Bachelor's Degree in Theology - Some Thoughts on the Available Options

Greetings to everyone, I'm new here.

I'm currently considering my possibilities for earning a Bachelor's degree in Theology. I'm enrolled in a one-year diploma program in an unaccredited theological school which I'll leave unnamed in order to avoid turning this discussion into a debate about accreditation. After I've completed the diploma, I'd want to apply to a Bachelor's program. My motivations for studying have more to do with general interest towards the issues and the pure pleasure of studying them, than any professional reasons. My main areas of interest are Philosophy of Religion, Apologetics, Systematic Theology, Philosophy in general and New Testament Studies. My financial situation requires me to bypass many of the otherwise interesting options, so the realistic options (the ones that I know of) would be the following:

- University of South Africa
- Greenwich School of Theology
- South African Theological Seminary
- Universidad FLET
- Global University Finland

I'll list the pros and cons as I currently understand them with regard to each school. Any corrections and additional comments are appreciated. (I've also tried to browse through the threads about these schools that already exist.)


UNISA

PRO:
+ Very interesting curriculum. The general B.A. with majors in Theology and Philosophy while throwing in a few units of ancient history etc would be pretty much ideal for me, but the B.Th. is worth considering as well.
+ Solid reputation and acceptability of the degrees.

CON:
- The only examination centre in Finland is located in Helsinki, which is several hundred kilometers from where I live.
- The large amount of paperwork required to complete the enrollment process and the generally slow speed of response.
- The fees, while very reasonable, are still higher than in a few of the other options I've listed.



GST

PRO:
+ A decent amount of Philosophy of Religion in the curriculum, if I'd choose to do my mini-dissertation on this area.
+ No formal exams with requirements to travel to an exam center.
+ Solid reputation and acceptability of the degrees.
+ According to the registrar, there would be a good chance for at least some credit transfer from my current studies.

CON:
- The fees, combined with the payment policy that requires the completion of all payments during the first 30 months make it a bit too expensive for my budget (while still very far from expensive, when compared to most similar schools).


SATS:

PRO:
+ Very affordable fees, especially given the chance to avoid the need to purchase too many books, when using the "readers" that they provide for free.
+ Good chances for credit transfer.
+ Examinations only require a supervisor, no need to travel for exams.

CON:
- The curriculum seems to focus way too much on Practical Theology, Church Administration, Missions etc. Virtually Philosophy/Apologetics in the curriculum.
- The fact that the degree is from a Seminary instead of a University might be a slight problem with regard to credibility, especially given the fact that all the Bachelor's level and higher education in Theology happens in a University setting here in Finland. Also the possible prejudices against the level of education in South Africa may become a problem when combined with the previously mentioned fact.


FLET:

PRO:
+ Very affordable fees.
+ The general education component would probably allow me to study some Philosophy courses in other schools and transfer the credits to their BA program. I might also be interested to include some science courses from other institutions if they permit it.
+ No formal examinations that require one to travel to an exam centre, if I've understood correctly.

CON:
- Uncertainty as to which courses are available only in Spanish.
- The requirement to be active and highly regarded member of a local church in order to graduate. (Which isn't my current situation, as I haven't really found my "spiritual home", though I'm committed to my faith.)
- DETC accreditation isn't exactly on par with the regional accreditation that's provided by some of the other mentioned schools.


GLOBAL UNIVERSITY FINLAND:

PRO:
+ The possibility to communicate with the staff in my own language.
+ Some courses are also available in Finnish
+ Quite affordable fees.
+ Examinations can be arranged in my own hometown.
+ My preliminary discussions with the staff seem to indicate that I'd get some credits transferred from my current studies.

CON:
- The association with the thoroughly Pentecostal Iso Kirja school, which may not be very highly esteemed outside the Pentecostal circles in Finland.
- The curriculum contains a bit too much Practical Theology and a bit too little Philosophy/Apologetics.
- DETC accreditation isn't exactly on par with the regional accreditation that's provided by some of the other mentioned schools.

 

Welcome! Excellent first post.

