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AIHT Degree/Certificate Programs

Because a large portion of your learning will occur through reading textbooks, completing projects and answering test questions, you will want to set realistic goals for pacing yourself as you prepare to begin your studies. We have developed the following recommendations to help you establish and meet these goals.

Study Time

In determining how to set time aside for your studies you should recognize your strengths and weaknesses, personal study habits and life priorities as the first step in setting attainable progress goals.

Please be aware that you are responsible for your own deadlines. If you know you need to earn your degree by a certain date, plan your time accordingly.

We suggest that students devote three to eight weeks (approximately two hours per day) to each course. However, this time frame may vary, depending on each student's priorities and life situations.

Submit your first course within one or two months after enrollment. In our experience, the new student who begins work immediately can develop a system of study habits that will help establish a smooth and workable study plan.

Please let us know immediately if you have had a change in mailing address, e-mail address or name. A name change requires a copy of an official legal document. Please use the Address Change Form the Name Change Form or log onto the AIHT Web site at www.aiht.edu

Reading the Texts

The assignments have been designed with specific educational objectives that are clearly outlined in the course overview at the beginning of each study guide. Here are some specific measures you can take to receive the most educational value from the assignments:

• Follow the reading assignments and keep the learning objectives in mind as you read. This is especially helpful for the assignments that ask you to read several books simultaneously or to read sections of individual texts in an alternate order.
• Read and re-read. Some students may benefit from first reading the text as if for pleasure. They can then re-read the text, following the reading assignments and focusing more narrowly on the specific learning objectives.
• Keep a dictionary with you as you study.

Taking Tests

Written tests are an important component of distance education, helping students learn as well as being the college's primary way of ensuring that students have read and understood the material. Testing in most study guides will include both objective and essay questions. It is important for students to understand that multiple-choice questions require the single best answer.

One technique that may assist some students is to read through the test before reading the text. Highlighting particular phrases or words in the test that are new, different or interesting is one way to alert yourself to those words or phrases when you read them in the text. Outlining sections of the text may increase retention and comprehension of the material.

• When taking a test, you may want to write the answers on a separate piece of paper and then check your work. We suggest that you attempt your tests and exams without referring to the text, although you may take them with an open book if you wish.
• Please use staples for any coursework that you submit to us. You may use paper clips to secure your work if you do not have access to a stapler.
• Be sure that your name and seven digit student ID number is on every exam that you submit to AIHT.
• Do not submit the test booklet to AIHT for grading. Either make a copy of the exams or create your own answer sheet. If you create your own answer sheet, make sure that your name, student ID number, the course name, course number, the textbook name, and the test name/number (ex. Progress Test 3 or Final Exam) are all included on the exam.

Basic Course Structure

Courses generally contain one or more texts and a study guide, which includes:

• Lessons made up of objectives, reading assignments and testing assignments;
• Self-help questions for most lessons;
• Two or more progress tests;
• Projects and essays when applicable; and
• A final exam.

Objectives

Most study guides will include an introductory page, a list of learning objectives and a course outline that shows the number of lessons, progress tests and other assignments. Each lesson contains an introduction, learning objectives and a reading assignment.

Self-help Questions

To assist you in understanding and retaining the material, you should answer the self-help questions after completing each reading assignment. These are for your use at home; your answers should not be submitted to AIHT for grading. We suggest that you answer the questions and then check the answers with the key located at the end of each lesson. If any of your answers are incorrect, re-read the assignment to identify the correct answers. Page references are provided.

Progress Tests

Progress tests consist mostly of objective questions. Read the instructions carefully for each course so that you will know what to expect.

We prefer, but do not require, that you wait until you have received your graded progress tests before submitting the final exam. By doing so, you have the opportunity to clarify any questions or problems you have concerning the material presented before submitting your final exam.

Course Projects

Because practical application of information reinforces learning, many courses require the completion of projects and/or writing assignments. Requirements and grading guidelines will vary depending on the nature of the subject. Each course that includes one or more projects will contain an outline of project requirements and information regarding how it will impact your final grade.

