Greenwich School of Theology

Dear friends:
I have researched PhD-level distance-learning schools for several weeks now and have decided to apply to Greenwich School of Theology. The actual degree is awarded through North West University in South Africa and requires a dissertation only. The fees are reasonable, and no residency is required. May I have your feedback on this school?
My dissertation topic will be something like "A Theology of Recovery Spirituality in America," and I wonder if this is too liberal or non-traditional for that school. Any experience here? Thank you for any help you can offer.

Barbara Barr, New Jersey

 

There are a number of discussions on the forums regarding the Greenwich School of Theology, which can be found by using the search function.

Good luck!

Michael

 

I second that advice. GST is expensive and its personnel are often nonresponsive. The ex-Potch contingent might well find your topic a bit outre, but you could resolve that issue by asking them directly before plunking your money down. I think you might find a happier response dealing with one of the South African university faculties of theology directly--and you won't be paying the exorbitant premium for a British middleman. Having said that, GST is legit because of its connection with UNW, but UNW hasn't got the cachet among conservatives that Potchefstroom had (and they were the ones among whom that cachet existed).

 

Is there a particular faculty member there with whom you would like to study? Is there anyone there with any kind of expertise in "recovery" or "spirituality"? What would you like to do with your PhD? Are any graduates from there operating in the sphere in which you would like to operate? (Do a google or yahoo search on the name of the school to see how often it gets listed on a c.v. and then note the institutions with which they are associated).

 

You are dealing with a legit institution. As an aside, I did see a Catholic apologetics web site that criticized PUCHE for the number of faculty that had highest degrees from their own school. The person running the site was apparently irritated by a Protestant apologist with a degree from PUCHE. www.catholic-legate.com He also felt that the persons doctoral thesis was not us to par. The dissertation would probably be better crtiqued by Bill Grover. The dissertation was by Svendsen. SOme here also critcized Walstons dissertation from PUCHE.

At any rate, you will earn a good degree from UNW.

Mein Bruder Janko has a good point. There are other faculties in South Africa from well respected schools. If expesne is an issue, Bill Grover is doing a dissertation only DTh from the University of Zululand (UNIZUL), good faculty with good degrees for around 2000 US dollars for the entire program. He has been at it for a couple of years and is almost finished.

Good luck oder viel gluck! (es tut mir leid, ich spreche kein Afrikaaner).

Nord

 

Barbara,

Greetings! I'm not sure if you'd be willing to consider a DTh as an alternative to the PhD or not. However, I would strongly encourage you toward the DTh in Spirituality at the University of South Africa. I'm quite certain that they would be able to accomodate your research interest there. They are open to students exporing spirituality from a diversity of perspectives and within a variety of contexts.


UNISA is a highly regarded institution, with nearly 100 of their doctoral alumni holding faculty positions at reputable institutions throughout the world. Also, it is considerably less expensive than the program offered by GST.

I wish you well as you decide.

 

Well, sort of congratulations, then! Geluk!

 

===

Thanks Unk. I'll know in January if it accepted.

 

Hey Bill.....good to hear from you.

Can you give som more details. Have you submitted it yet? I have no doubt we will soon be calling you Herr Doktor.

North

 

===



Hi North:

No, I should have it mailed in five or six weeks.

I HAVE finished writing. The last chapter is being typed. Then two informal , local readers, one English prof and one NT prof, will read the last chapter. Then the typist will make semi-final changes .

[I've mentioned my virtual friends at degreeinfo, as a group, in the acknowledgements because some here provided needed moral support. I did not name any of you, but you, North, know I had you and others here in mind ; I hope that is OK.]

Then it will be mailed to SA. After my Promoter and two other profs from two other SA universities read it I'll be notified about the end of Dec if it passed and what final changes need to be done. Then I have until the end of Jan to get that done. Graduation would be in May, 05. The following month I'll turn 65.

I really am very pleased with it as is one of the informal readers here who has his PhD from DTS and is twice published in the field of my topic. I hope they are pleased in SA too.

Thanks,

 

Cool Bill!

It is always gratifying to hear of folks on this forum meeting their goals. You are this first guy I will know with a degree of any kind from the University of Zululand. You seem to have worked diligently towards meeting your goal. I look forward to your making an announcement.

Will you be going to the graduation in SA? Would give you an opportunity to pick up a T Shirt & bumper sticker

Take care friend!

North

 

hi barbera type in greenwich school of theology uk . They are Accredited by Uk Goverment and offer good value for money Regards

 

Graduate of GST/NWU

I was serving as an Adjunct for Saint Leo University when I decided to pursue a PhD. Due to my age, spending the typical $50K+ on a US degree was out of the question. This began a quest for an International Degree. After much inquiry and many emails, I settled on GST. Before sending my application, I asked the administration at Saint Leo to verify the degree. They did and the email came back with "The degree offered by GST/NWU is comparable to a US degree." This satisfied me and I applied. The staff at GST were overwhelmingly helpful as was the faculty at NWU. During my time with them further research found that NWU is the 3rd largest university in Africa. The Adviser I was assigned from NWU is an international know scholar who has presented at the Society of Biblical Literature Convention. He was well published, as are many others from the Department of Theology.

Additionally, GST is recognized by Open and Distance Learning Quality Council, which is the UK guardian of quality in open and distance learning. It was granted accreditation in 1997.

Convocation was at the South African House in London. This is the Embassy for SA. The event was attended by the former president of SA as well as outstanding faculty members from GST and NWU.

The conclusion is that this school and degree are Internationally honored and recognized. Both Saint Leo and Pasco-Hernando State College (I now teach at both) recognize it as a standard, legitimate degree for US schools. This degree has allowed me the opportunity to publish. I am now a Tutor for GST and a Research Fellow for NWU. Indeed, these are honorable, recognized schools.

FYI: There was a Greenwich School of Theology in the US that was not of this quality. Make sure the reviews are not of that school.