Inspiring Greatness 2011–12 Inspiring Greatness Graduate Academic Catalog
The Cedarville University Graduate Catalog is published annually. While every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the University reserves the right to change, without notice, statements in the catalog concerning policies, fees, curricula, course offerings, and other matters. 2011–12 Graduate Academic Catalog Introduction...................................................... 3 Profile............................................................................. 3 History........................................................................... 3 Mission.......................................................................... 3 Accreditation.................................................................. 3 Distinctives.................................................................... 4 Diversity Statement. ...................................................... 4 Campus Setting............................................................. 4 The Cedarville Graduate Experience.............. 5 Community Covenant.................................................... 5 Standards of Conduct.................................................... 5 Admissions....................................................... 6 Standards...................................................................... 6 How to Apply.................................................................. 6 Conditional Acceptance................................................. 6 Academic Information. .................................... 7 Academic Advising........................................................ 7 Registration Process...................................................... 7 Classification of Students.............................................. 7 Drop/Add Policy............................................................. 7 Continuation As an Active Student. ............................... 8 Withdrawal Policy. ......................................................... 8 Grading System............................................................. 8 Grade Points and Point Averages.................................. 9 Grade Appeal Process................................................... 9 Petitions and Student Complaints. ................................ 9 Petitions and Student Complaints. ................................ 9 Attendance. ................................................................... 9 Course Load.................................................................. 9 Repeating Courses........................................................ 9 Independent Study........................................................ 9 Transfer Credits............................................................. 9 Transient Study.............................................................10 Graduation Requirements. ...........................................10 Application for Graduation............................................10 Controlling Catalog.......................................................10 Student Responsibility..................................................10 Academic Integrity........................................................10 Financial Information......................................11 University Financial Operating Policy...........................11 Financial Registration Policy.........................................11 Making Payment...........................................................11 Notification of the University Bill...................................11 Payment Penalties........................................................11 Interest Rates...............................................................11 Financial Aid.................................................................11 Veterans Training Benefits and Dependents Educational Assistance................................................................... 12 Refund and Withdrawal. .............................................. 12 Federal Refund............................................................ 12 Federal Refund Policy for Stafford Loans.................... 12 Campus Services........................................... 13 Summer Housing Information...................................... 13 Library......................................................................... 32 Computer Services...................................................... 13 Computer Help............................................................ 14 Recreation Center. ...................................................... 14 Food Services. ............................................................ 14 Campus Safety............................................................ 14 Master of Education....................................... 15 Master of Science in Nursing........................ 19 Course Descriptions...................................... 24 Appendix......................................................... 31 Board of Trustees......................................................... 31 Administration.............................................................. 31 Other Faculty............................................................... 32 Doctrinal Statement..................................................... 33 Index............................................................................ 34 Contents Home to 3,200 Christian students, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist university of arts, sciences, professional, and graduate programs. Established in 1887
