South African Theological Seminary PhD

Hello.

I am considering a PhD program through South African Theological Seminary (satsonline.org). I am currently a Liberty online student, scheduled to complete the MAR in March 2011, and the MDiv (72 hour program) in December 2011.

Does anyone have thoughts, pro or con, regarding SATS?

Thank you.

T.J. Gentry

 

Would suggest you check older posts on the subject, but still believe SATS is a very solid choice.

Would also suggest you ask yourself one important question: Is this doctorate for ministry purposes, or to enter into professional academia.

Please note that Cory S. went with U-Pretoria because of this.

 

You may want to check with Jimmy Clifton over at Degreediscussion dot com. I think that he is a SATS doctoral student.

 

The DL rumor mill has it that Jimmy is a SATS washout.

 

Yes, Jimmy said he withdrew.

Roscoe

 

I was a MTH student with SATS back in 2004-5. My circumstances changed, so I dropped the program, but I had only good experiences with them. They accepted the 18 grad hours I had accumulated from Abilene Christian University, and I only had to complete the dissertation (thesis). I was wrangling with my faculty adviser about exactly what my focus would be.

My leaving the school was totally dependent upon my own personal circumstances and had nothing to do with SATS. They were very helpful and friendly. They responded very quickly to every inquiry that I had. My adviser was very good and was really helping me to fine tune my focus. I was sad that I had to leave the program.

 

Thank you for the information. Was the U-Pretoria option better suited to entrance into professional academia?

My goal is (at least at this point) to better provide local ministerial training through church-based models of seminary.

TJG

 

SATS Qualifications

As an ex student I can personally recommend SATS.
Evaluation of SATS postgraduate qualifications per USA equivalence
SATS transcripts were submitted to the following two organizations (which are two of the most frequently used and highly recommended USA evaluators) for evaluation per their USA equivalence:

International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF - International Education Research Foundation, Inc.)
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers’ International Education Services (AACRAO International Education Services: Welcome)
ERF evaluated the SATS degrees as being equivalent to regionally accredited degrees in the USA. The AACRAO has evaluated SATS as follows:

Per the MTh, the AACRAO evaluation states: The master’s degree from the South African Theological Seminary represents attainment of a level of education comparable to a master’s degree in theology from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Per the PhD, the AACRAO evaluation states: This degree represents attainment of a level of education comparable to a doctor of philosophy degree in theology from a regionally accredited university in the United States.

Also, please take note that the SATS URL has changed to: South African Theological Seminary | Bible College and Study Program

Mike