Listed below are the most often asked questions about the American Institute. Some information may be repeated later but is posted here as a quick reference.

1.How large is the American Institute?
  Answer: The American Institute has approximately 300-400 students, some part-time and some full-time with about fifty taking courses on campus and the remaining bulk taking courses as non-resident students. Originally, the college was designed as a specialty college for a limited number of on-campus students interested in Middle Eastern history but today the American Institute has students in eighteen countries and thirty-five states.

2.Is the American Institute accredited?
  Answer: The American Institute For Advanced Biblical Studies is accredited and in good standing with Accreditation Commission International (ACI) and exchanges transcripts with over 270 biblical related colleges, universities, and theological seminaries. ACI has maintained accreditation authority since 1989 in thirty-five of the United States and five countries. The American Institute is certified by the Arkansas Department of Higher Learning in religion and Middle Eastern religious studies.

The American Institute has received regular on campus regulation visits from ACI and is current in the yearly fees. Because the fees are extensive, an accreditation fee has been added to the overall student tuition.

Due to the majority of professors at the American Institute having earned doctorates from regionally accredited universities and the advanced curriculum, several of our Master’s graduates have received individual transcript analysis and where accepted into and graduated from regionally accredited doctoral programs.

3.Do other accredited colleges transfer and receive credits earned at the American Institute?
  Answer: The American Institute exchanges transcripts with over 270 other accredited colleges and seminaries in thirty-five states and five countries. Because of the high ratio of professors with doctorates from regionally accredited universities teaching at the American Institute, several regionally accredited colleges have interchanged transcripts, which permits the American Institute graduates to continue in accredited post-graduate studies.

4.Why should I attend the American Institute?
  Answer: There are five excellent reasons including (1) the cost is much less, (2) the courses are unique and seldom found in other Bible colleges, (3) the method of education is designed so that the student will learn what the American Institute wants him/her to without reading and researching volumes of unrelated literature, (4) fill-in-the- blank lecture notes are provided so that the students retain the essential information, and (5) the time between enrollment and graduation is shorter due to the student setting his/her pace of completion without waiting for the rest of the class. In short, you get more information for less investment in a reduced amount of time.

5.Does the American Institute have long distance learning through the internet or website?
  Answer: Presently the courses are available through distance learning by CDs and videos, but in the near future students will be able to access all courses via internet.

6.How do the American Institute professors line up academically against other accredited Bible colleges and seminaries?
  Answer: The American Institute has a higher ratio of Ph.D. qualified professors than the average college. Most of the professors at the American Institute either teach or have taught at regionally accredited universities and are conducting on-going research and writing.

7.What are the costs for one student attending a full semester at the American Institute?
  Answer: A full semester at the American Institute consists of five three hour courses equaling fifteen credit hours. The basic cost per course is approximately $95.00, plus an enrollment fee of $25.00 and an accreditation fee of $50.00. Courses vary but postage is approximately $10.00 per course shipment. The total equals approximately $180.00, according to the fluctuation of the postage. When compared to the average university, the American Institute is a deal.

8.Does the American Institute have a scholarship fund?
  Answer: The American Institute has several full scholarships each year for those who qualify. The qualifications have to do with the financial limitations of the student. Scholarship applicants must be currently employed unless there are extenuating circumstances.

9.Does the American Institute have evening or night classes?
  Answer: The American Institute has night classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

10.Are students required to attend the annual Jerusalem Conference?
  Answer: Students are not required to attend all the Jerusalem Conferences but should because three credit hours are earned for each conference. The only Jerusalem Conference attendance required is student’s year of graduation. Graduations are held on the Saturday evenings during the Jerusalem Conferences.

11.Is there a foundation set up for gifts or scholarships to be given to the American Institute?
  Answer: Yes, all gifts should be given to the American Institute Foundation. All funds are dispensed by the board of directors of the American Institute Foundation once a year on the first week of August prior to the Jerusalem Conference.

12.Does the American Institute help with graduate job placement after graduation?
  Answer: The answer is yes and no. Yes is the answer when a church or college has contacted us looking for an outstanding graduate to fill a position. Our hope for most graduates is to continue their education culminating with a higher degree, which will ultimately land them a better job.

13.Does the American Institute have an alumni club?
  Answer: Yes, the American Institute Alumni Club provides for its members a listing of all the graduates and an update on their present jobs. Each year during the week of the Jerusalem Conference, there is an alumni meeting, where one or two scholarly papers are presented by graduates. The papers are a part of the post-graduate process of becoming a fellow in the American Institute Society of Scholars. The yearly fee for alumni is $100.00.

14.Does the American Institute ordain graduates?
  Answer: The American Institute is a college, and only churches ordain ministers. The graduate’s church should ordain the individual. Deacons and pastors are generally those who need ordination. Often other functionaries feel they need to be ordained but it is usually not appropriate. There is a difference between licensing and ordination. When a student graduates from the American Institute in the bachelor’s program, he is licensed by the American Institute.

15.Are students taking distance learning courses assigned a mentor?
  Answer: The professor who teaches the class will serve as the student’s mentor, and the student will be given the proper telephone numbers for contact purposes.