Accepted For Admission, Invited to Enroll!

Well, I'd like to share this great news with you who have been so helpful, kind, and encouraging to me from the time I started posting here.

I have been invited to enroll in the following programs: MTh by thesis from SATS/UNIZUL; MTh, structured, from UNISA (conditional); MA from Coolamon College; MA by thesis from GST/Potchefstroom, MTh from Spurgeon's College, MTh by thesis from the University of the Western Cape; and, just today, the MTh from the University of the (Orange) Free State. As of now, I haven't heard back from the University of Pretoria, and I haven't yet sent my transcript to the University of the North, but Dr. Moripe talked favorably of my admission.

So, there are my choices; I've got to take some time and sort through all of this--it's a very important decision.

Here are some pros and cons: Spurgeon's is probably my favorite, but the cost is three and one-half to four times more than the South African schools; GST/Potch is about the same cost as Spurgeon's, but I could be finished in 12-18 months; Coolamon's cost is about $1800-2300 and no thesis required but an option to do independent research; UNISA's drawback is all the prerequisite written work--three essays, 6-8 pages each; Western Cape--their thesis is 10,000 words longer than anyone else's; UNIZUL--like the school a lot, don't like the name; U. of Free State, U. of Pretoria, U. of the North--I don't really have an opinion, except that I've been told that these three are tied to the Dutch Reformed tradition.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, opinions, information--any input that you could give. In short, help! I want to make an informed decision, and any comments and feedback will assist me in doing that.

I shall greatly appreciate any responses; and again, thank you for your consideration and encouragement.

Michael

 

Michael: Wow! Doesn't it feel great to be wanted. You certainly can't complain about a lack of opportunities! It sounds as though you know quite well precisely what you need to do at this point--take a little time to sort it all out. It sounds to me as though you've done your homework. You've learned about the schools, what they offer, how much they would cost, etc. Now it sounds as though you need to concentrate some real focused attention on yourself. I have a sneaking suspicion that the only way to arrive at a satisfactory resolution to this process will be to engage in some very intense self-discovery. The primary determining factors in making a selection MUST be about you. What are your hopes and dreams? In what do you, in your deepest and truest parts, wish to invest yourself? What personal convictions might guide your process of selecting a school? What kind of academic professionals do you need to be able to interact with in order to be encouraged toward your own fullest potential? These sorts of questions will guide you. Yet, they are questions that only you can answer. Until these questions are answered, it will be difficult for you, or anyone, to distinguish between the appropriateness of the quality or character of any given school for your unique situation. Perhaps you might take some time to reflect upon, and record, what really matters to you in this process. Then, you will have a solid, personally-tailored basis for comparatively assessing these institutions.

My prayers and best wishes are with you as you work through this process. Please be confident that I am pleased to be available to you as you sort things out.

 

CL,

Thanks!

I'm certainly going to do as you suggest--take some time to reflect on what really matters to me in this process. And I'll write it down, listing advantages and disadvantages of each program, as well. What I wanted to do here is gather as much information as I could about these schools and their programs, to help me not only now in my decision about a master's degree but later when I have to decide on a doctoral program. I want to be as familiar with each school and its programs as I possibly can, including how each school responds to me. The better informed I am, the better I'll be able to make the right decision--now and later.

 

I'm with you all the way! You are trodding wisely, my friend! I trust that you are going to arrive at an oustanding decision.

Here are some comments that I'd like to contribute.

First, as I've stated before, I think that the MA from Coolamon probably wouldn't be the best path from here to a doctorate. I suspect that most institutions to which you apply for doctoral study will tell you that this program lacks an adequate research component. The program is inexpensive, and the degree is granted by a fine theological institution (SCD). In fact, I've given some thought to taking on an MA from Coolamon to compliment the training I've received in my Spurgeon's MTh. I don't know that I have the time to contribute to this, though. In your situation, I just think Coolamon wouldn't probably meet the needs demanded by your long-term goals.

Now as far as all the other MTh-granting institutions, your decision regarding whether or not you want to pursue a wholly research based MTh could significantly reduce the field of prospective institutions.

I think it will be important for you to determine how "strong" each institution is in the area of study you wish to pursue. It will be good for you to probe each school a bit to find out about you'd be studying under, what their qualifications are, etc.

Also, because you are likely to be seeking employment in the US with a degree from another country, and could end up applying for doctoral study in any of a number of coutries in the world (UK, Australia, South Africa), I think there is some sense in attending a school that has an international reputation. Of course, all of these schools qualify as GAAP. But, which of them would be recognized as solid providers of theological education outside of their homelands. In my opinion, of the MTh-granting institutions you've listed, the following clearly have reached this international distinction: Potchefstroom, UNISA, University of the Orange Free State, Spurgeon's, maybe Pretoria. Though I know UZULU to be a solid outfit, I'm not sure what others (potential employers, doctoral admission committees) will think, due largely to the fact that I'm sure many outside of SA are ignorant of what UZULU has to offer. I just can't say much about the other schools, except maybe that, if no one seems to know much about them, that probably is a pretty strong indication that maybe they shouldn't rank near the top of your list. It's not that they're bad; rather, they clearly haven't distinguished themselves as notable providers of theological education. In my opinion, why go to such a place, when you can go somewhere that is recognized widely as a high-calibre outfit.

Anyhow, just a few thoughts...will try to add more later.

 

CL,

Thanks again!

I'll tell you how I'm leaning--for and against: I agree with your overall assessment of Coolamon, so I probably won't go with them. I don't like the idea of having to write those essays for UNISA; although I'm almost through with the final draft of the first one and about half way through the second one, but I haven't started the third one. Further, I don't like that methodology course I'd have to take. University of the North wants proof of my private study in addition to my college transcript; I asked them if a list of books I've read with a summary would be sufficient, but they haven't answered that question and can't seem to provide me with an answer as to what would be sufficient for them. Of all the schools I've queried, University of the Western Cape was quickest to accept me for study, but, as I mentioned, their thesis requirement is 50,000 words, or about 167 pages, and the cost is somewhat higher than the other South African schools. I like the time frame for GST/Potch, but if I'm going to have to pay $3500, I prefer Spurgeon's. Zululand is a favorite of mine, but the concerns you raised are my concerns, as well. I like the flexibility of the U. of the Free State program, and the cost is very good. I also like the U. of Pretoria, but it's taking the professor rather a long time to get back in touch with me.

So, in summary, I guess I'm leaning toward three schools: Spurgeon's, University of the Free State, and University of Pretoria. I remember earlier your mentioning that these latter two might not be the best bet for a student interested in Anabaptist/Baptist history and theology. I am, though, quite impressed with the U. of the Free State; I was told that I'd be studying with Professor Piet Strauss, head of the department of church history and polity. Do you know anything about him?

You also raise a good point about a structured master's versus a master's by thesis only. Could you describe what you consider to be the advantages and/or disadvantages of each?

Then, I need to decide if I should pursue an MTh rather than an MA; I know we've already talked about this to a certain extent.

I should mention one more school I've had contact with--the University of Otago in New Zealand. Professor Paul Trebilco has been very helpful, but I *might* have to visit the campus, and the cost is $7000 per year--beyond my budget--so, I would not be able to pursue study with this school, even if the campus visit was waived. But perhaps someone else reading this might want to explore this school.

Anyway, with further thought, that's where I am right now.

If you can offer additional thoughts, I'll be very glad to read what you have to say--and that goes for anyone else who may wish to comment, also!

Many thanks,

Michael

 

Good luck Michael. Solid choices which are dependent on many factors such as what you want to use you higher degrees for, amount of financial committment, etc.

I have never heard of the University of Otago (may be an excellent insititution) but it's name may be up there with Zululand, University of Wallongong (Australia) or Slippery Rock (USA) for sounding somewhat peculiar to the American ear.

