Registration and Academic Policies

University Communications

Each student is provided with an @fpu.edu email address as the official method for communicating deadlines and other important information. Students are required to check their Fresno Pacific University email on a regular basis.

University Catalog

Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the information presented in this catalog and for knowing and observing all policies and procedures related to their participation in the university community.

Students are personally responsible for following all policies and meeting all deadlines and requirements. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, academic requirements and general policies and procedures. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions granted based on a student's lack of knowledge regarding Fresno Pacific University policies or procedures. Additional policies and procedures can be found in the student handbooks.

Catalog Controlling Graduation

Students who remain continuously enrolled must satisfy degree and general education requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time they first attended the university as degree candidates. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence for less than one calendar year, the student will resume studies under the catalog in effect at the time they first attended the university as degree candidates. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence for one calendar year or longer, the student will resume studies under the catalog in effect at the time of reenrollment. This policy will apply even if the changes in curriculum for that program and/or general education are significant. Catalogs take effect on the first day of class for the fall term of the academic year for which they are published.

Course Numbering

Course offerings at the 600-700 level are for eligible undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Certain courses may also have perquisites

Course Syllabi and Assignments

The syllabi, course outlines or lesson plans for courses in the programs of study at Fresno Pacific University are subject to changes at the discretion of instructors. Students are encouraged to select courses based on degree requirements and other factors related to individual instructors, but students should not construe syllabi, et al., used in prior terms or distributed at the start of a term, as an unalterable commitment of the instructor or the university.

Variations in the learning needs of students, inherent uncertainty in predicting exactly how material for a course should be covered and an ambiguity in determining the most effective means of evaluating students dictates that a design for instruction may need to be adjusted. Therefore, in order to be pedagogically responsible, the university allows that reading assignments, written assignments, examinations, daily topics and means and weights involved in the instructor's evaluation of students can change as needed after instruction has begun.

Instructors are encouraged to be as faithful as possible to published syllabi or lesson plans. However, if altering these is judged by instructors to be necessary and appropriate, instructors may do so but are requested to share with their students in a timely manner how the course syllabi or lesson plans have changed.

Students are required to keep a copy of all work that they submit. If an assignment that has been submitted to the instructor is lost, the student will be required to provide a replacement. If the student does not have a copy of their work, it will be presumed that the work was not completed and submitted. For graduate students and seminary students no work will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the last week of the semester.

Transfer Credits/Credit for Previous Coursework

Transfer Credit Limits

Students may receive credit for courses taken at other institutions, subject to the limitations given below. All documents used for transcript evaluation must be official. Transfer courses taken at foreign institutions require a certified English translation and evaluation of the candidate's transcripts by one of the agencies approved by FPU (AERC or WES). This evaluation should be a Course-by-Course Report rather than a Document (degree) Report. All transfer work and FPU work is used to calculate a combined cumulative GPA for admission purposes.

Transcripts submitted for admission or credit transfer become the property of Fresno Pacific University and cannot be returned to the student or forwarded to other institutions. Under federal policy, students have the right to view the documents in their file; the university does not provide or allow the making of copies of these documents.

Transfer credit evaluations are made by the Registrar's Office in conjunction with the academic department heads. Students who wish to appeal when credit is not granted for previous courses should complete a Substitution/Transfer Request.

Graduate and seminary program directors may consider and authorize transfer of previous coursework for students entering a graduate program in certain cases. Any authorization for transfer requires completion of a Substitution/Transfer Request form and must be verified by receipt of official college transcripts. The following conditions apply to courses transferred:

1. Courses transferred to meet requirements for a credential must be listed on official transcripts as post-baccalaureate and the grade achieved must be C or better (or credit when the course has been taken credit/no credit.)
2. Courses transferred to meet requirements for a master of arts must be:

• Designated as graduate courses applicable toward a master's degree by the institution where the course was taken
• Completed with a grade of B or better. Seminary courses that were taken at an accredited graduate school for Credit/No Credit may not be transferred except at the seminary dean's discretion

3. To be considered toward a degree or credential all courses must have been completed within 10 years of the award of the degree or credential.
4. Final approval is granted by the Registrar's Office.
5. Unless stated otherwise for a specific graduate program, a maximum of 9 semester units may be transferred from an accredited graduate program into a Fresno Pacific University graduate program when courses are judged to be equivalent.
6. Seminary exceptions. A maximum of half the units may be transferred from a previously earned graduate degree. If no degree has been earned, then up to 60 units for a M.Div. and 30 units for an M.A. (except for the MAMLC Which is limited to 9 units), and 6 units for a certificate may be transferred in.

Quarter units are converted to semester units by multiplying the number of quarters units by 2 and then divided by 3. For example, 5 quarter units times 2 divided by 3.33 semester units. See chart for further examples.

