Formal Training in Philosophy

I read a piece on the self-educated philosopher Stephen West. Some praised him; some disparaged him. I do not completely remember my own modest qualifications -- in terms of formal philosophy training. Here it is as best I recall -- with "years" being "roughly years". I completed two years' philosophy through a Propädeutikum (preparation) for a Master's in Basel. I may have studied two more years of philosophy at a seminary in Cape Town -- but I really don't remember. I do remember, though, that we argued philosophy in class. I studied a year of philosophy at (now) Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha -- yet skipped the exam. Over two years, I wrote a Master's thesis for a seminary in Johannesburg, titled "A Deconsructionist Critique". This is philosophy. At a seminary in Pasadena, I needed to study, intermittently, two or three years of linguistics. This overlaps with philosophy. However, there was no systematic teaching there. I can't say how all this adds up. I had several years of formal training in philosophy, up to Master's level: 4-10 years, depending how one counts it. OBSERVATION: I am in two minds about academic philosophy. Above all, I question its scope. Of course, I am trained in theology. This is often close to philosophy.