In-service Master of Divinity

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Michael, Sep 28, 2004.

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  1. Michael

    Michael Member

    Are there any ATS-accredited, in-service MDiv's?
     
  2. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ATS requires some residency
     
  3. telefax

    telefax Member

    Some suggestions

    Michael,

    Here are some suggestions for programs with Dept. of Education recognized accreditation. Most of the modular courses mentioned would fall in January or June-August. If you are interested in other Master’s programs besides the M.Div., there are significantly more options.

    ATS + Regional (SACS) accreditation: Columbia Biblical Seminary
    http://www.ciu.edu/seminary/
    Requires ten 1-week modular courses on campus in Columbia, South Carolina.

    Regional (SACS) accreditation: Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
    www.liberty.edu
    Requires two 1-week modular courses on campus in Lynchburg, Virginia.

    TRACS accreditation: Southern Evangelical Seminary
    www.ses.edu
    Requires four 1-week modular courses on campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.
     
  4. BruceP

    BruceP Member

    Try looking at Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education:

    http://www.gospelcom.net/bakersguide/masters.php

    It includes the following In-Ministry M.Div.'s:
    Andrews University
    Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
    Nazarene Theological Seminary
    Western Theological Seminary

    Bethel Seminary also has an In-Ministry M.Div. that isn't reported here.

    You also might want to look at the "modular" M.Div.s reported at this site.
     
  5. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, IN offers a M. Div. and is a candidate member of the North Central Association (regional accrediting agency). I'm currently a student in the M.A. Pastoral Ministry program there.

    Steve
     
  6. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    It also has an abysmal ethical track record and operates a degree mill on the side for extra cash--while lying about it. But hey--why can't accreditation be like the denazification courts--have Gutachten will travel?

    Dave and Bruce have made some good suggestions. Should you eventually narrow it down to Andrews (SDA) or Western (RCA), let me know and I can share some info.
     
  7. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Uncle Janko,

    They are making vast improvements! One might be surprised if they saw the workload and level of work I am currently doing. I'm merely offering my thoughts on the subject....I don't make any excuses for their past, but give them SOME credit for trying to improve upon their mistakes! Of course, when it comes down to it, you have your opinion and I have mine :). At least I'm not a student at St. Regis--now that is definitely a funny website!!

    Have a good one!

    Steve
     
  8. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Uncle Janko,

    I also wanted to ask-- "Do you know FOR A FACT that they are indeed running that diploma mill on the side?" I don't see how the Newburgh Seminary or the Master's Divinity School are connected to Trinity in any way. Please enlighten me, o wise one, as I must learn from my elders :).

    (And just so you know, I'm only kidding around. I'm not into personal attacks.)

    Steve
     
  9. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Yes, I know it. I don't make things up. If you carefully compare personnel lists and even website graphics it is pretty plain. Use the search function to look at my older research into this. Now this is about the TTS-MDS setup.

    The Newburgh Seminary appears to be a separate outfit, likely with some past connection by way of employment, but that is neither here nor there, save as an explanation of why NS is in Newburgh. NS is junk, too, and likely trying to capitalize on the draw of TTS (!!!), but I don't think there is a direct connection between NS and TTS.

    I also never said that TTS did not require legitimate amounts of work in its courses. My academic criticism of them has been one thing and one thing only: their DA degree is not really a DA degree in form or content. It does not have the emphases or requirements of the standard DA.

    As for "improving on their mistakes," pretending they didn't happen, covering them up, and, indeed, thinking of them as mistakes instead of wrongdoing hardly fill the bill. Improving on their mistakes (what? to make better ones in future?) is not needed. Repentance and honesty are.

    Look at it this way. If someone were to pray the "sinner's prayer," as I think your tradition calls it, but instead of saying "Lord Jesus I am sorry for my sins" or something like that, were to say "Lord, I will try to conceal my sins from you more efficiently while continuing to enjoy them heartily," well, that wouldn't pass muster, would it?

    I didn't think so.
     
  10. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Uncle Janko,

    I understand your point about the sinner's prayer. Believe it or not, the DA is not something I would get from Trinity. I, like you, share the same concerns about how different it is from other DA's. On a Master's level, I am very satisfied that I am getting a quality education, on a scholarly level, and that I am taking courses that will help me.

    I will check out Master's website a little more closely, but I still don't see the connection. Also, I have to admit that Newburgh is junk as well.

    We have more in common than we thought, huh?

    Steve
     
  11. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    You may be getting "quality" content. I don't dispute that.

    But oy, such a source, as the Maumee flows into the oHio, to paraphrase Juvenal.

    I guess you could call it spoiling the Egyptians, what you're doing.

    Let's hope so. Be well.
     
  12. BruceP

    BruceP Member

    gbcpastor

    Now I feel obligated to jump into the fray...

    Michael asked for ATS accredited in-service M.Div.s... Your offering was merely a candidate for regional accreditation... and I do not foresee any time in the near future where Trinity will be offered ATS membership... Primarily due to Trinity's 100% distance learning format and ATS's very strict position on distance learning...

    ATS accreditation is definitely much more demanding than RA... Trinity may have changed their ways of doing business (as compared to the past)... but their website paints the exact same degree programs offered from before... meaning... a reliance on distance learning... and I do not expect to see the day anytime in the near future where ATS will even give them the time of day.

    These comments, although heated, are intended to be offered respectfully,
     
  13. boydston

    boydston New Member

  14. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Point taken, Bruce. I am with you, I don't see Trinity getting ATS any time soon. It is a very rigorous program that ATS requires. Even though your comments were "heated", no offense taken, sir!

    Steve
     
  15. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ===

    If you are saying that ATS requires more RIGOR than do regional accreditors, what is your basis for saying that?
     
  16. BruceP

    BruceP Member

    No, sorry, perhaps I should have been more clear... I never intended for my comments to be interpreted as rigor... the ATS position is a standard that requires "significant" residential study... at one time no more than 1/3 of a degree program could be distance learning... although I have heard (not verified) that ATS has dropped the standard to 1/2 (I tried to find it just now, but was unable to locate the section on the ATS web site (www.ats.edu) in a timely manner...

    Regarding the Trinity issue... I pray for their success and regional accreditation... but they are not ready for ATS (and I don't think ATS is ready for them either).:D
     
  17. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    got it. thanks
     
  18. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Bill,

    I was not quoted as saying that ATS had more RIGOR than regional accredidation. Why did you post my quote...look at it, it's not there! :). Have a good one!
    Steve
     
  19. gbcpastor

    gbcpastor New Member

    Bill,

    I was not quoted as saying that ATS had more RIGOR than regional accredidation. Why did you post my quote...look at it, it's not there! :). Have a good one!
    Steve
     
  20. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member


    ===

    Steve:

    Bruce said ATS is more demanding than RA. In reply you said ATS was VERY rigorous. If rigor were NOT your point, then why did you say RIGOROUS?


    In any case, were my inference wrong, I said IF Look at it. It's there. IF IF IF !!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 5, 2004

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