Foreign Transcript Evaluations

Previous educational work completed at foreign institutions requires a certified English translation and evaluation of the candidate's transcripts by one of the agencies approved by FPU. Postsecondary evaluations should be a Course-by-Course Report. Secondary education information may be a Document (degree) Report. Whether a student is an international or a domestic student, these third-party evaluations are required for the courses to be recognized as equivalent to U.S. baccalaureate or graduate-level work. For detailed information and a listing of accepted evaluation companies, please consult the FPU Registrar's Office webpage.

Additional Criteria

See the Degree Requirements.

Course Substitution

Students may request that a course that is similar to a program requirement be substituted for the required course. (Substitutions cannot be made from life experience, work experience and non-baccalaureate coursework.) To apply for a substitution, students should follow these steps:

Graduate students should meet with their graduate program director to complete a Graduate Substitution Transfer Request form, which must be signed by the director and returned to the Registrar's Office. A course syllabus must be attached to the request form.

Once the Substitution Transfer Request form has been received by the Registrar's Office, it will be reviewed. Once the approval/denial process is complete, the Registrar's Office will notify the student and the program director/mentor/advisor via FPU email.

Course Modes

Courses are offered in different types of delivery modes: face-to-face, online, and blended.

Lecture Courses

The standard course meets in a face-to-face, traditional class setting for the equivalent of 15 class hours for each unit of credit. This course assumes approximately two hours of student preparation for each hour spent in class. Therefore, student time for a 3-unit course is assumed to be 135 hours (45 hours in class and 90 hours of student preparation).

Online Courses

An online course has most or all of the content delivered online. Online courses typically have no face-to-face meetings and all materials and activities are Internet based. Multimedia components may include: text, email, discussion boards, chat utilities, voice over Internet protocol, instant messaging, synchronous audio, video clips, interactive activities, simulations, games, self-grading exercises, quizzes, examinations, websites and other Internet resources.

Online courses that do not set specific times when all students must be online are described as being asynchronous. Online courses that set specific times when all students must be online are described as being synchronous.

Blended Courses

A blended, or hybrid, course blends online and face-to-face delivery. A blended course has required face-to-face meetings and online work.

Directed Study Courses

A directed study is a cataloged course taken by special arrangement and approved only to expand program offerings or meet specific program requirements that cannot be met in other ways. Typically the course is taught on an individual basis because of scheduling conflicts or other compelling reasons. The course objectives and activities will generally follow the syllabus, with adaptations as appropriate. Prior approval is required by the instructor, program director or mentor/advisor and the dean.

Before permission is granted to meet a requirement by means of a directed study, the following options must have been explored and not found to be feasible:

1. Substitution of another course for the required course.
2. Waiver of the requirement.

Directed studies must meet the following criteria:

1. The amount of work required must be equivalent to that required in the regular course.
2. The student is held to the same measures of quality as in the regular course.
3. The number of hours of consultation between professor and student for each unit of credit granted should follow established FPU standards.
4. The request must be approved by the instructor, the program director or mentor/advisor and the dean.

Special Course Registration forms for requesting permission to enroll for directed study are available in the Registrar's Office or its website.

Seminary students are limited to 15 units for M.Div. students and 10 units for Master of Arts students. Seminary directed study courses must be letter graded.

Enrichment Courses

Selected courses are available for a non-credit enrichment option, and are intended for individuals from the community to benefit from regular courses in the curriculum, subject to space availability and instructor approval. This option is available at no cost to current FPU students and current employees; for all others, the enrichment fee is charged (see Costs and Financial Aid ). No admission application is required for enrollment in this option. Courses taken under the enrichment option are recorded on the transcript and are given a non-evaluative grade of E (enrichment).

Independent Study Courses

An independent study is a means of conducting in-depth research on a subject or for studying an area not covered by, but related to, the regular curriculum.

In order to receive credit for independent study, the student must develop a written learning contract with a professor, outlining specific objectives, learning activities and criteria for evaluation. Contact hours should meet established FPU standards. All independent study courses must have prior written approval of the appropriate program director (or equivalent). Independent study is to be used only in cases in which the course content is not available in a regular course and there is clear justification for offering the option. Most courses may not be taken by independent study.

The number of units and the fulfillment of specific degree requirements students may take in an independent study capacity varies by degree program. Specific information may be obtained by contacting the relevant program director (or equivalent).

Lectureships

Seminary students may receive credit for attending special lectures on or off campus. One unit of credit is earned for 15 hours of lecture/input plus successful completion of assignments given by an approved FPU Biblical Seminary faculty member, who acts as the coordinator. (One-half unit is earned for 7.5 hours of lecture/input, plus assignments.) A maximum of 9 units may be taken for the M.Div. degree. A maximum of 6 units may be taken for the M.A. degree. All lectureships are graded Credit/No Credit.

Academic Calendar

The academic year is divided into terms. The graduate calendar is divided into three terms: three semesters that are each 16 weeks in length. Academic credit is given in semester units. For more detailed information, see the Academic Calendars . 

Registration

Only individuals who are registered may attend classes. All registrations or course additions must be approved by the student's mentor, advisor or program director as the first step of the registration process. The second step is to register online for the approved courses. Previous FPU financial responsibilities must be met before registration can occur.

Non-registered students do not have access to class information in Sunbird Central and will not be able to turn in assignments or receive grades. No petitions will be allowed for late registration after the fourth week of the session at the latest. (See charts which follow for earlier deadlines.)

It is the responsibility of students to make changes in registration, such as dropping courses after the first week, withdrawing from programs, etc. within the appropriate deadlines. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade and financial indebtedness.

Students may verify registered courses by viewing their official class schedule on Sunbird Central.  Specific registration deadlines are given in the charts that follow. Check the academic calendars for specific dates when registration opens.

Registration signifies that the student agrees to abide by the policies and procedures by the university. The university reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who does not comply. This agreement is in keeping with the university's philosophy that students should be aware of the dimensions and constraints of the educational community in which they participate during the years of their enrollment. Students are required to respect the various academic and administrative deadlines and other university publications.

Course Availability

The university makes every reasonable effort to offer courses as announced. However, the university reserves the right to modify the class schedule or to cancel courses if necessary. Not all courses listed in this catalog are available each term at all campus locations.

Course Drops

Students who do not intend to complete a course should drop it online via Sunbird Central during the first week. Students who attend and drop the first week will not receive a grade. After the first week, see Course Withdrawals. Refunds and grades are based on the last day of attendance. Students must drop the course online by the drop deadline. Students who are unable to attend due to an emergency should contact the instructor and request an excused absence. After the first week, it is the students' responsibility to withdraw from courses they do not intend to complete. Each week the refund amount decreases (see Financial information for details). Failure to drop courses in a timely manner will result in failed grades and financial responsibility for payment. Students may be administratively dropped for not meeting satisfactory academic progress or failure to follow university rules.

Course Withdrawals

Students may attend courses and still withdraw from them until the appropriate deadline. Students who withdraw from courses after the first week but before the drop deadline will receive a grade of W. The grade of W does not affect GPA, but does affect satisfactory academic progress. Students who attend courses after the deadline will receive a grade from the instructor. Students may petition to drop a course after the deadline and receive a grade of W. See the chart which follows for additional information and the Petitions Policy.

Grade and Percent Refund for Drop/Withdrawal

Changing Section of a Continuing Sequence

Many of the courses offered in a program's curriculum are part of continuing sequences that extend over more than one term. When enrolling in the first term of a sequential course, students, in fact, enroll in that section for the duration of the course. Should substantial reasons exist for changing enrollment in a sequential course, students must obtain permission from the current course instructor, the proposed new instructor and the program director (or equivalent) or his/her designee. This authorization must be presented in writing to the Registrar's Office. After such approval is obtained, students must then follow existing add/drop procedures to change the section. Some courses do not allow for changes in sections.

Transcripts

Permanent Record

Only information of an academic nature is entered into the student academic record (transcript). That includes terms of attendance and coursework completed.

Official Records

Official transcripts are issued by the Registrar's Office. Transcripts are issued only at the written request of the student, using the university's electronic request system. Transcripts will not be released to students who have outstanding obligations, financial or otherwise, to the university.

Official transcripts bear the institutional seal and the signature of the university registrar.

Fresno Pacific University cannot officially verify any coursework taken at another institution even if the student has a transcript on file from that institution.

Changes to Records

The Registrar's Office houses the official records of students and is responsible for maintaining and updating those records. It is the student's responsibility to keep the university apprised of all name, address and phone number changes. Students wishing to make changes in their name, address, telephone number or email address information should submit the Student Information form located on Sunbird Central.

The Registrar's Office requires appropriate documentation in order to change or correct a name, Social Security number or birth date. Documentation for a name change or date of birth correction is a driver's license. Documentation for a Social Security number correction is a Social Security card.

Enrollment Verification Certificates

The National Student Clearinghouse provides enrollment verification certifications for FPU students through its Web-based student self-service. This service also allows students to view their loan history and is free to students. This secure site provides 24-hour-a-day enrollment verifications/ information.

Certificates are printed on demand. The site provides a single source for student loan information

Current students may login to MyFPU. Click on the My Services tab and select Enrollment Verification. Select Return on the National Clearinghouse link to process the request.

Marking System and Symbols Used On Transcripts

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Quality Points

For each unit in which the student is enrolled, he or she will receive quality points as follows:

A student's grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of units undertaken, excluding courses in which the grades CR, I, IP, NC, NR, W, R and AU were received. Transfer units are not counted in calculating the GPA on the Fresno Pacific University transcript. Only FPU credits counted toward a degree are used in calculating the cumulative GPA.

