NCA Gives Trinity (Newburgh) Candidacy Status

Trinity is now listed on the NCA website as a candidate institution.

www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/directory/index.php

 

OY!

 

Well, how about that!
It does not appear they have updated their site yet to reflect this, http://www.trinitysem.edu/visitors/accreditation.html
I wonder if they will drop the NAPNSC stuff soon? The British endorsement is another matter altogether!

 

Are there still any degree mill left to be lampooned now that some of the outfits that have been harshly ridiculed by us in recent past are either seeking or have obtained recognized (RA, TRACS, and DETC) accreditation? Uh.

Ike Okonkwo. PhD

 

lampooned?

Ike, I think there are still a few around.....
Which makes me think, I was wondering if anyone has heard from Bethany of Dothan. It seems with their stated serious pursuit of accreditation with the AABC, we might start seeing some changes in them (although significant changes could still take longer). The last time I looked, very little had changed on their website (except the removal of a certain curriculum developer).
Does anyone have any solid information on them?

 

Somebody phone Bill Grover and have him sit down before reading this thread.

I thought that a number of people had relayed their substantial concerns regarding Trinity's misleading claims of accreditation to NCA. Hm.

So what does everyone think? Does this candidacy say something positive about Trinity or something negative about the North Central Association?

 

Dave,
"Somebody phone Bill Grover and have him sit down before reading this thread."

Now, Bill has admitted to getting older, shouldn't someone be present with him to resuscitate him after he reads this thread?

Now Bill, I hope you know I am just funin ya!

 

On the more serious flip side to this news, being a candidate does not guarantee future accreditation. Is it possible that said candidacy came with the understanding that significant progress was still required?
I believe Bethany of Dothan was once a candidate with TRACS, was it not (I could be wrong about this)?

 

Well, ain't that sumthin.

Is this the same outfit associated with the following quicky degree deal?

at ...

http://www.newburghseminary.com/acc.htm


"Accelerated Degree Program


February 5 - 6, 2004

Earn Your Degree in Christian Counseling


Degrees offered:
Bachelor in Christian Counseling - $995
Master in Christian Counseling - $995
Doctor of Ministry in Christian Counseling - $1095


Two courses required before or after the two-day session. (Degree may be issued the last day of the session if all work has been completed. If all work has not been completed then the degree will be mailed when the work has been turned in to the seminary.
D. Min paper may be turned in the last day of the seminar - February 6 or mailed to the school at a later date. The degree can not be granted until the paper is completed and submitted to the school.

Two day session - Four Classes:

Thursday morning class, Thursday afternoon class
Friday morning class, Friday evening class.
Degrees presented Friday evening if all the work has been completed.
Candidates must pay for their own travel, room and board. "

 

Another degreeinfo miracle

A degree mill until the day it is accredited or at least given candidacy. Doesn't anyone around here ever get embarrassed???

Note that it is R/A, the gold standard.

 

This doesn't make Trinity look good -- it makes the NCA look bad, very bad! If they actually get accreditation, it will prove that regional accreditation (at least by the NCA) doesn't mean much of anything at all.

 

Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

Yes, Dennis, I agree. The idea that a school is either a degree mill or has recognized accreditation is a fallacy. However, I guess I did not read this thread as making such a statement.

 

I think that this candidacy that was granted to Trinity says a lot about NCA, its philosophy, and its modus operandi. NCA has taken similar actions in the past. A few years ago, some experts were astonished when NCA announced that they have accredited JIU and later NCU. Now, I wonder what prevents Century University from seeking RA from NCA.

Accreditation of Research/Doctoral universities appears to be more difficult in other jurisdictions. Only a few days ago, SACS denied AIU's requests to start doctoral programs. AIU has been RA more than a decade and from all indications, I believe that it's managed very efficiently. WASC is also tough on DL despite the fact that Fielding Institute is accredited by WASC. The reverberating consequences that this latest action by NCA will have on DL will soon become apparent. I am not sure if it will impact DL positively.


Ike

 

Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

I am embarrassed? Yes and thunderstruck too.

Ike

 

Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

I am no longer sure of that. My confidence in RA has been brutally agitated.


Ike

 

Ike, it seems now we are rating (as to better or worse) the RA accrediting associations. If that is the case, how will "worse" RA associations be viewed by the "better" ones, and how will degrees accredited by the "worse" ones be viewed by the "better" ones and beyond. Where is this all heading as to the confindence in RA accrediting associations?
Also, in your opinion, how is the MSACS viewed, for it accredits the only American school to my knowledge with a DL Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (http://www.bbc.edu/seminary/doctor_of_philosophy.htm)?

 

Re: Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

Not in this thread, but criticism of their programs on other threads has been considerable. Now such criticism has been blunted for the moment.

I guess this development suggests that stable schools with well educated faculty offering real programs should go R/A instead N/A.

 

===



Ha ha ,Dave and Alan.

Yep I wrote the NCA 12 pages of text about Trinity plus exhibits. I figured I knew something about TTS as I'd taken three doc level courses there. For each point I made I provided evidence from the catalogue or other sources. Basically I commented in two areas.

The first area concerned ethics as the NCA touts that as a criterion. I pointed out the deceptive practices of claiming world wide accreditation and utility. I cited comments by Walston, Bear, Levicoff, and Baker who criticized TTS claims on AED or in books.

Then I spoke of rigor, another touted NCA criterion. I pointed out that TTS unlike much standard practice had no entry requirements for the doc as an accredited masters, grade average, prelim exams , research thesis or languages. No rigor in that regard. I mentioned that I was given "candidacy" after only three courses. No rigor there. Then I expressed concern that both doc students and undergrads listened to the exact same cassettes and shared other texts and assignments as well(although the higher degrees required more). No rigor there either. Then I spoke at length on the issue of professorial nonresponsivenmess to student submissions in terms of interaction. And, no rigor there! For all of this I gave ample evidence.

I did not think my 12 pages (plus exhibits) would be decisive, but I did think someone from the NCA might at least respond in some way to my concerns. Oh, well.

But, I'm not sorry I dropped out of TTS as I feel much cleaner now. I'm very happy at UZ.

 

Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

 

Re: Re: Another degreeinfo miracle

Bill

You are among the last people at degreeinfo that I would ever suggest said anything untrue.

Maybe it's just that the perfection many seem to be looking for in schools is rare or non-existent.