Admission Categories

Admission to TEDS is either for program enrollment directly into a degree program, or in one of the following other categories for persons not wishing to pursue a graduate degree.

Program Enrollment Students

Persons applying and enrolling in a master’s or doctoral program are considered Program Students and must complete the full application. Such students generally have met all program prerequisites and enroll in good standing. On occasion, a student may be admitted to a program but be assigned to one of the following categories:

Enrollment on Academic Probation

Academic Probation enrollment occurs when the prior academic record is below what is required for program admission. This may be due to a weak academic background as reflected in the student’s undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and/or standardized admissions test scores; or a bachelor’s degree from a non-accredited institution. In such cases the probationary status is removed by the Records Office when 10 semester hours have been completed in good standing.

Conditional Acceptance

Conditional Acceptance occurs when the application has not yet been completed in full. Students who are accepted conditionally may enroll in courses as though they were a programmed student, but full acceptance into the program is delayed.  Such applications must be completed during the first semester of enrollment, at which time the conditional status is removed by the Records and Registration Office.

Acceptance with Deficiencies

Acceptance with Deficiencies occurs when program prerequisites remain outstanding. Prerequisite deficiencies must be removed before program candidacy is granted.

Visiting Students

Persons may apply for visiting student status if they wish to enroll in graduate courses for credit on a part-time basis but not enroll in a degree program. Visiting students must submit the Visiting Student Application and an official transcript indicating a completed bachelor’s or higher degree. (Visiting students receive “conditional acceptance” until this transcript is received.)

Visiting students may enroll in a maximum of 9 hours each semester, and it is recommended that they enroll in no more than 12 hours before applying to a degree program. If a Visiting student desires later to enroll in a degree program, the entire program application must be completed, and there is no guarantee of admission. Completed coursework generally applies toward program requirements. A residency requirement (hours that must be completed subsequent to program admission) must be fulfilled in all programs.

Visiting student status in the Doctor of Ministry program is limited to two seminars and is only occasionally granted in the PhD program. Contact the Professional or Academic Doctoral Office for details.

Auditors

Auditors are persons who wish to attend classes but do not wish to complete work for credit. Auditors must complete the Visiting Student Application, though they need not have completed a bachelor’s degree. Auditors may participate in all class functions, but will not be held accountable for tests or assignments, and will not receive a grade or credit, nor are faculty required to review submitted tests or papers.

Auditors may enroll in classes during any open registration period through the first class session; however, their registration is contingent upon available seating after the first class meeting. This ensures that credit students are first seated, with remaining seats available to auditors. Some classes are closed to auditors, and Trinity reserves the right to limit auditors in all courses. Auditors are not permitted in beginning language courses, unless they have already completed and passed the course at Trinity for credit.

Multiple Masters

Students seeking admission simultaneously into two degree programs at Trinity are considered “Multiple Masters” students and must seek advisement from Records and the relevant Program Directors for completing their programs in a timely progression. Multiple Masters and students seeking their second degree at Trinity should complete the Second Degree Program/Multiple Masters Application, found online on the Trinity website.

Special Students

Special student status is assigned by the Admissions Office during the application process to persons who wish to enroll for coursework but are not normal program students (such as ACTS cross-registrants or Trinity College students completing courses for credit). Special student status normally may not exceed one or two semesters.

Scholars-in-Residence

Scholars-in-Residence hold an earned or honorary doctorate and are persons who do not wish to pursue a doctoral degree at Trinity. Such persons may enroll in doctoral courses as an auditor or visiting student upon consultation with the Admissions Office and program director. Regrettably, Trinity is unable to provide stipends, housing, meals, office space, or other benefits to these persons.