New Trinity Seminary PhD (bad sign???)

Someone beat me to it but Trinity (Trinity College of The Bible | Theological Seminary), sent out a mass e-mail saying they were offering PhD's in four fields by coursework or dissertation only (rare cases) and new pricing (comprehensive rather than by per course).

My thought is that this is NOT a good sign. DETC does not accredit PhD's. Trinity is an applicant with DETC and was denied accreditation solely based on not demonstrating financial solidity. They were appealing. Although, they are still listed on the DETC site (DETC is slow to make changes) and their web site says still pursuing, this would not seem to be indicative of things having gone in the right direction.

Trinity finally got candidacy with a regional accreditor only as I recall to have that blown by some serious allegations of financial mismanagement. They withdrew and later applied for DETC (only to be denied over finances though I do not think over any misconduct).

Can anyone shed light on this. Is there another angle?

 

Do you have a source you can link to for this?

 

Cannot recall whether it was on the DETC web site or simply the statement made by Trinity (made in a manner to believable). Not surprising since this was as I recall a huge reason they got into trouble with the Regional Accreditor (some issues brought up by a former exec and revealed financial issues).

It does make me wonder whether they were not or do not anticipate being successful since DETC does not offer PhD's....UNLESS somehow the PhD in one of the four fields offered will be considered a professional doctorate (which DETC does offer). If they could get approval for a PhD program through DETC this would be huge (since PhD is a preferential degree). On the other hand, if you were in the middle of appealing the financial issue and attempting to get cleared for accreditation it would seem odd to add another degree program.

 

I agree that the new PhDs they are offering are not a good sign. I'm pretty sure there is an angle, but not an angle that fits with imminent accreditation by a DOE accreditor. Too bad. I really thought Trinity would finally become an accredited institution.
Tom

 

DETC confirmed that they do not and are not planning to accredit PhD programs. Trinity had a lot of potential but has tended towards self destruction. If I recall correctly the Regional Accreditation withdrawal was self destruction.

IIRC:

Once applied for TRACS but decided they could not meet the standards and withdrew - went through the strange journey into U of Liverpool stickers withdrawn - Canterbury stickers withdrawn - became Candidates for Regional Accreditation until revelations of issues caused them to withdraw - managed Wales validation until that became an embarrassment to U of Wales and was withdrawn - and finally DETC application and accreditation was denied and on appeal for financial issues.

Not much left. AALE is a possibility but frankly after all of that will another recognized accreditor touch them???

It is sad because they actually have a small campus, qualified faculty and probably had a lot of potential. What next???

 

Trinity's Webpage re accreditation endeavor (e.g., "Trinity is currently working towards accreditation with a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized agency for all of its programs.”
Accreditation

Could ABHE accreditation be an option for Trinity?

 

ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education) is pretty much the only option they have left ...

However I don't think that ABHE accredits PhD degrees either. South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary is currently a candidate with ABHE (which seems to be at least a four year long process) and I know SFBC used to offer PhD degrees before their application with ABHE, but now they only offer DMin and DRE. (And even for those programs their website states "This program is not accepting new students effective January 2011.") It may be that they've stopped offering these because they weren't profitable or whatever but seems more likely they couldn't keep them and earn ABHE accreditation. Not sure on that point. ABHE does accredit doctorates, just not sure what types.

But more succinctly, if Trinity Newburgh can't achieve DETC or TRACS accreditation I don't see how they will be able to manage ABHE, which seems to have standards at least as high as (if not higher than) those two.

 

I think you solved the mystery! ABHE appears to have no restrictions as far as the kind of doctorates they can accredit. Association for Biblical Education: ABHE-Solutions They currently accredit Baptist Bible College & Seminary which offers the DMin and the PhD. Accredited Christian Bible College & Seminary: Baptist Bible College & Seminary The B H Carroll Theological Institute BHCTI - Home is seeking ABHE accreditation. They currently offer both a DMin and a PhD.
Tom

 

In regard to ABHE's accreditation it seems CHEA had approved accreditation of masters and doctoral degrees, but the USDE is still reviewing their request to expand into graduate work:

Does ABHE accredit seminary/graduate programs?

(www.abhe.org)
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Yes. ABHE is a national, institutional accrediting agency whose scope encompasses all levels of postsecondary education – from associate to doctoral degrees. Approximately one-third of ABHE member institutions currently offer graduate education. Prior to 2004, ABHE (formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges) was limited in scope to accreditation of undergraduate theological and ministerial study programs. In 2004, ABHE members approved new Comprehensive Integrated Standards that address both undergraduate and graduate education for institutions that currently have or are seeking institutional accreditation. Following its adoption of the Comprehensive Integrated Standards, ABHE undertook the process of seeking formal recognition of this “expansion of scope” by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE). CHEA recognition of ABHE’s comprehensive scope was granted in 2007; USDE recognition is still in pending review status. ABHE’s comprehensive scope reflects the growing diversity and complexity of its member institutions.