Academic Accountability
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Advance approval should be secured from the dean or associate dean of the seminary before enrolling for work in other institutions with the intention of transferring credit to Eastern Mennonite Seminary for graduation, keeping in mind that the majority of credits toward a degree at EMS must be earned at EMS.
Residency
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The seminary affirms residential studies and recognizes the value and convenience of distance learning. EMS offers courses in a variety of formats, including on-campus, synchronously and asynchronously online. Students seeking ordination are encouraged to contact their ecclesial bodies for guidance regarding completing coursework at EMS through distance education. Since EMS is approved by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, Methodist students seeking ordination may attend virtually less than 50% of the class time of a course and must attend on campus for the majority of class time.
Student Authentication Policy
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Online asynchronous courses engage work in a variety of formats, including synchronous video meeting options, written forums, audio file uploads and/or video recording uploads.
Hybrid students are required to get a picture ID while in order to access on campus resources.
Fully online students will engage in video and/or phone calls during the admissions process.
Video Conferencing Policy
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The seminary maintains both qualitative and quantitative requirements. Daily classwork, tests, examinations, attendance and attitude all enter into the determination of standing and credit. Since seminary students are working at the graduate level, it is expected that many will earn A’s and B’s. Grade C is minimally acceptable in that it reflects some deficiency. Therefore, consistent work at C level is inadequate for graduation. A grade point average of 2.50 is the minimum requirement for graduation from a degree program. This means that the average student will perform at the level of 2.50 GPA or above.
A- Superior performance; represents excellence in mastery of course objectives. Four quality points per semester hour.
B- Commendable performance; adequate fulfillment of course objectives. Three quality points per semester hour.
C- Marginal performance; represents some areas of deficiency. Two quality points per semester hour.
D- Inferior performance; may be given for course papers or projects but not as a final grade as this level of performance will be considered a failure to pass the course.
F- Failure to pass course. No quality pointsA grade point average of 2.50 is the minimum requirement for graduation from a degree program. This means that the average student will perform at the level of 2.50 GPA or above.
EMU uses the four-point system. The grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of graded semester hours.
A/Excellent
A = 4.0 quality points per semester hour
A - = 3.7 quality points per semester hour
B/Good
B + = 3.3 quality points per semester hour
B = 3.0 quality points per semester hour
B - = 2.7 quality points per semester hour
C/Marginal
C + = 2.3 quality points per semester hour
C = 2.0 quality points per semester hour
F/Failure = 0 quality points
P/Pass = Applies only to approved courses, no quality points. Indicates performance at a B- level or better.
SP/Satisfactory Progress = A non-terminal grade for a continuing course.
W/Withdrawal = Indicates student withdrawal from the course.
AU/Audit or Participation Audit = No credit given..
I- Incomplete. Each student is expected to complete all course work on time and to the satisfaction of the instructor. Incompletes will be allowed only in cases of emergency, when circumstances beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements on time. An incomplete shall be requested one week before the end of the term and must be approved by the instructor and the associate dean of the seminary. An incomplete must be removed within six weeks after the close of the term in which it was obtained. A grade will be assigned based on the work completed.
P- Passed. Applies only to approved courses. No quality points.
SP- Satisfactory progress. Given at a terminal point in a unit course when it is impossible to give a graded rating. This is not a final grade.
W- Withdrawal. Indicates student withdrew from the course between the fifth and ninth weeks of the semester. No quality points.
A plus or minus behind the letter grade reflects some deviation from the middle of the grade category. These designations may be used by the instructor to distinguish more precisely the level of achievementafter the close of the term in which it was obtained. A grade will be assigned based on the work completed.
Repeat Courses - When a course is repeated, both the initial grade and subsequent grade(s) appear on the transcript. Credit is awarded only once, and the higher grade is computed into the grade point average.
Grade Appeals
A student who believes that a grade received for a course does not accurately reflect their achievement of course requirements and expectations should:
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An appeal to any grade assigned between September 1 and December 31 must be initiated no later than February 15 of the following year; an appeal to any grade assigned between January 1 and May 15 must be initiated by July 1; and an appeal to any grade assigned between May 16 and August 31 must be initiated by October 15.
Graduation
Residence requirements are specified in each program description. Students expecting to graduate must complete an application for graduation provided by the university registrar's office of the year in which the degree is to be conferred. Anyone choosing to walk in the commencement ceremony must plan to fulfill all degree requirements by the end of the summer term. Students may have degrees conferred at three times, the end of fall, spring or summer.
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Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who will assist in course selection and be available for general guidance and consultation. Advisors will seek to discern what areas of significant experience students bring with them that could impact course selection. The general process is for students to take core courses as listed in each degree program; adjustments recommended by the advisor can be made with approval from the associate dean.The seminary faculty will work with students in a number of ways to evaluate their competency for their intended professions. The students will have the opportunity to do self-evaluation as well as to receive formative evaluation from faculty instructors and advisorscan be made with approval from the associate dean.
Degree Candidacy
Normally when nearing the completion of 20 semester hours of work, the formative process leads to a decision on degree candidacy. For transfer students, degree candidacy isn’t granted based on transfer credit. Degree candidacy represents a significant point of accountability in which the faculty together decide whether or not the student has demonstrated the ability to successfully complete a given degree program. The decision will be in the form of approval, approval with qualifications, or denial of degree candidacy. The decision is made in a regular faculty meeting.
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Normally degree candidacy is discerned when seminary students have successfully completed 20sh of course work. The general theological certificate student, in consultation with their adviser, may pursue degree candidacy at 20sh through a letter of request to the seminary associate dean. Assuming faculty approval of degree candidacy, the certificate will be awarded when the requisite number of courses are successfully completed.
A student admitted into an EMU AA degree program may ultimately pursue a pathway to the MACL. This is done by enrolling in the GTC upon completion of the AA, and in consultation with the adviser, pursuing degree candidacy as noted above. Up to 9 credits of seminary coursework (Formation in Spiritual Practices, Formation in Narrative Identity, and a seminary intercultural course) may be part of the AA for students intending to pursue the MACL.
The General Theological Certificate is not an endorsed educational path for United Methodist ministry credentialing.
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Eastern Mennonite Seminary is committed to working out reasonable and acceptable arrangements for satisfactory completion of course requirements for students who experience learning challenges. When the student or instructor becomes aware of the need for academic support, accommodations and/or disability support services, the instructor may refer the student to the Academic Success Center. In consultation with the student and the Academic Success Center, the instructor will develop reasonable and appropriate alternatives for course requirements. The student’s advisor and the associate dean should be informed of these arrangements. In case of failure to reach agreement, the student may appeal to the Seminary Dean.
Inclusive Language
Statement of Commitment
We recognize that all human beings are persons of infinite worth created equally in the image of God. Accordingly, we recognize that the language which we use to speak about each other is no negligible matter but one of crucial importance. The words by which we name and address each other are no less than the means by which we can recognize each other mutually as persons created in God’s image, and the means by which we can empower each other mutually to live out the potential God has given each of us.Eastern Mennonite Seminary is an institution dedicated to the task of “equipping persons for ministries in the service of the kingdom of God.” As teaching faculty, we recognize the centrality of language of communicating good news.
We therefore commit ourselves:
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