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==Accreditation==
==Accreditation==


'''Accreditation status'''<br />
⚫
In January 1992, Trinity achieved [[educational accreditation|accreditation]] with the [[National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges]] (NAPNSC)<ref>NAPNSC, [http://www.napnsc.org/Institutions.htm Accredited Member Institutions, as of November, 2006]</ref>. The NAPNSC, which accredits distance education institutions<ref>NAPNSC, [http://www.napnsc.org/History.htm History of the NAPNSC]</ref>, is not one of the [[Nationally recognized accrediting agencies in the United States|higher education accreditation agencies recognized by]] the [[United States Department of Education]] or the [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation]]. Accordingly, Trinity is [[educational accreditation|not accredited]] by any accreditation body recognized by its country. As such, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.<ref>[http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html]</ref> Also, students who attend institutions of [[higher education]] that are accredited through accreditation associations not recognized by the US Department of Education do not qualify for Title IV funding ([[Pell Grant]]s, [[Stafford Loan]]s, etc.).<ref>[http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html College Accreditation in the United States - TOC<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
⚫
Trinity is listed as an applicant for initial accreditation with the [[Distance Education Training Council]] (DETC), which is [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation|CHEA]] and the [[United States Department of Education|USDE]] approved, but is not a [[regional accreditation|regional accrediting body]].<ref>[http://www.detc.org/new_applicants.html Applicants for Initial Accreditation]</ref>


Trinity has previously pursued accreditation with other U.S. and United Kingdom (U.K.) accrediting agencies.
⚫
In 2004, Trinity was granted candidacy status for [[regional accreditation]] with the [[Higher Learning Commission]] of the [[North Central Association of Colleges and Schools]]. The institution provided a self-study report, hosted a team of North Central Association evaluators for a week-long visit, and expected a second campus visit in autumn 2006.<ref name="Courier">Susan Orr, [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/jul/01/raising-its-sights/ Raising its sights: Newburgh's Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary aiming higher], ''Evansville Courier & Press'', July 1, 2006.</ref> However, Trinity resigned from candidacy status effective October 20, 2006.<ref>[http://www.ncahlc.org/index.php?option=com_directory&Action=ShowBasic&instid=2128 Higher Learning Commission Institution Directory], accessed January 8, 2009</ref>


'''Pursuit of U.S. accreditation'''<br />
Trinity was officially validated by the [[University of Wales]] but the validation was withdrawn suddenly in November 2008 following questions raised by a TV programme.<ref name="TCBSWeb">[http://www.trinitysem.edu Trinity College | Theological Seminary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2009}} The validation made it possible for Trinity to offer degrees from the University of Wales, (rather than from Trinity itself) up to the graduate level. Degrees from the University of Wales hold full [[Royal Charter]] from the [[United Kingdom]]. Thus, Trinity College and Seminary offers its own degrees, which have no government recognition in the United States, as well as offering [[University of Wales]]' degrees, which have full [[Royal Charter]] recognition in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>[http://www.wales.ac.uk/defaultpage.asp?page=E7052&Country=USA&inst=TTS Validation Services - Institution Details<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2009}}
⚫
In January 1992, Trinity achieved [[educational accreditation|accreditation]] with the [[National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges]] (NAPNSC)<ref>NAPNSC, [http://www.napnsc.org/Institutions.htm Accredited Member Institutions, as of November, 2006]</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2010}}. The NAPNSC, which accredits distance education institutions,<!-- <ref>NAPNSC, [http://www.napnsc.org/History.htm History of the NAPNSC]</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2010}} --><ref name=”BearsGuide”>Bear, John and Mariah P. Bear. [http://books.google.com/books?id=k67XC_7y5xEC&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=john+bear+napnsc+legitimate&source=bl&ots=PTT_jxRh9q&sig=6uPoXeZD0OocjFz59K7WXzeEuA0&hl=en&ei=vqNHS6_PH9OUtgfyguziAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false Bear’s Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning], pg. 57.</ref> is not one of the [[Nationally recognized accrediting agencies in the United States|higher education accreditation agencies recognized by]] the [[United States Department of Education]] or the [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation]]. Accordingly, Trinity is [[educational accreditation|not accredited]] by any recognized accreditation body in the United States. As such, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.<ref>ED.gov [http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html Accrediting Agencies Recognized by the US Department of Education]</ref> Students who attend institutions of [[higher education]] that are accredited through associations not recognized by the US Department of Education do not qualify for Title IV funding ([[Pell Grant]]s, [[Stafford Loan]]s, etc.).<ref>[http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html College Accreditation in the United States - TOC<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As noted by [[John Bear]], an American authority on distance education, NAPNSC is a serious attempt to create an accreditation agency focused on the concerns of nontraditional forms of education.<ref name="BearsGuide" /> However, the NAPNSC.org web site is no longer active and it appears the NAPNSC organization is no longer in operation.{{Citation needed|January 2010|date=January 2010}} Trinity also no longer lists NAPNSC accreditation on its web site.<ref name=”TCBSAccreditation”>[http://www.trinitysem.edu/AboutTrinity/Accreditation.html Trinity Accreditation]</ref>


