Get your Degree Today

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

For more information, visit Unisa Alumni

• Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Haitian politician)
• Walter Battiss (South African abstract painter and known as the creator of the quirky "Fook Island" concept)
• David Bosch (Cleric and Professor of Missiology)
• Sandra Botha (South African politician)
• Ergun Caner (Professor and Former President and Dean: Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary)
• Sophia Daras
• Dorita Field (Politician in Northern Ireland)
• Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwean poet, novelist and essayist)
• Danny Jordaan (South Africa's 2010 Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer)
• Ahmed Kathrada (South African politician and anti-apartheid activist)
• Queen LaMbikiza of Swaziland
• Sindiwe Magona (South African writer)
• Nelson Mandela (Former President of the Republic of South Africa)
• Tshilidzi Marwala (Adhominem Professor of Electrical Engineering,Carl and Emily Fuchs Chair of Systems and Control Engineering as well as the DST/NRF South Africa Research Chair of Systems Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand)
• Kaiser Matanzima (Former leader of the then-bantustan of Transkei in South Africa)
• Kenneth Mopeli (former Chief Minister of the South African bantustan of QwaQwa)
• Robert Mugabe (Current President of Zimbabwe)
• Bulelani Ngcuka (first national Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.)
• Georgia Papageorge (South African installation artist)
• Kevin Pietersen (Current England Cricket Player)
• Cyril Ramaphosa
• Mamphela Ramphele
• John E. Sanders (American evangelical Christian theologian)
• Tokyo Sexwale (South African businessman and former politician, anti-apartheid activist, and political prisoner)
• Desmond Tutu (South African cleric and political activist)
• Jaco van der Westhuyzen (Former Springbok Rugby Player)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Africa

Caner? The guy that made up things in his book Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs ? Eek. He was later relieved of his duties... http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...y/28-11.0.html Questionable, at least, in credibility.

Nice to see a rugby player is represented on an academic alumni list though!

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

cheaper

Yeah, sure. I'll bet the prices of U.S. Universities just gave him ulcers.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 200,000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.

Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, the University of South Africa (or UNISA as it is commonly known, spoken as you-nee-suh) spent most of its early history as an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities and as an incubator from which most other universities in South Africa are descended. In 1946 it was given a new role as a distance education university and today it offers certificate, diploma and degree courses up to doctoral level.
Largely because it was a distance education university, it remained interracial during the years of apartheid in South Africa. In January 2004 UNISA merged with Technikon SA and incorporated the distance education component of Vista University (VUDEC). The combined institution is still known as the University of South Africa (UNISA ). It is now organised by college and by school; see below.


Accreditation

Unisa received a Royal Charter in 1877. It operates under the University of South Africa Act (No. 19 of 1959), and is accredited by the South African Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Its qualifications (including those of the SBL) are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Internationally, Unisa is listed in the Commonwealth Universities Handbook of 1999 and also in the International Handbook of Universities of 1998.
On 12 January 2002 UNISA was granted full institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The accreditation lapsed in March, 2007, and UNISA did not pursue renewal.


Entrance requirements

Students need a school-leaving qualification that would entitle them to enter a university or college in their own country.[2] However, Unisa also offers access courses [3] to those who have completed their schooling but without university matriculation (i.e. to students who have a national certificate (matric) without university entrance). If successful, students can study further for a degree.
[edit] Advantages

Market research has shown that Unisa is rated as one of the top universities in South Africa (2001) [1] - Unisa qualifications are sought after in the marketplace.

• Courses are offered at one-quarter to one-third the price of residential universities;
• Courses are accessible as students who do not have a university entrance matric can register for UNISA's access programme;
• Courses are flexible, because students can plan their studies to fit into their lifestyles;
• The qualifications are credible, because of the international recognition afforded its qualifications.