Credit-Bearing Grades

Seminary courses with a grade below C- will not be credited toward the completion of major or minor requirements. Graduate courses with a grade below B- will not be credited toward the completion of requirements of any graduate degree program. Stricter standards may be applied in specific programs. (See program descriptions.) Depending on the program of study, students must earn minimum grades in order to receive credit towards program requirements. A grade of C or better earns credit in credential, certificate, added authorization and most seminary programs. MFT students taking required COUN courses and courses required for counseling licensure must earn a B- or better. Students in other master's programs must earn a grade of B- or better, unless otherwise stated in the program section of the catalog.

Seminary Grading Standards

The formal statement of grading standards adopted by the seminary faculty is as follows:

1. Each faculty member shall state his/her criteria for evaluation in the course syllabus.
2. The general guidelines for written work shall be as follows (in order of importance):
3. Method of approach, e.g., goals of paper, types of questions asked, clarity about method

• Thoroughness, e.g., addressing the important issues, knowledge of data and scholarly literature
• Clarity and penetration, e.g., definition of issue/problem, style of argumentation, literary style
• Topic picked, e.g., appropriate, properly defined, original
• Originality, e.g., thesis, argumentation, expression
• Style of paper, e.g., appearance, spelling, grammar, mechanics, compliance with Slade (see page 102)

The general guidelines for oral presentations shall be as follows (in order of importance):

1. Method of approach, e.g., goals of presentation, types of questions asked, clarity about method, introduction and conclusion, organization.
2. Thoroughness, e.g., addressing the important issues, knowledge of subject matter and scholarly literature.
3. Style of delivery, e.g., clarity of expression, confidence before an audience, use of voice, eye contact, use of language, use of illustrations.
4. Originality, e.g., topic, thesis or proposition, development of argument or sermon, expression.

All student work will be evaluated by two standards:

1. By what is considered the appropriate level of graduate performance.
2. By comparison with other work submitted in a given class.

Course grades measure the student's competence in relation to three areas:

1. The student's ability to comprehend theoretical material appropriate to the course.
2. The student's ability to subjectively engage the course material through critical evaluation and reflection on a particular field of study.
3. The student's ability to appropriate material for understanding their own existence and life experiences.

Additional Seminary Grading Standards

Class Attendance and Participation

Class participation is one of the most significant parts of the shared learning experience at the seminary. Many classes use the seminar learning method. Seminary students who miss more than 25 percent of the class time in a course may have their grade reduced by a full letter grade and may be at risk for failing the course. Exceptions to this policy may be considered because of medical or family emergencies. All exceptions must be approved by both the faculty member and the dean of the seminary.

Completion of all Assignments

Faculty often require a variety of assignments in a course so that students deal with the course material from several perspectives. Even though some of the assignments may constitute only a small percentage of the final grade, they may be significant in the total learning experience. Faculty may state in their syllabus that all of the assignments must be completed to receive a passing (or other specified) grade.

Students are required to keep a copy of all work that they submit. If an assignment that has been submitted to the instructor is lost, the student will be required to provide a replacement. If the student does not have a copy of their work, it will be presumed that the work was not completed and submitted.

Course Load

The general rule for a course load is 1500-2000 pages of reading and 20 pages of writing for a three unit class, or an equivalent amount of work. One- and two-unit courses will be adjusted proportionately.

Late Assignments

Each course and syllabus will have specific policies for late assignments, indicating due dates and penalties. Exceptions related to family and professional emergencies or illness will be considered. No work will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Friday the last week of the semester.

Manual of Style

The official manual of style for written papers is Form and Style: Research Papers, Reports and Theses, by Carole Slade, published by Houghton Mifflin, 2000. The manual outlines three major styles: the Chicago Manual of Style, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. In principle the seminary accepts any of the above styles, but students should check with faculty before formatting assignments, as professors may have a particular style preference.

Seminary Grades

Grades are assigned based on the following percentages of points earned.

Grade Reporting And Appeals

Instructors report a grade for credit when all requirements for the course have been completed. The Registrar's Office must receive grades from instructors no later than the date published annually in the Academic Calendar.

If grades are not received on time by the registrar, an NR (No Report) will be entered on the student's transcript. Students who receive NR for their grade should contact their instructor.

After a grade has been reported to the university's registrar, the grade will not be changed unless a Grade Change Request form is submitted to the Registrar's Office. When there is a clerical or computation error, faculty may make grade changes up to two terms (fall, spring, summer) following completion of a course. Request for grade changes for any other reason should follow the grade appeals process that follows and should be initiated within six weeks of grade posting. Faculty are required to keep documentation that supports grades assigned for a minimum of one year.

Grade Appeals Process

In general, grades represent the faculty member's professional judgment of a student's performance in a course and, as such, are final. However, students have the right to ask a faculty member for an explanation of any grade received and may appeal a grade when they perceive that a final grade was biased, arbitrary or capricious. In those instances, students must follow the Grade Appeal Process outlined below.

