AERC functions as a “clearinghouse” for adults in the neighborhood by providing academic counseling and support at a variety of levels.  Activities are undertaken in response to requests from the College and the neighborhood, and are coordinated with other groups and offices already involved with the neighborhood. Such activities include referrals to appropriate programs, sponsorship and/or development of educational workshops, and scheduling of various academic activities.

For more information on the Adult Education Resource Center, contact Denise Best, the Director of Special Academic Programs, at 297-2150.

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Trinity College Gateway to the Humanities Program

After two extremely successful years, Trinity College will again offer The Trinity College Hartford Gateway to the Humanities Program in association with Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.  Under the auspices of the Adult Education Resource Center ( AERC), the Program provides college-level instruction in the humanities to economically and educationally disadvantaged Hartford residents, aged 17 and older.

This free program, which is the only one of its kind in the country, is based on the belief that by studying the humanities, those who are economically and educationally disadvantaged can acquire the cultural knowledge and conceptual skills necessary to improve their personal and societal situations.  It is also believed that participation in the Trinity College Hartford Gateway to the Humanities Program is itself a positive life experience that will have a strong psychological impact on course members, especially in regard to improving self-esteem, increasing confidence in one’s abilities, strengthening one’s sense of personal responsibility, heightening one’s level of aspiration, and developing a respect for the power of reason and dialogue.

Students who qualify for enrollment in the course receive one year of college-level instruction in humanities disciplines, including American History, Moral Philosophy, Literature, Art History and critical thinking and writing.  The program will provide tuition, books, childcare, and bus passes. 

  
The Individualized Degree Program for Adults

One of the nation’s finest colleges, Trinity College offers an undergraduate program designed with adult needs and responsibilities in mind.  The Individualized Degree Program at Trinity College (IDP), enables adults 23 years of age and older the chance to pursue an excellent education and earn exactly the same degree as other undergraduates at the college.  The Program was designed in the early 1970s to provide an alternative to the standard four-year classroom program for non-traditional students. 

The oldest adult degree program in this region, IDP is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.  Commensurate with our continued success, thirteen IDP students received 15 awards at Honors Day, five received Honors in General Scholarship, eleven received Departmental Honors, and the following Commendations:

Phi Beta Kappa – (6)
Pi Gamma Mu – (6)
Psi Chi – (2)

For further information on the IDP, and how you can participate, please go to our web page.    

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The Special Students Program, operating under the Office of Special Academic Programs, allows non-matriculating students to participate in undergraduate courses.  The Program serves Trinity employees, their spouses and children, City of Hartford employees, and the general public.  Upon recommendation of a high school counselor, or a teacher in a particular subject area, up to 15 students from Greater Hartford high schools may enroll in a course. 

After an initial meeting with the director to determine academic ability and availability of desired courses, students must obtain verbal permission from the instructor before enrolling. They may choose to audit or take courses for credit. 

Generally, Special Students have a three-course per semester limit, and are limited to three semesters before they must apply to Trinity’s traditional program or the Individualized Degree Program for adults.  Students must receive course grades of “C-“ or better to continue in the Program.

Students must present an official transcript of their latest academic work for review.  Financial aid is not available for Special Students.  Students taking more than 3.25 course credits must pay full tuition.

For additional information about the Special Students Program, please contact the Office of Special Academic Programs at 297-2150.  The office is located at 66 Vernon St.

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Summer Term

A small number of undergraduate courses are offered during two overlapping terms in the summer.  The first session usually begins the first part of June and ends by the middle of July; the second session begins in late June and ends in mid-August.  The summer term is an evening program.  Classes are generally held two evenings a week, from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM.

Eligibility
Men and women who are matriculated for a Bachelor’s degree, and who are students in good standing, whether at Trinity or elsewhere, are eligible for enrollment in undergraduate courses.  Evidence of good standing is required at the time of registration.  

Undergraduates entering their junior or senior year and maintaining a “B” average may be permitted to enroll in certain graduate courses for undergraduate credit.  Approval of the instructor and from the Office of Special Academic Programs is required.  Undergraduates admitted to graduate courses are expected to complete the same requirements as the graduate students.

Credit
Summer courses at Trinity College are the equivalent of semester courses given during the academic year.  Unless otherwise indicated, each course carries 1 course credit, which is the equivalent of 3 semester hours.

Auditors
Students who do not wish to receive credit for specific courses may, with permission of the instructor and the Office of Special Academic Programs, register as auditors.  They will receive neither credit nor a grade.  Although they are not expected to take examinations, the auditors should meet the instructor’s attendance and reading requirements.

Registration
Enrollment for undergraduate summer courses or for graduate courses taken for undergraduate credit is done through the Office of Special Academic Programs.  The registration period begins in May, and will end one-week prior the start of each course.   Students may register by mail or in person.

Classes are limited in size, so early registration is encouraged.  The College reserves the right to cancel courses that do not meet a minimum enrollment of seven students.

All applicants must submit the registration form, tuition and registration fee.

Undergraduate students from other colleges must submit an official transcript of their prior college work.