Seriously considering SATS...

SATS for a PhD? I don't know what SATS are in America, but here, they are Standard Assessment Tests given to schoolchildren in Years 2, 6 and 9 (approximate ages: 7, 11 and 14 respectively).

 

Thanks Greektim! I followed the link, clicked on their Statement of Faith, and it certainly looks good, but of course you need some reaction from someone who has studied there, rather than like me, just had a quick glance at a web site!

 

Most would probably tell you, it depends what you plan on doing with the degree. Teach in college/seminary? Check where you would like to teach. Will they accept your education?

I am working on a MA from Whitefield Theological Seminary. It is not important to me that they are not regionally accredited. To others, it would be important.

 

So long as you're not expecting to use it for a full time faculty position it is an okay degree. SATS is not greatly appreciated by many institutions because of the nature of the degree. I've posted here before about my concerns with the school and the reception of its degrees.

If you have the time I'd always say a residency PhD at a good stateside school is always better.

As for the names of alum noted above, once you get outside of the (respectively) tiny SBC fragment the degree isnt that notable. You'll notice that of the significant alumni in any list there is more to do with politics than scholarship. And after this business with Caner there is more disrepute than good tidings about SATS in the academic world right now.

On top of that I fully expect there to be far fewer humanities PhDs in the next 10 to 20 years than avialable right now. Additionally with colleges like Oxford and Cambridge rolling with lots of American students the SATS degree is not as attractive for a candidate imho.

Just some thoughts. Keep us updated about your progress!

 

I think SATS does offers graduate work opportunities, but I may be prejudiced

 

Havensdad went there I believe. You should send him a PM.

 

I did. But I did a BTh...a graduate and/or post-grad is a whole different story. I would not, personally, seek such degrees at SATS; NOT because of rigor (I believe SATS is VERY rigorous), but because they are not well known. If you are going for such degrees, you need a degree that is well known and respected by whatever body you will be dealing with in your profession. If churches in the SBC, you should go to one of the "Big Six." If you are going to be teaching at a Seminary, you need the top tier (but Biblical!) schools (DTS, WTS, RTS, SBTS). A PhD. from an unknown school, even a rigorous, biblical and accredited one, is virtually useless in a degree inundated environment.

 

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Is that my syntax? Sorry!

 

That depends on where you are talking about. Seminaries in the U.S. know and respect them; they carry as much weight as other accredited U.S. Seminaries, from my experience.

In South Africa, they seem to be "The" Seminary...every major Bible or Preacher conference that I have personally seen advertisements for in South Africa, and surrounding areas, are either sponsored by or hosted by SATS. They have had some ENORMOUS conferences.

But as far as churches outside of SA, and missions agencies that do not have an ongoing work in SA, SATS is mostly just unknown...

 

Sats' grad programs

I recommend SATS!

Rigor: SATS' accreditation is the highest possible in South Africa. I think no other private school has the same accredited degrees in SA. I am not convinced that a thesis only master's is the best route, but SATS now offers coursework as well. I was in the EdD in Oregon State and the USA sort of THM at Western , the latter is perceived by some USA schools as doctoral level studies. I witness to all readers, before the Lord, that IMO the rigor I require in those dissertations, theses, and courses I supervise is the equal of any of the educational experiences I've been privileged to enjoy when completing grad programs in five accredited schools (Univ San Diego, Oregon State, Point Loma Nazarene, Western Seminary, and Unizul). I also witness that in my experience (formerally being in the doc program at one UA seminary oft discussed here, and one former TRACS accredited seminary) that SATS work in rigor far exceeds these! The SATS PhD format, as well some SA unis, is, of course, research only just as in some highly recognized schools in Britain. e.g. Lest this seems a short & easy route, be advised that it may take up to a year just to get a research proposal approved by the Grad Committee!! My Unizul work took four years, and that after completing the MA, MDiv work, and ThM in RA, USA, classroom sort of schools! The dean of the SATS grad programs is Sam Kunhiyop who has the ThM and PhD from RA, USA seminaries. He also, therefore, knows what grad ed should be! All SATS theses or dissertations must be evaluated by both SATS' and external professors!


General Usefulness: I only have a certain knowledge of the perceived usefulness of SATS to those students I supervise. One of of my PhD students is an administrator of a seminary in Ethiopia;he researches Incarnational Christology. Another, a Korean, trains native missionaries; he researches sanctification in Barth & Hauerwas. A third is a pastor in America- as is the only MTh thesis I supervise. I also supervise six courses in the MTh in Bible Studies, all three bridging courses[for those entering an MTh with only a secular BA], and one of the six new Honors B.Th. courses. There are a great variety of students enrolled in these in terms of purpose and locale. AS for this old man, my goal in theological education at Western and Unizul has always focused on understanding Scripture not on earning money. But I serve as a teacher of adults in a Conservative Baptist church, and you are invited to inquire as to the quality of that instruction: [email protected]. I also served in the now defunct Salem teaching site of the TRACS accredited "Faith Seminary" under H. Wayne House with whom I also wrote a book. Any wishing to evaluate my SA learning is invited to read & comment on my three articles on Christology on the SATS online journal--Conspectus. So, I guess my own SA doc, gotten five years ago -at 65 years old- has served me sufficiently well.

I invite any interested party to write either to me : [email protected] or to SATS directly.