Notable alumni (students and faculty)

The Alumni Relations Office deals with all matters that are related to alumni. All Unisa Graduates or Convocants are therefore the alumni of the University. Unisa has established the Alumni Association which is a platform for alumni to actively participate in the activities of the University in order to contribute to its long-term success and sustainability. For more information, visit Unisa Alumni

• Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Haitian politician)
• Walter Battiss (South African abstract painter and known as the creator of the quirky "Fook Island" concept)
• David Bosch (Cleric and Professor of Missiology)
• Sandra Botha (South African politician)
• Ergun Caner (Professor and Former President and Dean: Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary)
• Sophia Daras
• Dorita Field (Politician in Northern Ireland)
• Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwean poet, novelist and essayist)
• Danny Jordaan (South Africa's 2010 Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer)
• Ahmed Kathrada (South African politician and anti-apartheid activist)
• Queen LaMbikiza of Swaziland
• Sindiwe Magona (South African writer)
• Nelson Mandela (Former President of the Republic of South Africa)
• Tshilidzi Marwala (Adhominem Professor of Electrical Engineering,Carl and Emily Fuchs Chair of Systems and Control Engineering as well as the DST/NRF South Africa Research Chair of Systems Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand)
• Kaiser Matanzima (Former leader of the then-bantustan of Transkei in South Africa)
• Kenneth Mopeli (former Chief Minister of the South African bantustan of QwaQwa)
• Robert Mugabe (Current President of Zimbabwe)
• Bulelani Ngcuka (first national Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.)
• Georgia Papageorge (South African installation artist)
• Kevin Pietersen (Current England Cricket Player)
• Cyril Ramaphosa
• Mamphela Ramphele
• John E. Sanders (American evangelical Christian theologian)
• Tokyo Sexwale (South African businessman and former politician, anti-apartheid activist, and political prisoner)
• Desmond Tutu (South African cleric and political activist)
• Jaco van der Westhuyzen (Former Springbok Rugby Player)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Africa

Tutu's and few these others, I am sure are honorary.

Any the alumni American? Or of theological gravitas or stature?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Interesting.

I don't think it's uncommon unfortunately. May not be a diploma mill, but a similar concept: sub-par academic school hoisting the theological belt of Pentecost's heavyweights.

Why? Why South Africa? There are hundreds of Bible Colleges in the states -- some with flexible schedule alternatives. There are dozens of fine, reputable Bible colleges/Seminaries as well.

Why? Why so much of this?

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Not the same thing. They do require a serious Thesis. The point is that it is curious he would go a route that doesn't really require he interact with Theologians who would challenge.

Originally Posted by DAII

Granted this is very much in the European tradition. That being writing a thesis under mentorship and then defending it to a panel is how commonly doctorates are conferred.
South Africa being heavily influenced by Northern Europe.

It would seem still to be a curious choice to get a degree in religion from a state school where one can choose a Hindu or Islamic studies as your track.

The choice seems to be one of convenience rather than rigor and specialization.

Max, baron has stated here they do require a serious Thesis.

Perhaps enrollment in a school that interacts with Hindus and Muslims is intentional indeed? Maybe he does not see his lifelong mission as convincing Trinitarians alone?

It may very well speak of his desire for broader reach rather than simply a choice of convenience and sans rigor.

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by DAII

Tutu's and few these others, I am sure are honorary.

Any the alumni American? Or of theological gravitas or stature?

Tutu is legit. But for what and as what?

Primarily for his remarkable and brave role to end apartheid in South Africa.

Also, note via Wikipedia, that SAU is not mentioned:

Tutu then travelled to King's College London, (1962–1966), where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Theology. During this time he worked as a part-time curate, first at St. Alban's Church, Golders Green, and then at St. Mary's Church in Bletchingley, Surrey.[5] He later returned to South Africa and from 1967 until 1972 used his lectures to highlight the circumstances of the African population. He wrote a letter to Prime Minister B. J. Vorster, in which he described the situation in South Africa as a "powder barrel that can explode at any time": the letter was never answered.[citation needed] He became chaplain at the University of Fort Hare in 1967, a hotbed of dissent and one of the few quality universities for African students in the southern part of Africa.[citation needed] From 1970 to 1972, Tutu lectured at the National University of Lesotho.
In 1972, Tutu returned to the UK, where he was appointed vice-director of the Theological Education Fund of the World Council of Churches, at Bromley in Kent. He returned to South Africa in 1975 and was appointed Anglican Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg -— the first "Black" person to hold that position.[citation needed]

[Praxeas]