I think invariably any institution form outside the United States will cause the question of whether you ever visited to come up. I have toyed with the idea of at least going to KwaNatal province to receive my diploma. The area is beautiful (rolling green hills & valleys, etc). On the other hand I may simply say that I did the degree by research and leave it at that. There is always something to pick about with regard to Alma Maters (except IVY league I suppose). If you have read the other threads here you have seen Nova graduates dissed here, inspite of that being an RA brick and mortar school (largest private university in Florida??). It will be interesting to see if Argosy University or Capella graduates fair any better. AS I have mentioned before I have met individuals who think DL doctorates no matter where they came from are sub standard. That came from two young Ph.D's (Cornell & A&M), and I just remembered a crusty older Ph.D. who said the same thing. I guess "you can't please everybody so you go to please yourself" (Ricky Nelson - Garden Party).

The way it looks now I may need to use my GI Bill up after I finish my Zululand doctorate and may have to top it off with a US doctorate. I also may be burned out and say to heck with it after I earn the first doctorate.

North

 

Wes,

Thanks, and yes, you are right about information overload. I wonder if there is such a thing as having too many choices.

 

Let me affirm you in how you've narrowed the field thusfar. The schools that you consider to be at the head of your "pack" are great options. Spurgeon's, UOVS, and Pretoria are all respectable, strong institutions with rich traditions in theological subjects. Sorry, I am not familiar with the professor from UOVS to whom you refer. However, I can say with a high degree of confidence that if he has attained the position of head of department at one of South Africa's top 7 or 8 theology departments (which is where I would rank UOVS), he must be a pretty sharp guy.

Please don't place too much stock in the concerns I have expressed about studying as a Baptist student at a Reformed school. If you are undertaking a research degree, you very possibly may be able to focus precisely upon whatever topic interests you. My concern lies more with "structured" master's programs, where coursework likely would focus upon Reformed history & doctrine, with little attention to the Radical Reformation. In addition, my concern relates somewhat to faculty expertise; should you decide to focus your research on some aspect of Baptist history, you may find that Reformed faculty members are less versed in this realm of study, and therefore might not be able to provide you the same calibre of support and interaction you'd get from someone who knows Baptist and Anabaptist history more intimately.

As far as the structured/research master's question is concerned, I think I've pretty well summed up my input in your previous strand about master's degree options. With the research degree, the advantage is that, within a specific discipline, you get to dig in very deeply into one narrow topic--a body of research arising out of a specific thesis. The disadvantage of a research degree is that, within a specific discipline, you have to limit yourself to one narrow topic. So, it boils down to where you are as a scholar. In my development as a church historian, have I attained the breadth of foundational knowledge and intermediate expertise to now narrow my focus to a very specific research topic? If the answer to this is "yes," than a research master's might be the thing for you. If your answer is "no," then it may be better to look elsewhere. That "elsewhere", of course, is the structured master's, which enables you to gain broad exposure to the body of knowledge essential for you to attain "mastery" of your specialized discipline. Then, as you prepare a thesis, you will be provided the opportunity to refine the research skills deemed prerequisite by most foreign schools for entry into a doctoral program.

In my opinion, for the average (and most above average) American student, the structured master's is usually the more appropriate option. In addition, I believe that a wider base of knowledge would cause one to have more to offer to potential employing institutions than a very narrow range of expertise. Of course, this more focused expertise is quite appropriate to someone who has completed a doctoral dissertation. Yet, someone who has completed a master's degree is expected to have gained mastery of the "broad scope" of the body of knowledge native to his subject. I am of the opinion that, whereas the South African honours bachelors degree (a "bridging" degree between bachelor's and master's studies, which enables one to move toward becoming a "specialist" in a given field of study) really provides one this broad scope of knowledge, the average American bachelor's program does not prepare one adequately for entry directly into a research-based master's. More structured study needs to take place first. Similarly, my experience has been that my British classmates mostly received more intensive and thorough preparation at the undergraduate level. Thus, it is more feasible for them to proceed directly from their undergraduate study into a research master's or research doctorate.

