TRINITY COLLEGE &LIIVERPOOL UNIV.SOMETHING NEW ????

Even assuming British universities steer clear of the United States in forming their "accreditation" relationships, if they "accredit" DL institutions abroad (or their individual diplomas), then we will be encountering them and the confusion their "accreditation" causes here on degreeinfo.

I doubt confusion exists in most of the world where accreditation is not a significant feature of the educational system.

As I said above, if these schools wanted to merely *endorse* or *approve* the individual degrees issued by other schools (for a fee of course), it might be less objectionable, although still tacky. The only real damage they would be doing would be to their own reputations.

Yes, the University of Liverpool has suffered greatly over this (rolling on the floor laughing).

But they seem to have chosen the word *accredit* precisely because of the confusion it creates. Students want 'accredited' degrees, but they couldn't care less about 'endorsed' degrees. Obviously that's because the word 'accredited' already means something that people find valuable.

The confusion is not created by the word "accredited" but by ignorance of the difference between the US system and the rest of the world.

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

Ken,

Did you intend to say that you are rolling on the floor laughing, or that the UoL is?

Russell

 

When I contacted several graduate programs and asked how my Trinity degree would go over with them, they said it would have to go over their dead bodies before I could even hope for acceptance into a bonafide, accredited graduate program. I sent my materials back to Trinity, and withdrew.

When I contacted several Christian denominations that have accredited degrees as a prerequisite to ordination, they informed me that the Trinity "degree" would not help me gain ordination even if I spent the rest of my days in Liverpool. That was more than enough for me.

Many fully accredited Christian schools are out there offering a variety of degree programs. For example, I am enrolled with Hope International University in Fullerton California. I graduate in December. I will immediately begin graduate work with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary through their SemLink program. Distance education is amazing, and done correctly, it is profitable. Check out Baker’s Guide To Distance Education for more information on legitimate programs. Jason Baker is personally very helpful, and is in part responsible for the good decision I made to "go" to H.I.U.

At this point I seem to have forgotten that other place. What was it? Trin...Trini...What was it? Trinity? Please.

 

Wise decision, Joe! For one desiring a degree with broad utility, recognition and acceptance you made a very wise decision.

BTW, Welcome to DegreeInfo. What are you majoring in at Hope?

Russell

 

I also received a similar response when inquiring at other graduate institutions about the acceptance of Trinity's degree. The Liverpool accreditation means little in the US (and even in the UK so I'm told by my friends who studied there). I contacted several institutions from Westminster seminary to Dallas seminary and I did not receive one positive response to Trinity.

I now am attending Reformed Theological Seminary's Virtual Campus to get a Master's in Religion. It is fully accredited (regionally and ATS), widely accepted, and quite rigorous. I also attend the residential Jackson, MS Campus of RTS when I can. With a combination of both (40% on campus, 60% off) I'll get my Masters in about two more years (three altogether). You can do the entire program via the virtual campus (with two one-week on campus stints). Their virtual campus classes are actually more rigorous than their on campus program, with all of the regular requirements (proctored exams, etc.) plus some. Not to mention the fact that you get some of the best theological minds in the country (and world) in your courses. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I did receive a Bachelor's degree from Trinity, but would never even give a moment's thought to anything beyond that. I'm sorry I had to even do a Bach. there, but at the time had no other options. I only received acceptance into an accredited institution for graduate work because of my age (over 30) and ministry experience. Every school I called (including RTS) told me they could not take my Trinity Bachelor's into consideration for admittance. The best they could do was say that I had the equivalent of 4 years study with no degree. There's not such thing as a cheap, easy, quality degree!

I do believe, based on my other experiences on residential colleges and graduate schools, that I did receive a good education at Trinity at the Bachelor's level, but for a wide variety of reasons I never even gave them a moments consideration for anything beyond that. Besides, my denomination would have given me a very hard time trying to be ordained with a degree from Trinity.

Hope your studies go well!

[email protected].

 

ADD TO ABOVE:

By the way, I only finished my last year of work at Trinity. I did the other three on a residential campus, so I cannot say I did the whole program there. Still, I think I have enough experience with them to say that I would not pursue a degree there - especially now with all the other responsible options around.

 

Excellent observation, Maw656. If such a thing existed, then everyone would have one.

