Arguments against its legitimacy (from a traditional academic perspective):
* Lack of Accreditation: MISD is not accredited by any nationally or regionally recognized accrediting agency in the United States. This means its degrees are generally not accepted by other institutions for further study or by employers seeking candidates with accredited degrees.
* Unclear Standards: Without accreditation, there's less transparency regarding admissions standards, curriculum quality, and faculty qualifications.
* Potential for Diploma Mills: Unaccredited institutions sometimes operate as diploma mills, offering degrees without requiring rigorous academic work. While this doesn't automatically mean MISD is a diploma mill, the lack of accreditation raises this concern.
Arguments that might be considered in its favor (from a specific perspective):
* Meeting a specific need: Some individuals might find MISD's program helpful for personal spiritual growth or ministry within a specific context, even if it doesn't provide a degree recognized by mainstream academia or employers.
* Affordability: Unaccredited institutions are often less expensive than accredited ones.
In conclusion:
From a traditional academic and professional perspective, Masters International School of Divinity is not considered legitimate due to its lack of accreditation. However, whether its programs hold value for a specific individual depends on their personal goals and expectations. If you're considering MISD, carefully weigh its lack of accreditation against your personal needs and goals. You should also thoroughly research the institution and its programs before enrolling. Don't rely solely on the institution's own website for information.