Requesting Information/advice on DL

Greetings Y'all!

I am glad that there is a forum like this for people like me who are looking for answers. If you have any thoughts on my situation your input would be most appreciated.

I am 33, a father of 5 and I pastor a small church. I would like to continue my education (I have a BA in philosophy and an MDiv in pastoral theology - both from B&M institutions). I know that I do not NEED to get further education but I would like it. I would like to begin a PhD program, if possible. It would have to be mostly distance based. I am not looking to secure any sort of full-time academic job (though teaching part time in the future would certainly be fun).

The areas I am interested in are religion, philosophy and history (primarily history of philosophy and religion). I have two thoughts for further education: either something dealing with religious philosophy, particularly someone by the name of Cornelius Van Til or something in the area of religious history in America, primarily looking at the religious climate in the New England area in the early 19th century.

I am somewhat familiar with South African schools though I do not know if a school in another country would be interested in a dissertation dealing with religious history in America (this is where I would like input). That said, I need a reputable, inexpensive option for pursuing further education...one that will not require a great deal of residency and one that will allow me to continue my current obligations as a father and a pastor.

There it is...any thoughts?

Everett
sDg

 

Liberty University

Liberty University offers doctoral degrees in Education, Counseling and Theology.

Some are more online than others.

http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=18924

 

Northcentral University

Northcentral University offers a 100% regionally accredited PhD in Education. The dissertation requirement/topic appears to be flexible. However, there are 9 areas of specialization that focus on education. Perhaps a specialization in Educational Technology and E learning to enhance your religious delivery/education ministry?

www.ncu.edu

 

Thank you! Those are both schools I had looked at during my initial searching and they are both very expensive (at least for my budget). Liberty's program is run by a guy who got his PhD through UNISA, which is great, but a PhD at Liberty costs upwards of $40,000...yikes! I just can't justify that sort of expense since this is for personal enrichment. That is why I was curious about SA schools since the dollar goes much further there. Also, after a BA and an MDiv, I love to research and write but I don't know that taking classes is what I am looking for.

Everett
sDg

 

Unisa

It sounds like the University of South Africa is what you are looking for. The tuition is affordable and you need to produce a dissertation.

http://www.iaci-canada.com/

 

Have you considered doing a DMin instead of a PHD? That would open up some more options for you. Since your main interest is not academics (teaching) it would in some ways seem more appropriate.

For example, Luther Rice University (TRACS accredited, if that matters) offers their DMin via distance, total cost according to my calculations is $7,500:
http://www.lru.edu/Content.aspx?page=degree_dmin

There are many other DMin programs which are fully or nearly-fully distance based.

Edit: If you want to study Van Til, you are probably aware that RTS is probably the best place for that:
http://www.rts.edu/site/academics/degree_programs/dmin/index.aspx
This is NOT a distance ed program though, so you'd have to travel during the summer or whenever to take courses. Cost would be approx $11,700 (plus related travel/etc costs of course).

 

I have considered the DMin and it would offer me many more opportunities for studies in the US. And I am familiar with the RTS Dmin...I particularly like the emphasis in historical theology that you can do. But I am not looking to do a "practical" study but an academic dissertation. DMin projects are not as rigorous and the DMin is often looked at as a "cash cow" for seminaries and a way for a pastor to easily get "Dr." stuck on their name. I am not interested in titles but to be challenged and to grow in my knowledge. If I do go the DMin route, travel would be fine since it is within the US and only for a week or two at a time. But I would most likely want to do a ThM first in historical theology to give me a chance to do some academic work. I am currently considering Puritan Reformed Seminary (nearby my home) for this option...I am just trying to see if I have exhausted all the possibilities to see what will fit best.

Thank you again!

Everett
sDg

 

Hi Everett - As I understand it, it's not really as matter of whether any given South African school "is interested" in your topic but more a matter of whether they have anyone on their faculty who can properly support your research. The esiest way to figure that out is just to spin through the faculty pages of each school. Virtually all of them list the research areas of their instructors. Good luck.

 

Regent University www.regent.edu offers a PhD in Renewal Studies with concentration in Church History in modular format and Liberty University www.liberty.edu offers a short-residency PhD in Apologetics. You might also want to check out www.bakersguide.com.

 

Thank you. Both of these programs, though, are over $40,000 in tuition and fees. I just cannot justify it since I am pursuing this for personal and ministry growth and not for an academic position.

Everett
sDg