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degree ? - 8/16/2008 5:07:22 PM
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lrdl3537
Posts: 16
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Does anyone know where I can get a legitimate christian degree online for free. I don't have the funds for school but would like a theology degree and only have time to do one online.
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RE: degree ? - 8/16/2008 8:23:20 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
Does anyone know where I can get a legitimate christian degree online for free. I don't have the funds for school but would like a theology degree and only have time to do one online.
Can I ask why you want a degree?
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RE: degree ? - 8/16/2008 8:32:43 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2742
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
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quote:
where I can get a legitimate christian degree online for free
even the illegitimate ones cost
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RE: degree ? - 8/16/2008 10:35:15 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1857
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lrdl3537
Does anyone know where I can get a legitimate christian degree online for free. I don't have the funds for school but would like a theology degree and only have time to do one online.
This might even be better: get the book reading list from a school you like, and read them all. You could do interlibrary loans to get them; it might be free or might cost a buck or two a book.
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: degree ? - 8/16/2008 10:45:26 PM
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TorchHeart
Posts: 1496
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From: One of the coldest places on Earth
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What kind of a "Christian" degree do you want???? And why would you need one? And where would you get one?
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RE: degree ? - 8/17/2008 12:41:23 AM
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Kath
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moving from General Faith to College/Careers
Sincerely
Kath
Please do not comment on this action in the community or send me a PM about it. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email Fritz at community@salemwebnetwork.com allowing time for a reply. Thanks!
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RE: degree ? - 8/17/2008 1:19:11 PM
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Miss Giggles
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No one's going to give you an education for free. You can try scholarships and financial aid. Plus schoolings a commitment you make the time for.
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RE: degree ? - 8/23/2008 6:12:25 PM
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karlie
Posts: 16950
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If you really want a degree and think you can't afford it, I would apply for financial aid and see what happens. Most everyone(unless you make a very good income with few dependents) qualify for some sort of aid or at the very least student loans.
I can't think of any school, online or otherwise, who will offer a degree for free. Even Christian schools have expenses and overhead to cover and that comes from students.
_____________________________
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided...great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
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RE: degree ? - 8/23/2008 7:21:29 PM
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iluvatar
Posts: 1930
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lrdl3537
Does anyone know where I can get a legitimate christian degree online for free. I don't have the funds for school but would like a theology degree and only have time to do one online.
How much value is there in a degree that you don't have to put much effort into getting? Are you just looking for personal knowledge or something you can put on a resume?
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: degree ? - 8/23/2008 10:39:09 PM
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rgod
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What kind of theology degree are you looking for? Are you trying to fulfill a denominational requirement? If so, maybe there are scholarships there? If not, would a certificate work for you?
I agree that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to go for free unless you try for a scholarship or financial aid. But if God is truly calling you to go to school, he will supply the funds for you. Instead, perhaps you might want to think about praying about where to go, then apply and see if you'll get aid. If you live near a seminary or bible college - and you are flexible and really want to go - have you considered working there? You can continue to watch the job openings ... perhaps something will pop up that would allow you to - as an employee - take classes for free.
There are lots of distance learning options at the undergraduate level and at the graduate level, there modular study plans (you study online for most of the year and go in for a week or so at a specified time during the year) at many schools. Many MDiv programs are organized this way.
To see a list of accredited theological schools along with degree programs - check out the following site: www.ats.edu
If you go to the ats site, you might be able to find a school that will work for you. Someone told me about Asbury a while back ... I don't know much about it, but it was supposed to be cost-effective and have a good distance learning component. You might want to check it out.
Some schools offer more financial aid than others. It seemed to me that the more liberal seminaries (Emory, Princeton, Harvard, the group of seminaries in the Berkley area of California, etc.) seemed to have more money than the conservative ones, but I wouldn't say that it is a hard-and-fast rule.
You also might also want to consider a bible college instead of a seminary - depending on your goals. You might be able to get a theological degree at some of them. It seems to me that many bible colleges are a bit less expensive as well. For example, the last time I checked, Capital Bible College and Seminary in Maryland is less expensive than say Wesley, which is about 30 minutes away in D.C. And don't overlook other sources of education. For example, the Baltimore School of the Bible offers lots of courses and a diploma for a very modest fee. You have to go to class (no distance learning) but ... three classes are held in a single evening - so you are only out one night a week. There might be something similar in your area. Sometimes churches might also offer accredited courses as well for a small fee. So don't overlook churches in your area, particularly large ones. I know that Moody has some distance learning personal enrichment courses that are about $40 a pop - but they aren't for credit.
Another thing that you might want to think about are theological degrees that are a bit broader. For example, if you try to get an MA in Religion, it might be possible for you to tailor your courses so that they are comparable to theology courses in a seminary - but they might allow you to tap into a much broader pool of funds.
If you can't go to seminary right away because of funding issues, you can still start your education so that it will ease your way when you can go later. For example, taking a Hebrew or Biblical Greek class at your local community college might ease the transition when you do get to seminary.
