Distance Theological Degree

In your opinion who offers the best accredited distance theological degree (MAR or MDiv)?

I would like to complete the degree completely at home or very little on campus : )

Thanks,
Refbaptdude

 

Do I understand your name to indicate that you are Reformed Baptist? Frequently, matching the background of the student with the school is as or more important than other people's opinions of the "best" program.

Also, what part of the world do you live in? There may be extension campus options closer than you realize.

Dave

 

Distance Theological Education

Dave do you work for RTS?

I recieved an email from a guy named Dave who worked with Reformed Theological Seminary.

Yes, I am a Reformed Baptist : )

My first choice would be Reformed Theological Seminary extension and distance courses. But I cannot afford the cost of RTS at this time.

Whitefield Theological Seminary is suppose to be a great school, I have heard very high praises about WTS and it has a very thorough academic program with a strong emphasis upon classical reformed theology. But, the only problem with Whitefield, is that they are not accredited. : (

Liberty Seminary offers a fully accredited degree with distance learning. Liberty also offers 100% FREE tuition for pastors in the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV). Free and fully accredited is very appealing! The only problem is that it is Liberty (HEHEHEHE), I not sure how I would feel with a degree hanging on my wall with Liberty on it.

I have a fully accredited BA degree (Ouachita Baptist University) and I am hesitant to stack an unaccredited graduate (M.Div or MAR) on top of it.

Many other good seminaries offer distance education, but you can only accumulate about 30 hours through distance and then the rest must be done on campus. I am committed to the church I serve and cannot move.

What are your thoughts?

Grace to All,
Refbaptdude

 

Refbaptdude,

No, I don't work for RTS.

Again, roughly where do you live? There are a surprising number of extension campuses dotting the country, and I would hate to see you restrict your choices only to distance learning. While I think there are excellent DL programs available, they may not fit your individual needs. Do not accept second best without exhausting the field.

I think Liberty is a very good school, but as a student there, I'm biased.

 

Dave,

I live in Virginia just outside of Washington DC.

Thanks,
Refbaptdude

 

Well, that doesn't put you near too many schools I could recommend. Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD is about the closest one, and I think they have an extension campus in Northern VA.

Jason Baker has a useful list of DL schools at http://www.gospelcom.net/bakersguide. He includes a separate list of foreign schools as well, some of which might be right up your alley.

Dave

 

Just to clarify, Capital Bible Seminary is not Reformed. They are just the closest conservative seminary I can think of.

If none of the programs listed on Baker's website catch your fancy, take a closer look at Liberty. They have many students in the DL program that don't fit the mold (including Korean Presbyterian and African Methodist Episcopal), and you can always pay for selected classes from RTS as you like and transfer them in.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

I requested the catalogue for Liberty Baptist Seminary earlier this week but have not received it yet. Once I get the catalogue I will look a little closer at LBS.

Do you know if the distance MA is accredited or seen any different than a degree earned on campus?

Thanks,
Refbaptdude

 

LBTS

The school is accredited so all of their programs, both residential and distance, are accredited. I have taken classes both on and off campus and have been very satisfied. I do not know if the distance seminary degrees are perceived differently, but looking at the syllabi for both modes of classes, they appear to be basically identical.

 

I would land in the same boat theologically as you would. Of course we would like to have our picks, like RTS, and WTS, and others like that.........but most of teh time we can't.

If I could go to LBS free........I would sign up today. At least do the MAR. Then you can always look elsewhere for M.Div.

ANYTHING ACCREDITED AND FREE.........is def. worth looking at.



drew

 

Liberty U has been at distance learning for some time and seems to be well respected. Even Steve Levicoff gives them a thumbs up (and he is pretty tough to please).

As far as I know the DL degree is the same as the on campus seminary degree. Should stand you in good stead if your intent is to go on and do doctoral work.

Personal opinion, I would steer away from an unaccredited degree program (limited use and often even less respect).

If you go non-RA, I would look at TRACS accredited schools or foreign. http://www.tracs.org Temple Baptist Seminary is well respected (again even prior to accreditation Steve L. who is a tough critic gave it the thumbs up). I believe their MDiv & MA are totally DL or campus or combination. Luther Rice Seminary is another DL option (I believe MDiv requires on campus).

One foreign option (if your B.A. is in theology) is South Africa Theological Seminary. MTh. can be done either by research or taught/thesis. Very affordable (less than 2 grand for the program). http://www.sats.edu.za

Good luck. What do you want to do with the degree.

North

 

North's advice is good. If you are willing to veer more toward the Reformed polarity, there may well be some other cheap South African options (of very good quality, too). I am not Reformed or Baptist, but am probably as theologically conservative on my wider tradition's spectrum as you are on yours. I was impressed with both LRS and Temple--more so with Temple, though I don't recall what specifically sparkled. Best of luck to you.

 

Hey Reformed Dude,


I meant to ask you where you heard bout Whitefield Seminary?
I too have heard that it was a good school. Just curious where you heard?


drew

 

If you are particularly interested in programs that are informed by a Reformed perspective, here are two I'd recommend:
Covenant Seminary in St. Louis offers an MA(TS) that is dependent largely upon independent, mentored study. You can learn more about it here:

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/access/individualstudy.asp

In addition, the University of the Free State in South Africa offers an MTh program in Biblical Theology that can be done at a distance. UOVS is a Dutch Reformed institution; my impression of it (which could be completely wrong!) is that it is the most evangelically-leaning of the South African Dutch Reformed theolgoical faculties. Here's their link:

http://www.uovs.ac.za/faculties/Theol/

Hope this is helpful. Blessings!