Academic Policies
Classification of Students
Regular Standing. Students who intend to obtain a Master’s degree and who have met all admission requirements are granted regular standing in the GPR. Only those students who have regular standing may become candidates for the Master’s degree.
Provisional Standing. This classification is used for students who have the B.A. degree but either lack some of the prerequisite undergraduate courses which are needed for regular standing (24 units of Religion, for example), the B.A. degree is from a nonregionally accredited institution, or have a deficient GPA. Students with provisional standing will be moved to regular standing after completing their course prerequisites and/or after demonstrating ability to do graduate level work by completing twelve (12) units of graduate study with at least a "B" (M.A.) or "B-" (M.T.S.) in each course.
Note: When a student is ready to transition from "provisional" to "regular standing," he or she will request a Change of Standing form from the OGPR. Once received, the student’s academic advisor and the Graduate Studies Director, who will review the "change of status" and advise accordingly, will process the request.
Student-at-Large. Students who have an earned a B.A. degree but who do not plan to earn the Master’s degree may be granted special standing in the GPR. With special standing, students may apply to the GPR for regular standing in the degree program of their choice by completing the regular application packet. However, the University and the GPR are not obligated to accept a student with special standing into regular degree status. An abbreviated application form is available from the Graduate Admissions Office or the OGPR for students applying for student-at-large standing.
Students who are currently in their senior year and within 18 units of completing their Bachelor’s degree program (including the VUSC general education religion requirements) also may be granted Student-at-Large admission. Students may enroll simultaneously in undergraduate and graduate coursework while completing the requirements for the Bachelor’s degree. Such students are not considered candidates for a Master’s degree. An abbreviated application form is available from the Graduate Admissions office or the OGPR. When the Bachelor’s degree is complete, students may re-apply for full admission into the graduate program. At that time, a regular application packet will be completed. A maximum of sixteen (16) credit hours of graduate coursework may be applied toward the Master’s degree requirements.
Auditor. Auditor status is the classification for students who attend classes for personal enrichment rather than for academic credit, with no obligations to participate actively in the work. Audit courses do not earn units of credit. All students who audit any course will complete the audit form available in the OGPR. Students who take audit courses exclusively will complete the abbreviated application form. Audit students are welcome in any available course.
- Part-time students (8 graduate units or less) or students taking only audit courses will be charged an audit fee (approximately one-half regular tuition rate per unit) for each audited course. Each audited course will be recorded on the student's transcript.
- Full-time students (9 graduate units or more) may audit one graduate-level course per qualifying semester free of charge on a space-available basis.
- Alumni/ae of the Graduate Program in Religion, and graduate students who have completed all required coursework toward the M.A. or M.T.S. (excluding the exit option), may attend one graduate religion Master’s level course per semester free of charge on a space available, professor approved basis.
International Students. International students are required to complete the admissions process for acceptance by the University and submit a certification of finances form to confirm sufficient financial resources to cover tuition and related expenses (fees, books, living expenses, and return fare home). Also, one year tuition and living costs must be deposited with the University before a Certificate of Eligibility (for non-immigrants "F-1" Student Status — form I-20) is issued. International students must maintain nine (9) graduate level credits of non-repeatable courses each semester and renew the I-20 forms annually for any travel outside of the United States.
All students need to be fluent in English to follow course lectures and complete their written assignments. The Graduate Religion Admissions Committee might require documentation for fluency in English. Such tests as TOEFL and/or TSE might be required for international students whose first language is not English. A minimum score of 650 is normally expected. A (slightly) lower score may be accepted if accompanied by documentation of a successful evaluation from an English as a Second Language program (ESL) here in the United States. Students that have not mastered English but are granted admission may need to enroll in English and composition classes and employ (at prevailing rates) an editor to assist in the completion of their exit option written work.
Scheduling Courses
Many graduate students are adult learners who work full time. Therefore, OGPR makes every attempt to schedule courses at times that will facilitate progress in the degree program. Most courses will be scheduled in three-hour blocks, afternoon or evening, once a week. Other courses will be scheduled for several weekends during a given semester. In most cases, students should be able to carry a full load, and still limit travel time to and from campus . The faculty and staff can help evaluate individual students’ ability to handle a full-time course load.
Special ministry groups or cohorts use unique intensified schedule formats for the M.A. degree with a Leadership Studies concentration. Contact the OGPR for specific information for English dominant or Spanish dominant cohorts.
The typical academic year is structured as follows:
Fall Semester — is generally scheduled from late August into the second week of December. Full-time status is a minimum of nine (9) units.
Spring Semester — is generally scheduled from mid-January to early May. Full-time status is a minimum of nine (9) units.
Summer Semester — is generally scheduled from mid-May through mid-July and is divided into three modules of three-week sessions which makes earning nine (9) units during the Summer semester possible. However, the majority of courses offered during the summer are one week, all day intensive formats.
Course Schedule Changes
When circumstances necessitate changes in a course schedule, students are required to complete and file an Add/Drop form in the Records Office. This procedure will adjust and maintain transcripts in a timely and accurate manner. Classes dropped during the first four weeks of the semester are not entered on the transcript. Classes dropped subsequently and up to the end of the eighth week will appear on the transcript with a grade of "W." Classes dropped after the eighth week will receive a grade of "F" without mediation from the professor. At the discretion of the professor, a "WP" or "WF" (to replace the "F") may be granted.
The course professor(s) and the student's academic advisor must approve all regularly scheduled classes added after the first five days of classes.
Courses offered at several hours each meeting day are treated as combined days. (A seven-hour day might constitute up to 3-4 days.) Therefore, withdrawals should be made before the first day of the first session. If withdrawal is necessary from a special format course after it has begun, you may request the Records Office to calculate the effect on your transcript, and Business Services the effect on your account.
Tuition Scholarships
Students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must request a Financial Assistance Pre-Qualification form from the OGPR. Various scholarship opportunities exist as explained in the Financing Your Graduate Degree in Religion brochure, also available from the OGPR. The priority deadline for the following academic year is June 1.