A
MINISTRY EDUCATION EYE-OPENER
Why A Ministry Degree From A High Quality Unaccredited Institution
May Be An Academic & Financial Winner.
Until recently, degrees earned
at high quality unaccredited Christian institutions were often
undervalued, usually for two reasons. First, the purpose of accreditation
in general has been misrepresented, and largely misunderstood. Second, the
existence of cheap and easy degree mills hiding behind a Christian façade
created an atmosphere of misapprehension. However, due to four key
influences, this misunderstanding is being challenged.
First, the
extraordinarily high cost of tuition at accredited schools favors
younger persons who can combine scholarships, and parental assistance,
along with student loans as a way to pay for education. On the other
hand, older adults dependent upon their own resources (especially those
serving in Christian ministry), are often priced out of the market.
Second, being priced out
of the market does not mean that older adults are ready to give up on
continuing their education. On the contrary, increasing numbers are
turning to the Internet as a way to search for alternatives. In doing
so, they are discovering that technology has widened the way to higher
education, and that new institutions have entered the field. The best of
these are offering degree programs academically comparable to their
accredited counterparts, yet with significantly lower tuition rates
combined with payment plans that make it possible to enroll without
needing financial assistance. This also makes it possible to graduate
free of educational debt.
Third, the Internet makes
it easy to compare schools. Not having to wait days for a catalog to
arrive in the mail, allows prospective students to quickly review degree
requirements and tuition. This enables them to identify high quality
unaccredited schools, while at the same time spotting undesirable
cheats.
Fourth, consumers of
higher education are becoming better informed as to the value and
purpose of accreditation. While accreditation remains the most widely
recognized indicator of academic legitimacy, it is not the only
criterion by which to judge the value of an institution.
Recently, certification has emerged as an alternative to accreditation.
For many faith-based institutions, certification may be an ideal
alternative, such as is obtainable through The Council of Private Colleges of America.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT
ACCREDITATION
Schools accredited by an agency
not recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE)
are still unaccredited...period.
At present, the
primary responsibility of USDE recognized accrediting bodies
is to enforce the USDE criteria which regulates Title IV Funds
(loans, grants, credits, etc.) that flow from taxpayers to schools.
Schools that wish to
be accredited by a USDE recognized agency must meet all of the USDE
accreditation criteria whether or not they take taxpayer's money.
There is no alternative.
The high cost of
tuition at accredited schools is directly related to the high cost
of achieving and maintaining accreditation.
Students who do not
qualify for government-funded tuition assistance pay the same high
tuition rate, even though the higher rate is largely driven by the
cost of accreditation.
Students who desire a
high quality education, but do not qualify for government-funded
tuition assistance, or do not need to earn a degree from an
accredited school, may profit most from attending a high quality
unaccredited school. This is often the case with older
students, especially those serving in Christian ministry.
Considering the potential
advantages of earning a ministry degree from a high quality unaccredited
school, what should prospective students look for?
A High Quality
Unaccredited Institution Will Have:
A track record of institutional competency.
A well-credentialed staff and faculty.
An actual facility adequate for the administration of
the institution, along with an opportunity for prospective students to
visit in person before enrolling.
Only those programs for which the school has
appropriately credentialed faculty.
Essentially the same degree program requirements as
accredited schools.
Tuition based upon a per-credit-hour rate, and a refund
policy similar to accredited schools.
Certifications, partnerships, and agreements with other
institutions which serve to demonstrate institutional acceptance and
competency.
A method by which church boards, mission’s agencies,
denominational leaders, and employers can be assured of the legitimacy
and academic rigor of the institution.
If the above criteria are
met, then the prospective student may have confidence that the
unaccredited institution is worthy of further consideration.
A Degree from a High
Quality Unaccredited Institution May be Ideal for Those:
Already serving in Christian ministry who desire to
up-grade or improve their education.
Desiring to enter Christian ministry, and serve through
an independent local church or denomination that does not require a
degree from a specific institution.
Serving through a para-church ministry.
Serving though a personal independent ministry.
Serving in a lay ministry capacity, and who wish to be
better educated.
Desiring to use previously earned credits to complete an
unfinished ministry degree.
Who simply desire to be better educated in some area of
Theological study.