For students who hold an appropriate MTh degree or an equivalent qualifi cation
The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic. Before students may submit the thesis for examination, they must complete to the
satisfaction of the College a prescribed study programme in the chosen subject and/or another theological and/or non-theological subject(s);
provided that the College may exempt students from the study programme depending on their previous studies and the topic for the
projected thesis.
(2) For students who in exceptional cases are admitt ed by Senate to doctoral studies by virtue of a BD degree or an equivalent qualifi cation
(see Rule PTh 22 above)
(a) The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic and a doctoral examination in the subject in which the thesis is presented;
provided that the College may also prescribe a doctoral examination(s) in another theological and/or non-theological subject(s)
depending on the student’s previous studies and the topic for the projected thesis.
(b) The doctoral examination(s) must be passed before the thesis may be submitt ed for examination.
(3) The degree will be conferred in the subject in which the thesis is presented.

Depending on the fi eld of research, a
supervisor may expect a student to acquire the necessary competency in a language (or languages), or to enrol formally for one or more of these
ancient languages.
(2) Students who enrol for the DTh in Church History or Religious Studies must be able to prove their profi ciency in the relevant language(s) if
the Chair of the department concerned deems it necessary with a view to the proposed fi eld of study.

Seems like a convenient way to get a degree while having a busy schedule, self study

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Max, baron has stated here they do require a serious Thesis.

Perhaps enrollment in a school that interacts with Hindus and Muslims is intentional indeed? Maybe he does not see his lifelong mission as convincing Trinitarians alone?

It may very well speak of his desire for broader reach rather than simply a choice of convenience and sans rigor.

Thesis is only one part of graduate studies work -- albeit a huge part. But the academic rigor that makes up most Seminaries is what the thesis paper is all about. The theory they learn are put into practice in the thesis.

As far as DKB feeling a passionate call to Hindus and Muslims in South Africa? I guess there's a small chance that's true...

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Max, baron has stated here they do require a serious Thesis.

Perhaps enrollment in a school that interacts with Hindus and Muslims is intentional indeed? Maybe he does not see his lifelong mission as convincing Trinitarians alone?

It may very well speak of his desire for broader reach rather than simply a choice of convenience and sans rigor.

Hmmmm....

The Whole Gospel to the Whole World

or

Another example of being used to being the Big Fish in a small pond?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Prax, no one said it was a technically diploma mill.

However, there are some similarities in that it seems certainly to be an "easy route" of sorts.

Riddle me this: if your life legacy will be defined as a theologian, wouldn't you invest most of your time/resources into making sure your theological training is the high quality?

I don't think it comes close. Each program (masters and Doctors) is a 2 year commitment. These guys aren't just paying money, writing a high school paper and being rewarded with sheepskins

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

For students who hold an appropriate MTh degree or an equivalent qualifi cation
The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic. Before students may submit the thesis for examination, they must complete to the
satisfaction of the College a prescribed study programme in the chosen subject and/or another theological and/or non-theological subject(s);
provided that the College may exempt students from the study programme depending on their previous studies and the topic for the
projected thesis.
(2) For students who in exceptional cases are admitt ed by Senate to doctoral studies by virtue of a BD degree or an equivalent qualifi cation
(see Rule PTh 22 above)
(a) The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic and a doctoral examination in the subject in which the thesis is presented;
provided that the College may also prescribe a doctoral examination(s) in another theological and/or non-theological subject(s)
depending on the student’s previous studies and the topic for the projected thesis.
(b) The doctoral examination(s) must be passed before the thesis may be submitt ed for examination.
(3) The degree will be conferred in the subject in which the thesis is presented.

Depending on the fi eld of research, a
supervisor may expect a student to acquire the necessary competency in a language (or languages), or to enrol formally for one or more of these
ancient languages.
(2) Students who enrol for the DTh in Church History or Religious Studies must be able to prove their profi ciency in the relevant language(s) if
the Chair of the department concerned deems it necessary with a view to the proposed fi eld of study.

Seems like a convenient way to get a degree while having a busy schedule, self study

There are many ways to work around busy schedules. Gordon-Conwell, Regent, Fuller, AGTS ... all have such programs.

No matter, and we know DKB is a sharp guy, but I still wonder why so many UPC/Apostolic heavyweights have degrees shrouded in mystery and controversy... always something to it.