Accredited Christian Universities?

My son was accepted into a university for fall as a transfer student. However, because of his age (under 16)they won't let him live on campus. He's thinking of deferring admissions, and I'm looking for some online distance learning classes for him.

He's had experience with both campus classes and online courses. In the fall, he will still need some general ed classes (science with a lab and lit) and he could take some of the religion/communication core classes required for his major. I would like to find a Christian college where he could take the above. I don't mind a secular university, but it would be easier for him to take the remaining courses he needs from one place. He already has transcripts from 3 different colleges.

After summer classes he will have completed 94 credits, but a lot were degree specific. As long as he completes 31 credits (25% of the degree requirements) at the university he's been accepted into, he can graduate from there. I just have to match class descriptions.

Thanks!

 

Liberty University

www.liberty.edu

 

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Is your son's degree coming from a nationally or regionally accredited university/college? I ask because if it is only nationally accredited, you have a huge pool of choices from both regionally and nationally accredited schools.

If your son's degree will come from a regionally accredited college, your transfer credits must come from a regionally accredited college. Fewer choices.

So, you need to provide more information! Where is he hoping to earn his bachelor's degree from?

 

I think the standard for Christian distance-ed is Baker's Guide. Check out www.bakersguide.com for a whole list of accredited colleges. Liberty University was already mentioned. Lee University has a good distance-ed program. Global University has a number of courses. The choices are almost endless.

On another note, what about testing out of some courses by using Clep, Advanced Placement, etc.? Would that be an option?

 

His degree (and I'm glad you highlighted the word) comes from a school accredited with Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university he's planning on attending for his bachelors is also accredited by the same organization. He does have one class that was at a college accredited by the North Central Association. I guess the above are regional???

 

It WOULD be an option, but not something he's ever been interested in. Although he doesn't really enjoy academics, especially as he's gotten older, he prefers a 'class' vs. self-study.

I didn't see much at Liberty (but thanks to the poster who mentioned it). I'll check out the sites you mentioned. Thanks!

 

Forgot to answer a question...

His bachelors will come from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. I don't want him too far away from home. ;-)

 

If he's planning on attending Southeastern then Global and Lee University would most likely fit the bill. Global is administered by the Assemblies of God as is Southeastern. They are also candidates for regional accreditation. Lee University is affiliated with the Church of God and is also regionally accredited.

I did not know off the top of my head any lab courses (I assume you're speaking of biology or chemistry), which is why I mentioned the Clep/AP route.

Good luck.

 

If he will have 94 credit hours by 31 August and the school at which he has already been accepted requires 31 credit hours of coursework from that institution, then why not complete a degree from one of the Big Three (EC, COSC, or TESC) this year and then earn a second undergraduate degree on-campus next year? He will probably enjoy the on-campus experience much more when he is a little older; even good children need to let their hair down once in a while.

 

I thought about that and did sign up for EC website. However, I haven't officially registered on had his transcripts sent there. The ONLY thing he MIGHT be interested in as a second undergrad degree would be something related to music. The thing is he doesn't enjoy academics that much and in some ways I'm hesitant toward him majoring or even getting a minor in music. I don't want him to get bogged down in the work and lose his enjoyment of it.
That's what happened with his computer degrees....

Also, even with all of his credits and only 31 REQUIRED, it looks like he'll need to take around 50 to graduate with a Bachelors in Communication. I'm having a hard time trying to 'match' some of the courses. I'd rather he picked up what courses he can at a CC and save me a few bucks.

I don't have to worry about him letting down his hair. He's a teen and enjoys socializing and hanging out with his friends from youth group. In fact, that's one of the reasons he's thinking of waiting to attend SEU. I just need to find classes for him in the interim that will 'count.'

 

I suppose one option would be to complete a degree with EC and then go to SEU for a year and just take classes without a specific degree in mind...if they would let him.

 

At the risk of setting off an immense flame war, I'm a little put-off by this post. I understand that your son is young (and talented, if he's already earned 94 credit hours!), but I have to ask why you're doing things like registering your son for classes, sending his transcripts to schools for him, finding courses, and trying to "match" his classes for him at all. It sounds like you're micromanaging his education to a great extent. I understand helping a student select a school, and I even understand offering advice on course selection, but I can't help feeling that you might be crossing a line here and actually doing things for your son that he should be doing for himself.

IMHO, a major part of earning a college degree is working with your advisors (and/or independently, if you're "assembling" credit from several schools) to put together a degree plan that works for you. One of the big things that earning an undergraduate degree is supposed to show is that the individual has the ability to set a long term goal and follow it through to completion. If Mom and Dad are actually selecting the courses and putting together the degree plan for you, then you're missing out on an important part of your education (again, IMHO).

Now, I might be reading something into your post that isn't there - in fact, I hope that's the case. There have been many stories lately about "helicopter parents" that I find absolutely appalling - parents calling admissions officers on their kid's behalf, professors receiving angry phone calls demanding that grades be changed, or worse, parents calling their child's employers.

Your son has earned 94 hours of college credit before he's even turned 16. That gives him a level of freedom that a lot of students don't have - he has the time to finish his undergrad degree (with a double major, if he wanted it!) and finish graduate or professional school by the time most kids are lucky to be graduating with their BA or BS degrees. However, if he's being shepherded through his education without really having to think about the process at all, then he's missing out. To me, the process is just as important as the coursework.

 

Your doing a good job A Mom,

I wish my parents had the knowlege to help shepard me through the college experience at an early age so I could start to enjoy life and free time throughout my twenties with a solid resume and educational background.

- 29 years old, 3 quarters away from my bachelors!! Almost there! Wish It was done when I was 20 or 21 though!

 

a mom, I think it is awesome that you are finding ways to expand your child's mind and give him an opportunity to get ahead.

Since he is not even 16 yet it is understandable that you still have to do a ton of hand holding and helping him get to where he needs to be.

The other option, IMO, is for him to work at a level below his intellectual ability. Instead you are finding ways to challenge him. That is a great thing.

It is understandable that he needs extra help since he is still so young. Just because he is intellectually further ahead it doesn't mean he is practically mature enough to take control his degree plan.

To anyone who says that he is missing out on doing it for himself, well, he has years left to grow into that role. The only difference is that he will have a ton of credit and flexibility when takes full charge of his life. He can always go for a higher degree or another bachelors and experience college during the right age in his life. He could also travel, do missions, volunteer help his parents or whatever he choses with this new flexibility.

I think that it is awesome that you are finding ways to keep his mind interested while the rest of him matures.

 

Man, my two years on community college were WAY easier in many ways than most of my senior year of High School. I wish I just got a GED when I was 15 and started taking community college classes. I was in a much better place to learn then when I was 18 or 19......... seriously

 

The six regionals are: the Middle States Association, New England Association, North Central Association, Northwest Association, Southern Association, and Western Association.

 

Eastern University @ eastern.edu

 

Seems like he's a little burnt out or has too much in his plate to enjoy academics. What does your son think? I had a friend who was an honor roll student with college credits earned during high school. His parents were on his tail until the end. My friend loved socializing, enjoyed discussions about science and astronomy. Similar to your son in a way.

His parents pressured him to enroll at an ivy league school. My friend was not admitted to an ivy and enrolled at a third tier school close to home ( according to usnews ). When he enrolled at the university, the guy flunked out within one year. I am not saying this will happen to your son. However, as both a former university employee and student, I have seen kid geniuses and honor roll students bomb during their college years due to parents who were very strict with their child's post secondary preparations. Just be careful..... and keep up the good work.

 

Well, not entirely true. Some regionally accredited colleges will accept nationally accredited transfer credits, and many will accept transfer credit from courses evaluated by ACE.

He may be able to take the ACE-evaluated classes from the Baptist Seminary Extension and transfer those to his intended school.

Good luck,
Mark

 

Ok, so that is very helpful. You will want to search for colleges that are ONLY regionally accredited, but generally, they can be from any of the six regions.
Before the National Accreditation Activists get in a fit- yes, I know SOME colleges will accept regional or national credits, but you only need to find out if YOUR college does. Most don't. You could check, or just use RA and avoid the questions.