Can anyone in the forum share their experiences with the University of Wales, Lampeter? Or for that matter, any of the University of Wales system that relates to their distance learning degrees? I am specificaly interested in persons who have done the distance MA programs in any degree or the MPHIL or PHD by distance. Please describe what your degree was like, how your interaction with the faculty happened, how rigorous it was, how many days they required you be in residence, and what your career/academic aspirations are now and how people have responded to your credentials. I know that there are several threads with the University of Wales mentioned, but I would like some-to-date experiences from people. Thanks!~
I received the University of Wales MTh in Applied Theology as a student registered through Spurgeon's College in London. The academic requirements, standards, and processes for this program were essentially identical to similar programs at any of the other University of Wales affiliated institutions. I can say this in large part because the degree requirements of my MTh program complied with written University of Wales standards and because they parallel the course requirements delineated on the websites of other University of Wales related schools. Furthermore, every single assignment I turned in was graded not only by two professors from Spurgeon's, but also by an external examiner--a representative of the University of Wales--whose job it was to determine that my work was being graded according to the University's academic standards, and who possessed the authority to override the grade assigned me by my professors in the event that it failed to reflect accurately the University's standard. Anyhow, my point is that, as a result of my experience, I feel justified in being able to speak to the rigour, credibility, etc., of University of Wales master's programs (in theology, at least) in general. My program was quite rigorous. The grading standard was quite high. I feel that the written feedback and encouragement I received from my professors really stretched me toward greater maturity and excellence as a researcher and writer. I really consider my master's thesis to be a defining turning point in my academic journey. It was literally a life-changing process. My Wales credential has served me well. I was able to get into more than one doctoral program without any complications or questions. In addition, I have been hired into a faculty position at an established, ATS accredited seminary. At the time that I accepted this position, I also was receiving pretty serious overtures of interest from some other very credible institutions (rated in the first and second tier of comprehensive colleges in the most recent US News and World Report rankings). Fortunately, I've not been faced with any doubts or skepticism surrounding my choice to attend the University of Wales. Granted, as a Baptist scholar, I am perhaps well served by the reputation of Spurgeon's College, which enjoys a certain level of credibility and prestige entirely apart from its affiliation with the University of Wales. As far as residency requirements are concerned, I spent three 5-day sessions in residence in London over a two-year period. All in all, the program took nearly 5 full years for me to complete.
