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A RESOURCE FOR
VALIDATING THE CREDIBILITY OF MASTER'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF
DIVINITY
Why is Such a Resource Necessary?
Distance learning is the fastest growing edge of adult higher
education, and the most widely preferred method of study for
individuals serving in Christian ministry. Most schools
are now offering degree programs through distance education.
However, with the popularity and acceptance of distance education,
there are also abuses by degree mills and substandard programs
promoting inexpensive degrees for very little work (such as reading
a few popular books and writing brief reports).
Therefore, many individuals and ministry leaders are skeptical of
distance education schools that are not accredited. This is
understandable. However, there are high quality unaccredited
schools that are academically of exceptionally good quality.
These institutions may offer advantages that accredited schools
cannot.
High
quality unaccredited schools are usually unaccredited for one of the
following reasons: 1) They do not accept government funding and
therefore do not need to be accredited; 2) They are currently
working toward accreditation; 3) They wish to keep their tuition as
low as possible so that they can serve a wider group of students; 4)
They have objections to some of the accreditation restrictions.
Of course, degree mills and substandard schools often quote the same
reasons as a ruse to cover unethical and even illegal money making
schemes.
On the
other hand, high quality unaccredited schools which exercise
academic parity with accredited schools of a similar
kind are often recognized by other institutions. If the school
is so recognized, then prospective students, current students,
graduates, and ministry leaders have good reason to be accepting and
respectful of credits and degrees earned at these institutions.
Master's is such a school. The purpose of this Resource Center
is to provide credible proof of that claim.
Is
Master's Properly Recognized by its Home State of Indiana and the
U.S. Federal Government? Yes,
Master's International School of Divinity, founded in 1999, is
domiciled in the State of Indiana, and operates as an exempt
religious institution of higher learning in accordance with
exclusion IC-20-12-76-9. Master's is a sub-corporation of
Christian Education Enterprises, Inc. which is approved by the U.S.
Federal Government as a Not-for-Profit 501 (c) (3) Corporation.
Does Master's have Partnerships With
Other Institutions? Yes, Master's has academic
partnerships with two leading accredited online universities, and
learning partnerships with numerous ministry organizations.
Academic Partnerships:
MISD is an
institutional
partner with
Columbia Southern University. CSU is a provider of General
Education courses, and the integrated courses
for the
Master's of Christian Administration and Management.
MISD is an institutional partner
with
California Coast University. CCU is a provider of General
Education courses, and the provider of the integrated courses for
the
Master of Religious Education degree.
Learning Partnerships:
Have
Master's Credits and Degrees Been
Accepted by Other Academic Institutions? Yes, Master's
has formal agreements with several faith-based institutions of
higher learning (both accredited and quality unaccredited) regarding
the acceptance of credits and degrees, and informal friendly
relations with more than ninety others. Possibly the best
known of these is the
Graduate School of Liberty University
where Master's undergraduate and graduate degrees are accepted.
Names of the other institutions are available upon request.
NOTE: All academic institutions, including Master's, retain
the right to accept or decline credits and degrees.
Does Master's Hold Membership or
Status With Any Academic Order or Accrediting Agency?
Yes, Master's has standing with the following highly respected
organizations.
Master's is a Higher Education Member of the Association of
Christian Continuing Education Schools and Seminaries (ACCESS).
Master's holds Affiliated Status with the
Association for
Biblical Higher Education. As such, we participate in and
contribute to collegial and professional development activities of
the Association. Our affiliate status does not, however, constitute,
imply or presume ABHE accredited status at present or in the future.
Master's holds institutional Certification with the
Florida
Council of Private Colleges &
Council of Private Colleges of America.
Does Master's Have a Well Qualified
Staff and Faculty? Yes, our staff and faculty, are
exceptionally well qualified both academically and by reason of real
ministry experience. They have earned degrees from the
following institutions plus others. To see the complete
listing including photographs click
HERE.
Alaska Pacific
University
Bob Jones University
California Coast University
California State University at Fullerton
Cedarville University
Charleston Southern University
Eastern Kentucky University
Faith Theological Seminary
Indiana University
Dallas Theological Seminary
Denver Seminary
Eastern Nazarene University
Emory University
Harvard University
Johnson Bible College
Kentucky Christian University
King's College London
Michigan State University
Moody Bible Institute
North Texas State University
Nova Southeastern University
Olivet Nazarene University
Ohio State University
Nazarene Bible College
New York University
|
Oxford University
Ozark Christian College
Pensacola Christian College
Princeton Theological Seminary
Liberty University
Saint Louis University
Seattle Pacific College
Sheffield University
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
State University of New York
Texas A&M University
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
University of Colorado
Southern Nazarene University
University of Evansville
University of Southern Indiana
University of Texas-Arlington
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Valparaiso University
Western Conservative Baptist Seminary
Western Michigan University
Wheaton College
Yale University |
From
What Church Groups or Denominations are Students and Graduates of
Master's Connected? Master's is an independent Divinity
School offering academically rock-solid programs that are
unapologetically Bible-based, and Christ-centered (see our
Doctrinal Creed), and we have served the ministry education
needs of the following groups including many others not listed here.
A.M.E.
