Summer 2011: controversy facing trident university international

No. Both WASC (and the other RAs) and DETC are institutional accreditors. That is, all the degrees of an accredited institution fall under the accreditation. Of course, DETC routinely violated that in the past by accredited doctoral-granting schools (Leicester, UMC, etc.), and evading the question when asked. (Back before DETC's accreditation included doctoral programs.)

 

If (a big "if") WASC tolerated that end-around. It doesn't seem likely, given that WASC isn't tolerating TUI's original end-around. Just because TUI could do it doesn't mean WASC has to tolerate it. (Of course, this is all speculation.)

 

Hee: "The ACICS will pick 5 schools to do a 'Pioneer' project that will allow them to offer DBA." - 2004 DegreeInfo thread.

"During the winter 05 travel cycle, the Council conducted its first evaluation of a doctoral program." - ACICS memo, May 1, 2005. [.doc file]

This does raise the question of how long a DOED-recognized accreditor can recognize schools offering programs outside its scope under a pilot project until the DOED extends that scope or the pilot project is discontinued, doesn't it?

 

After the recent speculation of the future of the doctoral program at Trident, I thought I would share some information that I recently received:

Dear PhD Student at Trident University International:
In an effort to improve the dissertation experience and to increase the rigor of the PhD programs in meeting recommendations of our accrediting body, a number of restructuring changes will take effect beginning with the Winter 2013 session.
Note: The basic requirements of the program (academic coursework and dissertation) will not change.
The restructuring of the program will be limited to the dissertation phase of the program beginning with the Dissertation Seminar course and includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:
* Students enrolled in DBA, DEL, or DHS 699 Dissertation Seminar must meet specific and pre-established milestones to successfully complete the course and advance to DBA, DEL, or DHS 700.
* Dissertation series courses (DBA, DEL, DHS 700, 701 and 702) will be designated as four (4) semester credit courses and the total number of credits to complete the program will be designated as 56 Semester Credits (students will not be required to take any additional academic courses). These courses will be graded as Pass/No Pass courses. The grade received in these courses will not be considered in the overall GPA.
* Students enrolled in the 700, 701 and 702 dissertation series courses must meet specific and pre-established milestones to pass the course and advance to the next course.
* Full tuition will apply to dissertation series courses 700, 701 and 702.
* Reduced tuition of $700 will apply to dissertation continuation courses 703 and beyond.
* Dissertation continuation courses will be designated as zero credit courses. Federal financial aid is not available for zero credit courses.
* Students are expected to complete the Ph.D. Program within six (6) years or 24 sessions, and must complete the degree within a period not to exceed nine (9) years or thirty-six (36) sessions.
* Student progress reports will be monitored by Program Directors on a session by session basis. Students must demonstrate progress during each session as documented and reported in the required progress reports.
* Students failing to make sufficient progress during the dissertation continuation phase will be subject to an Academic Achievement Plan (AAP) in order to proceed in the program. Students failing to make sufficient progress will receive a NP grade for the session. Two consecutive NP grades may result in dismissal from the program.

As we work on implementing the necessary changes, students will be contacted with specifics of transitioning to the new structure. In the interim, please direct any inquiries to your Program Director.

 

Trident isn't going to lose their accreditation status. Please review the email from below.


To Captain XXX,

The Commission decision in February cannot be to terminate Trident’s accreditation. They will be considering whether to continue Trident on its ‘Probation’ status, or whether to move them back to Accredited (with no sanctions). Trident’s accreditation status last year was more dire, at the ‘Show Cause’ level. The university worked hard to address the issues in violation and was bumped up to ‘Probation’. They have continued to work on the issues, and the WASC review team visited Trident this week. The Commission’s findings in February will determine Trident’s new status. It would take at least a year to lose accreditation, and more likely multiple years, as each sanction status requires WASC visits.

All that to say your degree will be earned from a fully accredited institution if you graduate this year.

Best regards,

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501

From: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:12 PM
To: WASC
Subject: Re: [General Accreditation Question] Trident University

Mrs. XXXX,

Will I receive a degree from an accredited institution since I graduate in March 2013 if Trident University were to lose accreditation in February 2013? Or will Trident lose accreditation immediately opposed to at the end of the semester? I am curious how this process works since I am close to completing my degree and I do not think the University will lose their accreditation status. As you can see, military personnel like to remain up to date on our education.

I hope you have a great day and thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Capt XXX

 

Trident Will Not Lose Accreditation

Trident will not lose their accreditation status. Please reference the email below from WASC. I guess this thread will die now.

To Captain XXX,

The Commission decision in February cannot be to terminate Trident’s accreditation. They will be considering whether to continue Trident on its ‘Probation’ status, or whether to move them back to Accredited (with no sanctions). Trident’s accreditation status last year was more dire, at the ‘Show Cause’ level. The university worked hard to address the issues in violation and was bumped up to ‘Probation’. They have continued to work on the issues, and the WASC review team visited Trident this week. The Commission’s findings in February will determine Trident’s new status. It would take at least a year to lose accreditation, and more likely multiple years, as each sanction status requires WASC visits.

