Trinity College Newburgh

I'm aware that Trinity Newburgh has been discussed at length on this site. I'm looking for anyone who has taken grad courses at Trinity Newburgh and their opinion of the course work. I see that Trinity uses something called a Summation Exam for each course. I'm curious as to how the courses are set up and how much of a load it would be if I'm presently taking a grad course at another college. Look forward to hearing for anyone with Trinity Newburgh experience. Only constructive opinions please.

thanks,
Jeff

 

My only general/overall advice: Wait 'til they get their regional accreditation... which looks like it could be around August of 2006, at the rate they're going. As to your specific questions, I cannot help you. And the answer, whatever it is, may change between now and May of 2006 when Trinity's next (and, it would appear, final) visit from the regional accreditor is scheduled. Changes to the way Trinity now does things could happen between now and May because it wants things to be the way Trinity thinks the accreditor will want them to be; or between May and August because Trinity may be asked, in May, to change something before the final accreditation (now scheduled for around August) will actually be granted.

Indeed, the year 2006 could be a big year of uncertainty and unexpected changes for Trinity. They are committed to doing whatever it takes to get that regional accreditation by August or thereabouts; and are going to do whatever it takes to make every last thing ship-shape in time for the May 2006 accreditor visit. In an atmosphere like that, who reallty knows what the rules really are... or will be, once the dust settles!

 

I enrolled at Newburgh, took one class and dropped out. I had attended an accredited seminary before working towards a Masters via distance learning.
There was not much "work" other than listening to CD's and writing a few papers. The summative exam was 3 short essays over the books and some of the general topics discussed on the lectures.
There is so much bad press out there towards this school I would stay away. It's not worth working towards a degree and then having someone question it because of their shady past.
Check out Baker's Guide for a better option. (www.bakersguide.com).

 

I agree with Gregg that things may change after RA accreditation comes through. I noticed some changes on their website the other day, i.e. some improvements in their DMin in Biblical Counseling. They added a project/dissertation where before they did not have one for that particular DMin. I know their website is somewhat cheesy- -like they're offering a theological education that you'd find on the back of a matchbook, but I understand Luther Rice Seminary had a bit of a shady past many years ago, as well. Trinity's faculty is rather impressive though. I think there's hope for them..

 

To JHatz, greetings,

Being a current undergrad student of Trinity College of the Bible I thought I would offer my own two cents for what it's worth.

First, as a student of Trinity, I can certainly say that my own personal experience with the school and with the faculty has been very, very positive.

Second, mind you I am at the Associate Degree level, but, as far as the courses go, I can certainly tell you from my own experience that the courses are thorough and rigorous, and require in my opnion, quit a bit of work.

EXAMPLE: I just finished up studying the course on the Book of Hebrews; the course was set up into two modules, with each module having six answer sheets, with each answer sheet having 10-15 questions to be answered, with each answer being aproximately 2 pages long to answer!

Note: Each answer is to be typed and double spaced, which makes each answer bit longer than it sounds, but it is work!
Also, each answer is to be supported with Bible Scripture referrences!

Then, upon completing all my answer sheets, I had to write a short research paper, 1500 words, on who I thought the unknown author of the Book of Hebrews was.

Then I took the summative final exam. It was a good course, I was able to get an A- for my final grade.

I hope this will help, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask, I and others will be more than happy to help!

Finally, would I recommend Trinity?...................ABSOLUTELY! Some people may not agree with me, but there it is!!

All the best,

 

If Trinity actually gets regionally accredited, as it seems that they will, then I may be willing to consider them as a viable option for getting my Master's degree, after I've received a Bachelor's in theology. I like the changes they've made to their M.A. with emphasis on Christian Philosophy and Apologetics. Now it includes both coursework and a thesis. But still I must say that their past is a big minus, when comparing them to some of the other schools that offer similar DL programs.

 

It will always have that stigma and that is why I dropped out and enrolled elsewhere.
The coursework is there (somewhat), but it seemed extremely easy to get an "A." The options that are out there make it too easy to choose another reputable school and avoid possible embarrassment in the future for a hard-earned degree.

 

How long ago was this, John? What you describe sounds a bit like the way things were when basically the same folks who ran the nefarious Masters Divinity School also either ran Trinity, or had extremely high administrative positions therein. Even if it was very recently, Trinity is making changes almost weekly these days; and it has until May -- the final accreditor's site visit -- to pull it all together.

I agree with you, completely, about the prior bad reputation and how that introduces a negative factor into the mix that might make a lot of people just decide not to deal with it and go elsewhere. I'm not sure that I, too, wouldn't advise them to do exactly that! But regional accreditation is no small feat; and it's repeated touted around here as the so-called "gold standard," or other words which basically boil down to that. If that's so, and if Trinity gets it next summer, then it's just wrong not to give it it's due. If regional accreditation means something for any institution, then it's got to mean that for all institutions that have achieved it.