A.M.E. Zion
Adventist
American Baptist
Anglican
Anglican Catholic
Apostolic
Arab American Friendship Center
Assembly of God
Associated Gospel Churches of Canada
Baptist (multiple groups)
Baptist General Conference Canada
Bethel Ministerial Association
Brethren Assembly
Calvary Chapel
Canadian Fellowship
Charismatic (multiple groups)
Christ Missionary & Alliance
Christian Church (North American Christian Convention)
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Christian Fellowship Church
Christian Methodist Episcopal
Christian Reformed
Church Of Christ – Disciples of Christ
Church of Christ (Christian Churches)
Church of England in South Africa
Church of God
Church of God - Cleveland
Church of God of Anderson Indiana
Church of God of Prophecy
Church of God in Christ
Church of the Nazarene
Church On The Hill
Community Churches (multiple groups)
Congregational
Congregational Christian Church
Conservative Baptist
Cumberland Presbyterian
Destiny International Assembly
Disciples of Christ
Episcopal
Evangelical (multiple groups)
Evangelical Church of West Africa
Evangelical Free
Evangelical Free of China
Evangelical Protestant |
Fellowship of
Christian Assemblies
Foursquare Gospel
Free Methodist
Free Will Baptist
Friends (Quakers)
Full Gospel (multiple groups)
Fundamental Baptist
General Baptist
Grace Brethren
Great Commission Association of Churches
Independent (multiple groups)
Independent Baptist
Independent Evangelical
Jewish (Messianic)
Living Word Fellowship
Mennonite
Methodist (multiple groups)
Missionary Church
Missionary Baptist
National Baptist
Non-Denominational
North American Baptist
Orthodox (Greek)
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Pentecostal (multiple groups)
Pentecostal Apostolic
Pentecostal Church of God
Pentecostal Holiness Church
Plymouth Brethren
Presbyterian (PCA)
Presbyterian (USA)
Primitive Baptist
Reformed Baptist
Reformed Church
Reformed Church in Africa
Roman Catholic
Salvation Army
Seventh Day Adventist
Southern Baptist
The Wesleyan Church
United Church Of Christ
United Full Gospel Church of America, Inc.
United Methodist
United Missionary Baptist Church
United Reform Church |
Can You Provide A Sample of the Kinds
of Ministries Where Your Students and Graduates Serve?
Yes, the list is quite long , though strictly voluntary so it is
representative, but not exhaustive. Click
HERE to see the current listing.
Can You Point Us to Any Satisfied
Students or Graduates? We hope that every student and
graduate of Master's is satisfied! We have a sample page that
may be helpful. Click
HERE. You may also wish to read testimonials from even
more students and graduates. Click
HERE. If you would like to interact with students and
graduates, you may wish to visit the student and graduate unofficial
volunteer
facebook
page
which Master's endorses, but does not control, so you will get an
unfiltered response to any questions you may post.
Does Master's Have a Well Maintained
Physical Location That is Adequate to Service the Needs of Students
and Graduates? Yes, Master's wholly-owned headquarters
facility is a two-story state-of-the-art 8,500 sq ft building
situated in the newest, and most desirable business section of the
Evansville, Indiana eastside. For location and driving
directions click
HERE.
Does
Master's Have an Overall Plan for Institutional Development?
Yes, and it is by the execution of that plan that we have reached
our current level of achievement. To keep up with the latest
news, click
HERE.
Are
the Admission Requirements and Degree Programs at Master's Very
Similar to Comparable Programs at Accredited Schools? Yes,
the admission requirements to enter programs at Master's are
practically identical with the exception that Master's is able to
accept credits and degrees that many accredited schools may not be
able to accept due to tighter restrictions because of accreditation
restraints. Click
HERE for information on admission requirements. The degree
program requirements, and quality of coursework is essentially
identical. For complete information on undergraduate programs
click
HERE. For information on graduate programs click
HERE.
Does Master's Provide any Information
for Church Boards, Missions Agencies or Church Leaders That May Wish
to Check on the Credentials of a Student or Graduate of Master's?
Yes, in addition to the information on this Resource Center,
we have provided a document specifically for that purpose.
Please click
HERE.
How
Does the Cost of Tuition and Payment Plans Compare With Other Good
Quality Institutions? The cost of
tuition
at Master's is considerably lower than at comparable accredited
institutions. Additionally, the cost of books and related fees
is significantly lower. These costs alone can often be as much
as the actual course tuition. The tuition at Master's is not
rock-bottom, and no serious student should expect it to be so.
Why? Because you simply cannot do good quality distance
education on the cheap. Master's does have multiple payment
options, and tuition reduction grants that bring the cost of a fine
quality ministry education within the reach of just about everyone.
In addition, because we know how much any ministry will benefit by
supporting staff in their desire to earn a ministry degree from
Master's, we promote a church/ministry tuition assistance plan that
encourages churches and ministries to help with the cost of tuition.
For complete information click
HERE.
In What Context is a
Certificate or Degree from Master's an Ideal Option?
Master's is an ideal
option for most individuals seeking ministry training and further
theological education through a respected, and academically solid
program that is designed to fit into the routine and financial
budget of the average adult learner. Also, we offer several
unique certificate and degree programs not found at other
institutions. We understand that in some circumstances, a
degree from an accredited school is a necessity. However, if a
degree from a high quality, recognized, and respected school is what
is really important (as in most cases), then a certificate or
degree earned from Master's may be ideal. This belief is
shared by our more than 1,600 current students, and over 2,000
graduates.
If Someone Still Has Questions About
Accreditation, is There a Place on the Web to Get 100%
Straightforward Answers? Yes, and we are pleased
to note that one of the most popular articles on the Web on this
subject has been written by Master's. Click
HERE.
We
sincerely hope that this Credibility Resource has been helpful to
you. Whether you are a prospective student,
current student, graduate, ministry leader or an official from
another school, you can be confident that Master's is an active and
honorable member of the Christian higher education community.
We believe graduates of Master's will be eternally grateful for the
ministry training and theological education they received through
what may be America's
most
unique Divinity School!
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