⚫
In 2004, Trinity was granted candidacy status for [[regional accreditation]] with the [[Higher Learning Commission]] of the [[North Central Association of Colleges and Schools]]. The institution provided a self-study report, hosted a team of North Central Association evaluators for a site visit, and expected a second campus visit in autumn 2006.<ref name=“Courier” /> However, Trinity resigned from candidacy status effective October 20, 2006.<ref>[http://www.ncahlc.org/index.php?option=com_directory&Itemid=192&Action=ShowBasic&instid=2128 Higher Learning Commission Institution Directory - Trinity]</ref>
⚫
In February 2009, the [[Distance Education and Training Council]] (DETC), which is [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation|CHEA]] and the [[United States Department of Education|USDE]] approved, but is not a [[regional accreditation|regional accrediting body]], reported that Trinity College and Seminary was a first-time applicant for accreditation from DETC.<ref>[http://www.detc.org/downloads/3-report_from_accred_Comm.pdf DETC Bulletin February 4 2009], see page 6, accessed February 6, 2009</ref>


'''Pursuit of United Kingdom accreditation'''<br />
<!-- According to Trinity's accreditation page, the school is actively working to secure USDE accreditation. Their accreditation page currently states "Trinity is actively working towards an application for accreditation with a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized agency for programs not already validated by the University of Wales."<ref>[http://trinitysem.edu/AboutTrinity/Accreditation.html Accreditation/Validation]</ref> On November 12, 2008, Trinity filed a formal application for accreditation with a USDE recognized agency. This came after about eighteen months of intense preparation, according to an announcement made by Trinity President, Dr. Harold Hunter. Hunter also said that, effective immediately, Trinity and the University of Wales have made an amicable formal separation so that Trinity could focus completely on the USDE accreditation process. According to Dr. Hunter, "Since becoming president of Trinity in 2005, I have had some serious concerns about our institutional relationships in the UK as well as with other bodies of recognition including NAPNSC rather than giving a full, focused attention to USDE accreditation. That is now our goal without distraction."<ref>E-mail letter from Dr. Harold Hunter sent to Trinity student body on November 14, 2008</ref>
Prior to 2002, Trinity pursued endorsement of its courses with the [[University of Liverpool]].<ref name=”THE080717”>[http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=402842 Wales Spurns QAA Advice]</ref> The university, however, did not endorse theological courses. In 2002, Liverpool decided to “transfer the accreditation role to a theologically orientated institution" after consultation with the [[Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education|QAA]].<ref name=”THE080717” /> In the United Kingdom, the QAA oversees the Academic Infrastructure of institutions, which includes frameworks for higher education qualifications, code of practice, subject benchmark statements, and programme specifications.<ref>[http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/default.asp QAA Academic Standards and Quality]</ref>
-->

From 2002 to 2007, [[Canterbury Christ Church University]] endorsed courses and programmes offered by Trinity.<ref name=”THE080717” /> The endorsed courses and programmes were subject to the university’s “academic and quality-assurance processes<ref>[http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/support/quality-and-standards-office/collaborative-provision.asp Canterbury Collaborative Provision]</ref> but students did not receive its degrees or awards.”<ref name=”THE080717” /> Trinity no longer lists Canterbury Christ Church University endorsement on its web site.<ref name=”TCBSAccreditation” />

In August 2007, Trinity received validation for set courses and programmes by the [[University of Wales]]. Validation with the university is awarded to an institution developing and delivering a programme of study equivalent to the quality and standard followed by the university.<ref>[http://www.wales.ac.uk/en/PartnerInstitutions/ProspectiveInstitutions/ProspectiveInstitutions.aspx Information About Validation]</ref> The validation made it possible for Trinity to offer degrees from the University of Wales--rather than from Trinity itself--up to the graduate level. To be awarded validation, Trinity was required to document and satisfy all quality assurance standards as outlined by the university, which includes QAA national standards related to the framework for higher education qualifications, programme specifications, subject benchmark statements, and code of practice. A validation site visit of Trinity by a panel of assessors appointed by the university was also required for Trinity to demonstrate evidence of the attainment of said standards.<ref>[http://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Partners/Validated/QualityHandbook/ValidationUnitQualityHandbook.pdf Validation Unit Quality Handbook - Contents]</ref>