Page3 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Introduction Profile Cedarville University is a Christ-centered, Baptist university of arts, sciences, graduate, and professional programs. Since its founding, Cedarville has coupled a balanced liberal arts program with a conservative, theological position in regard to doctrine and biblical living. All classes are taught by dedicated Christian professors who integrate the knowledge of their respective fields with biblical perspectives. History Cedarville College was established on January 26, 1887, through the vision of five godly men who dreamed of a college that would provide Christian young people with education that was offered within a spiritual framework. Affiliated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the College attracted many area students and built its first building, “Old Main,” now called “Founders Hall,” in 1895. Year after year, Cedarville attracted a record number of students and soon gained a reputation not only for its Bible teaching but also for its liberal arts program. The turbulence of the first 50 years of the 20th century led to hard times for the College. Following WWII and one final attempt at revitalization, the trustees realized that the enrollment could not support expenses. The College would have to find another church group to assume its operation or close its doors. At that time the trustees of the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland, Ohio, were seeking a campus on which to expand. Hearing of Cedarville College, they visited the campus and were convinced that Cedarville was the site that God had chosen for their school. Upon mutual agreement by both trustee boards, ownership of the College was transferred on April 4, 1953. Cedarville College became a Baptist college of arts and sciences. James T. Jeremiah, the pastor who first suggested the Baptist Bible Institute-Cedarville College connection, was called to be the College’s president. Soon the College was alive and flourishing. By 1959, the enrollment had grown to 255. Faculty, staff, and facilities were added. Six years later the student body had nearly tripled to 763. By the end of Dr. Jeremiah’s 25-year tenure as president in 1978, the College’s enrollment had grown to more than 1,200 students. Paul Dixon was then called to lead Cedarville College. Through his leadership, the College flourished in every area, with nearly 3,000 students, more than 100 programs of study, and many new facilities. During the 1998–99 school year, the College initiated its first graduate degree program and, in 2002, graduated its first class to receive the Master of Education degree. In April of 2000, the board of trustees voted to change the designation of the institution from college to university effective September 1, 2000. Under the leadership of the current University president, Dr. William Brown, the future looks bright for Cedarville University as it seeks God’s continued blessing. To learn more about the history of Cedarville, visit cedarville.edu/ cedarvillehistory. Mission Cedarville University is a Christ-centered learning community equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth. The University achieves its mission by accomplishing the following objectives or “portrait statements” which reflect characteristics of a Cedarville University graduate: Glorify God The Cedarville graduate exemplifies devotion to the triune God, Christlike character, and faithfulness to the teachings of the Scriptures. Think Broadly and Deeply The Cedarville graduate evaluates ideas, practices, and theories across disciplines within the framework of God’s revelation. Communicate Effectively The Cedarville graduate listens well, and produces and delivers clear, compelling, accurate, and truthful messages in a relevant, respectful manner. Develop Academically and Professionally The Cedarville graduate demonstrates competence and integrity in academic and professional endeavors. Engage for Christ The Cedarville graduate lives to further the mission of Christ in the world as an active influence in spiritual, moral, professional, and social spheres. Accreditation Cedarville University is a four-year and graduate degreegranting institution chartered by the state of Ohio and certified by the Ohio Board of Regents, web: http://regents.ohio.gov. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, web: www.ncahlc.org, phone: 312-263-0456. This recognition signifies that the University is regionally accredited. Accreditation information for individual programs is included in the Academic Programs section in this catalog. Cedarville University also holds membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. For a listing of additional memberships, visit cedarville.edu/accreditations.
Page4 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Distinctives The primary intention of all graduate and first professional degree programs at Cedarville University is to provide educational programs characterized by four distinctives: • Biblical integration: Consistent with the University’s primary mission to “provide an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth,” all graduate and first professional degree programs seek to integrate the knowledge base of their disciplines with the principles and precepts of Scripture. Students are encouraged to develop a biblically based faith and life perspective concerning material presented in all courses. • Practical intervention: Graduate and first professional degree programs at Cedarville University are created to meet the needs of Christians as they wrestle with the opportunities and challenges presented in a variety of profit and nonprofit career fields. Students are encouraged to focus on critical analysis and problem-solving approaches in all real-life issues. • Personal interaction: Graduate and first professional degree programs at Cedarville University are designed to promote interaction among students and teachers as a learning community committed to articulating, assessing, and acting on ideas. Students are encouraged to engage in team-based collaboration in all courses. • Technological innovation: Graduate and first professional degree programs at Cedarville University build upon the capabilities provided by the University’s CedarNet computer network to empower both program participants and instructors to calculate, communicate, collaborate, and contribute more effectively and efficiently. Students are encouraged to aggressively use information technology in their professional fields. Diversity Statement Cedarville University actively seeks to attract and serve a diverse group of Christian employees and students who exercise their spiritual calling to be agents of reconciliation; pursuing unity, peace, and community in an atmosphere that recognizes our union in Christ and celebrates the contributions of all who seek to follow Christ. To learn more about diversity at Cedarville, visit cedarville.edu/diversity. Campus Setting Cedarville University is located on 400 acres at the north edge of the village of Cedarville, Ohio, a quiet town with a population of approximately 4,000. Founded in 1816 at the junction of two state routes, the village and its surrounding area have long provided a wholesome environment for