American Christian College & Seminary

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Mr. Gus, you haven't a clue how much research I've done in the past three plus years regarding doctoral degrees, accredited institutions, the USDOE, CHEA, GAAP, National accrediting agencies, professional accrediting agencies, licensing requirements for various professions -- not just psychology and counseling. As a vocational rehabiliation consultant I am continuiously having to coordinate educational services and recommend training programs, vocational, technical, and university level. Now, whose done their research, Gus? I'll say no more on this topic.

As for your assertion that I could not have possibly been accepted within one day. Having completed several years of research regarding distance-based doctoral degrees I knew good situation when I saw it. Previously I did not know that the coursework format at ACCS would fit my needs. However, after learning that I would have six months to complete the video tapes, the readings, the self examination and a research paper, I am confident that I can succeed in this format. You see, Gus I am a knowledgable consumer of distance learning degrees. For the money I might have stayed at CCU if it were not for the code of ethics issue. Even though, TRACS is not RA it is USDOE and CHEA recognized, which is a major difference than CA Approved and unaccredited. If I accepted this fight I would certainly lose and I am more intelligent than that.


After completing the ACCS application by phone, (including my $50 application fee) and after faxing my unofficial transcripts I was told by Frances that I could consider myself accepted, PERIOD! When asked if I would be getting a letter acknowledging this fact (after of course receipt of my official transcripts) she replied, “You know I don’t even know whether or not we do that.” Anyone with a master’s degree (accredited) in a counseling major will get admitted to the ACCS Christian Counseling, D.Min. My first course, Introduction to Biblical Counseling has been purchased (at a cost of $99 plus a $15 shipping and handling fee) directly from the American Association of Christian Counselors . Of course the tuition also had to be paid in the amount of $540.00 to ACCS. Just for your information, with this degree I will be eligible for a license in the State of Tennessee. As a practicing Catholic the Christian component of this degree is certainly congruent with my lifestyle.

Ask, Russell Morris whether or not he shared numerous emails (approximately 1.5 years ago) regarding D.Min and Christian Counseling. I also spoke with PUCHE regarding their doctoral program but could not be admitted as neither of my masters degrees are in any form of religious studies. Ask Dr. Walston how many times he has spoken with me regarding the applicability of a Christian Counseling doctorate degree specific to my needs.

As for Northcentral I withdrew from the one and only course I attempted, Psy506 -- Psychopathology due to the overwhelming nature of the course format, over 20 papers (2 to 4) pages in length over a 15 week timeframe, plus one major paper at the end of the course. With a toddler, an infant son, a thriving disability management practice and a wife who wants to just see your husband every once in a while I was forced to admit the fact that NCU would create too much stress in my life. As for proving my attendance I have $700 in receipts and the actual course and textbook to show for it, along with of course my acceptance letter.

As for CCU I have completed two (History of Psychology and Organizational Psychology) of the assigned 16 courses. I can and will use these hours toward continuing education units.
Until it was called to my attention that the CRCC does not permit the use of an unaccredited degree the Psy.D. met all of my professional needs. Not being one to engage in unethical behavior I withdrew from CCU.

I intend to inform the CRCC of my intention to use the title Dr. in front of my name and CRC behind my name.

BTW, the code of ethics also states any doctoral degree advertised must be from a regional accreditor that also has membership in CHEA. Well, we all know that this statement need not be made since all the Regionals are in CHEA. I think it's possible that some things were overlooked when the new CRC Codes were written last year.

Ok, now I am done with you, Gus.

 

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Thank you Russell!

 

It appears that most people enter M.Div programs having earned undergraduate degrees in subjects unrelated to religon and/or theology. In my case, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a minor in Biblical Languages. The college I attended, Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL, is regionally accredited. To earn that degree and the accompanying minor, I did one year of Hebrew and two years of Greek. When I entered seminary, I had completed all language requirements and several other courses like pastoral counseling, homiletics and preaching, OT prophets etc. Now, this is typical in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. Most SDA pastors earn an undergraduate degree in theology then earn a Masters of Divininty. Typically, we tend to be ahead of those who do secular undergraduate studies. But it should be noted that the undergraduate degree is an Arts degree. So, we have to do all general requirements as with any other arts degree. I did an Assoicate degree in communications at the same time.

So, here's the long and short of it. Given my background, an M.Div would be completed in two years as opposed to three. At worst, two and one-half years. Arguably then, I could have completed the M.Div and D.Min in four years.

 

Congratulations Wes & good luck!

You have navigated the waters a little more smoothly than I did. In spite of having sent unoffical copies of transcripts pending receipt of the originals from the school I was held up due to them not receiving the original from one of the schools I attended. This may have to do with the fact that I am a VA (GI Bill) student and so there are other hoops to go through. Once everything was straightened out it went well. I have 4 months from the receipt of the course to complete it as opposed to the six months you mention (again due to VA requirements).

The courses are interesting and build on my graduate degree in secular counseling. Some are a little more dry than others. As you progress into the third course the lectures on Sexuality from a Biblical Perspective and Marriage/Divorce issues are very interesting.

Again, good luck and enjoy the program.

North

 

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Thank you North!

