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Report: #940690

Complaint Review: Andersonville Theological Seminary - Camilla Georgia

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  • Reported By: Tim — Phoenix Arizona United States of America
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  • Andersonville Theological Seminary P.O. Box 545 Camilla, Georgia United States of America

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I signed up for a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity through Andersonville Theological Seminary a little over a year ago. I was given a discount if I paid for both degrees upfront. I paid $850.00 for the Bachelor and $1,925.00 for the Masters all completed through distance. I have been working on the Bachelors since which is an extremely lacking program and have not even started the Masters program. As time has elapsed I have done quite a bit of research on these programs. The accreditation's that they are advertising are useless and not accepted at most seminaries. To transfer credits you have to hope that the seminary your wanting to attend will accept you on a case by case basis. If they do you have so many courses and credits to make up that its almost impossible to finish any degree program. I contacted the school asking for a refund on the money for the Master degree which I have not started. I was told that no one would give a refund after a year. I explained that I had not started the Masters and did not intend to do so. I also explained the difficulty of the lack of accreditation's and lack of course work to get into another seminary. I was e-mailed and told that I should have done my research before entering their school. I responded by saying that your staff should be sharing more information than they are doing. I don't believe they should be able to keep $1,925.00 for a degree that I haven't even started. This school being an unaccredited institution pretty much gives them the authority to do what they want. It is an Independent Baptist School which it doesn't share on the website- it just says Baptist.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 09/13/2012 12:09 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/andersonville-theological-seminary/camilla-georgia-31730/andersonville-theological-seminary-degree-mill-camilla-georgia-940690. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
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#9 Consumer Comment

You get out what you put in!

AUTHOR: Kenneth - (USA)

POSTED: Tuesday, March 07, 2017

Andersonville is not the most rigorous program I've ever completed. Some of the "test" require a lot of writing, while others are short answer and multiple choice questions that most believers who attended Sunday school could answer. With that said, the lectures are nothing short of amazing. I experienced some of the most in-depth teaching in my life through the CD lectures. Although I am not Baptist, I learned a tremendous amount of biblical information from the program. I would recommend Andersonville to anyone who wants a structured way of studying Theology without the high tuition and who are not concerned about the accreditation status of the school. I have two degrees from Andersonville and hope to complete my third one later this year. I don't put my Andersonville degrees on my resume and bio, but only because of the discrimination that unaccredited schools receive by the public. However, I use the information I learned to help me to be a better servant for Christ. To get the most from Andersonville, you must listen to the lectures and retain the information presented. Otherwise, you could potentially just submit the correct answers to questions and get a meaningless degree. 

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#8 General Comment

Rich Experience at Andersonville

AUTHOR: ATS2016Grad - (USA)

POSTED: Thursday, March 02, 2017

My personal experience with Andersonville Seminary has been very positive.

The level of excellence in academics is very high. The programs offered there are respected and accepted by many other regional and nationally accredited Universities and Seminaries. The accredation factor is not something that the school hides or vails. ATS is pursuing accredation. Again, while they state in their information that they are affiliates of ABHE, they currently are not accredited. After graduation, I applied to Luther Rice College & Seminary, Regent University, Biblical Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Palmer Theological Seminary, and Virginia Union. 

All of the above mentioned schools were ready to offer me admittance and accept my degree from ATS.

ATS offers great quality at a great price. Their rich hsitory and relationship with other institutions speak for itself.

 

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#7 Consumer Comment

To God Be The Glory

AUTHOR: Bigdave - (USA)

POSTED: Tuesday, August 30, 2016

 

To whom it may concern

 

After reading your complaint, I was left with mixed emotions but still desiring to attend Andersonville. I have recently concluded a course through Liberty University's Wilmington School of the Bible which I found to be not only a rigorous 60 credit course, but also spiritually uplifting. I began this course in response to what I felt was a calling to the ministry. The course was very expensive and took a long time to complete. As I was at my last four months of the course, I had the privilege of speaking with the guy that had attended Andersonville and completed the Associates and Bachelors program and gave it all thumbs-up.

