Academic Notes and Policies

The following information pertains to students enrolled in Columbia’s academic degree programs. Additional policies and information related to a particular degree program may be found in the Student Handbook or the manual for that program.

First-level Master Degree Students

SUMMER GREEK SCHOOL

Entering students in the MDiv or MA(TS) degree programs may choose to begin their studies in the summer with Greek language study. The seminary offers a 3 credit-hour course, B501, during the summer. This six-week course meets each weekday morning for two hours, with small group afternoon tutorial sessions when offered in person. It may also be offered online. Students who have previously studied Greek should consult the registrar about taking a Greek proficiently exam which will allow them to proceed to exegetical courses.

ADVANCED STANDING

Students who satisfactorily demonstrate they have already achieved the objectives of a given course but do not have graduate credit in the area may be exempt from the course and permitted to take an advanced course in the area to satisfy the required course credit. Requests for flexibility in a student’s program should be made to the Office of Academic Affairs.

HONORS PROJECT

Students in the Master of Divinity degree program may pursue an Honors project if they pass their Candidacy Discernment Consultation with a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 and a 3.80 average in the proposed area of study. Students may choose to work with a particular professor in the biblical, historical-doctrinal, or practical theology areas. The program consists of guided study in both long semesters for a total of 6 credit hours. If the area determines that the project should receive honors, then the advisor will grant an A to the student for each semester of study. If the area determines that the project should not receive honors, then the advisor, with the input from the area, will determine the final grade for each semester of study. For additional information, see the chairperson of the area of interest.

ORDINATION EXAMS

Students in the Master of Divinity degree program who become candidates for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) are required to take written examinations in the areas of Bible, theology, worship and sacraments, and polity. The regular master’s degree curriculum provides students with ample opportunity to take coursework preparatory to the exams.

GRADING FOR MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENTS

At the end of each term, students receive grades according to the following four-quality points system. A grade report is made available to each student through the student portal. For Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (Theological Studies), Master of Arts in Practical Theology, Unclassified, and Special students, the criteria for grading are mastery of material, skill in organizing and expressing ideas, creativity, and the ability to relate to other teachings.

The grading system is as follows: A 4.0 Outstanding A− 3.7 Superior B+ 3.3 Very good B 3.0 Good B− 2.7 Slightly above standard C+ 2.3 Standard C 2.0 Slightly below standard C− 1.7 Below standard D 1.0 Serious deficiencies F 0.0 Failing

Third-year MDiv students may choose to take up to 6 credit hours of elective coursework Pass/Fail if the instructor grants permission in the first two weeks of the course. MAPT students in good academic standing may take one of the four nonconcentration electives (3 credits) on a Pass/Fail basis in their final semester of study if the instructor grants permission in the first two weeks of the course.

The grade designations are as follows: S (Pass) work that represents sufficient mastery of the content of the course to merit recommendation for graduation

U (Fail) work that represents insufficient mastery of the content of the course to earn credit, and is equivalent to an F.

TEMPORARY GRADES FOR MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENTS

The temporary notation of IP (In Progress) is given for Honor Projects and Supervised Ministry courses that extend over more than one term. No academic credit is awarded for IP. A student may be assigned an E for incomplete work. In order to receive an E, the student must complete the Extension Form with all required signatures and a set an extension date before the end of the term. The extension date cannot extend beyond the following dates: Fall Term, December 31; January Term, January 31; Spring Term, May 31; and Summer Term, August 31. Students cannot begin another course in a subsequent academic term, until all coursework is complete from courses from all previous academic terms. Students who experience lengthy illnesses or have other unusual circumstances may be granted a longer period to complete their work by the dean of faculty. All grades of E are automatically changed to F if the extension deadline for completing the work expires.

ADMIT-ACADEMIC PROBATION FOR FIRSTLEVEL MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS

An entering first-level master’s degree student whose prior academic work is below the seminary’s admissions standards (e.g., 2.30 GPA) will receive an admissions decision of admit-academic probation. This will allow the seminary to monitor the student’s academic progress and better support the student as they begin their academic journey. A student who receives such an admission decision shall: • Be afforded full student privileges, including financial aid and housing; • Be expected to schedule and attend monthly meetings with their advisor; • Not be permitted to register for courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis; • Be reviewed by the Academic Standing

Commission upon the completion of twelve (12) semester credit hours, to determine if the student may be (1) removed from admitacademic probation status, (2) placed on further academic probation, or (3) dismissed from their academic program.

GRADING FOR ADVANCED DEGREE STUDENTS

The grading scale for ThM, DMin, and DEdMin students is as follows: A 4.0 B− 2.7 A− 3.7 C+ 2.3 B+ 3.3 C 2.0 B 3.0 F 0.0

S (Pass) work that represents sufficient mastery of the content of the course to merit recommendation for graduation

U (Fail)work that represents insufficient mastery of the content of the course to earn credit, and is equivalent to an F.

COURSE COMPLETION FOR ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL DEGREE STUDENTS

If a course requires work to be completed after the last class meeting, the student may have up to sixty days to complete the work. Under unusual circumstances, and before the end of the sixty days, the student may request a thirty-day extension. This request must be made through the Office of Academic Affairs. A grade of F will be automatically assigned if all work is not completed by the end of the course, the end of the sixty days when the syllabus so designates, or the end of the thirty-day extension.

ADMIT-ACADEMIC PROBATION FOR ADVANCED DEGREE STUDENTS

An entering advanced degree student whose prior academic work is below the seminary’s admissions standards (e.g., 2.75 GPA for ThM students and 3.0 for DMin and DEdMin students) may receive an admissions decision of admit-academic probation. A student who receives such an admission decision shall have all the privileges of other advanced degree students. As soon as possible after taking the Introductory Seminar and one additional course, the student is expected to consult with their faculty advisor to review their progress. The registrar shall report the grade point average to the Academic Standing Commission. If the student has not achieved a 3.0 GPA, the student will be subject to dismissal from the Advanced Degree program.

All Degree Students

ADDING AND DROPPING COURSES

Courses may only be added during the first five days of class and only dropped during the first twenty days of the fall and spring terms. Greek school may be added within the first three days of class and can be dropped no later than the tenth day of class. In the January term, a class may be added by the second day and dropped by the fifth day of class. Two-week courses can only be added on the first day of class and dropped by the third day of class. A course is only considered dropped at the time the registrar receives written notice to that effect. A student may petition the Office of Academic Affairs for an exception to this policy in special circumstances.

CREDIT HOUR AND VALUATION POLICY

While the educational progress of students cannot ultimately be measured by the number of credits earned, a system of course valuation is necessary to assure consistency in the curriculum. Columbia Theological Seminary defines one (semester) credit hour as equivalent to a minimum of one hour per week on in-class instruction or engaged learning over 12 weeks of instruction, plus two more weeks of out-of-class independent learning in which exams are taken or papers are produced, for a total of 14 weeks. It is expected that for each one credit hour, a minimum of two hours of preparation has taken place. A three-credit course would indicate at least 36 hours of instruction, plus two periods of assessment through examinations and/or production of written work, along with the necessary out-ofclass preparation.

DMin and DEdMin courses ordinarily meet over a two-week period for a minimum of 30 hours of direct in-class instruction, as well as in engaged learning activities outside the classroom, including

small groups, online discussion forums, and pre- and post-course assignments, for a minimum of 36 hours of guided instruction for a 3-credit course.

For supervised ministry courses 200 hours of engagement is awarded 3 credit hours and 400 hours of engagement is awarded 6 credit hours. This correlates with the time and credit level of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education which awards CPE credit.

Satisfactory completion of a course, however, is determined finally not by time invested but by learning goals and objectives achieved by the student.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Students are allowed one independent study per degree program. Petitions for proposed independent studies must be submitted in writing to the dean of faculty for approval prior to registration. The full procedure for receiving approval for an independent study is outlined in the student handbook.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Academic probation reflects unsatisfactory academic progress by a continuing student. Therefore, students are automatically placed on academic probation when: • A continuing MA(TS), MAPT, or MDiv student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.30 • A continuing ThM, DMin, or DEdMin student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00.

A student on academic probation: • Shall be reviewed by the Academic Standing

Commission, • Shall be expected to consult monthly with their advisor, and • Shall not be permitted to elect to take graded courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis At the end of every term in which grades are recorded, the Office of Academic Affairs shall review the academic progress of all degree-seeking students and provide the Academic Standing Commission six lists of students: • Students on admit-academic probation who have successfully attained the required cumulative grade-point average, • Students on admit-academic probation who are to be placed on academic probation, • Continuing students whose cumulative grade point average places them on academic probation, • Students who are to be considered for academic dismissal, • Students who failed one or more courses, • Students who are to be dismissed according to the CTS drop out policy.

