Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary-IN now offers PhD.

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by jek2839, Sep 17, 2011.

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  1. jek2839

    jek2839 New Member

    Hi DI,

    I received an email from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary-IN informing me of a new Doctoral (PhD) degree program. Doctor of Philosophy Degree



    Trinity is still listed as a DETC applicant. Distance Education and Training Council: Applicant Schools


    Go figure!!!!
     
  2. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    If I remember correctly, Trinity used to offer PhDs, but got rid of them when they applied with DETC.

    As you noted they're still listed on the DETC applicants page, but that page doesn't seem to be updated very often. On Trinity's own page they still state that they are "currently working towards accreditation with a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized agency for all of its programs."

    So, either Trinity has dropped its application for accreditation very recently and neither has updated their sites yet, or Trinity is hoping to become the first DETC accredited school to offer a PhD. Is DETC even allowed to accredit PhDs? I thought they could only accredit "professional doctorates". If that's so, Trinity MUST have abandoned DETC accreditation, yea?
     
  3. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Yes, I saw that. As far as I know, DETC does not accredit PhD's. My guess is that their appeal of the financial stability issue must not have gone well and they suddenly went back to offering PhDs' (cash cow). Only time will tell.
     
  4. jek2839

    jek2839 New Member


    Emmzee,

    Yes, from all of the buzz here at DI and the information on DETCs website, DETC is only authorized to offer professional doctorates.

    "The accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance education method up to and including the professional doctoral degree." Quick Facts about the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)


    DETC might be piloting a religious research doctorate for future USDOE approval.


    Let's wait and see!!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2011
  5. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Maybe -- but hardly through a school they haven't yet accredited!

    Dr. Hunter's take on DETC's decision, written as the school filed its appeal, appeared on Trinity Newburgh's website under the On-line Learning page. It appears to have been removed since -couldn't find it today. Hasn't this school gone through ALL of the following... U.of Wales validation (rescinded) "Liverpool stickers," Canterbury "Endorsement," RA-not-to-be and now a DETC appeal, followed by new Ph.D. programs, ostensibly unaccreditable as yet, by DETC. What's next for this controversial school?

    I can hardly wait....

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2011
  6. jek2839

    jek2839 New Member


    California Southern University ran the very first PsyD piloted program prior to being awarded DETC accreditation.




    Only Trinity has that answer...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2011
  7. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    But the DETC already long had approval to accredit, and standards long provided for, first professional doctoral degrees. A Psy.D. was just a new instance in which those standards were applied.
     
  8. jek2839

    jek2839 New Member

    Jonathan Whatley, so true!!
     
  9. PilgrimPastor

    PilgrimPastor New Member

    I just met a doctoral alumni of this school recently. He is a fairly prominent local pastor and seems academically astute. I cannot understand what the problem is at Trinity with securing some form of accreditation. They have many solid faculty members and alumni. I don't get it...
     
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    According to Dr. Hunter, the only problem with DETC accreditation is having the school comply with DETC's financial requirements.

    Before DETC, there was the famous scorching letter written to NCA by a Trinity V.P. of long standing, just prior to the RA accreditation visit. That tanked Trinity's RA candidacy. I'm sure you can find details of that -- try Google, or search this forum. As I remember, Trinity threatened to sue the writer. Guess what? They didn't. Sort of tells me something...

    Not long ago, there was a controversy over U. of Wales' validation of Trinity's degrees. The process ended and U. of Wales suffered a mountain of "bad press" for validating degrees of some overseas schools - including Trinity.

    I'm not suggesting that DETC is taking the past into account on this - Liverpool stickers, Canterbury endorsements and all the rest of it. DETC is a bit like some churches - very good about forgiving and forgetting past "sins," if the school convinces them that it "will be good from now on."

    I'm not interested in Trinity's progress or lack of it -- I have no interest in any religious school - not my bag. But Trinity's controversial history is certainly interesting. I'm not sure the school is as good as you think it is, Pilgrim Pastor, but I've no proof of that. I figure if it can't get accredited - it doesn't meet standards. If it can - it does.

    Time will tell.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 5, 2011

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