At the time of validation in 2007, there was no requirement for the university to work only with accredited institutions.<ref name=”BBCNews”>BBC News | UK | Wales [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7740904.stm Uni’s US College Link Damaging] 21 November 2008</ref> However, in July 2008 the QAA advised U.K. institutions they should not form collaborative relationships with institutions not accredited in their home country.<ref name=”THE080717” /> This prompted the university to begin to question their collaborative relationship with Trinity. Although Trinity successfully completed the validation process in order to achieve validation, in November 2008 the university cut ties with Trinity.<ref name=”BBCNews” />


==Notable faculty==
==Notable faculty==

Revision as of 21:50, 10 February 2010

For other institutions named Trinity College, see Trinity College.
Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary
MottoAnd the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses; the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (II Timothy 2:2, KJV)
TypePrivate, Seminary
Established1969
PresidentDr. Harold F. Hunter
Location
Newburgh
,
Indiana
,
U.S.
CoursesIndependent Study, Online Course, Webinar/Seminar
ColorsRoyal Blue and Silver Gray
Websitewww.trinitysem.edu

Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, also known as Trinity College of the Bible; is a nondenominational Bible college and seminary located in Newburgh, Indiana. Trinity offers distance education programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree levels for self-directed adult learners. Programs include Certificate, Bachelor, Masters, Executive MBA, and Doctorate (DMin and Ed.D) studies.[1] Trinity claims more than 7,000 active students worldwide.[2]

Campus

Trinity's nine-building campus [3] is located in Newburgh, Indiana, about ten miles east of Evansville. There are several schools in the area, including the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana.

History

Trinity College and Theological Seminary was founded by Dr. John D. Brooke in April 1969. In mid 1978, Trinity moved to Evansville, Indiana, and changed its focus from offering traditional on-campus degree programs to its current emphasis on distance education, providing undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate courses for self-directed adult learners. In 1981, the school relocated to Newburgh.

Mission statement

To equip men and women with a Christian worldview of leadership and service in life, work, and ministry through distance education that encourages professional and academic excellence.

To equip men and women . . .
Academic opportunities at Trinity include theoretical and applied studies designed to prepare both men and women for the chosen career path

with a Christian worldview . . .
Academic studies at Trinity involve learning and utilizing Bible-based Christian theological beliefs and practices in the analysis of course subject matter

of leadership and service . . .
Academic programs at Trinity prepare adult learners for a variety of roles and responsibilities ranging from the level of the volunteer through that of a career professional

in life, work, and ministry . . .
Academic studies at Trinity apply learning to personal, interpersonal, family, social, career, and Christian service contexts

through distance education . . .
Academic opportunities at Trinity allow self-directed learners to study when and where it is convenient

that encourages professional excellence . . .
Academic programs at Trinity promote the development of best practices in the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the chosen career path

and academic excellence
Academic studies at Trinity emphasize scholarly analysis and quality performance in the completion of learning activities and assessments

Trinity’s Mission Statement builds upon the Scripture that serves as Trinity’s Motto: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses; the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2, KJV).[4]

Program

Trinity has more than 70 full-time employees on-campus, including 13 full-time faculty. As of January 2010, Trinity also lists 74 part-time off-campus faculty.[1]

Trinity offers various distance education learning formats and delivery systems, such as self-paced independent study courses, online courses, webinars, and face-to-face seminars on-campus and at other locations in the United States.[1]

Trinity offers the following programs of study:
Certificate Programs

Bachelor of Arts

  • Major in Bible and Theology
  • Major in Biblical Counseling
  • Major in Christian Management and Leadership
  • Major in Christian Women's Studies
  • Major in Leadership and Discipleship
  • Major in Pastoral Ministry(br />
  • Major in Youth Ministry

Master of Arts

  • Major in Biblical Counseling
  • Major in Biblical Studies
  • Major in Christian Management and Leadership
  • Major in Christian Philosophy and Apologetics
  • Major in Christian School Administration
  • Major in Christian Women's Studies
  • Major in Conflict Management
  • Major in Leadership and Discipleship
  • Major in Pastoral Ministry
  • Major in Pulpit Communication and Expository Preaching
  • Major in Theology

Executive MBA

Master of Divinity

  • Major in Bible and Theology
  • Major in Biblical Counseling
  • Major in Pastoral Ministry

Doctor of Ministry

  • Major in Biblical Counseling
  • Major in Christian Management and Leadership
  • Major in Conflict Management
  • Major in Pastoral Ministry
  • Major in Pulpit Communication and Expository Preaching

Doctor of Education

  • Specialization in Biblical Counseling
  • Specialization in Christian Education
  • Specialization in Christian Management and Leadership
  • Specialization in Christian Theology
  • Specialization in Christian Women's Studies
  • Specialization in Conflict Management
  • Specialization in Pastoral Ministry
  • Specialization in Pulpit Communication and Expository Preaching[5]

Accreditation

Accreditation status
Trinity is listed as an applicant for initial accreditation with the Distance Education Training Council (DETC), which is CHEA and the USDE approved, but is not a regional accrediting body.[6]

Trinity has previously pursued accreditation with other U.S. and United Kingdom (U.K.) accrediting agencies.

