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ATS/RA

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by StefanM, May 19, 2005.

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  1. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    If a seminary is fully ATS-accredited, does a lack of RA affect the utility of its degrees?
     
    #1 StefanM, May 19, 2005
  2. UZThD

    UZThD New Member

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    IMO, no.
     
    #2 UZThD, May 19, 2005
  3. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

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    While I'm not certain of this, I didn't think a school could get ATS accreditation if it didn't have RA. I can't think of any ATS schools that are not RA. Can you think of any?
     
    #3 PatsFan, May 19, 2005
  4. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (www.btsr.edu) is ATS-accredited but not RA.

    Multnomah Biblical Seminary (www.multnomah.edu) is only a candidate for RA, but it is fully ATS- accredited.

    Colgate Rochester Crozer (www.crcds.edu) seems to be authorized by New York's Board of Regents, and it is ATS-accredited, but I don't see any RA.

    Nazarene Theological Seminary (www.nts.edu) seems to be only ATS accredited.

    My method for obtaining this data was to consult the institutions' websites and to check the database at (http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp).
     
    #4 StefanM, May 19, 2005
  5. Martin

    Martin Active Member

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    As is always the case it would probably depend upon where one plans on using the degree. Therefore one needs to always check with potential employers and schools to make sure they accept degrees/credits from a particular school. Since ATS is approved then the large majority of schools will accept it. So I would say no it does not affect its utility.
     
    #5 Martin, May 19, 2005
  6. Nord

    Nord New Member

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    Yes and no. If you are using the degree strictly for ministry....no. If you wanted to use an ATS MDiv to get into a doctoral program...you might.

    At one time Southern Christian University (RA) said degrees had to be from an RA school to get into their doctoral programs.

    The good news is that there is slow but growing acceptance of Nationally accredited degrees (DETC/ATS/TRACS) for entrance to an RA doctoral program. That is indeed fitting as National Accreditors are recognized accreditors (US Dept of Ed/CHEA). Many employers will take both RA & NA....mine will not take unaccredited under any circumstances). The military accepts RA & NA for
    chaplaincy.

    As always, your best utility is from RA programs that also have NA.

    North
     
    #6 Nord, May 20, 2005
  7. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I thought ATS doc. programs generally accepted ATS M.Div. degrees without any problems :confused: .
     
    #7 StefanM, May 20, 2005
  8. Nord

    Nord New Member

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    Let me clarify......

    If you want to use your ATS dgeree for ministry and to get into another ATS accredited school..should be no problem. If you want to use your ATS only Masters to get into an RA university for doctoral work then you may have a problem.

    Had a friend several years ago (folks are more enlightened now) who had problems with K-State over a Nationally Accredited degree that was not RA. Got in but was made to do extra work. This was in the late 80's and I suspect things have changed for the better.

    North
     
    #8 Nord, May 20, 2005
  9. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Thanks. I was confused a bit. Personally, I would only be looking in the ATS realm for later doctoral work (if any).

    I see how the ATS degrees could pose a problem for RA universities, especially in fields like counseling.
     
    #9 StefanM, May 20, 2005
  10. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    As has been pointed out, it depends. As a general rule, regional accreditation (RA) is better than national/special accreditation (NA) such as ATS, DETC, etc. NA will get you into some doors. RA will open almost any door. Some seminaries have chosen to punt ATS and are keeping RA for many reasons.
     
    #10 TomVols, May 21, 2005
  11. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    A related question:

    RA but not ATS?
     
    #11 StefanM, May 21, 2005
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