learning. This pleasant setting continues today. Downtown Cedarville features the historic Cedarville Opera House, Cedarville Hardware, two banks, haircutting establishments, post office, pharmacy, convenience store/gas station, a few restaurants, and two coffee shops. Within a mile of the University, Massie Creek and an adjacent park offer recreation and picnic facilities alongside the Little Miami Bike Trail. Rolling hills and farms border the village and University. This beautiful area, which extends westward to John Bryan State Park, has been recognized as one of the most scenic in the Midwest. Cedarville University is conveniently situated with easy access to shopping areas in the cities of Xenia, Beavercreek, Dayton, and Springfield. The University lies in the center of a triangle formed by three interstate highways, I-70, I-75, and I-71, and thus enjoys quick access to Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. These metropolitan areas offer fine dining, professional sporting events, concerts, and employment opportunities. Directions can be found by visiting cedarville.edu/directions. Cedarville University is located in the middle of a triangle formed by Interstates 70, 71, and 75. Springfield Dayton Columbus Cincinnati CEDARVILLE I-70 Rt. 72 I-75 Rt. 42 Rt. 72 I-71
Page5 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix The Cedarville Graduate Experience Community Covenant The Cedarville University community, as brothers and sisters in Christ, covenants together to uphold the following core values as an important part of the mutual support and accountability that we extend to one another. We do not view these core values as matters of mere convenience or personal preference. We believe they are essential marks of lives transformed by God’s grace. As a community of born-again believers, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of these marks of spiritual growth and maturity so that God may be glorified on our campus. • We covenant together to express our love for God through our obedience to the authority of His Word, our practice of spiritual disciplines, and regular expressions of worship and Christian service. • We covenant together to express our love for others through acts of kindness, wholesome and uplifting speech, redemptive expressions of confrontation and forgiveness, merciful acts to those in need, and loving proclamation of the Gospel. • We covenant together to be people of integrity and selfcontrol, truthful in our speech, honest in our conduct, and morally pure in both thought and action. • We covenant together to pursue excellence in all that we do as an expression of our gratitude to God and our desire to be good stewards of all God’s gifts, including our talents, time, and resources. • You may access these guidelines online at cedarville.edu/gradstudentlife Standards of Conduct At Cedarville University, we believe that the principles found in the Bible should govern our daily lives. We recognize that our appearance, words, and actions are a manifestation of our relationship to Christ and a testimony to believers. In addition, we believe that regular attendance and involvement in a local church is evidence of a maturing relationship with Christ. All graduate students are expected to adhere to the guidelines below. You may access these guidelines online at cedarville.edu/ gradstudentlife. • As a community of born-again believers, we believe that pleasing and glorifying God in all that we do and say is an expression of our gratitude to God’s grace and love in our lives (1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:9). We believe it is important to be people of integrity who are truthful in speech and honest in conduct. Therefore, all should seek to serve Christ in an atmosphere free from attitudes of distrust, dishonesty, selfishness, damaging criticism, disrespect, favoritism, unethical conduct, and irreverence (Psalm 15; Matt. 5:33–37; Prov. 15:4; Rom. 13:9–10; Col. 3:8–9; James 2:1–13; Gal. 3:26–29; Rom. 13:1–2; I Tim. 2:8). • The University affirms its belief that our interpersonal relationships are to reflect the biblical principle that all people are made in God’s image and are equal in value. We believe it is important to express our love for others through acts of kindness as well as wholesome and uplifting speech (I Peter 5:5; Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:3–11; Rom. 14:1–23; I Thess. 4:9; Col. 3:12–13). Therefore, it is the expectation that all forms of harassment (which include racial/ethnic, and sexual- and gender-based harassment) are prohibited. In addition, we believe threatening, intimidating, coercing, using abusive or vulgar language, violence or violent threats, or interfering with the performance of other students or employees are neither God-honoring nor acceptable behaviors within or outside the work place and classroom.. • Because of our commitment to moral purity in both thought and action (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 John 3:3), all acts of sexual immorality are viewed as unacceptable behavior (I Cor. 6:18–20; 1 Thess. 4:3–8). • Because of our commitment to moral purity in thought and action (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 John 3:3; Matt. 5:27–28), accessing, possessing, and distributing or downloading pornography is prohibited. • We believe that God has given the gift of intimacy to marriage (Hebrews 13:4). Therefore, we believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should occur outside of marriage. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22–23). • Based on our commitment to moral purity and the gift of intimacy in marriage, we believe that all acts of sexual immorality are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex, i.e., homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, fornication, adultery (Rom. 1:21–27; I Cor. 6:9; Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:31). Therefore, engaging in, living a lifestyle characterized by, or promoting a lifestyle that is in contradiction to this biblical position is prohibited. Graduate students living on campus will have additional standards of conduct expectations as a member of the Cedarville University residential community. Behavior that is not in compliance with the above standards of conduct or that are a felony violation of state or federal law can result in corrective action up to and including expulsion from the University.
