Theology Master's Degree: My Choices, Your Suggestions

Michael,

You have shared some very interesting information with the forum. Keep your options open, keep searching and be patient. It will be worth the initial investment of time and research, to find the program which is manageable for your situation.

Russell

 

An update: I received an e-mail from a professor at the University of Pretoria; he told me he would be at Princeton Seminary from September to October and if I could meet him there, the visit to the campus in Pretoria could be waived.

 

Hm...very interesting! Your journey gets more interesting at every turn!

 

Sounds like an interesting opportunity for you, especially if you live close to Princeton. You actually meet the professor face to face as well.

North

 

Great News! I received an e-mail this morning from Spurgeon's College saying that the academic dean had given permission for me to apply to the MTh in Anabaptist/Baptist Studies without having to come to campus for the induction days.

I wanted to share this good news with all of you who have been so considerate in answering my posts. Again, thank you all for your opinions, suggestions, and encouragement.

Michael

P.S. I finally heard from a professor at the University of the Free State in South Africa; he said he had forwarded my e-mail to the relevant persons for their assessment of my request.

 

Tremendous!! How exciting!! I am so thrilled for you! Please let me know of any way that I might be of assistance to you as you move forward with the application process, etc.

 

CL,

Thanks! And I appreciate your offer of assistance.

 

Excellent, Michael! This is the program you were interested in anyway, wasn't it?

I e-mailed Spurgeon's about their Ph.D. and was told that one must spend 6 weeks each year on campus in the UK. So it sounds like a door of opportunity has been opened for you.

Best wishes,
Russell

 

Russell,

Yes, that's the one.

I also looked at their requirements for the Ph.D. and noticed the 6-month residency requirement, as you mentioned. So, I doubt if I would be able to pursue a doctoral degree from them later, but I'm excited and thankful that I'll now be able to pursue the MTh in Anabaptist Studies.

 

Yep, one must spend 6 weeks on campus each of the first couple of years, and 4 weeks on campus each year thereafter. This is a bit of a hefty requirement. At present, Spurgeon's has two or three American students pursuing PhD study, but they all have quite a bit of flexibility in their schedules, and are able to pull off that kind of time in residence. It is too bad that this requirement is so difficult for so many of us to fulfill, because Spurgeon's probably has the lowest PhD tuition rate of any UK institution, apart from GST (with the current exchange rate, less than 1,000 dollars/year), and has great PhD supervisors. Also, their facilities for visiting PhD students (accomodations, dining hall, computer lab, library, etc.) are excellent.

It's neat to hear that people are checking Spurgeon's out and giving it some consideration, though.

 

Congratulations, Michael!


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

Well, you can pursue you M.Th. in Anabaptist studies and then go for your Ph.D/Th.D. from a South African Unversity.

Good luck!

North

 

Michael,

Yes, I agree that what North proposes will be a winner of a strategy. Of course, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here by talking about your doctoral plans. Yet, if you're really interested in continuing your emphasis on Baptist studies under the direction of Dr. Kretzschmar at UNISA, it might not hurt to keep her informed periodically of your progress, how your research interests are taking shape, etc. Also, who knows what sort of opportunities for distance-based doctorates might be available by the time you finish your masters. Seven years ago, when I was still finishing my bachelors and just beginning to think about PhD study as an ultimate goal, I never could have imagined that an institution the calibre of Potchefstroom would make it possible to pursue doctoral research affordably and entirely at a distance. So, who knows what schools might begin offering distance-based programs between now and the time you're ready to commence doctoral studies. You have a lot to look forward to, I'm sure.

 

CL,

The dialogue concerning South African universities (as well as other non-US options), is in my opinion, providing an academic option which many have not been aware of. For those in the US, certainly, the US RA route is probably the ideal. However, since we do not live in an ideal world, and for many US students the issues of cost, manageability, residency, etc., are crucial, the non-US GAAP schools are becoming more attractive.

As you state, Potchefstroom University (and others) is highly credible and recognized globally as a reputable institution. Will US residents recognize the name "Potchefstroom" as easily as they would, say, "Duke" or "Harvard?" No! But, then, everyone can't attend Duke or Harvard. I live 30 miles from Duke, and would love to have a Duke Ph.D., but I am not willing to spend $70,000 for it. So, Potchefstroom, for me, is a viable option, while I use Duke's library for research and writing. And after earning the BA, MA, & D.Min. from RA US schools, I feel very comfortable going the Potchefstroom route, especially since John Bear speaks highly of the program.

Continued success,
Russell

 

Russell,

To your comments, I say, "Amen, and Amen!"

 

Michael,
Please contact me via email: [email protected]. I have questions I'd like to ask you concerning where you're headed (with the advanced theological degree) and "why" you chose what you did.

I'll explain more later.

Thanks,
Steven King

 

Steven,

I e-mailed you; I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael

 

Michael..thanks...we'll dialogue there.
Steven King