Domuni University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Messdiener, Apr 18, 2016.

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  1. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    On the recommendation of a friend, I recently looked into Domuni University.

    Compared to many universities discussed here, this one raises a few red flags as it is purely virtual and not accredited as an institution. Rather, it has two streams: theology & religious studies. The former programs are accredited by a French, secular university (red flag), and the latter degrees are awarded by the Angelicum in Rome. I've confirmed the Angelicum connection with the authorities there, so that's less of a concern. The University of Lorraine has not responded yet to my queries, so we'll see where that goes.

    Regardless, for 1,500 EUR per academic year, it seems like a good option for those interested in Catholic theology, philosophy, and Church history.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    A quick look at their website doesn't raise any immediate concerns.

    Why the concern about their association with a secular university?
     
  3. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    The Angelicum is about as legit as it gets when it comes to Roman Catholic universities. So if the Angelicum confirms that Domuni University has a partnership with them that allows one to pursue an Angelicum degree via DL that's not really a red flag.

    That sounds like a really great program.
     
  4. Breizhou

    Breizhou Member

    Concerning (non religious) accreditation alone it is not clear who recognizes Domuni in France.

    They claim on their website
    I cannot find anything on the rectorat/academie de Toulouse website (go to annuaire for school directory).

    Domuni appears nowhere on the ministère of education list of public universities in Toulouse:

    I cannot find them on the accredited private degree directory website either

    Cannot find any mention of an agreement on University of Lorraine website. I am also wondering why they would need their courses recognised if they were already properly accredited by the state...

    The only place were I can find legal mention of Domuni is on the directory of non profit association.

    Lastly the domuni address appears to change depending on the language that you select. Not sure why that is.
     
  5. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Good question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but degree validation by a secular university is common in countries with stricter government control on degrees. My Church's seminary, St. Andrew's College, is technically part of University of Manitoba. St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (a Russian Orthodox Exarchate's seminary) in Paris is validated by the Sorbonne.
     
  6. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    My concern about the French university connection was simply that the University of Lorraine doesn't appear to have any sort of theology programs whatsoever. Rather, the focus is entirely different. Wikipedia summarizes the situation:

    Perhaps, I am simply unfamiliar with these sorts of affiliations. As Stanislav pointed out, several Orthodox theological institutes are affiliated with secular universities, so perhaps this is not entirely uncommon. For me, it was an initial red flag, but I suppose that's why I turned to DI for thoughts and advice.
     
  7. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    That was my thought precisely. If one opts to get the Bachelor or Master in Religious Studies awarded through the Angelicum, this looks stellar. The price is about right, and doing this entirely through distance learning without going to Rome is even better.
     
  8. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    These are the sorts of other "red flags" that I had in mind but did not mention in my initial posting: different addresses (France, Belgium, etc.), lack of official mention on UofL's website, etc.

    I did attempt to contact the University of Lorraine but did not receive any reply. I have not yet reached out to the Rectorat of Toulose. Perhaps, I can do so later today.
     
  9. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    What would be the incentive for the university to lie about University of Lorraine connection, given that the Angelicum thing is real? I do not see much of a risk here.

    One thing someone can try to verify is whether this school is really run by the Dominican order. Even if the school was unaccredited (which it isn't), the OP would not run a degree mill.
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I also can't see the Roman Catholic Church tolerating their being associated with any degree mill, no matter now tenuous the connection.
     
  11. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    The Dominicans themselves advertise the institute on their website (here). Likewise, the Angelicum has an "e-Learning" link at the top of each page, linking to Domuni.
     
  12. Breizhou

    Breizhou Member

    Apparently in 2013 an agreement was signed in France that says that all degrees (religious and non religious) delivered by a catholic institution of higher learning recognized by the Vatican will be considered similar to a French state degree. The article is here.

    If Domuni is recognized by the Vatican then the degrees will be accepted as state degrees in France.
     
  13. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    If the degrees are being awarded by the Angelicum then it is the Angelicum's recognition by the Vatican (undisputed) that grants the degrees status under French law. Of course, I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who needed an obscure French statute to legitimize a degree from the Angelicum.
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Because if any organization exemplifies a culture of ethical behavior and transparency, it's the Roman Catholic Church! :jester:
     
  15. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Roman Catholic Church literally invented the modern Western university, university degree (licentia docendi, Master of Arts), and accreditation (by Papal bull granting canonical status and ius ubique docendi). So yeah, when it comes to academic rigor, they kind of own it. I have no concerns about a genuine Catholic institution's legitimacy; especially when it's the Order of Preachers running it.
     
  17. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Those of us in Boston know that all too well.
     
  18. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    I didn't realize Angelicum itself is also ran by the Order of Preachers. Along with the validation deal and close collaboration, this basically makes Domuni a sister school and an e-learning counterpart of Angelicum, a 800-year-old institution. Despite its narrow scope, this program is among the coolest DL things I know of. Affordable to boot.
     
  19. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    1500 euros per year rivals South Africa for affordability.
     
  20. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    What's even better is that the 1,500EUR fee is per "academic year". From what I understand, this means that you pay the fee once and study until you finish all courses for that year, whether or not that takes one calendar year, two, three, or more.
     

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