Ok, I understand that Regis University is a Christian school. I'm not a Christian in the Americanized way. However I see that they have an IT graduate program that is run jointly with The National University of Ireland - Galway. My question is whether my lack of buy-in to the generally accepted Christian belief system would get me in a pickle if I chose to pursue this. I think it would be pretty cool to get a degree from the birthplace of so many of my ancestors, and the program is right in line with what I'm already looking at. Has anyone who is a "non-believer" had much experience with Regis? What was your experience like? I would ask the same question about The National University of Ireland - Galway. Much obliged, Sean
Answered my own question I talked to an admissions counselor via live chat, and had the following conversation. It seems that religion would not a concern as far as graduate studies are concerned. I changed the names to protect the innocent. Please wait while we find an agent to assist you... You have been connected to Regis Rep. Regis Rep: Hi, my name is Regis Rep, Online Program Rep for Regis University. How can I help you? Customer: Hi, Rep. How well would an otherwise decent "non-believer" fare in a distance learning graduate program at Regis? Regis Rep: Are you asking in terms of Religion? Customer: yes. I know Regis is a Christian school. Regis Rep: The courses here at Regis, really aren't focused on Christianity at all.... Regis Rep: Especially in the graduate programs.... Regis Rep: the emphasis is much more on quality education. Regis Rep: At the undergrad level, you would be required to take a couple of religious studies courses, (not necessarily Christian or Catholic) Customer: Ok, so that wouldn’t be a stumbling point for me? Would it impact my chances for admission? Regis Rep: But at the grad level they focus more on ethical decision making, not with a religious focus at all. Regis Rep: No it wouldn't affect your admissions at all. Regis Rep: I'm not Christian myself.... Customer: Oh, good. Have you had much of a response for the program being done with the school in Galway, Ireland? Regis Rep: They are very open-minded and that would have no emphasis at all in determining whether you would be a good candidate. Regis Rep: Yes, for the MSSIS? Regis Rep: We have had a fairly good response, the program is pretty new, but it is definitely a popular choice for prospective students Customer: It looks interesting to me. I am shopping the grad school market now, and like the idea of a connection to Ireland. Regis Rep: I think it definitely adds an international flare to the subject material. If you would like, I would be happy to send you some additional information on that. Customer: I would like that a great deal Customer: How is the Irish school regard as far as accreditation in America? If I chose to have them issue the degree? Regis Rep: They are considered equivalent to a US regionally accreditation. Regis Rep: Which is the highest level of accreditation a school can achieve. Customer: So going beyond a masters would not be an issue? Regis Rep: I think you can choose if you want the degree from Regis or from Galway. No it would not be an issue at all. Customer: Ok, I will await the information packet! Thanks! Regis Rep: You could go on to a PhD if you decided you wanted to do that. Regis Rep: OK, I'll email the info so you don;t have to wait. Regis Rep: Please let me know if any questions come up....
Do you know which school (or both) awards the degree? Does a student have a choice which school awards the degree? Best wishes----Jim
The student makes a decision which school will award the degree. That decision determines whther it is a capstone-type project with thesis (Regis) or a research project and thesis (Galway). See this link.
Regis is a Catholic school, specifically a Jesuit school. Like most Jesuit schools, their programs are demanding. I was in the Regis MS program in Computer Information Technology, and I found that an A required about 30 - 40 hours per week per course. It's an accelerated master's program with 16 week courses compressed into 8 weeks. The Galway program is similar to the MSCIT program, but heavy in Oracle databases coupled with web technologies. Regis is an excellent school, and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to make the heavy time commitment. They don't force any religion on students, especially in graduate school, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Yeah. You could spend a long time at a Jebbie university before blundering across any religion at all. Me, I'd get the degree from NUI, but just because it sounds spiffier. There's nothing wrong with Regis.
I did my undergrad BS-CIS from Regis (on campus, not online). I don't practice religion, but tend to believe more towards the Buddhist way of thinking...in other words, not Catholic or Christian. All undergrad programs require 6 semester hours (or 2 classes) in Religious Studies. I took "World Religions" and "Native American Religious Traditions", and neither was taught with any sort of slant. Both were very informative, and I enjoyed them despite my personal beliefs. In my 4 years at the school, I can never think of one time that religion was pushed or I was made to feel uncomfortable about not being a "believer". As has been mentioned, it is a very challenging school and does require alot of work. That said, I felt I gained a great deal from the experience of going there, and would definitely recommend them to others.