Page6 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Admissions Standards Cedarville University invites applications for its graduate and first professional degree programs from college graduates who are able to present strong academic records and a testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. Applicants generally have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university, or an institution specially recognized by Cedarville University. Admission to Cedarville University graduate degree programs is managed by the associated academic department in cooperation with graduate admissions. Some programs have distinctive requirements, but the application process is similar. All admissions are competitive and reflect the judgment of the academic department for which admission is being sought. Those making admission decisions take into account the student’s potential to complete a particular program. The Graduate Admissions Committee carefully considers each applicant’s total record, seeking to make admission decisions that will result in the best fit between the applicant’s interests and abilities and the University’s expectations and values. How to Apply Graduate admissions applications are available at cedarville. edu/gradapply. 1. Complete and submit the graduate admissions application along with a $30 non-refundable application fee. The essay section should be typed (1000-word maximum). The essay will be used to assess both content and communication factors in evaluating your potential success in completing the graduate program. 2. Submit completed recommendation forms from the following: a. Church leader b. Supervisor/employer c. Professional reference 3. Request an official transcript to be sent to Cedarville University from each college and/or university attended. The transcript for your baccalaureate degree must indicate the month and date the degree was granted. 4. Submit the appropriate standardized test score as required by your particular field of study. The test must have been taken within the last five years prior to applying. See admissions standards listed under your particular field of study for required standardized test scores. Successful applicants typically have received competitive scores on their program-appropriate nationally standardized exams. The organizations sponsoring these national exams explicitly discourage the use of absolute cutoff scores and urge all educational institutions to consider the scores within the context of the student’s entire application package. Accordingly, scores from nationally standardized exams will be considered along with other factors in making final admission decisions. 5. International applicants coming from countries in which English is not the native language will need to demonstrate their proficiency in English by taking the TOEFL. Required scores on the TOEFL are a paper-based score of 550 or better, a computer-based score of 213 or better, or an Internet-based score of 80 or better. Cedarville University’s institution code for the TOEFL is 1151. The test must have been taken within the last five years unless the applicant has completed an entire baccalaureate or graduate program in residence in the United States. Applicants for graduate degree programs may be interviewed by a member of the graduate admissions committee and, where beneficial, by representatives from the graduate program for which admission is being sought.. Graduate degree programs at Cedarville University vary in regard to the competitiveness of the admissions process and the timeframe in which that process must be completed. Refer to the admissions requirements for your specific program for this information. Conditional Acceptance A graduate student may be granted conditional acceptance and permitted to take up to 11 credit hours (unless otherwise stipulated by the program area) for any of the following reasons: • Official copies of transcripts have not yet been received by the University. • Required entrance examination scores have not yet been received by the University. • The student’s academic record does not meet typical graduate admission standards but shows potential for success. The decision to grant conditional status is made by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Applicants should feel free to contact graduate admissions to check on the status of materials received Reservation Deposit A reservation deposit must be submitted by new and readmitted students as an indication of their intention to enroll. The amount of the deposit is $150. This money is credited to the student’s account and used to cover first semester expenses. A student must submit a reservation deposit to register for classes. The reservation deposit is non-refundable, except in the case of significant extenuating circumstances. All refund requests must be made in writing by the student and submitted to the graduate admissions department. Instructions for submitting a reservation deposit may be found at cedarville.edu/graddeposit.
Page7 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Academic Information Cedarville University graduate and first professional degree programs are designed to meet the professional, personal, and spiritual needs of adults who desire to honor God with their careers and lives. Truth from Scripture is integrated with the knowledge taught in each course to provide effective learning and enduring life values. The knowledge and skills learned from the curricular experiences provide adults with an excellent background for professional competence in their chosen fields. Academic Advising Each student is assigned to an academic advisor by the director of the particular graduate program. The academic advisor offers counsel concerning course scheduling. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor prior to registration, whenever an academic problem is encountered, or when considering any changes in their educational program. Registration Process Registration dates for each session are listed in the annual academic calendar. Early registration periods are designated for active graduate students. New graduate students must be accepted for admission through the graduate admissions office and pay the reservation deposit of $150 before they are eligible to register. Submitting a reservation deposit may be found at cedarville.edu/graddeposit. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this early registration opportunity. Students who register early for a term but do not enroll for the following semester must notify the office of the registrar of their change in status. Registration information and instructions are distributed from the office of the registrar by e-mail prior to the respective registration periods. Additionally, information regarding course offerings and sections, is available online at cedarville.edu/registrar/graduate. Prior to submitting a course registration, the student is encouraged to consult with his/her academic advisor to discuss course options and class schedules. Although each student has an academic advisor to help with scheduling, the student is responsible for the chosen class schedule, course of study, and progress through the program. Graduate students may register online using a web-based interface called WebAdvisor. The online registration process may be completed from any computer through which the student has internet access. Instructions for using the WebAdvisor program are available on the registrar’s website or from the office of the registrar. After the online registration process has been completed, the student’s