Would it be wrong to pursue an unaccredited DL Bible degree?

I have a question, I just completed my degree at a regionally accredited Christian college in New York. It was towards a Computer Science degree. However, I have a little interest to study the Bible more in depth. Especially for all the literature and interesting lessons of life it provides. Unfortunately, at my school due to my demanding CS curriculum it didn't allow much room to take much Bible courses besides in the core curriculum.

Would it be wrong pursuing a Bible degree on the undergraduate level from an unaccredited college, if you just want to learn Biblical literature for self-satisfaction purposes? Would it also be wrong to list this on your resume as a credential, if you're not planning on going in ministry or higher level of education with it?

But more of as a statement of accomplishment. I'm just curious to know your take on this issue.

P.S. I'm just asking the question just for the basis of discussion, I'm not making any decisions right now and nothing is set in stone yet.

 

I don't see anything wrong with that under the conditions you outlined. However, I wonder whether you couldn't accomplish the same goals through an accredited school (RA, ATS, TRACS, even DETC) just as well. Now, there might be a specific advantage to an unaccredited school (theological conformity, denominational affiliation, or desire to study with specific people), but my guess would be that you could do yourself better by going the accredited route.
What school(s) did you have in mind?

 

Hi Krazymack

I guess I would ask the question in a slightly different way. Is there a better low cost way to gain an education in Bible Studies than an unaccredited degree? I believe the answer is clearly yes, however there are people much more qualified on this board to answer this question. If it is alright with you, I'll let them answer. Good luck in your studies.

 

Whew, you ask a tough question that has so many variables!!!

• If it is for personal enrichment only, then it is okay.
  
• If it is unaccredited, then why would you want to list it on your business resume?
  
• There are probably accredited bible curriculums that are in line with your doctrinal beliefs. You just have to find them.
  
• Or you could endeavor to read the entire bible yourself, from cover to cover, so that you can make your own well informed decision as to which doctrinal persuasion you believe is kosher. If you haven't read it from cover to cover for yourself, how do you know that the doctrine that I present to you is correct or incorrect? I guess you'll have to take my word for it if you haven't read the bible for yourself.

You can trust me because I'm a used car salesman.

If I were to tell you that I am a pre-owned car sales associate, will it enhance my credability?

 

Thanks you guys for replying. I appreciate your comments and help.

Well one school that I was looking at called Freedom Bible College & Seminary, the entire bachelors degree costs around $1190 total. (Which seems too good to be true)

I would like to be an arena with more directed study DL, rather than reading the Bible by myself. Because there are many parts of the Bible which are symbolic and I feel that it would be helpful if I had some sort of clarity on it.

I grew up as an Episcopalian and that's the style of worship that I truly like. But, I'm pretty liberal about doctrinal beliefs, I would like perhaps a school that can assess different denominations and their doctrinal beliefs without giving a set right or wrong answer about them. (If that ever makes sense)

But out of curiosity, I wouldn't mind if you said some names of some affordable regionally accredited or DETC options if you don't think the unaccredited route isn't the best bet. Thank you so much, I appreciate and value the comments of members on this board so very much.

 

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. We read, after all, and books aren't accredited. I see nothing very terrible about getting some guidance and instruction along with your reading.

That's tougher. I am not sure what I think about using non-accredited degrees.

One observation that I have is that you have already contradicted yourself. You said that your study would only be for your own personal satisfaction, but you are already talking about using the degree as a credential on your resume. That suggests to me that your plans are still pretty fluid and that you aren't really sure what you will be doing. If that's the case, and if you may decide to use your degree in the future, you probably should factor that possibility into your current planning.

A warning: Choosing a non-accredited Bible degree program will take special care and vigilance on your part. That's because the American states have religious exemptions to their educational licensing laws. Bible programs receive virtually no regulation or oversight, and some of them are essentially frauds. Others are well-meaning but incompetent gestures run out of church basements. These things might be fine for non-credit Bible study, but they are more questionable on the university level.

Personally, my gut tells me that if I wanted a *degree* that I could *use* without embarassment, I would probably seek an accredited program. The exception would be if the non-accredited program was reasonably credible, and if it offered me something special that I really liked and couldn't find elsewhere.

But if I just wanted to take classes without a degree objective, especially if I wanted less pressure and aggravation than a conventional college course and didn't need the credit, I might go non-accredited if any of the offerings struck my fancy.

 

Rather than being honestly unaccredited, FBCS has received accreditation from an unknown organization which just happens to be located in the same town. The encouragement to "start a branch" site appears to match some of what Bill Dayson talked about in his paragraph "a warning". This school speaks of ease and convenience almost as though they were the only DL option, which is far from the case.

American Christian College and Seminary in OKC is TRACS accredited and offers extensive DL.
Check the TRACS website for the complete list of their schools. They may be too conservative for your viewpoint, although the common report on TRACS is that they are accepting of a great deal of theological diversity.
Global University (AG affiliated) is DETC accredited.

