Master's in Liturgics/Worship

Does anyone know of a school that offers a DL master's in Liturgics/Worship or Practical Theology which can be done by projects, etc., instead of a traditional thesis?

 

Michael,

Do you have any demoninational preference? You may want to check the Association of Theological Schools web site http://www.ats.edu. They have a link to schools offering DL courses. Also, you may want to check the bakers guide http://www.bakersguide.com.

HTH,

cbryant

 

ATS disallows complete DL degrees.

You may want to look at TRACS or

DETC accredited schools.

If accreditation is not an issue, you may want to look at

Bethany or

Golden State.

Good luck.

 

Perhaps better said, if the prospects of your alma mater being considered a degree mill is not an issue, you may want to look at Bethany and Golden State.

He means it. If you follow Jimmy's reccommendation concerning Bethany and Golden State (he neglected to tell you he holds degrees from both entities) you'll need it.

 

No denominational preference, and accreditation is an issue.

There are a lot of DL "GAAP" theology schools, but so far I don't know of any that will allow you to do projects, internships, surveys, original creative work, etc., for the degree program. However, I'd rather do that than a traditional thesis/dissertation.

Mountain State U. allows what I'd like to do, but the degree is entitled MA Interdisciplinary Studies, and it's much more expensive than, say, a degree from a SA school, or from an Aussie school, either.

 

You might look at Robert Webber's Institute for Worship Studies, although it is not yet accredited, as far as I know (expensive, too). Unlike earlier schools mentioned in this thread, it is reputable. At one time Drew University offered degrees in liturgics, but whether they still do, or offer DL, I do not know.

 

I really like Webber's IWS, but accreditation is something I've got to have.

 

It looks like you will probably find a TRACS-accredited school will meet your needs.

What's IWS?

P.S. Never mind, I found it via a google search. Looks interesting.

 

Michael, another approach might be to contact professors of liturgics/worship at accredited seminaries in traditions congenial to you. Spell out to them just what you want to do, and ask if they can fit you in to a program their school offers. This is time-consuming and frustrating (you'll get lots of turndowns), but it could really pay off once you make a connection.

Your response to Webber's school is the same as mine: nonstandard nomenclature and no accreditation are real drawbacks. But what an interesting guy!

Best wishes to you. If I can help in any way, holler.

I promise that any recommendation from me will NOT be designed to bolster my own resume or skewed by special pleading. I have never run a degree mill nor attended one, nor have I ever engaged in doubletalk in order to enhance my credentials or prestige in the eyes of the unwary and the ignorant.

 

I'm not a theologian (I fear to even whisper the word) so perhaps I'm missing something. But just because ATS doesn't accredit DL programs doesn't mean that one must turn to TRACS, DETC or non-accredited schools.There are still the RA but non-ATS schools to consider.

Here's a Catholic MA in theology with a distinctly practical emphasis, offered by St. Joseph's College in Maine. Regionally accredited by the New England Association. Requires either a final written paper or a practicum. One of its students posted about six months ago and said that he liked it.

http://www.sjcme.edu/gpsnew/prospective/theology_ma.html?l1=2&l2=11&l3=3&l4=0

 

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

My concerns/problems are: I have a full-time job which makes it impossible for me to go on campus--except maybe in the summer.

My ministry/interests/activities have taken a more practical turn, and thus I'd like to pursue a degree in either Practical Theology or Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on worship/liturgy/creative arts, in which I would be allowed to do projects--creative and otherwise--instead of the traditional thesis.

I'm still considering SATS; I think very highly of them, and I've finally saved enough money for their MTh, after having some major medical expenses, but I don't know if they'd let me do the degree in the way I'd like. They have been very helpful and accommodating in my previous correspondence, but I don't know if their structured program could be done by projects. They were willing previously to allow me to incorporate a creative component into the dgree program, but I was not able to enroll at that time due to financial considerations--not theirs but mine.

I've contacted them about it, but I haven't heard back yet.

And another concern is money: I still can't afford to pay what some schools charge: $15--20,000.

So, here I am--still searching, but ready to find.

 

Have you had a look at the MA in Theology (which has a liturgy strand and only a 15,000 word final dissertation) or the MMin at Lampeter?

http://www.lamp.ac.uk/trs/Postgraduate/MA_theology.htm
http://www.lamp.ac.uk/trs/Postgraduate/MMin.htm

Angela

 

I really think if you explained your situation to Dr. Reuben Van Rensburg, SATS, he will be able to help you.

He is a very understanding and helpful person.

 

Re: Re: Master's in Liturgics/Worship

Bill, I guess I was unclear. ATS-accredited seminaries do have DL programs but some residency is required by ATS. In other words, a degree cannot be earned completely by DL.

Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the link. I was unaware of the St. Joseph program.

 

Yes, Reuben is great; I had his direct email address, but my computer (hard drive) imploded and I lost everything. So, when I contacted SATS last week, I had to use the email address on their website, a generic one--something like study@sats--and I haven't heard from them yet.

Anyone know Dr. van Rensburg's email address?

 

agilham,

I've recently looked at those Lampeter programs, and they both interest me, patrticularly, the MA in Theology. It says tyu can study this by part-time, non-residential study, but when you click on the lsited courses, it seems not many of them are offerd as fully distance courses.

BTW, what's the Lampeter tuition rate now?

Oh, I also found what is described as a distance learning Practical Theology degree--from Wales, Bangor; I contacted them but never got a reply.

 

Try this

[email protected]

 

Jimmy,

Thanks! But did you mean to put that 's' on "vanrensburgs"? Just wanted to make sure the email wouldn't bounce back.

 

Hmmm. Probably best to email them and ask whether anything's moving to pure DL or whether you could do a block study in Lampeter over the summer. They have the reputation of being one of the more accomodating and friendly institutions in the UK to DL.

Not the foggiest. Last year you'd've paid about $10,000. This year, with inflation and a strong ound it's liable to be more in the region of $12-13,000.

You might also like the MLitt in Bible and the Contemporary World at St Andrews, which is definitely all DL http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/mlitt_distance.html

Angela

 

Angela,

Thanks for the info.

I looked at the St. Andrews site, and there is a short residency required. Their degree is expensive, too.

So, this probably is not an option for me.