seminary(rpl)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by BA1, Mar 30, 2009.

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  1. BA1

    BA1 New Member

    Anyone know of any distance learning seminary schools ( USA or Abroad) that give credits for RPL?
     
  2. kirkhenderson123

    kirkhenderson123 New Member

    Try Kings' Seminary (www.kingsseminary.edu). When you say RPL, do you mean credit for life experience? Kings does offer credit for life experience..a tough seminary but highly regarded. There are some great DL seminaries...Reformed Theological offers a 60-hr MA in religion (www.rts.edu) completely online. RTS is RA and a fantastic school. Of course there is Liberty Seminary (www.liberty.edu). I also know that Fuller Theologicsal offers an MA in Global Leadership online (www.fuller.edu). I am not sure about life experience for any of these. I have researched and asked that question many times. Now you can try Colorado Theological Seminary...I know they will offer you life experience, but the degree is not RA. If you want an RA degree, most likely you will not get life experience. So it depends on what you want to do with your degree. If you want it just for personal fulfillment, or to be qualified in a non-demoninational church for ministry and bibkle knowledge, a non-RA school would be fine. But if you want to teach or work in a denomination, you will need at least an RA MA of some kind, or an MDiv...
     
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    What is RPL?
     
  4. djryval

    djryval New Member

    I think RPL is Recognition for Prior Learning.
     
  5. thomaskolter

    thomaskolter New Member

    You can look at my churches seminary its not that expensive and once your in the Esoteric Mystery School they offer many mini-courses for just $300 a year to add to your knowledge.

    If you want to just be a minister and willing to work on your education unguided try the Universal Life Church you can be ordained free in under a few minutes.

    But the other point is correct if you want to work in a denomination you must attend a school they approve of or go to a school no one would question. One other option if your up for it in the University of London - External Degree option by testing they offer a Bachelors of Divinity that would be hard to refute. If its still offered.

    In my case my current degree is fine its for personal interest more and I did study religions of all sorts for over two decades, and I am a Gnostic so it was a good fit. My secular education though is RA naturally I need a solid degree for my professional life I can use for that.
     
  6. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    thomaskolter:

    I'm not trying to be difficult or pick a fight but I'm genuinely curious about something. How is your ThD degree not considered a diploma mill degree? I'm not saying it doesn't work for your needs, I'm just surprised you put it in your signature on a board that exists to offer sources of legitimate degrees as opposed to diploma mills.

    Esoteric Theological Seminary http://www.northernway.org/, Doctor of Theology Th.D. - 2009

    Here are the requirements:

    You must be ordained as a minister by us, the Esoteric Interfaith Church, or by any other recognized church or seminary. (The ordination fee is completely waived if you are applying for a Doctorate Degree. Be sure to fill out and submit an Ordained Minister's Application)

    You must write a 4000 word thesis/dissertation on any topic of a spiritual nature that appeals to you. Which can be emailed to us or snail-mailed. Don't stress over the thesis paper. Just write about something you love and it will flow out of you. Many of our alumni (at least a dozen) have turned their thesis papers into books by simply expanding them into a larger document after graduation. So remind yourself as you're writing, that you are authoring that book you always wanted to write!

    You must write a one to three page spiritual history, telling the story of religion and spirituality in your life from your childhood to the present. Send to OrdainCouncil.

    Complete the Doctorate Degree Application

    Pay the one-time only tuition fee of $600


    They do admit they aren't accredited but then they go on to state why they are not a diploma mill:

    "We are not an online diploma mill. We went online in 1999 to make the application process and lesson delivery easier. Diploma mills are out to scam you and then disappear. They offer only honorary degrees, or degrees for "entertainment" purposes only. A diploma mill diploma is not signed by a real person and looks shoddy, photo-copied in many cases. A diploma mill is not a legally incorporated non-profit religious organization (church) whose by-laws allow them to grant religious degrees (as we are). Our degrees are bonafide legitimate religious Doctorate Degrees because we are a recognized organization that exists not just on the Internet, but in the brick and mortar realm. And because we require the written work listed above, require an application screening process, give spiritual training courses where needed and credit for your life experience / work, offer transcripts, and keep a real hard-copy file of each and every degree holder and minister. We can issue transcripts, offer references and letters of recommendation whenever you need them -- for the rest of your life*. "
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 31, 2009
  7. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Does the Moody Bible Institute? I'm not sure myself but I do know them by reputation (which is stellar).
     
  8. thomaskolter

    thomaskolter New Member

    I will ask a simple question that I had to consider: Are there any accredited religious school offering a bachelors degree or higher in gnostic christianity, magick, druidism and well many other minority faiths?

    I looked at my viable options and found nothing. I will blame no party save with no other options I found the best one I could. I was going to seek a bachelors degree but found no problem getting my doctorate since its a degree for scholars within a faith. Its not the same as the others that doesn't bother me.

    And since I was paying $150 to join the church putting out the extra $450 to get the degree and ordination included seemed like a good deal since I wanted to have a religious degree related to my faith path. Like I said I was a practicing in alternative religious paths for years, am very well read in metaphysics and various religions. I only noted it when I wrote an article on the Simple Church Movement in a theological support with the D.Th. and noted the school after it.

    I will also note since I'm a minister of my faith and attending their educational system under the Mystery School its not a matter of the State, no one can dictate to a faith in the US what degrees they can offer or content of a degree. If the laws or followed and they are. I'm clear and intend to be so when using my degree that its one of a religious nature.

    Last point I just noted it as an option if this person wants a degree for personal use or use within a religious context if they are serious and dedicated to benefiting their community as a religious figure. Implied when one gets ordained in my denomination and has educational goals in the faith. That is a matter of personal conviction as far as I'm concerned. I also noted another option the University of London as a degree granter for another viable option of they need a broader use degree the bachelors of divinity if its still offered.
     
  9. raristud

    raristud Member

    "I will also note since I'm a minister of my faith and attending their educational system under the Mystery School its not a matter of the State"

    If you apply for a position, then whatever document you use to claim an educational credential can be a matter of the state. If it is a matter of personal conviction or religion, then there should be nothing to stop you from practicing your faith and educating yourself in many religious practices. A school like Liberty University has to follow certain guidelines in order to comply with accreditation standards. So in certain situations, it can be a matter of the state and laws will have to be followed.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 31, 2009
  10. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Ironically (or not depending upon how you view Texas) the buckle of the Bible Belt, Texas, has just had a landmark case concerning religious exemptions for faith based schools operating within the state without accreditation and allowing for those graduates to use their credentials professionally. Faith based schools, even like yours, won the day.
     
  11. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    Thanks for the info.
     

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