Enrollment Procedure Grading Transfer of Credits Enrolling with Advanced Standing Self-Paced Study Grading Transfer of Credits to Other Schools Books Internet/Online Services Student Handbook Student Newsletter Nondiscrimination Confidentiality of Records Change of Program Policy Lack of Aptitude Policy Financial Aid Student Withdrawal Policy Admissions Application

Admissions and Enrollment

As a partner in your quest for an interfaith education, AIHT embodies an open admissions policy. This means that AIHT believes that you can exhibit the desire, self-discipline, and motivation to learn through independent study. While our faculty and advisors will work with you as your partner, we do not believe that you need a classroom or a teacher standing over you in order for you to accomplish your goals.

Of course, independent collegiate study also requires the demonstration of basic educational preparation and academic aptitude. Therefore, high school graduation or the satisfactory completion of the General Education Development Test (GED) is required for admission at the bachelor’s level. Likewise, a bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a master’s program and a master’s degree is required to enroll in a Ph.D. program.

Therefore, as you enroll in the AIHT program of your choice, you are launching yourself into an adventure of your own making, rather like a Native American Vision Quest. You may feel free to count on AIHT faculty and advisors for information, inspiration, encouragement, and feedback, while you enjoy and incorporate your own journey.

“I love working at AIHT! It is very satisfying to help someone reach their educational goals and dreams. In my past 15 years in admissions, I have worked with people from all around the world and from every spiritual path imaginable. The first step towards true wisdom knows there is an infinite universe of knowledge available and education is the key. The programs at AIHT fit perfectly for each and help them truly to achieve their life’s purpose. Education is a gift we give ourselves.”

— Reverend Beverly Love, N.D.
Senior Admissions Advisor

Enrollment Procedure

At the time you requested information about the school, AIHT assigned you an admissions advisor. Your admissions advisor can help you with the process of becoming a student and answer your questions about our educational programs.

ENROLL BY PHONE

Please contact your admissions advisor at 1-800-650-4325. (Outside the US, please call 1-205-458-1792.)

ENROLL ONLINE

To enroll online, go to our Web site at: www.aiht.edu/catalog/application.asp. You may complete and submit your application there. (Please include all required information.)

ENROLL BY MAIL OR FAX

Complete the application from the back of the catalog. Remember to include your admissions essay and your initial payment.

MAIL TO: American Institute of Holistic Theology
Office of Admissions
2112 11th Avenue South, Suite 520
Birmingham, Alabama 35205

FAX: 1-205-458-4184

Transfer of Credits from other Schools

If you have completed at least one quarter or semester of college work, you may be able to transfer some credits to AIHT. Dependent on the comparability of the coursework, you may be able to transfer up to 18 credit hours per program.

REQUIREMENTS for Transfer of Credit

• In order to evaluate the efficacy of transferring credits, AIHT’s Admissions Department must receive an official transcript from the college from which you wish to transfer credit. While provisional transfer of credit can be based on an unofficial transcript, official transfer requires an official transcript.
• In order to transfer credit from a specific course, the grade received for that course must be a C or higher.
• The course must be comparable to that which is required for your program of choice.

Please note that credits to be transferred must be earned prior to your enrollment at AIHT. If you enroll in and complete outside course work during your term as a student, those credits will not be transferable within our established curriculum. After enrollment, if AIHT finds that any credits transferred from another school do not meet the above criteria, the student will be required to take those courses.

Enrolling with Advanced Standing

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you may enter AIHT at the master’s level by completing certain prerequisites. You may enroll at the doctoral level if you hold a master’s degree and complete the required prerequisites.

Advanced standing may be based upon a non-official transcript that must be sent to AIHT along with your completed application upon enrollment. Please note that you will need to furnish official transcripts showing the dates that your degrees were awarded, within six weeks of enrollment.

PREREQUISITES:Students enrolling at the master’s level are required to complete any specified AIHT bachelor’s level coursework that is not supported by transfer credit from another school. Likewise, students enrolling at the doctoral level are required to complete specific AIHT bachelor’s and master’s courses that are not supported by transfer credit from another school.

AIHT offers students a discounted prerequisite price of $150 per course.

I couldn’t believe at “52” I would start college. I now hold my graduate degree and have founded a nationally renowned education and advocacy organization. Thanks, AIHT!
— Reverend Daniel M. Newman, Ph.D., D.D.
AIHT Alumnus

Self-Paced Study

Once you are enrolled, you will find that AIHT’s independent study format is non-traditional in the best sense of the word. Because we understand that you are an adult learner with family and, quite often, professional responsibilities, we have formulated a flexible program that works within your schedule.

Therefore, instead of quarters or semesters, the school allows you to enroll at any time, and progress at your own pace, as quickly or as slowly as the rest of your life plan allows. You may become an AIHT graduate as soon as you successfully fulfill your educational and financial agreements.

