ACADEMIC POLICIES
English Proficiency
Students within the BA and lower packages of GELTS are required to take English Grammar and Composition courses. These guides are foundational to the student’s paintings at GELTS and must be taken at the beginning of studies. While BA college students will do a yr of English Grammar and Composition, college students inside the Diploma application can have two years of the path. In the C.Th program, the college students may have an English curriculum that covers 5 years of their studies. It is expected that the standards of English taught in these classes might be seen in written and spoken assignments in other courses. After completing this route, a student may be required to re-take the route if his or her performance within the application falls brief of anticipated standards.
All students within the MA and M.Div programs should show that they have an acceptable degree of English Grammar and composition. It is assumed that students within the MA and M. Div programs have already got competence in English Grammar and Composition. Each student’s capability to put in writing and speak in English might be judged via taking the English Grammar and Composition route and submitting written assignments as part of the direction requirements. This route contains 3 credit score hours (for the purpose of calculating the student’s paintings load) however the credit score hours are not counted towards the diploma requirement. The intent is that English is an underneath graduate degree route and is offered here for remedial purposes.
MA and M.Div college students who have already got proficiency in English and accept as true with that this direction is not for them, can be given the option to test out of the direction. This examination will take vicinity for the duration of the first week of class. Those who take the exam and rating 80% and above can be exempted for the part of the direction being presented that semester.
Throughout their program, all students will keep to publish written assignments that have to meet the proper English Grammar and Composition standards. Faculty reserves the right no longer to grade a paper which does no longer show accuracy and care in the writing process. A decrease grade can also be given for papers which display deficiencies in writing skills. For these reasons, it’s far strongly recommended that all college students take the course at the beginning of their program.
Students inside the BA and lower programs of GELTS are required to take English Grammar and Composition publications. These guides are foundational to the student’s paintings at GELTS and must be taken at the beginning of studies. While BA college students will do a yr of English Grammar and Composition, college students within the Diploma application will have years of the direction. In the C.Th software, the college students could have an English curriculum that covers 5 years in their studies. It is predicted that the standards of English taught in those classes may be visible in written and spoken assignments in other courses. After completing this course, a student can be required to re-take the path if his or her performance in the software falls quick of predicted requirements.
All students inside the MA and M.Div programs ought to show that they have an acceptable level of English Grammar and composition. It is believed that students in the MA and M. Div programs have already got competence in English Grammar and Composition. Each student’s potential to write down and communicate in English can be judged thru taking the English Grammar and Composition route and submitting written assignments as a part of the route requirements. This course carries 3 credit score hours (for the motive of calculating the student’s paintings load) however the credit score hours are not counted towards the diploma requirement. The reason is that English is an underneath graduate degree route and is offered here for remedial purposes.
MA and M.Div students who already have proficiency in English and agree with that this path isn’t always for them, may be given the option to check out of the course. This examination will take place for the duration of the first week of class. Those who take the examination and score 80% and above will be exempted for the part of the direction being provided that semester.
Throughout their program, all students will preserve to put up written assignments that have to meet the suited English Grammar and Composition standards. Faculty reserves the right not to grade a paper which does now not show accuracy and care in the writing process. A decrease grade may also be given for papers which display deficiencies in writing skills. For those reasons, it’s far strongly recommended that each one college students take the route at the start in their program.
Academic Standing
A student is in good academic standing if s/he maintains a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 70%, conducts his/her personal way of life with spiritual and moral integrity, is a law-abiding citizen, and meets all financial duties to the college. Each pupil is anticipated to be in excellent health a good way to do the required path work. The administration of the school reserves the right to discontinue any student who does not meet the above standards.
Change of Academic Status
If a student wants to exchange from full-time to part-time, s/he ought to practice in writing to the workplace of the Dean. Likewise, a scholar changing from part-time to full-time should put up an application to the office of the Dean for this sort of change. If the utility is approved, the student will be required to post a plan of look at drawn up in consultation with his or her software advisor. Whenever there is an academic status exchange, a price of 5000 frs will be charged. Part-time students are individuals who are taking eight hours or less and full-time students are those taking 9 hours and above.
Academic Probation/Termination
The following are the rules which applies to probation and termination.
Academic Probation
Any scholar who fails to preserve a cumulative GPA of 70 may be located on probation beginning the following term. In other words, if within the first term, a student’s GPA falls under 70, he or she can be on probation the second semester. This is because a grade point beneath 70 is unacceptable for graduation.
Academic Termination
When placed on probation, a student might not take greater than 15 credit score hours at some point of the semester he’s on probation. In the event that a pupil continues to fall beneath the 70% grade factor average, he may be terminated from GELTS. A scholar will continue to be on probation till he attains the specified grade factor average, however if there is no evidence of constant progress, the student could be asked to withdraw from the program.
Temporary Pardon on Health Grounds
A scholar with health issues attested by using a clinical officer, who is unable to complete path work, may be given permission by the office of the Dean to stay out of sophistication for a duration of time. In the sort of case, the scholar’s situation may be made known to the trainer of the path, and a time agreed upon while the pupil will be able to finish the work. The work ought to be completed within the agreed upon time. Failure to achieve this will result in the pupil having to retake the course. See the phase on “Incomplete Grades” for a proof of the procedure
Temporary Pardon on Health Grounds
A scholar with health problems (attested through a medical officer), who’s unable to finish course work, can be given permission with the aid of the workplace of the Dean to stay out of class for a length time. In such a case, the pupil’s situation might be made regarded to the instructor of the direction, and a time agreed upon when the pupil may be able to finish the work. The work have to completed within the agreed upon time. Failure to accomplish that will result in the scholar having to retake the course. See the segment of incomplete “Grades” for an evidence of the procedure.
Validation of Courses
A pupil who has taken a path before can seek to be excused from the course. In this type of case, an exam could be administered to the students by way of the teacher of the particular direction. If s/he passes the examination with a minimal score of 70%, the script of the exam and the grade ought to be forwarded to the workplace of the Dean through the instructor. When a student is excused from the path, it does now not reduce the credit hours to be taken for graduation. It honestly way that the pupil may be allowed to take a different course inside the equal region and the validated course can be replaced within the pupil’s transcript via the path taken at the same or higher level. A pupil who initiates this method could be charged a validation fee of 5000 frs.
All courses should be validated before a pupil can graduate. In different words, while inside the program, any path this is registered for need to be validated. A student will not be allowed to graduate when she or he has failed any route while in the program. When a student receives a fail grade in a route, he can’t change that grade by means of doing extra assignments. He or she will ought to retake the route. The academic office will no longer change a grade that has been submitted and entered into the pupil’s transcript. In rare times when this is necessary, the teacher might be the one to appeal to the academic office in writing declaring the motives for the alternate of grade. Evidence that justifies the trade of grade can be required from the teacher earlier than the case can be considered
Academic Advisor
Advisors assigned to students will advise them about which courses to take. It is very important that students have good relationships with their advisors. The advisor helps the student to plan his/her course of study in accordance with the requirements of the program. However, it is the student’s responsibility to be sure he or she has completed the requirements of the program before graduation.
Registration
Students are predicted to pre-check in for guides on the time specified by the academic office, typically in the course of the preceding semester. Failure to do so will bring about a past due registration rate of 5000 frs. When school begins the subsequent semester, very last registration will take vicinity at some point of registration days. Students should be aware that through registering late, they’ll now not have get admission to to all the publications desired. Registration is closed after the first week of classes.
Students must plan their registration cautiously, after consulting with their advisors. It is the student’s duty to see that he meets all the requirements for graduation. Students who do no longer observe the curriculum cautiously may find it difficult to graduate in the desired year. Also, all financial obligations to the school should be met before a student can be allowed in class. This is achieved by way of either paying all the costs or giving evidence to the faculty of adequate economic resources to cover the value of education.
Change of Registration
All modifications made after registration is closed ought to be made thru the Dean’s office. A pupil is predicted to fill out a trade of registration shape to either upload or drop a direction. A path dropped without a change of registration form will result in a fail inside the student’s transcript. A student may also drop a category at anytime for the duration of the first two weeks of the term without penalty. After the first weeks of the semester, any class dropped will deliver a failing grade inside the transcript. Students have the first weeks of training to feature a path or drop a course.
Change of Concentration
Students may alternate concentrations by way of creating a written request to the Dean who will make observe of it in the student’s file, and notify the guide involved. BA college students have up to 2 years to pick a attention. During the two years, they can deal with the core publications while deciding on a place of awareness. MA college students need to settle on their awareness after the first yr of studies
Course Load
Students coming into the BA and MA/M.Div packages at GELTS have a sure variety of credit hours to finish earlier than graduation. This means that they’ll should space their work in keeping with their ability. Some college students are capable of deliver heavier loads than others. Below is a proof of the direction load requirements (does no longer practice to college students within the Certificate of Theology and Diploma of Theology programs).
