Discussion Forum for Research Candidates in Theological Subject

For some time, I've wanted to develop an online discussion group for North American master's and doctoral students enrolled in overseas research degrees in theological subjects. The primary purposes of such a groups would be three-fold:

1) To engage in dialogue with others in our rather unique "niche" peer-group

2) To provide a forum for providing periodic updates about our research progress, and to receive peer feedback. This also would provide an opportunity for students to dialogue about questions and issues relating to their subject areas.

3) To provide a context for dialoguing about our experiences as non-resident research students.

Well, as of today, I've kicked off such a group through Yahoo! Groups. The Christchurch Research Fellowship, an email-based discussion group, will be open, free-of-charge, to all North American students currently engaged in master's and doctoral research in theological subject areas through accredited institutions outside of North America.

To learn more, please visit the following link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristchurchFellowship

 

What a wonderful idea; thanks!


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

After one day, CSR already has five registered members. We'd love to be joined by all research students possessing the appropriate qualifications.

 

That should read "CRF." Oops!

 

I am currently enrolled at American Christian College and Seminary with a goal of receiving a DMIN degree. Lately i have wondered if i should look for a PHD program to get involved in and drop the DMIN persuits.
I am open for suggestions and input. I also wonder if there might be some recomendations out their as to programs. I hold a THB and MA degree from RA institutions. What do you think? By the way i believe a formum to discuss oversees distance degrees is a great idea.

 

Sorry about the spelling or i should say the mis- spelling.

 

Robert, good to hear from you. For what purpose, or toward what end, do you intend to earn a doctorate? Your answer to that question will go a long way in helping to determine which option would better serve your goals. Let us know, and we should be able to provide you some feedback here.

 

Looks like it should be an interesting forum. With all of the discussion on theological programs in this forum I decided to pursue some studies in this area. I am now enrolled in the Australian Catholic University's Graduate Certificate in Arts (Theology) and will start the first course in February (can't seem to stay away from educational pursuits). When completed I may decide to continue with the M.A. (Theology) through distance learning for thich the certificate courses are applied to.
http://www.acuweb.com.au/

John

 

Very good question. I am currently in the Ministry and really do not "need' a degree beyond MA. As to the future i would like a degree that could open doors and it seems that the PHD degree would be stronger than the DMIN. I do not want to teach full time however would possible like to teach a couple of classes at the Christian College level. Still another strong motivation to even achieving a docterate is that it is simple a personal goal.

 

CLSeibel:

Quick question... Is there any particular reason for your deliberate exclusion of "prospective" graduate students?

Respectfully,
BruceP

 

At risk of speaking for someone else: I can think of a very good reason for this policy to exist, namely that everyone is technically a prospective graduate student, and allowing all prospective graduate students (as opposed to actual students, or at least applicants) on the list would effectively make it a public list. And given the caliber of the screwballs we've all seen on AED, I can understand why folks might not want this to be a public list.


Cheers,

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

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

...and here's another reason: While there are lots of forums for prospective students (including this one), there are no forums for folks who are already in the process of conducting research under such an arrangement and would like to make it less of a "lone wolf" experience. If the moderator were to open the forum up to prospective students, the entire nature of the forum would change, and it would more closely resemble a theology-oriented version of Degreeinfo.

That said: If you would like to see a forum along these lines, why not fire one up? Heck, it'd be useful.


Cheers,

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

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

Yep, what Tom Head has stated pretty well sums things up.

It seems to me that the primary interest of prospective students is to learn about and discuss potential degree programs.

The intent of the Christchurch Fellowship is to move beyond this level, and to provide a forum for currently-enrolled students to engage in dialogue focused on their academic experiences and research interests. I want to be careful to uphold the integrity of this vision, one to which six research students have now enthusiastically responded. I'm concerned that the inclusion of prospective students would muddy the waters of CRF's purpose, and potentially could serve as a diversion to the people the forum is intended to benefit; we all are quite accustomed to responding to questions from prospective students in this venue. The whole purpose of the CRF is to provide research students a venue for a different kind of interaction where we are able to function as peers. So, in this respect, the group is exclusive. However, I am happy to welcome any additional research students. Should you choose to enroll in such a program, we'd love to have you. In the mean time, a few of us will continue to drop in here from time to time to interact with any questions you might have pertaining to potential degree programs.

 

This is a question to Robert...

How are you finding the DMin studies at American Christian College & Seminary? I am investigating a TRACS DMin program and the ACCS program looked alright. I'd be interested to hear your opinion as a current student.

Thanks,
JD Lumanog

 

Thanks for the replies... I just thought that some of us (prospective students) might be able to benefit from the list to gain a better understanding of others experiences with theological research degree programs.

We (prospective students) are able to glean some information from this list... but having been nurtured in the US education system the concept of the research degree is quite "alien" to me (no offense intended to members of the UK)... Being able to read about the issues of current students would be invaluable…

Is there a way to allow "partial" access to the board with no posting privileges?

Thanks again
BruceP

 

Hey, Bruce, I certainly can appreciate where you're coming from. I'll look into this, and let you know. Also, though, I'm sure you'll be interested to learn that the members of our CRF group are discussing ways that we can enhance the flow of helpful information to prospective students. So, please be confident that we want to do our part to benefit prospective students. It's just going to take a little time to get things in order.

Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm.

 

CLSeibel:

Thanks. Whatever you can do would definitely be appreciated! "Lurking Rights Only" would maintain "peace" on the board and would allow for "prospective students" to glean what information they can from this forum...

BruceP