Comments on: 6 Great things about online seminary distance education

By: W. Ryan Burns

W. Ryan Burns — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:14:02 +0000

Nate, I wonder if the problem was more the issue with the type of degree than the source. An MAR is not a typical degree to get into a PhD program. Did you try any other ThM’s? I know most ThM’s will require MDiv or passing language proficiency exams (Greek & Hebrew). I’m pretty sure Fuller (depending on the PhD) and I’m sure Westminster have those requirements. In fact, I’m pretty sure that Westminster requires a ThM in order to get into the PhD program (I know it is that way at RTS).

What PhD’s were you going for at Boston and Indiana?

And, yes, it would be nice to have a position waiting… but you went to RTS, so as a good Calvinist don’t you believe that there is a position already waiting for you

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:56:26 +0000

If you know you’re not going to pursue a Doctoral degree from a solid school, then distance ed. is the way to go, just for the same reasons you mentioned (don’t have to move, stay at current church, don’t have to go to that awful seminary located in town, etc). However, the real consensus, at least for now, is that online ed. is second class at best, even (sadly) if it is from a good school. Looking at the history of the relationship between the Church and Seminary, there was a time when a Church would “send out” a prospective pastor to seminary, reserving a spot for him or her upon returning. Wouldn’t that be nice.
Blessings,
Nate Savlu

Quick BIO:
M.A. from RTS online (good school as you know, but it was primarily online);
rejected from four competitive PhD granting schools, and counting (e.g. Fuller Seminary, Boston, Indiana University, Westminster) and even rejected for a ThM at Gordon. (All this with a 3.9 GPA, positive references from professors, and great GRE Scores: Verbal = 700, Quantitative = 500, Writing = 5.0) All this b/c of the online degree. Be careful!

By: Going To Seminary: Practical Help For Seminary Students | Said at Southern Seminary

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:44:26 +0000

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By: Shaun Tabatt

Shaun Tabatt — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:30:46 +0000

Based on my responsibilities for providing and caring for my growing family, I ended up taking a break from the traditional graduate school route and am now going to try distance learning through the virtual program at Reformed Theological Seminary. To pay the bills, I work in tech support for an educational software company. That being the case, I have spent a lot of time assisting distance learners. It will be a good experience for me to be on the other side of it all. God bless!