South Africa Theological Seminary & SAQA

I know this question has been posed before but I thought I would ask again in case anyone has a new perspective (e.g. Gert).

As the UNIZUL/SATS relationship comes to an end what is SATS status in South Africa and in the United States. In other words would the South Africa Theological Seminary be considered an equivalent of accredited institution.

I realize people can still register directly with UNIZUL but what if you decided to do a SATS degree.

North

 

Hi North,
I didn't realize the realtionship was coming to an end. I corresponded with Reuben at SATS a week ago and he didn't imply there was anything different with the program.

 

According to an email I received from Reuben approximately 2 months ago the SATS/UNIZULU relationship will come to an end by the end of the year. SATS expects to be granted the same accredidation that ZULU now has. They also plan to offer taught Masters in Theology and Divinity. Reuben seems to think this will be a plus for SATS.

 

This is interesting news Howard. I wish them all the best as they have been nothing short of terrific. At some point I hope to study with them although current financial issues dictate use of my VA benefits due to some personal issues (i.e. I make money using my VA benefits).

North

 

Hey BLD,

As I understand it from someone who posted here, if you register through SATS for the UNIZUL degree prior to the end of the relationship then you still end up with the UNIZUL degree. My understanding is that the relationship is ending due to new Dept. of Ed. requirements.

North

 

Here is the message I received from Reuben reqarding my request as to the situation at SATS/ZULU. Hope it is helpful.



Dear Howard

Students of the theology faculty will not be affected. UNIZUL will absorb some Technikon students in certain field but about one third of its programmes will still be at degree level. I myself am doing my Doctorate there currently. SATS has been told that unless it breaks ties with UNIZUL, we will not have our own degree prograames registered, which is what we have been striving for. Currently all our programmes are accredited but only the Certificate and Diploma registered. That is why our degrees are being issued by Zululand. We have therefore given notice (one year) that we will sever ties. This will not affect our current students who are enrolled foir degrees, who will simply complete their programmes. Our prayer is that by the end of the year we will then get our own degrees registered and all our students at degree level will work only with us. If you were to begin now with UNIZUL you would finish with them and nothing would change.

 

I wonder if there is some misunderstanding here. Unizul is one of the (now) twelve national universities and was created by an act of Parliament. SATS is a private institution.

 

Bill

I think Reuben's point is that in their current relationship with Unizul the University "accredits" SATS degrees. But were the seminary to stand on its own (which it must) in a manner satisfactory to the government, then the government itself would be approbating SATS which would be more desirable. I believe, however, that agency which OKs independent schools is not that which regulates the state universities.

 

This is true, though the plan is to ultimately have a single QA organization for both public and private providers of education. Note that the word "accreditation" is a confusing one in the SA context -- indeed there is a proposal to change the official meaning of the word (to make it close to the common-sense meaning). See http://www.saqa.org.za/publications/reports/nqfimplement.pdf

 

Gert,

Would having their degree programs being *registered* make them the equivalent in standing of the South African State Universities programs (ie the equivalent of accredited).

Thanks.

North