andersonville theological seminary

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by christeagleian, Nov 19, 2003.

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  1. christeagleian

    christeagleian New Member

    would like some info on Andersonville Theological Seminary. Positive or negative feedback is appreciated.:)
     
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

    No one I have seen here has posted positive & I am not too familiar with the school.

    What level of education are you looking for and we could probably provide you with some affordable, accredited alternatives.

    North
     
  3. christeagleian

    christeagleian New Member

    I am 41 yrs old and have a family so I am in need of a distance degree program. Will be majoring in bible.theological studies. Any info would be appreciated.
     
  4. BobC

    BobC New Member

    Andersonville is religious seminary school in Georgia and is unaccredited. It has (or possibly still does) claim accreditation from an unrecognized accreditor named ACI. It also has a schpeel on it's website about how accreditation isn't important blah blah yet they do or have claimed accreditation from the secular ACI group. --That's the negative. The ACI accreditation is a doozey too.

    The positive is, if you actually do a google search you will find acceptance in churches and they seem to have many graduates and overall positive appearance and footrpint and that you might actually get a good education from them if YOU make it so.

    I think I would still go with Liberty because of accreditation but I have secular views. Individuals who study religion and ministry often do not have the same secular view of accreditation and learning God's word one way or another is what's most important to them.

    I don't think I helped at all, but I tried my best.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 19, 2003
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Andersonville Theological Seminary used to be Andersonville Baptist Seminary. It is unaccredited by a recognized agency. Its programs seem strong.

    Faculty hold accredited master's and doctoral degrees from schools like New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Ashland Theological Seminary, Andover Newton Seminary, Liberty, Christian Theological Seminary, Grace Theological Seminary, Denver Baptist Theological Seminary, and Concordia Theological Seminary.

    It's connection to the National Christian Counselors' Association is unfortunate, however. And it is KJV only.
     
  6. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I know a pastor who earned regionally accredited degrees (BLS, MDiv & DMin), then earned the Ph.D. from Andersonville. He stated that the program required extensive writing, and was certainly no easy degree. He is pleased with the work he completed, but is also aware of the limited utility of an unaccredited degree. He takes the position that he has earned RA degrees (bachelor-doctorate), has adequate RA training for the vocation he has chosen, and anything beyond that is personal enrichment.
     
  7. flipkid

    flipkid New Member

    Several pastors that I know either have gone to Andersonville or are going now. This runs the gamut from Bachelors through Doctorates and includes a lawyer with a RA JD degree, who then obtained a M.Div from Andersonville. Their physical plant presence (regardless of their lack of accreditation), ministers that either have attended or heard of the school makes them more palatable in many church employment settings as oppossed to a strictly unknown online school or foreign school even if they are RA or GAAP.

    While this does not please many academic purists, philosophers, and pundits many churches have a totally different approach to a ministers education and many will suffer some things to be for a season. In other words lack of any degree is seen by many churches as a greater liability than having an unacredited degree, admitting it up front and why, and working towards your accredited degree. (Don't throw stones! :D ) (In 16 years I have never had one church pay one penny for or towards Continuing Education so as I told them I get it when I get it)

    While every unaccredited school is not a bad choice, you should weigh your options carefully. If you have personally added up the costs and decided this was best for you and your situation, roll on! However your problem may not be with the rigors of the program at Andersonville. The double talk on accreditation - not needed, then with a disreputable accreditor - is a major blow from the ethical side of the issue. That for me is reason enough to leave them alone. If they can not shoot straight there, what else is crooked?

    While not knowing all the ins and outs of your personal situation (finances, availible time or time restrictions, degree level, desired outcome or placement)I would suggest you look (for starters only) at Luther Rice Seminary (www.lrs.edu) If you have the money to pay all upfront Thomas Edison State College (www.tesc.edu)

    If a foreign degree could work in your situation (Will it work for church employment) then there are many options availible, most of them employed by many of the regulars here.
    They will be glad to reccommned them to you. Personally I like South African Theological Seminary (www.sats.edu.za)

    Best to you.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 19, 2003
  8. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 19, 2003
  9. Gus Sainz

    Gus Sainz New Member

    Andersonville is a degree mill. Those who believe otherwise should contact me so that we may finalize your purchase of an inexpensive structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river, canal, or railway. :rolleyes:
     
  10. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Hi Gus - Where ya been? Glad ya back.
    :)
    Jack
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

  12. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    I don't know much about Andersonville, but I would stay away from any institution that claims accreditation from ACI. ACI is perhaps one of the biggest shams out there, as far as accrediting agencies go anyway. For starters, all ACI schools are required to accept transfer credits from other ACI schools. Schools that are either RA or NA don't require such a thing! Secondly, I called ACI and asked for a list of the schools that they accredit. They refused to provide such a list. (This was perhaps a year ago so maybe something has changed since then.) Thirdly, ACI has very strong ties to IAC, the old accrediting agency that was fined and closed by the authorities in Missouri. John Walston has an entire section on ACI in his book, Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning.

