Has Anyone Heard of Northwestern Seminary?

[ray1212]

I wanted to know if anyone ever heard of Northwestern Seminary. I wrote them an I received a very nice letter back. The has been in existence for 24 years. They aren't traditionally accredited. Thanks for the information.

http://www.northwesternseminary.com/Nontraditional.htm

[Jimmy Clifton]

I wanted to know if anyone ever heard of Northwestern Seminary. I wrote them an I received a very nice letter back. The has been in existence for 24 years. They aren't traditionally accredited. Thanks for the information.

http://www.northwesternseminary.com/Nontraditional.htm

Two specifics concern me. First, they say state approved is the wave of the future. This is inaccurate. RA is still the gold standard. NA is getting more attention and more acceptability.

Second, it just doesn't seem like one will learn much theology in the MA or ThD programs.

But, the programs are practically free, so............

[poodle78]

Two specifics concern me. First, they say state approved is the wave of the future. This is inaccurate. RA is still the gold standard. NA is getting more attention and more acceptability.

Second, it just doesn't seem like one will learn much theology in the MA or ThD programs.

But, the programs are practically free, so............

So go for it? I contacted them and got a very courteous response.

By the way, has anyone ever heard of Christian Alliance Ministries?
:confused:

[Jimmy Clifton]

...By the way, has anyone ever heard of Christian Alliance Ministries?:confused:

There are two possibilities: First, members of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, (http://www.cmalliance.org/) an old and established denomination, formed the Christian Alliance Ministries; second, this is a school and church organization all housed in one building.

I have a feeling it is the second case. A number of unaccredited schools also have their own church body that licenses and ordains.

[terryc]

They are not so free. They ask for a "Love Donation" to start, It goes upward of $2000, depending on your concentration,

They do have some good library resources though.

:crazy2:

[peterhc]

I considered gettting a degree from Northwestern mainly because they have been around for some time and I had not come across anything "bad" about them.
I had a fairly long e-mail exchange with the President of the school who was very generous with his time and was willing to grant me a degree based entirely on previous academic work. (2 Masters, 1 year Doctoral study, 20 years cont. ed and full time ministry) I submitted a completed manuscript in lieu of the dissertation and that seemed to suffice. I don't know if this was common practice or an exception.
Anyway, I never did go ahaed with getting the diploma, which at that time was $1,000.
You will have to decide what to make of all this.
Best Wishes,

PeterHC

[Theodore Lamar Heiks]

Second, it just doesn't seem like one will learn much theology in the MA or ThD programs.Hmm. I can't seem to find out much about their programs from the website.

[Jimmy Clifton]

Hmm. I can't seem to find out much about their programs from the website.

You have to download the catalog and read about degree programs and course requirements.

[Rector]

There are two possibilities: First, members of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, (http://www.cmalliance.org/) an old and established denomination, formed the Christian Alliance Ministries; second, this is a school and church organization all housed in one building.

I have a feeling it is the second case. A number of unaccredited schools also have their own church body that licenses and ordains.

Rev Jimmy Clifton I have unrelated question.

I see you are LCSW - How did you achieve this license and in what state if you can share this info.

The reason I ask is I don't see MSW degree among your credentials so I'm curious ( not critical) to learn how this is possible ?

Thanks

rector

[Jimmy Clifton]

Rev Jimmy Clifton I have unrelated question.

I see you are LCSW - How did you achieve this license and in what state if you can share this info.

The reason I ask is I don't see MSW degree among your credentials so I'm curious ( not critical) to learn how this is possible ?

Thanks

rector

Already been addressed:

http://forums.degreeboard.com/showthread.php?t=12442

[The Mentor]

I wanted to know if anyone ever heard of Northwestern Seminary. I wrote them an I received a very nice letter back. The has been in existence for 24 years. They aren't traditionally accredited. Thanks for the information.

http://www.northwesternseminary.com/Nontraditional.htm

I have heard of them, have had correspondence with many of them, and know some students who have obtained degrees from Northwestern.

If your goal is to secure a job on the basis of your theological degree, then this might not be the best place. Nor do they advertise their courses as suitable for job placement. However, this does not rule out the possibility of getting a job.

Their distance program is very student-friendly and I recommend them if your goal is spiritual ministry or self-equipping.

[The Mentor]

Already been addressed:

http://forums.degreeboard.com/showthread.php?t=12442

The thread is so long and there are so many distractions that the question is not adequately answered. It would be helpful if you can give a one or two paragraph summary.

[Riekert]

I have completed a MA.Th with Northwestern and am currently working on a Ph.D in counselling. I enjoy their courses and would recommend it.

Greetings!
Riekert

[Pax]

I have completed a MA.Th with Northwestern and am currently working on a Ph.D in counselling. I enjoy their courses and would recommend it.

Greetings!
Riekert

I am glad you enjoyed your program. However, they want a "love offering". For example, for the MTh or MDiv it is between $1800 to $2800. That is NOT tuition free by any stretch. It will not cost you that much more for a Masters from Tyndale or Louisiana Baptist University. Tyndale and LBU are both unaccredited but likely have a better reputation (LBU especially).

On top of that. If you want an unaccredited Masters, Nations University is a Church of Church of Christ affiliated school whose courses are designed by Profs with accredited degrees. Cost is 100 dollars per year registration fee for US based students and that is it. TNARS is completely FREE (has MDiv and MTh). Looks like TNARS will require a lot of work but it is FREE. TNARS is acceptable to two recognizable (venerable) small Reformed denominations.

So, Northwestern has a great name (sound of it) but why pay up to 2800 for a Masters that will likely not teach you any more and will be of the same or lesser use than a Masters from TNARS or Nations University?

Just a thought for people considering options.

[Riekert]

So, Northwestern has a great name (sound of it) but why pay up to 2800 for a Masters that will likely not teach you any more and will be of the same or lesser use than a Masters from TNARS or Nations University?

Thanks for the valuable information. I would like to know more about the options you mentioned.

When I enrolled with NTS I enrolled for a Masters and PhD. The cost was around $2100 for the both of them. Not bad considering I live in South Africa and we struggle with a 7:1 ratio against the Dollar. There are many good courses, but the method of payment puts it out of reach for most - especially on my side of the valley.

[Pax]

Thanks for the valuable information. I would like to know more about the options you mentioned.

When I enrolled with NTS I enrolled for a Masters and PhD. The cost was around $2100 for the both of them. Not bad considering I live in South Africa and we struggle with a 7:1 ratio against the Dollar. There are many good courses, but the method of payment puts it out of reach for most - especially on my side of the valley.

Nations just has undergrad and graduate degrees:
http://www.nationsu.org

TNARS has a doctorate as well as Masters:
http://www.tnars.net

The two above are free.

LBU is http://www.lbu.edu
Tyndale is http://www.tyndale.edu

Above two are inexpensive.

All 4 are unaccredited.

If you want accredited and afforable try University of Zululand (distance learning through doctorate). Reputable, equivalent of accredited and affordable. OR SATS same but with less track record and slightly more expensive for doctorate http://www.sats.edu.za SATS Bachelors is very affordable.