Academic Resources > Standards and Responsibilities

• Academic Standards
• Financial Standards
  
• Rights and Responsibilities
  
• Official Announcements
  
• Louisville Seminary's
  Non-Discrimination Policy
• Policy Regarding
  Disabled Students

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Louisville Seminary, as an institution dedicated to learning, upholds the following academic standards:

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of the courses they take, except for illness or other valid reasons.

• All master's level academic work is graded as follows: A = superior, B = good,
C = satisfactory, D = marginal, F = failure. In a few designated course, Pass/Fail grades are given.

The work of students in field education is evaluated as outstanding, very satisfactory, satisfactory, marginal, and unsatisfactory. A Pass/Fail is given in some courses approved by Council. (A = 4 quality points, A- = 3.68 quality points, B+ = 3.34 quality points, B = 3 quality points, B- = 2.68 quality points, C+ = 2.34 quality points, C = 2 quality points, C- = 1.68 quality points, D+ = 1.34 quality points, and D = 1 quality point)

• An incomplete is a temporary grade. It is given by a professor when unusual circumstances intervene to block a student's fulfillment of course work. An incomplete is changed to the appropriate letter grade at the end of an extension period, mutually agreed upon by professor and student, which shall be no later than the eight weeks after the end of the semester in which the incomplete is given.

• When a student's grade point average in any semester falls below the "B-" level, whether this leads to academic probation or not, a conference with his or her Faculty Advisor becomes mandatory. A brief summary of that conference will be prepared, signed by both student and advisor, and filed with the Dean in the student's confidential file. Further consultation may be required, as directed by the Faculty Handbook.

• When a student's evaluation for a unit of field education falls below the satisfactory level, a conference with the Field Education Director becomes mandatory. A student receiving two unsatisfactory evaluations is terminated as a degree candidate.

• Students are placed on probation when their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.5 (A=4). A student on probation will not be permitted to register for more than 9 credit hours per semester. Academic probation is removed when the cumulative grade point average reaches at least 2.5. Students will be granted no more than two semesters of probation, and failure to remove probation results in loss of candidacy and separation from the Seminary. Students on academic probation are not permitted to interview for placement in a supply field education position.

• Students dropping courses during the first two weeks of the semester will have no notation of the courses entered on individual transcripts. Students may drop a course with either a Withdraw Pass (WP) or Withdraw Fail (WF) notation up to 28 days preceding the last day of classes for the semester. Withdrawal from a course during the last four weeks of classes will result in a failing grade; withdrawal for medical reasons may be an exception. Late registration for a course is allowed only during the first two weeks of a semester and must be approved by the instructor. In the January term, students dropping courses during the first two days of the semester will have no notation of the course entered on individual transcripts. Students may drop a course (W/P or W/F) before the eighth class day of the interterm. Withdrawal after the eighth class day will result in a failing grade.

• Only students who have a B average in the preceding semester may register for more than 13.5 credit hours. Those on probation may not carry more than 9 credit hours except by special permission of their advisor and the Dean.

• Students in a supply field education position, preaching each Sunday, must have the permission of their Faculty Advisor and of the Director of Field Education to enroll for more than 10.5 hours. Students placed in a supply field education position for the first time must enroll in Ministry in the Town and Country Church. (See CMf 406-3.) Students on academic probation may not interview for placement in a supply field placement.

• All courses must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the final day of the term (summer reading courses by the opening of the fall semester). All grades shall be based on the student's achievement as of that hour unless an incomplete has been approved.

• Students eligible to register for more than four courses, and who do not want the fifth course to count toward the 90 hours required for the degree, may take the fifth course without additional tuition. This must be indicated at the time of registration and may not be changed after the second week of the semester. The transcript will bear the notation (ND) beside the course indicating it is to be a non-degree requirement course.

• Students are expected to complete the M.Div. degree within five years following matriculation. Those who exceed this period without exceptional provisions must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and will be subject to the graduation requirements prevailing at the time of readmission.

