Academic Procedures and Information

ADD/DROP PROCEDURES

Students are permitted to add or drop courses in their program with written consent by their Advisor and or Academic Dean.  (See Academic Calendar)

Students wishing to add/drop courses must complete the Change of Registration form and pay a fee of $15.00 to the Registrar’s Office.

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

Cheating of any kind, including plagiarism, is considered unethical conduct, inconsistent with the habits of a Christian student, and may be grounds for immediate dismissal.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY

Students who plan to graduate from TSOR must file an application for admission to candidacy by February 19 of the year of intended graduation. This form may be picked up in the registrar’s office. A list of candidates for graduation is then forwarded to the faculty in March and the board of trustees in April of each year for approval for the ceremonies in May. Graduating students are expected to be present at Commencement unless excused by the Provost for justifiable reasons, stated in a written petition.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

TSOR recognizes the necessity of confidentiality of student records and will comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Only officials of the school and the student have access to the student’s records, and no copy of a transcript, test score, or other evaluation will be supplied to any other person or agency without the expressed written permission of the student. Registered students may inspect their records by making an appointment with the Office of the Registrar.

Students have the right to request that no personal information such as name, address, and telephone number be disclosed.

RELEASE OF STUDENT RECORDS

Documents submitted by or for students in support of their application for admission or for transfer credit will not be returned to students or sent elsewhere at their request.

For example, transcripts of academic work from institutions other than TSOR, which were obtained for the purpose of admission to TSOR, may not be released to any third party.  Students must request another transcript from the original institution.

OTHER VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

In response to a written request and authorization by a student, the Office of the Registrar will prepare a letter or a transcript to report a student’s enrollment status.

GRADING SYSTEM

At the close of each semester, each instructor reports the grades of each student to the registrar. The grades are permanent.

Grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated on a four-point scale. Grades, with corresponding quality points and numerical values, are awarded as follows:

The following symbols are approved for use in the cases indicated:

T  This indicates that a student has been awarded transfer credit from another institution. Credit is given but no grade points are calculated.

W  A withdrawal from a course is the privilege of the student (see academic calendar).  Tuition charges apply to all withdrawal courses with a grade of “W.” Ordinarily, a student may not withdraw from a course after the fourth week of the semester. No credit is given and no grade points are calculated.

I  An incomplete grade is given only when circumstances beyond the control of the student prevent the completion of assigned work before the end of the semester.

F  A grade of “F” is given when the quality of the work in a course clearly falls below the passing standard and may not be brought up to a satisfactory level by remedial work. An “F” remains permanently on the transcript and is calculated in the grade-point average as 0.00. If the student takes the same course again, or another course to substitute for it, the original “F” is not removed but the new grade is recorded in the usual way.

Core courses for which a final grade of “C-”or below is received must be retaken until the course is passed with a grade of “C” or better. Only the better grade will be used in computing the grade point average (GPA), although both grades remain on the transcript.

All courses are to be completed within the period during which they are offered and for which the student is registered.  However, for providential reasons, and at the discretion of the instructor, a student who is not on probation may apply for an incomplete (“I”) grade for the course. A formal request (secure petition form from instructor) must be made in order to obtain an “I.” If permission is granted, the applicant will be given additional time to complete the course, not to exceed four weeks from the end of term. Incompletes must be removed within four weeks after the end of the semester or an “F” grade is given automatically.

GRADE APPEAL POLICY

A student who is dissatisfied with a final course grade must seek to reconcile the grievance with the instructor within two weeks after receiving the semester grade report from the Office of the Registrar. If there is no satisfactory resolution, the student may discuss the instructor’s decision with the Academic Dean. Final settlement of any grievance will be made by the President.

ACADEMIC STANDING

Academic progress for students is examined at the end of each semester to determine their academic status.  Tennessee School of Religion (TSOR) requires students to maintain a minimum standard grade point average of 2.00.  Students who maintain the minimum standard grade point average are in good standing.

Academic Warning

Students who fail to meet the minimum standard will receive an academic warning.  Students will only receive one academic warning while attending TSOR.  Students on academic warning will be required to:

• complete a counseling session with the Academic Advisor to determine how the student may improve his/her grade point average.  The session will be documented and placed in the student’s file; and
• pass a quiz related to the subject matters.

Failure to satisfy these requirements will lead to administrative withdrawal from all classes for any future semesters.

Academic Probation

A Student that has ever received an Academic Warning will be placed on Academic Probation if their grade point average falls below a 2.00.  A Student on academic probation:

• must complete a counseling session with the Academic Advisor to determine how the student may improve his/her grade point average.  The student will be placed with a tutor to determine student weaknesses and be assisted with strengthening them. The session will be documented and placed in the student’s file;
• will be limited to taking only 6 credit hours for the semester, and has one year to be removed from probation; and must submit weekly academic progress reports to the Academic Advisor during the semester.

Failure to satisfy these requirements will lead to administrative withdrawal from all classes for any future semesters.

Academic Suspension

A Student on academic probation will be suspended if they fail to obtain the minimum standard grade point average of 2.00. A student with the status of academic suspension may apply for readmission after having set out one semester.

GRIEVANCES

A student having a grievance with TSOR must submit their grievance in writing (include the date and nature of the grievance).   The grievance should be submitted to the Dean of Students, TSOR, 1666 East Raines Rd, Memphis, TN 38116.  The Dean of Students and the Student Body Government will review the grievance within 10 days of the receipt of the grievance.  After which, a meeting will be held with the student.

Any grievances not resolved on the institutional level may be forwarded to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville, TN 37243-0830, (615) 741-5293.

MAINTAINING MATRICULATION

All degree candidates are required to register each semester from the initial registration period until all degree requirements are completed and graduation has occurred. In the event that a student cannot register for at least one course during a semester, the student must register for maintaining matriculation during the regular registration period. The fee for maintaining matriculation is $25.00.

A degree candidate who does not register for courses or for maintaining matriculation in two consecutive semesters and wishes to resume the degree program must file an application for re-entry with the Office of the Registrar.

A degree candidate who registers for more than two consecutive semesters in the maintaining matriculation status will be reviewed by the Committee on Admission to determine the likelihood of their degree completion within the time limits permitted for that degree program.

SUMMER SCHOOL TERM

Rules and policies regarding the summer term are the same as those in effect for the regular session except in the matter of credits for which one may register, the frequency of class sessions, making changes in registration, and time for withdrawal from courses.

WITHDRAWALS

A student is enrolled in a course after having registered for it, unless and until withdrawal occurs according to procedures stated in this Catalog. Privilege to withdraw from a course is the student’s. Refer to Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Instructors are required to report an earned grade for each student who does not withdraw officially, noting attendance requirements. A student may withdraw from the Institution at any time, and records are to indicate such withdrawal, including the date. Anyone desiring readmission must follow regular admission policies.