theology are Master of Ministry (M.Min.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Ministry, Intercultural Studies, Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) with emphases in Church Ministry, Church Mission and Church Leadership, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religion,[11] and a Graduate Certificate in Ministry. The M.Div. and M.Min are also offered online.

Degrees awarded by the Department of Biblical Studies are Master of Arts in Religion (MA-R) with emphases in Biblical Studies, Biblical Languages, Old Testament and New Testament; Master of Theology (MTh) with emphases in Old Testament and New Testament; and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Old Testament and New Testament.

Degrees awarded by the Department of Theological-Historical Studies are Master of Arts in Religion (MA-R) with emphases in Theological-Historical Studies; Christian Theology, Church History and Adventist Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theological-Historical Studies.

The Seminary publishes the Journal of Asia Adventist Seminary, a peer-reviewed academic publication with articles ranging from biblical studies to church history, along with many other areas of professional interest that relate to diverse course and research interests of students and faculty.

Graduate School

Degrees awarded by the Department of Business are Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with emphases in Business Management, Finance, and Information Technology, Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A.)with emphases in Church Administration and Management Studies, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Business [11] The MBA and MSA are also offered online.

Degrees awarded by the Department of Education are Master of Arts in Education (M.A.) with emphases in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, Instructional Technology, Leadership, Library Administration, Religious Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Master of Arts (M.A.) in Teaching, Education Specialist (EdS), and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education, with emphases in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Administration.

The Department of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) with emphases in Health Ministry, Health Promotion, and Nutrition. Graduate certificates in Public Health are also awarded. The MPH is also offered online.

Schedule

Classes

The official school year at AIIAS begins in June every year. The first semester runs from June to October, and the second semester runs from October to March. A half-semester of classes are offered during the summer months from March through May.

Graduation

There is one commencement service at the end of each school year in March. However, diplomas are issued in June and October.

Students

AIIAS students represent over 70 countries and continents of the world. The age of students range from 19-65. Most students live in on-campus apartment towers. Families occupy entire apartments, while singles have the option of sharing apartments. There is also housing available off-campus, both within walking distance and in Silang (the nearby town).

Approximately 215 students are enrolled on campus, with distance learning centers and online students accounting for another 443 students.

Alumni

AIIAS has a semi-annual Alumni magazine called Flags.[12]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/1115/For-real-education-reform-take-a-cue-from-the-Adventists"the second largest Christian school system in the world has been steadily outperforming the national average – across all demographics."
  2. ↑ http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/seventh_day_adventist.htm
  3. ↑ "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  4. ↑ Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (April 1, 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  5. ↑ UNESCO list of accredited educational institutions.
  6. ↑ Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities list of accredited institutions
  7. ↑ List of educational institutions accredited by the accrediting body of the Adventist church.
  8. ↑ Official Gazette of the Philippines volume 82, Number 8, February 24, 1986
  9. ↑ "Top Colleges & Universities in the Philippines | 2012 University Web Rankings".
  10. ↑ "University Ranking in the Philippines".
  11. 1 2 List of Region 4 Higher Education Institutions, published by the Commission on Higher Education
  12. ↑ Flags

Coordinates: 14°12′15.62″N 120°58′4.54″E / 14.2043389°N 120.9679278°E / 14.2043389; 120.9679278

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