• Students may ordinarily secure a leave of absence from the Seminary by filing a request with the Dean, stating the purpose of the leave and their plans for resuming theological study, and by indicating that they have consulted with their advisor and have secured his or her approval. Leaves may be renewed for up to two years, after which a student must apply for readmission.

• Students who have withdrawn or have been separated from the Seminary for academic or other reasons and who wish to be readmitted must first demonstrate that problems related to their withdrawal or separation have been resolved. In the case of academic cause, this will ordinarily include a record of satisfactory academic work in an accredited seminary adequate to bring the student's grade point average above 2.5. In the case of medical, psychological, or financial causes, comparable certification of the student's ability to resume academic and professional work will be required. The student will then file a new application, updating the Seminary record and supporting the request. It will be processed in the usual manner. Students readmitted to the Seminary will be subject to the requirements for graduation and all other regulations prevailing at the time of their readmission.

FINANCIAL STANDARDS

No student will be allowed to register for any term at Louisville Seminary if he or she has not made satisfactory arrangements with the Business Office for payment of all financial obligations for the prior term. No transcript shall be issued until these arrangements have been completed. Students will be allowed to graduate only after their financial obligations have been paid or after satisfactory arrangements have been completed.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of Trustees has approved a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for faculty, students, administrators, staff, and directors. Community and individual rights and responsibilities and the provision for due process are fully described in the document.

Certain standards of integrity need to be stated explicitly for self-discipline as well as for the support of one's colleagues. Each may expect from the other: (1) intellectual honesty in academic and ministerial tasks and relationships, both in the Seminary and in the church-at-large; (2) integrity, responsibility, and good stewardship in all financial obligations and dealings; (3) conscientious concern in the matter of personal habits for one's witness to and influence upon others; (4) attitudes and actions in all situations which acknowledge practically the Lordship of Christ and express the biblical concept of love for God and human beings.

In the discharge of its responsibility in relation to personal conduct, the Seminary relies primarily upon pastoral procedures by students and faculty. Evidence of conspicuous or persistent failure in moral responsibility will lead to disciplinary action which may involve suspension or dismissal from the Seminary. In such action, all the rights of due process will be observed.

In 1977, the Seminary Council became concerned about the use of words which seem by implication to demean some persons or exclude them from Christian fellowship. As a result, the Council adopted a resolution asking members of the community to be conscientious in their use of language.

The resolution affirms the view that the church is the Body of Christ, which does not exclude any persons because of race, ethnic origin, age, or sex. Recognizing the power of language to shape culture and perceptions of reality, it urges concern for others in language used in publications, chapel services, classrooms, and lectures. The Council recommends that all persons in the Seminary community seek to use language which is inclusive rather than exclusive, avoiding forms which seem to exclude or demean others because of age, sex, race, or ethnic origin.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Official announcements are published in the Louisville Seminary Catalog and in the on-campus newsletter, The Seminary Times. Such publication is considered due notice to all members of the Seminary community. The Seminary Times carries other announcements of interest to the community without Seminary endorsement.

LOUISVILLE SEMINARY'S
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Louisville Seminary is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Seminary to comply with applicable employment laws. The Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (except as religion may be a bona fide occupational qualification for certain positions at the Seminary), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability.

Louisville Seminary has established a policy of treating all students and student applicants equally without regard to ethnic and national background, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, or physical disability. This is in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

Louisville Seminary has been approved for attendance by nonimmigrant alien students by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

POLICY REGARDING
DISABLED STUDENTS

Louisville Seminary does not discriminate against applicants who are disabled. The Seminary will make whatever arrangements are necessary to ensure that students with a disability who are admitted are able to study and live at the Seminary. Many improvements in the design and layout of the Seminary have been made. Several buildings are equipped with elevators in order to ensure full access to everyone. Ramps have been installed and some restrooms rebuilt.

Students with a disability who have questions about the admissions process should contact the Office of Admissions.

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