Academic Information

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Masland Learning Resource Center

The Masland Learning Resource Center provides materials and services to students, faculty, and staff of Philadelphia Biblical University. Materials include nearly 200,000 volumes of books, reference works, periodicals, and materials in other media. The Center houses special collections as well as rare books, and archival materials. Two computer labs are available for use by students. A fully updated teacher education curriculum lab, two conference rooms, and a writing lab provide opportunity for students’ research and review.

Five professional librarians and other library staff are available for reference consultation, bibliographic instruction, and other assistance. A valid University ID card provides access to the library. The library catalog and on-line electronic databases can be accessed through the library’s web page (www.library.pbu.edu), which also contains important information regarding library policies, hours, and staff.

Bookstore

The bookstore offers students a selection of evangelical Christian publications, and serves students in the purchase of textbooks and school supplies.

Students in all graduate programs are classified as full time when enrolled for six (6) credit hours or more during an academic semester, except for the Master of Divinity program which requires nine (9) credit hours for full-time status. Students are classified as part time when enrolled for less than a full-time load. Students are classified as half time when enrolled in three to five (3-5) credit hours (5-8 credit hours for the M.Div. program) during an academic semester.

Program chairs and enrollment counselors are available to assist students in course planning. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to ensure that all course and program requirements are satisfactorily met. It is recommended that a student contact, by phone or in person, his/her enrollment counselor at least once a semester to check on his/her academic progress.

Regular class attendance is essential for satisfactory academic performance. Students are responsible for class content and experiences - vital components of course work. Faculty evaluate each student’s record of attendance in determining the student’s final grade. Each student is expected to attend and be a participating member of each class session. In the event an absence is unavoidable, it is the student’s responsibility to acquire what was missed in class. The University requires attendance at a minimum of 70 percent of class sessions, whether for credit or audit. Students who do not attend 70 percent of class sessions will receive a failing grade for the course. Professors are free to set attendance requirements higher than the 70 percent established by the University. Class attendance requirements are stated in the course syllabus.

Philadelphia Biblical University follows the 4.0 grade point system and requires a 2.5 cumulative grade point average for graduation (3.0 for Christian Counseling, Educational Leadership and Administration, and teacher certification programs).

An Incomplete grade (I) is given in unusual circumstances only. An Incomplete Grade Contract must be completed by the faculty member and signed by the student with an agreed upon deadline date. A maximum of twelve (12) weeks may be allowed for completion of course requirements. An I grade is automatically changed to an F if a new grade is not submitted by the deadline date. Removal of an I or NR (No Grade Reported) is the student’s responsibility. No student may graduate with an I or NR in any course.

Students may withdraw from a course through the end of the tenth week of class or its equivalent with approval from the faculty member and program chair. Forms are available from the Registrar’s Office and enrollment counselors. Registration adjustments during the first two weeks of a semester are handled via the add/drop process. Following this period, the charge for processing the course withdrawal is $10.00. Students who withdraw from a course must continue to attend class until they receive official notification that the request has been approved. The course from which a student withdraws will be graded with a WP (withdrawal while passing), WF (withdrawal while failing), or WA (audit-official withdrawal). Any student who stops attending class without submitting the proper paperwork within the official deadline will receive an F. It is recommended that students meet with their program chair or enrollment counselor prior to course withdrawal.

Students are considered “students on record” until they complete all withdrawal procedures or are notified that by default they have withdrawn themselves. All pertinent school regulations are binding until withdrawal procedures have been completed or notification of withdrawal by default has been received from the University. Withdrawal will not be official nor will a refund be given (see Refund Policy) until the withdrawal form is signed by the appropriate University officials and returned to the Registrar’s Office.

Upon official withdrawal from the University, the student’s academic record will show a W. Failure to complete the necessary withdrawal procedures results in a final grade of F for all courses. It is recommended that students meet with their program chair or enrollment counselor prior to University withdrawal.

Good Academic Standing

A student is considered to be in good academic standing when his or her cumulative grade point average is 2.50 or above (3.0 for Christian Counseling, Educational Leadership and Administration, and teacher certification programs).

Probation Status

Students having a cumulative grade point average below 2.50 (3.00 for Christian Counseling, Educational Leadership and Administration, and teacher certification programs) are subject to academic dismissal. However, the dean of the appropriate school may allow the student to continue and place the student on academic probation for the following semester. Probationary students are limited to two courses (no more than six credits) for the semester during which they are on probation. In order to be removed from probation, students must earn a grade point average of 3.00 or above in the semester during which they are on probation, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher (3.00 or higher for Christian Counseling, Educational Leadership and Administration, and teacher certification programs).

Academic Dismissal

Students whose cumulative grade point average is below the academic minimum at the end of a semester will be subject to academic dismissal and will be notified if dismissal action is taken. The dean of the appropriate school may elect to allow a student to continue and place the student on academic probation.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

If extenuating circumstances are present, the student may appeal an academic dismissal decision to the dean of the appropriate school within two weeks of receipt of the dismissal letter.

The University confers degrees on students who have fulfilled the following conditions:

1. Completion of one of the graduate programs offered by the University with a grade point average of 2.5 or above. The Christian Counseling, Educational Leadership and Administration, and teacher certification programs require a grade point average of 3.00 or above.
2. Approved Christian character as evidenced by stability, maturity, and cooperation.
3. Approval of the faculty and Board of Trustees.

Appeal Process

If a conflict occurs between a student and faculty member, the two parties should make every effort at resolution. If the conflict cannot be resolved, the student may make a written appeal to the chair of the program in which the faculty member serves. In case of a disagreement related to a specific course, the appeal should be made to the chair of the program in which the course is offered. The appeal process may proceed to the dean of the appropriate school and finally to the registrar who will make the final determination in such conflicts. In this process an appeal to the next level must be submitted within two weeks of the written outcome of the previous level of appeal. All appeals must be in writing and include a brief statement of the problem and previous steps to resolve it. All administrative decisions will be sent to the student in writing.

The student’s academic records are maintained in the Registrar’s Office. Included are GRE scores, college transcripts from transferring institutions, and PBU academic records. Application to the University, recommendations, correspondence, and other admissions documents are kept in a file located in the Admissions Office prior to and during enrollment.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the University may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
   The University considers some information to be directory information that may be disclosed to others without student permission. This includes items such as name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, dates of enrollment, classification, degree(s) received, awards, honors, program of study, previous institutions attended, date and place of birth, participation in activities, height and weight of members of athletic teams, and photographic image of the student. However, if a student does not want this information released, he or she must fill out the Request to Withhold Directory Information form. This form must be filled out each year by October 15 in order for the University to withhold this information.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education (Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-5901) concerning alleged failures of Philadelphia Biblical University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.