Pillsbury College and Seminary

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Arminius, Jun 13, 2005.

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  1. Arminius

    Arminius member

    Any comments on Pillsbury College and Seminary. It is ACI accredited, but try if possible, to look passed that (I know, its hard).

    They offer a 48 credit hour D.Min. using all ITS courses. Although many ITS instructors seem to lean towards Calvinism (God help us), the program still looks interesting. Tuition for the program is $4320. They also offer other religious degrees, bachelor - doctoral. http://www.pillsburycs.org/


    Arminius
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    At least they're honest enough to admit that the Accrediting Commission International has never sought recognition as an accreditor by the Department of Education. And they recommend that you go elsewhere if you need a regionally accredited degree.
     
  3. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Varus, where are my legions???????

    What? Oh.

    Wrong Arminius. Sorry.
     
  4. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Isn't their ball team the "Fighting Doughboys"? :)

    Sorry, I couldn't resist.

    Tony
     
  5. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Naw, they're the "Flour Children".
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    There is actually a Pillsbury Baptist Bible College (different from this one, I believe) that was originally endowed by the good Doughboy people.
     
  7. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Welcome aboard, Arminius. Really. That may be the last thing you like in this post, so savour it.

    My esteemed colleague Ted Heiks is quite correct. Pillsbury Baptist Bible College is ABSOLUTELY NOT the same as this outfit. PBBC is ABHE (formerly AABC) accredited, and so possesses USDE-CHEA legitimate accreditation and its degrees possess appropriate utility for their holders.

    Now.

    The outfit you mention has ACI "accreditation". I will definitely not look passed (sic) that. Nor will any other responsible poster on this board. To do so would harm you--not us. ACI has NO recognition for a host of very good reasons. Its separationist claims are hogwash.

    The outfit you mention is obviously trying to capitalize on the good reputation of PBBC by using a cleverly similar name. An honourable coincidence? Sure. And I am Queen Marie of Romania.

    Now then.

    Your grasp of standard English is somewhat shaky. If English is a second language for you, I commend you on your progress with it. If not, I would respectfully suggest that you are nowhere close to being prepared for a D.Min. or any other legitimate doctoral programme offered by any legitimate school.

    But now.

    I will do anything I can to help you find a legitimate DL programme in your religious tradition or at a school which will at any rate accommodate your beliefs. You are to be commended for exploring distance education, which has been a great boon to all of the regular posters on this board.

    If you pitch a fit & regard this as a flame, too bad. It's not. Trust me. It's not.

    Again, welcome aboard and best of luck to you in your DL search.

    Your Carpathian uncle,

    Janko Preotul
     
  8. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Hey, Uncle,

    I have OFTEN wondered how accreditation of seminaries works. Don't these schools work under the auspices of a denomination? So what does it matter whether the school is accredited by an outside authority?

    Having said that, I note that the various Jewish seminaries ARE duly accredited. Is it just a matter of federal financial aid?
     
  9. Arminius

    Arminius member

    Janko. Get that beam out of your eye.

    You left out a comma, forgot to capitalize one word, and there are four sentence fragments in your reply.

    With your poor command of the English language, I am not sure you are ready to assist anyone who has more than a third grade education.

    If you need help finding a good remedial English program (or programme), why you just let me know.

    Your friendly grammarian,

    Arminius :)
     
  10. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Well, Nosborne, let us leap hand in hand over the hoolerei. La dracu.

    There are a few responsible, ethical, academically satisfactory seminaries which are not accredited. These usually cater to one particular religious body or, if polity permits, are directly controlled by it.

    Almost all responsible, ethical, academically satisfactory seminaries are in fact accredited by one or another of the USDE-CHEA recognized accreditors.

    I know of no seminary worthy of the name which takes refuge with a bogus accreditor.

    I know of no seminary worthy of the name which deliberately fosters confusion by picking a name gratuitously close to that of a reputable and accredited institution.

    Why accreditation? In theory, strict denominational oversight might well guarantee all the necessary characteristics of a reputable school. I can think of at least one example of this. However, given the fallen nature of the race (from my perspective) or the perduring need for a whole truckload of tikkun olam (from yours), accreditation is a good idea--from a legitimate agency, of course.

    Accreditation from a cheapjack tinselled yowie-wowie* of an outfit is proof positive either of deception or of incorrigible stupidity. Taking umbrage at a warning against a "school" doing this affords the same hermeneutical choice. Take your pick.

    Most cordially as always, Janko


    *Many thanks to the inventor of "goatbag" for another inspired neologism.
     
  11. Arminius

    Arminius member

    Doesn't seem obvious to me. This is what their website says:

    http://www.pillsburycs.org/faq.shtml

    "The school is named in honor of a Christian family in St. Louis who have been substantial and long-time financial supporters of FreeWay Foundation, and its predecessor, Christian Civic Foundation. In fact, at least one member of the Pillsbury family has served on the Board of Directors of the Foundation every year for the past 50 years."

    Ouch!

    Arminius :)
     
  12. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Uncle,

    Ah. So even schools controlled by denominations use accreditation for the same reasons everyone else does; as an impartial, outside mark of quality? Good for credibility. Makes sense!
     
  13. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Theological seminary accreditation, done by legitimate accreditation agencies, accredits an institutions continuing viability (financial, etc.) while the denominations ensure "theological correctness." Also, recognized accreditation ensures the students access to student loans.
     

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