MDiv Conclusions Online Affordable

Let me start by saying costs are as of July 2015.
Orginal post http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/49898-seminary-mdiv-suggestions-please.html
With all that is here your milage will vary.

After months of looking I have come to some serious conclusions on the distance M.Div.
Most Master of Divinity programs are at the 90 credit mark which is way to many credits for what I want at this time.

RULES OF THE GAME in order of importance.
* Not on CHEA they are out. So NA is ok. RA is better. ATS is gold.
* Anything over $300 a credit + fees is out.
* Liberal transfer policy AND
Advance standing for BA from a bible college (does not apply to 72hr program)
* 72 Credit over 90+ credits
* Languages: either my languages cover what is needed and no more than one more language course.
* Lower cost the better

My issues: I have a RA BA bible degree with Greek, a failed M.Div attempts. Therefore, I want as many credits to transfer as possible. I have as close to 45. I need the school to be CHEA approved list, no thesis, prefer 72(ish) credits, I would like a place that does loans so I can redo my student loans.

Basic Advice: Watch out for fees. There are some places that have $100 per class fee. The amount listed is retail. Your milage may vary based on assistance. By the time I was finishing this up I could look at a name and the short Google summary and know if it is CHEA or not. The basic on accreditation is the longer the page the less likely they are accredited.

SCUMBAG Accreditation goes out to Association for Biblical Higher Education. While it is a legit accrediting organization, BUT they allow groups to be “Affiliated” with them. Which seems to mean a group pays money to the ABHE.
Complaint number 2. Hey schools! Make your tuition numbers easy to find. The more you hide them fees and tuition the worse it is.

Why do I want an M.Div? I am an ordained minister, and was a pastor for four years. I am currently working as a high school teacher and a chaplain at a local hospital. I love working as a chaplain and am completing my first CPE class right now. I plan on teaching no more than two more years.

The Top of the Short List

Global University. Global University CHEA Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations Assembly of God (About as much pentecostal as I can tolerate). I paid for a transcript to see what happens. I max at out 39 credits including Bible College degree. Tuition is $251 per credit. For me $9789 plus fees. Nothing horrid $10 per class fee. The total for me in required tuition and fees is $10,190. The classes seem to be all complete and online so I am not stuck with what is being offered. The semesters are six months long.

Grace School of Theology Grace School of Theology | Engaging the Next Generation in Free Grace and Truth Evangelical non-denom. CHEA Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations This is 94 credit program; credit given for Bible college 24; transfer in 28 Grad credits. GSOT will accept 46 credits max or 49% of program. Since the program is 94 this comes to 45 (15 classes) plus a 4 credit internship. At $180/hr this comes to $8820 + $511 in tech fees + $576 in admin fees = $9907 + books. Lots of Dallas Theological Seminary grads on staff. Catalog http://www.gsot.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Academic-Catalog-2014-2015.pdf Classes are 8 weeks long so two classes a semester and one at a time.

Luther Rice University - I almost started LRU last year? Really. I should max out on credits to transfer in. They allow advance standing So I should max out at 45 credits with a relative amount of east. $11,790 is my tuition price. Only has 15 week classes.

Liberty University. Liberty has some deals and good things. The bad: no advance standing unless from Liberty. The cost is $380/hr retail and $275/hr for vets and military. The M.Div chaplain program is 72 as is the accelerated program. Liberty will transfer 33 credits. This means 39 credits at $275 to $10,275. There seems to be no fees. For me Liberty is now REJECTED. They will only transfer a few credits which makes the cost to high.

My order of preference is: Grace School of Theology, Global, Luther Rice.
July 2015 Luther Rice has free admissions.


The Bottom of the Short List

Rockbridge https://www.rockbridge.edu/ . CHEA Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations Baptist (good for me). $210 per credit. Low transfer policy (20 at max). Cost for me $11760 in tuition plus fees. Nothing horrid in fees. Catalog: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1283348/Catalog.pdf Most of the faculty are from the Southern Baptist Schools.

Shiloh University Home | Shiloh University Pentecostal CHEA Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations While there is low tuition and good transfer policy we have a problem with so few classes being offered. It would take to many moons to finish.

Veritas Evangelical Seminary. Welcome to Veritas Evangelical Seminary - Veritas Evangelical SeminaryVeritas Evangelical Seminary No advance standing for BA in Bible. Max in will mean 64 credits. To many classes and to high a cost. $250/hr.


If I were starting from scratch.

If I were an SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) person or would be willing to go become a member of said SBC church. The choice is clear any of the SBC schools. They are $210-$240 a credit. They are 90 credits BUT I would get on the 75 unit Advanced Standing program.

liberty.edu in particular if you are a military vet or are serving. 72/hr chaplain at $275/hr = $19.8k


Rejected There is no order here.
Piedmont - looks good but has week long intensive Welcome to Piedmont International University - Piedmont International University
Faith - Seems ok but lots of fees. $74-200 per course +$155/quarter Faith Evangelical College and Seminary | Pacific Northwest
Summit Universty - $350/hr
Biblical Theological Seminary - 498/hr
Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary - Not all online
Southern California Seminary — Can only transfer 22 credits.
Baptist Bible Seminary Accredited Christian Bible College & Seminary: Baptist Bible College & Seminary $350/hr
Shepherds Theological Seminary $295/hr + $50/hr fees and an unreadable catalog, SHAME.
Lexington Theological Seminary $480/hr
Eden. Eden Online Community - Community Home I thought this place was a fake. Lots of missing information. Cannot find tuition information.
Western Theological Sem. Western Theological Seminary :: Home $431/hr
Luther Seminary St Paul, MN Requires residential intensive. Cohort. Lutheran required. about $500/hour
Calvin Theological, Grand Rapids, $449/hr
George Fox Evangelical Seminary, residential intensive $486/hr
Wayland Baptist Seminary $407/hr
Southwestern Assemblies of God University, TX, 72/cr @ $575/hr
Columbia International University $468/hr
Beulah Heights University $409/hr
Amridge University $715/hr
Moody $395 I like Moody.
Apex School of Theology $233/hr max of 30 transfer credits
Southern Evangelical Seminary $333/hr
Fuller $380 + 8 one week long courses.
Maranatha Baptist Seminary $300 transfer good. Advance standing requires taking tests. Not all online.
Northwest Nazarene Seminary $495/hr
Asbury $635/hr cannot find the distance. Has advanced standing.
Grand Canyon University $495. Had hopes for this one. + $95 per class and bad transfer
ILIFF, Denver Co uhm . . . $826/hr not 100% online and lots of fees.

All of the Southern Baptist Seminaries are >$400 for non-SBC and <$250 for SBC. Advanced Standing granted with some transfer.

This is worth a look. A scummy presentation almost had a place this on the list below.
Nazarene Bible College. Nazarene Bible College - Bible College - Welcome (sorry for the shorter but I had to)


Self Accredited or Non-Accrectied — aka not on CHEA website.
Note: One of these and I cannot recall which would actually be good if you are ELCA.

Andersonville Theological Seminary Andersonville Theological Seminary
Ames Christian Relevant Christian Education | AMES Christian University
Beacon Institute of Ministry Beacon Institute of Ministry - Home
BeeWOrld BEE (Biblical Education By Extension) / Home
Bible University Bible University | Tuition-Free University programs for anyone who wishes to learn about The Bible!
Biblical Life College and Seminary Home
Birmingham Theological Seminary birminghamseminary.org
Birmingham Theological Seminary Birmingham Theological Seminary
Christian Leadership University https://www.cluonline.com/
Colorado Seminary Colorado Theological Seminary | ONLINE AND DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS. Confidently claim your place as speaker, leader or advocate for your Faith
Columbia Evangelical Seminary Columbia Evangelical Seminary
Crossroads Christian Bible College "Christian Bible College, ordination, affordable Bible courses"
Freedom Bible College and Seminary Enrollment Special - for a limited time
Lamp Theological Seminary LAMP Theological Seminary
Master’s International School of Divinity MASTER'S International School of Divinity - Home
Northwestern Theological Seminary Online Seminary Accredited Degrees - Northwestern
Providence Bible College PBCTS.edu - (Affordable Degrees) - Providence Bible College & Theological Seminary (PBC&TS)
Rogers Theological Seminary ROGERS MINISTRIES
Salt Lake Bible College Free Bible College online Salt Lake Bible College
Titus Baptist Sem. Welcome to Titus Baptist Seminary
Trinity https://trinitysem.edu/ — I really wish these guys would do something.
West coast bible. West Coast Bible College & Seminary
Word Theological Seminary Word Theological Seminary

 

This is a good list. Thanks for your hard work on this. I am looking at transferring all my MATS credits from Liberty in somewhere in one shot. I think the lord is calling me to preach someday!

 

You might want to consider NationsUniversity, it is NA and very affordable. Classes are self paced so you can go as fast or slow as you want. No thesis required but need to complete several comprehensive exams that for me were the main problem as these are intensive in nature.

IF you are already an ordained minister and just want the Masters for teaching, a Masters in Theological Studies might be a better fit as it is shorter (30 credits) and still allows you teach the subject.

The MDiv is mainly for those that are interested in getting an ordination from a recognized denomination, if teaching is the main goal an MDiv is not required.

 

I have a BRS from Nations University and will be done shortly with my MA from Liberty (36 HOURS) and I do want to ministry full time time as I do it part time now.

