This blog describes fake colleges, colleges that are unaccredited and to a lesser extent the misuse of the doctorate title.
This article warns of scams being done in the names of closed colleges. Zombie colleges? These universities are living another life online, and no one can say why
It serves as a warning to be careful when one is making an application to an unknown school or business of any sort.
It should be noted too that there are some Christian colleges that offer degrees that are not approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education, or other similar international accreditors. In the case of accreditors of other nations, it might be hard to judge recognition. In many cases, such transcripts for legitimate credit are scrutinized by employers, transfer institutions etc. https://2017-2021.state.gov/family-...in-the-d-c-area/evaluation-of-foreign-degrees
In some cases a Christian school might plainly state they do not seek accreditation from secular bodies, that there is no reason to submit to them as they are submitted to God. In the worst cases, some Christian schools list accreditors but those accreditors are not approved ones by the Dept of Education. Here is a list from wikipedia.
Category:Unaccredited Christian universities and colleges in the United States - Wikipedia
This is not to say that some of these colleges/universities are not worthwhile. The University of the Nations, the Youth with a Missions school openly admits: "UofN is a degree granting institution (Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees), but has not applied for accreditation in any one nation’s educational system." It goes on to talk about it's plans and some of the limitations and possibilities it has.
The Wiki list is not comprehensive and some Unaccredited Christian Colleges do end up closing. A possible example of this is Phoenix University of Theology. Where in the World is Phoenix University of Theology? – Warren Throckmorton This is not the University fo Phoenix, or Phoenix Seminary which have approved accreditation. This "University" no longer has a website I can find though it has a number of alumni that are well known Christian leaders. Again, nothing necessarily wrong with an unaccredited degree. However, it does beg the question as to how one treats those using a Dr. title, when the school is unaccredited. There are many great Christian Universities that go through the rigors of accreditation. Oral Roberts, Liberty, many seminaries etc. Other schools may have reasons not to be accredited but often they simply do not measure up to the same standards. Faculty of accredited colleges generally have degrees from accredited universities. I have seen many unaccredited institutions hire their faculty or even have a President with no real graduate degree. Anyone can start a school, award themselves a doctorate from that school and then parade itself as legitimate hiding behind unapproved accreditors or in some cases well-known ministers.
In the case of holistic or naturalist medicine, the same or worse scenario occurs. Some schools are legitimate, while others are diploma mills. The Biggest Quack School in Natural Medicine Closes
The misuse of the title doctorate is too common in Christian circles. Such practice occurs enough that I look up Christian author's degrees to actually see if it is from an unaccredited or accredited university.
There are also issues in the more broad use of an honorary Doctorate. Honorary Doctorates from accredited schools are real and most that receive them have some great accomplishments. Misuse occurs when the title is overused and the person maintains the Dr. in too many settings.
Many celebrities have been awarded honorary doctorates but the media does not address them as Dr. Meryl Streep or Dr. Ben Affleck. Céline Dion, Ben Affleck, and More Celebrities Who Have Received Honorary Doctorate Degrees
To conclude, it is noted that there is a range of limitations in the use and misuse of unaccredited institutions and degrees. Some are clearly just fraudulent money pits. Others may have legitimate learning opportunities but the recognition of such an education cannot be assumed. Of course when it comes to ministry, our calling and recognition should come from God. We are to give all glory to God, and self-promotion is questionable at best, and outright sinful at worst. God bless!
This article warns of scams being done in the names of closed colleges. Zombie colleges? These universities are living another life online, and no one can say why
It serves as a warning to be careful when one is making an application to an unknown school or business of any sort.
It should be noted too that there are some Christian colleges that offer degrees that are not approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education, or other similar international accreditors. In the case of accreditors of other nations, it might be hard to judge recognition. In many cases, such transcripts for legitimate credit are scrutinized by employers, transfer institutions etc. https://2017-2021.state.gov/family-...in-the-d-c-area/evaluation-of-foreign-degrees
In some cases a Christian school might plainly state they do not seek accreditation from secular bodies, that there is no reason to submit to them as they are submitted to God. In the worst cases, some Christian schools list accreditors but those accreditors are not approved ones by the Dept of Education. Here is a list from wikipedia.
Category:Unaccredited Christian universities and colleges in the United States - Wikipedia
This is not to say that some of these colleges/universities are not worthwhile. The University of the Nations, the Youth with a Missions school openly admits: "UofN is a degree granting institution (Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees), but has not applied for accreditation in any one nation’s educational system." It goes on to talk about it's plans and some of the limitations and possibilities it has.
The Wiki list is not comprehensive and some Unaccredited Christian Colleges do end up closing. A possible example of this is Phoenix University of Theology. Where in the World is Phoenix University of Theology? – Warren Throckmorton This is not the University fo Phoenix, or Phoenix Seminary which have approved accreditation. This "University" no longer has a website I can find though it has a number of alumni that are well known Christian leaders. Again, nothing necessarily wrong with an unaccredited degree. However, it does beg the question as to how one treats those using a Dr. title, when the school is unaccredited. There are many great Christian Universities that go through the rigors of accreditation. Oral Roberts, Liberty, many seminaries etc. Other schools may have reasons not to be accredited but often they simply do not measure up to the same standards. Faculty of accredited colleges generally have degrees from accredited universities. I have seen many unaccredited institutions hire their faculty or even have a President with no real graduate degree. Anyone can start a school, award themselves a doctorate from that school and then parade itself as legitimate hiding behind unapproved accreditors or in some cases well-known ministers.
In the case of holistic or naturalist medicine, the same or worse scenario occurs. Some schools are legitimate, while others are diploma mills. The Biggest Quack School in Natural Medicine Closes
The misuse of the title doctorate is too common in Christian circles. Such practice occurs enough that I look up Christian author's degrees to actually see if it is from an unaccredited or accredited university.
There are also issues in the more broad use of an honorary Doctorate. Honorary Doctorates from accredited schools are real and most that receive them have some great accomplishments. Misuse occurs when the title is overused and the person maintains the Dr. in too many settings.
Honorary Degrees Pervasive Among Christian Colleges – MinistryWatch
ministrywatch.com
Many celebrities have been awarded honorary doctorates but the media does not address them as Dr. Meryl Streep or Dr. Ben Affleck. Céline Dion, Ben Affleck, and More Celebrities Who Have Received Honorary Doctorate Degrees
To conclude, it is noted that there is a range of limitations in the use and misuse of unaccredited institutions and degrees. Some are clearly just fraudulent money pits. Others may have legitimate learning opportunities but the recognition of such an education cannot be assumed. Of course when it comes to ministry, our calling and recognition should come from God. We are to give all glory to God, and self-promotion is questionable at best, and outright sinful at worst. God bless!
