Hello everyone. I'm kind of new to this stuff so I decided to post a question or two here. First off, I have to say I'm not your traditional DL interested party. At least from what I have gather, anyway. I'm 19, I got a GED when I was 17. Right now I'm attending traditional classes at a local community college. However, I will need to get full-time employment soon and that will make attending traditional classes very hard. Therefore I want to take classes online. My community college actually offers quite a few. After I finish 60 credits (most of them online) I'd like to transfer to the IU Bachelor of General Studies program. I live in Indiana and IU is highly regarded around here, but I don't really know anything about their online stuff. Does anyone know if it is a good program? Does anyone here recommend it? Thank you.
IU is a very reputable school! The only issue I would have especially considering you are such a young man is the fact it is a B.G.S... Not that it is a bad thing and in some cases will open doors especially for those who are experienced professionals that a bachelor’s degree somehow escaped them earlier in life. On the other hand if there is something you would really like to study as a major I would encourage you to do so! IU may not be the best fit for you. There are some other low cost alternatives like Peru State university in Nebraska http://www.hpcnet.org/peru/onlineeducation And Fort Hays State in Kansas http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/ Both offer majors in various disciplines, Also if there is a major you are interested in that is not listed there please let the board know, there are plenty people here who can help you to the appropriate place.
I would like to echo what Tim has said. Indiana is a fine school and the General Studies program is beyond question. However, if you have a specific academic interest or employment goal then perhaps you'll mention it here. There are so many reputable programs offered that it would be regretable if you didn't find yours simply because you didn't ask. In any case, good luck. Jack
I'd like to echo Tim and Jack. I'd also like to point out, since I hold a BGS from a reputable state school, that having a BGS is not as limiting as you will likely worry that it is. In my experience no one cares that the degree is a BGS and not a BS, but they do care about the school that I got it from. Again, like you I sought my degree from a school in my backyard, so I knew that the program was well regarded in business circles here in CT, that's a good move. You've got time to think about it. Good luck on your community college studies.
Fellow Indiana Student Brandon, I assume you are at Ivy Tech because that is the community college of Indiana. I graduated from Ivy Tech and started to take classes through the South Bend IHET system. IHET is the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunications network. Many Ivy Tech and IU sites allow you to take classes from their distance education centers. The IHET centers have televisions and satellite links to many colleges in Indiana. You can take classes from Indiana State, Ball State, Purdue, IU, Indiana Wesleylan, etc., etc. Call any Ivy Tech or state university to get details. Ivy Tech's phone number is 574-289-7001. Ask for Amy in Distance Support Services and she will discribe the program. She is very helpful and nice. I know because I will graduate from ISU on December 17th with help obtained from her assistance.
Right now I am undecided, but I am really leaning toward entering the ministry. I've heard that some seminaries offer the Master of Divinity online. I'm an unaffiliated Christian at this time, but I am probably going to join the Quaker denomination. That may work out well too because a Quaker seminary, the Earlham School of Religion, is located in Richmond, Indiana. I've been told they offer some of their Master of Divinity/Ministry online. I think they have accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools. I certainly think so. Of course I'm not saying that out of state schools aren't good choices but local employers probably won't know much about them. Correct. And it is always nice to hear from a fellow Hoosier. Thanks for all the info, I will certainly check it out. Thank you all for your kind advice, I look forward to your responses.
