The Ignatius University seeks to provide in a Christian environment the opportunity to study and to prepare for service in certain professions. In view of modern social, cultural, economic, political, and religious needs, it seeks to broaden the outlook of its students by bringing the members of its scholarly community into contact with colleagues from all parts of the world. As an Orthodox Christian university, in the tradition of personal interest in the individual, the Ignatius University seeks to stimulate its students’ growth toward scholarship, informed intelligence, appreciation of spiritual values, and a fuller realization of their personal responsibility to society and to all humankind. It seeks to strengthen the Orthodox student’s understanding, appreciation and practice of Faith, while making no religious demands upon the non-Orthodox. At all times, it attempts to demonstrate to the community at large the value of the truths and ideals it cherishes and teaches. The religious mission of Ignatius University is accomplished through its four schools: Theology, where the faith is set forth; Philosophy where reason and faith dialogue; Psychology, where the contemporary soul is examined; and Diplomacy where faith urges us on to world peace.
Ignatius University is governed by a Board of Trustees. On March 26, 1998, the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana incorporated the University which has various Schools and Departments as well as academic degrees. The Commission on Proprietary Education, State of Indiana, determined that the program(s) or course(s) offered by Ignatius University are excluded from regulation in accordance with IC-20-1-19-1 Private School Accreditation Act. There are no “residential” classes being offered in Indiana at this time; the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education has determined that as Ignatius University is currently operating, IU is not regulated by said Commission and does not fall under Indiana Code 21-17. The Ignatius online program is not regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education. On May 26, 1998, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education responded to the Rector’s request by providing informational documents with regard to seeking affiliation with the Commission. This task of applying and obtaining regional accreditation is a top priority of the University. In fact, such intention is written into the purposes for Incorporation of the University. In the interim, Ignatius University has affiliated its programs with nationally and internationally accredited universities. All faculty hold at least one doctorate from a regionally accredited university.
The Rector of Ignatius is Director of American Institute for Creative Living. A.I.C.L.’s counselor training program (courses of some eighty plus credits) had been evaluated and recommended for some twenty five years for undergraduate and graduate credit by the National Program for Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction, New York State Education Department. Currently these courses are included in the Ignatius U / Sofia U cooperative. American Institute for Creative Living is approved by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for providing the educational component of the Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC). AICL is approved by the Educational Testing Service as a testing site for the College Level Equivalency Program CLEP including Military personnel.
Ignatius University is affiliated with Sofia University, the largest university in Eastern Europe. Sofia University is both nationally and internationally accredited. We are accredited by the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (https://www.neaa.government.bg/en/homepage-2), which works in close connection with the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation of Spain, Madrid (ANECA); with AQA, Austria; Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in UK; and French National Evaluation Committee (CNE). Furthermore, Sofia University has been evaluated by the United States Department of Education and found qualified for federal loans. Sofia University dates from the Middle Ages and is one of the leading universities of Europe. Sofia University is empowered by the Secretary of State of Indiana to operate in Indiana.
Examinations: there is a monitored examination required in every course taken by Distance Learning.
The Rector is Dean of International School for Mental Health Practitioners which is chartered both by Regents of University the State of New York and Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for postgraduate training in mental health. Students of the University may receive advanced standing in the various Certificate programs. For over a quarter century International School was approved by the American Psychological Association for independently providing continuing education of psychologists. In view of current intense specialization , ISMHP has found it more feasible to conduct cooperative CE with other APA approved programs on occasions where special continuation education is warranted. The Rector of Ignatius University is the Dean of ISMHP. International School’s Psychoanalytic Program is registered by the Office of the Professions, New York State Education Department, as meeting requirements for candidates seeking licensure in psychoanalysis.
- Ignatius University, as an institution of higher learning, was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service on December 18, 1998.
- Ignatius University is a member of the American Theological Library Association as of February 3, 1999.
- Ignatius University is a member of United Nations Impact, for institutions of higher learning. 2010.
Undergraduate
Ignatius University is a member of United Nations Impact, for institutions of higher learning. 2010.
Students, through Ignatius U / Sofia U cooperative and national exams (e.g. CLEP) may also be able to obtain a regionally accredited degree (e.g. Excelsior College) as well as the Ignatius degree.
Graduate
Both the School of Psychology and the School of Philosophy have articulated agreement with the corresponding departments at Sofia University for both master and doctoral studies. Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria, is fully accredited, is the elite national educational and research center of the country and listed in the World of Learning (Europa Publications, Barnes & Noble), a text of accredited international universities; the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A., lists Sofia University as an approved university to receive GRE scores (# 7034) which is only given to accredited colleges and universities.
The programs available in Psychology are: Clinical/Counseling Psychology (pastoral counseling / psychology option), Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Social/Personality Psychology, Political Psychology, and Conflict Resolution/Mediation Psychology. At this stage, these aforementioned, identical psychology programs are independently regulated by Sofia University and Ignatius University. However students must simultaneously enroll in both institutions and may receive both the Ph.D. and Psy.D. at graduation.
The programs in Mental Health/Counseling Studies(pastoral, spiritual counseling option); Peace Studies / Conflict Management and Organizational Management / Diplomacy (at United Nations); and all studies in Philosophy are jointly regulated by Sofia and Ignatius Universities. Two doctorates may be received at graduation.
Those students in the Mental Health Disciplines or the like seeking licensure are advised to confer with their respective licensing boards in advance of graduate studies. ( See School of Psychology, “Licensure/Certification and the like,” and Academic Regulations, “Disclaimer.”
Administrative Office
2295 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10314
(718) 698-0700 (24/7/365)
E-mail: IgnatiusU@aol.com
Website: http://www.IgnatiusU.com
Corporation Registration Address:
1439 W. Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46217
Rector
His Excellency Ambassador Anthony J. DeLuca, Ph.D.
Special Adviser at the United Nations, DeLuca@UN.int.
Solemn Blessing Ceremony as Rector of Ignatius University by His Beatitude Mor Basleios I,
Catholicose of India and All the East, April 26, 2003.
Consecrated as Chorbishop by His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, May 3, 2015.
(718)-698-0700 (24/7/365)
Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church of North America
www.malankara.com
H. H Ignatious Saka I at Manarkad
(914) 627-0848
(Additional pictures in Holy Wisdom Newsletter, Spring 2015)
Oriental Orthodox Churches
http://www.scooch.org
The Rector is on the following Commissions which are composed of the Hierarchs of the Oriental Churches and their appointed Representative: ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCH COMMISSION OF AMERICA and UNITED STATES ORIENTAL-ROMAN CATHOLIC CONSULTATION which also includes Hierarchs of the Roman Catholic Church and their appointed Representatives and JOINT EASTERN-ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMISSION which also includes Hierarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church and their appointed Representatives and advisor to ORIENTAL ORTHODOX EDUCATION COMMISSION.
Counsel
Indiana:
Mercer Belanger PC
New York:
Eric Gansberg, Esq
Charles Weitman, J.D., LL.D.