confirmed schedule becomes an active registration in the administrative computer system. To complete registration, students must make financial arrangements for payment of the amount due. (See Financial Registration Policy on page 11.) To register for graduate courses please visit cedarville.edu/gradregister. Classification of Students Graduate students are classified by the number of hours for which they are enrolled, as follows: • Full-time students are those who have met the requirements for admission as determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee, have been admitted to a degree program, and are carrying at least eight semester hours of credit in that academic semester. • Part-time studentsare those who have met the requirements for admission as determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee, have been admitted to a degree program, and are taking fewer than eight semester hours. • Non-degree seeking students are those who are taking graduate courses but have not yet been admitted to a specific degree program or do not intend to work toward a graduate degree. Graduate students are also classified according to their relationship to formal programs, as follows: • Regular students have met all of the requirements for admission to the graduate program. • Conditionally accepted students have applied for admission to the graduate program at Cedarville University but must meet some prerequisite of his/her graduate program or must complete some part of the application process. • Transient students are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at another institution, have written authorization from the appropriate officials at that institution to take graduate courses at Cedarville University, meet all the registration requirements for the course (for example, prerequisites), and have been accepted for transient status by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Drop/Add Policy Changes in the course schedule made after the beginning of a course must be made through the office of the registrar. Course drop/add forms are available on the registrar’s website. The form must be signed by the students and submitted to the office of the registrar in person, by e-mail, or by fax. No courses may be added after the first class without the additional approval of the appointed director of the particular graduate program and the approval of the faculty member teaching the course. The effective date of the course change is the date the registrar receives the completed form. When adding a class, the student is required to make up any work missed because of late entrance, assuming that the instructor is willing to allow late entrance into his/her course. Failure to properly drop a class will result in a grade of “Z.” (See Grading System on page 8.) When a course is dropped properly during the fall or spring terms, the action is recorded as follows: Online Courses Week Course Is Dropped Action Within the 1st full calendar week No record on transcript During the 2nd full calendar week through the next to last calendar week W – Withdrawn During the last calendar week of the course Drops not permitted Fall and Spring Saturday-Only Format Week Course Is Dropped Action Before the start of the second class No record on transcript After the start of the second class W – Withdrawn During the last calendar week of the course Drops not permitted
Page8 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix I An “I” signifying “incomplete” is a temporary grade given when a student is unable to complete the work for a course on time because of extraordinary circumstances, such as illness, emergency, or other reasonable cause. This temporary grade does not influence the student’s grade point average. To be considered for an incomplete, the student must be passing the course and have completed the majority of the coursework. An incomplete should not be given merely because a student fails to complete all the course requirements on time. The instructor giving the incomplete will establish an appropriate completion date with the student by using the Incomplete Contract form which is available from the office of the registrar. This date may extend to the end of the semester following the one in which the course was taken, excluding summer. If the work is not completed by the end of the following semester, excluding summer, the incomplete will be changed to an “F” and will be calculated as such in the student’s grade point average. INCThis notation indicates a “permanent incomplete,” a grade assigned in special situations by the faculty member with the approval of the associate academic vice president or director of a particular graduate program. This permanent grade does not influence the student’s grade point average. To receive a permanent incomplete, the faculty member should submit the appropriate form to the academic vice president identifying the circumstances warranting this special grade. If a permanent incomplete is awarded, the grade may not be changed at a future date. To receive credit for the course, the student must again register for the course and complete the course requirements. K The notation “K” signifies credit and accompanies courses transferred from other colleges or universities. It has no affect upon cumulative grade point average. CR The mark of “CR” means that credit hours have been earned for a course for which a letter grade was not deemed appropriate during development of the course. Courses for which a “CR” is possible must be so designated prior to the offering of the course. That is, a teacher cannot award a “CR” in a course in lieu of a grade unless that course has been administratively declared as having a “CR” option before the course began. Courses for which a “CR” is awarded do not count in the computation of the grade point average. NC The mark “NC” means that no credit has been earned. Credit hours for which an “NC” has been earned are not used in the computation of grade point averages. W The mark “W” is used to indicate that the student withdrew from the course during the second, third, or fourth week. Z The mark “Z” indicates that the student did not complete the course but did not officially withdraw. A “Z” is treated in the same manner as the “F” grade when figuring the grade point average. Summer Modules Week Course Is Dropped Action Before the start of the second class No record on transcript After the start of the second class but before the start of the third class (one-week module) or the last calendar week (two- or three- week module) W – Withdrawn After the start of the third class (one-week module) or the last calendar week (two- or three- week module) Drops not permitted Changes in a schedule caused by cancellation of courses by the University will not result in financial or academic penalty. For information concerning refunds due for dropped courses, see Financial Information. Visit cedarville.edu/webadvisor to drop or add a course Continuation As an Active Student Graduate students who fail to take courses or otherwise choose not to pursue their graduate education (for example, as a transient student at another college/university) for a period exceeding two calendar years will automatically be retired from the active files of the office of the registrar. Reapplication for admission will be required to reactivate the student’s records. Withdrawal Policy The following procedure must be followed to properly withdraw completely from the University: 1. Notify the office of the registrar in person or by telephone of intent to withdraw, and complete a withdraw interview with a representative of the office of the registrar. 2. Request a refund for any credit balance on your account from the cashiers office after the official withdraw process has been completed, and all appropriate adjustments to the students registration has been completed. See Refund and Withdrawal in the Financial Information section of this catalog. Student transcripts will be marked with the appropriate grade once withdrawal is complete in accordance with established University policy. (See Drop/Add Policy.) Grading System A This grade is given in recognition of excellent achievement by those at the very top of their class. A- This grade is given in recognition of excellent achievement. B+ This grade is given in recognition of achievement distinctively above that expected at the graduate level. B This grade indicates achievement expected of graduate students. B- This grade is given for achievement somewhat less than that expected of most graduate students. C+ This grade indicates below average achievement but somewhat more than minimal meeting of the course requirements. C This grade indicates below average achievement and a minimally satisfactory meeting of requirements. This is the lowest grade for which credit can be earned toward a graduate degree. F This grade reveals accomplishment that is inferior in quality and is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of course requirements. Grades at this level will not be accepted for credit toward a graduate degree. At the graduate level of study at Cedarville University there is no provision for grades of “D.”
Page9 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Grade Points and Point Averages Cedarville University uses the four-point system to determine academic averages. Grade points are awarded as follows: Grade Grade Points A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 F 0.0 The grade point average is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the total hours attempted. Grades are issued at the end of each semester. It is the responsibility of each student to discuss his/her academic achievement with his/her instructor. Grade Appeal Process A student who believes that a grade received is incorrectly recorded, inaccurate, unfairly awarded or based on criteria different than that applied to other students in the same class may initiate a grade appeal. The process for grade appeals is available on the website of the Academic Vice President (cedarville.edu/ academics/avp) using the “Policies” link from that page. That information may also be obtained directly from the office of the academic vice president. Petitions and Student Complaints Student complaints about any aspect of a graduate program or requests for exceptions to an academic regulation should first be discussed with the appropriate faculty member, director or associate academic vice president of the program. If those discussions fail to resolve the complaint a written request must be initiated by the student and must be submitted to the office of the associate academic vice president or director of the program. Probation and Suspension Policies Students placed on academic probation or dismissal will be notified in writing by their academic department. Academic Probation status refers to any student whose cumulative graduate grade point average falls below 3.00 and is no longer in good academic standing. Students placed on academic probation are expected to return to good academic standing (overall GPA of 3.00 or above) within the attempting of 15 additional graduate credits. Failure to return to good academic standing may result in academic dismissal. Academic Dismissal status refers to any student who fails to make satisfactory progress toward declared goals or who accumulates six semester credits of “C+” or below. The accumulation of six semester credits of “F” will result in mandatory dismissal. A student who is dismissed from a graduate program may not be readmitted for one calendar year and then only if evidence for expecting satisfactory performance is submitted and found to be acceptable. A student receiving veterans benefits who is on academic probation after half of the hours for a given degree program are completed, or whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.5, will be reported to the Veterans Administration. The veterans’ benefits for such a student will be terminated unless the student is making progress toward meeting the minimum academic requirements for graduation. Attendance Regular attendance is necessary for the student to receive full benefit from the University experience. University policy allows each faculty member to determine and develop reasonable attendance standards which will meet the particular needs of the course. See syllabi for attendance requirements for individual courses. Course Load A student’s academic load for any given term is subject to reduction or limitation by the associate academic vice president or director of a particular graduate program for poor scholarship or excessive work responsibilities outside of college hours. Students who wish to take more than 12 credit hours in a given term must obtain permission from the associate academic vice president or director of their graduate program. Repeating Courses Any graduate course may be repeated once with the approval of the associate academic vice president or director of the program. When a student repeats a course only the most recent grade is calculated into the cumulative grade point average. Credit hours for a repeated course count only once toward the credits needed for graduation. Students have up to 2 years from the end of the original course to repeat a course. Students repeating courses are required to pay all applicable tuition and fees for those courses. Other program-specific requirements may be listed under the academic program. Independent Study On occasion special student circumstances may suggest that an independent study course option should be considered. Such an option might recognize opportunities to explore areas not covered in normal course structure, reward self-motivated students, and encourage joint study by faculty and students on specialized projects. Individual students and faculty members develop the specific criteria that must be met for the successful completion of independent study projects. However, the following guidelines govern the independent study program: • Only one independent study project may be undertaken in an academic term. • The maximum credit that may be earned for any one independent study project is three semester hours. • The faculty member supervising the independent study and the associate academic vice president or director of a particular graduate program must sign the student’s independent study form. Registration for the independent study must occur at the beginning of the semester in which the work is to be completed. • No more than six semester hours in independent study may be counted toward the graduate degree. • In general independent study projects cannot be taken in lieu of required courses unless special arrangements have been made through the department sponsoring the course and the director of that particular graduate program. • It is the prerogative of individual faculty members to offer independent study courses or not. • Participating faculty members determine the letter grade. Transfer Credits Graduate transfer credit is allowed at the discretion of the University for courses that clearly correspond to courses offered in the graduate and first professional degree programs at Cedarville University.