All that to say your degree will be earned from a fully accredited institution if you graduate this year.

Best regards,

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501


From: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:12 PM
To: WASC
Subject: Re: [General Accreditation Question] Trident University

Mrs. XXXx,

Will I receive a degree from an accredited institution since I graduate in March 2013 if Trident University were to lose accreditation in February 2013? Or will Trident lose accreditation immediately opposed to at the end of the semester? I am curious how this process works since I am close to completing my degree and I do not think the University will lose their accreditation status. As you can see, military personnel like to remain up to date on our education.

I hope you have a great day and thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Capt XXX

 

Trident will not lose accreditation. Please reference the email from below.


To Captain XXXX

The Commission decision in February cannot be to terminate Trident’s accreditation. They will be considering whether to continue Trident on its ‘Probation’ status, or whether to move them back to Accredited (with no sanctions). Trident’s accreditation status last year was more dire, at the ‘Show Cause’ level. The university worked hard to address the issues in violation and was bumped up to ‘Probation’. They have continued to work on the issues, and the WASC review team visited Trident this week. The Commission’s findings in February will determine Trident’s new status. It would take at least a year to lose accreditation, and more likely multiple years, as each sanction status requires WASC visits.

All that to say your degree will be earned from a fully accredited institution if you graduate this year.

Best regards,

Western Association of Schools and Colleges 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100 Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 748-9001

From: T
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:12 PM
To: Subject: Re: [General Accreditation Question] Trident University

Mrs. XXXX

Will I receive a degree from an accredited institution since I graduate in March 2013 if Trident University were to lose accreditation in February 2013? Or will Trident lose accreditation immediately opposed to at the end of the semester? I am curious how this process works since I am close to completing my degree and I do not think the University will lose their accreditation status. As you can see, military personnel like to remain up to date on our education.

I hope you have a great day and thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.
Capt XXXX

 

I received word from WASC that Trident will not lose their accreditation at all. I did not include my name or the name of the individual who sent me this email from WASC. Please read email from below....

To Captain XXXX,

The Commission decision in February cannot be to terminate Trident’s accreditation. They will be considering whether to continue Trident on its ‘Probation’ status, or whether to move them back to Accredited (with no sanctions). Trident’s accreditation status last year was more dire, at the ‘Show Cause’ level. The university worked hard to address the issues in violation and was bumped up to ‘Probation’. They have continued to work on the issues, and the WASC review team visited Trident this week. The Commission’s findings in February will determine Trident’s new status. It would take at least a year to lose accreditation, and more likely multiple years, as each sanction status requires WASC visits.

All that to say your degree will be earned from a fully accredited institution if you graduate this year.

Best regards,

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-9001 ext. 300
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:12 PM
To: WASC
Subject: Re: [General Accreditation Question] Trident University



Mrs. xxxxx,

Will I receive a degree from an accredited institution since I graduate in March 2013 if Trident University were to lose accreditation in February 2013? Or will Trident lose accreditation immediately opposed to at the end of the semester? I am curious how this process works since I am close to completing my degree and I do not think the University will lose their accreditation status. As you can see, military personnel like to remain up to date on our education.

I hope you have a great day and thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

 

Obviously the "right" offer has come along. Career Education Corporation purchased Trident University International from its current owner Summit Partners. CareerE says it plans to merge Trident with its American InterContinental University institution.

Link
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2019/03/14/career-education-corp-buys-online-university

 

" . . . early March . . ."

https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2020/02/20/career-education-corporation-ceco-q4-2019-earnings.aspx

 

Link
https://www.trident.edu/mktg/message-faculty-staff/

Timeline:

When will transaction close and become part of AIU?

The transaction is expected to close The transaction is expected to close on March 2, 2020.

 

Link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_Education_Corporation

Career Education Corporation (CECO) is a for-profit postsecondary higher education provider with campus-based and online programs, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois.[2] The company's schools offer associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in career-focused disciplines.

The organization will close most of its 50 campuses in the United States as the corporation downsizes to two primarily online brands: American InterContinental University and Colorado Technical University.[3]

In 2016, Career Education Corporation had about 43,000 students. However, approximately 9,400 students came from schools that are shutting down. According to a 2014 US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions report, 48% of Career Education's programs would have failed or been at risk of failing the US Department of Education's new "gainful employment" standards.[4]

In January 2020, the company changed its name to Perdoceo Education Corporation.[5]

 

Link
https://www.trident.edu/mktg/message-faculty-staff/#1551907645389-8a6f707c-b622

Will the university's name change?

Yes. Trident University will become part of AIU. We will continue to use the Trident name, brand, and unique academic approach.

 

I'm still struggling why any of this matters. But I guess I'm dumb that way.

 

Good to see an outfit still using Latin, these days. Perdoceo - I teach/instruct.