And, if you feel as though you are lacking in foundational knowledge in your given discipline of study, the advantage of a structured MTh is that it has been structured by experts in this same field of study. These are scholars who know what you need in order to advance in your own expertise.

Oh, about the University of Otago. This is one of the oldest and most respected universities in New Zealand. Their theological faculty is highly regarded throughout Australasia and the globe. I know faculty members at reputable British theological colleges whol hold degrees from Otago. Had they offered something workable at the time when I was shopping for master's programs, I would have given it serious consideration. Yet, it sounds extremely expensive, and travel expenses to New Zealand wouldn't make it any cheaper!

 

In case anyone's wondering, here's a list of what I beleive to be the top 8 theology/religion departments in South Africa (though not necessarily in any particular order):
Stellenbosch
Natal
Unisa
Cape Town
Potchefstroom
Pretoria
Witwatersrand
University of the Orange Free State

Anyhow, if anyone is interested in responding to this collection, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

 

CL,

How would you rank University of Zululand and University of the Western Cape?

 

Certainly, both of these institutions are quality providers of theological education. I know the professors at UZULU to be high calibre scholars with much to offer. Though I don't know much about Western Cape, I see that the greater majority of their faculty members have earned their highest degree from Stellenbosch, which is probably the best theology faculty in South Africa. Yet, neither of these schools seems to have distinguished itself as a center of excellence. Also, as has been mentioned before, both of these schools are historically underfunded. Thus, their faculties are small (if I remember correctly, you can count the number of full-time professors at UZULU on one hand; this is comparable to the religion faculties of many moderately-sized liberal arts colleges). Faculty size factored into my top eight; larger faculties simply have more human resources to offer, are able to cover a broader range of expertise, and are able to make a more significant contribution to research. Of course, that's not to say that you can't receive exceptional supervision at a smaller theological faculty. In fact, I know of a couple of colleges in the UK that have only one PhD supervisor; yet, this one PhD supervisor will provide you the highest quality of supervision. Yet, these colleges would not likely make anyone's "best of" list.

So, I wouldn't quite know where to rank Western Cape and UZULU in the scheme of things; I'm simply quite certain that, as entire theology faculties, they can't be represented as being in the same class as those I've listed above.

 

Well, all this being said, I still haven't ruled out the possibility of doing doctoral study through UZULU. In many respects, this school could really meet my needs and help me reach my specific goals. GST/PUCHE still ranks atop my list, but UZULU certainly still remains a viable option.

 

CL,

I wonder if you would offer a comparison of the two, describing what you see as strengths/weaknesses and advantages/disadvantages of each.

Thanks!

Michael

 

Alright, I must confess that the criteria I have employed in compiling this list is rooted in a certain bias. In referring to these schools as "best" or "top", I mean specifically with regard to their reputation as academic centers for the preparation of theological scholars. Now, of course, this is not the only purpose for which theological faculties exist. They also exist to prepare missionaries, pastors, Christian Education teachers, pastoral therapists, and professionals in a host of other Christian service professions. If one were to compile a list of the best schools in South Africa where one might receive preparation to become an evangelical pastor, the list very likely might look entirely different (and UZULU, for instance, might very well be near the top of the list). So, in assessing the comparative "rank" of a given theology department, one has to take into account their mission, or their own sense of identity and purpose. Of course, it is entirely unfair, and rather pointless, to assess a theology faculty using criteria and standards that aren't relevant to their self-defined reason for existence.

 

I don't know that I am the best person to atttempt such a comparison. Russell and North, as "insiders", could probably provide you a more accurately and complete reflection of the true nature of things. However, I will just share a few impressions here:

Size: Both GST and SATS/UZULU Fac. o'Theo. are smallish. This I consider mainly to be an advantage, over against larger institutions. Why? All of the administrative red tape stuff that one must work through is more easily handled when dealing with a smaller school--more individualized and personalized attention. In my experience as a Liberty University student, being a "number" is not a positive thing when it comes to the business office or registrar's office. Also, relationships with the faculty are easier to establish when they don't have umpteen gazillion students demanding their attention. Remember, these relationships are of the utmost importance. Who will be providing your recommendations to future employers? Whose endorsements will be included on the back cover of your first published book?