 

I have realized that God places us in various positions and places for various reasons, but the bottom line is, the knowledge that we get from responding to God’s word is priceless. Andersonville may not provide any accreditations whatsoever but in my opinion, a solid education in God's word is worth more than any one man could ever afford. Therefore, if one has the idea of using the accreditation to open doors to other schools or jobs, research to the school should be a therefore thought. I truly understand the frustration of not receiving what you thought you were getting, but on the other hand, I for one am strongly contemplating the journey with Andersonville due to the degree completion without the core courses.

 

Lastly, I have researched the course before I decided to answer or respond to this complaint finding that my desired reason for attending this course is also not accredited in any way. That being the case, I still plan on attending due to the price of the education provided. If God has truly called me to the position that I believe he is calling me, and my desired position, I for one know that God will not leave me after I've traveled so far to seek Him. Christian education is educating oneself in the word of God and the way of educating others. This my friend cannot hold a price tag; therefore my advice to you is to conclude your Master’s program and walk away knowing that regardless of what human organization accredits you, our heavenly Father, has smiled on you for seeking him and learning his word.

 

To God be the glory for ever and ever Amen.

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#6 General Comment

Andersonville Seminary

AUTHOR: ministry student - (USA)

POSTED: Sunday, August 21, 2016

Be dilegent in knowing what this school is for & what they are about. Their primary purpose is to help prep students for ministry purposes. With that in mind they are not a diploma mill. They require study/reading/listening/thought and the turning in of assignments and tests which are honestly graded. They are about educating/teaching Biblical principles for use in ministry and life. To that they do a wonderful job and are legitimate to their purpose. This is not a school designed to further your academic resume unless you are seeking it for ministry purposes. Ive found their materials are top rate, their profesors are knowledgble and sincere men of God who convey a great learning experience. These course have helped me become a better, more knowlegable minister. They have given me a deeper understanding of Gods Word. They have expande my thoughts and views on many Biblical topics. I feel I am better equiped to serve those in my ministry. It took alot of time and study and effort to complete these course but I am better for it. I/m thankful for the opportunity to learn from ATS. Ive not taken these courses so I can say look at this certificate, but rather I can say let me share Jesus & Gods Word with you. If your goal is to become a better student of Gods Word & apply it in real world situations to point others to Christ. I would highly reccomend this school. If you are seeking anything other then maybe this school isnt for you. Please don't think that makes this institution a diploma mill. It serves its purpose well and does give many an opportunity to learn that otherwise couldnt afford it, or couldnt fit into a traditional college schedule or timeframe. The Greek and Hebrew language courses are more than challenging course work, I would dare say that would not be part of any diploma mills requirements. If you're still undecided pray about it, and may the Holy Spirit lead you in the direction right for you and your situation. God Bless

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#5 Consumer Comment

This school is very much a mill.

AUTHOR: Christhesaved - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Many education experts have labeled this school a mill. A whole Bachelors for under a grand? I'm sure there are professors that grade and lectures for free right? Nope, this school has thousands of student and four employees. You listen to an audio CD and write a report. I finished three classes in a day. I only spent half the day if that on them. This school does not hold accreditation because it can't.

There are numerous accreditors for faith based schools that don’t force schools to offer a curriculum that interferes with their belief systems. I only took the courses to see how bad it was as I work at a consulting firm that assist churches to find and hire pastors and staff. We get tons of people applying with doctorates and masters that were earned in a few months of each other.  Let’s just say we will never advise a church or nonprofit to hire a ATS grad. Please explain how one can earn from undergraduate to Doctor of Ministry degree in two years?

 

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#4 Consumer Comment

Andersonville Theological Seminary great school and value

AUTHOR: Pastor Byron - (USA)

POSTED: Tuesday, April 14, 2015

I am a current student with Andersonville Theological Seminary (ATS). I have been working on my Th.D in Pastoral Theology for the past six months. I already have a Masters in Ministry from another Seminary which was four times more expensive than ATS. After much research I chose ATS to pursue my Doctorate based upon their excellent doctrinal statement and reasonable tuition costs.

