Tripp Bible Institute

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by potpourri, Oct 17, 2014.

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  1. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    I came across a school called Tripp Bible Institute. Does anyone have any experience with this school? What are your thoughts of it? The tuition seems reasonable and wanted to get some feedback. It has been around for a long period of time. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
     
  2. courtellis

    courtellis New Member

    west coast bible college and seminary?
     
  3. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    No the school is Tripp Bible Institute.
     
  4. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning and Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education are the authorities on online religious schools.
     
  5. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Tripp Bible Institute is unaccredited.
     
  6. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    Several other threads by the same name. Revisiting those threads might be helpful.
     
  7. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Quote from the TBI website:

    TBI Degrees MUST Be Earned! We do NOT sell or give away our degrees. The degrees offered through Tripp Bible Institute MUST be earned. Our degrees may be earned through a combination of religious life equivalency credit, prior religious training or studies and studies through Tripp Bible Institute.

    You've requested "thoughts," so here goes. To the serious student, look for a legitimately accredited and reputable institution.
     
  8. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    C'mon, guys, let's not pull punches . . .

    It's a degree mill. Period.

    Granted, it's an old-fashioned Southern mill, and they do have a certain charm. But it's still a mill.
     
  9. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Hard to argue with this assessment! :)
     
  10. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    The definition of a diploma mill is to purchase a degree with little or no work required. That doesn't seem to be the case with Tripp Bible Institute.

    Funny thing. I talked with a number of accredited schools and they said that they do accept students in transfer from the school. I have also checked with former students of the school and they mentioned that there is work required. From my discussions with others it doesn't sound like it meets the definition of a mill.

    Now Steve Levicoff, do you have factual proof to support your position that this school is what you have stated? If so, what kind of proof do you have? I don't mean any disrespect Steve Levicoff but you just make a statement and give no reason as to why you say it is so or to support your statement.
     
  11. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    I am known for delineating a difference between diploma and degree mills. Diploma mills require little or no work, degree mills require some degree of work, but at an insufficient level to be legitimate. Tripp is a degree mill, not a diploma mill, by my definition.

    Which schools? And accredited by what agencies? Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t believe you got such a response from any legitimately accredited schools.

    But it does. See above.

    There is a maxim in the law: Res ipsa loquitur – the thing speaks for itself.

    Now, be a good boy or girl and look up the “NIFI Criteria” on the web. It’s a set of standards I developed several years ago to identify degree mills, and Tripp meets several of the criteria.

    And while you’re at it, look me up on WIkipedia – it has a bio on me (that, for the record, I did not write myself). If three RA degrees and five books (including two on religious degree mills) don’t count, I don’t know what does.

    Because I’m me. As for you, you’re the dude or dudette that, as I recall, instigated the debate on the recent Joan Rivers thread here on DI. You seem to like doing that sort of thing. And, unlike me, you’re anonymous, and we know nothing about any credentials you may or may not hold. Therefore, you’ve got my final word on Tripp – it’s a degree mill. Get over it.
     
  12. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    The difference between Steve and myself (well, there are many differences :) ), but in terms of responding to such queries as posed by this thread, I am typically much more diplomatic in the response. If you nudge Steve a little too much he isn't bashful about stretching the linguistic boundaries of civil discourse. :)

    The NIFI Criteria list is one of the best tools ever developed for determining the legitimacy of a religious school. Other writers have created very good instruments by which to gauge institutional legitimacy, however, the NIFI Criteria list, imho, has never been surpassed. Unfortunately, the book has long been out of print, and as I tried to reach the website just now where the list has long resided, it would not open. Unfortunately as well, because the tripod page has been accessible for so long, I have never saved a copy of criteria. My bad!!! :(

    Steve, if you have the NIFI Criteria saved in a single document, would you be so kind as to PM me a copy? I would be pleased if you could do so.
     
  13. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    You think that just because you have graduated from 3 RA schools, and written a few books that somehow you are an expert on diploma and degree mills? And to use your own definition. No sir I will always consult my dictionary. You have not furnished any information to substantiate that Tripp Bible Institute is a degree mill.

