L’Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture (IACB) belongs to the world system of Adventist education. In fact, it is accredited, under the name Italian Adventist University Villa Aurora, with the
Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities
(AAA) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The Institute is recognized “Level III,” that is, as an educational institution offering “post-graduate courses and programs leading to master’s degrees or higher.”
The institute is included in the
Yearbook
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Degrees in theology from the Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture are awarded on the basis of the Agreement between the Italian State and the Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church in Italy (Law Nov. 22, 1988 – No. 516, as amended by Law June 8, 2009 – No. 67).
As for the Italian legal system, according to Article 14(1) of Law No. 22 November 1988. 516, as amended by Law June 8, 2009, no. 67, “Degrees in theology and degrees in theology and biblical culture awarded by the Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture to students who hold a high school degree are recognized in accordance with current regulations.”
According to the Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) Nov. 04, 2021, implementing Law no. 516 of 1988 as amended, these degrees, provided for in the Academic Regulations of the Adventist Faculty of Theology Institute, are:
These academic degrees are recognized, at the request of the interested parties, as a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, respectively, by decree of the MUR, upon the concurrence of the National University Council, after ascertaining the attainment of at least 180 graduate credits for the bachelor’s degree and at least 120 graduate credits for the master’s degree.
Art.1
1. Pursuant to the law of November 22, 1988, no. 516, as amended by Act June 8, 2009, no. 67, are recognized as degrees and master’s degrees of the Italian University System, the degrees and master’s degrees awarded by the Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture, an Adventist church body with legal personality, recognized under Art. 19 of the law of November 22, 1988, no. 516.
2. Degrees are defined as the academic degrees “Bachelor of Theology” and master’s degrees are defined as the academic degrees “Master’s Degree in Theology address: Family Pastoral Care,” “Master’s Degree in Theology address: Religion, Rights and Society” and “Master’s Degree in Theology address: peace, religion and multiculturalism” provided in the Academic Regulations of the Adventist Faculty of Theology of the Adventist Institute for Biblical Culture.
Article 2
1. The academic degrees referred to in the preceding article shall be recognized, at the request of the interested parties, as a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, respectively, by decree of the Minister of Universities and Research, upon the concurrence of the National University Council. Recognition is ordered upon verification of the person’s achievement of a number of educational credits equal to at least 180 for degrees to be recognized as a bachelor’s degree and a number of educational credits equal to at least 120 for degrees to be recognized as a master’s degree.
2. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the person concerned must produce the academic qualification obtained, accompanied by theDiploma Supplement obtained at the same time as the qualification for which recognition is sought, as well as the list of examinations taken and the relevant educational credits. Said documentation must be produced in certified copies issued by the Institute.
Art. 3
From the effective date of this decree, the decree of the Minister of Education, University and Research of November 30, 2010, on “Recognition of degrees and master’s degrees awarded by the Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture” is repealed.
This decree is published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic.