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WHY A
SINGLE TUITION RATE FOR ALL PROGRAMS?
Master's has taken the extraordinary step of breaking with the
entrenched academic tradition of charging higher tuition rates
for upper level degree programs. Please continue reading
to learn why, and what you should know about the true cost of
Theological Distance Education.
The
Tradition of Charging Higher Tuition for Upper Level Degree
Programs. Tuition rates increase from bachelor's
through doctoral degree programs. Typically master's
programs will be 1/3 to 1/2 more than bachelor's programs, and
doctoral program tuition may be twice as much as bachelor's
level tuition. This is largely because of the perceived
economic value of the degree. A person with a bachelor's
degree is expected to make more money than someone with a high
school diploma; and earning a master's or doctoral degree
suggests an even higher income potential. The higher
cost of tuition is justified from a value-added point of view.
Additionally, it is usually supposed that someone returning
for a master's or doctoral degree may be in a more favorable
financial position, and consequently able to pay a higher
tuition rate.
Why Master's Has Broken With This Tradition. For
the first ten years of its history, Master's followed the
accepted tuition rate tradition (although our tuition rates
were still very favorable). Upon entering our second
decade of service to Christians in all fifty of the United
States, and sixty-nine other world areas, we undertook a
complete evaluation of our operational structure. After
a close examination of those we serve, it became clear that
they do not fit the traditional mode of those seeking to earn
degrees. This is primarily due to certain unique
factors.
-
Individuals enrolling in our programs average about
forty years of age, and have already attained significant
experience in their field.
-
About 60% of our students serve in a Christian ministry
position which is considerably different from secular
employment. Usually, pastors and other church leaders,
are not paid according to their level of education in the
same way as with secular employment or professions.
That is, pastors with doctoral degrees are not typically
paid a higher salary than those holding a master's degree.
Typically, a pastor with a master's degree is probably no
more financially able to pay higher tuition than a pastor
who holds only a bachelor's degree.
-
Few individuals enrolling in our programs do so with the
hope of earning a higher salary. Almost exclusively,
they do so in order to better serve in their current
ministry or to be academically prepared to serve in a future
ministry position (in which case their income potential may
possibly be expected to decrease).
In light of the above factors, we realized that on
average, most individuals enrolling in our programs of study
have about the same income level, and that upon graduation
will probably not immediately benefit from a higher income.
Additionally, we are exclusively training men and women to
better serve in a field where income potential has already
been determined to be of secondary importance.
Therefore, we concluded that the situation of those we are
called to serve should be factored into our tuition rates.
As a result, the Board of Directors authorized that beginning
in 2009, we break with tradition, and implement a level
tuition rate across all academic disciplines (certificate
through doctoral). Also, that we establish a tuition
rate (with payment options) that helps to make it possible for
the average person to enroll. Because of this bold
initiative, if you have a God-driven desire to enroll in a
ministry education degree program, we probably have a tuition
payment option to fit your
budget.
Finally, There is Something You Should Know About THE
TRUE COST
of Theological Distance Education. Off-campus
education is usually less expensive than on-campus education.
This is primarily because of the high cost of
maintaining traditional campus facilities and faculty.
Since distance education schools are not required to hire
larger numbers of full-time staff and faculty or to maintain
traditional campus facilities, tuition and fees can be reduced
accordingly. This brings the cost of continuing
education within the reach of most adult learners.
However, even the tuition rates of distance education programs
must be enough to cover the cost of operation and
institutional development. Without adequate income,
distance education schools are susceptible to program
weakness, and the potential for institutional failure.
Consider your own situation. If you were asked to
operate your ministry or your family on significantly less
income, what would you cut first? With this in mind,
please consider the following important points:
-
Distance education Bible Colleges, Seminaries or Divinity
Schools that charge ridiculously low tuition are actually
advertising their weakness. Either they will supply
students with little or no support or they have no actual
institutional structure to maintain (similar to a degree
mill).
-
Schools with extremely low tuition, but which boast of a
large faculty and hundreds of courses, are probably window
dressing. It takes actual income to support a quality
program.
-
Without adequate tuition income, distance education
institutions are not able to keep pace with curriculum,
faculty and staff development, and programs may lack
the vitality necessary to adequately meet the needs of
incoming students.
-
Deciding on an educational program, as critical as is
Christian ministry, solely on the basis of the lowest
tuition, is rarely wise. We all know that we usually
get what we pay for!
THEREFORE,
IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT EARNING A QUALITY DEGREE, AND ARE
PREPARED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY COMMITMENT, THE GOOD NEWS IS -
A Biblical education at Master's may prove to be a very
wise investment of your time and money!
-
 Earning
a degree through Master’s will cost thousands of dollars
less than many other programs.
-
The time you will invest in the study of the Word of God
will become a spiritual and mental refuge from the worries
and concerns of our troubled world. During that time
you will be locked away with the high, the holy and the
honorable.
-
The time you will spend in a study of the Word of God
will mean less time spent on costly entertainment, resulting
in actual dollars saved. For example the average cost for
two persons to eat out (supper) at a reasonably priced
restaurant is easily $35 including tip, not to mention the
cost of driving. If you did that four times a month, you
would spend $140 plus the cost of driving...and...be
hungry within a couple hours after eating!
-
The average monthly payment for a degree program at Master’s
is about $120 (many programs are much less) with no cost of
driving! One might reasonably conclude that by
enrolling in a Biblical degree program at Master's, it
is possible to actually save money! Of course, we
can’t promise that you will not be hungry two hours after
studying, because experience proves that the more we get of
the Word of God, the more we hunger for it!
-
Whatever
your financial situation, an education centered in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and based on a 100% confidence in the Bible,
is an investment that can only increase in value. It becomes
“an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter
1:4 KJV).
Of
course, we realize that most people must be willing to make
personal adjustments in order to complete a distance education
program such as ours. This is why we have carefully
structured the tuition, fees, and payment options for all of
our programs in order to reduce waste, maximize resources, and
make it possible for just about anyone to enroll in the
program of his or her choice.
At
Master's, you will discover that the route to earning a
credible theological distance education degree is affordable
and fair, and that in the end, you will have made an
investment of time and money that will continue to pay
unending dividends in this world, and in the world to come!
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal" ( Matthew 6:20 KJV). |