Uncle Janko, I know you have a far greater knowledge in this area than I do; Torquemada and all that. However, I think this is unfortunate, in light of Ex corde Ecclesiae.
I don't think it's so hot either. I used to wear clericals at Torq so I wouldn't be mistaken for a Jesuit. Polo shirts 'r' us. Now that's sad.
Yeah...spiffier... I was kinda thinking the same thing. So long as the degree would be just as useful as an American RA degree (teaching jobs, doctoral studies etc), I'd like that. Then I'd have a good reason to convince my wife to go to Ireland; graduation ceremonies Sean
Jesuits, a Spanish order founded in Spain by a Spaniard, have the fame to be intellectuals, to side with hte weaker side, etc... I think Steve has it right. Jesuit schools are outstanding. By the way, Jesuits have little to do with the Inquisition, another Spanish product. In fact, they were persecuted as well. Their original name is quiteexplicit la compañía de Jesús. Their influence in global politics is considerable. I secretly suspect Jesuits don´t believe in God. Georgetown, by the way, is another Jesuit university. These people are very powerful. I am sure Regis whose campus in COlorado I visited 10 years ago is a safe school to go to. Much better than some state university in Ireland. Cordial greetings
I'd call Igni Loyola many things (most of them unrepeatable in a public forum ;-) but Spanish isn't one of them. Loyola is Basque for "little house". Galway city itself redefines the concept of the back of beyond, but UCG is a very good university. I'd hardly call it "some state university in Ireland" given that it predates the founding of the Free State by nearly 80 years! Angela
Hi, Angela, I meant no disrespect to that university in Ireland. I just said that I´d choose Regis first. I think the scholar tradition of the Jesuits would weigh more in my decision than any other consideration. But that´s just an opinion. Regarding Loyola, well, take a look at this link, please. It literally says: Ignatius of Loyola is the founder of the Jesuit order. He was born at the Castle of Loyola, near Aspeitia (16 m of San Sebastian) in the province of Guipuscoa, Spain, probably Christmas night, 1491. He died at Rome July 31, 1556. Why wouldn´t you call Ignatius of Loyola a Spaniard then? In fact, he was wounded defending the King of Spain against the king of France.... Loyola is a name of Latin origins. Saint Ignatius just took this name from the Castle where he was born. Wouldn´t you mean txabola, which is a sort of small house in Basque and sounds somehow similar? Cordial greetings
Hi again, Angela Very nice debating with you. Guipuzcoa, where Ignatius was born, has always been an integral part of Spain even if appended under different political structures. Other Spanish regions had different arrangements, and were often as eccentric as that one you mentioned. You will find these odd patterns of association across the entire Europe. The Basque country has NEVER EVER existed as an independent, unified political entity. Current nation states were born much later but the nation "Spain", which comprised three Basques provinces, already existed when Saint Ignatius was born. The Basque country is a sine qua non condition for Spain’s essence as much as Castile, Andalusia or Galicia are, to name just a few. Basques participated in the management of the kingdom(s) (both at home and overseas) with identical enthusiasm to other Spaniards from other regions. He (Saint Ignatius) conducted his work in Spanish, his mother language, and later translated it to Latin, and he never claimed implicitly or explicitly to be just Basque (disregarding his Spanish identity). Furthermore, his original last name, López, is unarguably a Castilian name. And Loyola, a nick name he later adopted, I insist, is a word of Latin origin. So was Ignatius. Please, read the following encyclopedia article on him. I hope you pay especial attention to the part where his nationality is *clearly* stated. Link It reads [...]Spanish ecclesiastic, who founded the Society of Jesus, the Order of the Jesuits.......... There are literally thousands of relevant references, only in internet, that point out in the same direction about his nationality. I think it is pretty safe to conclude that he was Spanish. Should we leave it as it is? Cordial greetings, and nice weekend.