The Augustine Institute (AI), located in Denver, Colorado

Colorado

Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...

, is a private graduate institution that answers Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...

's call for a "New Evangelization." Established in 2005 in the Denver Archdiocese

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver

The Archdiocese of Denver is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for Denver, Colorado and the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan and Weld in the northern part of the state. The Archdiocese's home is at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate...

, AI offers masters degrees in theology

Theology

Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...

 and biblical studies

Biblical studies

Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...

. In 2007, AI relocated to Teikyo Loretto Heights University in Denver.

The stated mission of the Augustine Institute is "to provide graduate students a coherent and unified instruction in Scripture, Catholic doctrine and history, as well as the pedagogical and leadership skills to impart the same to others." The Colorado Department of Higher Education authorizes AI to grant degrees. On May 19, 2007, the first class of 11 students graduated. Since then, the Institute has continued to grow. In the 2009-2010 academic year, the Augustine Institute had 84 students taking courses on campus, and 157 students enrolled in its distance education program.

AI's programs emphasize fidelity to the magisterium

Magisterium

In the Catholic Church the Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church. This authority is understood to be embodied in the episcopacy, which is the aggregation of the current bishops of the Church in union with the Pope, led by the Bishop of Rome , who has authority over the bishops,...

, especially as expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae

Ex Corde Ecclesiae

is an Apostolic constitution issued by Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic colleges and universities.Promulgated on August 15, 1990 and intended to become effective in the academic year starting in 1991, its aim was to define and refine the Catholicism of Catholic institutions of higher education...

, as well as flexibility. AI is one of the leading providers of Catholic distance education

Distance education

Distance education or distance learning is a field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom...

. Some Catholic dioceses use AI's programs to help train their permanent deacons. The school stays closely connected with the local Catholic bishop, who has vigorously supported the school.

AI publishes the English edition of the quarterly theological journal Nova et Vetera

Nova et Vetera

Nova et Vetera is a theological review in the tradition of Thomism which focuses on contemporary issues facing the Roman Catholic Church. Published in the Swiss region of Romandy, the main language of the journal is French. It is also published in a distinct English edition founded by Matthew...

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Commencement Speakers

• 2007 Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
  Charles J. Chaput
  Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
  
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• 2008 Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ.
• 2009 Cardinal Francis Arinze.
• 2010 Fr. Mark Byrne