Trinity Disappeared from DETC Applicant List

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Garp, Oct 13, 2011.

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  1. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Trinity is no longer on the applicant list and I could not get them to come up on the searchable database (unless I did something wrong). Distance Education and Training Council: Applicant Schools

    So, maybe their appeal did not go well and they have been denied accreditation. Maybe they knew that was coming and so began offering PhD's again.

    What next. If I recall correctly, the only two agencies who they have not tried and could accredit doctoral programs would be the Bible College Association and the AALE. The question is, given their history is it likely.

    Sad really, since I think their academics themselves have not really been the issue (rather finances and business practices).
     
  2. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    It is my impression the website listing only shows recent "Applications" not people undergoing the accrediting process. NU for example is still undergoing the process and is no longer listed as well on that page.
     
  3. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    No, Trinity has been on the list for a long time and disappeared sometime yesterday afternoon. Still not on the list of degree granting institutions on the DETC web site (possible it is lag time but I suspect if that were the case, Trinity would have put the accreditation sticker on their site). The Trinity site stills states they are working towards recognized accreditation.

    Like I said, it is too bad as I think the academics were pretty sound and it has been other issues and practices. Will interesting to see what happens next.
     
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Most recent info I can find is in Dr. Hunter's own words from August 3rd - here on the site:

    TOLC: Accreditation Update - August 3, 2011

    I've heard nothing else but third-or fourth-hand rumors that I feel lack sufficient credibility to warrant my repetition. What will they do next, if no DETC? Well...after Liverpool Stickers, Canterbury Endorsement, U. Wales Validation and RA No-Way, I have no idea. If they're dead-set on accreditation (As Dr. Hunter says they are, in the page linked) and DETC won't accommodate them, Trinity might look through the CHEA list of faith-based accreditors...

    Johann
     
  5. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    BTW - for Garp

    Hi

    The last DETC meeting was in June and Trinity did not receive accreditation at that time. The next accreditation meeting will be in Jan. 2012. You can see the report at Distance Education and Training Council: The Global Leader in Distance Learning Accreditation

    And as you say, Garp - schools newly accredited by DETC never waste any time displaying the new logo. I'm sure they'll get a webmaster out of bed if they have to!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2011
  6. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    If they are no longer under consideration by DETC and they eventually do get accredited then I guess that will settle things as to which accreditor has the lowest standards. :)
     
  7. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    The DETC said they were denied accreditation and did not appeal the decision.
     
  8. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Interesting. So, if I understand you correctly, even though Trinity said they were appealing the denial and getting the documentation ready and confident they could prove financial stability....they never did. It would then seem that the deadline for appeal passed and they were removed from DETC's list.

    I am not sure there are many accreditors left and it would be a hard sell. You know if your academics are sound (which by most accounts they were) and your troubles stem from other issues that as I understand got them into problems with the Regional Accreditor and DETC, then it really is time to look at the systemic issues in your organization that have repeatedly caused problems for you. They have been plagued by perceptions regarding their honesty and business practices. The question is if they have a good core (academics) can it be salvaged?

    It was interesting that people connected to Trinity began Atlantic Seminary a couple of years ago as an unaccredited school (somewhat similar to Trinity). Of course their was Masters Divinity that spun off and is independent.
     
  9. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    I agree

    I do not know the quality of their academics but it appears to be on par with DETC accredited schools. So it must be time for a complete organizational change. Actually I am out of my area of competence on the issue of organizational change. But it does seem to odd that Trinity gains candidacy with a regional, and made it through the initial stage with DETC which is no small feat in itself. I actually believed they would gain accreditation. Needless to say something very serious is wrong.
     
  10. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Yes, if I recall, most of the stuff detailed in the former VP's report was related to issues with business practice and finances and of course as I understand the DETC problem was finances. Their history has been so marked by claims of accreditation or equivalent, running MDiv School on the side (when it was not as strong as it is now that it is independent. to put in MILDLY) and a profit driven business model that sounded like it rivaled U of P.

