Columbia Evangelical Seminary

1. Spartacus, you're going to get mix reviews on CES.

2. From another post, you say you have two accredited, recognizable degrees, and that accreditation is not a huge factor in taking your next step.

3. Some on BB will tell you that if a school is not accredited, stay away from it. Others are going to tell you that there are some good non-accredited schools like Whitefield, LBU, etc. Then others are going to tell you go to SA.

4. My point is, while I think an accredited school is probably best for what you have in mind, the decision is ultimately yours. An accredited school will more than likely keep a standard of excellence.

 

I have no first or even second hand knowledge of CES, but I think the concept is intriguing. My question is kind of quality control one. What oversight is in place to ensure that the prof is providing the necessary oversight and is requiring credible work? For instance, my own dissertation had to go through my PhD supervisor, two other professors on my doctoral committee, as well as a professor from another seminary.

I would also encourage you to check out the South Africa possibilities. I think they are more widely accepted than CES (this is not a knock against CES, just what I have seen). PM UZThD. I'm sure he'll give you solid guidance.

Best,
Bill

 

I would also encourage you to check out the South Africa possibilities. I think they are more widely accepted than CES (this is not a knock against CES, just what I have seen). PM UZThD. I'm sure he'll give you solid guidance.

Best,
Bill[/quote]

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I would encourage anyone who is on a limited budget, who has an accredited masters including an academic thesis and who desires a credible doc to consider:

South African Theoloical Seminary, just recently approved to offer the Dth in two areas,or,
Unizul, or,
Unisa, or
Potch,or
one of the several other SA schools approved by SAQA. Probably in any, the degree would take three years at a cost of under $5000. Mine was about $3000. The doctoral committee in my case included reps from three accredited public universities.

Some might suppose that a public unversity like Unisa or Unizul might be preferable to a private school as SATS.

IMO the first two are easy for "foreigners" to deal with.

My criticism of the SA system is that IMO a one or two year masters done by thesis not classes may be insufficient preparation to write a dissertation. In my case I had more.

As for CES, I have reasons for mixed feelings which can be read on another CES thread. But would prefer it over Bethany of Dothan.

 

CES serves many very well. It's program structure is (IMHO) more conducive to training ministers than the South African program structures on the master's level.

 

sorry for the double post. my PC is possessed

 

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Hi Roger

You are kind to recommend that ; perhaps I will. My hands hurt after sitting on them so long.


*** PLEASE give me your candid opinion: Is it wrong when seeking work with a school to say, as I recently did with one, " Look, I get teacher pension and Social Security and so do not need $$$ to serve God and His Church!" Will the school think that if I ask for nothing, I must be worth nothing???***


I spoke with Ric/Josh in 2000 when I was trying to decide where to do a doc. He was familiar with the near to CES , Western, where I did the ThM, so he said he'd be my mentor if I wished. I also spoke to him about a year ago to update his Guide re Faith/Salem. Now, my tail is between my legs because F/S folded. Always found him helpful.

BTW, I am not a cessationist which may make me a rare Conservative Baptist. I see no Biblical evidence, neither does Wayne Grudem, that there cannot be charismata today. But I do have great doubt that everyone who claims a gift has a gift!! Sometime I'll tell the story, old guys like to tell stories, about the "Prophets of Eastside" whom I knew

Regards,

Bill G

 

Rhet,

Please allow me to weigh in univited. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't worry about another doctorate. What purpose would it serve? I think you are doing and contributing as you ought.

The only way I would consider it, if I were in your situation (which, of course, I am not so it is easy to give the advice! ), is if I wanted to research something that could serve a larger purpose than the acquisition of another degree.

Blessings,
Bill

 

answered above

 

I'm kicking around the idea of getting another doctorate myself. My wife works three days a week as a nurse and I teach online classes at two universities. My load is similar to Rhet's. Six sessions per sememster at one university and three courses per semester at the other. In addition I pastor a church.

I'm thinking of resignng the church to pursue a Ph.D. in history or religion at Arizona State University. The carreer goal would be to teach religion or history at a community college and be among the unbelievers. I would continue teaching online.

The question is, do I need a Ph.D. to pursue my career goals? Probably not. I currently have a D.Min. in historical theology. I only need a master's degree to teach at a community college.

Yet I seem to have this burning need to do a Ph.D.

What think ye?

 

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no