For some this means that they can be free to speed up the coursework to meet a particular deadline. For others it means that they can slow down the process either to fit within certain time constraints or to savor the process of the journey. We understand that you know your educational needs, your obligations, and your desires, and trust that you will fulfill them to the best of your ability.

Grading

Students promptly receive a letter grade for each exam taken and received by faculty. Passing is 80% and anyone who receives a lower grade is offered an opportunity to repeat the exam.

When all of your educational and financial requirements have been met, you will graduate. Upon graduation you will receive an embossed diploma, along with an unofficial transcript.

Transfer of Credits to Other Schools

Depending upon the academic requirements of other schools, you may be able to transfer credits earned with AIHT. Just as we have our own criteria for awarding credits, so, too, do other educational institutions. AIHT will send official transcripts to any school upon your request. Each student may order up to three transcripts free of charge.

Books

All books are provided within your all-inclusive tuition. AIHT curriculum materials are carefully monitored for both relevance and the capacity to stimulate with accessible, engaging material.

Some of our books convey traditional textbook information, while others are selected for their inspiring, thought-provoking subject matter. AIHT students may be assured that each book title is hand picked to expand your interfaith horizons.

Internet/Online Services

AIHT offers you an array of online services, including a free e-mail box for each student. From your home, your office, or on the road, you can access your e-mail and post inquiries to our faculty and staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can also use the Internet to access our catalog and Pathways newsletter at www.aiht.edu, as well as online resources, an interactive bulletin board, student and graduate Web site links, ordination information, and more.

• To reach an admissions advisor for enrollment information: admissions@aiht.edu
• To discuss course materials with your faculty advisor or other faculty member: faculty@aiht.edu
• For questions regarding your student account, shipments and general information: staff@aiht.edu

Student Handbook

Upon enrollment you receive a comprehensive AIHT student handbook that includes study tips, academic rules and straightforward encouragement to accompany you on this journey into your own interfaith education.

It is essential for each student to carefully read your student handbook first, before delving into the course materials which accompany this shipment. Rest assured that virtually any question about AIHT will be answered within one easy reference source, your student handbook.

Student Newsletter

All AIHT students and alumni receive a complimentary subscription to our newsletter, Pathways. This communication is designed to help all of us stay in touch—to facilitate your own peer networking while keeping you abreast of all AIHT innovations.The newsletter also offers students the opportunity for AIHT to proudly promote and publicize their noteworthy achievements.

“When a student embarks on the educational path at AIHT, it is like a labyrinth journey. When you stand on the threshold of enrolling, your intention may be to earn a degree. You can see your goal at all times but may not know how long it will take to reach it or what you will encounter along the way. With each course, you journey to your own center and return to the world more aware and compassionate with yourself and the global body. Along the way, you realize that the learning process is the goal. In a world filled with spiritual hunger you become an agent of change—you are transformed.”

— Annette Reynolds, MPS, RN, ATR-BC
Faculty

Nondiscrimination

AIHT does not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or age in the facilitation of any of its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs, or other school administered programs. We believe that our education should be equally available to everyone.

Confidentiality of Records

The American Institute of Holistic Theology protects the confidential nature of student records, both personal and educational. However, pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, certain information about each student is deemed “Directory Information.”

AIHT considers the following as Directory Information:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Date and place of birth
• Major field of study
• Prospective date of graduation
• Date of enrollment
• Degrees and Awards received
• Most previous educational agency or institution attended

This information will be released to anyone who requests it unless you file a written request that this information not be released. If such a notice is filed with AIHT, further information will not be released without your written consent.

Change of Program Policy

Students enrolled in an AIHT program who wish to switch to another program will pay any difference in tuition prices, along with a $200 administration fee. The student will return all unmarked AIHT books and materials from the original program.

Lack of Aptitude Policy

If at any time during enrollment the AIHT academic staff determines a student does not have sufficient collegiate aptitude to succeed within the program in which he or she is enrolled, the student may be withdrawn from the program. This decision is made at the discretion of the curriculum committee, following discussions with the student.

Financial Aid

It is solely the student’s responsibility to seek financial aid. Financial aid may come from employers, associations, churches, philanthropists, and private groups. While AIHT does not offer grants, we do seek to assist students through tuition discounts and financing options.

Student Withdrawal Policy

If you withdraw within 30 days of enrollment, if you have not completed any coursework and if you return all of your books unmarked, AIHT will grant you a full refund of all tuition paid, less accrued interest.

If you withdraw after 30 days but before 60 days you will be granted a partial refund of up to 50% of the tuition paid, less accrued interest.

Refunds after 60 days will not be granted.

To withdraw, you will need to contact your admissions advisor to request an official AIHT withdrawal form. Shipping costs are non-refundable.