Does anyone know anything about this Univeristy. I know they are unaccredited. But ever heard anything positive or negative. Bill Grover will be happy to know they do require Hebrew (so I guess they beat Trinity Appears to be both DL & resident. Rather expensive for an unaccredited program. http://www.maimonidesuniversity.com/ North
They've been described in Bears' Guide for quite a few years. Here's a small part: Established by Stefano DiMauro, whose Ph.D. is from Pacific Western. Appropriately licensed by the state of Florida, but not accredited. Residential or distance degrees at all levels. The doctorate can be largely based on a "DPKE," a demonstration of professional knowledge and expertise... Applicants are invited to apply for a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate simultaneously, and are offered a 20% discount for so doing.
Maimonides apparently applied to the Southern Association and were found to be ineligible for candidacy. http://www.sacscoc.org/disclosure/maimonides%20University.pdf Why was Maimonides University denied authorization of a Candidacy Committee? The Commission reviewed the institution's application and determined that Maimonides University failed to provide information demonstrating its compliance with Core Requirements 2.2 (Governing Board), 2.3 (Chief Executive Officer), 2.4 (Institutional Mission), 2.5 (Institutional Effectiveness), 2.8 (Faculty), 2.9 (Learning Resources and Services), and 2.11 (Resources).
It looks to me like Maimonides operates under a Florida religious exemption. Note the last sentence: Degree Granting Authority Maimonides University has been granted 'authorization' by the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities, Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, under Section 246.083. Florida Statutes. All degree programs are designed for training students in ecclesiastical vocations. A lot of religious-exempt schools try to operate like back doors into counseling professions. The Maimonides faculty list gives me that impression. http://www.maimonidesuniversity.com/tuition/admfac.htm Of the ten names on the list, there are two purported rabbis, but all of them claim to be professional hypnotherapists or "stressologists". There's an interesting sexology theme, with several claiming expertise in this area and one boasting a degree from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Apparently Maimonides University used to be known as Florida Religious University. (Two of the ten Maimonides faculty boast doctorates from FRU.) Don't say that they don't do research: one of FRU's former professors seems to selling penis-enlargement pumps: http://www.improbable.com/news/2000/july2000/growth-industry-2000-07.html
oh gorp Mr Di Mauro also offers smicha (how? why?). I fear folks would smirk at your smicha from this outfit that has no more in common with its namesake than, say, Adam Smith University has with its namesake.
Heck, Uncle, the guy that edits Tikkun magazine (not a bad rag, BTW) has "private" smicha. For a fee, I bet I could round up a few...umm..."Rabbis" and get YOU ordained! Your Yiddish is much better than passable and I get the impression you are quite at home with biblical and siddur Hebrew...learn a few blessings and you're set!
Rabbi Janko..................hmmmmmmmmmm. Oy Vey! On a serious note, Jewish philosophy (what little I know about it is fascinating and under appreciated. Maimonides answered John Calvin before the Arminian/Calvinist debates. North