After reviewing these lists, the Academic Standing Commission informs the student(s) in writing of their status, and report to the financial aid officer and vice president for enrollment and student affairs any changes in status that might have a bearing on financial aid.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

A MA(TS), MAPT, MDiv or MDiv/Dual student is dismissed when they: • Do not raise their cumulative grade point average to or above a 2.30 by the next semester after being placed on academic probation, or • Shall have failed in the aggregate any 9 credit hours of coursework (e.g., receiving F or U grades).

A ThM, DMin, or DEdMin is dismissed when they: • Fail to raise their cumulative grade point average to or above a 3.00 with the next course after being placed on academic probation, or • Fail any course at any time during the degree program (e.g., receiving F or U grades). • Do not make satisfactory progress in a doctoral degree because of inactivity by failing to register for more than two consecutive long terms.

A student who is dismissed for academic reasons may not take classes, live on campus, or shall not have any of the privileges afforded to students.

APPEALS

Any decision of the Academic Standing Commission may be appealed to the faculty by filing a written notice of appeal with the dean of faculty within two weeks after the student receives the decision of the Academic Standing Commission. Christian Church. Persons are accepted into degree programs with the requirement that should they become the subject of criminal, civil, or ecclesiastical proceedings they will report the fact of those proceedings and their outcomes to the Judicial Commission of the faculty. The determination of when not to award a degree based upon moral failings of the candidate is the sole and exclusive province of the institution, represented by its faculty and Board of Trustees.

A first or second-level master’s degree student’s appeal will be presented to the faculty at its next stated business meeting.

If they have been dismissed for lack of satisfactory progress in their program, a doctoral degree student’s appeal must be accompanied by a plan of completion. Doctoral student appeals will be adjudicated by: • The dean of faculty, if they have been dismissed for lack of progress in the program. The dean will approve or deny the appeal upon review of the student’s plan and schedule for completion of degree requirements, in consultation with the commission and the associate dean of advanced professional studies. • The faculty at the next scheduled business meeting if the student was dismissed for an unsatisfactory course grade or overall GPA.

After the appeals, the Academic Standing Commission shall inform the student(s) in writing of their status and report to the financial aid officer and vice president for enrollment and student affairs any changes in status that might have a bearing on financial aid.

The decision of the faculty shall be final.

MORAL CONDUCT

The faculty and the Board of Trustees of Columbia reserve the right to refuse to grant a degree to any individual in any degree program whose moral conduct raises serious questions about that person’s personal integrity or fitness for service in the

DISCIPLINARY CASES

The Columbia Theological Seminary Amended and Restated Bylaws and Plan of Government (2013) states, “Upon matriculation, the Seminary and each student shall enter into the following covenant: Relying upon God’s grace, will you, so long as you are a student of Columbia Theological Seminary, promise and covenant to: • be diligent in your studies, • seek academic excellence, • pursue such learning as joins mind and heart, and • strive to live your life consistent with your calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ?”

Furthermore, the governance documents clearly place the faculty under the supervision of the president and accountable to the Board with the authority to adjudicate matters related to conduct. “The faculty, subject to the oversight of the Board, may establish such policies and regulations concerning student and community conduct as the faculty shall deem necessary, the provisions of which shall be administered by the faculty under the supervision of the president” (2013, Article V, section 3).

When a member of the seminary community becomes personally aware of a circumstance which could potentially lead to disciplinary action against a student the matter may be brought to the Judicial Commission by a written complaint filed with the dean of faculty. The complaint shall include all relevant information, including the names of any witnesses. Prior to filing the complaint, the complainant may, but shall not be required to,

resolve the matter with the person complained about. Upon receipt of a complaint, the dean may determine to resolve the complaint administratively if: (i) the complaint alleges a first offense by the accused, and (ii) the acts complained about are not egregious in the judgment of the dean. In such case, the dean, the accused, and the complainant shall meet and endeavor to adjudicate the complaint with appropriate action and/or admonition.

If a complaint is not resolved administratively, the Judicial Commission shall initially review the complaint. The advisor of the student against whom the complaint has been lodged and other members of the administration and the faculty may be consulted by the Judicial Commission as it may determine necessary or appropriate. If the Judicial Commission determines that the allegations of the complaint would, if established, provide the basis for disciplinary action, it shall schedule a hearing. Prior to the hearing, the complaint and any additional information pertinent to the case uncovered during the Judicial Commission’s review shall be provided to the student against whom the complaint has been lodged. At the hearing, the student against whom the complaint has been lodged shall have opportunity to examine the person making the complaint and respond to all evidence introduced at the hearing concerning the complaint, and present evidence and / or witnesses in the student's own defense. Both the complainant and the accused may be accompanied by an advocate, such as a student’s advisor or friend, but representation by external legal counsel is not permitted. If the student accused does not attend the hearing, the Commission is authorized to respond to resolve the matter notwithstanding such absence. Following the hearing, the Judicial Commission shall deliberate in private. The Judicial Commission may:

• Determine that no cause for disciplinary action exists and declare the matter closed without further action. • Impose corrective actions it deems appropriate, including the issuance of a warning to the student, placing the student on disciplinary probation. • Suspend or dismiss the student or impose such other discipline as it deems appropriate. • Recommend to the faculty that the student be expelled from the Seminary. • Require that the student vacate Seminary housing, even if he or she may be permitted to continue as a student.