The more I think about it, the less merit I see in going the unaccredited route--especially since you mention no particular theological/denominational reason to do so. Unaccredited schools really need to be assessed very carefully for inaccuracies of claims, not to say intentional deception--simply because they have not passed muster of an outside critical assessment of their programs and stability. Many will cite Bob Jones University as an example of an academically rigorous unaccredited school--it's cited *because of its exceptionality*.

I will look at FBCS website some more, but my first impression makes me think you should look elsewhere and not sell yourself short.

 

Bible degree

I don't post much but I have a great interest in the concept of
" lifelong learning" and really enjoy this forum.

I know that I posted once that one could simply read books and buy a fake diploma and acheive the same thing however..........I have been doing quite a bit of thinking about this and while my education is all RA I have decided that for the right reasons I find absolutely no reason at all why a non accredited degree should not be pursued for personal satisfaction. This is especially true knowing that although cost is relative, the cost of an RA degree is prohibitive for many people . AND.........only as an adjunct degree that is purely for self satisfaction.

I know that one can simply read books and get the same amount of knowledge but there is just " something" about a structured program RA or not that makes the process seem worthwhile. In my opinion listing it on a resume presents no problem as long as the intent is not to defraud anyone. Why list it on the resume then? Because if your integrity is intact there is still a certain amount of work that goes into the attainment of ANY degree. Just don't use it for a professional or fraudulent purpose.

I am basically self employed and I truly pursue education as a lifelong learning academic pursuit. Self serving? Yes. A bit of vanity involved? Yes. I am perfectly happy with this concept as long as my academic goals are reached with or without RA blessing.

Oh, By the way, I will not engage in a flame war with anyone. I am not defending any non RA fraud or anything of the sort.

Rafael

BS, Western State University, Fullerton, CA
JD, Western State University, Fullerton, CA ( ABA)
MBA, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
MS, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS ( 2003)
Maybe a Rushmore PhD in 2006 who knows

 

I agree with those who have mentioned checking accredited options first. Two good places to start.

http://www.bakersguide.com
http://www.tracs.org

If you just don't want to go accredited and are just doing it for interests sake then I could suggest a couple of much more affordable unaccredited options (probably the same utility as Freedom BC&S):

Family Radio offers an unaccredited Associates in Religious Education (includes Grk & Heb language courses). Centers around Reformed Theology although Harold Camping is a little different (invented his own kind of dispensationlism where he claims it is the end of the church age). At any rate the price is right.........FREE. Courses require some essays & multiple choice exams etc. I took a couple of the courses once (alas did not finish them). They truely are free. Family Radio School of the Bible
can be found at http://www.familyradio.org

Bob Jones University offers a Diploma in Religious Studies (??) under distance education. They are kind of continuing ed courses and run about $12 for the written courses and $30 (??) for the VHS. http://www.bju.edu

North

 

Thanks again for your posts, unclejanko, BillDayson, North and Lajazz947.

Like BillDayson said I realize that I might be contradicting myself in this posts. The listing of the unaccredited work would be listed more of as vocational work rather than in an academic context. The price of the unaccredited degree seemed within my reach at the present time, which why it may seem like a better option.

Eventhough, I said that it was for personal satisfaction, which is primarily what I would want to use the Bible degree for.
I am ultimately planning to embark in a law field, God willing, in the next two years. When I said earlier that I was planning to not use it for higher level of education, was mostly in the area of teaching or enrolling at a theological or seminary type of institution.

Many of the literature found in the Bible and the principles would prepare me for my pursuit in a law background. So, I guess it would be safest to go with the accredited route for the sake of showing legitimate work when presenting it on resume and applications. An unaccredited background would probably be seen as "unethical," in admissions to ABA law programs. (I realized that I might have opened up a can of worms when stating my aspirations to become a lawyer)

But like Lajazz947 (I noticed that you received a law degree) said too, that my main agenda for the Bible background would primarily be used for a lifelong-self learning concept. Any field in ministry or teaching at seminary is not what I am planning for in the future.

Thanks again for all of you in having patience with me in discussing my unique and weird situation.

 

Mack,

Ockenga Institute of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary offers a free certificate program. The Dimensions of the Faith. This might suit your needs if you are primarily planning to study the Bible for your own edification. The Dimensions of Faith Certificate is a non-credit program. The program is free, but you may buy taped lectures and printed course material if you chose. Though this particular program is not a degree program, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is both RA and ATS.

See: http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6924

To answer Uncle J's question. Yes. I think so.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

So says my acknowledgement email from the Ockenga Institute.

 

If you are intending to complete a degree then I would go accredited. You do not know your future needs. But if your present degree is accredited you'd be able on the virtue of that to enter an accredited seminary. If you already have a BA surely many credits will be transferable to a second BA in Bible.. I would think you'd only have to complete a major. Ask ACCS; the catalogue says 90 semester hours can be transferred. This would allow you to complete a BA in Bible with 33 more hours -11 classes. If you only wish to learn and not use your degree then there are many channels for that including being self taught or finding a mentor or enrolling in a class or two even in a good unaccredited school-not many of these it seems.

