Academic Policies

Orientation

Orientation to the School of Divinity and the degree program is required of all candidates and is a component of the first DMin seminar, DSDM 501, The Ministry as Life-Long Learning.

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is an important student obligation. Students are responsible for all coursework conducted in class meetings and are required by University policy to attend a minimum of 75% of the scheduled class meetings. Failure to meet this attendance requirement will result in a grade of "@F" in the course. In face-to-face classes, attendance is counted from the first scheduled meeting. In online classes, attendance is counted from the student’s completion of the Enrollment Verification Activity or first required course activity or assessment, whichever comes first. Furthermore, it is the prerogative of the instructor to set a more stringent class attendance policy. The instructor will clearly state in the syllabus the attendance policies that will govern the class. Students are responsible for knowing the number of absences that they accumulate.

In online classes, attendance satisfying the 75% requirement is measured by the documented weekly participation in the class on the part of the student, e.g., a minimum of one activity per week that demonstrates attendance, such as submitting an assignment, attending a webinar, or participating in a discussion board (logging into a course in Blackboard does not constitute participation or attendance in the class). As in face-to-face classes, the instructor in an online class may stipulate a more stringent attendance policy in the syllabus.

Absence from class does not excuse the student from responsibility for classwork. Planned class absences for foreseeable personal circumstances or official University business must be negotiated with the instructor prior to the absence. All absences, regardless of reason, apply toward the 25% threshold.

Transfer of Credit

Eight (8) hours of doctoral-level coursework can be transferred into the DMin program from another ATS-accredited institution upon the approval of the DMin Director. This work can be completed prior to entering the DMin program or while in the DMin program. If a candidate plans to study at another institution during his/her course of study, he/she should seek the approval of the DMin Director prior to matriculation at any other institution. Transfer of credit is not guaranteed.

Full-Time Status

All students enrolled in the DMin program whose files are active are considered “full-time” students. The minimum hour requirement to maintain full-time status is three hours. There is no “part-time” status in the DMin program.

Interrupted Status

In special cases a candidate can petition the DMin Director to grant him/her interrupted status from the program. If interrupted status is granted, the time limits for completion of the degree are put on hold.

Course Registration

Registration includes academic advising, selection of courses, and payment of fees. During preregistration, candidates should consult with the Program Director on course selection and other degree requirements. However, it is the responsibility of the candidate, not the Program Director, to ensure that all University graduation requirements are met.

Candidates will not receive credit for any course for which registration has not been completed. Unless candidates and the Program Director consider it essential they should not change the schedule after registration.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The candidate’s schedule may be adjusted by adding and dropping courses with the approval of the Program Director during the Drop/Add period. The dates for schedule modification are found in the University Academic Calendar. Courses that are officially dropped by a candidate do not appear on a candidate’s transcript. If a candidate does not officially drop a class but never attends the class, a grade of “@W” will appear on the candidate’s transcript.

After the Drop/Add period, any official withdrawal from a class must be done by the candidate through Registrar Services. When a candidate officially withdraws from a course, a grade of “W’’ (withdrew) is recorded during the first 40% of the term. After this period, a “WP” (withdrew passing) or “WF” (withdrew failing) is assigned by the instructor based upon an assessment of the candidate's work to date in the course. No hours attempted are recorded for “W’’ and “WP” grades. Again, these dates are found in the university Academic Calendar.The last day for withdrawing from an individual course will be listed in the Academic Calendar each semester.

Before withdrawing from a class or classes, candidates should refer to the “Charge Reduction Policy” in the “Expenses” section of this catalog in order to understand the financial implication on their account.

Removal from Class

Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not distract from or disrupt the educational pursuits of others. Should an instructor determine that a candidate's conduct is distracting or disruptive to the educational environment in the classroom or online environment, the instructor may request the disruptive candidate to leave the class immediately. Such students may not return to the classroom or online environment until they have met with the instructor and offered assurances that they can conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. The instructor reserves the right to inform the Dean of the School of Divinity as soon as possible. If the candidate is dismissed from the class permanently because of disruptive behavior or other violations of the Code of Student Conduct, the candidate's final grade will follow the grading period for a “W” or a “WP/WF,” depending on the date of dismissal.

In the event a candidate refuses to remove him/herself upon request, the instructor should contact University Police immediately, or in the case of an offsite facility, local law enforcement.

Medical Withdrawal Policy

Any registered candidate who experiences medical trauma or a chronic illness that may prevent completion of the semester may apply for a medical withdrawal from the University. A medical withdrawal is a complete withdrawal from the University (i.e., not from a particular course). A request for a medical withdrawal must be submitted prior to the beginning of final exams for the semester in which the medical withdrawal is desired. A medical withdrawal request is initiated through the submission of the online Withdrawal Form located in WebbConnect prior to the beginning of final exams in the same manner as a general withdrawal from the University. In addition to the online request, the candidate must also provide a statement from a licensed medical or mental health professional trained in the diagnosis of the candidate's medical condition. The statement should verify that the medical condition prevents the candidate from participating in classes or carrying out course requirements.

The statement from the medical or mental health professional must be submitted on official letterhead, addressed to the Gardner-Webb University Registrar, and include the practitioner’s name and title. The statement should indicate that the candidate is unable to continue in school and include the date at which the candidate became unable to continue (or the closest possible approximation to the date).

The candidate will be notified by the Registrar of the decision made by the Medical Withdrawal Committee. If the request is approved, the candidate will receive a final grade of “W” for each class (except in instances of Academic Dishonesty). Any adjustment in tuition will be made on a prorated basis. Once granted a withdrawal, candidates must apply for readmission to the University in order to continue their studies. All program admission requirements, programmatic and degree requirements, departmental student handbook, and accreditation requirements at the time of the candidate's return will apply.