Pursuit of U.S. accreditation
In January 1992, Trinity achieved accreditation with the National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges (NAPNSC)[7][dead link]. The NAPNSC, which accredits distance education institutions,[8] is not one of the higher education accreditation agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accordingly, Trinity is not accredited by any recognized accreditation body in the United States. As such, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.[9] Students who attend institutions of higher education that are accredited through associations not recognized by the US Department of Education do not qualify for Title IV funding (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.).[10] As noted by John Bear, an American authority on distance education, NAPNSC is a serious attempt to create an accreditation agency focused on the concerns of nontraditional forms of education.[11] However, the NAPNSC.org web site is no longer active and it appears the NAPNSC organization is no longer in operation.[citation needed] Trinity also no longer lists NAPNSC accreditation on its web site.[12]

In 2004, Trinity was granted candidacy status for regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution provided a self-study report, hosted a team of North Central Association evaluators for a site visit, and expected a second campus visit in autumn 2006.[13] However, Trinity resigned from candidacy status effective October 20, 2006.[14]

Pursuit of United Kingdom accreditation
Prior to 2002, Trinity pursued endorsement of its courses with the University of Liverpool.[15] The university, however, did not endorse theological courses. In 2002, Liverpool decided to “transfer the accreditation role to a theologically orientated institution" after consultation with the QAA.[15] In the United Kingdom, the QAA oversees the Academic Infrastructure of institutions, which includes frameworks for higher education qualifications, code of practice, subject benchmark statements, and programme specifications.[16]

From 2002 to 2007, Canterbury Christ Church University endorsed courses and programmes offered by Trinity.[15] The endorsed courses and programmes were subject to the university’s “academic and quality-assurance processes[17] but students did not receive its degrees or awards.”[15] Trinity no longer lists Canterbury Christ Church University endorsement on its web site.[12]

In August 2007, Trinity received validation for set courses and programmes by the University of Wales. Validation with the university is awarded to an institution developing and delivering a programme of study equivalent to the quality and standard followed by the university.[18] The validation made it possible for Trinity to offer degrees from the University of Wales--rather than from Trinity itself--up to the graduate level. To be awarded validation, Trinity was required to document and satisfy all quality assurance standards as outlined by the university, which includes QAA national standards related to the framework for higher education qualifications, programme specifications, subject benchmark statements, and code of practice. A validation site visit of Trinity by a panel of assessors appointed by the university was also required for Trinity to demonstrate evidence of the attainment of said standards.[19]

At the time of validation in 2007, there was no requirement for the university to work only with accredited institutions.[20] However, in July 2008 the QAA advised U.K. institutions they should not form collaborative relationships with institutions not accredited in their home country.[15] This prompted the university to begin to question their collaborative relationship with Trinity. Although Trinity successfully completed the validation process in order to achieve validation, in November 2008 the university cut ties with Trinity.[20]

Notable faculty

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference TCBSWeb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Susan Orr, Raising its sights: Newburgh's Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary aiming higher, Evansville Courier & Press, July 1, 2006.
  3. ^ Warrick County (Indiana) Assessor's Web Site
  4. ^ About Trinity
  5. ^ Trinity Degree Programs
  6. ^ Applicants for Initial Accreditation
  7. ^ NAPNSC, Accredited Member Institutions, as of November, 2006
  8. ^ Bear, John and Mariah P. Bear. Bear’s Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, pg. 57.
  9. ^ ED.gov Accrediting Agencies Recognized by the US Department of Education
  10. ^ College Accreditation in the United States - TOC
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference BearsGuide was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Trinity Accreditation
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference “Courier” was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Higher Learning Commission Institution Directory - Trinity
  15. ^ a b c d e Wales Spurns QAA Advice
  16. ^ QAA Academic Standards and Quality
  17. ^ Canterbury Collaborative Provision
  18. ^ Information About Validation
  19. ^ Validation Unit Quality Handbook - Contents
  20. ^ a b BBC News | UK | Wales Uni’s US College Link Damaging 21 November 2008

External links

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