A RESOURCE FOR VALIDATING THE CREDIBILITY OF MASTER'S

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 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.

MISD is an institutional partner with the Institute for Creation Research.  ICR's School of Biblical Apologetics is the provider of the integrated courses for the Master of Arts in Biblical Creation Apologetics.

MISD is an institutional partner with Gateway Biblical Counseling and Training Center.  GBCTC is a provider of residency Biblical counseling courses recognized as MISD equivalent in the fulfilling of the requirements for a certificate or degree in Biblical Counseling.

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.  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 Agency?  Yes, Master's has standing with the following organizations.

Master's holds institutional Certification with the Council of Private Colleges of America, and Membership with the  Florida Council of Private Colleges.

Master's holds certification as an approved Training Center by the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors.

Master's is a Higher Education Member of the Association of Christian Continuing Education Schools and Seminaries (ACCESS).

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.

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 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.

Is Master's officially associated with a nationally recognized association offering licensure, ordination and chaplaincy credentials?  Yes, Master's is an institutional partner with the International Ministerial Fellowship.  The IMF is an association of evangelical Christian churches, ministers and lay workers with an emphasis on the centrality of Christ and the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit which offers fellowship, multiple members’ resources including appropriate ministerial credentials, ecclesiastical endorsement and the service of a missions sending agency. With a membership of over 1,250 across the nation and 1000+ missionaries in 51 countries, IMF has established itself as an organization of integrity with a heart to serve those who serve others.  MISD students and graduates who seek recognized ministry credentials are encouraged to contact IMF.

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.

RECOMMENDED:  To learn why a ministry degree from a high quality unaccredited institution may be an academic and financial winner, click HERE.

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!
 

Welcome    About    Certificate Programs     Undergraduate Programs     Graduate & Doctorate Programs     News Worthy    Site Map

.