I cannot recommend ARI’s Objectivist Academic Center heartily enough for students serious about studying Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism:

Ayn Rand Institute Offers Educational Program for the Study of Rand’s Philosophy

Irvine, California (June 14, 2007)–Fifty years after the publication of her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, interest in Ayn Rand has never been greater. For those who want to study her ideas in depth, the Ayn Rand Institute’s educational program, the Objectivist Academic Center, offers systematic instruction in Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism.

More than one hundred students currently participate in the OAC’s graduate and undergraduate programs, which for years have been offered as a supplement to a standard college education. The undergraduate program helps students develop a basic understanding of philosophy, of Objectivism as a philosophical system, and of the art of clear, objective thinking and writing. The focus of the graduate program is on mastering Objectivism, with special attention paid to proper philosophical methodology.

Students from all over the world attend classes online and via teleconference. Local students also have the option of attending classes at ARI’s headquarters in Irvine, California. Select courses are open to auditors.

As a benefit to students who would like to receive college credit for their OAC coursework, ARI has partnered with Chapman University to offer two OAC courses, “Introduction to Philosophy” and “Introduction to Writing,” through Chapman’s distance learning program. Students are able to take the classes for credit, transfer the credits to their own university, and apply them toward their college degree.

Most full-time students receive tuition waivers, as well as other generous scholarships to help defray the costs of participating in the OAC. Additionally, ARI offers a wide array of support for OAC students, including grants, scholarships, and mentoring.

The application deadline for the 2007-08 academic year is July 30.

For more information on this program, please visit the Objectivist Academic Center website at www.objectivistacademiccenter.org or contact:

Debi Ghate
Vice President, Academic Programs
Ayn Rand Institute
(949) 222-6550, ext 206
[email protected]

I probably owe ARI my firstborn son for all that I’ve learned in my three years at OAC. Thankfully, they’re more interested in donations of cash than children. (Children are hard to sell.) If I recall correctly, ARI is interested in expanding OAC, but they need money to do that. In any case, I’m sure that donations specifically to support OAC are welcome. Personally, I’m extremely grateful to all who’ve made OAC possible, particularly OAC teachers, ARI staff, ARI donors. You rock!

(Oh dear, I’m a bit punchy. I do have a good excuse, however. I just finished the first draft of my dissertation outline. It’s sixteen pages, single-spaced. Yeah me!)