General Principles

1. Students are encouraged to seek advice in matters of concern about grades from their faculty or academic advisor.
2. Grade appeals can be made only in instances where procedural issues or biased, arbitrary or capricious grading are in question, specifically any one of the following:
   1. An obvious error in calculation.
   2. The instructor has applied more exacting standards to the particular student.
   3. The grade was given on some other basis than performance in the course.
   4. The grade represents a substantial departure from the instructor's announced standards.

Repeated Courses

Some courses are designated as repeatable for credit each time a student enrolls. Whether a course is repeatable for credit is indicated in course descriptions.

When a student repeats a course not designated as repeatable for credit, the highest grade received is used to calculate the student's grade point average. Full tuition is charged for units of credit for repeated courses. A student is awarded credit only once for each course. The units in subsequent attempts will, however, be counted in determining the student's enrollment status and may only be counted for financial aid purposes if the original grade was an F. (For details, see Student Financial Services prior to registration.) No coursework may be repeated after the student's degree has been conferred. Students may repeat Fresno Pacific University courses for grade substitution only when both courses are taken at FPU.

Grade Replacement

To replace a course grade, the student must retake the identical course number at Fresno Pacific University to receive the grade replacement. If a student opts to retake a course to replace a grade, the course with the higher grade will automatically replace the lower grade once the official grading is recorded in FPU's data system. Only the higher of the two grades will be calculated into the final cumulative GPA at FPU. Please note: The replaced [original] grade will remain on the official transcript within the term it was taken with a notation of the repeat status; the original grade will be calculated into that term's GPA and the cumulative GPA to date. The replaced [original] grade will not be used in the final cumulative GPA calculation.

Grading Alternatives

Auditing a Course

Students wishing to attend classes without receiving undergraduate or graduate credit may register as auditors. Enrollment as an auditor is subject to permission of the instructor. Regular class attendance is expected and the student may be required to participate in any or all classroom activities at the discretion of the instructor. Check the Program Costs section of this catalog for the audit fee. A course satisfactorily completed for audit is listed on the transcript with a grade of AU. Audit courses not satisfactorily completed will appear on the transcript with a grade of UA. The audit option is not available in all FPU courses. (See the Course Descriptions  section.) Seminary students may change their status in a course from credit to audit by the deadline indicated in the academic calendar. (The standard refund policies apply.)

Incomplete Grade

Students may receive a grade of incomplete for a course when illness, family tragedy or similar difficulty makes it impossible for them to complete course requirements on time. Students must arrange for an Incomplete with their instructor and dean, complete the Incomplete Grade Request form and submit it to the Registrar's Office. Students do not reregister to finish incomplete coursework; however students are required to finish coursework no later than the end of the stated deadline period. Normally the course must be completed with the instructor who assigned the incomplete grade. Incomplete grades that are not removed by the end of the deadline period will be converted automatically to an F grade for graded courses and to an NC for credit/no credit courses. A degree cannot be granted with an incomplete on the transcript.

Requests for incompletes are not approved in cases where students have not completed work due to negligence or lack of effort, or are not satisfied with their grade. Requests for incompletes should be submitted prior to the last day of class and must be approved by the instructor and the dean. When an incomplete is granted for graduate courses, course requirements must be completed before the end of the next sequential term (spring, summer, fall).

In-progress Courses

A standard IP course is intended, by design, to span two or three terms (e.g., field practica). In-progress courses may not exceed a total of three terms, including the summer term. Deadlines are set by program directors. When students enroll in such courses the credits and final grades are deferred until the end of the last term of the course. A grade of IP is posted to a student's record at the end of the first term and remains until a final grade is issued.

A non-standard IP course may span one to three terms. Some students will finish in one semester and others may finish in up to three semesters (including the summer term.) (See the Course Descriptions  section.)

Credit/No Credit Grades

Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) units are not calculated into a student's GPA. Check course descriptions to see if a course is graded CR/NC or if it may be graded CR/NC if a student elects to do so.

Graduate Courses

To receive a Credit grade, the work must be at least the equivalent of the grade required for program credit. If not a grade of No Credit will be assigned.

Biblical Seminary

To receive a Credit grade, the work must be at least the equivalent of the grade required for program credit. If not a grade of No Credit will be assigned. CR/NC units are not calculated into a student's GPA. A maximum of 9 units in any degree may be taken for Credit/No Credit in addition to any CR/NC units assigned through advanced standing or courses only available as CR/NC. Students should be aware that some professional organizations do not recognize courses completed on a CR/NC basis. Students are responsible to be familiar with the requirements of their profession or future education.

Application for Credit/No Credit grading must be made by the deadline indicated in the academic calendar. Once application is approved, it may not be changed back to a letter grade.

