2007-2008 Grace University Catalog

Academic Policies

Scholastic Accreditation
Grace College of Graduate Studies is an educational institution within Grace University offering graduate work leading to Master’s degrees. Grace College of Undergraduate Studies is the academic unit within Grace University that offers Associate and Baccalaureate degrees.
Grace College of Graduate Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Refer to address information under the section titled “Accreditation and Academic Standing.” Regional and professional accreditation assures students and the public that the University has clearly defined goals, and that these goals, to a reasonable degree, are accomplished in student lives.

Program Offerings
This catalog serves as the 2006-2007 Catalog of Record. Should degree requirements change in future years, the requirements of this Catalog provide the basis for graduation requirements. Should a student withdraw from continuous study at Grace, and should the student desire to resume his/her program at a future date, the program requirements in the University Catalog at the time of readmission will serve as the Catalog of Record. Changing programs during one’s studies at Grace University also is sufficient reason to change the Catalog of Record to the current year’s Catalog.
Information regarding tuition and fees in this Catalog only represents the rates for the stated academic year. These rates are reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis.

Program Delivery
Courses are offered in block (during convenient time frames like one evening per week) and modular (concentrated weekend, week long, or longer) formats. Please refer to the current course listings available from the Dean or Registrar (or posted on-line) regarding course offerings and schedules.

Disclaimer of Contractual Obligation
While course offerings are scheduled based on program requirements listed in the University Catalog, the University reserves the right to reschedule and/or cancel courses, based on factors such as enrollment. Suggested course schedules should be viewed as exactly that — suggested; they should not be viewed as a binding contract on the part of the University. In the unusual event that the University exercises its right to cancel a required course, the Academic Vice President in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate College and the Registrar may substitute relevant course work to meet program requirements.

Academic Honesty and Integrity
As an institution of higher learning that reflects Christian standards for honor, scholarship, and character, Grace University views honesty and integrity in all academic work as a high virtue. A student who cheats on quizzes or tests, who submits work other than his/her own, who falsifies course documents or reports, who fails to credit the research of other scholars within his/her work, or who lies about one of the above stated ethical violations is subject to penalty. Plagiarism is the theft of any part of another person’s ideas, writings, or research contained in print or electronic materials; failure to appropriately cite the works of others will not be tolerated. At the graduate level, Grace University mandates dismissal when plagiarism occurs. For further information on what constitutes plagiarism, please consult the University library web page.

Grading System
For graduate level courses, no grade below C is given credit. A student may repeat any course once in an attempt to improve a grade of C or below. While both grades will appear on the student’s transcript, only the better grade will be used in computing the grade point average. Each repeated course will be counted only once in calculating credit hours required for graduation. A failed classroom course may not be repeated for a grade through independent study or other means.

Grace University accepts transfer credit from other accredited institutions when the transcript grade is acceptable “C” or better.

Grade Point System
A student’s academic standing is computed by the numerical value assigned to each course grade, such as 4 for an “A”. The total grade points earned, divided by the number of credit hours taken, gives the grade point average. Graduation requirements are determined on this basis. Subjects graded on a Pass/Fail basis are not included in the grade point average. The Registrar computes the official GPA for each student each semester and cumulatively for his/her education at Grace.

Dropping Courses
A student may drop a course by filing a completed Drop/Add Form with the Registrar’s Office. Classes dropped before the zero refund date will be graded with a W.  Classes may not be dropped after the zero refund date. Summer or winter session classes dropped before the zero refund date of the class time will be graded with a W. Classes may not be dropped after the zero refund date. The refund date is listed under “Refund Schedule” in the “Financial Information” section of the catalog.

Credit-Bearing Weekend Seminars
If a student registers for a weekend seminar and fails to drop the class or attend, the student will be charged for the seminar. A withdrawal (W) will be entered on his/her transcript.
A student may drop any weekend seminar up to 24 hours before the course begins without a financial or grade penalty. Sometimes the school will need to make last minute changes in starting and ending times and classroom. The school will make every effort to contact the student about changes but the student is also encouraged to check with the Graduate Office for last-minute adjustments. Syllabi for all classes will be available on the Grace College of Graduate Studies web page.

Incomplete Grades
Any student wishing to receive a temporary grade of “Incomplete” in a class is required to submit a “Request of Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office, with the instructor’s signature, before the last day of the class. Incomplete's may be granted for a period of up to one month, during which time a grade of “I” will be assigned. It is the student’s responsibility to file all paperwork, acquire the instructor’s signature prior to the last day of the class, and submit the form to the Registrar’s Office, and pursue the completion of the course work. If the work is not completed, the “I” automatically becomes an “F”. There is a $25.00 fee for each “Request for Incomplete” form submitted.  Students who are on Financial Aid are not allowed to carry an incomplete into the next semester for which Financial Aid is applied.

Final Grades
Grades are considered final two weeks after they have been issued by the Registrar’s Office. All final grades are available for student viewing on IQ Web as soon as they are posted.  Any changes after that date require special permission from the Academic Vice President. An incomplete grade form must be filed with the registrar before the end of the semester.

Withdrawal from Graduate School
If a student wishes to withdraw from the graduate school during a semester, the student must consult with his/her advisor, complete and submit an Academic Withdrawal form to the Registrar’s office, and finalize all financial arrangements with the Business Office and Financial Aid Office. Refer to “Dropping Courses” for implications about final grades. Refund policies are described in the Financial Information section of the catalog. Formal withdrawal from the Graduate College does not guarantee that the student’s place in program will be held.

Disputed Grade Policy
 If a student believes a grade has been incorrectly placed on his/her record or disputes the validity of a grade, the student should first take the material up with the instructor of the course.  If there is no resolution at this point, then the student should file a written protest with the department chairman or the Dean of the Graduate College.  The final level of resolution will be the Grad Council whose decision will be final.  Any written protest should address the nature of the problem and why the student feels that his/her grade should be changed.  All requests for grade changes need to be handled within 30 days of the end of the semester.
All decisions reached by either the Admissions Committee or the Grad Council are final. 

Scholastic Probation
A student’s academic standing is determined by his/her grade point average. To be eligible to continue in school a student must have the following cumulative grade point averages as a minimum:
Semesters in Attendance                                   Cumulative GPA
After one semester                                            2.5
After two semesters and thereafter                    3.0
When the student’s grade point average drops below that specified minimum cumulative grade point average, he/she is placed on scholastic probation and may remain in school only by special permission of the Academic Review Committee.  Students should be aware that scholastic probation may have implications for financial aid.

Records Retention and Transcripts
The Registrar’s Office retains a variety of records pertinent to the academic progress of students. These records are available to school officials who have legitimate interest in the student.
The University retains, for up to two years, documents received in the Admissions Office from those who are accepted but do not enroll. For students who do enroll, the University retains documents in their official files for five years beyond the date of their last attendance at Grace. High school and college transcripts and official records of academic achievement at Grace are kept permanently.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 governs students’ rights of privacy and access to their educational records. Students have the right to inspect their files and all materials therein, except those items specifically waived by the student. Students wishing to view their files must make an appointment with the Registrar.
Grace University students and alumni are entitled to receive a reasonable number of copies of academic transcripts reflecting their completed course work. Upon the written request of the student, with signature and appropriate fee, the Registrar’s Office will issue an official transcript to appropriate institutions, individuals, or agencies. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have financial obligations with the University.

Public Notice Designating Directory Information
Grace University designates the following student information as Directory Information; name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth, full-time/half-time status, major fields of study, dates of attendance, degrees/awards and honors received, admission/enrollment status, classification, athletic information, and photograph.
The University may disclose any of these items without prior written consent, unless the student notifies the Registrar in writing to the contrary by the end of the first week of the semester. Unless a student files a written request to restrict his or her information by that time, such information may be included in appropriate university or campus directories, publications and released by school officials in response to inquiries.
Because the printed campus directory is published only once each semester, names and/or other information will not be removed once it has been printed. A student must be enrolled at Grace University in order to modify his or her restriction of directory information.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the records within 45 days of filing the request.
• The right to request changing records the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
• The right to allow disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Grace University to comply with requirements of FERPA.

Courses Taken by Undergraduates
Senior students in baccalaureate programs are eligible to take graduate level courses and apply those credits towards their undergraduate degree provided (1) the graduate course meets the objectives of the undergraduate program, and (2) the students have gained permission from the Dean of the Graduate College to register for the graduate level course.
Graduate courses completed to fulfill undergraduate program needs cannot be counted as credit to complete a graduate program should a student apply into a graduate program at Grace. A substitute course may be applied for any course work used within an undergraduate program.
A student who is within six hours of graduating with a baccalaureate degree from Grace College of Undergraduate Studies and indicates that he/she wants to pursue a graduate degree may start taking classes toward a graduate degree after gaining permission from the Dean of the Graduate school.
Courses Offerings for Graduate School Graduates
Graduates of the GCGS are encouraged to make Grace a part of their continuing education experience. Any graduate of the school may return and take seminars at one half the regular tuition. This policy does not apply to regular scheduled classes.