Theological Distance Education II

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Steve, Apr 17, 2001.

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  1. Steve

    Steve New Member

    I would love to take courses through the Reformed Theological Seminary distance program but it is way to expensive for this poor preacher. That is my biggest problem with the fully accredited schools, the big expense. The accreditation is not the biggest issue with me, I just want a solid theological education. I currently have a BA in Religion, and would like a MA or MDiv.

    So far Luther Rice Seminary looks like the best bet, and it is still pushing the pocket book.

    Have any of you guys completed a theological degree by distance education? What school was it with, what did you think about the program, how long did it take, was it expensive?

    Grace and Peace,
    Steve Clevenger
    Grace Baptist Church http://members.truepath.com/gracebaptistchurch/
     
  2. Lewchuk

    Lewchuk member

    And the answer is...
    University of South Africa
    Greewich School of Theology
    Charles Sturt University...

    fully accredited, excellent quality, very reasonable cost... what is the problem.


     
  3. MikeBarger

    MikeBarger New Member

    Hello! This is definitely not my field, but I'll offer up a suggestion anyway. I think that you should take a look at Liberty University's External Degree Program. IIRC, their distance learning tuition is $195/credit for graduate study (federal financial aid is available). By my calculations, a Liberty M.A. program would cost you somewhere in the ballpark of $9000 (plus books, proctor fees, etc). Liberty also offers the MDiv, but that is a 90-credit program, and it carries a much higher price tag (roughly $17,500).

    I've read some good things about Liberty's programs on the now-defunct alt.education.distance newsgroup. Go to http://groups.google.com and search the a.e.d. archives using "Liberty distance education" as the search string. That will yield lots of useful info about the Liberty external program. I'll list the Liberty URL below:
    http://www.lbts.edu/Distance.html

    I hope that helps. Good luck with your degree!

    Michael Barger
    [email protected]
     
  4. barryfoster

    barryfoster New Member

    Hi Steve,

    I'd recommend a good, hard investigation into the long term costs of earning a non-accredited degree. The kind of long-term costs I'm talking about include continually needing to defend the degree, facing the embarrassment of having your creditials questioned, being rejected by other schools and denominations, having church members with credible degrees *wonder* about yours - esp. those who might have a disagreement with you, etc, etc.

    If you aren't interested in the credential of a degree, there are other ways - much cheaper ways - of learning what a non-accredited school would provide. You don't need an non-accredited degree to learn.

    I speak from experience.

    Barry Foster
     
  5. barryfoster

    barryfoster New Member

    I speak from experience, tho still learning how to spell "credential". [​IMG]
     
  6. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Hi,

    While not greatly accepted on this forum I suggest Bethany Theological Seminary. You can find their site at http://www.bethanybc.edu

    I recieved my PhD there and believe I recieved an excellent education. They have a very nice campus with new building added within the past five years. They are very well regarded in the Dothan, AL area by by local office holders.

    Jimmy

     
  7. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    Steve,

    The RTS tuition seems in line with similar U.S. programs. Perhaps the congregation will go halvers with you at RTS.

    Bill Highsmith
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Steve:

    Is your BA regionally accredited? If it isn't, you will have difficulty being admitted into a RA master's program. This is one reason several of us have promoted only properly accredited (RA, GAAP, ATS, and at the very least TRACS) degree programs. If you earn a non-accredited masters, and then later wanted to pursue a doctorate, you would almost certainly not be admitted into a RA doctoral program.

    As a pastor I, too, understand the cost factor. I earned a regionally accredited BA, and also the masters and D.Min. from schools which were both RA and ATS accredited.

    Like Barry, I learned the hard way about non-accredited degrees. In my undergrad studies I did two years at a community college, one year at a RA Bible college, but took the quick route (sad to say) and finished the degree from a non-accredited school. Fortunately, I was able to enroll in a RA & ATS masters program on academic probation, because the undergrad degree was not accredited. After one semester I was taken off academic probation and completed the masters with no problem, then went on to complete the D.Min.

    The unaccredited bachelor's degree, however, wouldn't go away. So, after completing the D.Min., I enrolled at a RA university, transferred all the undergrad work, and completed a final year of undergrad studies (yes, even after earning two RA graduate degrees), and earned a RA BA. I mailed the unaccredited diploma back to the school from which it was received, but never received a reply. Perhaps this was a personal issue, but no one can question my credentials and there will certainly be no time bombs exploding in my CV. Nor do I have to be apprehensive about public embarrassment over questionable credentials. For me (being in the ministry) this was the ethical route to take.

    In looking for a Ph.D. program, cost & credibility were the decisive factors. I chose Potchefstroom University (www.puk.ac.za) in South Africa, and was admitted in September of 2000 into their Ph.D. in practical theology program. PU is 130 years old, and meets GAAP criteria. PU's DL theology programs are offered via Greenwich School of Theology in the UK. All course work is examined and approved by promoters from both GST and PU, with the degree awarded by PU. The PU master's degrees can be earned for less than $4000.00, this given the currency exchange rate between the dollar/rand.

    If you would like information you may contact
    Dr. Byron Evans (GST Dean) at [email protected] or Dr. Chris Killacky (GST Registrar) at [email protected]

    God bless in your pursuit!
    Russell
     
  9. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    Russell,

    Let me first thank you for sharing this story. It's stories like this that can help us sway people from making poor choices with their educations.

    Also, let me praise you for having the ethical and moral courage to make it right (even after finishing two RA graduate degrees!) by going back and finishing the BA.


    Tom Nixon
     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Thank you Tom!

    Since many readers of the forum are not interested in theological education per se, I have posted my experience in a little more detail, under a separate topic. Hopefully it will be read my more people there, and perhaps help someone avoid a similar situation.

    Russell
     
  11. Hodge Family

    Hodge Family New Member

    Steve,

    I am presently working on a M.Div. through the External Degree Program of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. The per semester hour cost is only $130, much less expensive than Reformed Theological Seminary and many other seminaries that I have checked into.

    If you are Calvinistic in your theological perspective, I believe that Reformed would be a better fit for you. I'm sure that maintaining your doctrinal integrity is a top priority.

    Also, from what I was told by a student who attended Reformed, it appears that the work is much more rigorous there than at Liberty. That, of course, is another consideration. How hard do you want to work for your degree?

    May God bless as you serve him,

    Eddie Hodge
     
  12. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Good suggestions made above. Liberty does have a residency requirement which is not a bad thing. They are RA & TRACS accredited.

    LRS is not a bad pick. It is TRACS accredited, which may or may not be less versatile for you. They have famous graduates which include Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. Dorothy Patterson, etc.

    American Bible College & Seminary has an external M.Div as well. http://www.abcs.edu
    You can obtain a Christian COunseling emphasis with it. I believe it like LRS is 100% distance education, although you can do on campus modular courses. ABCS is less well known than LRS.

    Now, of the above 3, Liberty is the most flexible in terms of use because it is RA. However, you do have to fly to Virginia for short sessions. Their courses are well developed, having been in distance education for some time.

    I think someone mentioned Faith Seminary. They problem I see with them is cost.

    The other thing is to check out Jason Baker's site. He lists many Masters degrees taught from a Christian perspective http://bakersguide.com

    I would also check with the higher ups in your denomination to see what they deem as acceptable.

    Good luck.

    North
     

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