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Grace University - Academics
2007-2008 Grace University Catalog
Scholastic Policies and Grading System
Grading System
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.
| A+ |
|
100+ |
4.00 |
| A |
Excellent |
97-100 |
4.00 |
| A- |
|
94-96 |
3.67 |
| B+ |
|
92-93 |
3.33 |
| B |
Good |
90-91 |
3.00 |
| B- |
|
87-89 |
2.67 |
| C+ |
|
84-86 |
2.33 |
| C |
Acceptable |
81-83 |
2.00 |
| C- |
|
78-80 |
1.67 |
| D+ |
|
76-77 |
1.33 |
| D |
Poor |
73-75 |
1.00 |
| D- |
|
70-72 |
0.67 |
| F |
Failure |
Below 70 |
0.00 |
| P |
Pass |
|
0.00 |
| S |
Satisfactory |
Non-Credit Bearing Req. |
0.00 |
| U |
Unsatisfactory |
Non-Credit Bearing Req. |
0.00 |
| W |
Withdrawal |
Withdrawal with a “C” or above |
0.00 |
| I |
Incomplete |
Final Grade Not Recorded at Time of Grading Report |
0.00 |
| AU |
Audit Course |
Complete Without Expectation of Academic Credit |
0.00 |
Transfer of Credit
The University follows the general practices established in the Higher Education Transfer Alliance (HETA) established by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Grace University normally accepts transfer credit from accredited institutions when the transcript grade is “C” ("acceptable ") or better. Transfer credit does not affect the Grace University grade point average (GPA). Transcripts must be recieved by Grace University directly from the issuing institution. Hand-carried or "Issued to Student" transcripts are not considered acceptable.
Grade Point System
A student’s academic standing is computed by the numerical value assigned to each course grade. For example, every credit hour of “A” has the value of four points; every credit hour of “B” has a value of three points, etcetera. The total grade points earned, divided by the number of credit hours attempted, gives the grade point average. Graduation requirements and scholastic honors are determined on this basis. Subjects graded on a Pass/Fail basis are not included in the student’s grade point average. The Registrar computes the official GPA for each student each semester and cumulatively for his/her education at Grace.
Dropping a Course
A student may drop a course by filing a completed Drop/Add Form with the Registrar’s Office. Classes may not be dropped after the Last Day to Drop A class as listed in the Academic Calendar. The Last Day to Drop A Class is normally about two-thirds of the way through the term.
Pass/Fail Grades
Pass/Fail grades, not used in calculating grade-point averages, are given in physical education classes (except for Introduction to Health and Wellness), music ensembles, and Challenge Examinations. If a student fails a Pass/Fail course, it is recorded as a “U”. If he/she withdraws while doing unacceptable work, the grade is recorded as a “WU”.
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. Incompletes 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.
Final Grades
Grades are considered final two weeks after they have been issued by the Registrar’s Office. Any changes after that date require special permission from the Academic Vice President.
Withdrawal from College
If a student wishes to withdraw from college during a semester, the student must consult with the Dean of Men or Women and submit a withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office, complete all necessary paperwork, participate in an exit interview with the Student Development Office, and finalize all financial arrangements with the Business Office and with the Financial Aid Office. Refer to “Dropping a Course” for implications about final grades. Refund policies are described in the Financial Information Section of the catalog.
Classification of Students
At the beginning of each school year the University classifies students on the basis of credits and grade points earned or transferred. These classifications are as follows:
For Students in a Bachelor Degree Program
Freshman……...0-24 Credits………………No Minimum
Sophomore…..25-55 Credits………………No Minimum
Junior………...56-92 Credits……………..100 Minimum
SeniorOver ……...92 Credits…………..…180 Minimum
For Students in an Associate Degree Program
Freshman………0-24 Credits……………...No Minimum
Sophomore…...25-55 Credits………………40 Minimum
Senior………Over 55 Credits…......……...100 Minimum
If credits and grade points do not fall within the same division, the lower of the two determines the classification. Depending on the academic program in which they are enrolled, students may qualify as seniors who do not intend to be graduated within that academic year. When this occurs, the student is classified as sophomore or junior.
Scholastic Honors
Dean’s List
At the end of each semester the Academic Vice President posts the names of all full-time students who during the previous fall or spring semester earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 and completed a minimum of 12 semester hours with no grade below a "C".
EXCEL Honors
Once each year, the Academic Vice President posts the names of all EXCEL Students who complete the “core courses” with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
Delta Epsilon Chi
The faculty selects a limited number of seniors for membership in Delta Epsilon Chi, the honor society sponsored by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. To be eligible, a senior must have earned a grade point average of 3.3 or higher and manifested Christian character and leadership ability.
Graduation Honors
The University awards graduation honors to students who have earned a minimum of 62 semester credit hours at Grace University and who have achieved cumulative grade point averages according to the following chart.
Honor GPA
Cum Laude……………………...3.20 to 3.49 Cum. GPA
Magna Cum Laude……………..3.50 to 3.79 Cum. GPA
Summa Cum Laude…………….3.80 to 4.00 Cum. GPA
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Each year the faculty and administration select members from the senior class for membership in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Criteria used are scholarship, leadership, Christian character and promise of future usefulness. A certificate of recognition is awarded by the organization and presented by the University. A written description also appears in the annual publication of the organization.
Donald J. Tschetter Servant Leadership Award
Each year the faculty select a male and female from the senior class to receive the Donald J. Tschetter Servant Leadership Award. This is the highest honor that any Grace student can receive. Criteria for this award are well-balanced Christian character, scholarship, and spiritual leadership that best embodies and portrays the ideals of Grace University.
Disputed Grade Policy
If a student believes a grade is incorrectly placed on the student’s record, or a student disputes the validity of a faculty member’s grade, the student will file a “Disputed Grade Request” with the Registrar within 2 weeks of the semester grade report being released by the Registrar’s Office. This Disputed Grade Request immediately establishes a “grade pending” category to the course for the academic records until the error or dispute is corrected and/or resolved. The Registrar then forwards the Request to the specific faculty member for resolution. The faculty member submitting a disputed grade must review and sign any changes resulting from a Disputed Grade Request. All requests for correction and/or resolution of a final grade will be completed within 30 days of the “Disputed Grade Request.”
If no resolution occurs between the faculty member and the student regarding a disputed grade, an appeal may be heard by the Academic Vice President in accordance with appeal policy. Any and all appeals regarding grades must be completed within 7 days of the faculty member submitting his/her response to the “Disputed Grade Request.” No grade appeal will be heard without a student first using the “Disputed Grade Request” policy.
If the error is clerical, mechanical, or incidental and can be documented by the Registrar’s Office, then the Registrar can approve and authorize adjustments to disputed records.
An “incomplete” grade changing to an “F” after the designated time for correction cannot be disputed using the “Disputed Grade Request” because the incomplete grade paperwork is a separate grade process. If a faculty member has failed to submit an appropriate grade within the allocated time to replace an “incomplete,” the Registrar may make those corrections to the records. The Registrar need not make corrections beyond 30 days past the allocated time.
If a “Disputed Grade Request” is not filed according to this policy, no administrative action can be taken to change a student record by the student, faculty member, or administration.
Auditing
In some cases students may wish to enroll in a course for informational purposes only. Although auditors are required to attend classes and come under the same general regulations as other students, they may or may not be required to do the assignments and/or to take the examinations. Auditors should seek clarification on expectations from the faculty of record. No credit is given for courses audited. Since attendance is the basic requirement, when absences in an audited course are in excess of three times the number of class sessions per week, the student forfeits the right to have the class noted on the transcript. No appeals are permitted. Courses involving active participation, such as physical education classes and music ensembles, may not be audited. All auditors must have the approval of the Academic Vice President. The fee is non-refundable.
Directed Studies
For a variety of reasons, students may want to pursue areas of study that are not found in the regular schedule of classes. The area of study must be approved by the Division Chair and the professor who directs the study. The student and professor will meet regularly throughout the semester. Students will do assignments appropriate to the area of study and present their findings in a scholarly fashion appropriate to the area of investigation/study.
Private Tutorship
In unusual circumstances a student may desire to take a course at a different time and/or from a different instructor than is currently offered. It is possible to arrange to take this course by private tutorship, but prior approval is required from the instructor and the Academic Vice President. A special fee is charged for a private tutorship in addition to regular tuition.
Professional Program Admission
After a student has successfully completed at least one semester of full-time study with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (2.5 for teacher education) and completed “college composition” and “speech communications” with at least “C” grades, he or she may formally apply for entrance into a professional program. Applications must be submitted and approved prior to formal recognition that the student is admitted into a specific program.
Petitioning for Program Variance
Unusual circumstances may provide a student with sufficient grounds whereby the student may petition for a variance to specifically stated program requirements. Should a student believe he/she has sufficient grounds to request variance, the student should submit a petition form to the Academic Vice President. The Academic Vice President, in consultation with the Dean' Council, will make a recommendation on Variance Petitions to the full faculty.
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