Student Handbook

1. Attendance

Given the intensive nature of the courses both in content and class time, the student is expected to attend every session.

In the event of an emergency, the student is responsible for contacting the professor(s).  If the professor is unavailable, the student may contact the Dean or Registrar.  The student is responsible for class content which he/she misses.

One unexcused absence will place the student on probation.  Two unexcused absences will result in automatic dismissal. 

2. Ethical Behavior

Since this is a School of Ministry, students are expected to conduct themselves in the highest standard of ministry.  See paragraph 591 of the 1995 Discipline of the Evangelical Church.  Acceptance and enrollment in the school constitutes willing agreement by the student to abide by this handbook and the other rules of the school.  Violations of this standard such as lying, cheating and plagiarism, will result in suspension and probably dismissal.  See Due Process, Section 4.

Wise financial stewardship is a crucial area for the minister.  Students are expected to keep their bills current. 

3. Grading

      Students will receive a letter grade upon completion of the course.

 

 

A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0

      A student must maintain a 2.5 GPA average to successfully matriculate.  Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on academic probation.  The student then has one year to raise his/ her GPA or be dismissed. 

4. Due Process

In the event there is a conflict involving the course professor, the student is to follow the principles set forth in Matthew 18.

First, the student is to privately discuss his concerns with the professor.

Second, if step one does not reach satisfactory resolution either the professor or the student may appeal to the Dean.  The Dean will select one student and one faculty member to be on a panel he/she chairs.

Third, if step two is not satisfactory to either party, the student or professor may appeal to the Board of Ministry.  Their decision is final.  There is no further appeal.

Similar steps are to be followed in conflicts with students or administration.  In all cases the Board of Ministry is the final court of appeal. 

5. Course Structure

Yearlong courses are set up to be equivalent to a one-semester class.  The expectation for a one-semester hour class is 15 class/seat hours.  In this intensive program, the classes are supplemented by local area student led colloquia.

Homework expectations are two hours of work for every hour of class time.  Hence, a student pursuing a full load of 10 hours should anticipate spending 300 hours on homework.

Faculty have been instructed that the guiding rules at the school regarding homework are:

Text/collateral reading, 20 pages = 1 hour

10 page paper with research = 30 hours

5 page reaction paper = 10 hours

Thus a three-hour class with a homework load of 90 hours might require:

2 10-page papers= 60 hours

600 pp. text and collateral reading = 30 hours