Given your criteria and observations, you choices are understandably unclear. It sounds, though, like UNISA or GST will most interest and engage you. You may be able to get UNISA to allow someone -- perhaps a member of the clergy, a librarian, an attorney or a faculty member of a university near you -- be your exam proctor at a location nearer your home. Be sure to check that out.

And regarding this SATS con that you cited:

• Also the possible prejudices against the level of education in South Africa may become a problem when combined with the previously mentioned fact.

Such prejudice would be unreasonable and based on nothing factual. South African institutions that have legitimate accreditation (like SATS, for example) are as rigorous as US institutions... or those in Finland, I'm sure. I'm not saying that a SATS degree would not be viewed in your country precisely as you've described. I'm just saying that if that happens, it's perception, not actuality.

Sounds like you've done your homework... consulted the Baker's Guide, etc. You have looked at Baker's Guide, right?

I'll try to think of some other choices... and, hopefully, other members will chime-in with some ideas and suggestions.

Good luck, in any case!!!

 

Re: Re: Bachelor's Degree in Theology - Some Thoughts on the Available Options

Thanks!

That's probably true. If I had just a little bit better financial situation, these would be the only two options that I'd seriously consider (or perhaps I'd also add Charles Sturt University which I just found yesterday when browsing the web - they have a quite interesting curriculum, but the study fees are a bit too high). Hmm, well, my boss nearly promised to raise my salary in a few months, so I must wait and see, perhaps that will help.

That's very useful info! Thanks.

I believe you are correct. But the we Finns are (deservedly) very proud of the quality of education in our Universities and I can predict that "some Theological Seminary from South Africa" would raise some credibility issues - no matter how unfounded - with at least some of the more prejudicious people.

I've looked at Baker's Guide and some other resources on the Web (like the distance education newsgroup that's available through Google). I'm glad that I also found this forum, though.

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

 

If you are seriously considering UNISA I can tell you that the "testing center" problem you mentioned may not be that much of a problem. I've had some information that once you are enrolled they may be willing to accept an alternate testing center, especially if you do all the leg work of setting it up. In any case, good luck in your endeavors.
Jack

 

The University of Wales Lampeter offers the 3rd year modules for a Bachelor's degree via distance education. That might be an option worth considering after I'll get an equivalent of a Diploma of Higher Education (I believe that UNISA's Diploma in Theology would be accepted). So I'll add the pros and cons with regard to this institution:

LAMPETER

PRO:
+ Fairly interesting curriculum.
+ Very good reputation.
+ No need to travel for exams.

CON:
- A bit on the expensive side for my budget (though this isn't that big an issue if I'll only study for one year's worth there).

 

Hyva iltaa, Johannes! I'd advise against GST: it's overpriced, understaffed, unresponsive to inquiries, supervisors are dilatory and your degree is from University of North West--in South Africa! SATS will serve you far better--in every sense of the word, and UNISA is a venerable SA option. Global is reputable, but you are right that it won't travel well outside of Pentecostalism. Lampeter is excellent (it has the brilliant Confucian scholar Xinzhong Yao), but pricey. Sats, UNISA, and Lampeter are your best options so far. Where are you in Finland, anyway? Best wishes to you, Janko

PS: Have you ever heard the Shouting Men chorus?

 

Hyvää iltaa, uncle janko!

Do you say this based on your own experience, or the reports of other people who have studied at GST, or what?

Overpriced? Perhaps so, when compared to other institutions that will give the graduate a degree from a SA-based school. But I've understood that being unresponsive and dilatory are "sins" that are also associated with UNISA. Or is this just a thing of the past with them?

The thing that may prevent me from applying to SATS is the number of compulsory Practical Theology modules in their curriculum. That's just not what I'm looking for. I tried to ask from their registrar via e-mail whether some of the PT modules that one might assume to be compulsory based on the way they're presented at their web site, could actually be substituted for others that would be more of interest to me (ideally Philosophy courses from other instutions, but Systematic Theology or even Biblical Studies would be OK as well). I didn't get a direct answer to this question. I may have to ask the same question again, but in the mean time, I wonder if anyone here has studied for SATS B.Th and is able to tell whether they're willing to be flexible with regard to issues like this.

So Global University is known as a Pentecostal school worldwide? I was only aware of the fact that the school that represents Global in Finland is very Pentecostal.