Instructor Evaluations

Students are asked to evaluate each course and instructor at the end of the term or session. A form is administered electronically and each student is asked to complete an evaluation form for each course completed. Students are encouraged to provide appropriate feedback and comments. Instructors are encouraged to incorporate feedback into their work. Comments on these forms are taken very seriously by the university and constitute one part of the faculty evaluation process.

Academic Status

All units are offered on a semester basis.

Definition of a Full-Time Student

Graduate students, including seminary students, are defined as full time when they enroll in 9 or more units per semester.

International Students

To abide by the regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security, students in the United States in F-1 status are required to be enrolled full time. Exceptions to this law include, but are not limited to: the final semester in which less than full-time units are required to complete the program; semesters during which students are working on their theses. International students who are admitted to the graduate IMAP program will be considered full time during their first semester while enrolled in the 2-unit course IMA-701 Introduction to Individualized Study. Once that course is complete and the student proposal approved, the 18-unit requirement will begin for the next calendar year.

There are several exceptions involving online courses. It is not permissible for international students to be admitted to an online program and to do it from within the United States. An international student needs to leave the U.S. and only then can they be enrolled in an online program. No more than one online class (or 3 units) per semester may be counted towards full-time status. (Additional online units may, however, count towards a degree.) If the student's course of study is in a language study program, no online classes may be counted towards the full-time status requirement. If a student needs only one course to finish his or her degree, it cannot be taken through online education.

International students should keep in contact with the International Programs and Services Office regarding their course schedules as other exceptions may apply and documentation may be required.

Please note, there are many forms of additional statuses other than F-1. If you do not intend to enroll as an F-1 visa category student, please contact the International Admissions Specialist to verify which of the above requirements may apply to you. For more information please see Fresno Pacific website.

Units Per Semester

Active Enrollment

To remain on active status. students must enroll in consecutive semesters (excluding summer) or have an approved leave of absence. Students who have not enrolled in a class each semester and do not have an approved leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn. Students who wish to reenter a program after being inactive must reapply. Reentry students are required to meet any new program requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Students who plan to miss a semester should follow the leave of absence policy described below.

Admission on Probation: Seminary

Seminary students admitted either on academic probation due to low GPA or on accreditation probation due to the undergraduate degree being earned at an unaccredited institution will not be evaluated for change of status until the student has completed a minimum of 12 units of coursework for credit. Probation will be lifted if a student has successfully completed the units with a minimum 2.50 GPA. The Seminary Academic Committee may recommend termination if probation is not lifted.

Non-Matriculated Enrollment Status

Students seeking nondegree study should contact the Admissions Office, program office or the designated representative for a part-time application form. Graduate and seminary applicants must submit transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree. Information about courses, deadlines and registration procedures is available from the Registrar's Office. Not all courses are available to part-time, nondegree seeking students. Permission must be granted by the program director. Students attending on a non-matriculated basis may not earn a degree and must register for courses on a space-available basis (enrollment in such courses is not guaranteed) with a limit of 6 units per semester. If students later apply and become accepted to an FPU program, they may not apply more than 9 units of this academic work toward the degree. Students on a non-matriculated status are not eligible for federal, state or institutional financial aid.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence is a break from the university for the period of one semester. A student may request a leave of absence for medical, military or personal reasons. A leave will not be approved for academic deficiencies or disciplinary action.

Benefits of requesting a leave include maintaining the degree requirements under which the student initially entered. Students will not need to re-apply to the university.

Students must file a Leave of Absence form with the Registrar's Office, along with supporting documentation. For medical or maternity leaves a doctor's note is required. For military leaves, a copy of the military orders is required. For personal leaves, a statement of reason for leaving must be submitted. In addition, students must be in good academic standing and student account balance must be paid in full. Students should apply prior to or within the current term. Leaves are not granted retroactively.

A student who drops out without filing a formal leave of absence will be considered to have withdrawn, will be required to reapply upon return, and will be under new catalog requirements. In extenuating circumstances a student who needs to be out more than one semester may file for an extension of the leave of absence. Exceeding the maximum length of leave without an extension will result in being withdrawn from the university. See also Thesis/Project Time Limitations for additional information.

Military Leave of Absence

A matriculated student who is called up to active duty with the military or deployed for military action is eligible for a military leave of absence. A military leave of absence will facilitate a student's return to Fresno Pacific University if the student wishes to return within one year of the date of discharge from active service or return from deployment.

To obtain a military leave of absence, students must submit the proper form and documentation as indicated above. When discharged from active duty or back from assignment, a student may register at FPU by contacting the Registrar's Office and declaring their intention to return. Documentation of discharge or reassignment will be required. Students returning from military leave of absence will be permitted to participate in the normal registration period with other students with similar class standing as determined by number of credit hours earned.