The decisions of the Judicial Commission will ordinarily be communicated in writing to the parties involved, the student’s advisor, and the ecclesiastical body having oversight for the student’s preparation for ministry (as appropriate). A log of all proceedings and actions will be kept securely by the Seminary.

EXPULSION

In the case of a recommendation by the Judicial Commission that the faculty expel a student, the faculty shall have responsibility for considering whether expulsion is appropriate. The president shall notify a student in writing no later than fifteen days prior to the date of a faculty meeting at which a recommendation concerning the student's expulsion is to be considered by the faculty, such notification to include the time and place of the faculty meeting. The student shall be provided an opportunity at such meeting to present to the faculty any information relevant to the student's case. The student shall not be entitled to be represented by legal counsel.

The decision of the faculty will be communicated in writing to the accused student, to the Judicial Commission, and to the ecclesiastical body having oversight for the student’s preparation for ministry (as applicable).

A student who is expelled may not take classes, live on campus (except in the case of a spouse of a continuing student), or have any of the privileges afforded to students. A student who has been expelled may not apply for readmission to the Seminary.

While any complaint is pending before the Judicial Commission and/or the faculty, the president has discretionary authority to suspend the accused from participating in classes and / or seminary housing when such action is necessary for the general welfare of the seminary community.

APPEALS

The decisions of the Judicial Commission (other than a recommendation of expulsion) may be appealed to the faculty in writing by filing a notice of appeal with the dean of the faculty within ten (10) days after the decision of the Commission. The faculty shall follow the procedures required for expulsion in the case of an appeal. There shall be no appeal beyond the faculty.

Withdrawal from Seminary

WITHDRAWAL

A student considering withdrawal is treated with special concern. The dean of students and the advisor will help in thinking through personal and vocational implications. The advisor will counsel regarding academic implications. A student who withdraws from Columbia forfeits all financial assistance (scholarships and financial aid) previously awarded for the term in which such action occurs. A student must follow one of the processes below. A student who does not follow the appropriate procedures will continue to be responsible for expenses incurred at Columbia, will receive F grades in all courses, and will not be eligible for readmission. Temporary withdrawal with return in a specific time: The student must • Discuss the reasons with the the dean of students; • Fill out a withdrawal form; and • Clear all accounts with the Business Office,

Library, and the Office of Student Financial

Services. A student in good standing may be readmitted by the dean of faculty within one year following withdrawal; beyond this, action by the Academic Standing Commission is required.

PERMANENT WITHDRAWAL:

The student must • Discuss the situation with the dean of students and sign a withdrawal form; • Clear all accounts with the Business Office,

Library, and the Office of Student Financial

Services.

Readmission is through the Academic Standing Commission for a period of up to two years; beyond that, the regular admissions process must be used. The form for temporary or permanent withdrawal can be found on Student eCampus under academic forms or by contacting the registrar.

INACTIVITY AND DISMISSAL

A student enrolled in the MDiv, MAPT, MA(TS), or ThM programs who does not register for classes in two consecutive semester terms will be asked to initiate a temporary or permanent withdrawal. If the student does not respond, they shall be dismissed. A letter informing the student of this action will be sent to the student’s last known address by registered mail. If the student left in good standing, the student may petition the dean of faculty within two weeks of receiving the letter of dismissal to register for classes for the next term and continue in the degree program.

A DMin or DEdMin student who does not register for classes for 12 months will be contacted by the associate dean of advanced professional studies and encouraged to register for additional courses at the earliest opportunity. If the student indicates that they do not intend to continue in the program, the student will be requested to initiate a temporary or permanent withdrawal. If the student does not then register for classes in the next 12 months, or initiate a temporary or permanent withdrawal, they will be automatically considered inactive and will be dismissed from the program. A letter informing the student of this action will be sent to the student’s last known address by registered mail. If the student left in good standing, they may petition the dean of faculty within two weeks of receiving the letter of dismissal to register for classes for the next term and continue in the degree program.