Russell

 

I only received acceptance into an accredited institution for graduate work because of my age (over 30) and ministry experience. Every school I called (including RTS) told me they could not take my Trinity Bachelor's into consideration for admittance. The best they could do was say that I had the equivalent of 4 years study with no degree. There's not such thing as a cheap, easy, quality degree!

I do believe, based on my other experiences on residential colleges and graduate schools, that I did receive a good education at Trinity at the Bachelor's level, but for a wide variety of reasons I never even gave them a moments consideration for anything beyond that. Besides, my denomination would have given me a very hard time trying to be ordained with a degree from Trinity.

Hope your studies go well!

[email protected].[/B][/QUOTE]

In reality your Trinity degree was accepted, unless you had to perform and/or complete an alternative method of documenting your knowledge. Very few accredited institutions will permit anyone to advance to a masters degree without a bachelors or proof of knowledge -- such as portfolio, CLEP, DANTE, etc.

Although RTS told you they weren't accepting your degree, they did.

Think about this way, what if you didn't have the Trinity or any other degree, would you have been accepted in the masters program? If so, would RTS have just said OK, Mr. So-and-So it appears you have worked enough in your field of interest that we'll accept you as a graduate student? I don't think so. When the rare candidate of this type presents knowledge documentation must still be obtained. If not, your degree was accepted.

In any event, I wish you the very best!

God Bless!

Wes

 

Some RA schools have a provision in which they will accept a limited number of master's students, with a non-RA bachelor's degree. The candidate is admitted, but on probation, then after 1-2 semesters of "making the grade" will then be taken off probation. While this is not an advertised practice, it does indeed happen.

Russell

 

They could not accept the classes from Trinity, but the work itself could count as part of my Bachelor's equivalent.

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First let me advise that I have no connection to Trinity, whatsoever.

The purpose of transfer credit is not coursework waiver but rather acknowledgement of knowledge gained. Often times this acknowledgement allows for waiver of coursework requirements.

Even though credit (per se) was not awarded for waiver of future coursework you were advanced at least in part by way you learned at Trinity. In theory - at least some of your knowledge gained at Trinity assisted you in life/academic advancement.

Regards, Wes

 

maw656 suggests that The Liverpool accreditation means little in the US (and even in the UK so I'm told by my friends who studied there).

I've just been reading about the MA in art offered by Christie's auction house in New York (LinguaFranca magazine, 4/01).On the Christie's website it says,
Christie's courses are accredited in the United Kingdom by the University of Glasgow and Cambridge International Examinations, and in the United States by the New York State Board of Regents.

It would seem that Glasgow may be doing for Christie's what Liverpool is for Trinity, but Christie's has gone a large extra step in securing recognized US accreditation as well. (The Board of Regents is the only state agency that is also recognized by US DoE as an accreditor.)

 

Trinity does require proctored examinations now but the proctor can be anyone the students submits. An oath is taken and it is assumed that the oath is upheld.

Back to my original thought. Unless RTS required you to prove your knowledge (the 1/4 of your degree program) which you gained through your study at Trinity then yes, RTS did accept your Trinity education.

In a previous posted you stated that the knowledge you gained at Trinity could have been gained through a number of other methods. Had this been the case, RTS would have required you prove your knowledge based on portfolio, or testing such as CLEP.

Transfer of credit means more than posting a a mark on a transcript.

I am not trying to keep you stirred up. I understand your point and I think you understand mine.

Be Good and God Bless

Regards, Wes

 

Yes, Westminster is well respected, especially within the more conservative Scottish Reformed community. Last I heard, the new (est. 1994), rising conservative Reformed institution in Scotland, Highlands Theological College of Dingwall, was in negotiations with Westminster to begin offering some sort of cooperative ThM in Church History. Highlands also has a cooperative DMin arrangement with RTS.

 

The original charter (which was shared by Manchester and Sheffield Universities) forbad "religious tests". Manchester interpreted this to allow a non-denominational Theology department. Sheffield allowed only a Biblical Sudies department. Liverpool had nothing. Liverpool does now award degrees in Theology, however, to students who have studied at either Liverpool Hope College (a joint Anglican/RC institution) or at Chester College (an Anglican foundation).

Malcolm S Jenner
Senior Lecturer
School of Computing & IT
University of Wolverhampton