First, IU is one of those "probably as good as it gets" sort of schools. Beyond that, I echo what others here have said about less costly alternatives... which brings me to something you wrote... So what? In an age when we're struggling with the effects of globalization, that last thing that anyone should be worried about is making sure that one gets a degree from a local institution just so that local employers have heard it. If that's all the due diligence that you think an Indiana employer is going to perform against whatever academic credential you claim, then you could just make up any Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan or Kentucky school, claim any degree therefrom, and just skip going to college. I mean... just how backward do you think your state is, Hoosier? I'm from Indiana and, trust me, they know they're not the only state; and/or that Ivy Tech, IU, Purdue, etc. aren't the only schools in the universe. The publishers of the various directories which list all of the accredited colleges/universities in the US actually ship copies to Indiana. I know it's hard to believe, what with all the toothlessness and International Harvester baseball caps and all... but, trust me, they'll figure it out! Do not limit yourself to Indiana schools just so your credential will be "local". Huge mistake!!! It makes not one single bit of difference; and if you happened onto a local employer for whom it did, you wouldn't want to work for someone so limited a world view. First of all, you're just "leaning?" You've gone through little or no discernment period, it sounds like. You need to feel "called," not merely "leaning." There's one heck of a difference. I'm not saying that your "leaning" couldn't (or won't) turn in to a sense of calling; I'm just saying that you need to do some investigating and soul searching -- and praying... lots and lots of praying -- before making such a decision. That said, Earlham is excellent, and accredited by ATS, as you say. There's a bit of an argument going on right now about whether Earlham School of Religion is also regionally-accredited under Earlham College's umbrella. It probably is, but even if it isn't, ATS is good enough accreditation for the MDiv; and getting your MDiv from Earlham is good enough for the Quakers. But ATS will only allow about a third of an MDiv's coursework to be via distance learning. But, so what? You're close enough. Indiana's not that big. Why don't you just move near Earlham and go there as a residential student for the other two thirds? But, backing-up a bit: You say you're an "unaffiliated Christian." Moving from that to being a Quaker is a big step. What's behind it? Would you prefer something more appropriate to your current tradition? Are you limiting yourself to Indiana seminaries for the reasons talked about near the beginning of this post?
I am myself a non-denominational Christian (more Lutheran/Baptist/ Pentecostal mix personally) and I am currently enrolled in a BS in BS Mngt program at WGU.You can study at your own pace(faster or slower). I am then going to apply at Liberty University for graduate school.They are Baptist,but have 2 programs that are completely online. The MA in Relgion or the M Div both with a concentration in church ministries. Just trying to help out where I can. edit:A lot of online courses at 4 year universitys have an age requirement. Oh and liberty is RA.
I beg to differ just slightly. Getting a degree from a local school is not limiting, and I don't recommend that you go there just because local employers have heard of it, but because local employers will likely have first hand knowledge of the quality of the graduates from that school. You are also more likely to run into more alumni (perhaps from the same program) when looking for a job. It's a safer bet. This doesn't mean that schools from other states are bad, or worse, or anything of the sort. It just means that local schools are local, and other schools are not. Just my advice, take it or leave it. By the way, it was in an exchange like this a year or so ago that Gregg convinced me to take a second look at distance MBA programs instead of the local B&M schools here in Southwest CT. I ended up choosing Baker College, which is in MI and decidedly not local to me. I'm a quarter of the way through the program and I don't regret the decision at all. Thanks again to Gregg.
Debt If you can get a high quality degree at low prices then that is the best combination. The advantage of staying within the state comes from the tuition discount. The less money you need to borrow the better. However, it is worth the money to get a respected degree. It is a balance that must be struck. You can start your life sooner once you are free and clear from the debt you owe. I'm not saying that you will not have a life until you pay your debt. I'm saying your quality of life will significantly improve once you are free and clear.
I am from Indiana as well. I don't think our state is backward. I've been to 35 U.S. states and Indiana is among the very best. I'm well aware that Hoosier employers know that our schools aren't the only ones. You either like to joke or be rude. I'll be nice and assume the former. I know what discernment is. The use of the word leaning was a poor choice on my part. I know I must be called by God to the ministry. I've felt what I think is a calling since age 11. I've prayed thousands of times and done a great deal of soul searching. I've also discussed this with several ministers, checked out dozens of seminaries, etc. All that is left for me to do is to join a denomination and begin their formal process of discernment. I've explored several different denominations and I feel Quakerism is the best fit for me. No I am not limiting myself to just Indiana seminaries because of the reasons in my first post. If I am indeed being called by God then nothing can stop me from attending whatever seminary He decides to send me to. Could be here in Indiana, could be California, could be somewhere in Europe for all I know. I don't intend to do that. I'm looking into the schools that Tim suggested. I also checked out a copy of Dr. Bear's book and I must say...wow! I had no idea so much was out there. I only started my search with Indiana schools because I know them and yes, employers know them as well. Finally, because I have not yet been approved by a discernment board I think it wise to ask about some other degree programs. Does anyone know of a good psychology program? I know one of the schools that Tim listed has one. If the ministry is not my place I think I'd like do something in the field of psychology. What exactly I am unsure of, but some kind of counseling would nice. Is that possible with DL? Thank you all for the advice you've given me so far. It's really been a big help.
