"Historic Agreement" makes CSU & MDS "Institutional Partners"

From the DETC accredited Columbia Southern University website:



Columbia Southern University & Master's Divinity School Announces Historic Agreement

Orange Beach, AL / March 1, 2005 - Dr. Bob Mayes, President of Columbia Southern University and Dr. Dennis Frey, President of Master's Divinity School signed the official agreement whereby MDS and CSU became "Institutional Partners" for the providing of General Education courses for MDS students through CSU.

As far as is known, the agreement marks the first time that an unaccredited Theological Distance Education school has partnered with an accredited University in such a way. CSU has a strong track record of missions giving, ministry support, and several members of the CSU Advisory Board are leaders in the evangelical Christian community.

The Agreement makes possible dual enrollment through MDS and CSU for MDS students who lack sufficient General Education credits . For example: A student may enroll in the MDS Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling program, but lack some or all of the 30 General Education (GE) credits required for the BA degree. To satisfy this requirement, the GE credits will be earned through CSU as a part of the MDS program. Upon graduation, the student will receive a dual transcript attesting to the accomplishment. Since CSU is an accredited University, general education courses taken through the MDS Partnership are likely to be accepted for transfer at other colleges or universities. Policies and procedures have been established, and will be "field tested" during the weeks ahead. Specific information will be posted to the MDS online catalog over the course of the next few weeks.

“Everyone on the staff and faculty is very excited about the partnership, and I am personally confident that it will prove a significant blessing to both institutions”. Dr. Dennis Frey, President of Master's Divinity School.

“I am very proud that CSU has become an institutional partner with The Master's Divinity School and Graduate School . We look forward to providing our high level of service and our quality general education program to MDS students". Dr. Bob Mayes, President of Columbia Southern University.

Columbia Southern University ( www.columbiasouthern.edu) is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). DETC is an accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

About Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University (CSU) offers online degree and certification programs in a wide range of majors. This includes an MBA, M.S. in Occupational Safety & Health, and an M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. All CSU programs are offered online and allow students to enroll and begin courses at anytime. CSU's large student body includes concentrations of students in Vietnam , China , and Hong Kong . CSU strives to offer the best value in online education. CSU has formed associations with three State Universities, the University of West Alabama , the University of North Alabama , and the University of West Florida as well as an academic partnership with Delta Air Lines among others.

About The Master's Divinity School

Master's Divinity School and Master's Graduate School of Divinity offer accelerated practical and professional biblical and ministry training and education for individuals who need or prefer an online or off-campus educational alternative to a traditional or more collegiate oriented theological degree program.

For more information, please visit http://www.mdivs.edu/

 

Thanks, Russel.

The thing that caught my eye was the publishing records of the alumni. Although some have self-published and some have used POD, quite a few have published through legitimate traditional publishers.


Roscoe

 

This really does not seem to say too much. If I read it correctly it is simply saying that MDS students can take courses through CSU (an accredited school) for credits toward their unaccredited program at MDS.

I don't think it worked the other way (ie get your unaccredited stuff through MDS and then transfer into an accredited CSU program).

North