2007-2008 Grace University Catalog

Institutional Description

		Scholastic Accreditation
		Program Offerings
		Semester System
		Disclaimer of Contractual Obligation
		Records, Retention and Transcripts
		Privacy of Student Information

Scholastic Accreditation
Grace University is an institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate programs leading to several Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s degrees. Grace College of Undergraduate Studies is the academic unit within Grace University that offers Associate and Baccalaureate degrees. Grace College of Graduate Studies is the academic unit that offers Master’s degrees. Grace College of Extended Education provides adult education training opportunities and alternative delivery systems for institutional programs.

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the by Association for Biblical Higher Education. Refer to address information under the section titled “Accreditation and Academic Standing.” Regional and professional accreditation assures students and the public that the University has clearly defined goals, and that these goals, to a reasonable degree, are accomplished in student lives. Graduate schools and evangelical seminaries generally recognize the Bachelor’s degree earned at Grace. In addition, universities and colleges normally transfer credits for equivalent subjects when students change to their fields of study.

Program Offerings
This University Catalog provides the academic requirements established for freshmen students completing degree programs over the next four-year period. This catalog serves as the 2006-2007 Catalog of Record. Should degree requirements change in future years, the requirements of this Catalog provide the basis for graduation requirements. Should a student withdraw from continuous study at Grace, and should the student desire to resume his/her program at a future date, the program requirements in the University Catalog at the time of readmission will serve as the Catalog of Record. Changing programs during one’s studies at Grace University also is sufficient reason to change the Catalog of Record to the current year’s Catalog.

Information regarding tuition and fees in this Catalog only represents the rates for the stated academic year. These rates are reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis. The University makes no promise that current financial policy information will remain constant during the next four years.

Semester System
Grace University offers academic credit on a semester system. One semester hour of academic credit represents clock time instruction of one fifty-minute class period per week for fifteen weeks plus a final examination week. To meet faculty expectations, the student will need one and a half to two hours of preparation time outside of class for each fifty-minute class period.

The University reserves the right to configure instruction time in formats different than traditional fifty-minute sessions. Thus, a three-credit course may meet on a once per week basis, a twice per week basis, or a three times a week basis based on the University’s plan for distributing courses. Computation of the academic schedule is based on the University’s plan for distributing courses. Computation of the academic schedule is based on computation of instructional minutes per each semester hour of academic credit.

Each course is defined by the number of semester credits granted for completion of the course. Most courses carry two of three semester credit hours. Information regarding the Course numbering System and Course Abbreviations is available. Course descriptions and credit hours assigned to each course are designated in the section of the Catalog for Course Descriptions.
In addition to the traditional Fall and Spring semesters, the University offers courses during a two-week Winter Session in early January, and in three distinct two-week Summer Sessions in May and June.

Disclaimer of Contractual Obligation
While course offerings are scheduled based on program requirements listed within the University Catalog, the University reserves the right to reschedule and/or cancel courses based on factors such as course enrollment size. Suggested course schedules available through the Registrar’s office should be viewed as exactly that—suggested; they should not be viewed as a binding contract on the part of the University. In the unusual event that the University exercises its right to cancel a required course, the Academic Vice President in consultation with the Department Chair and the Registrar may substitute a relevant course work to meet program requirements.

Records, Retention and Transcripts
The Registrar’s Office retains a variety of records pertinent to the academic progress of students. These records are available to school officials who have legitimate educational interest in the student.

The University retains documents received in the Admissions Office for those who apply but do not enroll for up to two years. For students who do enroll, the University retains documents in their official files for five years beyond the date of last attendance at Grace. High school transcripts, college transcripts, and the official records of academic achievement at Grace University are retained permanently.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 governs students’ rights of privacy and access to their educational records. Students have the right to inspect their files and all materials therein, except those items specifically waived by the student. Students wishing to view their files must make an appointment with the Registrar.

Grace University students and alumni are entitled to receive a reasonable number of copies of their academic transcripts reflecting their completed course work. Upon the written request of the student, with signature and appropriate fee, the Registrar’s Office will issue an official transcript to appropriate institutions, individuals, or agencies. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have financial obligations with the University.

Privacy of Student Information
Grace University designates the following student information as Directory Information; name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth, full-time/half-time status, major fields of study, dates of attendance, degrees/awards and honors received, admission/enrollment status, classification, athletic information, and photograph.

The University may disclose any of these items without prior written consent, unless the student notifies the Registrar in writing to the contrary by the end of the first week of the respective semester. Unless a student has officially filed a written request restricting his or her information by this time, aspects of the student’s Directory information may be included in appropriate University or Campus directories, publications and released by school officials in response to inquiries concerning individual students.

Because the campus directory is published only once each semester, names and/or other information will not be removed until the end of that semester. A student must be enrolled at Grace University in order to modify his or her restriction of directory information.

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