Finances: Of course, UZULU wins out by a long-shot. At present, the UZULU tuition is about 1/4 of GST's. And I'll let you in on a little sad news: I've been informed that, as of July 1st, GST's fees are due to go up "sharply" (this word was used by GST's financial officer in his email message to me). What does this mean? I'll guess we'll know soon enough.

Faculty strength: Of course, I like the idea of being "seconded" by a member of the PUCHE theology faculty. These are all high-calibre guys. However, what hasn't yet been satisfied in my own mind is the question of "who from GST might serve as my primary supervisor?". According to GST's leadership, the school has 70+ faculty members. However, I haven't been able to learn who these people are or what sort of qualifications they have. Now, mind you, I've been assured that they all are required to have accreditted credentials. Yet, beyond that, what do they have to offer? In what areas of research do they specialize? These kinds of questions are important to me as I consider school selection. Now, of course, SATS's faculty seems to be composed of some authentic guys. I understand that they all are working to square away their advanced degrees (most through UZULU). I'm also glad to see that Dr. Pepplers, the head of the school, finished an accreditted doctorate after earning two unaccreditted American DL doctorates. So, they seem to be on the right track. However, faculty strength doesn't seem to be the greatest thing they have going for them just yet. However, because at present they are turning all of their research students over to the direct supervision of the UZULU faculty, I must say that the present arrangement really enhances the faculty strength of this option. I know I go on about this, but, for one insterested in Practical Theology and Missiology, Arthur Song is an incredible find. One is truly privileged to have the opportunity to research under this guy's supervision. Similar things can be said of their other primary faculty members. Now, of course, because GST has a significantly greater number of faculty members, there is a greater chance that a student might be able to be paired up with a supervisor who has expertise or interest in the area of the student's research.

Residence: Both programs (SATS and GST) seem to offer the best of both worlds. They are campuses "without walls" that specialize in providing wholly non-resident study schemes for distance-based students; yet, they are attached to well-established, residential campuses that appeal to the "doubting Thomas" disposition of many distance learning skeptics.

Track Record: Of course, GST has been in existence for 43 years, versus SATS's 5. However, similar to SATS, GST has only been accreditted and affiliated with a recongized university for a few years. Thus, they seem to be in somewhat similar places in their institutional development--they are both learning to find their place among "recognized" institutions, and are learning how to capitalize on the new-found legitimacy and acceptance they are being afforded. Of course, Potchefsroom has about a 100 year lead on UZULU; and, of course, historically they have been two entirely different kinds of institutions. Yet, they both seem to be doing pretty well at "reinventing" themselves and finding their places in the "new" South Africa.

Now, I guess that, on a more personal note, I am looking for a school with a strong evangelical commitment that, at the same time, isn't bound by a narrow denominational or confessional identity. I find this in both GST (although I do appreciate that the Potchefstroom relationship does give rise to certain implications denominationally and doctrinally) and SATS (UZULU, on the other hand, while being very evangelical in orientation, appears not to be locked in to any one predominant system or sect). My ultimate hope is to gain a teaching position at a Christian college or seminary as a professor of Christian Ministry or Applied/Practical Theology. Thus, I will never be looking for a teaching position in a secular university or in many liberal arts institutions that offer no practical ministry studies. Because this is my goal, I am not particularly concerned about whether I earn a PhD or DTh (this does contradict statements I've made in the past; yet, I've only recently really clarified these convictions in my own mind). Also, because this is my goal, my primary motivation in choosing a particular institution needn't necessarily be that it rank among the most prestigious institutions in the world (although this certainly won'd hurt). Many individuals gain Christian Ministry or Practical theology positions based upon a DMin or a PhD in a closely related field (such as education, leadership, communication, administration, etc.) from a secular, state university. One doesn't necessarily have to have a doctorate from Oxford or Chicago or Princeton to gain a teaching position in Christian Ministry studies. One who has a solid, though not stellar, degree and an oustanding track record in ministry (and perhaps writing) stands a good chance at gaining a position somewhere. Thus, I am not afraid that a UZULU DTh might limit my chances of teaching somewhere. I believe that I can make a UZULU DTh work for me. Now, if I were wanting to teach in the area of Systematic Theology, for example, I would want to gain the strongest doctorate possible because the opportunities are so few and, in that particular discipline, such emphasis is placed upon the credibility of one's qualification. This is why I think that short residency options like those offered by Trinity College, Bristol (validated by Univ. of Bristol) and Nazarene Theological College (validated by Univ. of Manchester) are so worth consideration by folks looking to break into Systematic Theology or New Testament or Church history with a largely DL-based degree. The market is tight and competitive. It's a simple fact.

