Information and Policies
The academic calendar, following the early semester pattern, provides for 15 weeks in the fall and spring semesters. Half Days of Worship or Outreach are scheduled a couple times during the school year.
Semester long classes usually meet for 50 minutes per week for each credit (i.e. a three credit class would meet for three 50-minute class sessions or two 75-minute class sessions or one 150-minute session in a week). Classes that follow an accelerated or intensive schedule meet an equivalent amount of class time in a condensed time frame. The normal undergraduate student load is 15 semester credits, while for graduate students it ranges from 10 to 12 semester credits, and assignments are designed to require approximately two hours of preparation for each hour in class.
Classification of Students
Undergraduate students registered for 12 or more semester credits are classified full time. Students registered for 11 or fewer semester credits are part time. Students registered in graduate programs will be classified as full-time at 8 or more credits; students registered for 7 or few semester credits are part time. Half-time enrollment which is 4 credits for graduate programs is required to be eligible for financial aid.
Students are grouped in classes at the beginning of each semester and maintain this classification throughout the semester as outlined here:
Freshmen:
29 or less semester credits
Sophomores:
30 to 59 semester credits
Juniors:
60 to 91 semester credits
Seniors:
92 to 124 semester credits
Auditors
Auditors are those who desire to attend courses without credit. Admission as an auditor requires an abbreviated application and admission approval, as well as payment of required fees. Since auditors are not active participants, certain courses may not be audited (i.e. laboratory courses), or a professor has the option to close a class to auditors.
Course Numbering System
Typically odd-numbered subjects are offered in the fall semester, even-numbered subjects in the spring semester. Subjects ending in 0 may be offered either semester.
0-99: Remedial or self-improvement subjects; noncredit
100-299: Lower division, freshman- & sophomore-level courses
300-499: Upper division, junior- & senior-level courses
The 500 and 600-level courses are either foundational courses or they are introductory specialization courses in master’s programs. The 700-level denotes upper-division Master of Arts and Master of Divinity courses. The 800-level courses are advanced research or specialization courses restricted to advanced students.
Class Eligibility
Before enrolling in any class, the student is responsible to ensure all prerequisite courses and requirements have been fulfilled. Any exception to a prerequisite must be approved by the professor.
In general, freshmen take courses numbered 100-199; sophomores, 200-299; juniors, 300-399; and seniors, 400 and above.
Statute of Limitations
Undergraduate students have eight years from the time they enroll to complete the program requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time of enrollment. Students who do not graduate within eight years of initial enrollment can still graduate by completing the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time that they re-enter to complete their degree.
Students may elect to graduate under a more recent catalog than the one in use at the time of their entry but they must declare the new catalog in writing to the Registrar, along with their advisor’s approval. The student is subject to all requirements of the catalog listed (major/minor as well as Liberal Arts requirements).
Each graduate degree must be completed within a specified period of time in order to guard the integrity of the degree and to more accurately assess a student’s competence in meeting the requirements of the degree. Consult the graduation requirements for each degree program to see the time limit for that degree. Refer to the student handbook for the process to request an extension of program if you are nearing the time limit for your program.
Academic Advising
Advising is a shared responsibility between the faculty and the advising staff in the Office of the Registrar. Each entering student will be assigned a faculty advisor for their major or degree program. Students are encouraged to seek out their faculty advisor or registrar staff advisor for help when needed.