Liberty University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by elevation02, Sep 1, 2007.

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  1. elevation02

    elevation02 New Member

    Hi All:

    I was wondering what the consensus of the board was on Liberty University, especially for a person of moderate religious beliefs. Has anyone studied via DL with them?

    Thanks!

    Ian
     
  2. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    I have looked into several of their programs but have not studied with them. In speaking to those who have, my understanding is that there will be a few religion classes as core requirements, but the programs are challenging and rewarding. I have not met anyone that has studied at Liberty that was unhappy with their experience.

    Pug
     
  3. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    On the DL end, Liberty is much more laid back than they are with their residential students. I sat in on one modular course at the Lynchburg campus several years ago, and even then met students who were moderate if not non-religious, pro-choice on the abortion issue, etc. They presumably did not preach their liberal gospels, for lack of a better term, on campus, but they were never hassled because of their views.

    If you can handle the inclusion of a couple of religious courses (which never hurt anyone), my recommendation of Liberty is 100%, insofar as they tend to have rote/canned courses, which are not my thing. Nonetheless, you can't beat them for credibility. Whatever else Jerry was, he was a top-notch administrator who put an outstanding school together and drew some of the best faculty around.
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I work in academia here in Virginia, and I've never heard anyone speak poorly of them. In fact, their distance Doctor of Education program seems so well designed and reasonably priced that I've considered it even though I'm not an evangelical Christian.

    -=Steve=-
     
  5. elevation02

    elevation02 New Member

    Hi Guys:

    Thanks for the responses, being a Canadian I'm not as knowledgeable about US uni reps as you folks are. Our distance DL programs here are tres pricey...like 40,000 a pop so I don't want to do that. Our currencies are so similar now that making the jump south of the border is now a very real possibility when it comes time to take my Ed.D.

    I also like the fact that Liberty, versus NCU, is a B&M institution (with a residency requirement) and that if I did want to make the jump to University level teaching, this degree would be more well-received than an NCU degree where it does not have a B&M campus.

    I'm just scared off a little by the religious drive and would not want to get myself into a situation where I was completing numerous assignments which would require me to bring in a religious viewpoint. Coming from a conservative Roman Catholic background, I don't have a great grasp of the evangelical zeal displayed by those who practice this faith. I'm not negative about it mind you, just a little naive.

    To echo Steve, I love the design and cost of the Ed.D program. I also like that it has a brief residency (helping to combat the anti-academic bias against 100% DL programs) and that it will recognize my current Ed.S studies at Northwestern State University.

    Anyone we know currently in the Liberty Ed.D program?

    Ian
     
  6. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    If you contact Liberty University they may be able to connect you with somebody who has gone through the program, or is currently going through it.

    Liberty University is a well-respected school in the area where I live, regardless of which particular religious denomination is practiced. I get the impression that while there are some religion courses which are required they are there more to inform than convert anyone to a particular religion.
     
  7. PMBrooks

    PMBrooks New Member

    I teach for LU in the undergrad program (specifically theology). Of course, I signed the statement of beliefs for the university. However, I have never been told that I had to grade students a certain way b/c of their beliefs.

    Case in point: I had an atheist in one of my classes. As a part of the class, she had to turn in some critiques of theological articles. She gave her honest opinion, supported her statements with sources, etc. She received an "A" from me because of that. At the end of the class, she thanks me for the interaction we had over email regarding her ideas and for allowing her to state openly her beliefs.
     
  8. Vincey37

    Vincey37 New Member

    Be careful - there are assignments which will directly ask you to describe how what you have learned will help your personal relationship with God, effect efforts to avoid sin, etc.

    I'll be honest, I wrote what I thought the instructor wanted to hear on those assignments to get the grade. Somehow, I don't think "this has no effect on my life because I'm agnostic" would have been a sufficient answer. Neither would an explanation of why I don't believe in God have been especially appropriate!

    If you have no issue with the above I would recommend keeping Liberty on your list. The courses are well run, and the content, while not particularly rigorous compared to a first tier institution, compares very favorably to what I have experienced at some other big DL operations.
     
  9. se94583

    se94583 New Member

    i agree with Steve. They are perhaps the best at implementing DL. The courses are a bit canned, but the best I've seen, having taking and taught DL courses at a medley of schools.

    Religious perspective.... YMMV. They seem to back off of their "on-campus" persona when it comes to DL. But keep inmind, it's a historically Fundamentalist Christian university. So if you cannot align with such things, it's better not to make waves.
     
  10. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Does anyone have experience with Liberty Unversity's MS in Accounting? Thanks in advance.

    Dave
     
  11. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    Not understanding how accreditation is conferred, it's difficult for me to understand how such curricula can pass academic muster outside of the the fields of theology, divinity, or ministry.
     
  12. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    Because the meat of the course is the same as any other institution and you come away with the same knowledge. They simply add the religious context on top.
     
  13. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    ...but this theological position - something that isn't developed empirically - assumes weight in grading.
     
  14. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    I've taken classes from several different schools while working on my BS through Excelsior. I've many papers graded that weren't "empirically developed." I don't see any particular problem with it...that's just part of academia.

    Personally, I really like Liberty and believe they have a solid DL program. But I have to say that if the religious connection is not your thing...then find another school....there are plenty of DL options.
     
  15. aic712

    aic712 Member

    My First year of college was @ Liberty

    I was a ground student @ Liberty for a year back in 1999 (my first year of college.) I did not enjoy the overly religious tone of everything, but I cannot discount the quality of instruction I received. The professors are simply top-notch, always available and they know their material. Most had doctorate's from respected schools, and many had multiple Master's degrees to boot. I recommend them based on quality of instruction and reputation despite my disagreements with the baptist sect of christianity.
     
  16. telefax

    telefax Member

    Liberty mandates a much more strict confession of faith for profs than students. I'm finishing my M.Div. this spring (in residence, although the MA was distance learning) and the only two doctoral programs I've applied to are a liberal divinity school and a secular state university, if that's an indication that the student body isn't rigidly following the founder's fundamentalism. The undergrad and secular grad programs are taught from a Christian perspective, but do not require any confession of faith from the students.
     

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