Each student is assigned a faculty advisor for assistance in planning a program of study. This advisor serves as the student’s immediate counselor throughout his or her time at the Seminary. In order to ensure that each student stays within the boundaries of the degree program, the student should meet with his or her advisor each semester to complete and maintain an accurate progress sheet. The student should notify his or her advisor of any course changes made, including any courses resulting in an F. The student should also notify the advisor of any transferred courses.
A request to change an advisor assignment must be submitted by the student to the Student Academics Office. The request must also be approved by the Vice President for Academics.
All students in their final year of studies must sign a graduating progress sheet, which, when also signed by the advisor and Vice President for Academics, becomes a contract for graduation and reception of the appropriate diploma. This progress sheet should be signed in the Fall semester prior to the following Spring graduation and in the Spring/Summer terms prior to the following December graduation.
The Seminary believes that each advisor has responsibility not only for academic guidance, but for a measure of spiritual and personal guidance as well. The Vice President for Academics and Director of Counseling and Testing are also available for further consultation, after a student has met with his or her advisor.
REGISTRATION
All students must register courses for each term during the time designated for that purpose. Students who do not register during the designated time will be charged a Late Registration Fee.
Students wishing to enroll after this period must have permission from the Vice President for Academics.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
If a current student who has earned satisfactory academic progress chooses not to enroll in the next term, the student should notify the Registrar's Office of this intent and of his or her expected term of returning. Failure to enroll for one academic year or more will require the student to apply for readmission. Special students may not resume degree-seeking status when they return after a leave of absence.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance of all classes is required. Absences of more than one hour of class time for each credit hour must be specifically excused by the instructor. Unexcused absences in excess of two hours of class time for each credit hour will normally require that the student be withdrawn from the class or have his or her grade reduced for the course. In the case of those receiving VA or federal loans, the Veterans Administration or loan-granting agency will be promptly notified of any change in status.
GRADING SYSTEM
The following factors are considered in assessing work and assigning grades:
Information Gained – demonstration of usable knowledge of pertinent data, accurately assembled and organized (to include terms, ideas, theories, dates, names, events, people, places, institutions, processes, documents, etc.).
Ability to use Methodology – demonstration of ability to use advantageously the tools and resources of that particular discipline in a way that is fruitful for that course.
Ability to Communicate – demonstration of ability to organize and communicate material pertinent to that subject area, including written and, where applicable, verbal skills.
Evidence of Originality – demonstration of fresh and new insights into the subject matter and/or its methodology and application.The Pentecostal Theological Seminary uses letter grades, which are to be interpreted by the following guidelines:
A= EXCELLENT – represents a high level of information gained, ability to use methodology, ability to communicate, and evidence of originality.
B= ABOVE AVERAGE – represents an above-average grasp of the information and methodology, a commensurate ability to communicate, an industrious attitude, and thoroughness.
C= AVERAGE – represents acceptable work, but tends to be mechanical and lacking in originality and depth. It may reflect a lack of concern to excel or ability to demonstrate insight into material studied.
D= BELOW AVERAGE – represents unsatisfactory achievement in all areas, but is passing.
E= EXTENSION OF TIME – Students may apply for an Extension of Time to complete course requirements for the Fall and Spring terms. Extensions are not available for online, directed/independent study, or J-term
courses. To request an Extension of Time, the student must complete an Extension of Time application and obtain the approval of the course instructor, his or her academic advisor, and the Vice President for Academics. The designated application fee must also be paid (the Extension of Time form is available on the Seminary's website at the PTS Forms site in Populi). If the Extension of Time is approved, the deadlines for outstanding work are as follows: January 15 for Fall semester and June 17 for Spring semester. (The deadline for DMIN extended work is April 1.) The student will receive a grade of E until the outstanding work is submitted or until the deadline date (whichever comes first). Students not submitting work by the extension deadline will receive a grade of F. The grade will not be changed and the course must be repeated to receive credit. Students may not be allowed to enroll for J-term courses if they have Extension of Time course work that has not been submitted. An application for Extension of Time must be made by the last day of regular classes and is granted for approximately four weeks. (DMIN students must submit Extension Time requests no later than March 1, the deadline for completion of all DMIN course work). Students in their last semester before graduation are not eligible for extensions. NOTE: Extensions may jeopardize academic progress as well as financial aid eligibility.
F= UNACCEPTABLE – represents work that fails to meet the requirements for a seminary course or failure of the student to file for an incomplete. If the course is repeated and successfully passed, the new grade, rather than the
F, will be used in calculating the student’s GPA and the first course will be expunged from the transcript. The course must be repeated if it is over a year old and the grade received was an F.
I= INCOMPLETE – An Incomplete is not lightly given. It is designed for the rare occasion when the student has been seriously ill or suffered some other hardship beyond his or her control. (Procrastination is not an acceptable
reason). To receive an Incomplete (I), the student must submit an Incomplete application for approval by the course instructor, his or her academic advisor, and the Vice President for Academics. The designated application fee must also be paid. (The Incomplete applications is available on the Seminary's website at the PTS forms site in Populi). The request must be submitted no later than the last day of exams. (DMIN students must submit requests for an Incomplete no later than March 1, the deadline for completion of all DMIN coursework). Incompletes are not available for online courses. If the I is not removed within one year from the date of enrollment in the course, it automatically becomes an F, and the student will be required to repeat the course (scholarships will not cover a repeated course). Note: Incompletes may jeopardize academic progress as well as financial aid eligibility.
PASS – represents enrollment and participation in a course with no credit.
W= WITHDRAWAL – Withdrawal from a class is permitted any time before the last day of class. The student, if on scholarship, becomes financially responsible for the course. Failure to officially withdraw from a course will
result in the student being failed for the course and a grade of F recorded on the his or her transcript. NOTE: Although Withdrawals do not affect the student's GPA, they may jeopardize academic progress as well as financial aid eligibility.
AU = AUDIT – represents enrollment and participation in a course with no credit.
P = AUDIT – represents enrollment and participation in a course with no credit.
Note: No grade may be changed without written approval of the instructor and the Vice President for Academics. A grade change submitted for a student who has not previously applied for an Incomplete or Extension of Time will only be considered in exceptional cases. In such cases, student shall not be entitled to a grade higher than B. The student shall pay a $100 fee for the grade change. A written appeal can be made to the Academics Office by the faculty member and the student in question for circumstances deemed to warrant special consideration in handling such exceptional grade change requests.
VALUES FOR LETTER GRADES
A = 4.0 A- = 3.7
B = 3.0 B+= 3.3
B-=2.7 C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0 C-=1.7
D+ = 1.3 D = 1.0
F = 0 and affects the GPA.
AU, E, I, and W do not affect the GPA.
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