Ecumenical Institute of Distance Theological Studies

Did a search and nothing came up. Have never heard of this Institute. Looks interesting.

 

Yes... very interesting.

On the "About Us" page, we read:

• In 1992 the Joint Board of Theological Studies was dissolved and at the beginning of 1993 the Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies was formed with its administration based in Christchurch. The Board which exercises oversight of the programme consists of two representatives from each of the Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches and the Salvation Army, along with one representative from the Churches Education Commission, and a member with particular interests and involvement in distance education.
  
  It is the Ecumenical Board that has the oversight and governance of the Ecumenical Institute (EIDTS) and its work in distance theological education. The Ecumenical Board is registered as a private training provider by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and its subsequent amendments.

Is the above, which I have quoted in dark blue, tantamount to saying that EIDTS is accredited in New Zealand? Or does it mean it's exempt?

And, in New Zealand, is it -- or should it be to us in the US -- impressive that EIDTS is a member of the New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (NZATS)?

Based on the stated history of the place, EIDTS certainly seems impressive. But if it's not accredited -- or whatever is New Zealand's equivalent thereof -- then its credentials might not do too well with a US credential evaluator in the area of being declared equivalent to US degrees. Of course, those simply wanting the education for its own sake needn't worry too much about that. But I'm just curious what kind of accreditation status (or lack thereof) EIDTS has.

Do we have any experts in New Zealand accreditation issues around here?

 

Good questions, Gregg, and I don't know the answers. This is one reason I provided the info so those in the know will better explain this institution and its standing (s).

 

It does not offer degrees, just diploma programs. It claims these are registered with the NZQA, but I am unable to find a listing for them on the register.

Cheers,

George

 

They say, on their "About Us" page, that it is the Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies that has oversight; and that it is said board, and not EIDTS itself, that is registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). And, indeed, said board is. And it's worthy of note that in the Ecumenical Board's NZQA listing, it gives EIDTS's URL as its (the Baord's) web site... suggesting that "the board," as far as NZQA should be concerned, is EIDTS. And, if so, then it is really EIDTS that, as a practical matter, is accredited. No?

And I keep using the word "accredited," but perhaps that's incorrect. So I ask, George, in the New Zealand system, does the Board's listing in the NZQA database equate to EIDTS being the same as what we, in the US, would call "accredited"? Or, because it's once-removed from the entity which would at least appear to be the accredited one (i.e., the Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies), does actual "accreditation," per se, not naturally follow?

And that was the other thing about which I was concerned: How do the credential names equate with US credential names? So you're saying that the LTh, for example, or even the STh, are just diplomas... in what, in the US, would be the certificate family (as opposed to actual degrees of any sort)... right?

And just so I'm clear on the cost: The cost is $300(NZ) per course which, at the current (at this writing) exchange rate of $1(NZ) = $.68(US) -or- $1(US) = $1.47(NZ), translates into $204(US) per course. So, for example, the LTh would would be in the $1K to $1.2K price range in US dollars... do I have that right?