About ACAS

	A Brief History ACAS was originally incorporated in 1994 as the Australian Center for Cross-cultural Studies, specifically to support WEC- related ministries in East Java. During the mid- 1990s, it offered units toward a Master of Arts in Cross-cultural Studies for Indonesian students through a consortium agreement. ACAS is a not-for-profit organization with income-tax-exempt charitable status. In 1999, it became a Registered Training Organisation in Western Australia with its own accredited Graduate Diploma in Cross-cultural Studies. In 2000, it changed its name, direction, and structure: It became the Australian Centre for Advanced Studies. It adopted a "member college" structure like that of the University of London. It broadened to include Christian liberal arts. It spread its geographic scope more widely in Australia. Since 2000, ACAS has grown rapidly. Its programs presently run at about a fifteen or twenty locations, mainly around Perth. Some have run is NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania. Instead of being only a graduate school, it now has many programs ranging down to the lower certificates. It has expanded to include the following areas of study, although specific courses vary from year to year:
	Christian Studies	Theology and ministry, with specialized courses in youth ministry and spirituality
	Community Services	Including youth work, children's services, management, and community work.
	Hospitality	Introductory restaurant skills
	Intercultural Studies	Intercultural studies, including languages and language teaching.
	Training	Training, assessment, and administration.
	Management	Management at the frontline, community services, and event management
	Auditing	Quality auditing
	Recreation	Outdoor education, recreation and sports.
	Performing arts	Music and music technology
	Graduate studies	The core is research in intercultural studies, but the framework is flexible enough to include other fields.