Final Exams

Every course contains a comprehensive final exam. The length of the exam and the types of questions included are determined by the material in each course. If a final exam includes both multiple choice questions and essay questions, then you must submit both portions together.

Dissertation

To earn the Doctor of Philosophy degree from AIHT, the student must write a dissertation in addition to completing the required course curriculum. The dissertation is a written report documenting the student's original research, and providing evidence of the student's ability to perform scholarly research and writing at the advanced doctoral level.

The research must be conducted during the student's active status as a Ph.D. student, with a specified time frame, format, research design options and outline, as designated in the Dissertation Guidelines. For detailed information please refer to the Dissertation Guidelines that you will receive in the second shipment of your Ph.D. materials. If you are enrolled in the Ph.D. level of the Holistic Ministries program, please refer to your specific guidelines included in the second shipment of your Ph.D. materials.

Submitting Assignments

Assignments may only be submitted by mail. No exams will be accepted via fax. Only International students are allowed to e-mail exams in to faculty@aiht.edu. If any domestic student tries to submit exams via e-mail, they will not be accepted.

Submitting your assignments by mail:

• Always write your full name, seven digit student ID number, course name and number on every exam you submit to us. Although it is a rare occurrence, pages can become separated so please make sure to secure all exam pages together.
• Submit only the answers to questions. We do not need copies of the questions.
• If your exam contains both multiple choice and essay questions, please submit both components at the same time. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.
• If you need to retake a test or exam, we will send you a new exam. You will need to return the entire retake exam for grading purposes.
• Please submit only one course at a time for grading.
• Be sure you inform us if you have a change of mailing address, e-mail address or name. Official legal documentation is required for a name change. Please use the Name Change Request Form and Student Address Form.
• Always copy your work. Keep the original and send us a copy for grading. Occasionally mail is lost or damaged in transit. If this happens, you are responsible for sending a replacement of the lost exam. Retain all copies until you receive your diploma.
• Be sure to add proper postage for all materials you submit to us. Envelopes and packages that lack sufficient postage can be delayed, misrouted or lost.
• Do not send tuition payments with your assignments. All payments should be mailed in a separate envelope and address to Accounting. We are not responsible for any lost payments.
• For progress tests, final exams, and projects do not "package" your work in binders or bound folders. It takes time to disassemble these for processing and we will not return the original packaging.

Be sure to send all completed assignments to:

AIHT
Attention: {Insert name of Faculty Advisor}
2112 11th Avenue South Suite 520
Birmingham, AL 35205

To Confirm Receipt of Assignments

Reviewing submitted assignments online:

• You may view the date your assignments were received on the AIHT Web site at MY AIHT. There you will also be able to view graded assignments and the final grade received for a completed course.

Assignments submitted by mail:

• Send a stamped, self-addressed postcard on which you have written a message to yourself, such as "Final Exam BME107 has been received."
• Paper clip (do not staple) the postcard to the top sheet of your exam/assignment.
• We will date stamp it and mail it to you so that you will have confirmation that your assignments has been received.

When We Receive Your Exams

• When your assignment arrives, it is entered as received and distributed to the appropriate faculty members for grading purposes.
• Tests and exams are graded in the order they are received. As soon as your work has been graded, it will be recorded and the results will be returned to you.
• Our usual turn-around time for graded assignments submitted through the postal service is two to three weeks following receipt. Do not stop working on your studies during this process.

Grading Procedures

All progress tests and final exams will receive a numerical grade. The final letter grade will be determined by a combination of the progress tests, final exam, projects and writing assignments.

Grading Scale

95 - 100……………………………….A
90 - 94………………..……………….B
85 - 89………………..……………….C
80 - 84.………………………………..D
79 - under…………………………… F

Retaking Tests and Exams

If you score below 79 percent on any progress test or final exam, you will be required to retake it. If your grade is between 80 and 84 percent, you have the option to retake the test. In either case, your final grade for the course will take into account the fact that work was attempted more than once. The original and retake scores will be averaged for the score that is calculated into the final grade. You may retake a progress test or final exam only once.

