D. Phil or M.Div

[R. Lawson]

I have a choice to make and I would love your input.

I have the choice of getting my Doctor in Philosophy or my M.Div. I already have a doctorate and never received my M.Div.

Which one should I go for?

Robb

 

[preachinjesus]

What are you called to do with either degree? Just curious because there is a world of difference.

 

[Alcott]

'Dr. Phil' or MDiv?

 

[R. Lawson]

What are you called to do with either degree? Just curious because there is a world of difference.

I am called to teach.

 

[mjohnson7]

It would help to see your CV. Not knowing what your degrees are in or where they came from makes it difficult to dispense advice.

 

[R. Lawson]

'Dr. Phil' or MDiv?

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[R. Lawson]

It would help to see your CV. Not knowing what your degrees are in or where they came from makes it difficult to dispense advice.

I have a Master's in Religious Studies and a D. Litt from St. Alcuin House Seminary. St. Alcuin is very similar to CES, though I believe CES may put more rigor in their programs.

 

[mjohnson7]

Interesting. I am not familiar with St. Alcuin House Seminary, but I see it's Anglican. Where were you considering doing your MDiv or PhD work?

 

[Rhetorician]

Bro. Lawson Response

I am called to teach.

Hello Bro. Lawson,

May I asked, called to teach in what context? Local church, Regionally Accredtied college, Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or grad school, church based Bible institute, which or wither?

You will need a full accredited RA or ATS Master of Divinity and / or PhD to teach in a college of seminary. If that is the case you may have to do a major portion of what you have already done over again.

Let us hear from you if you want additional comments or insights. I for one have been down this road personally and am quite familiar with the process.

I advise young men not to even consider teaching college or seminary unless or until they know for sure God is in it. The costs are just too high in time effort and family concerns, and the market is almost impossible to break into just now--and probably will be for many years to come.

Are you sure you want to pay this price?

My thoughts!! :smilewinkgrin:

"That is all!"

 

[preachinjesus]

Unless the degree is from part of the Oxford system it is a PhD. Only Oxford (as far as I know) confers the DPhil diploma.

Seeing your past work I am interested why you want to get the degree as it would be nearly impossible to find a teaching position in an accredited institution. In only the most unusual cases would institutions accept degrees (and the persons attached to them) from unaccredited bodies. Have you considered this? Where would you want to teach?

Thanks in advance for the reply

 

[preachinjesus]

I advise young men not to even consider teaching college or seminary unless or until they know for sure God is in it. The costs are just too high in time effort and family concerns, and the market is almost impossible to break into just now--and probably will be for many years to come.

This is timely advice. Open humanities positions are rare as hens teeth these days.

I have a friend who went and got his PhD from a lower tier seminary and has been trying to get positions for more than five years now. He's been bumfuzzelled at every chance. Even some higher class doctorates are having more difficult times. The market for PhDs is not as robust as it is suspected to be by too many.

 

[R. Lawson]

Interesting. I am not familiar with St. Alcuin House Seminary, but I see it's Anglican. Where were you considering doing your MDiv or PhD work?

St. Alcuin, as it is very similar to Columbia Evangelical Seminary in that it uses the British modal of learning.

 

[R. Lawson]

My pastor merely wanted me to get a degree...I could have stopped at the Master's. I also love self edification:thumbsup:.

 

[R. Lawson]

Hello Bro. Lawson,

May I asked, called to teach in what context? Local church, Regionally Accredtied college, Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or grad school, church based Bible institute, which or wither?

You will need a full accredited RA or ATS Master of Divinity and / or PhD to teach in a college of seminary. If that is the case you may have to do a major portion of what you have already done over again.

Let us hear from you if you want additional comments or insights. I for one have been down this road personally and am quite familiar with the process.

I advise young men not to even consider teaching college or seminary unless or until they know for sure God is in it. The costs are just too high in time effort and family concerns, and the market is almost impossible to break into just now--and probably will be for many years to come.

Are you sure you want to pay this price?

My thoughts!! :smilewinkgrin:

"That is all!"

I mainly want to teach at church for now. My plan is to eventually study at CES and then get an accredited doctorate sometime after completing my work at CES. I'm gunning for Liberty.

 

[Rhetorician]

Bro Lawson Response

I mainly want to teach at church for now. My plan is to eventually study at CES and then get an accredited doctorate sometime after completing my work at CES. I'm gunning for Liberty.

Bro Lawson,

I have just these past few days finished mentoring a young man and helped him walk through his whole Masters degree. May I offer you my services sir.

Feel free to ask others on the Baptist Board for recommendations concerning me. :smilewinkgrin:

Let me know what you think?

"That is all!"

 

[R. Lawson]

Bro Lawson,

I have just these past few days finished mentoring a young man and helped him walk through his whole Masters degree. May I offer you my services sir.

Feel free to ask others on the Baptist Board for recommendations concerning me. :smilewinkgrin:

Let me know what you think?

"That is all!"

Oh, I plan to. I will be receiving a large amount of money soon and had planned to request you as my mentor. :thumbsup:

 

[R. Lawson]

So...what do you folks think? Should I go for my M.Div or get my D. Phil?

 

[preachinjesus]

Honestly given the background I'd start in with an MDiv at a great seminary, SBTS, TEDS, DTS (ThM here), or Beeson. Then consider getting a PhD. I am curious why you want to do all these degrees. Nevertheless, journey well!

 

[Crucified in Christ]

Honestly given the background I'd start in with an MDiv at a great seminary, SBTS, TEDS, DTS (ThM here), or Beeson. Then consider getting a PhD. I am curious why you want to do all these degrees. Nevertheless, journey well!

I'm with preachinJesus on this one. If you are coming into some money, now is the time to switch over to an accredited institution for the MDiv. In all reality...if you want to teach at the Seminary/University level, it simply does not matter how rigorous a program is (or how much you liked your experience there)...what will matter is how familiar your credentials are to those who will be hiring you. I am familiar with a large number of Bible Colleges and Seminaries and have never heard of St. Alcuin House Seminary. I would think that I am not alone in this regard. If it is unaccredited and not well known, a degree from an institution will not be helpful toward your career goals. In fact, in some cases that I am aware of unaccredited degrees hurt a candidate who also had accredited degrees.

Remember the field is tight and the applicants many for any job in academia...it doesn't take much to get your resume tossed.

 

[StefanM]

So...what do you folks think? Should I go for my M.Div or get my D. Phil?

Get an accredited M.Div. An unaccredited doctorate is a waste. of. time.

If you are wanting to pursue a degree from LU, go ahead and go for it now! With them, you can even start with an MA in Religion that can fully transfer into an MDiv later.