Also, I have made a very intentional decision to submit myself to the influence of Christian thinkers from other cultures. I have two primary reasons for this. First, I am fascinated by what is going on in the church elsewhere; through my contact and exposure with the Church in other cultures, my horizons are expanded--I see the big picture. Second, as I learn from leaders in other cultures, I come to see the cultural limitations of my own, "American" brand of Christianity. This will enable me to think outside of the box and hopefully be able to approach my own culture with creative and prophetic insight. These considerations led to my decision to pursue MTh studies in the UK. At present, I am planning to undertake a GradDipMin program through Tabor College (www.tabor.edu.au)in Adelaide, Australia. Following that, I really want to top things off with a doctorate from a South African school. So, in this respect, UZULU really looks more inviting to me. Of course, with GST/PUCHE, my second supervisor would be South Africa. Yet, my primary relationship would be to someone within the UK. Nothing against the UK, but I've already gained a wealth of insight through my experiences there. I would really like to interact more closely with someone from South Africa (someone like Dr. Song at a place like UZULU is a prime example) who can challenge my assumptions from a distinctively South African perspective. So, we'll see.

 

What I've said in my previous post about "Size" and "Faculty Strength" may appear to be a contradiction. On the one hand, I seem to be suggesting that a smaller institution provides many advantages. On the other hand, I seem to be saying that the chances of supervision from someone with relevant expertise is greater with a larger faculty. Essentially, I mean to be understood as saying that, with all things being equal in the supervision department (i.e., I am able to find a smaller school with a professor who can provide me informed supervision), I would be likely to pick the smaller school any day. Does this have anything to do with the fact that I grew up in a community of 300 people with a total of 4 kids in my class? Probably. Does this have anything to do with the fact that I had to endure being one of 16,000 "numbers" suffering through the Liberty University administrative nightmare (at least it was at the time!)? Probably. It's just my preferance; and experience has taught me that "smaller" poses many advantages that I find desirable.

 

One other thing about which I'd like to comment: much has been said on this forum about the "name value" of a given institution. There are three primary concerns that seem to have emerged in this forum regarding names of overseas institutions.

First, will a name like "Potchefstroom" be difficult for Americans to pronounce? Most likely. However, we run this same risk when we attend many foreign institutions, not only outside of the English-speaking world, but also within it. I'll never forget the first time I watched a soccer game on TV in London. The next morning, I mentioned to my British classmates that I had seen the Leicester (which I pronounced Lie-chester) team playing on TV. They all giggled a bit and informed me that it was pronounced "Less-ter." How was I to know?! As a good student of English phonics, I merely sounded out what I had seen. Now, if I decided to actually attend the University of Leicester, I imagine that I would have to face this mispronunciation proceeding from the lips of my fellow Americans on a fairly regular basis (Elsewhere in this forum, the common mispronunciation of Edinburgh--one of the Western world's finest schools-has been mentioned). So, yes, pronunciation challeges will occur. However, what sort of basis is this for determing whether or not to attend an institution. We Americans should be quite accustomed to encountering names that we find difficult to pronounce. We are a melting pot; in meeting one another, we encounter difficult-to-pronounce names on a regular basis (I am especially sensitive to this in North Dakota, which is full of Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, Polish, Czechs, Russians, etc.). Of course, we would never believe it to be okay to judge or dismiss one another on the basis of how unusual our names are; why do this with the finest universities of the cultures from which our ancestors came?