    If you are looking for an accredited Christian distance degree program I would suggest the Moody Bible Institute (RA and NA), Briercrest Bible College (NA), or Tennessee Temple University (NA). All three schools enjoy REAL accreditation, outstanding reputations, strong cirriculums, and are also quite affordable.

    Tony
     
  13. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    Oops, Rick Walston. Sorry.
     
  14. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    You got me good! Very funny, funny indeed!:eek:
     
  16. AugDog

    AugDog New Member

    Being a Graduate of Andersonville and reading some of the false accusations against them as being a diploma mill on different sites I figured I would post my comments on various boards regarding them.
    First of all lets understand something here. The Bible never says a man needs to get any degree from any school in order to preach the Gospel. For the position of Pastor/Teacher, Christ has given this gift and position to certain men whom He choose for the edifying of His church. Eph 4:11
    Jesus never told His disciples that they needed to go to accredited schools sanctioned by the Roman Empires department of education. I'm sure they had similar doctrines as we have today flowing forth from the Caesars of our United States Department of Education including the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle as normal, toleration and instruction in false religions, endorsing the view that we evolved from worm slime floating around in the ocean for millions of years, human philosophy, etc, etc.
    Martin Luther once said: "I am much afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to Hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt."
    If you want a Godly education with training from experienced Pastors who will teach you the Bible and courses that will help with you in Pastoring a church then Andersonville Baptist Theological Seminary is a good choice.
    Otherwise shell out $20,000-$30,000 bucks for a Bachelors and another $20,000-$30,000 for a Masters degree from the Roman Empires certified schools and become a servant to the lender as Prov 22:7 states. Just be prepared to be in financial debt for the next 30 years of your life. Maybe you'll get lucky and you can honor your father and mother by sticking them with the debt.
    As to those people that say Andersonville is a "degree mill", that you pay them and they send you a nice little diploma for nothing, these people are what the Bible calls liars and false accusers of the brethren. I have taken courses at ATS and have my Bachelors in Theology and am currently enrolled in their Master of Divinity. The courses are time consuming and require course work just like any other courses you would take at any other university. I have had 4 years previous in a Mechanical Engineering field at an acredited college. Some of those courses were more time consuming and harder then ATS courses, like physics and advanced calculus , some were about the same and some were easier and less time consuming then the Andersonville Seminary courses although in a different field. So don't call this a diploma mill.
     
  17. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

  18. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    What a wonderful, non-judgemental statement. Did Prov 22:7 really make reference to student loans! Or perhaps you could complete a BS and MS for $10K, pay cash and pass on no debt - what a concept.
     
  19. Heather Mathews

    Heather Mathews New Member

    My one and only comment on this board

    :soapbox:I noticed all the slamming of Andersonville recently and was quite surprised. Just our experiences and 2 cents:

    My husband earned his ThM and is working on his Doctor of Biblical Counseling degree through them. He has already been a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors for several years, and earned counseling and social work degrees through Mohawk Valley Community College and SUNY IT, and nearly finished his MSW through Syracuse University. He had a small church out of his apartment for 7 years and was ordained online. He is in the process of hooking up with the SBC. He also has completed certifications in non-related areas such as bookkeeping, vet tech and personal training and he has been a drummer for 21 years and bass player for two (being in a wheelchair, and with no one willing to hire him, he has had a lot of time on his hands.) He says ATS' have been the most difficult programs he has ever taken. A large church in Murray, KY is considering hiring him.

    I also am taking the Bachelor of Biblical Studies program through them. I have taken photography, social service, and nursing coursework (I am an LPN in NYS and am only a couple credits removed from completing my RN). I also have to say that the coursework from ATS is the deepest, most thought-provoking, and difficult coursework I have ever done, and I haven't even started the Greek or Hebrew yet. In addition, I have contacted Liberty University and they are willing to take ATS grads and have a history of doing so. I plan on starting a dual-degree program myself at Liberty next year.

    Just my piece, I will let you all continue fightling amongst yourselves.
     
  20. pen

    pen New Member

    It makes me laugh to see people attack a school like Andersonville where people subsidize the student's education with donations and volunteer time, but have nothing to say about scam schools that trick teenagers into permanent debt.
     

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