If a seminary is fully ATS-accredited, does a lack of RA affect the utility of its degrees?
ATS/RA
Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by StefanM, May 19, 2005.
-
-
IMO, no.
-
-
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). -
-
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 -
-
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 -
I see how the ATS degrees could pose a problem for RA universities, especially in fields like counseling. -
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.
-
A related question:
RA but not ATS?