Bronte International University

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Bronte International University (formerly known as Trinity College and University[1]) is an unaccredited post-secondary educational institution formally in South Dakota. It is widely considered to be a diploma mill[1], a scam operation offering meritless degrees for a fee. According to Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, it is "probably" operated in the Caribbean and "also operated in Louisiana and maybe elsewhere."[1] The "school's" webpage offers "fast" degrees from "life experience".

Contents

[edit] Academics and accreditation

The institution claims to be accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAE), but this is not a recognized accreditation association of higher learning.[2]

Bronte International University was originally known as "Trinity College & University, South Dakota" and should not be confused with a number of mainstream academic institutions with similar names, listed at the disambiguation page Trinity College.[3]

[edit] Other institutions called Trinity College & University

The name "Trinity College & University" is used by a distance education institution based in Dover, Delaware, United States, with offices in Málaga, Spain and Islamabad, Pakistan.[4] This institution is rumored to be a diploma mill[5]. This institution advertises that it awards degrees "in any subject"[6] on the basis of "practical experience."[4]

The Trinity College and University, South Dakota that later became Bronte International University is currently based in the British Virgin Islands, and is registered as a corporation with the United Kingdom (Tortola, BVI).[citation needed] They, The Trinity College and University, Delaware and Bronte International University, are two distinct organizations.[citation needed]

[edit] United Nations scandal

In February 2007 the Associated Press reported that several employees of the United Nations had lost their jobs when it was revealed they had listed Trinity College and University degrees on their resumes.[7] A U.N. spokeswoman was quoted as saying that one staff member's misrepresentation of his Trinity credentials as being from a legitimate university was considered "serious misconduct." The article described Trinity as a "diploma-sales business" and noted that the institution was "actively pursuing the soldiers in Iraq" as customers for college degrees.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Unaccredited colleges", Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-13. 
  2. ^ "Accreditation Database and Information", Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved on 2006-08-18. 
  3. ^ "Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List: AN - BU", Maine Department of Education, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  4. ^ a b About Us, Trinity College and University website, accessed March 17, 2008
  5. ^ "AP Exclusive: U.N. fired staff member with academic degrees from non-accredited Internet-based academy", Associated Press, February 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  6. ^ Degrees, Trinity College and University website, accessed March 17, 2008
  7. ^ a b "U.N. Fired Staff Members With Academic Degrees From Diploma Mill", Associated Press, February 12, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 

[edit] See also