 

I like this school's program in Gnostic studies, they call it DGS (Doctor of Gnostic Studies).
Anyone had experience with this school? Its DGS is only $250, are the materials good enough to learn the subject?

 

Even if it's not for you, I think that Nations University Master of Divinity should be on your list. It has recognized accreditation (DETC), and you can't possibly beat the price.

 

The BMA Seminary (Regionally and ATS accredited) is only $185 a credit hour and $100 tech fee per class. Nations is cheap but wouldn't be an option for me since I'm Southern Baptist and based on conversations, a degree from a Church of Christ school would likely get your resume put in the reject pile.

 

So will the BMA Seminary in most baptist churches.

Graves was an interesting fella though. I took two courses undergrad, had to drop them when my dad passed in the middle of them.

 

The Director of Mission for my Southern Baptist association is getting his Master's from there. It is my understanding that the BMA has a relationship with the Southern Baptists of Texas. They've had several speakers from SWBTS give lectures there.

 

I took a motion course where they had a guest professor from Southern and he was really nice. Dr. Nettles was wonderful to hear speak. As part of the motion course we had a private lecture from him with a small group. The next day I ran into him in Jacksonville and we had lunch.

BMA is a good school, even a great school. Just don't expect there not to be issues because of the history. From Graves to Beauregard.

 

Bible University

I completed their BA in Religious studies and I found it useful. There are online tests (quite easy) and then 11 essays and 1 final thesis. Quite a bit of work to do but the degree has helped me. It is accreditation exempt.

 

Are quietman and RFValve talking about the same school? www-dot-bibleuniversity-dot-ca? If so, what the heck is "accreditation exempt" supposed to mean? The school is in Canada not U.S. And it has moved around a bit. It's now in its THIRD province of residence - Prince Edward Island. Neither religious schools nor secular ones in Canada can just start calling themselves Universities and awarding DEGREES as they wish! Any school - period - in Canada that wants to award degrees has to qualify under Provincial legislation. It looks to me like this place is flouting those rules; I believe it originated long ago in Minnesota. That may have something to do with it.

I believe the operator of this school, Mitch King, is a former police officer. At least his own degree is somewhat more real. It's from Nations University, although awarded some years prior to the school's accreditation by DEAC. I do not know why they saw fit to move 3,000 miles from B.C. to P.E.I. I like to think a complaint to the B.C. authorities might have had something to do with it. I know there was at least one.

The website indicates there are free degrees - bachelor's master's and doctorates. Also one or two paid doctorates - those are the $250 ones, I guess. Trouble is, the website was not working. Not just today. It hasn't been, for a while. Back when It was working, (this was several years ago) I looked over the course content in detail - and they appeared elementary-school easy, far below any standard for degree-study. In forums, people reported doing the bachelor-master-doctorate route in as little as three months.

My take: RFValve, if you want to learn more about Gnosticism - get a pile of books and start reading. They're easy to get hold of. I even have a couple myself. But please don't call me "Doctor."

J.

 

Re: Bible University (Canada).

I checked some old forum-stuff elsewhere. Turns out this school was placed on BC's "Unauthorized List." IIRC it then went to New Brunswick - and thence to PEI.

J.

 

My mistake. Correction: Around 2012, Bible University Canada site showed that the school originated in Missouri. Can't get a history from the site, today.

J.

 

Maybe a job for the internet wayback machine?

https://archive.org/web/

 

Okay, Okay! MAKE an old man work for his bowl of gruel, then! :laugh:

Here it is, from the Wayback machine (2012) - and yes, it WAS founded in Missouri, before finding its way here to Canada. Religious-exempt in Missouri. No such thing for degree-granting schools here. They gotta qualify, or no degrees. Diplomas, certificates? Award them as you wish. https://web.archive.org/web/20120222011519/http://bibleuniversity.ca/

J.

 

...:kiss:...

 

Effective October 27, 2011, Bible University was awarded official status as an Exempt
Religious School, pursuant to Sections 173.600 through 173.619.2, RSMo, by the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE), Jefferson City, Missouri, USA. We are obliged to share the following comments:
 Award of this status does not constitute approval or recognition of the institution or its programs of instruction by the State of Missouri. 

 

That's not very ethical wording used there. They weren't awarded anything, they are merely exempt.

It always seems unaccredited schools try to make everything sound better, more official.

 

Yes, they usually do. And so, often, do their grads. In this case, the exemption is meaningless, as the school is not operating in Missouri, the State that gave it religious exemption. It's operating in CANADA, where there is NO religious exemption for degree-granting schools. ALL institutions must be properly qualified or they're not permitted to award degrees. That's why Bible U. is on at least one Canadian Provincial "Unauthorized List."

If it wants to award "degrees" I suggest it move back to Missouri. Yeah -- that's a REALLY good idea.

J.