1977

The immigrant pastors from Korea's largest congregation, Korean Presbyterian Church, established International Reformed University and Seminary (IRUS) with the spirit of the Presbyterianism to educate future pastors and Christian educators.

 

IRUS started as Reformed Presbyterian Seminary under the leadership of Rev. John E. Kim as the first president of the seminary, Rev. Jin Tae Lee was the first academic dean. Rev. Sang Keon Lee and Dr. Michael De Vries served as faculty members.

 

 

1987

IRUS received from California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Vocational Education (BPPVE) the authorization to issue the Child Care Director and Teacher Certificates along with the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry.

 

 

1997

IRUS was approved by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to accept and enroll international students.

 

 

2007

IRUS bought a new school building and moved to its current location at 125 S. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles.

 

 

2013

The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accredited and approved IRUS to offer Bachelors, Masters, and Master of Divinity degrees.

 

 

2014

IRUS was approved to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree and the ESL program by ABHE.

 

 

2016

IRUS was approved by ABHE for the following degree programs: Bachelor of Arts in Church Music, Master of Arts in Church Music, and Master of Arts in Counseling.

 

 

2018

ABHE enthusiastically re-affirmed IRUS for another ten years (2018-2028) in February 2018. IRUS has currently three teaching sites: New Jersey; Seoul, South Korea; and Orange County, California for the English Track.