Trust God to provide ... if he is leading you to do this he will help you. I wish you all the best.
< Message edited by rgod -- 8/23/2008 11:04:20 PM >
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RE: degree ? - 8/23/2008 11:48:21 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 1960
Joined: 10/12/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rgod
What kind of theology degree are you looking for? Are you trying to fulfill a denominational requirement? If so, maybe there are scholarships there? If not, would a certificate work for you?
I agree that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to go for free unless you try for a scholarship or financial aid. But if God is truly calling you to go to school, he will supply the funds for you. Instead, perhaps you might want to think about praying about where to go, then apply and see if you'll get aid. If you live near a seminary or bible college - and you are flexible and really want to go - have you considered working there? You can continue to watch the job openings ... perhaps something will pop up that would allow you to - as an employee - take classes for free.
There are lots of distance learning options at the undergraduate level and at the graduate level, there modular study plans (you study online for most of the year and go in for a week or so at a specified time during the year) at many schools. Many MDiv programs are organized this way.
To see a list of accredited theological schools along with degree programs - check out the following site: www.ats.edu
If you go to the ats site, you might be able to find a school that will work for you. Someone told me about Asbury a while back ... I don't know much about it, but it was supposed to be cost-effective and have a good distance learning component. You might want to check it out.
Some schools offer more financial aid than others. It seemed to me that the more liberal seminaries (Emory, Princeton, Harvard, the group of seminaries in the Berkley area of California, etc.) seemed to have more money than the conservative ones, but I wouldn't say that it is a hard-and-fast rule.
You also might also want to consider a bible college instead of a seminary - depending on your goals. You might be able to get a theological degree at some of them. It seems to me that many bible colleges are a bit less expensive as well. For example, the last time I checked, Capital Bible College and Seminary in Maryland is less expensive than say Wesley, which is about 30 minutes away in D.C. And don't overlook other sources of education. For example, the Baltimore School of the Bible offers lots of courses and a diploma for a very modest fee. You have to go to class (no distance learning) but ... three classes are held in a single evening - so you are only out one night a week. There might be something similar in your area. Sometimes churches might also offer accredited courses as well for a small fee. So don't overlook churches in your area, particularly large ones. I know that Moody has some distance learning personal enrichment courses that are about $40 a pop - but they aren't for credit.
When I lived in Chicago, I believe that Moody was free for full-time on-campus students. MBI's divinity students are treated sort of like marines- they're expected to give up drinking, smoking, movies, television, and even dancing during their time at seminary, but it's an excellent program and it might still be free if you can come up with the cost of living in Chicago for a few years.
In any case, I am trying to save up for a financial engineering degree. The University of Chicago charges $45K, and the degree can only be earned on campus in a one-year program. Cornell and Columbia charge $60K for a two year program. If I had any chance of getting into MIT, I'd be shelling out $75K for two years (of 100 hours/week of work). If you can get a normally three or four year M.Div for less than $30K, count yourself as blessed. 
I think rgod has some excellent advice on the languages. When I spent a short time considering the possibility of switching into work in the church (that this evangelical-leaning mainline protestant would feel comfortable at), I noticed that Calvin required "a liberal arts education" and knowledge of Biblical Greek and Hebrew for entry into their program. I'm sure there are a lot of other schools like this.
Finally, I would just recommend that you prayerfully consider whether going into some sort of work in the church is something that God is encouraging you to do. A quick personal story is that, as noted above, I considered going into ministry in my senior year of college. I realized that, at least relative to the Methodist Church, I had a gift for sharing the gospel and considered seminary. I talked with a few M.Divs, and a few students who had signed up for ministry, and realized that God had basically said to all of them, "You are going into ministry whether you like it or not." I prayerfully considered it and realized that he wasn't saying that to me- at least at that time.
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RE: degree ? - 8/24/2008 2:39:46 AM
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locomom
Posts: 217
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Many expensive schools have a real commitment to financial aid. Some are even making a commitment for students not to leave with a huge loan burden. Princeton is one example of a school that is committed to keeping its students from needing any loans. It has a large endowment and will expect students to work for maybe 10 hours a week. Before giving up on attending school, check financial aid out thoroughly. Many schools will even waive the application fee for strapped students.
Also, carefully consider God's desires for you with respect to school. If this is His desire for you, expect Him to provide the right time and the funding for you. I know that is easy to say. Consider involving a couple of people in praying for you, especially someone wise in spiritual matters. I have seen a good number of financial miracle from small to large to know that the Lord can provide.
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RE: degree ? - 8/30/2008 2:59:11 PM
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daughter_of_faith
Posts: 1256
Joined: 1/10/2008
From: Great Plains, Kansas
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This somewhat pertains to the OP; however, the situation is slightly different. My husband is seeking a degree in Christian counseling. He understands that to do this his education will most likely need to be accredited by the USDE or a similar organization of US government. Unlike the OP, we know that his education is going to cost money. Nothing is free in life; however, it would be helpful if the school did not cost an arm & a leg. I attended a private Christian college and the cost is now over $18,000 a year. That's not affordable for our budget even with financial aid in the forms of grants, scholarships, and loans. (Eventually those loans do have to be repaid which is where we are at with my student loans.)
