Louisiana Baptist University - Andersonville Theological Seminary - Forge Theological Seminary

I thought I would do a quick comparison at the PhD /ThD level. All three have a mixture of Faculty with accredited doctorates in their field and unaccredited degrees. So, it appears possible to be guided by someone with an accredited doctorate.

LBU - PhD

60 credit hours with 15 credit hours being for the dissertation. It appears you take two language classes during the program. I believe Tadj calculated it at about $15,000 plus.

Andersonville - ThD

Requires a specific Masters degree for entrance that has four classes of Greek in addition to other coursework and a thesis. The ThD is 30 credit hours with the concentration (eg writings of John) done in Greek. A comprehensive theological exam over the coursework in addition to the requirements during the courses. The dissertation is three credit hours. Cost around $2100.

Forge - ThD

Guided research and writing with faculty (35 credit hours). Requires proficiency in Greek to enter or coursework in Greek during the course of your studies. Dissertation is worth 10 credit hours and the defense is two. $80 monthly subscription.

I would say each has its advantages and disadvantages. LBU is a known commodity in Baptist circles and has a small campus. Cost is fairly high.

Andersonville appears to have built in some rigor into at least the ThD programs and are Baptist in orientation. Inexpensive.

Forge Theological Seminary is Reformed theologically. Inexpensive. It seems to allow for being guided in individual research by a specific faculty member. As long as you ensure you have a faculty member with an accredited doctorate you potentially could get a good (on par) education.

 

All appeared to require a doctoral research and writing course as part of the requirements.

Since in the end you are ending up with an unaccredited doctorate I would give an edge to Forge and Andersonville in terms of cost. Andersonville seems to follow a standard doctoral format that would be relatable to accredited schools.

On the other hand, if cost is not a factor you get a little more notoriety with lbu in terms of the alumni and connections.

 

I know a holder of a doctorate from LBU and he is a sharp guy. If his example is normative, I would consider LBU's program to be worthwhile.

I have interacted with two holders of doctorates from Andersonville and they are both as dumb as fence posts - if a person presented credentials from A'ville, it would be a Lost in Space robot moment - Danger Will Robinson Danger

Other than a regular contributor here, I have no knowledge of Forge - they do project a sense of legitimacy though, which I would accept as accurate until proven otherwise.

 

"A'ville", you may be on to something there. It does give it a French flare. A'ville Theological Seminary or A'ville Séminaire Théologique. Some added class. Just need to relocate it from Georgia to Louisiana.