Information and suggestions requested

I've been looking for some time at various doctoral options and have narrowed my choices to a handful. I would appreciate comments and suggestions.

My area of interest is a doctorate in in Theology, Biblical Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Practical Theology, Ministry, etc.

I am wanting to have an have an emphasis in small church revitalization, specificially as it relates to mainline denominations in small town and rural churches.

My undergraduate degree is in Religion and Psychology from a RA public university and my graduate degree is in Ministry and Chruch Growth from a RA private college. I have also taken 12 hours above my Master's in theology and church history. I have 23 years experience in revitalization of small churches. Cost is a factor. Timing is also part of my consideration as I am not getting any younger and want to get going on it soon.

I have looked at different options and have the following on my short list to consider:

Trinity Seminary (Indiana) (willing to help design a program that meets my area of interest)
South Florida Theological Seminary (seems to work well in my budget)
University of South Africa & University of Zululand (am concerned that with my narrow emphasis whether they could relate to the unique USA situations that I would be researching)

I have also looked at a couple of other schools that appear to have good programs, but emphasize that they use only the KJV of the Bible in their programs. I'm not sure that I can do that.

In addition, I have been assured that I can write a dissertation in exchange for a doctorate from several schools that are considered diploma / degree mills and are accredited via their own various accrediting associations, which I AM NOT considering because I do want the degree to be credible.

Yes, I have asked questions regarding accrediting procedures that caused some to wonder about my motives, but those questions were real and the answers that I received were generally beneficial.

Thanks for your suggestions....

 

The doctoral degrees at these universities are dissertation-only degrees (no coursework). I think you'll find that you have to list the title of your proposed dissertation on the admissions application. This is to insure that they can support the research in your specific area of interest. If they can't relate to the uniquie USA situations that you would be researching then they simply will refuse to admit you to the program. The application process is quite inexpensive but it does take some time for the SAQA to review admissions materials (diplomas, transcripts, etc.). I'd suggest that you consider applying to them all and then using the interim period of time to order them according to preference.
Jack

 

Thanks for the reply.

Your comments lead me to ask: Would I be I correct to assume that the difference between a diploma mill - degree by disseration and the South African degree by disseration is that one is generally accepted by recognized accrediting agencies, as well as meeting a general standard of accepted scholarship, while the other has not allowed themselves to be examined and hasn't met the challenge of the education community?

I'm not putting the two on equal footing. nor advocating one over the other. I am struggling with the acceptability of receiving a degree without any coursework and based only on my research and writing ability. I am still wondering if I am willing to really jump onto the non-traditional education bandwagon while realizing that I am still pretty traditional in my approach to education.

 

That is pretty much it.

Bear in mind that one can also have courses taught by less than reputable organistaions with little official recognition (Kennedy-Western comes to mind). Also do remember that in some places outside the US (South Africa, UK, Australia etc), research only degrees are common and considered "traditional" while the "professional doctorates" which involve coursework (eg Doctor of Business Administration) are seen as the unconventional option.

 

In my own opinion, you could safely make that assumption. However, you don't have to go on what I say. It's easy enough to do a google search and find people with UNISA, SATS or other ZA doctorates working all over the world. As for the next part, the "acceptability" of dissertation-only doctoral degrees, this is the dominant means by which doctoral degrees are earned in Britain, Australia, South Africa (and probably a bunch of other countries as well - I don't have sufficient command over a second language to really check into that). Also, it's not clear whose acceptance you are interested in obtaining, your own perhaps? In any case, good luck in your quest.
Jack

 

To a certain degree (no pun inended!) the acceptability would be mine, since I readily admit that I struggle with the degree without classwork concept, but to another degree (once again, no pun intended!) it does need to be acceptable to the particular denomination I serve as well as other mainline denominations because of my intended focus, revitalization of small mainline churches in small and rural communities.

Thanks for the help!