International Theological Seminary

Academic Policy

Fulltime Study

The minimum fulltime study load for the four degree programs of ITS is as follows:

MA                  12 units per quarter
M.Div.             12 units per quarter
Th.M.                9 units per quarter
D.Min.              5 units per quarter

The seminary, however, recommends the following study load in order for a student to complete his/her program within a normal length of study period:

MA         16 units per quarter to complete the program in two years
M.Div.    16 units per quarter to complete the program in three years
Th.M.     12 units/qtr to complete the course work and thesis in 2 years
D.Min    15 units per quarter to complete the course work and dissertation in two years

 

Grading Policy

Grade System

Letter grades are used with the following numerical values for the purpose of computing the grade point average:

A     4.00              B+    3.33             C+    2.33          F       0         Failure
A-    3.67              B      3.00             C      2.00         W       0         Withdrawn
B-    2.67             C-     1.67              I          0     Incomplete

A grade below C- is not counted toward a degree. Any course in which a grade below C- is given should be repeated if it is a required course.

Policy on Incomplete Grades

A student, for reasons of documented illness or other hardship, may request an extension of the due date for course work. The professor, with the concurrence of the Academic Dean, may give an “I” grade for the course. This grade is temporary and the student will be given up to two weeks after the beginning of the next quarter to complete the course requirements (or three weeks after the examination period of the third quarter). If at the end of the agreed upon period the “I” grade is not removed, the professor will determine the final grade based on work completed. The grade will appear as such on the permanent record.
When a student receives an “F” grade, the course will have to be repeated if it is needed to fulfill course requirements for a degree program. An “F” grade is counted in computing the current and cumulative GPA until a new grade is given for the course.

Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from any course without penalty during the first two weeks of the quarter. Withdrawal is possible without penalty thereafter only by special permission from the Academic Dean. If a student withdraws after the two-week period, he/she will be charged tuition for the withdrawn course(s) according to the schedule for refunds listed earlier.

 

Transfer of Credit

Requests for transfer of credit will be reviewed only after a student has applied for admission into a degree program at ITS. The maximum credits to be transferred from another institution to ITS may be up to one-half of credits required for the same degree at ITS.

MA (96 units)                                                up to 48 units transferable
M.Div. (144 units)                                        up to 72 units transferable
Th.M. (32 units, plus a thesis)                  up to 16 units transferable
D.Min. (45 units, plus a dissertation)      up to 22 units transferable

Courses to be considered for transfer must have been completed successfully at another institution with a grade C- or above for the MA and M.Div. programs and B- or above for the Th.M. and D.Min. programs.

Auditing

One can take the courses offered at ITS through the required procedures. In order to audit a class, one has to obtain the permission of the Academic Dean, complete the necessary registration, and pay a non-refundable fee ($100 per course) for each course. The fee is refundable only if the instructor does not approve the class attendance of the auditor.
An auditor who wants to take a course for credit is subject to the academic policy of the seminary, including tuition and class assignments. No fee may be charged when the members of the faculty, staff, and full-time students and their spouses audit a course.

Independent Study

Ordinarily, taking courses through independent study is discouraged. Requests for independent study are reviewed and granted by the Academic Dean under special circumstances. After obtaining an agreement between a professor and student, an independent study course may be conducted by means of assigned reading, writing a paper, and an examination. In the four degree programs, the maximum credit hours which can be taken through independent study are as follows:

MA                  12 credit hours
M.Div.             16 credit hours
Th.M.                 6 credit hours
D.Min.               5 credit hours

 

Academic Probation

Minimum GPA for Academic Probation

A student may be placed on academic probation if the student’s cumulative GPA does not meet the required level of GPA (1.67 for the MA and M.Div. programs and 2.67 for the Th.M. and D.Min. programs). A student placed on academic probation is required to raise his/her GPA in the following quarter above the minimum GPA. Failure to raise GPA above the required level may result in dismissal from the seminary.

Readmission

No period of time is specified before students who have been dismissed for poor academic performance are eligible to petition for readmission. The Admissions Committee, however, will readmit a student only when there is clear evidence that the difficulties previously encountered have been overcome and that eventual completion of degree requirements can reasonably be expected.

 

Leave of Absence

Regular class attendance is expected in every course. Absence from class for a legitimate reason will be excused by the professor if the reason is reported to him/her promptly.  When a student’s absence from the campus is necessitated by illness or some other causes, he/she is expected to notify the Academic Dean promptly of such absence and its cause. Leave of absence can be granted under extraordinary circumstances.

 

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held once each academic year at the end of the third quarter. All students who are eligible to receive degrees are expected to participate in the commencement ceremony. If a student unable to be present at the ceremony, he/she must petition the faculty to receive the degree in absentia, giving the reason for his/her inability to attend the commencement ceremony.
Prospective graduates must pay all debts to the seminary no later than the last day of classes of the third quarter in order to participate in the commencement exercises. Neither a diploma nor a final transcript will be released to a student until his financial obligations to the seminary are paid in full, or an agreement on the deferred payment is made.