Continuing Education and Long Distance Learning for Chaplains

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Copyright (c) 2019

NOTE: This is the handout for a presentation I gave at a Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) State Chaplains Meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2019. The meeting was held at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF)/Youth Offender Unit (YOU) in Pearl, Miss.

Continuing Education and Long Distance Learning for Chaplains

Dr. Roscoe Barnes III
Chaplain, MTC/Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Email: Roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com or doctorbarnes3@gmail.com

CLASS DESCRIPTION: This class will provide resources for online/non-traditional education by presenting chaplains (and offenders) with practical, low-cost ways to further their education and earn legitimate degrees and diplomas at a distance.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

The class will focus on the following topics:

1. Accreditation: Important facts that everyone should know about accrediting agencies, degree mills, diploma mills and outright scams. A list of legitimate accrediting agencies is presented along with warning signs to consider when searching for a school.

2. Recommended Online Resources: A review of DegreeInfo.com and BakersGuide.com, two of the most popular online resources available on legitimate schools with religious programs.

* DegreeInfo.com has forums in which its members discuss all aspects of distance learning. Its members include some of the top experts in the field, including Dr. John Bear. Its forums provide a place where you can ask any questions you have about schools, degrees, tuition, and various online programs of study. Many of its members have gone on to earn doctorates. DegreeInfo’s search feature is pure gold, allowing you to easily look up information on many schools and topics.

* BakersGuide.com offers a Christian Online Degree Directory that features more than 1,000 online undergraduate and graduate degrees offered by Christian colleges and universities, Bible colleges, and theological seminaries. Only accredited (U.S.) or government-approved (international) colleges, universities, and seminaries are listed. Writes Baker: “If the Christian school you're considering is not listed there, you have good reason to be cautious.” Questions may be sent to info@bakersguide.com.

3. Foreign Schools and Research Degrees: A look at schools in South Africa, Australia, Open University, India, etc. The schools in these countries are as good and as rigorous as the schools in the United States. However, their tuition cost is much lower than the cost of US schools. Earning degrees through these schools have advantages and disadvantages.

4. Popular Almost-Free School for Chaplains and Offenders: A look at NationsUniversity.

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.