Logos Graduate School

I am trying to find some information about this school. Has anyone heard about the quality of their programs?

Even though I have an Hon BA and an MSc in a non-theological field I can still pursue a Ph RD (Doctor in Religious Philosophy) through them. The course load seems realistic and I am 100% sure it is NOT a diploma mill. However, I am still a bit hesitant. The cost is much better than an ATS accredited school and I am mostly in it for personal/ministry enrichment and not to enter into academia. What makes me slightly hesitant is that I have personally never heard of the the Ph RD degree...

I am from outside the US so I am not sure I understand the value/worth of some of the local accreditations.

Any insights would be appreciated.

 

I know very little about religious degrees and their accreditation agencies except that anyone can start one in the USA and be perfectly legal unless fraud is involved.

I looked at the list of Excecutive Officers and note that 80% of them have degrees from Logos; that is usually not a good sign.

It looks like a PhRD from here will cost you over $6,000. In my humble opinion it is not worth it.

There may be better options that other members might suggest.

 

Logos operates from the US State of Florida. In Florida, religious colleges or universities are basically exempt from government oversight, as long as they only offer "educational programs that prepare students for religious vocations."

So Logos degrees are legal in the State of Florida -- because anybody (even a diploma mill) can legally offer religious degrees in Florida. Some other US states have similar rules. However, certain other US states (and other countries) may have stricter standards, and may not recognize a Florida religious degree as valid. If you plan to use the title of "Dr.", for example, the Logos PhRD degree may or may not be accepted as equivalent to the doctoral degrees issued by schools in your country.

An alternative form of quality control that is often used in the US is "accreditation". Accreditation agencies are private institutions that evaluate the quality of academic programs, and give them a "seal of approval" if they pass. The problem with this approach is that anyone can legally start an accreditation agency. Some accreditation agencies are universally known and respected, while others have little credibility.

The best-known accreditation agencies (like ATS) are accepted by the US government for purposes of granting college financial aid. Logos does not have such accreditation. The accreditation that Logos claims has little real-world value in the US.

A degree from Logos may work for personal enrichment, or for ministry. However, there may be legal restrictions on its use in some US states (other than Florida), and in other countries. Since Logos is exempt from state regulation, and has no meaningful accreditation, there is no easy way to verify its academic quality. Logos may not be a diploma mill, but it may be difficult to distinguish from a diploma mill.

 

Here is a D.Min. degree from a legit university that might be of interest to you:
Distance Learning, Courses, Home, ; University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Cost appears to be ₤3,573 (UK) per year (but check with the university).

 

Thank you Ian and CalDog. Definitely somethings to think about. I will wait for a few more answers and comments. I am thinking that my desire to do this online may not be the best way and instead I should just go to one of the accredited universities and semiaries around here. The problem is the lack of flexibility in my schedule... Not to mention that they are a bit more expensive.

 

Why not do Luther Rice University's Doctor of Ministry degree instead? It's legitimately accredited (TRACS) and it costs only a bit more than Logos' unaccredited degree:

Luther Rice University - DMin
30 credit hours - $7,920 (+ fees)

 

Hi emmzee - Thanks for the link. Actually Luther Rice does look interesting. I also like some of the 'profile summaries' of the professors - seem sincere. Problem is that my Master's degree would not qualify me for entering into their DMin degree. My MSc is in a non-theological area.

I was trying to see if a school would actually take my previous education (Hon BA - U of Toronto & an MSc from LSE) and with some extra coursework allow me to pursue a Doctoral level degree... now I see I may have to change my plan and instead go into a Master's degree (hopefully on track to a PhD).

Any further insight or opinions from folks on this board would be appreciated. In reading through this forum I notice a wealth of knowledge in the educational arena.

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

Seteca

After carefully considering your advice on this board I have discarded Logos as an option and am almost 100% certain that I will be choosing the Central American Theological Seminary instead (SETECA - Seminario Teologico Centroamericano). I will be doing their Magister Artium in Biblica Studies - online).

I came about this course in a 'strange' way. I was looking at Dallas Theological Seminary and I happened to navigate to their DMin. Then I noticed they also offer it in Spanish. So I clicked on that ... and voila SETECA happens to be the extension school for DTS' Spanish DMin. I started chatting with them and have decided to start as soon as I finish my paperwork (and am admitted of course). It appears that SETECA graduates are admitted in North American schools so hopefully once I am done (still a long way) I may be able to pursue a PhD or a DMin up in Canada (home).

I am very excited and I have to thank this board (this thread and elsewhere) for expanding my perspective and helping me think clearly.

Thanks and press on!

 

Logos is authorized by the Florida State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities, who also 'authorizes' several other religious schools -- which are sincere about what they do and offer, but not 'accredited' as such.

I agree with Ian Anderson ..... when you have that much 'in-breeding' at a school, it is a sign of academic and reputational weakness.

Luther Rice is an excellent choice.

Would also suggest you consider South African options [very affordable and accredited].

My personal recommendation would be SATS - South African Theological Seminary | Bible College and Study Program - a very affordable, credible and academically challenging school -- with quality faculty.

See also Jason Baker's excellent website: Christian Distance Learning: Online College, Seminary Degrees