    It is just a curious situation. Well qualified faculty, an actual campus and so on. There are just some systemic issues related to business practice and finances that have to be overcome. Do you clean house from the top on down? Do you sell it to someone else who can change the name and perception. I feel sorry for all of those students who kept hoping on accreditation and thinking.....surely this time.
     
  11. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    I'm not sure when it was posted on DETC's site, but their report from their October 7 meeting is now online, and it includes plenty of details re Trinity, though it basically confirms what we already knew/suspected:

    Public Notice of DETC Accrediting Commission Actions

     
  12. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I saw that on the DETC page. What is confusing is that Trinity made statements about how they were going to appeal this and implied they would be successful and then rather than attempt the appeal they dropped it and added PhD programs (including a PhD by dissertation only for those with a PhD). Did notice they also changed their accreditation page to reflect the fact that they are no longer pursuing accreditation (at least not that they are publicizing).

    Again, just a sad....almost made it scenario and much of it seems to revolve around finances. No problems were noted that I know of by either the RA or DETC regarding actual academics, they have qualified faculty and a campus. But a rather dreadful history with business practices.

    Question is what is next? Will another accreditor be interested in them. Maybe the association of Bible Colleges (ABHE or whatever it is).
     
  13. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    That is the Association for Biblical Higher Education (formerly known as the American Association of Bible Colleges).
     
  14. noahzarc1

    noahzarc1 New Member

    I've been a Trinity student since 2003. I must say the academic rigor is on par with what I would expect for a Masters Degree program. In fact I have had other friends who have pursued MAs in Theology elsewhere (accredited) and they were surprised at how how the academic standards were. Of course though the issue is accreditation. This has been the most frustrating part of my time with them. Their pursuit with DETC seemed most promising and they passed them all except the one on financial responsibility. When I talked to them they said they would make a decision by June 2012 if they would pursue again and noted DETC seemed to suggest with all they've accomplished it appeared they would make it this time around. However I've checked their website tonight and their long standing notes on accreditation have changed and now it mentions how "accreditation is voluntary" and it seems to suggest (without saying it) they are ok with their unaccredited status and probably won't pursue it. I feel accreditaton has been their carrot and stick for the last 9 years. I don't know what else to do and I'm very disheartened. I've completed all my course work and frankly have been delaying graduation because I'd been waiting for them to completed intial accreditation with DETC, which obviously never came.

    My next hope was to find a school to just get accredited with. However as you know, no school will accept Trinity's credits because they are not accredited. I owe a lot to Trinity in what I learned theologically. I don't know if I would have learned the things I did just sitting in a pew. When I started with them, I never considered how important accreditation was. I have a Bachelors from an accredited University, but who really thinks of that stuff at 18? Once I was with Trinity I realized how important accreditation is, from an academic stand point. Yes its true, accreditation has never mattered in my situation because I am a "lay minister" but I also recognize the importance of an accredited degree in some fields, particularly to teach. With that being said, it looks like I'm going to end up with an non-accredited Masters and will have to start all over again to get an accredited Masters. 9 years with Trinity has burned me out. I would say the education there was great but the accreditation is the big downer.

    Anyone have a recommendation of any school I can pursue with that does a distance education, relatively cheap (another plus at Trinity) but is ACCREDITED? Hopefully the staff at Trinity is not as unhonest as many have suggested. Hopefully they are doing the Lord's work. Hopefully one day they get accredited for future generations ... I missed the boat unfortunately but I try to stay positive because I don't see in scripture any of the apostles or disciples went to an accredited institution. But lets face it, in the U.S., accreditation is the standard by which institutions are measured and while Trinity's website now says "its optional", yes, but it is certainly not a bad thing to have. I'm sure if Trinity would have obtained it, they would have had that seal up there the same day.

    Any suggestions or comments are greatly welcomed.
     

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