But if you intend to list that learning as a degree then I urge you to go accredited unless, like mine below, you are willing to describe it as UNACCREDITED. Please get on Jason Baker's site , there are many accredited DL degrees in "Bible" there listed.

Understand, not all accreditors are genuine!

 

My grandmother, who has a 3rd grade education, taught me the Bible. Is that wrong? Of course not. It seems most people learn the Bible from unaccredited sources. Of course, Grandma's teachings didn't take...I still think Jews, Muslims, Hindus are going to Heaven.

By the way, the constitution says that you can go ahead and study the Bible where ever you want.

 

Re: Re: Would it be wrong to pursue an unaccredited DL Bible degree?

 

A few comments . . .

First, Freedom is a degree mill. Founded in 1973 and having been headquartered in several states (though not at the same time), it's one of the oldest so-called Christian degree mills out there, but it is a mill and has no credibility whatsoever. (And if any of the piss-ant nincompoops who pontificate here disagree with me on this, tough.)

Bob Jones University? Probably waaaaaaay too Fundie for you. But that's okay - as an Episcopalian, you're waaaaaaay too liberal for them. Unless you had a tight-ass Fundie testimony, they wouldn't accept you. And they're racist rednecks anyway.

The Family Radio course? Stay away from it - Harold Camping is whacked out.

Okenga Institute at Gordon-Conwell? Top notch, period. They're one of the Cadillac seminaries in the evangelical world, and are intellectual enough to appeal to an Anglican without shoving their trip down your throat.

American Christian? A mickey mouse school - but that's my subjective opinion. If anyone has a problem with that, see second paragraph above.

Regionally accredited programs that aren't ridiculously expensive? Liberty University (Falwell's school - Baptist in orientation, but many of their distance students are liberal, and this is quite acceptable to them) and the Moody Bible Institute (in Chicago - some of the best distance courses ever developed). You should be able to transfer most of your credentials to either one, having to complete only the biblical requirements for a second bachelor's.

If you're interested in biblical studies but not concerned about a degree, try the Home Bible Study Institute at Liberty, or the Scofield Bible Course from Moody. Also the Seminary Extension program sponsored by the Southern Baptists.

And if law school is your ultimate goal, consider one of the Christian-oriented law schools. They include Liberty (although it's new and will not be ABA approved for a while, if the universitiy's history is an indication, it will be first class), Regent (Pat Robertson's school, at which you may not be happy if you're not Charismatic), the Jones School of Law at Faulkner University (with extreme caution, since they are not ABA approved). One of the best law schools that's ABA approved and would be consistent with your theology: Valparaiso University (a Lutheran school).

If none of these suffice, I highly recommend DCross' grandmother (well, if she's still alive).

Most of all, stay away from all unaccredited degree programs. Even one mickey moue credential among a host of regionally acredited credentials is enough to raise a red flag.

 

It is better to have an RA degree than a non-RA degree. At the very minimum, I would pursue a non- RA degree that is at least licensed by the state, if not accredited by the DETC. At least your RA degree can balance a non-RA degree. Employers look for employees who are certified in their career. You might also choose to pursue continuing education credits and membership in respected organizations which might help your career in the clergy. Continuing education credits, certification, and membership in professional associations may strengthen your resume.

 

Re: Re: Would it be wrong to pursue an unaccredited DL Bible degree?

 

As you may have noticed, Degreeinfo tends to recommend Christian religion schools that lie towards the theologically conservative end.

If you are interested in a suggestion from a non-Christian, I'd suggest that you look at the University of London's external bachelor of divinity.

http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/undergraduate/divinity/index.shtml

This thing has a number of features that you might like, as well as one overwhelming problem.

The positives are that the University of London emphatically has the equivalent of accreditation and is well known around the world, especially among Episcopalians I imagine. It's obviously influenced by the C of E, although the lead college for this degree is Heythrop, which was a Roman Catholic foundation I believe. Its theological orientation seems far more liberal than most of the programs that are discussed here. The degree you earn is a bachelor of divinity (B.D.), which many places is considered a first professional degree for clergymen. In religion circles it has more clout than a B.A., I think, and it would look great on a resume. Finally, you can start out slow by taking only part of their program for a certificate, and then apply that work to the degree if you like it.

The negative (and it's big) is that this is one of those very minimal British-style independent study plus exams deals. They send you a study guide for each "module", then see-ya until its time for the final exam. In England, students often take prep courses or get tutoring from their church.

So perhaps you could use DL classes here in the states the same way that Britons use their tutoring programs, to prepare you for the exams. That would mean that it would no longer be important whether or not the courses you take are accredited, or even if you successfully complete them for credit.

 

Re: Re: Re: Would it be wrong to pursue an unaccredited DL Bible degree?

Of course, but it's not predestined. They have to choose to go.