Minimum Load
A complete time pupil at GELTS can convey a minimum load of 9-12 credit hours in line with semester. This load is suggested for students who’ve other ministries that they’re worried in, students analyzing under academic probation, and students who’re performing below average academic standards.
Average Load
The common load for college kids at GELTS is 12-15 credit score hours per semester. This is the advocated load for most students who warfare a bit in their research and want to hold an awesome grade point common.
Maximum Load
The maximum load is 16-18 hours per semester. This is a heavy load and is most effective advocated for humans with splendid academic ability. No pupil is allowed to sign up for 18 hours unless accredited by the academic Dean’s office. The pupil will should provide proof that he or she is able to carry this type of load and carry out well. There are 3 matters that will allow a pupil to take more than the average load: (1) A GPA of eighty and above, (2) permission from the academic consultant and (3) permission from the instructional Dean.
Assignments outside Class
For every magnificence period (55 minutes), a scholar is predicted to present the equivalent of class hours of training outside of magnificence. For example, for a category that meets for 4 hours a week, a student should assume to install 8 hours of preparation for that magnificence each week. Similarly, a pupil taking a total of 15 credit score hours must plan on running 30 hours a week outdoor of elegance with the intention to do the assignments for the courses.
Absences
Students are expected to attend all lessons in which they are enrolled. Even when a pupil misses a elegance, he is chargeable for all of the academic paintings missed. A student might not miss extra than six elegance hours throughout a semester. Absences must be approved through the instructor in every course. In the case of an emergency or unwell health, a pupil can be absent from class without enhance notice however must have a person notify the teachers inside 24 hours. An absence is an absence, which means that even those as a result of scientific emergencies might be counted in the direction of the six allowed class length absences. Note that absences are measured by using hours and not by way of days. If a student is absent from magnificence on an afternoon where the class meets for three hours, she or he has missed three of the six allowed
Tardiness
Tardiness is disruptive to the applications of GELTS. Students are to make each attempt to be on time to magnificence. If for some purpose the pupil has to be overdue, the trainer have to be informed in advance of time. Being overdue to class 3 instances for any purpose, will be taken into consideration as an absence.
Phones
Telephones aren’t allowed in classes. If you must have your telephone with you, it need to be turned off completely. A instructor will send a pupil out of sophistication whose smartphone jewelry or who is determined manipulating his or her smartphone. When a scholar is sent out of class, he will be marked as absent. Class durations are strictly for teaching and studying.
Withdrawal from School
A scholar may desire to withdraw from GELTS either briefly or permanently. The motives for this withdrawal need to be deemed necessary by using the school administration. Thus, the pupil will want to are searching for permission in writing through the workplace of the educational Dean. The application must include reasons for the withdrawal.
Temporary Withdrawal
In the case of a temporary withdrawal, the student ought to suggest whilst he plans to return to complete the program. A written application for reinstatement to the school is required.
Terminal Withdrawal
A student may pick to withdraw completely or be requested by way of the school to withdraw. This choice will be vital when it’s miles deemed that continuation is practically, morally, spiritually, or academically impossible. A pupil who’s so discharged might not are seeking to renew at a later date. The only option for such a scholar is to reapply afresh. It must be noted, though, that a student discharged by means of GELTS on a everlasting basis is not in all likelihood to be re-admitted based on a sparkling application, unless there is very clean evidence of change inside the situation that brought about the dismissal
Transfer of Credits
A student can transfer credits from another school, provided GELTS accepts the credibility of the school. In the case of transfer of credits, no credits will be accepted for which a student has already been granted a degree. In other words, a student who has already obtained a degree for credits taken, cannot use those credits again for another degree sought.
Theses and Projects
Students in the BA and MA/M.Div programs are expected to write a thesis or carry out a project. Students in the Biblical and Theological Studies, Missions and Evangelism, and Pastoral Care concentrations are required to write a thesis. Those in the translation program do projects. The BA and MA/M.Div programs normally require 9 credit hour theses. Information on regulations for writing thesis and projects is found in the GELTS Manual for the Writing of Theses/Projects and Research Papers (forth coming). It is the responsibility of the student to follow the guidelines and meet all the deadlines. The school also allows students to choose a non-thesis tract. Those who choose this tract will have to take an additional 9 credit hours to account for the thesis hours. These hours must be taken in the student’s area of concentration and should be approved by the Dean’s office.
