2019-2020 Graduate Academic Catalog

2019–20 Graduate Academic Catalog Page 11 Academic Information Controlling Catalog Office of the Registrar of their change in status. To register for courses during a semester, all graduate students must digitally sign their Financial Responsibility Agreement at cedarville.edu/fra before their registration can be completed. 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 plan their course sequence and register online using a web-based interface called Student Planning at cedarville.edu/studentplanning . The online registration process may be completed from any computer or mobile device through which the student has Internet access. Registration instructions using Student Planning may be found at cedarville.edu/ gradschedules . 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 15. ) To register for graduate courses, please visit cedarville.edu/gradregister . Course Load A student’s academic load for any given term is subject to reduction or limitation by the Dean of Graduate Studies or director of a particular graduate program for poor scholarship or excessive work responsibilities. Attendance Regular attendance and/or class participation are necessary for the student to receive full benefit from the University experience. University policy allows each faculty member to determine and develop reasonable attendance/participation standards that will meet the particular needs of the course. See syllabi for attendance requirements for individual courses. Undergraduates in Graduate Courses Students in undergraduate programs at Cedarville University who are interested in taking graduate coursework prior to graduation may be eligible to do so with appropriate approvals. Individual graduate programs have the ability to allow or prevent this practice. In some cases credits may count as electives in the undergraduate program as well as meeting requirements of a graduate degree. The requirements and procedures for granting graduate credit to undergraduates are as follows: The undergraduate student: • Must have achieved senior standing at the undergraduate level prior to taking graduate courses. • Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher to take graduate coursework. • The maximum number of graduate courses that an undergraduate may take shall be determined by each graduate program. In any case, the maximum may not reduce the remaining grad credits in the program to fewer than 30 hours. • Must meet all prerequisites for the graduate course(s) for which they intend to register. • Must obtain the following approvals prior to registering for the graduate course: • Undergraduate advisor • Chair/dean of the undergraduate program • Director of the graduate program The approval form for this process may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. The GPA requirement may be overridden suspension or dismissal. The procedure and process for appeals of decisions related to academic misconduct, is available on the website of the Vice President for Academics ( cedarville.edu/avp ) using the “Policies” link from that page. Students may also obtain the same information directly from the office of the Vice President for Academics. Controlling Catalog The Graduate Catalog in use when a student first enrolls in a graduate degree program governs his/her graduation requirements, unless that catalog is over five years old or that student has left and then sought to re-enroll 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. Seeking Shalom: Petitions and Student Complaints As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to live in peace in harmony with others, seeking right relationships that are whole. At Cedarville University, as conflicts or concerns occur, we want to provide a means of resolution that goes beyond voicing a complaint, filing a grievance, or appealing a decision. Our goal in every interaction – from the mundane to the most challenging – is to demonstrate right relationships with each other as fellow members of the body of Christ. In this process of "seeking Shalom," we honor our Lord and live out the ideals of a truly Christian learning community. Visit cedarville.edu/seekingshalom for processes in place to address questions, concerns, and complaints. Academic Advising Each student is assigned to an academic advisor by the director of their graduate program: • The Graduate Admissions and Student Success office provides advising for online programs including M.Min., M.S.N., and M.B.A. students. • School of Biblical and Theological Studies provides advising for M.Div. students. • School of Pharmacy provides advising for Pharm.D. students. A student’s academic advisor offers counsel concerning course scheduling and helps navigate various resources and processes for a successful graduate school experience. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor prior to registration, when considering any changes in their educational program, or if they encounter an academic problem. Degree-seeking students may review their academic program progression by using the Program Evaluation option in Student Planning at cedarville.edu/ studentplanning. Registration Process Registration dates for each session are listed in the annual graduate academic calendar at cedarville.edu/gradcalendar . Registration information and instructions are distributed from the Office of the Registrar by email prior to the respective registration periods. Additionally, information regarding course offerings and sections is available online at cedarville.edu/gradschedules . New graduate students must be accepted for admission through the graduate admissions office before they are eligible to register. Early registration periods are designated for active graduate students. 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