So You Want To Get Educated?

So you want to get educated? You believe that God has called you to attend seminary. However you quickly realize that, for whatever reason, packing your bags/family and moving to ___________ is just not really something you can do. So, what do you do?

Some will tolerate long commutes while others will look to online/distance education to help them out. Which is best? The drive? Distance learning?

I suppose it depends. Our church once interviewed a gentlemen, to be a youth pastor, who lived in South Carolina and who was attending class at Southeastern Seminary (Raleigh, NC). He would make sure his classes were all on the same day and would drive up one day and come back the next. For him going to a physical classroom was worth the long drive and cost of gas. However some people don't live within driving range of any major seminary and simply can't move. For them distance learning is probably the best option. Others simply can't arrange their work schedule, or don't have the money, to attend classes and make long commutes. To make matters worse some seminaries, such as Campbell Divinity School***, require students to attend courses during the day and to attend full time in order to earn a degree.

From Campbell's FAQ section:
"Can I be a part-time student?
Yes, you may be enrolled as a part-time student. While we do have a few students who take one or two classes each semester, we do encourage our students to maintain full-time enrollment (9 hours or more). You cannot graduate by maintaining part-time status." (underline added)

Again:
"When are classes held?
Currently, master level classes are held on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays and Thursdays, including evenings. This block scheduling offers classes from early mornings to late evenings. A student cannot graduate by attending only one day a week or by attending only at night. Students are encouraged to become as deeply involved with the Divinity School community as possible." (underline added)"

Yet Again:
"Are there any distance learning or online programs?
Not at this time."

They don't offer distance learning, they don't let you attend only at night, and you can't graduate as a part time student. That type of program is not a practical option for many adults, who have families who need to eat (selfish beasts...). While I single out Campbell other schools do the same thing. So what is a person to do?

This is where distance learning comes into play. If for whatever reason you can't attend classes on campus many fine seminaries/universities offer online degree programs. In fact you can find a online degree program from most all majors.

Today students are not required to look to sub-standard unaccredited** schools for distance learning. Many fine schools offer degree programs via online learning and/or distance learning. Other schools will allow students to finish part of their degree online and the other part on campus using week long module courses.

So the options are endless and the sky is truly the limit. If you want a good Christian seminary education you can earn it. It is not out of your reach!


_________

**Not all unaccredited schools are substandard. However I would always advise students seeking graduate degrees, oncampus or distance, to earn their degree from an established accredited school.

***Campbell's FAQ Page

 

==I don't think your observations (etc) here are universally true. In fact in many cases I think what you have mentioned here does not become an issue. Many businesses, universities, seminaries, and churches have no problem with distance learning degrees/credits as long as the degrees/credits were earned at an established, fully accredited school. While some will always frown upon distance learning many do not. Also many major universities and seminaries that offer distance learning (East Carolina, NC State, Liberty University, etc) make no notation of how the degree was earned on the student's degree/transcript. Employers usually do not ask about that either (I am not sure they legally can).

Also the idea that if "was serious about their ministry calling would demonstrate that by making the personal sacrifice and investment in a quality theological education" is silly. I believe it is common sense that many people cannot just pack up and move. They, and their family, are established in a community. They may not be able to afford a move. Their job may offer health benefits that they believe their family cannot be without due to a sick child (etc). So the idea that if someone was serious they would make sacrifices is, in this context, just plain silly, insulting, out of date, and very unrealistic. Considering the fact that community colleges, major universities, and seminaries are offering distance/online learning today should show anyone that these programs can be done in a way that allows a student to gain a solid education.

If a person wishes to further their education they should take advantage of whatever programs are offered by these universities/seminaries that would help them achieve their goals. That includes distance/online learning. Anyone who has earned a degree, or credits, via online/distance learning from an accredited university/seminary knows full well that there are many sacrifices that must be made in order to do so. These programs are not easy.

 

==I will have to look into the legality of that. If it is legal to ask that it should not be and the law needs to be amended.

==I don't think they are silly. What I called silly was the notion that unless a person did that they are not dedicated to the call. Education is changing my friend, and anyone who refuses to keep up will be left behind. Technology is changing the way universities/seminaries operate and the way they deliever their programs. These changes open doors to students who at one time "could not" have moved to campus or done the commuter thing. That is a positive thing and they should not be put down for it.

==That statement shows a major lack of knowledge about how distance learning actually works. It is not easy and it can be very inconvenient and, in some ways, harder than traditional oncampus learning. In fact it is not for everyone. Those who earn a graduate level degree online from NC State, East Carolina, Regent, or Liberty have worked hard to earn those degrees. They are not "whining kids". They have worked hard, many times harder than oncampus students, to earn that degree and their hard work/dedication should be rewarded.

==That is bad advice. It is wreckless for a person not to have health insurance to cover themselves (which btw most universities/seminaries require you have) but it is wreckless and immoral for a person not to have insurance for their children/wife (when they can afford it). If they get sick they should have the best medical care that can be provided. And, unless the person is wealthy, without insurance, that cannot be provided for them. If someone is willing to drop their family's health insurance so they can attend school well, to be nice, I don't think much of that person's choices. That is only multiplied if the person has a sick child (cancer, asthma, etc) who really, really needs the insurance. Distance education opens doors for people who, in the past, could not move to attend traditional oncampus classes. That is a good thing and, as I said, those who earn degrees via this method have worked very hard for their degree.

 

==Many military people earn their BA, BS, and MA degrees online from schools like Liberty, NC State, and ECU. But I suppose, in your opinion, those schools don't know what they are doing?

==Since online learning often requires more self discipline, and more work, that comparison is false. A strawman.

==I suppose that can be true of someone who has done all of their learning online (which I don't recommend). However I also know as a fact that such problems also exist with people who were educated in the more traditional manner.

 

==That is a common complaint and one reason I point out that online/distance learning is not for everyone. Personally I can do either oncampus/distance just fine.

 

==I don't see why not. School is school. I know many seminaries act like their school is equal to the local church, but it is not. There is, technically, no New Testament foundation for seminaries. So it really does not matter where one gets their degree. It can be from a secular or Christian university, a Bible College, a Seminary, oncampus, or online. It matters only that the person learns the material. Now certainly there are seminary classes that, by their very nature, must be done on campus (preaching, etc). Seminaries deal with that by doing one of the following: (a) requiring a certain number of on campus courses (usually done in week long mini-sessions with pre and post meeting assignments), (B) only allow half of the degree to be earned online.

Either way seminaries, like secular universities, must come to terms with online education. In one form or the other it is the future of adult higher education.

 

Eddie,

I think what you have said is 100% true. Folks like you are one of the main reasons we need distance/online learning. God bless you in your studies!

Martin.