Incomplete Grades
Sometimes during the course of studies, because of reasons approved by the dean’s office, a student may not be able to complete the requirements of the course. In this situation, the student will write an application through the teacher to the Dean to be allowed an incomplete for the course. The application should include reasons for the request and when the work will be completed. Note that the work must be completed no later than three weeks into the next semester. In the event that the student is still unable to complete the work, a decision whether to repeat or not repeat the course will be made by the academic committee and the student’s advisor. This decision will be final. A teacher cannot decide by himself or herself to give a student an incomplete grade without this procedure being followed
Absences from Exams
No excuse will be given to a student who fails to show up for an examination unless his or her absence is verifiable health reasons. In that case s/he will make a written request to the teacher in which s/he explains the reason for the absence. When approved, the teacher and the student must agree on when the exam should be taken, and the Dean informed. For regularly scheduled exams, a student may not take the exam more than a week before the scheduled date. A student wishing to take an exam before the scheduled date must make a written request to the Dean
Grading System
Grades will be reported to the students in writing by the office of the Academic Dean. A student is not to request an oral report of grades from the Dean or from teachers. Courses in which a student fails (having a final score below 60%) will be repeated or replaced by another course in the same area. This must be approved by the Academic committee. Note though that if you replace a failed course with another course, the grade of the new course along with the failed grade will be figured into your total GPA. If the failed course is repeated, the failed grade will be replaced by the new grade. In either case, whether the course is repeated or replaced, the failed course will be listed in the transcript even if it is not figured into the GPA.
The following grading scale is followed at GELTS in evaluating course work:
Academic Dishonesty
Any form of academic dishonesty, for example, cheating in an examination, plagiarism, etc. must be reported in writing to the academic office by the teacher. There will be disciplinary actions for such matters.
Cheating in an examination
When a student cheats in an examination, a 0 will be giving for that exam or any part of the course requirement where the cheating occurs. Additionally, the student caught cheating will be sent for academic counseling by their academic advisor.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism refers to the use of borrowed material without giving credit to the source. It is a form of stealing where a student presents ideas or words as his or her own when in reality they are taken from another source. This source can be a published work or another student’s work. Depending on the extent of plagiarism, as determined by the teacher, this offense may result in failing grade for the part of the course affected. In cases where the plagiarism is extensive and there is evidence that the student was purposeful and sought to deceive, there could be an outright fail for the course.
Repeated instances of cheating or plagiarism will result in the student being sent to the disciplinary committee (see student handbook for details on the nature and function of the disciplinary committee) for further action.
Duration of Programs
The duration of the BA program is four years, but students are allowed up to six years to complete the program. The duration for the MA program is 3 years but students are allowed up to 5 years to complete. No student will be allowed to continue in either program after these time limits. This information does not apply to the C.Th and D.Th students since their programs are set up differently.
Graduation
Graduation at GELTS is in the first week of June each year. Upon the recommendation of the academic committee, students are approved for graduation if the following conditions are met:
Evidence of consistent Christian growth during the time of study at GELTS
Completion of all required courses as indicated in the curriculum. The school is not responsible for students who fail to take required courses when they are offered. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that he takes all the required courses before graduation.
Satisfactory completion of all field work.
All financial obligations are settled with the bursary.
Students writing theses or doing projects must have them completed and approved before graduation. Follow the datelines given for submissions.
At the beginning of the final term, students must file their Intent to Graduate form with the office of the Dean. One week before graduation, all students must complete a “Graduation Approval Form.” This form is the final clearance for graduation showing that all the graduation obligations have been met.
Attendance at graduation is required unless a student applies and is approved to graduate in absentia.
Academic Transcript Request
Current and former students requesting their academic transcript must complete and submit a “Transcript Request Form” to the office of the Dean. The form is available from the Registrar and must be submitted with a transcript fee payment. For current students, there is no charge for transcripts
Study Periods
Students in the upper programs (BA and MA) of the school can plan their study schedule as fits their needs. It is assumed that they will use their time well and meet all course requirements on time. Students in the lower programs of the school (C. Th and D. Th) have study periods on their class schedule. All students in these programs are expected to be in class or library studying during these hours. These periods are designed to provide guided times during the day in which students can make progress in their assigned course work. Students found outside class or library about during these periods will be subject to discipline. There are assigned break periods during the day when students can do other activities. An atmosphere of quiet should prevail in the classroom during these study periods. In general, all students must maintain quiet during the school day to avoid distracting classes.
Student Grievance
A student of The Grace Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary can attempt to resolve a problem with a faculty or staff member either through the Informal Grievance Process or the Formal Grievance Process. A grievance is any behavior or decision directed against the student which he perceives to be in error or unfair. A grievance may include a grade or evaluation of any course work, or a student feeling that he or she was treated unfairly by a faculty or staff member.