Grade Information

Your test results will be returned to you as soon as your grade has been recorded. Please do NOT call for scores or to check your answers. We will NOT give this information out over the telephone. If you have internet access, you may check your grades through MY AIHT.

Certificates

Only students who enroll in a single course will receive a certificate of completion upon successfully finishing their course.

Requirements for Graduation

In order to graduate from your AIHT program, you must:

• Consider the length of your financial plan as you progress through the program. If you have finished your assignments, but have not completed your payments you will be unable to graduate.
• Pass every course with a letter grade of D or higher.
• Receive final approval of your dissertation as required for your program (if applicable).
• Clear financial obligations to AIHT pertinent to the completed degree.
• Submit a Graduation Application after completing all components of your program.

We must have the following forms on file before you can graduate:

• Application for Admission;
• Signed Enrollment Agreement;
• Independent Study Policy/Handbook Understanding Form; and
• Official transcripts (if you enrolled in advanced standing or had any courses transferred or waived)

Transcripts

After you complete your academic requirements and clear all financial obligations to AIHT, you will receive an unofficial transcript with your graduation letter. The unofficial transcript details the degree you earned, your grade point average and the letter grade and grade points for each course. An unofficial transcript is an exact replica of the official transcript, without the registrar's signature or the college seal.

In comparison, an official transcript is signed by the registrar and crimped with the college seal. Official transcripts are sent at the student's request to other institutions. It must arrive at its destination in an envelope unopened with a seal over the envelope to be considered official. Your tuition allows for three copies of your official transcript. There is a $10.00 charge for each additional copy after the initial three copies.

You will find a Transcript Request Form in this handbook. Additional official transcripts may be ordered by writing, calling or e-mailing the Registrar's Office at registrar@aiht.edu.

Graduation

Students must fulfill all academic and financial requirements in order to graduate. Your graduation date will be the last day of the month during which the last assignment is recorded. You will receive your diploma 3 to 6 weeks after completing and submitting your Graduation Application. Please remember the following:

• AIHT must have all official transcripts, verifying prior education and transfer credit
• You must provide the exact spelling of your name. Be sure to PRINT your name using capital and lower case letters — example: Jane Ann Doe.
• Be sure you have provided your current shipping address and phone number
• Diplomas identify the name/title of the degree you have earned. Diplomas do not identify personal name/title designations such as Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., etc. Call the Registrar's Office (1-800-650-4325) if you have graduated and need another copy of your diploma. You may also use the Duplicate Diploma Form.

Membership Opportunities

Upon graduation, AIHT graduates are eligible to join the following organizations:

American Holistic Health Association
P.O. Box 17400
Anaheim, CA 928 17-7400
714-779-6152
www.ahha.org

The American Association of Nutritional Consultants
810 South Buffalo Street
Warsaw, IN 46580
888-828-AANC
702-897-7053
www.aanc.net

American Association of Drugless Practitioners
2705 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 408
Galveston, TX 77551-1866
888-764-AADP
www.aadp.net

ORDINATION OPPORTUNITIES

Metaphysical Universal Ministries
Rev. Isabelle Moll
2538 South Appel Street
Allentown, PA 18103
610-791-2641
www.spirit-mum.org

United Christian Fellowship
PO Box 91763
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009
847-437-3585
www.christianlink.com/org/united
tooz1@aol.com

The Universal Light
11431 Ramondi Place
Cincinnati, OH 45240
513-825-8290
www.theuniversallight.com
tulight@cinci.rr.com

This ordination information is also available at www.aiht.edu/stcenter/ordopp.asp. If you have any questions about ordination, please contact your Admissions Advisor.

Continuing Your Education

Many graduates wish to continue their education by enrolling in other AIHT degree or certificate programs as special re-enrollment incentives are available. If you would like to pursue this option, contact your admissions advisor.

All information contained in this online handbook is subject to change without prior notice and does not constitute an agreement between American Institute of Holistic Theology and the student.

2005