Masters of Theology?

Dewdropdeb

Just wondering if anyone is aware of a remotely affordable masters of theology/divinity program that is mainly distance education that does not require one to be a priest?

Fanny Cradock

An affordable Masters that is long distance? That's quite a list!

Here is a list from the appropriately named site theology.ie. I don't think it is exhaustive or particularly up-to-date. Maynooth might be your best bet.

Seaneh

The I.B.I. Are launching a distance learning Degree and masters next summer. As it stands you can do a part time (One day a week) course with them. Might be worth your time researching?

Dewdropdeb

Wow!!! Quite the choice - I had no idea. Thanks guys!

Fanny Cradock

It might be worth sending PDN a PM. I could also put you in touch with a current student of Maynooth.

PDN

I did my MTh the old fashioned way - lots of hours in classrooms arguing the toss with lecturers and other students. Btw, this doesn't have to be a full time basis - I did mine while pastoring a church, putting in a few hours a week taxi driving to supplement my income, and helping raise two young children.

To be honest I think the distance learning option seems attractive, but I found it to be ultimately unsatisfying. I tried a few such programmes over the years and they just didn't provide the kind of learning experience that you get from bouncing your ideas off other people in a class.

Also be careful. There are a lot of distance learning options out there whose 'degrees' aren't worth the paper they're written on.

All in all I think part time study somewhere like Maynooth, IBI, or the Irish School of Ecumenics at TCD are much better alternatives.

lmaopml

Hi Dewdropdeb,

Are you based in Dublin? The 'Priory' in Tallaght, run a fairly decent half distance learning - half attendance, but neither totally necessary after registration, it's up to the 'student' to be serious too. It's well worth looking into...

..It's very in depth and challenging, very hard to get the grades, but defo worth looking into if it meets your ambitions and requirements - and no you don't need to become a Priest..lol...

Dewdropdeb

lmaopml - I did look at them as well, thanks, definitely an option. I Dominicans too. Would love to become a lay Dominican, but seems like unless you're in Dublin or Cork you're SOL on that one.

I think either way though, I'll have to do the postgrad diploma at Maynooth first just to get into a program and get myself up to speed. I have Latin, but will probably need to get in Greek or Hebrew at some point before starting, maybe the Open U.

PDN - Thanks for all the advice, I have two young kids as well, so that has to be taken into account!

marty1985

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice for someone interested in beginning studies in Theology? I am living abroad at the moment, so distance learning with an Irish institute or college sounds appealing. But I have no idea how much it might cost. I already have a degree in an unrelated field, if that makes any difference in applying as a mature student etc. And I suppose doing it online would be a lot more affordable. This is genuinely something that's on my mind, having developed an interest in the subject over the past year. I'm in my mid-twenties, and haven't really thought about what type of qualification I want, or what I want to do with that qualification when I'm done, but I would love to have the chance to study this out of a deep interest in it. Any ideas?

Jester Minute

marty1985 wrote: »

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice for someone interested in beginning studies in Theology? I am living abroad at the moment, so distance learning with an Irish institute or college sounds appealing. But I have no idea how much it might cost. I already have a degree in an unrelated field, if that makes any difference in applying as a mature student etc. And I suppose doing it online would be a lot more affordable. This is genuinely something that's on my mind, having developed an interest in the subject over the past year. I'm in my mid-twenties, and haven't really thought about what type of qualification I want, or what I want to do with that qualification when I'm done, but I would love to have the chance to study this out of a deep interest in it. Any ideas?

http://www.prioryinstitute.com/

Dewdropdeb

marty1985 wrote: »

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice for someone interested in beginning studies in Theology? I am living abroad at the moment, so distance learning with an Irish institute or college sounds appealing. But I have no idea how much it might cost. I already have a degree in an unrelated field, if that makes any difference in applying as a mature student etc. And I suppose doing it online would be a lot more affordable. This is genuinely something that's on my mind, having developed an interest in the subject over the past year. I'm in my mid-twenties, and haven't really thought about what type of qualification I want, or what I want to do with that qualification when I'm done, but I would love to have the chance to study this out of a deep interest in it. Any ideas?

I'm kind of in the same boat. Have an MBA and BA in Classical Studies. Maynooth do a 1 year post grad diploma which basically preps you for the masters. Don't think I'd want to do another BA tbh, so the diploma is looking good!

Jester Minute

Dewdropdeb wrote: »

I'm kind of in the same boat. Have an MBA and BA in Classical Studies. Maynooth do a 1 year post grad diploma which basically preps you for the masters. Don't think I'd want to do another BA tbh, so the diploma is looking good!

I've a BSc in something. So is there any way I could do a theology related diploma/masters whatever without a background in it, or do ya need a theology degree to start with?

Can I do the diploma at Maynooth? I've no money though... that could be a problem.

Plowman

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Jester Minute

Plowman wrote: »

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Thanks, but I'd rather scratch out my eyes!

I think distance learning can work for shorter course, but only the very dedicated and devoted students can follow a degree or other advanced course by distance learning.

For me, I'd need the uni setting to actually follow a programme of study. But since I been to uni once already, I won't be going again unless some rich benefactor wants to sponsor me for the good of the Universal Church...;)

zoomtard

I can heartily recommend Maynooth. I am training for the Presbyterian ministry there at the moment and my wife is doing the HDip in theology. You do not need Greek or Hebrew to do their Masters programme and in fact, because of the excellent, community-culture that exists in the college, they would probably let you just take those courses if it interested you. They have a flippin' brilliant language expert at the moment, a chap called Jonathan Kearney.

That having been said, the Irish Bible Institute, which is an evangelical multi-denominational college, is a terrific place as well. It has all the plus points of Maynooth in terms of a real community culture and passionate, committed staff. But it also has a great focus on applied theology which would perhaps serve lay ministry better than the academic route.

Jester Minute

My problem is that I've already done one degree, and so the powers that be won't give me another student loan to do another degree. It's pretty unfair. :pac: