Tenessee Bible College

I found Tenessee Bible College on another board and it looks very interesting. The college is "authorized by the Tenessee Higher Education Commission".

What exactly does this mean? I know that is not the same as accreditation, but it's better than nothing, right?

At $50 per credit, I'm tempted! Can anyone share any experiences with TBC?

Thanks!

 

I don't know anything about the Tenessee Higher Education Commission or Tenessee Bible College. I looked at their website. $50 per quarter hour is the graduate level tuition, $30 per quarter hour for undergraduate courses. Are you looking at graduate level programs? What are you looking to accomplish with the degree? If it is strictly for personal enrichment, why not just audit the courses for $30 per class? If you intend on using the degree professionally or in academia, you should really stick with an accredited program. Eugene Bible College is $50 per quarter hour at the undergrad level and they are accredited nationally through the ABHE.

Pug

 

If you are looking for a graduate degree, Johnson Bible College offers an M.A. of New Testament degree for $150 per semester hour. I know $450 per class is A LOT more than the $250 per class you'd pay at Tenessee, but Johnson is regionally accredited. $150 per hour for a regionally accredited graduate program...I know of nothing less expensive. Liberty used to be $180 per hour but recently increased graduate tuition to $225 per hour for their M.A. in Religion.

Pug

 

Hi Pug,

I'm looking at the graduate level. I looked at Eugene and it doesn't offer any graduate degrees, unfortunately.

Here's my problem: I am going into full-time ministry in the near future. I have been accepted and confirmed by my local Board of Administration as a ministerial candidate. My goal is to eventually earn a DMin. degree with a focus on marriage and family therapy, licensed in New York state.

My game plan (roughly) is to finish my MMin. at Nations U (unaccredited), then pursue an accredited MDiv. The Nations degree will give me the bible and theological background I need to continue to the MDiv. Following the MDiv. I will pursue the DMin.

I know I have the drive and ability, but I lack any kind of financing. Plus, my undergrad degree GPA is only a 2.3 (yuck). I'm a lot more driven now than I was then!

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jon

 

SCU

What ever happened with Southern Christian University?

 

SCU is still my #1 choice. I'm just looking at all options.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

I would recommend sticking with either NA or RA universities. Not because the education is necessarily better, but it will provide you with much more utility. RA degrees will open more doors than NA degrees and NA degrees will open more doors than unaccredited degrees. Just keep that in mind when you look to the future for your DMin.

The good side of you doing all of this research is that you will able to help others on DI find DL programs.

 

Hmmm....my first question would be, since Nations Is unaccredited, why do you believe you will be able to complete the MMin and then be accepted into an accredited MDiv program? A lack of financing is tough. That's the problem with school in the United States...$$$$$$$$$$$. I think it's going to be difficult to get accepted into an accredited MDiv with an unaccredited MMin, I really do. It is an unfortunate reality.

Pug

 

It means that they are legally allowed to operate in the state of Tennessee. Some states actually have some quality controls that go into their approval processes; others simply give rubber stamp approval. Not sure what Tennessee does.

 

Thanks for all the input, everyone. BTW Pug, I have an accredited BA, so I'm not relying exclusively on the MMin to get into the MDiv.

I'm going to finish the MMin, then take the plunge with SCU for the MDiv, scraping every dollar of financial aid, scholarships, and grants I can.

Thanks again,

Jon

 

Re: Re: Re: Tenessee Bible College

It appears that Tennessee requires all schools which operate in the state to be authorized. Quoting from the the Tennessee Higher Education Commission web site:

The list of authorized institutions is pretty long and includes universities, Bible colleges, vocational training schools, computer training centers, and more; you can view it at http://www.state.tn.us/thec/2004web/division_pages/lra_pages/psa_pages/psa_3.html

The bottom line is that for an educational institution to operate in Tennessee, it must secure authorization, but this process isn't primarily geared toward academic quality vis-a-vis issuing degrees. In this respect, authorization is probably closer to a business license than accreditation.

Jason

---
www.bakersguide.com

 

A few other thoughts..

I feel your pain / pressure about working toward ministry credentials, higher education and paying for it all.

Regarding the denomination / group you hope to be ordained with, do they have school preferences?? Lot's of denominations do and your choice of schools could drastically influence the credentialling process for you.

I personally found the South African route advantageous -- quality education; great prices; international credibility.

I note Dr. Baker has been posting quite a bit lately.... his website is a super resource -- arguably the best for those seeking Christian degrees: http://www.bakersguide.com

If not familiar with the international degree offerings, definitely check out Jason's website.

For a quality, accredited higher master's -- I would strongly recommend that you prayerfully consider -- South African Theological Seminary, or University of Zululand. Both offer the Master of Theology at an extremely affordable price (under $2000 USD).

====

From looking at the MMin program on the Nation's website, it looks like a well organized program with some depth to it... fine if you were not planning ahead for a doctorate.

Money aside -- you are going to spend many, many hours for a fine, but unaccredited degree that likely will not help much getting you into any credible doctoral program.

A fully accredited MTh from one of several South Africa schools would provide the depth and credibility needed to give you a good foundation from which to move into some good, credible doctoral program -- maybe even staying with a South African school (and the DTh).

South African Theological Seminary is quite popular on this website, and quite Evangelical friendly.

You really should also consider U-Zululand -- though lot's of people seem frightened away because of the truly African school name.

The faculty are quite conservative theologically -- unlike U-South Africa!! -- and you cannot beat the combination of price and credibility (fully accredited).

 

Great info Haggai. The MMin at Nations is primarily to help me gain some background which I am sorely lacking. Then I will feel much more comfortable moving on to the MTh or MDiv programs from accredited schools.

You're right about the South African schools as a great combination of quality and price. Definitely to be considered.

Thanks again,

Jon

 

Keep in mind that many religious schools are not RA. Also, that many governing bodies (especially at the congregational level) do not care as much about accreditation as they do about the reputation of that school within their own church family.

For work in the ministry, it sometimes happens that an unaccredited degree from your denominations affiliated school will have more utility than an accredited degree from a school unknown to or looked down upon by the church family.

Here the issue is going to be more about what your faith leadership expects than about what works best in academe.

Keep in mind that the profession of the ministry and the academic study of religion are often different things.

 

Hi Coach, how are you? How's NationsU treatin' you?

Of course, you're right about the difference between ministry and academics, but I was so sorely lacking in the foundational basics that the MMin at Nations is a way for me to get good background studies and a knowledge base to start with.

One of the main reasons for my concern about accreditation is the possibility of pursuing a DMin or DTh in the future. An unaccredited Masters won't get it done, even for a TRACS school.

Thanks,

Jon