Need info about SA Theological Sem

Well, the search function ain't working well!

Okay, I've seen many posts about South Africa Theological College, however, I don't remember reading much at all about the rigor or of the cirriculum. I know they're accredited with CHE in Africa (though I could not find them on the site).

Has anyone ever taken a course or completed a degree from SATS? If so, could you PM me or comment here about your experience. I'm very interested to know what they're philosophy of education is.

Thanks,

Keith

 

I had some contact them but did not due much. As I understand it they are credible, inexpensive and with the best customer service around.

If you want to talk to someone who has taken courses then go to theologyreview.com and post under the bible studies section. There are one or two people there (eg Kevin) who are actually taking SATS courses. From what I remember him posting they were making him work.

Good luck.

North

 

I completed a MTh this fall. I found their program to be excellent.

Unlike many SA schools, they were quick to respond to questions and they made the process very easy. Everything (from application to the submission of individual chapters) was done via email. The only snail mail I used was in mailing in my final bound copies of the thesis.

My supervisor was very thorough. He read chapters carefully, made helpful corrections, and was well-versed in the field. It helped that he had completed his DTh dissertation on a topic closely related to my field (Theology in Hymns of Charles Wesley).

All in all, it was a great experience. If they had a DTh available, I would probably do it. That is still in the future (and uncertain), so I have applied to UNIZUL (not NEARLY as quick to reply - I'm still awaiting a student number and tuition bill 6 months after applying and after having my first chapter approved by my supervisor) and begun work there.

Randall

 

I am currently pursuing an MTh with SATS, but I don't think my experience is typical.

What I mean by that is that I am at the point in my studies were no more courses are required, but only a Masters thesis. I did the course work elsewhere and transferred it in.

Having said that, the customer service is excellent. My advisor is top notch and responsive. He has given good advice and suggestions to this point, although currently I am only at the negotiation stage where we develop what my thesis will actually be about.

I would recommend them.

clint

 

Great!

Okay, thanks very, very much, folks.

Great! Thanks, folks. I need now to just get some ideas how the course work compares academically with other Bible colleges and seminaries. SATS lays a lot more emphasis on practical Christianity and not just academics, so I'm interested to see how their cirriculum, rigor, breadth and depth compare to other schools.

By the way, Randal and Clint...I've PMed you, so keep an eye out for it.

Thanks again,

Starkman

 

I've PM'd you right back.

I think you will be pleased with SATS.

clint

 

Stop with the PMing, already!

(Sorry to have yelled... but I sorta' lost it for a second, there.)

The thread-starting post invited PMed responses; and a subsequent post or two seemed to suggest that people complied.

• Is there some reason why those who are doing the PMing don't want others to benefit from their conversation(s)?

The value of this forum is greatly diminished by those who ask a question here, and then invite answers privately. That's neither the point of a forum, nor the appropriate use of the PM function. PMing and/or emailing is for side conversations that really are inappropriate for public consumption, for whatever reason. PMing/emailing is not (or at least should not be) for responding to questions asked or points made in the public threads... that is, unless there's a darned good reason. If people keep doing that, then only those who take part in those private conversations will ever learn anything about the originally-inquired-about subject, or benefit from all the discussion thereabout.

This is a place for sharing information with both thread participants and the seemingly countless, sometimes nameless, lurkers.

It's not like the answers would waste anyone's time, or this forum's bandwidth. The questioner should not feel or act like either his/her question, or whatever comments/answers arise therefrom, is/are an imposition.

Everyone, please... I beg of you:

• STOP REQUESTING RESPONSES/ANSWERS/COMMENTS PRIVATELY!
  
  AND, IF YOU'RE A RESPONDER/COMMENTER/ANSWERER, STOP COMPLYING WITH SUCH REQUESTS... unless there's a darned good reason!

We're all here, in part, to learn from one another's discussions. Please have them in public... where possible, of course.

[edit]
CLARIFICATION: I'm not saying there's no place for privately-asked questions and then privately-provided responses. I did it myself just yesterday. I'm just saying that we -- none of us... me included -- should be doing it unless there's a really good reason. Sorry to have made such a big deal about it, but it seems to be happening more lately and I hate to see anyone get into bad habits.
[/edit]

 

Glad to see...

Well, I'm glad to see this clarification, because I would have really been blown away if this board were to start infringing upon the right of someone to PM another!

I PMed Randall and Clint because I felt that they had already answered my post, and that what I wished to ask them was more personal, something others might both be bored with and not caring to read. I could have been wrong about that, so I will give much greater consideration in the future about PM.

Starkman

 

OK, thats not a bad point, Gregg.

Just for the record, here is my reply to Starkman via PM...

clint