Is Patriot Bible University A Good University

Diploma Mills and Degree Mills

I wince at the imprecise use of terms on this and other threads dealing with diploma mills and degree mills. Having followed distance education and the rise of degree mills over the past thirty years, I find a significant amount of disinformation and misinformation offered as knowledge on various discussion threads. Generally, degree mills are considered as schools, or even individuals, offering openly fraudulent degrees with little or no work required. On the other hand, diploma mills are more problematic because they do require some work for their degrees although it is less, many times much less, than required at an accredited institution. However, all non-accredited institutions are not necessarily of inferior quality (I am prepared to give examples). Thus, it is extremely difficult to draw a fine surgical line between degree mills, diploma mills and merely unaccredited schools.

In the case of Patriot University, it is very confusing and difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. I don't think anyone can sustain a credible argument that it is a quality academic institution. However, it appears to be operating legally in Colorado under what amounts to a religious exemption. This adds to the confusion because the Colorado website on approved schools uses "fully accredited" and "diploma mill" in non-standard ways that may lead one to think that Patriot University has more credibility than it does.

I would say that Patriot University is not a degree mill because it does not sell its degrees and it does require some work, however much or little. Also, it is authorized by the state to offer its degrees under a kind of religious exemption (Note the other far-out kooky religious schools approved as well). However, one is justified, IMHO, in labeling Patriot University as a diploma mill, although not by the Colorado definition. The benefits of a degree from Patriot, IMHO, are minimal other than saying one has a degree. The slippery side of this is its deception by implying one has more education and learning than the degree will support. A Patriot degree does not represent an accomplishment in education (I can show you a better seminary education on the Internet for FREE!) comparable to other colleges and universities and it will probably not gain or advance one in his or her employment. So, what's the purpose?

 

Mark...you still with us?

 

I think it was a "hit and run" defense of Patriot.

Btw, Mark is not a Baptist so he is not suppose to be posting on this forum.

 

That is a very, very good point paidagogos. I think some people place more emphasis on having a degree or title than they do earning a degree or title. Such people are not interested in learning, getting an education, or doing the hard work required to get a real degree. For these people, diploma-mills like Patriot serve as the perfect short-cut to getting a meaningless degree that results in a title (ie...they can call themselves "Dr" even though they have not earned a real doctorate degree).

Just my opinion.

 

Perhaps that information would be useful to the original poster, Larry Tellier.

 

Free seminary education via Internet

Okay, here are a few of the best links:
http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/
http://www.biblicaltraining.org/
http://www.thirdmill.org/seminary/download.asp/site/iiim/category/download
http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/dimensions/
http://www.christiancourses.com/

Of course, there are many other university or seminary courses available for free. All it takes is desire, determination and self-discipline. Here is a good starting point:
http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/Online_Education_Free_201_2006.php

Enjoy! :thumbs: