Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning, 5th Edition (Paperback)

~ Rick Walston (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . a veritable treasure-house of information . . . essential reading for anyone embarking upon a non-traditional course. It addresses so many questions that a would-be student wants to have answered. And it has the splendid quality of being presented in a common-sense, logical way. I have used the Guide and will continue to use it with great interest." -- Robert Brinley Jones, D.Phil. Oxford University, F.S.A., London, President of the National Library of Wales

"Dr. Rick Walston has proven over the years that he is the expert on non-traditional theological education. His consistent research and fair evaluation make Walston's Guide a must for any person seeking the quality educational opportunities that exist outside of traditional schools and universities." -- James R. White, Th.D., Author of The King James Only Controversy, Director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, Arizona

"Those who have discovered that there are non-traditional programs of religious higher education will find that the Walston's Guide saves untold hours of research in looking for what is available. The book raises caution flags when appropriate. Helpful background information in early chapters assists the reader to make discriminating use of the listings." -- C. Richard Craghead,D.Min.,San Francisco Theological

"Through this book, Rick Walston has provided a needed resource for those considering distance learning. Walston's Guide is packed with useful information that will assist you in making the best decision for your continued education." -- Jack Kragt, Academic Sales Manager, Zondervan Publishing House

"Walston's Guide is the first place I look when I need a tough but fair evaluation and description of a school offering religious degrees by distance learning. It is a most valuable resource for students, registrars, human resource professionals, and the media." -- Dr. John B. Bear, Author of Bear's Guide To Earning Degrees Nontraditionally, California --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Is that college or seminary you are considering a credible school? Walston's Guide identifies hundreds of good schools through which students can earn Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees off campus. For many school counselors, administrators, registrars, accrediting agencies, denominations, employers, and prospective students, Walston's Guide has become the standard by which Christian distance learning is evaluated. ~~~ A "must read" when conducting thorough background work. I recognized many of my alma maters, and I felt right at home with L.I.A.R.S. [a bogus organization identified in the book]. In fact, I believe I even met some of their school officials, when I investigated Degree Mills for the FBI. Allen Ezell, FBI Special Agent (Retired), headed the agency's diploma mill task force known as DipScam Walston's Guide is an excellent and comprehensive resource for identifying and describing both accredited and non-accredited distance learning degree programs . . . It is used by this office, along with other widely recognized higher education directories. Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Walston's Guide serves as one of our primary sources of information in responding to inquiries. We cannot overstate its usefulness to us! Dr. Randall E. Bell, Associate Director, Association for Biblical Higher Education Walston's Guide is the first place I look when I need a tough but fair evaluation and description of a school offering religious degrees by distance learning. It is a most valuable resource for students, registrars, human resource professionals, and the media. Dr. John B. Bear, Author of Bear's Guide To Earning Degrees Nontraditionally ~~~ Dr. Rick Walston is well known as an expert in Christian distance learning. He has been researching and writing on this topic for more than 20 years.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Xulon Press; 5 edition (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602660581
• ISBN-13: 978-1602660588
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,022,368 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Excellent!, August 4, 2002

By	Rocky R Rochette (Northern Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning: Earning Degrees Nontraditionally, 4th edition (Mass Market Paperback)

I purchased this book on May 16, 2002. I did so because I needed help in sorting out facts from fiction. I had previously studied via distance through a ministry that purported to be a legitimate and scholarly institution. I received my Associates degree in Ministry after reading one book, and completing an open book exam (designed to ensure I read the book). Needless to say, as a person who has been called by the Lord to serve Him full time, it was obvious that this was not a true education.

To Rick Walston's book: I read this book, including the school reviews, at LEAST 5 times cover to cover. My copy has dog-earred and worn pages. It has had water on it. It has notes and markings inside it. It has taught me about accreditation and why it is and why it isn't important. I have been to every one of the school's web sites (most addresses are listed in the book, some you must find through google or another search engine) at LEAST 5 times.

At last, on July 1, 2002 I was accepted by the school I believe was THE BEST due to the faculty, the type of education (mentoring), the un-biased reccomendations, and the cost (compared to Traditional schools it was a bargain). I have seen first hand that I will gain an actual education (complete with extensive reading, very strict writing requirements, and routine contact with my mentor). I am starting at ground zero (ignoring my earlier mentioned "degree") and look forward to the journey. I would not have been able to make this prayerful decision with Rick Walston's book.

Even though I am already signed up with a school, I still look through this book at least every couple of weeks to review the information.

This book is a "MUST READ" before you invest the money the Lord has given you for your Biblical or Seminary training. We are required to be good stewards of the Lord's money. Spend the [money] (I had mine sent second day air so I could begin research quickly) to purchase this book, then read it and study it. Challenge the statements by visiting the web sites yourself. Call Rick Walston if you disagree with him. But don't spend $8,000 plus on distance education without this small investment first.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Walston covers all the bases!, April 20, 2001

By	Gordon Keith Mougeotte (Santa Maria, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning: Earning Degrees Nontraditionally, 4th edition (Mass Market Paperback)

There are many good resources for evaluating distance learning programs and schools. However, one thing that makes Dr. Walston's work stand out is that it is specifically targeted at Christian distance learning, a discipline that has it's own set of special circumstances. Dr. Walston is a retired pastor and founder/director of Columbia Evangelical Seminary ..., which is included in his book. Some may suggest that there is conflict of interest for Dr. Walston to critique a school that he directs or other schools that he has himself attended. But that concern becomes moot in chapter 10 ("How to Evaluate a School") because the reader is given the tools to evaluate a school for themselves. This gives the prospective student the ability and confidence to affirm Dr. Walston's or any other distance learning guide's assessment of a school or program. And one of the most important assessment tools is the work of the graduates of a particular school. That is after all, the "proof in the pudding." I have read several excellent guides on distance learning, but it wasn't until I read Dr. Walston's work that I gained the confidence to actually venture out into the world of distance learning. I am now a distance learning student near the completion of my B.A. Degree with plans to continue into graduate work. If you are interested in Christian education but you cannot pick up and move; if you have questions about accreditation; if wonder if the cost of higher education is worth the investment, this book is for you! You find the answers to these and many other important question that will give you the tools you need to make a prudent choice.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave for school without it!, August 3, 2002

By	Cathy Crosby, M. Div. (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning: Earning Degrees Nontraditionally, 4th edition (Mass Market Paperback)

Walston's Guide is the first and last word on Christian distance learning. If you are considering continuing your education or are wondering about nontraditional learning methods, buy this book. The nominal purchase price and amount of time you will invest in reading it are nothing compared to the time and money you could waste by getting a bogus degree at an inferior school.