Cheapest theology master's

What would be the cheapest theology master's degree? I'm looking for something from a non-fundamentalist school, and that offers scholarships to online students.

 

Michael,

Here is a link from the Association of Theological Schools:

Schools Offering Six or More Courses Online | The Association of Theological Schools

Cheap and non-fundamentalist are very subjective terms. It might be helpful to know a little more about your theological background and goals, such as are you seeking ordination in a particular denomination/association/convention?

 

Already ordained, so no.

I would use the degree mainly for the purpose of online teaching.

I have quite a varied denominational background. I lean toward Baptist, Mennonite, Quaker, Anglican, Independent Catholic. I know -- strange.

 

I would consider Liberty. When I completed my MA from Liberty, there were several different students from a variety of denominations. I had classmates who were Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Methodist and Baptist. Their block rate is quite affordable.

$2,550 Seminary block rate for students enrolled in 9-15 credit hours

 

Are you talking about the Th.M degree? (Which I believe is the minimum degree to teach for ATS schools- correct me if I'm wrong) If you could find one that allows you to do it online, please share. I looked at Liberty's program, but they recently changed their program to include two residencies.

 

South African Theological Seminary. Inexpensive, well respected, several options available both in structure and concentration.

 

Maybe a MA in Theological Studies, or something similar. Campbellsville U. has what they call a Master of Theology that is fairly reasonable. And Maranatha Baptist Seminary offers a MA in English Bible, with a 50% tuition scholarship for people age 55. Problem is they are fundamentalist dispensationalist and I am not.

 

Were any of these students moderate, or were they fundamentalist?

 

What would the utility of a SATS degree be for teaching online in an American school?

 

no worries, I'm Presby/Anglican (with a dash of Eastern Orthodox) who had a Baptinite (Baptist/Mennonite) upbringing.

 

Wow, maybe you're my long lost twin.

 

The denomination of the school will probably be a strong determinate of where a graduate can teach. For example, getting a M.Th from Campbellsville University (Southern Baptist) will not quality a graduate to teach theology at Franciscan University (Roman Catholic). What denomination is SATS?

 

Seemingly non-denominational evangelical ...

SATS comes under the spiritual oversight of the elders of The Village Church The Village Church re South African Theological Seminary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia which was planted by Rosebank Union Church...About Rosebank Union Church | Rosebank Union Church

Source: South African Theological Seminary. (2014, June 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 3, 2015, from South African Theological Seminary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I think it would depend on the denomination of the school, but if you found a nondenominational school, or a school without stringent denominational requirements, I think the SATS credential would be fine. Bakke Graduate University, for example, has some faculty with credentials from the University of South Africa and the University of Pretoria. I think Piedmont International University also has some faculty with South African credentials, but I can't remember for sure. I think they're fairly common actually, especially for adjunct positions.

 

There were conservative students, more liberal students, etc. Liberty is so large the online degrees appeal to many folks. While the professors tend to be more conservative, the student body was definitely mixed.

I had classmates who were part of the PCUSA, ELCA, SBC, non-denominational, etc.

 

What about a non-religious-based school, whether private or state?

 

You want to teach theology in a secular school? A degree from SATS will be considered equivalent to a regional accreditation.

 

Not necessarily wanting to teach there, just asking about the utility of a SATS degree for teaching in such a school.

If the school had a choice between a person holding a U.S. regionally accredited degree and one holding a SATS degree, would the US degree holder have an advantage?

 

These are just general comments (not rules) for hiring professors who have masters degrees in theology:
1. Religious schools will generally want degrees from institutions with similar religious leanings (click here for an example).
2. Theology degrees from secular schools may not be advantageous (review #1 above).
3. Oftentimes, getting hired is a matter of already having contacts.
4. Candidates must be vetted (review #3 above).

 

There are far too many variabkes involved to answer that question. Did both candidates earn their degrees online? Are the degrees equivalent? Does one candidate have more experience? Does the interviewer have a bias for or against foreign or local schools? SATS is a very reputable, RA equivalent school that will enable you to teach.