At the moment I'd have to say that the option that looks the most interesting one would be getting a two-year diploma from UNISA (or SATS if they're willing to decrease the number of Practical Theology modules) and then studying for Lampeter's Licence in Theology, which would give me the Bachelor's degree.

I live in Pori, which is located at the west coast of Finland. If you're interested in Jazz music, you may have heard of the Pori Jazz Festivals that are held here every summer. Or if you're an ice hockey fan, you may know the names of a few of our team's players (Matt Nickerson and Rob Hisey) who were sent here by Dallas Stars with the hopes that they'd become NHL-caliber players. But otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't heard a thing about my hometown.

You must mean "Mieskuoro Huutajat"?

 

I think SATS is perhaps your best option. Please give it another look.

 

Global is an Assembly of God school, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. I was surprised to learn recently that one of my professors from Ashland Seminary was teaching some New Testament courses for Global, David deSilva. He's a United Methodist, a moderate evangelical and not what I'd call Pentecostal. Given their excellent faculty, I'd guess non-Pentecostals will start noticing this school sometime soon.

 

I can rule out FLET from the list now. I got a reply to my e-mail and apparently they currently have only 5 courses in undergraduate level and 5 in graduate level available in English and they weren't able to give any estimation as to how long it will take for them to translate the rest of the courses.

 

I am enrolled at FLET. I think after me, they may not accept anymore non-Hispanics. It is an excellent school and the work is very challenging but I think they are understaffed and really struggling to get my materials translated in a speedy manner.

I am on my third course and probably will have it completed by the end of the year.

It was a good experiment but I think they just don't have the staff to work with non-Hispanics at this time.

 

This seems to be yet another very interesting option: Oxford Brookes University offers a BA (Hons) in Theology and Religion. The fees are just about affordable for me. I'm seriously considering this one.

 

Just remember that a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) is not the same as a "Bachelor of Arts in Theology" (or a "Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religion").

Other than that, looks nice. What are the fees, by the way?

Also, just FYI, in case you missed it on that web page:

• Career prospects
  Many students who do this degree already have careers and full-time jobs. However, graduates from the BA in Theology and Religion degree by distance learning will acquire skills that further their careers, and some make career changes or go on to postgraduate research.

Of course, you've indicated that your "motivations for studying have more to do with general interest towards the issues and the pure pleasure of studying them, than any professional reasons," so this may not be an impediment.

 

According to the PDF file that's available to download from their site, the fees are £175 for each module of 15 credit points (equivalent to 5 credit hours in the American system, I believe). The pdf file also indicates that the fees would be the same for all, regardless of where the student lives (which is contrary to most of the UK universities, where non-EU students have to pay much more).

 

Currently I'm seriously considering dropping out of the unaccredited diploma program that I'm enrolled in (I'm not completely satisfied with its quality) and I might join Greenwich School of Theology's Diploma program (which isn't advertised on their web site) soon. I just need to find out if GST's Diploma would be equivalent to the British Diploma of Higher Education, which would make it significantly more affordable than Dip of HE from Oxford Brookes (GST's fees would be £500 per year). I'd probably want to complete the final year of the Bachelor's degree in either Oxford Brookes or Lampeter, just to avoid the possible prejudices against a degree from a South-African university. Hmm, having a degree from a university located in Oxford wouldn't sound too bad.

 

I'll start studying in GST's DipTh program very soon. It will probably take a week or two to complete the registration process.

 

Well, apparently not. There's now some uncertainty as to whether I can keep my current job. The risk isn't very big one, but nevertheless I don't want to commit myself to paying any significant amount of tuition fees in this situation, as I also have my apartment loans to take care of.

Thus it appears, that I'm forced to start with the unaccredited Nations University, which offers free courses in Religious Studies. My preliminary discussions with GST seem to indicate, that at least I'd gain access to their BA program with a Certificate or Associate in Religious Studies from Nations University, but I may have to say goodbye to any substantial credit transfer/module exemption that I would have gained, if I'd have entered their BA program by first completing their Dipoloma program.

Does anyone here happen to know of an accredited DL program in Theology or Religious Studies, which would accept credits from Nations University?