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Academic Information

Undergraduate Student Classification:

     Freshman:  Any student having completed less than 34 semester hours of academic studies.

     Sophomores:  Completion of at least 34 but less than 68 semester hours of academic studies.

     Juniors:  Completion of at least 68 but less than 102 semester hours of academic studies.

     Seniors:  Completion of a minimum of 102 semester hours of academic studies.

Semester System:

Free Grace Seminary operates on a semester system. The unit of counting credit is the semester hour. All academic work is graded according to the scale set forth below and is evaluated by a faculty member and assigned a letter grade.

Grade Policies:

 I - Incomplete.

 W - Withdrew from class during the first two weeks.

 WP - Withdrew, passing after the first two weeks. No grade points given and GPA is not affected.

 WF - Withdrew, failing after the first two weeks. No grade points given and GPA is negatively affected.

Incomplete Grades:

An incomplete grade "I" is assigned for deficiencies as the result of illness or other emergencies. The grade will become an "F" if the course work is not completed within two weeks following each semester, or within the time prescribed by the instructor.

The student's quality grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of credit hours into the total number of quality points earned. Any proper withdrawal from a class does not affect the grade average. However, if a student fails to follow the correct withdrawal procedure, the resulting "F" grade will be recorded.

Course Repeating Policy:

Students desiring to repeat a course for the purpose of having the first grade removed from the cumulative grade point average must follow these procedures:

     (1).  A course may be repeated if the student receives a grade of less than "C". Tuition for the repeated course is the same as an audit course.

     (2).  A course may be repeated for an additional charge if the student receives a "C" or higher.
 
     (3).  The second grade, in all circumstances, replaces the first grade for the purpose of calculating the cumulative grade point average.

Completion of Course Work:

Each course must be completed before the official conclusion of each semester. Under unusual circumstances the student, in consultation with the course instructor, may be granted a two-week extension to complete course work. The student must initiate all such requests.

Class Attendance:

Attendance of scheduled classes is regarded as being fundamentally essential to good learning. Class attendance is necessary for the learning process to provide optimum benefits. Significant materials, insights, perspectives, and opinions will be gained from class sessions. Moreover, students are expected to participate in class discussion. Consequently, if 20% or more of the classes are missed in any given course the student automatically fails the class. Three tardies normally equal one absence.

Excused absences count toward the 20%. Extensive absences for hospitalization or extreme emergencies will be handled by the Academic Dean in consultation with the instructor. Each instructor keeps accurate attendance records and makes decisions regarding excused or unexcused absences.

Grade Reports:

Grade reports are issued at the end of the semester. The student's copy of the grade report will be e-mailed or mailed within three weeks after the completion of the semester, at the address indicated on the Student's application. Errors on the grade report other than grade errors should be reported to the Director of Records and Admissions' Office within two weeks of receiving the grade report.

Grade Appeal Process:

If a student feels that there is an error on his grade report, he must begin the appeal process within thirty days of receiving the grade report. After thirty days the grade is considered final and is not subject to appeal by the student or any third party.

FGS is not responsible for lost tests, projects, etc. Please be sure to make a copy of all material prior to submitting material to FGS for grading or evaluation.

Academic Standing:

A student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to be considered in good standing. Any student receiving an "F" or "I" must contact the Dean of Students for further instructions.

Academic Probation:

Students whose grade point average drops below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. No student will be allowed to graduate with an "F" or "I" in a required course.

Academic Suspension:

When a student has been suspended academically, he or she may not enroll for at least one semesters, after which he/she may re-enroll.

Academic Integrity:

     (1). Plagiarism

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd College Edition, plagiarism is defined as taking and using “as one's own the writings or ideas of another.”  Plagiarism shall include failure to use quotation marks or other conventional markings around material quoted from another source. Plagiarism shall also include paraphrasing a specific passage from a source without indicating accurately what that source is. Plagiarism shall further include letting another person compose or rewrite a student's written assignment.

     (2). Falsifying Information

Falsifying information shall include forging a proctor's name, submitting another's work as one's own, or otherwise providing false or misleading documentation.

     (3). Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty

During examinations, academic dishonesty shall include referring to written information not specifically permitted by the instructor or syllabus.  It shall further include receiving unauthorized written or oral information from a fellow student or proctor.  Academic dishonesty shall include stealing, buying, selling, or transmitting a copy of any examination.

Any student proven to have committed any of the above will receive an "F" for the course and will receive an academic warning. If the student is proven to have been guilty a second time, he or she will be expelled from the seminary.

Dismissal:

FGS reserves the right to require the withdrawal of, or to deny re-admission to any student at any time, if this action is deemed necessary to maintain the seminary's ideals of scholarship and Christian standards. Dishonesty in any phase of college work, failure to give honest testimony to a seminary official or faculty member, disregard for the rights and safety of others, or any other un-Christian behavior may lead to dismissal. FGS students are expected to maintain the highest Christian behavior both in the churches and the local community. Failure to live up to these standards will lead to appropriate disciplinary actions that may include dismissal.

Transfer Students:

All credit hours of students transferring from other educational institutions will be evaluated in terms of the purpose and program of Free Grace Seminary. Credit will be given where the seminary administration is able to establish equivalency. Transfer credit is not automatic; it may not be granted in courses with a grade less than "C". Please note the transfer credits will only be applied upon completion of all requirements to graduate and will be applied only when student graduates from FGS.

A transfer student's grade point average (GPA) will be calculated using quality points awarded for coursework at Free Grace Seminary only. While transfer credit applies toward satisfying graduation requirements, those grades will not be used in calculating cumulative GPA.

A transfer student must have forwarded a transcript to FGS and provide evidence of having departed the previously attended institution in good standing.

The Bacholer of Theology Program:  A maximum of 64 semester hours may be transferred toward the Th.B. program. Thus, a student must complete at least 64 semester hours of academic work from FGS. An official transcript from the institution previously attended is required. 

The Master of Theological Studies Program: A maximum of 21 semester hours may be transferred toward the M.T.S. program. Thus, a student must complete at least 24 semester hours of academic work from FGS. An official transcript from the institution previously attended is required. 

The Master of Divinity Program: A maximum of 42 semester hours may be transferred toward the M.Div. program. Thus, a student must complete at least 48 semester hours of academic work from FGS. An official transcript from the institution previously attended is required. 

Transcripts:

The format of FGS transcripts is as follows:

All courses taken at FGS will be listed with course number, course name, course grade, course hours, and quality points. All transfer hours will be listed by total hours transferred into and accepted by FGS. No course names, course numbers, or grades will appear for transfer hours. The courses taken will be listed under one of three academic semesters, as appropriate. Degree earned and date of program completion will appear on each transcript. Honors earned, if any, will appear on transcript. No alterations will be made to transcript formats by FGS. The format is fixed for all students.

No transcript will be issued until all financial, administrative, and academic requirements have been fully met by the student.

All students requesting transcripts must request the transcript in writing, including a handwritten signature with appropriate fee. Requests must be received by traditional mail. (No e-mail or faxed requests will be accepted.)

Graduation Requirements:

The student must achieve an institutional GPA of at least 2.00 in the courses used to meet degree requirements. A student must be in good academic standing at the time of graduation.

The student must possess qualities of character and conduct, which will make him or her effective for Christian service.

During the final semester, the student must file an Application for Graduation.

All students fees, tuition, and monies owned to the seminary must be paid in full prior to receiving the degree.

Upon completion of all academic requirements the degree will be awarded to the graduate. Degrees for distance education students will be forwarded to the graduate, after being awarded by proxy, if the graduate is unable to attend the graduation ceremonies in Hampton, Georgia. 

Graduate Honors:

      • summa cum laude (3.95 - 4.00)
      • magna cum laude (3.75 - 3.94)
      • cum laude (3.50 - 3.74)

All honors (if applicable) will appear on the official transcript only. No honors will appear on the degrees earned by student.

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