Second, some concern has been expressed that people will look at a name like "Otago" or "Zululand" and think them to be rather exotic or obscure. Yet, in our age of globalization and multiculturalism, we can no longer retain the smug, narrow opinion that the academic universe somehow revolves around Europe and North America. We must recognize that gifted scholars in places like the Philippines, Korea, India, Ghana, and New Zealand have a very legitimate and significant contribution to make. The days of colonialism are dead. We must stop approaching scholars and leaders from other cultures as inferior underlings; we actually have much to learn from these individuals. Just because an institution's name is odd to our cultural "ears", doesn't mean that we have any basis for dismissing that institution as somehow "lesser". Can anything good come from Nazareth? Our answer must be a resounded, "Yes! Certainly!"

Third, it has been suggested that a name like "Zululand" will arouse certain preconceived images or cultural prejudices in people's minds. Are these just a bunch of tribal people running around living primitively? Of course not! Should I allow myself to be ruled by the fact that some will attach this prejudicial misconception to a given institution. Absolutely not! My desire is to serve as an agent of change and transformation. I am tempted to go to a place like Zululand precisely because these prejudices do exist. A degree from Zululand would enable me to stare prejudice directly in the face and challenge it. Thus, my studying with Zululand would, in one respect, be an act of rebellion against the narrow and prejudicial status-quo of Western thinking. My choice to study at Spurgeon's College in London was also motivated in part by my desire to rebel against the status quo. At the time I entered the program, I was serving in a Southern Baptist church in Virginia. You probably are aware that the Southern Baptists have been embroiled in so much theological and political controversy for many years now. In Virginia, it seemed to me that, no matter which Baptist seminary you went to, one group of Baptists or another was prepared to brand you a "this" or a "that" (conservative/fundamentalist/moderate/liberal) largely on the basis of the institution from which you received your education. I found this distasteful and refused to be defined in this way. So, I chose to go to what is arguably the best Baptist school in Europe. Spurgeon's, however, is not familiar to most Virginia Baptists. So, rather than automatically making assumptions about me based upon my education, folks had to learn more about me as a unique, dynamic individual. Essentially, I rebelled against the system, but hopefully helped to enrich people's thinking in the process.

Now, I should clarify that, in saying all of this, I don't mean to contradict what I've said about the "best of", and about choosing schools that have achieved global distinction. Above, I have suggested that it is wise to choose from among the best schools that a given culture has to offer. Here, I am merely insisting that, in this process of choosing, we mustn't necessarily allow the fact that an institution's culture is different from our own serve as a basis for discriminating against that institution.

 

As they say in parliament, "Hear...Hear"!



North

 

CL,

Once one is enrolled in the PUCHE/GST program, one is assigned a promoter from both PUCHE and GST. A triangular system is then set in order, in which all submitted work is simultaneously sent to both GST (UK) and PUCHE (SA). Collaboration is ongoing between both promoters. It is true that the primary contact is via GST, however, keep in mind that several of the GST faculty are also faculty at PUCHE, e.g., Evans, Killacky, Hughes, etc.

Throughout the duration of the program, one is receiving guidance, collaboration and recommendations from BOTH the GST and PUCHE promoter.

As a note of interest, I received an e-mail just today from Julia Funaki, Manager, Office of International Education Services at AACRAO stating the following:

"Potchefstroom University is recognized by the Ministry of Education in South Africa. Thus, the degree conferred would be from a recognized institution which is comparable to a regionally accredited institution in the United States."

Blessings,
Russell