Any appeal for a retroactive medical withdrawal must be initiated by the end of the next Fall or Spring semester. Documentation for these appeals includes the same materials required for other medical withdrawal requests but must also include an explanation as to why the medical withdrawal request could not have been made by the normal deadline (i.e., by the beginning of final exams for the semester in which the medical withdrawal is desired).

As with any other readmission, stipulations may apply. The candidate must provide a statement from the same medical or mental health professional stating that the candidate is now able to continue studies at the University. This documentation should follow the same format as above.

Military Deployment Policy

A currently enrolled candidate may request withdrawal from courses if called to active military duty. Non-punitive grades of “W” or “WP” will be issued for the course(s) for the candidate’s academic record for the semester, regardless of the candidate’s current grade in the course(s). If a candidate is deployed toward the end of a semester but still wants to complete the course, the candidate must contact his/her instructors to reach agreement on the terms of the completion, which may include requesting a grade of "I" (Incomplete). The Student Accounts Office will give special consideration to student bills when there is a military-deployment-related withdrawal. A copy of the candidate’s military deployment orders is required.

Course and Schedule Changes

The School of Divinity reserves the right to cancel or discontinue any course because of low enrollment or for other reasons deemed necessary. In order to assure quality instruction, the School of Divinity reserves the right to close registration when the maximum enrollment has been reached and to make changes in schedule and/or faculty when necessary.

Auditing Courses

Any Gardner-Webb student may audit a course for a fee. The auditor is expected to complete the Audit Form and to complete all course requirements with the exception of tests and examinations. Approval of the instructor and the Associate Dean of the School of Divinity is required.

Repeating Courses

Only courses with a grade of “D,” “F,” “WF,” or “@F” may be repeated and then only once. When a course is repeated at the School of Divinity, only the higher grade is counted in computing the student’s overall grade point average, although the lower grade remains on the official transcript.

Retention Policies

All candidates are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.75. In the event that a candidate’s GPA falls below a 2.75, he/she will be placed on probation until he/she is able to raise his/her GPA to 2.75.

If the candidate is unable to raise his/her GPA above 2.75 after two semesters of probation, or if it becomes mathematically impossible for him/her to improve his/her GPA above 2.75, he/she will be suspended from the DMin program.

Appeal of Suspension

If a suspended candidate believes he/she has a legitimate appeal of his/her suspension, he/she may make a formal appeal to the Director of the DMin program. Upon request for an appeal of suspension, the DMin Director will schedule a time for the DMin Appeals Committee to meet with the candidate. The candidate will be allowed to make his/her appeal to this committee. The appeal will be limited to 30 minutes. The candidate will be notified of the decision of the Committee within one week. The decision of the DMin Appeals Committee is final.

Appeals Committee

The DMin Admissions Committee, composed of the Dean or Associate Dean (either of whom serves as chair), Director of the DMin program, and a faculty representative will act as a suspension appeals committee.

Incomplete Work

A candidate can request an incomplete from an instructor. The instructor holds complete discretion concerning the granting of an incomplete. If an incomplete is granted, it must be cleared in accordance with University policy by mid-term of the following semester. A candidate will not be permitted to enroll in another seminar until all work from pervious seminars is complete.

Certification of Satisfactory Performance in Supervision

Certification of satisfactory performance in supervision is required for each component of supervision (Peer Learning and Self-Directed).

Certification of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (which may be substituted for the second semester of Peer Learning Supervision) will be granted when the Director of the DMin program is presented with documentation of a candidate’s completion of one basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at an Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) certified center;
Certification of Peer Learning Supervision will be granted by the DMin Director upon the recommendations of the Field Supervisor, the Peer Group, and the Ministry Consultation Committee. The criteria for satisfactory performance will be the candidate’s progress and learning as outlined in the goals of his/her Ministry Development Covenant; and
Certification of Self-Directed Supervision will be granted by the DMin Director upon the recommendation of the Faculty Advisor during the project phase of the DMin program. The criteria for satisfactory performance is the candidate’s ability to manage his/her time effectively and follow his/her self-imposed timeline for completion of the program. The candidate will also present to the Faculty Advisor a description of assistance and expertise sought and secured.

Appeal of Certification

If any area of supervision is not certified, the candidate has the right to appeal to the DMin Director. Upon appeal, the DMin Director will meet with the candidate, Field Supervisor, and others serving in a supervisory capacity with regard to the student as deemed appropriate. The candidate will be allowed to make his/her appeal to these individuals. The candidate will be notified within one week of the Director’s decision, which is final.

Academic Honesty

All work submitted by candidates in each course is presumed to be the candidate’s own. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other expression of dishonesty will be subject to the University’s policy on academic dishonesty (see Traditional Undergraduate Student Handbook).

Application for Graduation

A candidate for the DMin degree usually makes application for graduation the fall before he/she anticipates graduating in the spring. The application for graduation will be filed with Registrar Services according to the University Academic Calendar published annually.

Graduation Requirements

A GPA of 2.75 is required for graduation as well as completion of all degree requirements.

Time Limits

The DMin is designed to be completed in a minimum of three years with a maximum time limit of six years. Approval for an extension of time must be granted in advance by the DMin Director. The candidate is required to pay extension fees for every Fall and Spring semester beyond the Spring semester of the third year.

Style Guide for Writing Assignments

A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th Edition, by Kate L. Turabian, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018.