Students who are granted a military leave of absence but do not register for classes within one year of the date of discharge or reassignment must file an application for readmission with the Admissions Office to reenroll. New degree requirements may apply.

Withdrawal from University

A university withdrawal is complete removal from enrollment at the university. Notifying university personnel of withdrawal from the university the student indicates that the student does not plan to return. All current and future enrollment is dropped/withdrawn and the student is withdrawn from the university. Once withdrawn, the student must reapply and be readmitted in order to return. Failure to drop/withdraw courses the student with not complete may result in failing grades and payment responsibility.

Students wishing to withdraw from the university after the course drop deadlines listed above and who have documented extenuating circumstances beyond their control must submit an academic petition for consideration. For more information, see the Withdrawal Policy.

Attendance

The university expects regular class attendance by all students. Students who do not attend at least once during the first week of class will be administratively dropped from the course. Students desiring an excused absence should contact the instructor if there are extenuating circumstances. Each student is responsible for all academic work missed during absences. When an absence occurs, students should contact the instructor both as a courtesy and to check for missed assignments.

Instructors maintain attendance electronically.

Students who will be absent for an extended period of time should refer to the leave of absence policy stated above. After the first week, students are responsible for dropping courses they will not attend or complete. (See the Drop Policy section.)

Corrections to a student's attendance record must be made no later than two terms following the completion of a course. After two terms, the attendance record will stand.

Attendance for Online and Blended Courses

Attendance in blended and online courses is taken by an automated system, but may be amended by faculty. For online courses, regular attendance is defined as academically engaging with the online course material once a week at a minimum. For blended courses, regular attendance is defined as attending face-to-face instruction and academically engaging with online course material once a week at a minimum. (Faculty may adopt stricter requirements.) Failure to attend both the online and the onsite portions of a course during a one-week period will result in an absence for the week in blended courses. Online students who do not academically engage with the online course material during the first week will be marked absent and administratively dropped from the course. Students registered for blended courses who do not attend the face-to-face instruction and academically engage with the online course material during the first week will be marked absent and administratively dropped from the course. Academic engagement is tracked by certain types of online activities. Academic engagement in the Moodle online environment is defined as submitting assignments and/or interacting with Moodle activities. Examples of Moodle activities are assignments, blogs, chat, choice, databases, discussion forums, glossary, journal, questionnaires, quizzes, surveys, wikis, or workshops. Logging into Moodle and/or looking at resources such as videos, websites, articles, or books are not output-type activities and will not be considered online attendance.

Automated attendance is recorded every Sunday at midnight for the previous week. Assignments done in a week other than the one when the assignment is due will not count towards attendance for any future or previous week. Students who do not participate in online activities weekly are at risk for failing the course, which may affect their academic or financial standing.

Seminary Students

Seminary students who miss more than 25 percent of the class time in a course may have their grade reduced by a full letter grade and may be at risk for failing the course. Exceptions to this policy may be considered because of medical or family emergencies. All exceptions must be approved by both the faculty member and the dean of the seminary.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for master's degrees are given below. Specific course requirements are listed in the program sections of this catalog.

Master's Degrees

The following policies do not apply to the FPU Biblical Seminary. Requirements for a master's degree are: a minimum number of 30 graduate semester units, which include:

1. Graduate program requirements.
2. Graduate-level elective courses as needed to complete the 30-unit minimum.

Minimums

1. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all Fresno Pacific University graduate coursework.
2. A minimum grade of B- or CR in all graduate courses used to meet degree requirements, with certain seminary courses accepting a grade of C or better.
3. A minimum of 21 units must be taken at FPU, with the exception of individualized master's programs.

Maximums

1. A maximum of 9 transfer units may be used to meet degree requirements in most programs. See specific programs for exceptions.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy

All students who intend to complete a degree must apply for advancement to candidacy so that a preliminary evaluation of their readiness to work on the project/thesis or the master's seminars may be determined.

An application for master's candidacy should be submitted to the Registrar's Office eight weeks prior to registering for the last culminating experience course. Students are not allowed to enroll in the seminar or the project/thesis course, or sit for the comprehensive exam until advancement to candidacy has been granted by the Registrar's Office.

Culminating Experience

A culminating academic experience is required for all students. It includes a scholarly activity demonstrating that graduate students have engaged in independent learning and are able to synthesize knowledge gained into practice. Each master's degree program requires or offers one or more options for a master's degree student's culminating experience. The options include: 1) master's thesis, 2) master's project, 3) comprehensive examination, 4) capstone courses, and 5) a combination of one of more of the prior options. An explanation of how the culminating experience promotes independent learning and details of the requirements of the program can be found in each program's curricular description. A culminating experience must be successfully completed before a student may participate in commencement exercises. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Comprehensive Examinations Structure

The comprehensive examination is one option that graduate programs use to assess students' mastery of their field of study. Not all programs have comprehensive examinations, as other means of assessment are sometimes employed.