Page10 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix The associate academic vice president or director of the academic program is responsible for evaluating all requests for transfer credit within that program. Institutions from which courses are transferred must meet accreditation standards required of the individual program. Transfer credit will not be granted for grades of B- or less. “Credit” or “pass” grades are accepted only if approved by the associate academic vice president or director of the program. The number of allowable transfer credits and the number of years since completion of those credits are detailed within each program. To transfer credit an official transcript must be sent directly from the transfer institution to the registrar at Cedarville. Once received, a copy of the transcript will be sent the director of the graduate program for approval. The director will complete a transfer credit evaluation and identify the approved course equivalencies. This information will be provided to the registrar, after which the credits will be posted to the student’s transcript. Grades of transferred credit are not posted to a Cedarville University transcript or counted in the Cedarville grade point average. Credit hours transferred from institutions where quarter hours are awarded will be assigned the equivalent number of semester hours using the formula of three quarter hours being equivalent to two semester hours. Transient Study Coursework to be completed at other institutions by a student enrolled at Cedarville University must be approved by the associate academic vice president or director of the graduate program at Cedarville that would accept the transfer credit. This approval must occur before the course is taken. Students enrolled in other colleges or universities may take courses at Cedarville University on a “permission to take courses” basis. The student must complete a graduate application and be accepted prior to registering for classes. A maximum of six credit hours may be taken at Cedarville University by a transient graduate student. Graduation Requirements Completion of all listed requirements for a program, including a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 within the given program is required to be certified for graduation. Application for Graduation To graduate, whether or not you plan to attend the ceremony, you must submit an application for graduation and pay any applicable fees. After you return your application to the registrar, your transcript will be audited to verify completion of degree requirements. You are encouraged to apply for graduation at least a semester in advance so that you can be informed of any problems in meeting your degree requirements. Applications must be received no later than 30 working days before commencement. After that date, applications will be deferred to the following commencement. Controlling Catalog The Graduate Catalog in use when a student first enrolls governs his/her graduation requirements unless that catalog is over five years old or that student has left and then sought to reenroll more than two years later. Consequently, that catalog should be retained and used as a guide in case changes are made in course or graduation requirements during the time the student is enrolled. A student may select a subsequent catalog if the student wishes, but all requirements from that catalog must be completed. Student Responsibility Each student assumes full responsibility for knowing Cedarville University standards, regulations, and procedures along with those of the graduate and first professional degree programs. While all personnel at Cedarville University endeavor to help students in every way possible, the responsibility for meeting requirements stated in this catalog rests with the student and not the advisor or the University. Students are responsible for tracking their progress toward meeting all graduation requirements. Academic Integrity All forms of academic misconduct are prohibited by the standards of conduct for graduate students at Cedarville University. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating on examinations or quizzes, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University by forgery, alteration, or misuse of documents, records, or identification. Typical penalties assigned by the faculty for academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following: • Reduction of the letter grade for the work involved • Reduction of the letter grade for the course • Assignment of a failing grade for all work involved • Assignment of a failing grade for the course Any student involved in academic dishonesty is also subject to suspension or dismissal by recommendation of the chair of the department in which the student is enrolled and upon approval of the associate academic vice president of the respective college. The procedure to address academic dishonesty is as follows: When a faculty member suspects a case of academic dishonesty, the faculty member will confront the student(s) involved. If a faculty member concludes that academic dishonesty has occurred, then the student(s) will be informed in writing of the faculty member’s academic penalty and any other recommended disciplinary action. The faculty member will also provide written notification to the chair of the faculty member’s department and the chair of the department of the student’s major (in the case they are different) to inquire about any previous involvement in academic dishonesty. The faculty member will also provide a copy of the notification to the office of the associate academic vice president of the college in which the student is enrolled. Any disciplinary action beyond a grade penalty is to be recommended to the chair of the department in which the student is enrolled (e.g., suspension or dismissal). The process for appeals of decisions related to academic misconduct, is available on the website of the academic vice president (cedarville.edu/academics/avp) using the “Policies” link from that page. That information may also be obtained by contacting the office of the academic vice president.
