university of america and theological university of america

the university of america says it is accredited through the Federation of St.Kitts, Nevis, WEST INDIES. Their country site does NOT include them in their list of institutions. I notice Jim Benton is offering a theological university of america, and I have a friend who is considering it. Can anyone advise on the legitimacy of this guy or his "new school" in Iowa? I can't find very much on either the school or any verification of the legitimacy of the instructors for her.

 

If it ain't on the Kittitian government list, they don't accredit it. Period.

 

If this is the school you're talking about...
http://theologicaluofa.com/

then it might be accepted only by the Church of Christ denominations.
From their website...
"The Theological University of America is a non-traditional university affiliated with and serving only the Church of Christ. "

If your friend is with the Church of Chirst, he still may want to verify that his particular church accepts it.

 

My goodness, Benton is still at it.

I have been writing about those two schools in Bears' Guide for many years, when their "campus" was in Louisiana, Iowa, Arkansas, and Tennessee, as well as St. Kitts.

I can find nothing positive to say about them.

 

university of america etc.

thank you so much for that info. I suspected as much. I will pass that info on to her and she can take it from there. Apparently Jim Benton has told her that he has obtained a state exemption on the basis that he ONLY provides education to members of the Church of Christ and not to outsiders. She is definitely not a member of that denomination, since we attend church together. I think I will help her find something up here in Canada. thanks again.

 

Re: university of america etc.

FYI, the churches of Christ are not a denomination. They abhor the word. They consider themselves non-denominational.

 

In addition, most in the Church of Christ consider TUA to be an absolute joke. It has no official recognition by the churches whatsoever.

BLD

 

And about 45% of all ministers in the churches of Christ received their training from the fellowship's many schools of preaching.

 

Yes, and many got their education from the Church of Christ's (acapella) many fine schools, such as Pepperdine, David Lipscomb University, Abilene Christian, etc....

 

This is true. Any many have gotten education at both the CoC schools of preaching and at these universities...

It tends to work that they get the school of preaching certificate and a job preaching somewhere and then later have the opportunity to go to Abilene (or one of the others) for their degrees.

I know quite a few who have done so, including myself.*

clint

*Of course, my Abilene education has come to a halt due to ATS regulations that only allow 1/3 of a degree to be at a distance. So I must seek education elsewhere.

 

Clint,

Have you checked into Lubbock Christian University? You could earn a M.A. in Biblical Interpretation or a M.S. in Ministry with only three trips to campus for week-long modular courses. The rest is offered online. They also offer an M.Div., but you would have to be on campus for six week-long courses.

And the most important part -- their prices are extremely reasonable for an RA school!

God bless!

Mark Littleton

 

What's interesting is that in issues of The Christian Standard, are periodic advertisements for The Theological University of America with dozens of names of well recognized and important men in the churches of Christ who have earned doctorates from this school.

 

theological university of america

My friend is pursuing her ministry track through a college in Canada now, so I really appreciate the benefit of your experience. It is always interesting to me how even when a student completes a program at one school; if they want to pursue a post-grad certificate, at any other school, they may still have to do make up courses to meet the new school's "criteria". Even within recognized schools, there seems to be a certain amount of politicizing. Just a thought.

 

Actually, I attended LCU for three semesters right out of high school. It is a nice, small and comfortable place.

I did consider their DL program, but the weeklong modules are just not practical for me. If I were in the US, it would work, but then again, I could just continue with my studies at Abilene Christian, if I were still there.

I am not in the US enough to pull that off - at least not for the forseeable future.

And Jimmy, part of the problem is that the preaching schools encourage their graduates to get the TUA degrees, saying it will give them credibility.

In fact, - and I have never mentioned this before and would never do it again and wish I had known back then what I know now - I applied my preaching school transcript to TUA and since I had an RA BA in English, they gave me an MA.

Just to clarify, I didn't know anything about accreditation, RA, Degreemills, etc back then. The leaders of the school I had just graduated from pushed TUA to us, so I thought it was good.

Stupid me.

Needless to say, it doesn't make my resume. I sort of consider it my $600 education in wasting money.

I have kind of stayed out of the conversation about it, but let me unequivocably state that I would never encourage anyone to send Jim Benton and TUA a red cent. Their degrees are worthless.

clint

 

Clint,

Sorry, didn't notice you weren't in the US. Week-long modular classes in Lubbock would be pretty tough for you!

You mentioned that you applied your preaching school transcript to TUA and they gave you a master's. If you don't mind my asking, what preaching school did you graduate from? Since you attended LCU, I'd guess it was Sunset?

I graduated from one in 1992, and I too was tempted to go the TUA route. Thankfully, I didn't. I got my Bachelor's through Southern Christian (I'd love to pursue a master's there, but they are WAY overpriced!) I guess the allure of TUA is getting that degree and the supposed credibility that goes with it for practically nothing... but I agree -- there's nothing "credible" about it in any way!

God bless!

Mark Littleton

 

Steve Levicoff

It is time to repay the tremendous favor that we did for you; remember, the Breeze always blows when the Eastern winds are ebbing.

Your skills at deception are needed now.

You know what to do, sir.

http://www.rtkl-foundation.org/

 

Yes, I graduated from Sunset. Actually though, it was coincidental that I was at LCU earlier. LCU offered me more scholarship money than ACU out of high school, so I went there. But then I joined the army, saw the world and got out. I attended three different B&M universities/colleges before graduating in San Antonio. My dad had gone to Sunset back when the crust of the earth was still cooling, so I did, as well.

For what they are, the preaching schools are fine. I mean Sunset doesn't offer degrees or anything. We did actually have to attend classes and I did actually learn some things there. At the same time, it isn't really university level work - at least not graduate level work.

I think they blow it be encouraging TUA. They also mentioned a program with Rochester College (RA), but I think that program is no longer operating. But it also cost tons more and required residencies.

Which school did you go to?

clint

 

Clint,

I graduate from the Memphis School of Preaching. It was probably about like Sunset as far as the level of work is concerned -- not quite graduate level, but still pretty demanding.

Actually, I don't remember anyone at MSOP even mentioning, much less pushing, TUA. I heard about it from a friend of mine who graduated from the East Tennessee School of Preaching. Apparently they push it a little more there.

Hopefully one day I'm going to find exactly the right place to continue my master's work. Until then, the search continues...

Mark