Those of you that have posted have been rather helpful and so I was curious if anyone had suggestions regarding an accredited college that offers distance learning as the primary mode of coursework. At this time, DH wants to work on an associates degree or a bachelors as he really does not have a lot of college hours which means that graduate schools are not an option at this point in time. Thanks!
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RE: degree ? - 9/2/2008 1:23:30 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 1960
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quote:
ORIGINAL: daughter_of_faith
Those of you that have posted have been rather helpful and so I was curious if anyone had suggestions regarding an accredited college that offers distance learning as the primary mode of coursework. At this time, DH wants to work on an associates degree or a bachelors as he really does not have a lot of college hours which means that graduate schools are not an option at this point in time. Thanks!
What state do you guys live in? Has he considered a psychology degree from a secular university?
If you can afford in-state tuition ($4500/16 credit-hour semester for the University of Illinois), you may want to consider a flagship state school. IMHO, it's the best bang for the buck. After that, he can always get a certificate in Christian counseling, which may give him more credentials than a person who does a four-year Christian counseling degree. This would still be less expensive than a private Christian education.
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RE: degree ? - 9/2/2008 3:43:15 PM
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IonMoon
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From: The Unted State of Confusion
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Yeah... that varies from state to state. He needs to find out what credentials he would need to work in whatever capacity he is desiring.
In PA, for instance, you need a master's (with specific course/internship requirements) + experience to practice alone; but there are some counseling positions available under supervision.
I don't know of any online programs that would satisfy the requirements for licensure in PA. I went to state (undergrad) & a public (grad) universities, and it was fairly inexpensive & I was eligible for financial aid. I was able to take some courses online at the undergrad level.
There are probably church positions for lay counselors, though I really don't know the qualifications required for such positions- most likely they would not pay well (if at all).
Unless a degree is preparation for a specific requirement, it can end up being a BIG waste of time and money.
So... the very first step is to figure out exactly what he wants to do and where; then look into your state requirements for those positions; and then figure out which degree will work. Then decide whether he has the time, money, etc to pursue that degree.
I have known MANY people who went out and got degrees thinking it would help them toward a dream, only to find that it got them no where closer!
Tara P
_____________________________
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RE: degree ? - 9/2/2008 8:50:54 PM
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daughter_of_faith
Posts: 1256
Joined: 1/10/2008
From: Great Plains, Kansas
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He's seeking a degree so that he can be a Christian counselor. We live in Kansas!
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RE: degree ? - 9/3/2008 9:29:18 AM
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IonMoon
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From: The Unted State of Confusion
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quote:
ORIGINAL: daughter_of_faith
He's seeking a degree so that he can be a Christian counselor. We live in Kansas!
Right, but Christian Counselors work in a variety of capacities. Some work in churches and have little to no credentials (but make very little money, if anything); some work in private practice as licensed counselors who use Christian principles in their therapy (and typically need a master's degree in counseling or social work).
A good starting point might be to talk to some local Chrstian counselors doing the type of work he wants to do and asking what the requirements are.
Tara P
_____________________________
http://www.geocities.com/hallscola67/KyliesHomemadeShopIndex.htm
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RE: degree ? - 9/3/2008 9:42:54 PM
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daughter_of_faith
Posts: 1256
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From: Great Plains, Kansas
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He's wanting to work out of our church; however, he feels the need to be credentialed appropariately for his field.
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RE: degree ? - 9/4/2008 5:37:56 PM
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IonMoon
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From: The Unted State of Confusion
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Here you go:
http://www.ksbsrb.org/index.html This is the licensure board for your state. Check out the website. There are two options for bachelors level counselors: drug & alcohol or social worker. All other's require a master's or doctorate. You'll need to read more indepth there to find out, though, whether those with bachelor's level licensing can practice without supervision from a Master's/doctoral level professional.
Tara P
_____________________________
http://www.geocities.com/hallscola67/KyliesHomemadeShopIndex.htm
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RE: degree ? - 9/4/2008 5:44:22 PM
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isaacsmom
Posts: 1983
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quote:
When I lived in Chicago, I believe that Moody was free for full-time on-campus students. MBI's divinity students are treated sort of like marines- they're expected to give up drinking, smoking, movies, television, and even dancing during their time at seminary, but it's an excellent program and it might still be free if you can come up with the cost of living in Chicago for a few years.
Tuition is free, but room/board is approx. $1,100/mo. My brother attends there. I'm not sure about the other stuff you listed, lol. I'll have to ask him.
_____________________________
<<< My littlest punkin'
*~*~*Rachel*~*~*
pirtlefarm.blogspot.com
Beware of posing as a profound person -- God became a baby. ~Oswald Chambers
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RE: degree ? - 9/4/2008 9:23:05 PM
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daughter_of_faith
Posts: 1256
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From: Great Plains, Kansas
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Thank you, Tara. I'll go check it out & send him the link so he can check it out!
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