2007-2008 Grace University Catalog

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements
Students who anticipate completing the requirements for an undergraduate degree are responsible for filing an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office. The deadlines for submitting graduation applications are: May Graduation: December 1; August Graduation: May 31; December Graduation: September 30. Students alone assume the responsibility that all requirements are met prior to the deadline for graduation. Requirements include the following:

Character and Doctrine
Each student who graduates from Grace University must give evidence of strong Christian character and soundness of doctrine. By writing their own doctrinal statement, candidates for graduation demonstrate a sound doctrinal position which is generally consistent with the statement published in this catalog. A preliminary evaluation is made by the faculty during the final semester of the junior year, but final approval for graduation is given during the last semester of the senior year.
The character and reputation of all candidates for graduation is reviewed by the faculty during the student’s final year. In addition to general review of character, no student is permitted to graduate from the University while on academic or disciplinary probation.
The University reserves the right to withhold graduation from any student who disqualifies himself/herself in respect to character or orthodox doctrine at any time prior to commencement exercises.

Senior Assessments
Students graduating with Associate or Bachelor’s degrees are required to verify that the Bible, General Education, and Professional Studies objectives of their programs have been accomplished. Examples of assessment include a one-credit capping course called Senior Integration, comprehensive examinations, standardized tests, projects and portfolios requirements. Students should contact Division and Program Directors for details.

Scholastic Rating
The student must satisfactorily complete the required subjects of the program chosen, have the prescribed number of semester credit hours and a grade point average of 2.0 or better (some programs require a higher grade point average, please note program requirements carefully).

Servant Leadership Training
Since the University seeks to train for effective service, it expects that students show commendable zeal and faithfulness in their Servant Leadership Training. Each student’s total SLT experience is evaluated by the faculty in the final semesters of the junior and senior years. The degree may be withheld on the basis of an unsatisfactory Servant Leadership Training record even though the student fulfills all other requirements.

Residency Requirements
In order to provide the University with a realistic opportunity to evaluate all the requirements for graduation including Christian character, basic doctrinal orthodoxy, scholastic rating, and SLT experience, a student must complete at least thirty semester hours of credit at Grace University. Normally, the final fifteen credit hours of a student’s degree program must be earned at Grace University; however, circumstances may provide grounds for the dean to waive this requirement.
A student who withdraws from school with 15 or less hours remaining in a program has one year following the semester in which he terminated enrollment to complete the program in which he/she was enrolled. After one year, he must complete the program as structured in the current catalog and complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Grace University.

Finances
All financial obligations to the University must be settled to the satisfaction of the Vice President of Finance and Operations prior to graduation.

Participation in Commencement Ceremonies
The University holds an annual spring commencement ceremony. Students completing their requirements the first semester or during the summer have the option of receiving their degrees at those respective times or waiting until the spring Commencement. Participation in Commencement exercises is required of all graduating students except those who have completed early and elected to take their diplomas or have moved out of the community or have petitioned to graduate “in absentia”. Only those students who complete all graduation requirements or who file a request of variances by April 15 (specified below) are permitted to participate in the Commencement exercises. There is no waiver or adjustment of graduation fees for students.

Petition to Graduate
Students with deficient academic hours may request permission to participate in the May commencement exercises provided they have no more than 6 semester hours or 1 academic course remaining in their program and they meet all other graduation requirements. Additional regulations are specified on the petition form. This petition can be requested by contacting the Academic Vice President’s Office.

Exceptions
The faculty decides on any exceptions to the graduation requirements listed above.