r/theology • u/Out-WitPlayLast • 5d ago

Is Master's International University of Divinity legit? Question

I have a friend who got a graduate degree there, but a lot of the stuff he says about it seems sketchy. I have graduate degrees in a related field, and I actually did mine in person. Our experiences were VERY different, and his are so different than any other legit graduate program I have heard of.

It doesn't seem accredited and seems extremely overpriced for level of instruction given.

Am I reading into it, or is there something wrong with this university?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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u/MotherRobotnik 5d ago

If something lacks acred = it is a diploma mill run away as far as possible.

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u/Out-WitPlayLast 5d ago

That's what I'm thinking. Do I tell him it's a diploma mill?

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u/MotherRobotnik 5d ago

Bible colleges are often unaccredited if he wants to become a Protestant pastor he can do so.

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u/Out-WitPlayLast 5d ago

His goal is to teach university eventually. That will hurt him if he wants to teach at an accredited school.

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u/FallenAngel1978 MTS - Christian 5d ago

That's not entirely true... at least not here in Canada. Most Bible colleges here are associated with a specific denomination. And most denominations require an MDiv from an accredited school. I completed an MTS degree and then switched denominations and they require the full MDiv and I have to go to their approved school (or at least take their specific denominational courses + complete an MDiv).

If they want to teach I imagine they would need to go to an ATS accredited school... which this does not appear to be. It does seem kind of junior level... not as academically rigorous as one would expect for a Masters degree

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u/Out-WitPlayLast 5d ago

That's exactly what I'm thinking. It doesn't seem like it is as rigorous as any other degree program (an any field) that I've seen. Because they aren't accredited, they can get by with lower standards and requirements.

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u/FallenAngel1978 MTS - Christian 5d ago

There's a "school" here that I took a course at. Was all online... Felt like it was not up to the same standards. Although to be fair it was also a college level course while I was doing a masters. They list accreditation with Higher Learning Commission which also lists Notre Dame. But Notre Dame's seminary is accredited with ATS which seems to be the standard for seminaries. So if they are trying to get a job in academia I suspect they would have a much more difficult time with somewhere not on that list. Although maybe they'll just see the MDiv or PhD and not look so closely at the where.

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u/Arlo108 2d ago

The well-known Bob Jones University was for many years unaccepted because they would have to conform to government or secular guidelines. I look at one's education is what they gained from it. Most likely, everyone has known someone with more letters after their name than in it from accredited Universities but graduated by the skin of their teeth.