    You haven't given any examples to support your statement. Mr. Levicoff there is a difference between a place that sells a degree for little or no work which is defined as a "mill."

    The only thing that you have stated is that the level of instruction isn't as much as one would expect. Perhaps that could be the case, but if that were so we would use the word "substandard" in describing it not saying it's a "mill." You have not supported any of what you have stated.

    When John Bear states that something is a "mill" he will give examples as to how they are mills. A school that is "substandard" is totally different from that of a definition of a "mill." Did you put this school in your book when you did a publication?

    As you have described "mills" in the past you have furnished examples such as La Salle University, Columbia State University, and so forth. What has happened with your logic and rationale?

    I am not trying to instigate anything here. I have simply asked you to substantiate your statement. The only thing that you have stated is that the level of instruction is "substandard" that is totally different than being a "mill."

    Oh and as far as accredited schools that have accepted Tripp Bible Institute degrees one of them is Liberty University. I only needed to suffice one as you pretty much doubted I would have any. Of course, this won't probably be considered "legitimate" in the eyes of Steve Levicoff, although the school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), it doesn't meet Steve Levicoff's standards of legitimacy, huh?

    If you want to have a pi***** contest on who has more credentials, I would be more than happy to tell you about mine, but let me tell you sir that I have more than 3 RA degrees, so I will beat you hands down in that arena. And this is a very convenient way for you to dodge the actual issue.

    You are just upset because I have asked you to back up your statements and even anyone with average intelligence would know that you have not proved or supported your statement. The only thing you have stated is the level of instruction which is totally different from a "mill." I say prove it. You have done none of the sort. So much for being a so-called "expert."

    How dare anyone challenge or question Steve Levicoff? I didn't take the luxury of looking you up on Wikipedia, get over it.
     
  14. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Turns out that the "NIFI Criteria" are actually rather difficult to locate on the web today. At one time, they were posted at tripod.com and at loyola.edu, but they are not currently available at either address, nor are they available at archive.org. However, those interested should try the following links:

    For NIFI Criteria 1-33, click here.

    For NIFI Criteria 34-62, click here.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2014
  15. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Where is that LIKE BUTTON!!!!!
     
  16. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    If you accept John Bear as an authority, then here is a John Bear quote that may be of possible interest.
    It pertains specifically to Steve Levicoff's work :

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2014
  17. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Thank you, CalDog, I just cut, pasted, saved both lists in a document.
     
  18. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    All I simply did was pose a question to Steve Levicoff to ask him to give some examples or prove that Tripp Bible Institute is a "mill?" He didn't give any examples only his little guide for one to reference. I beg to differ there's a difference between a "mill" that just sells a diploma or degree for little or no work. Tripp Bible Institute may not be accredited, but it does require work, and doesn't fit the classic definition of a "mill."

    Steve Levicoff as far as I'm concerned is the most arrogant and non-civil person at least from my experience on here. He also seems to have a bias against religious entities and when someone goes to ask him to support his statements he gets all upset or if he doesn't like a particular subject he treats you like you don't know s***.

    He says that I was trying to instigate something. I wasn't. I was merely asking him to give examples to support his statement. For example, if someone asked me about Almeda University I would tell them that there has been experience where they just sell degrees and this is what I would characterize as a "diploma mill."

    If Steve Levicoff wants to say that the work with Tripp Bible Institute is "substandard" to those of other schools so be it, but that's a clear difference from the classic definition of a "mill" that requires little or no work in exchange for money.
     
  19. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    If we had one, it wouldn't be long before we devolved into a LIKE mill. The market would be oversaturated with posts that required little or no effort to receive a LIKE.

    If so, that would be pretty impressive considering his competition.

    Here is a friendly reminder to all involved that you may debate all you want, but personal attacks are not allowed on this site. I'm not taking sides here, I'm asking EVERYONE to please find civil ways to express yourself before we start sitting people in the corner.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2014
  20. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Well said.....where's the LIKE BUTTON :haha:
     

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