I was quite certain you were... and that you didn't really think Indiana was backward. I was being sarcastic and comedic. You don't have to be "nice" to assume the former... just accurate. Good to hear... and if I really believed that that was not the case, I would not have challenged you so hard, or gone ahead and commented on Earlham in a way that presumed you're ready for something like that. I'm troubled, however, by what seems to be an "any ol' denomination will do" sort of attitude on your part. Not all denominations have it right, you know. Part of my worry about the discernment and spriitual formation process in your case stems from that perception. It's not unreasonable. But, wait... it seems you're addressing this in the next thing you write... But need the MDiv be via distance learning... either all or in part? Or are you saying that you'll travel to wherever you need to go? I'm confused. But if you're really going to become a member of the clergy, isn't it likely that you could end-up anywhere in the world? If so, then why worry so much about what Indiana potential employers think? That was kinda' my point. Who says you have to be... at least at first, I mean? There are MDiv programs out there from ecumenical or multi-denominatioal institutions that don't require anything but a bachelors degree, the financial wherewithal (or ability to qualify for scholarships or loans), and the simple will to complete the program. A specific church affiliation isn't even required... at least not at first; or possibly even ever, depending on the program. You could always just get an MDiv like that, and then approach whatever denomination that, by then, trips your trigger and ask if it will ordain you. It's the hard way of doing it, of course; and it may mean that you'll still have to go to one of the denomination's own seminaries for a year just to get familiar (actually "indoctrinated" is a better word) with its polity and distinctives... but it's at least one approach (probably not the best approach... but one). Few denominations would turn you away as long as your MDiv were at least regionally-accredited. Of course most of them would rather be ATS accredited -- either alternatively or additionally -- but regionally accredited will cause them to at least consider you, I'd say. Any denomination that wouldn't is probably too restrictive in bunches of other ways... or so it is my opinion. Yes... but before I respond to that, I can't help but notice "if it happens, it happens... and if it doesn't, that's okay, too" kind of attitude you have about entering the clergy. If you're called, you're called. If you're not sure you're called, then you're not. I think you need to take that discernment and spiritual formation thing a bit more seriously than you seem to be doing... or so it is my opinion, rude or not as it may seem to you. That said, if you want to be a psychologist, you really need to consult the state in which you'd like to do so and figure out what are its educational requirements for licensure. That's the first step, it seems to me. Once you've done that, then finding the right program -- be it distance learning or not -- is much easier. When it's not been rude, you mean. (Just yankin' yer chain!)
There are several psychology programs out there that offer DL degrees. If you are serious about counseling though it may be wise to enter in the human services end, at least at the master's Level because an MSW will get you farther than MA in counseling Psychology. Jack Tracey (one of the moderators here is a good person to talk to about that).
Brandon, one of the problems inevitable to solitary vocational discernment is the haphazardness of human nature. May I recommend that before you develop contingency plans in counseling fields, you try to begin SPIRITUAL DIRECTION with a trusted minister? The term "spiritual direction" might be a little old-fashioned, some say "spiritual advising" or "spiritual companionship," but the process of spending an hour every few weeks with a minister who knows quite a bit about the call can help you a lot.
The website wouldn't allow me to login with my old account so I had to create this new name, BrandonEl. No the M.Div. need not be DL. I believe that if God is calling me to the ministry then nothing can truly get in my way. I just mentioned some online programs because this site is all about that stuff and yes it does interest me some. Yes, one never knows where the Lord will send them. I'm not really concerned with it so much, just thought looking in one's own backyard for programs first made some sense. And I think it still makes good sense for one to pursue a degree that is well known to local employers, but of course I am willing to admit that out of state programs will do just fine. But if I do enter the ministry then it doesn't matter if Indiana employers have heard of my undergraduate alma mater. You make interesting points worth thinking about. I don't think of it as a "if it happens, it happens" attitude. What I mean is I will accept the will of God should it be either way. I think I am called, but if I am not I will not be angry with God for sending me down a different path. The Lord knows what is best for His people, even if they don't know at the time. And I didn't think you were being rude with questions to my discernment. Such questions are naturally part of the whole process, be they asked by a discernment authority or a poster on the the Internet. How would I go about contacting Mr. Tracey? Certainly sounds like good advice. There are several ministers with whom I have discussed this with before so I won't have a problem making one a "spiritual advisor" on this matter.
You could try and PM him..his name is always listed at the top of Distance Learning Discussions board..all that is needed is to click on his name and then click send Jack Tracey a private message.
