DEFT (NZ) theology offering

This is interesting, but I don't pretend to understand the machinery of this NZ offering (http://webnz.com/deft/contents.htm). An organization called DEFT offers seminars for the Licenciate in Theology (LTh) and Scholar in Theology (presumably the STh). The Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies(EBTS) is the examining body for the courses (and apparently offers their own).

The EBTS is "registered as a private training establishment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and its subsequent amendments."

"Churches Involved
Anglican Church
Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church
Salvation Army
Churches Education Commission"

There is also an assessment-based Associate in Christian Ministry (ACM).

The site gives links for an Aussie Bachelor of Theology at Coolamon and a Master of Ministry at Melbourne College of Divinity.

 

This is very interesting. I had not been familiar with this program previously.

The MMin at MCD looks like a very interesting program. I don't think it's possible to complete it entirely at a distance though. It looks light a number of brief periods in residence are required. Does anyone here know?

 

Using the blind-man-feeling-feeling-the-elephant-trunk method to figure out DEFT, here are some more references thereto:

References to DEFT (Distance Education Formation and Training) or EBTS (The Ecumenical Board of Theological Studies) :


New Zealand Association of Theological Schools, Member Colleges and Consortia: http://www.nzats.godzone.net.nz/coll.html http://www.nzats.godzone.net.nz/deftrpt.html

Wellington Institute of Theology http://webnz.com/anglican/wit/providers.htm (EBTS)

Presbyterian School of Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, NZ http://www.schoolofministry.ac.nz/theological_education_in_nz.htm


International Network of Distance Education Providers in Theology.
REPORT of the Third Conference, Suva, Fiji, 28 – 30 April 1998 http://www.mcauley.acu.edu.au/~yuri/INDEPTh/report.htm

False hit, but perhaps interesting: http://www.vst.ubc.ca/tee/ http://www.vst.ubc.ca/tee/programs.htm

 

Way too much feeling in my message.

 

This is the first time I've seen a Licentiate degree that wasn't specifically considered a postgraduate credential--in the Roman Catholic Church, the Licentiate in Canon Law can be roughly compared to an Educational Specialist degree (in that it's post-master's), and is followed up by the Doctor of Canon Law. Am I misreading the description, or is the LTh offered by DEFT actually an undergraduate LTh?


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

It seems to be a diploma-level qualification designed for DL. There is quite a bit of information about it at http://webnz.com/anglican/wit/providers.htm. Look at the entrance requirements. ("Licentiate" wins over "Licenciate" 3:1.)

Also, at http://www.nzats.godzone.net.nz/deftrpt.html, there is talk about upgrading it to a BTheol.