 

Wes,

Interesting information about Tennessee. I went to the State web site and then to the Board site. They define "Recognized Educational Institution" as one with regional or national accreditation. Good for them.

In case there are some unaware of state web site addresses they all follow the same format http://www.state.tn.us (ie just stick the initials of your state in the address).

I also found it interesting that Tenn. actually has a Licensed Pastoral Therapist designation.

North

 

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We hillbillies might just understand education more than others give us credit for.

I failed to mention the Licensed Pastoral Therapist designation during this thread discussion but I was aware of such. I wasn't however aware of the RA and NA statement. Thank you for calling this to my attention.

Should I desire to be eligible for the LPT I might have to add a supervised internship to my program. I don't think that TN requires the this training (internship) to be completed during the actual matriculation process? I think I can wait and do this after the degree is earned, but I'll need to look into this more deeply.

I could always complete all of my degree requirement and then do the internship last, which will simply delay the actual award date of my degree.

 

I don't think that RA/ATS seminaries, as a matter of policy, give master's level credit for undergrad courses. The M.Div. is a 3 year program, 88-96 hours. If the M.Div. language requirement had been met at the undergrad level, my hunch is that the student would be allowed to take alternate courses. If however, the student had completed the language courses at the graduate level, transferred them into the M.Div. program, this would be a different scenario. One would pursue an extremely rigorous regimen of studies if the M.Div. was completed in 2 years. The D.Min. is a full three year program. I would be hard pressed to believe that in 95% of the cases, both degrees could be earned in 4 years. There is of course that rare occasion when someone is able to break the pattern.

 

Sho nuff, Wes!

 

Russell, Most seminaries may not take any undergrad work toward MDIV or as Masters credits, but some sure do. When i was at school at Grace Bible College working on my THB there were several students who had graduated with a THB and were attending Grand Rapids Baptist Sem. Baptist would take the fifth year of the THB program as one year of Seminary toward the MDIV.

So I know it does happen or i should say can happen.

Robert

 

I know this goes back to the first post on this thread but in the spirit of research I have been trying to find out who "OGS" but keep coming up blank. So, could someone please tell me who OGS is?

Ted

 

Oxford Graduate School.

(Ted N = Ted Nugent ??)

 

You are correct about the school. Nothing has been heard about OGS bid for TRACS candidacy.

As for the identity of Ted N., maybe the motor city madman is looking for a distance learning degree between hunting expeditions.

North

 

Interesting. I know the seminary I was planning to attend (Anglican....in USA=Episcopalian) strongly wanted an undergraduate degree which was in a liberal arts area NOT in a theological area. The reasoning was that they wanted clergy with a broad academic background which would be brought to their theological graduate studies. On top of this they preferred older seminarians (late 20's early 30's). Again, the reasoning was that this produced clergy who were well rounded and had life experience. I don't know if that has changed or not. This was a very liberal seminary. Our campus ministry meetings consisted of discussion about boycotting grapes.

North

 

Thank you for the info Gert, I would have never found that independently.

Definately not Nugent. The only hunting I've been doing is trying to find a program that won't cost more than my potential earnings.

Ted N.

 

North
I believe the reason Baptist seminary took part of the THB was because the number of credits for a bachelors is usually around 126 credits. The THB was 156 credits, and consisted of many of the same types of courses the seminary was offering.

Robert

 

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Candidacy was in effect denied on two occasions.

TRACS conducted an on-site visit on two occasions in 2001. I think the first one was in May and the last in November. On both occasions deficiencies were found -- otherwise candidacy would have been awarded. I have communicated with this institution -- which is located just 80 miles from my home -- on numerous occasions although it was never directly addressed, it became apparent to me that additional work remained before any announcement would be made.

I am told that TRACS is due back on campus very soon.

I think I saved some of my emails with OGS and if so, will paste the responses here for all to review.

 

Very interesting. OGS would be the only TRACS school offering a non D.Min. doctorate. Liberty U. does and I understand the Ph.D. is only TRACS at the moment but I am sure they feel more secure knowing that Liberty is SACS accredited.

OGS program looked solid, requires a residency, and is not that inexpensive. The only thing I do not like in addition to tuition + cost of residencies is the name of the school with the attempted Oxford link. Hey.....do you think we could get them to award M.A.'s for no work like Oxford in England.

North

 

RE: ACCS

Greetings all -- I'm brand new to this forum.

I'm completing an MA (Christian Doctrine) from Harding Graduate School of Religion (Memphis, TN) and am beginning the process of researching accredited DL doctoral degrees (theology emphasis).

I've ruled out Trinity Theological Seminary (accreditation probs) but am quite interested in ACCS's "Amplified D.Min" and Luther Rice's "Extended D.Min" (as I don't have an MDiv).

My questions are -- does anyone have experiences with either of these two institutions? What has been your experience in DL with them? Are you happy with the level of scholarship expected, etc?

 

Yep what do you need

i am currently enrolled at ACCS. There are several people here who have taken courses from this school. I am in the MDIV DMIN program finishing a MDIV and going into the DMIN. If i can be of help to you let me know.

Great having you aboard.

Robert