Special situation might warrant a low-cost, non-accredited doctorate?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by AAD, Oct 7, 2013.

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  1. AAD

    AAD New Member

    Let me preface this rather long post with a general thank you to this site and Dr. John Bear. I consider myself a degreeinfo.com success story and especially value the help I received here and from Dr. Bear. Throughout my career as I had questions about my ‘educational plans’ I turned here; although I investigated other avenues my research usually began here or prior to this site’s existence with Dr. Bear’s books.

    Since I am retired now from academia and industry, I am involved in volunteer religious education, perhaps a 'good' unaccredited doctoral program might work for me. I feel I need some guidance/interaction, through coursework and instructor interactions with faculty types in the field of theology/religion. Although I have an M.A. in Theology (RA/ATS accredited, as well as a number of other RA degrees) and have studied comparative religion and philosophy over the years, this has been my avocation. My ‘bread and butter’ vocation has been in what is now called information technology as a software development contractor, faculty member, and technical manager.

    I haven not been regular on this site for quite a while, but I seem to remember that some few members have had some good things to say about and Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary academically; that their accreditation, or rather lack thereof, was related to other issues, perhaps financial.

    But also back in my memory there seems to be some question of a connection between Newburgh Theological Seminary & College of the Bible and Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary, both unaccredited schools, both in the same vicinity of Indiana. Visiting the websites, Newburgh's seems very sketchy content and academically while Trinity's seems rather slick, but I notice I could not find the brick & mortar address for Trinity, but maybe that's just me.

    Since I am essentially donating time and money towards my volunteer work, I need a really economical program. What’s the definitive, up-to-date word on Trinity? Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    I noticed there was a Trinity College of Natural Health in Indiana that offers an online Doctor Of Naturopathy as a "religious" degree approach. I personally don't have any problems with religion degrees overall because freedom of religion is a constitutional right! Who is to say they are not accredited by a higher power??....but that's me!
     
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You might want to take a peek at UNISA and SATS. Because they are South African schools the cost will be about as low as you'll find anywhere plus they both have good international reputations.
     
  4. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    AAD,

    Three schools comprise the Green River Trio (Green River runs through the Evansville/Newburgh area): Trinity College of the Bible/Seminary, Master's International Divinity School, and Newburgh Theological Seminary. Each claims to have no affiliation with the other; however, personnel from the latter two were at one time associated with Trinity.

    I would avoid earning a degree from a school not accredited by a USDOE/CHEA recognized agency or its foreign equivalent. Some have a major problem with degrees from schools accredited only by a higher power.
     
  5. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Trinity's B&M address is not conspicuous, but it is shown on this page of their website:

    For comparison, Newburgh Theological Seminary is apparently located at 8922 County Road 406 S, Newburgh, IN, which is about 1.5 miles away.
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    When one pursues a degree, one gives two forms of capital (effort and money) and receives two (education and a degree). The level of quality in either the education or the degree will often vary because of personal circumstances.

    I cannot speak for the quality of education you will or can receive at these schools. But the quality of the degree attained will be very low. It might be recognized in some circles for some things, but having a degree from an unaccredited school also runs risks to your personal reputation. (Not an indictment against the idea, just a point.)

    If the degree is important to you, get it from a recognized university. If it is not, I would question why you're considering enrolling in a degree program at all--you can get knowledge in many other places. See where I'm heading with this?

    Ask yourself if the degree is important. Then ask again. And again. See if there isn't some hidden, competing commitment that pushes you towards a degree. And if there is, what rationalizations are you using in order to feel good about getting a degree from such a school? And if it truly isn't important, why are you doing it?
     
  7. Here, you tell us in your own words the essence of what you are seeking: guidance, and interaction. In essence, you want quality instruction. Mentorship. Spiritual leadership.

    Consider the possibility that an economical solution might get you a credential (of possibly dubious worth) but fail to give you that quality instruction that you desire.

    Unless you have a specific need for the degree, I suggest doing it the old-fashioned way. Long before there were seminaries, religious education and the formation of religious leaders were accomplished through one-on-one mentorship and apprenticeship. Find a mentor in your local community. You will likely find the situation to be both cheaper in cost and richer in quality.
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    There may be a special situation that warrants a low-cost unaccredited doctorate. Unfortunately, there is none I know of that warrants a low-quality degree - and that seems to me what's on offer here. Rich is right - there are two components: the degree and the education. The first is useless without the other.

    Call me crazy, but I'm a believer that somewhere out there, decent unaccredited education can still be had. It's a Holy Grail kind of thing - hard to find, to say the least. Infinitely harder, at the doctoral level. What I am also pretty sure of is: someone like the OP, with sincerity of purpose and a really fine education - does NOT want to cap it off with a doctorate from Trinity Newburgh.

    This school has multiple threads in multiple fora. It has been cussed, discussed, lampooned, reviled, ridiculed and had silly poems made up about it.

    It was once validated by University of Liverpool - the famous "yellow stickers." When that came to a halt, it picked up endorsement for its degrees from Christ Church, Canterbury. Subsequently, Trinity applied for and failed to obtain Regional Accreditation. University of Wales had a widespread and ultimately disastrous validation program, involving little or no oversight and over 200 far-flung institutions, including Trinity. After the inevitable implosion of the U. of Wales fiasco, Trinity applied for DETC accreditation. DETC ultimately said "no." OK. Who's next?

    Somewhere, an unaccredited, good, low-cost doctoral program may be available. I know not where. Certainly not Trinity, if many past posts in this and other forums can be believed. You could probably finish a good South African program for even less money, and in far less time than the search would take -- that search could be eternal! And not only would you have a respected degree - you'd have the education that should go with it. And it's pretty obvious, AAD - that you would be satisfied with nothing less. I wish you every success. :smile:

    Johann

    "The truth is out there." (David Duchovny as Fox Mulder - The X Files)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 8, 2013
  9. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    Can you narrow down "economical" for me? Perhaps if I knew your threshold I could help a bit more.
     
  10. scottae316

    scottae316 New Member

    Your theological leanings would also help. There are a few seminaries that may serve your purpose, also as Pug asked about economic.
     
  11. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I agree with Rich Douglas on this one. I worry that an unaccredited doctorate might do you more harm than good. Since it is not accredited, quality control might be in question and you may have regrets. How about a DETC accredited doctorate? That might not be recognized in academia, but there will be fewer questions about the validity of your doctorate.
     
  12. AAD

    AAD New Member

    Thanks to all. I am definitely 'writing off' Trinity; I guess their attempt at DETC acreditation made me think they might be 'on the road' to becoming 'real.' I did check out SATS which was new to me and it might be just what I need. I'll be exploring their Practical Theology concentration and see if I 'fit' there.

    Thanks again for all the help.

    Joe
     
  13. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    If DETC is an option, you should also look at Tennessee Temple University (accredited nationally by TRACS) and Johnson University (accredited regionally by SACS). Both offer a PhD in Leadership with a ministry track option. $18k and $24k respectively.
     
  14. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Agreed. If the OP is genuinely interested in the hard work of researching and writing a dissertation, these are great choices. Don't mistake the affordability for ease, though. These programs are tough to get into and even tougher to get out of :)
     

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