Also called St. John's University of Practical Theology, accreditation is claimed by two non-recognized accrediting agencies.
They are unaccredited, and display several warning signs that should make you nervous. They have a very "home grown" faculty, 76 of the 169 faculty listed on their website have degrees from the school, including some who have their *only* degrees from there. There is also a faculty member listed with a degree from Columbia State University, a notorious diploma mill, and several others have degrees from questionable schools. They also make the outrageous statement, "Earned credits and degrees from St. John's University are transferable to other educational institutions". My question is, "to which institutions"? Certainly not any legitimately accredited institution. IMO, there are much better options available. What type of program are you interested in? Bruce
They are clearly unaccredited and if you check with the Board of Regents you will most likely fidnt hat they have a religious exemption. In which case they may tell you .." Dear Mr. T, I am writing you in an attempt to clear up any questions regarding degrees conferred by XXXX University. I hope you understand that the Board of Regents must be very careful in how it responds to requests regarding the standing, legality, or value of a degree. This is especially true when the degree was conferred from an exempt institution. As was explained to you in earlier correspondence, XXXX University has operated in Louisiana under specific exemptions in law. Neither the Board of Regents nor any other state agency has jurisdiction over the operations of XXXX University. If your question is whether XXXX University was operating legally under Louisiana law when it conferred your degree, I would answer in the affirmative. However, operating legally does not and should not infer any level of quality or value to that degree. The state had no jurisdiction over the institution whatsoever, so the value or meaning of the degree is wholly unknown. I reiterate this since oftentimes individuals assume that if the institution is operating legally in the state, that the state somehow has given its stamp of approval and the degree must have some value. I am not saying it has no value. I am saying that we do not know since the institution is exempt from any and all oversight. If you wonder if the the degree has some value or meaning, I can not answer since the Board of Regents has never assessed the value of XXXX University's education or product. I hope I have been able to answer your questions. If I have not, I am sorry and will try again to respond to your requests." You should oin this on the wall alongside your piece of toilet paper, sorry, I mean alongside your degree. Peter French (Been there - done that)
I've written various places about my visit there a few years ago. "University Circle" is a one-lane road off the main highway (turn right just past the Crawgator Lounge; past the rusting school buses, and just across from the "Bad Dog" sign, you'll find it. No one was home the day I was there. Apparently they have dropped the "of Practical Theology" from their official name, which they never used anyway.
But John, what better place to study "practical theology?" Imagine the possibilities of a residency there, e.g., sitting in a semi-circle with other students, neath the shadow of the rusting school buses, watching the evil activity (from a distance of course) taking place at the Crawgator Lounge--and hearing lectures from the 160+ faculty members. Makes me want to enroll today. Russell