FACTOID: AVERAGE AMOUNT OF
STUDENT LOAN DEBT IN THE U.S. PER PERSON FOR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE IS
$24,000. AVERAGE ANNUAL SENIOR PASTOR'S SALARY IN THE U.S. IS
$42,000.
IS A HIGH
QUALITY DEGREE FROM AN UNACCREDITED SCHOOL RIGHT FOR YOU? A Generic Self-Evaluating Rating Scale
INSTRUCTIONS: Click the answer that
is closest to your situation. Total the number of points from
each of the questions. Select your score total and rating.
Q.1
Do you wish to serve in a ministry organization that requires a degree
from accredited school as a condition of employment?
Q.2
Do you wish to be ordained by a church or denomination that requires a
degree from accredited school as a condition of employment?
Q.3
Are you licensed or ordained, and serving in a ministry capacity for
which you already have adequate academic credentials?
Q.4
Is your primary goal to gain more knowledge, and become better
equipped to serve in the ministry into which you are already called ?
Q.5
Do you desire to earn an advanced degree in order to be hired as a
faculty member at a Christian institution of higher learning?
Q.6 Do you wish to
earn a ministry degree in order to serve with a ministry organization
that requires appropriate training, but will accept a degree from an
unaccredited institution providing it is of high quality, and has a
good reputation?
Q.7.
Are you serving in your own independent
ministry?
Q.8.
Have you already earned a degree from a high quality unaccredited
institution, and desire to earn the next higher degree?
Q.9
Are you wanting to learn more about the Word of God, but have no
particular plans to change professions after earning your degree?
Q.10
Do you wish to complete a previously unfinished ministry degree?
Caveat – The above
sanction does not apply to cheap and easy unaccredited schemes. Obtaining
a degree from such a so-called school, will eventually prove to be a
disappointment. High quality institutions are well aware of the
short-cutters. That’s why both accredited and high quality unaccredited
schools will only recognize credits and degrees from unaccredited schools
that follow the same general academic guidelines recognized by all
trustworthy institutions.
However, even in the case
of high quality unaccredited schools, accredited schools (when they choose
to do so), will not be willing to grant recognition without a very careful
review. Furthermore, the practice of accepting or rejecting credits and
degrees is not standardized, but is the prerogative of each institution
(whether accredited or unaccredited).
Encouragement –
Practically speaking, considering the state of the world economy, and the
potential value of higher education, earning a Christian ministry degree
from a high quality unaccredited institution may be a first-rate winner.
If it is the purpose of the student to learn, and to therefore be better
equipped to serve with greater effectiveness, then earning a certificate
or degree from one of the top-echelon unaccredited Christian institutions
could be a wise investment of time and money.
AND
THE PROOF IS IN THE PERSONS!
Without a doubt, the
most reliable validation of the quality and value of a degree earned
at Master's is in our alumni. We invite you to see for yourself
what our alumni are doing in the world of Christian Ministry.
CLICK HERE.
Recommendation –
Though not the only one of its kind, an institution that has helped to set
a standard for excellence among newer entries into the Christian higher
education market is Master’s International School of Divinity. The
Divinity School has forged academic partnerships with two accredited
online universities, created nearly two-dozen learning partnerships, and
achieved endorsements by several national ministries.
Since its founding in 1999,
Master’s has gained a reputation as an innovator and leader in the field
of theological distance education. Having enrolled over 6,000 students,
and with nearly 2,000 graduates (there are literally alumni in seventy
world areas), the Divinity School is making a significant contribution to
Christ-centered and Bible-based theological distance education, while
advancing the evangelical world-view.
If enrolling in a ministry
degree program at a high quality unaccredited institution may be a winning
choice, Master’s International School of Divinity sets a worthy standard
by which to judge the options. A resource for validating the credibility
of the Divinity School is located online at:
http://www.mdivs.edu/credibilitycenter.html.
DISCLAIMER: Owing to the unique nature of
individual circumstances, prospective students should carefully
consider whether a degree from a high quality unaccredited school is
best for their needs. While there are situations where only a degree
from an accredited school will meet educational requirements (such as
serving in the Chaplaincy of the U.S. Armed Forces, ordination in some
denominations, and various institutional positions), in most other
circumstances, a degree from a high quality unaccredited institution
may serve just as well.