As far as credits not being transferrable without approval, that is typical of any educational institution that is not regionally accredited. ATS accreditation information is posted clearly on their website.

I can say without a doubt that ATS is not a diploma mill as has been suggested. The curriculum is very indepth and the lecture DVD's contain excellent teaching on the Bible. The course work is very challenging and doctrinally sound. They are very quick to check courses that have been turned in and always provide a mailed copy of the grades. I couldn't be happier with my decision to obtain my Th.D through Andersonville Theological Seminary.  

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#3 Consumer Comment

Andersonville Theological Seminary is a Great School

AUTHOR: Dr. Jack - ()

POSTED: Monday, June 02, 2014

To those of you who say that Andersonville Theological Seminary is not a legitimate school are either not doing the course the way its designed or are just dishonest or BOTH. I read one report that called this school a diploma mill. Do you know what a Diploma Mill is? For those of you that don't know its where you pay x-amount of dollars for a masters or doctors degree without doing the work.

I am a former police and a current minister with a doctorate of divinity and numerous other certification that are beyond your pay grade; such as a Certified Trauma (such as PTSD) and Trauma Stress Counselor, plus over 20 years in the ministry. I have pioneered 3 Bible Schools and 4 churches and I am a recognized counsel for drug and alcohol treatment in which I was awarded a Congressional Citation from our U.S. Congress for our program.

I am a current student with Andersonville Theological Seminary working on my Doctorate of Theology Degree. I have a Masters of Theology currently. This is one of the best schools that I have attended in my 20 years of attending college. In any course what you would get in a 45 minute lecture in a classroom setting is about 1/3 of what Andersonville gives their students. The classes are very informative, motivating and inspirational. For one CD of Andersonville's classes I typed 25 single spaced pages in 11pt type.

I would HIGHLY recommend this school to anyone who is serious about ministering the love of God to hurting people.

Those of you who bash this fine institution are giving some dishonest person the ammunition to disqualify a sincere minister of the Gospel. Think before you speak...

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#2 Consumer Comment

Accreditation

AUTHOR: Willy - ()

POSTED: Sunday, December 29, 2013

I'm not a student of Andersonville Theological Seminary (ATS), but I've done research on it and other schools using the same independent accreditation agencies. I agree Andersonville isn't accredited as far as the Federal Government (U.S. Dept of Education) is concerned - they are accredited by two independant agencies - but I'll also say this... 

Just because a religious school is not recognized as accredited by the US Dept of Education doesn't make it an illegitimate school (and it certainly doesn't make it a diploma mill). And just because an accreditation agency isn't recognized by the US Dept of Education doesn't make it illegitimate either. ATS appears to be a reasonably good independently accredited religious school, and the agencies they're accredited by seem to be reputable independant accreditation bodies (as evidenced by quality schools in their membership listings).

As noted in another rebuttal, Bible Schools and Seminaries don't necessarily need to be accredited in regards to the Federal Government, but if that's what a person is looking for and needs for their career purposes, they need to be sure the school is federally accredited before they enroll. I do agree that ATS should be willing to consider providing some amount of refund with the return of any materials provided, but I also agree that a year is a very long time to wait to ask for a refund from any school, anywhere (federal or independant accreditation, not withstanding).

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#1 General Comment

Andersonville Theological Seminary offers a high quality education to those interested in Christian Ministry

AUTHOR: Donald - ()

POSTED: Monday, May 06, 2013

I have been a student at Andersonville since January 2012. They have been very professional and offer a quality education to those interested in the field of Christian Ministry. They have a strong stance with the seperation of church and state and that's the main reason they don't seek governmental accreditation. I have been a Christian Counselor two years with a mainstream denomination (the United Methodist Church) they glady accepted my degree from ATS and several other co-workers are currently working to obtain their degrees in Christian Counseling also. Private Christian Schools, Universites and Seminaries are not required to seek governmental accreditation like public/state schools because of seperation of church and state. I've had very positive experiences with Andersonville Theological Seminary. 

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