The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Distance Learning Seminaries

Looking for ideas and reviews for Master's programs.
Hoping for a theology degree a little lighter
weight (and cheaper) than a full M. Div.

I know of www.rtsvirtual.org.

Also ran into www.mdivs.edu (seem SBC in their theology
which is nominally ok, but prefer reformed or something
close to it).

That is a pretty short list, hoping you guys know of more,
I know of Robin's experience with whitefield seminary.
The no-refund policy seems to be common with these
internet organizations.

- Kurt

Do not pre-pay tuition for the entire program in spite of the discount incentive they may offer. Distance learning is not for everyone - and if you find that you can't do it that way, at least you won't be out thousands of non-refundable dollars if you don't pre-pay. Besides, I don't think Whitefield Seminary's pay-it-all-up-front discount incentive is even Biblical, considering James' counsel:


Also, consider the value of real accreditation and the meaning of spurious attempts at claiming accreditation. Whitefield, for example, is "accredited" by an agency of the school's own making. Check and verify the credentials of the staff and professors there. That's really important too.

Check with the examining committee of your own presbytery. A degree from Whitefield Seminary, for example, is actually more of a liability than an asset with some presbyteries, especially because of the school's association with theonomy/reconstructionism.

Do a lot of double and triple checking before you jump in!

-Robin

Kurt,

You might check with Birmingham Theological Seminary, a seminary that is approved by the PCA for ordination purposes; they have a distance education page here:

http://www.birminghamseminary.org/disedu.asp

A quick glance at this page indicates, if I understand correctly, that one COULD probably complete much, if not all, of a Master's of Biblical Studies via distance education. But you might contact them and see where they are now in this area.

Theo

Until you make up your mind IIIM has several FREE on-line courses. These are taught by professors at RTS: IIIM Video Curriculum. Of course you may purchase these as well.

Thanks guys, the links are helpful.

IIM seems like a great way to dip a toe
into rts teachings.

- Kurt

Kurt

Here is a small but solid Reformed Baptist Seminary that has distance learning. One of the faculty sometimes preaches in our church.



Reformed Baptist Seminary

Here is a link to their course syllabus which could be overlooked on their web page. The reading lists are quite extensive: course information

William,

Thank you for your links--that seminary is most interesting. I guess their "Marrow of Theology" program would be the one for non-ministerial students:

http://www.rbseminary.org/marrow_curric.php

Definitely the lowest cost program I have ever seen, and the quality does not look bad either.

Theo