Page 11 2011–12 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic Info. Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M.S.N. Course Descriptions Appendix Financial Information University Financial Operating Policy Tuition and fees are kept as low as possible to be consistent with responsible operation of the University. The revenue from students does not cover the total cost of operation. The University is partially supported by individuals and churches who desire to share in the preparation of students for effective Christian service in all walks of life. Some funds are received from interested businesses, industries, and foundations. Student costs are subject to change upon reasonable notification by the University. See the Academic Programs section of this catalog for costs associated with specific programs. Financial Registration Policy To enable the University to be responsible in meeting its financial obligations, students must make provision for the payment of their bill at the beginning of each term. A student’s registration for classes indicates a commitment to pay for related charges as stated in this catalog (see Payment Penalties). Students must be financially registered prior to the start of classes each term. To be financially registered, a student must either • Pay his or her bill in full within the first two days of the start of the term, or • Make arrangements with the cashiers office for payment (cedarville.edu/cashiers). Students who do not make financial arrangements for the payment of their bill within the first two days of the start of classmay not be permitted to attend classes and may be asked to withdraw from the University (see Payment Penalties on page 11). The following payment plan schedule was established to help graduate students with course schedules that encompass more than 10 weeks of instruction. Fall 2011 Spring 2012 First Payment Due: August 4, 2011 January 4, 2012 Second Payment Due: September 1, 2011 February 1, 2012 Third Payment Due: October 1, 2011 March 1, 2012 Fourth Payment Due: November 1, 2011 April 1, 2012 Making Payment Payment can be made by check, cash (in person at the cashiers office) online through our EZPAY system at cedarville.edu/ezpay or on a major credit/debit card (mastercard and discover) with a convenience fee. Contact the Cashiers Office at 937-766-7830. For your protection, please do not mail cash. Please send payments made payable to: Attn: Cashiers Cedarville University 251 N. Main St. Cedarville, OH 45314 *Please remember to include your student ID number and student name on all checks. Notification of the University Bill Students who pre-register for classes will normally receive an online invoice based on their pre-registration schedule 10 to 15 days before the semester begins or on the first day of class. A paper statement of the student’s account is generated each month when that account has activity. Account statements are directed to students at their current home residence. Students may view their student accounts and invoices online using CedarInfo at cedarville.edu/cedarinfo. Payment Penalties Students not making financial arrangements within the first two days of the start of class will be charged a $25 late payment fee. Students with unpaid balances at the end of a semester may be denied enrollment in the next semester or denied grade reports, transcripts, and/or a diploma. Students will be responsible for any fees incurred in the collection of past due accounts. Interest Rates An annual interest rate (currently 15% or 1.25% per month) will be charged from the beginning of the term in which the student first enrolled on any unpaid balance due. Financial Aid General financial aid information is available from Cedarville University Financial Aid. Financial aid serves as a resource center to assist students in exploring alternative sources of educational funding. All questions may be directed to financial aid at 937-7667866 or 1-800-444-2433. Visit the Graduate Admissions website at cedarville.edu/gradaid for specific information on loans and scholarships for graduate students or the FAFSA website at fafsa. ed.gov for general financial aid information. Student Rights • You have the right to know what financial aid programs are available at your college. • You have the right to know the deadlines for submitting applications for each of the financial aid programs available. • You have the right to know how financial aid will be distributed, how decisions on that distribution are made, and the basis for these decisions. • You have the right to know how your financial need was determined. This includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc., are considered in your budget. • You have the right to know what resources (such as other financial aid, scholarships, your assets, etc.) were considered in the calculation of your need. • You have the right to know how much of your financial need as determined by the institution has been met. • You have the right to request an explanation of the various programs in your student aid package. • You have the right to know your college’s refund policy. Student Responsibilities • You must complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the right place. • You must provide correct information. In most instances, misreporting information on financial aid application forms is a violation of law and may be considered a criminal offense which could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code. • You must return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either financial aid or the agency to which you submitted your application. • You are responsible for reading and understanding all forms that you are asked to sign and for keeping copies of them. • You must accept responsibility for all agreements that you sign. • You must perform the work upon which you agreed in accepting a University employment award. • You must be aware of and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid. • You should be aware of your college’s refund procedures.
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