Online or Low-Residency RA Ph.D. in History

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Dave Wagner, Mar 1, 2002.

Loading...
  1. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    A good friend of mine is a minister and life-long student. He has an MS in Ministry from Pepperdine University and is looking into doing the extended MA in History and Theology at Abilene Christian University to teach at 4 Year Colleges near him. I suggested he look into some doctoral programs in history. Offshore might be a possibility, but State-side is preferred. He really wants to research the Hellenistic Period (i.e., Intertestamental Period). Ministers aren't paid what they are worth, so cost is an issue.

    Does anyone know of any low-residency, RA doctorate programs in (ancient) history available via an institution in the States?

    Thanks,

    Dave
     
  2. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    I wish I did, Dave; the only option that comes to my mind is the Union Institute, but it requires 35 days or so of residency and (if memory serves) runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000.

    I hate to say it, but it sounds like your friend is yet another candidate for a South African or Australian doctoral program. If you think he might be interested in this sort of option, there are many people on this board--CLSiebel, North, and Russell come immediately to mind--who can make some educated recommendations.

    Good luck.


    Cheers,
     
  3. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    I appreciate you submitting this question for consideration here.

    I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. Are you recommending to your friend that he explore the PhD instead of the MA? Or are you encouraging him to look into PhD's that he could pursue once he has completed the MA? This is an important point of clarification; there are several high-calibre institutions in the UK and South Africa that could accomodate distance-based PhD students in inter-testamental studies. However, I am certain that these institutions will not be willing to grant admission to an applicant possessing an MS in Ministry. Such institutions will be looking for someone with an extensive amount of master's-level work in his proposed field of research.

    Now, that being said, there are two South African institutions that offer distance-based master's degrees in Old Testament that very possibly could be tailored to one's interest in hellenistic studies. These institutions might allow your friend to complete a master's and then proceed into a doctorate. They are:

    The University of Pretoria (Please note "Old Testament" links)
    http://www.up.ac.za/academic/theology/generalint/telemat.htm

    The University of the Free State (Please note "Old Testament" Link along left margin)
    http://www.uovs.ac.za/faculties/theol/

    If your friend already possesses something of a background in hellenistic studies, please let me know. I could point you toward some British schools that might hold some potential for your friend.

    Cory Seibel
     
  4. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    If your friend were to complete the MA at ACU, his MS + MA would likely be deemed MDiv equivalency, and could gain him entrance into the PhD at Baptist Bible College and Seminary (RA, Middle States Association). This is the only PhD program in Bible/Theology presently on offer by distance learning in the US. Perhaps some sort of concentration in hellenistic studies could be achieved.

    http://www.bbc.edu/seminary/phd/
     
  5. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I'm curious:

    When we talk about British-style advanced degrees "by research", do the universities offering them typically think of these programs as being DL programs? I've always had the impression that they were kind of on-campus but residency-negotiable things. Meaning that if you can find a sympathetic dissertation advisor, the required on-campus time might be kept to a minimum, but no official institutional promises.

    How many British universities actually have an established DL doctoral policy in place?
     
  6. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    With regard to your earlier question, I suggested that he examine the DL possibilities of pursuing a Ph.D., which is what his original goal was. He had intended to do the MDiv in residence at ACU and then do a Ph.D. in residence at another institution. Finances became a big issue, as he has one child in college and another starting next year. The prospect of at least five years of full-time study compelled him to shelf his plan (dream.)

    Great idea about the MDiv equivalency. I think it's a matter of covering the right subject areas and not necessarily just having the MDiv. Also great about idea Baptist Bible College and Seminary. As long as there are no credal signoff requirements, this program sounds very interesting...

    Thanks,

    Dave

     
  7. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Bill, in my estimation, your understanding is correct. Here is a snippet from my comments on this subject, taken from the "Lampeter" discussion of a couple weeks ago:

    "UK universities do not employ the language of 'distance learning' with reference to their own PhD courses. Most refer to part-time, non-resident or limited-residency research. Some refer to doing research 'externally' or even 'overseas.' However, no school that I'm aware of openly refers to this as 'distance learning.'"

    Cory Seibel
     
  8. imperoo

    imperoo New Member

    the union institute

    this school was mentioned on this site and since I have had background herein I thought I could offer some 'enlightened estimation' of its overall "worth"...since THIS is subjective I will not condemn the place...it has a decidedly 'feminist leaning' to it...you only know this after some time 'matriculating'...you begin with a ten (10) days seminar/colloquim (sic?) that makes or breaks you - this is mandatory...then IT begins - PEER DAYS; seminars; inordinent (sic) amounts of travel and expense...it all became futile for me and since there was NO touchstone except by mail to a CORE faculty member, I felt adrift almost from the beginning...and it is not cheap...granted I had some definitive negativity towards the place but this doesn't mean that I had the wrong idea or that there was "something" not inherently wrong...you can create your own worldview which is cool but then I am learning that you can do this almost anywhere...it is accredited and Bear likes it...touted as the only USA PhD alternative...probably true but for me NOT worth the price of admission.
     

Share This Page