Greetings, I have read some archived discussions about the South African options and Greenwich...but much of that info is a couple of years old. Are there any more recent opinions or facts about SATS or UNISA or GST? Also, I saw that someone noticed that London Bible College offers a distance learning MA...I have looked at LBC for several years, they are great, and according to their prospectus residence may not be mandatory for research degrees either! Thanks!
Welcome aboard. Others can answer more extensively about SATS and UNISA. Be aware that SATS is now independent of its former connection to Unizul and no longer facilitates doctoral study. My impressions of SATS are positive. I've had no contact with UNISA. As for GST, my candid adivice is to stay away. They were linked to the school of theology at Potchefstroom University, which has been merged into the new University of North West. UNW does not have the name recognition in conservative Christian circles that Potchefstroom enjoyed, tho it may attain it. GST is expensive, since you pay both the Brits and the SAns. I wasted some money on them: had to pay several hundred up front, then was told I needed a different diss topic, and never got any replies whatever from the British supervisor, while the South African supervisor was inhospitable. Please bear in mind that this is one person's experience.
SATS SATS's website was revamped at the beginning of this year, and thus has some new information (including faculty). They can be checked out at http://www.sats.edu.za/ or http://www.us.sats.edu.za/ I am a M.Th. student at SATS, and although I am fairly early into my program, my experience with them has been excellent . However, if you have in mind the traditional North American Th.M., you better take a good look at it, for their programs are built on the U.K./European model (a one or two year masters program consisting primarily of research). I entered their program with a two-year M.A. in Old Testament studies from a recognized Canadian evangelical seminary. I have a friend working towards his D.Th. through Unisa, and although his might not be the typical experience, he is getting very minimal feedback/communication from his supervisor.
Brad, you may want to check the bakers guide for christian education http://www.gospelcom.net/bakersguide/ hope this helps, cbryant
I'm also currently doing my MTh at SATS. I noticed that the South African Master's degrees for Theology are research types - Unisa, UniZul, SATS This means you have to work on a thesis/dissertation or the Structured Thesis type.
Brad, I second the advice regarding Jason Baker's website. There are strong programs available in both South Africa and the United Kingdom. If academia is your goal, I get the impression that (fair or not) the various UK programs would probably serve you better. Still, there are some such as Poythress, Hindson, and one of the Caner brothers who have done quite well in North America with South African degrees. The only DL program in the US that is close to what you are asking about is the PhD from the Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Pennsylvania. It is a good school, but the program is in Biblical Studies, rather expensive, and requires 16 campus visits (fewer if you enroll with a Th.M.). www.bbc.edu
Brad, Greetings! The international program information on the Bakersguide site has fallen a little out of date recently. Thus, the info you'll find provided there isn't fully accurate. If you have any questions about the programs you find listed, please let me know by emailing me at [email protected]. Blessings! Cory Seibel
=== I'm sure there are others around using SA Theology degrees with "success," but another is Philip Comfort prof of Greek and NT at Trinity Episcopal, editor of Bibles and Bible Reference at Tyndale House, and editor of the helpful book , "The Text of The Earliest NT Greek MSS." I suppose his PhD from Fairfax is not in Theology. Comfort also has the D. Litt. et Phil. from The U. of SA. If I had the money, time etc, I'd jump at the Baptist School above. But I'm very happy in my current inexpensive ThD program. Of course I'm an old guy and see no reason to do a $20,000++ doc at my age when I can do a $2000 doc. While I do it not for employment, being mostly retired, I don't think the Unizul degree would handicap me , personally, for employment.--were that my objective. My other training is on campus, RA/ATS schools. I may be wrong but my hunch is that frequently teaching positions in Theology are awarded as much for who one knows , what one believes , and what one has done already as for where one has studied for the terminal degree. My own experience with a SA school thus far is very positive.
thanks Thanks for all of the feedback...I will keep looking at the additional resourses listed... Have two more quick questions: Has anyone actually found out what the yearly fees are for PhD at university of Wales, Lamp? I found some Dmin fees but no PhD listings.... Also, I am a little more familiar with the UK system than the South Africa system...but in looking through some of the SA catalogs, I find no mention of being able to register first for the Mth and then if sufficient progress is made, transfering to the PhD. It's fairly common in the UK...does anyone know if it is possible in SA? Thanks again - brad
General fees are at http://www.lamp.ac.uk/postgrads/fee_info/index.htm -- although it only mentions part-time. Assuming they're charging you overseas rates, that's 3,250 pounds a year. Which at current, hugely in favour of the UK, exchange rates is about $5000. Angela
You mentioned LBC. It is possible, I believe, to spend about 2 weeks there per year and still work on a PhD. Of course, it all depends on your topic and the preferences of your reader. Blessings on your search! Chris