Lost in the reminiscences of the bad old days of Trinity Newburgh is how remarkable it is that it has been able to do precisely as it had planned to do on precisely the very short, tight, aggressive timetable it set for itself. If it actually does have its final visit from the accreditor in May 2006, as it claims is the plan; and if that visit results in awarding regional accreditation by August 2006 (or thereabouts), as Trinity predicts, then an impressive fact that is being overlooked is that from the moment Trinity declared, "Okay, fine... let's get regionally accredited," until the moment when that actually happens, will end-up being among the shortest elapsed pre-accreditation periods that any now-regionally-accredited institution has taken to accomplish that feat. Moreover, every site visit by the accreditor has generated extremely positive comments; strong encouragement to stay on the aggressive timline it set for itself (i.e., no stumbling blocks to cause the accreditor to suggest that Trinity slow down); and extremely short lists of relatively minor things that needed to be improved or changed by the next site visit.

Once it's accredited, then at what point, thereafter, do we lift our collective knee up off Trinity's chest and allow ourselves to say, in effect, and in the inimitable words of Jed Clampett, were he around to utter them: "Ya' know... that ol' Trinity... hooooowee... it sure was an embarrassment once, wasn't it? Yeah, dohgies. But by golly, it sure ain't no more! I don't know what made it suddenly wake up, run that ol' Masters Divinity School thing outta' its place, and decide to become downright respectable... but respectable it surely is... and that's gotta' count fer sumpthin'... eh, there, Granny?"

(Don't mind me. I caught a few minutes of an old, black-and-white Beverly Hillbillies episode on TV Land while channel surfing the other night, and now I just can't get the sound of Flatt & Scruggs out of my head.)

 

I want to thank everyone for their insight. I'm going to give Trinity a go. If the tuition goes up after they get RA I'll come out ahead, because in all likliehood, they'll raise their tuition at that point. With tuition costs so high right now, I have to factor in any savings I can get.

Also, it seems like some recent experiences by others at Trinity bear out that the academic work is reasonable good. The faculty is impressive from what I've read. At the very least if they don't get the RA, I'd have grad transfer credits at a much lower cost than many Christian colleges.

thanks again to all!

Jeff

 

I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavors. Trinity has indeed had a very questionable past but attempts to undergo corrective actions seem to be progressing very well.

If Trinity attains RA, that will be good for them and for you. The education you receive will depend more on you than on Trinity. Please keep us posted as you proceed through your chosen program of study.

 

Indeed! And if awarded full regional accreditation Trinity will have met the same academic requirements as other RA schools.

 

This was only within the last year. I withdrew in November and enrolled at SATS. I mentioned Trinity to a few ministers/seminary professors friends after finding some info on this site and others and was overwhelmed with their negative view on Newburgh and other schools like it. So, with that said I withdrew. Again, the negative stigma is not worth it. The whole connection with Masters is very disturbing and I simply wanted no association with an institution such as that. I was also very mislead from Trinity's admissions counselors as far as accreditation was concerned.
The coursework at Trinity was on par with the theology degree I received in my undergrad. SATS seems to be much more in line with Master's level work.
SATS is going to be a much better plan for me.

 

Do you have time to give us some of the details of your SATS program? How are you liking it?

Thanks!

 

My specialization is in Systematic Theology and I am beginning to work through my "Theological Research Methodology" workbook with my advisor Dr. Wyngaard.
I am using a book called "How to Succeed in Your Master's and Doctoral Studies" as a guide in this process.
So, I am early in the whole process but I can tell that it is going to take some time and effort. I assume that my proposal will be finished in a few months and then I'll be off to begin my thesis.
SATS has been easy to work with and quick to respond to any questions I email them. The one on one work with the advisor is going to be a huge benefit.

 

Thank you and best of luck!

 

Hi John: You have made a wise choice for good reasons. I wish you all the best in your studies at SATS. For those who choose that school in Newburgh, I hope things work out well also. Despite the tide of bonhomie about the place, I remain entirely unconvinced, but I wish those who study there well. Janko

 

Since I don't live too far from Trinity, I will go down and see if I can get the Uncle Janko School of Lutheran Studies formed.

Will this change your opinion of the school?

Couldn't resist, my friend!

 

How about the Uncle Jimmy School of Wesleyan Studies?

 

If I were a Wesleyan, perhaps.

BTW, is it "Hicks" or "Hikes" or "Hakes" or "Heeks"?

 

pronounced like "Hikes."