Can anyone advise the cheapest accredited (NA) D.Min that does not require a M.Div; I have an M.S. in Psychology already? Thanks!
There was a recent discussion about Luther Rice but I do not know the admissions requirements. I would be interested in knowning. The cost is about $7,500.
I already replied to this question on the other forum, but I'll repost my reply here (with some additions) for anyone else who views this thread: Usually DMin programs require an MDiv as one of their entry requirements. The ATS accreditation manual explicitly states that any ATS-accredited DMin degree requires an MDiv: "Admission to the DMin program requires the possession of a Board-approved MDiv degree or its educational equivalent. Ministerial experience is not considered the equivalent of or a substitute for the MDiv degree." http://www.ats.edu/Accrediting/Documents/08DegreeStandards.pdf TRACS similarly includes the following: "Admission requires the M.Div., subsequent pastoral experience and usually a present ministry involvement that provides the context for advanced preparation and application" http://tracs.org/files/AccreditationManual_Feb09.pdf LRU, which is TRACS accredited, requires an MDiv for entry into their DMin program: http://www.lru.edu/UserFiles/Documents/LRUCatalog/2009-2010/Cat-Admissions.pdf Of course there are always exceptions but these are their official rules. I searched the ABHE site but couldn't find any definitive statement on what they require for such degrees. So it may be possible through ABHE schools, but probably not, considering that every unaccredited school I checked also requires an MDiv. (For example, unaccredited but relatively well thought-of Louisiana Baptist University requires an MDiv) South African schools may admit someone without an MDiv, you'd probably have to inquire to each one individually. It's also possible a school might admit someone without an MDiv and require them to complete extensive extra coursework (roughly equivalent to an MDiv) but at that point it would probably be better for you to just earn a MDiv somewhere else (faster/cheaper) and then apply to the other (better reputation?) school for the DMin. Unfortunately I think you're out of luck; you'll have to earn the MDiv first before getting the DMin. To get your MDiv, LRU as suggested above would probably be a good choice, or Liberty (which would be more expensive but it's RA).
Nsula Somewhere at some point I saw a cost per unit posted for an MA from NSULA. Anyone have any idea where that info is? I must not be using the right search terms 'cause I can't find it - but I'm sure someone posted it.
MDiv Equivalency To respond to at least one of the sub topics in this thread I wanted to point out from my experience that most seminaries will allow students to pursue a D.Min without a MDiv. I suspect that DMin programs bring in a lot of revenue for seminaries. While all ATS accredited seminaries claim to be following ATS guidelines, the levelling courses for MDiv equivalency vary depending on the seminary and on the DMin concentration. Tom
Some seminaries will aloow you entrance into a doctorate program if you can show 71 hrs of masters work in a related field such as theology, christian education, or biblical studies. Liberty I believe does this, as well as Reformed Theological Seminary. You should check them out.... www.rts.edu and www.liberty.edu
You might take a look at Bakke Graduate University (formerly Northwest Graduate School of Ministry) www.bgu.edu and Faith Evangelical Seminary www.faithseminary.edu.
Just noticed this and thought I'd post the info to this thread in case it's helpful: BILD International / Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development is not yet accredited but is an applicant for accreditation with DETC: http://www.detc.org/new_applicants.html They currently offer the DMin with two concentrations, Doctor of Ministry in Global Church-Based Theological Education, and Doctor of Ministry in Theology in Culture: http://www.bild.org/antiochSchool/academicInfo/DegreePrograms.html Their tuition is currently ridiculously cheap: "Tuition is $4800 for any Antioch School degree program." Their entry requirements also currently do not specify a need for a ministry master's degree for entry into their DMin programs, although they do mention that the previous ministry requirements for those lacking a degree "may be fulfilled within the program as additional requirements": http://www.bild.org/antiochSchool/academicInfo/Admission.html Since it is not yet accredited, this is more one to keep an eye on than to seriously consider right now. They may change any or all of these facts to be able to obtain accreditation. Also you'd have to weigh whether or not a DETC accredited degree would be "good enough" for your purposes. They also claim to be seeking ABHE accreditation in the future, but then again, anyone can SAY they PLAN to do this-and-that, hard to know whether they seriously plan to follow through HTH!
Trinity School of Natural Health http://www.trinityschool.org/public/about.php This religious school offers a Doctorate in Naturopathy (ND). It does not appear on the Oregon list of Unaccredited Colleges. http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx The tuition looks very reasonable about $4000 for an online program.
The reigious umbrella? My questions is: Are religious schools under a different "umbrella" of accreditation and recognition? If so, does that make the school somehow legitimate? Question for John Bear. Do you have an opinion about the nature of institutions of unaccredited higher learning that fall under a "religious umbrella"? Is this some kind of loophole in the education system for possible diploma mills to flourish?
My understanding is (and this may vary state to state, and certainly country to country) is that generally a school that teaches purely religious courses (ie, they teach theology but not business, science, etc) is not required to have any kind of accreditation. There are three USDE/CHEA approved accreditors specifically for Christian schools: ATS, ABHE, and TRACS. These are considered national accreditation and are an alternative to RA/DETC for Christian schools. With all of these options available, I would personally be wary of any school that has no accreditation at all.
I attended a wedding a few years ago and the person conducting the wedding had certifications from the ULC. The ULC "sells" religious degrees which are legal in California (but probably useless for finding a job). http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=shop&cat=17
In many (but not necessarily all) states, religious schools are under a different "umbrella" of state recognition. That is to say, many states allow for a religious exemption from the state approval process if they offer exclusively religious degree titles. That said, a religious school can either take the religious exemption or apply for state approval. As for accreditation, religious schools have access to the same accreditors as secular schools. There are some religious schools with national accreditation through the DETC and I'm sure all six of the RAs accredit some religious schools. Additional, religious schools can apply for professional accreditation with ATS, ABHE, or TRACS.
Ted: I saw your reply and thank you for moderating this forum. This is very informative. Please let me know if I can be helpful.
I am in the doctoral program at Bakke, great to see you made it over here Brad! (Brad Smith is the president of Bakke Graduate University)