Comprehensive examinations are made up of written questions created by the faculty of the school in which the examination takes place. Most examinations entail students writing their responses to the questions posed, while some may require students responding orally. The procedures for proctoring the examination to students is handled by each school.

As per FPU policy, reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities is taken into account in the proctoring of comprehensive examinations when students have registered with the director of academic support services and accommodations have been recommended by that office.

Timing and Registration

Once the student has cleared the advance to candidacy process with the university and is in good standing with the university, the student is permitted to register for comprehensive examinations.

Students must enroll in the comprehensive examination course for their program in the semester that they plan to take the exam. Failure to take the examination after it has been scheduled constitutes a No Credit on the examination. However, if a student is unable to sit for the comprehensive examination in the registered semester due to extenuating circumstances, a program director may grant an 'In Progress' designation. Under this status, the student has an opportunity to sit for the examination at the next offering and does not have to reregister for the course.

Grading

Passing the examination will result in a Credit grade for the comprehensive examination course. Failing the examination results in No Credit for the comprehensive examination course. Three grades are possible on the comprehensive examinations: pass with distinction, pass, and fail. Either of the passing levels are satisfactory and constitute an institutional grade of Credit. Failing demonstrates an inability to show sufficient mastery of the field of study to be granted a degree in that area and the student is given a grade of No Credit and no degree is granted.

If a student fails the comprehensive examination, one additional attempt may be made with all new questions. The student must wait until the following semester, must reregister for the comprehensive examinations course and make a second attempt at the examination. Once students have attempted a comprehensive examination, they may not change to an alternative option to complete the program of study.

If a student fails the comprehensive examination a second time, a degree cannot be awarded and the student is disqualified from the program. It is not permitted to take comprehensive examinations more than twice. After failing the examination twice, the student cannot be awarded the degree they are seeking from Fresno Pacific University.

Appeals

In rare cases, an appeal process may be needed to ensure that students have not been treated unfairly in the assessment of their comprehensive examinations. Students who appeal must submit an appeal form to the Registrar's office within ten business days of receipt of the written notification of failure of the examination. This written appeal must document the alleged prejudicial, capricious and/or arbitrary action, including the names of individuals who are thought to have been involved.

A special appeals committee composed of three faculty who were not involved with the examination hears the grievance. The decision of the faculty appeals committee is final. There is no appeal to a higher committee.

Additional Emphasis for Master's Degrees

Students may complete an additional emphasis in one discipline area. Students who apply for and are granted admission to an additional program or emphasis may, at the discretion of the program director, apply relevant courses from a previously completed emphasis to meet the additional requirements. A maximum of 6 units from one emphasis may be used for another emphasis. All courses applied to the additional emphasis must meet the 10-year rule and any other applicable regulation. The program director may require additional courses, as appropriate. Additional emphasis courses must be Fresno Pacific University graduate courses. Students who meet the requirements for an additional emphasis (and who have previously been granted a master's degree by FPU) will have the additional emphasis noted on their transcript records.

Second Master's Degree

Students may complete a second master's degree in another discipline (i.e. a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies.) A second master's degree may be granted a student under the following conditions:

1. At least 30 units are completed at Fresno Pacific University, following the completion of the first degree.
2. A maximum of 6 units from one master's degree (not including thesis) may be used to meet the requirements of the second master's degree. Where requirements for one degree overlap with those of another (above the 6-unit overlap rule), the student may, at the discretion of the program director, substitute appropriate alternative courses or, in special cases, repeat certain courses. In any case, the total number of units required for the second degree must still be met.
3. All other degree requirements, limitations, etc., apply to the second degree (e.g., grade point average, number of allowable transfer units, age of units, etc.).

Seminary Degrees

Academic Requirements

Requirements for a Master of Arts degree include a minimum of 60 units. A Master of Divinity requires a minimum of 90 units, while a combination degree (MFT and M.Div.) requires 120 units. The minimum FPU Biblical Seminary grade point average is 2.5. A minimum grade of C- or CR is required in all seminary courses. MFT students are required to earn a minimum grade of B- in all courses with a COUN prefix.

Residence Requirements

Degrees

To receive a seminary degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete 30 units at the FPU Biblical Seminary. Up to 12 units of residence requirements may be fulfilled for a degree from Fresno Pacific by courses taught by the seminary faculty in other locations where the course design, resources and the pedagogical and formational environment have been determined to meet the seminary standards of residency. Residence requirements may not be fulfilled through directed studies or distance education courses. Designated courses must be taken in residence. See the program section for details.

Certificates

A candidate for a 30-unit certificate must complete 24 of the 30 units in residence. A maximum of six units may be transferred into a thirty-unit certificate.

Second Degree

Up to two degrees may be earned from the FPU Biblical Seminary. Credits earned in a certificate program may be transferred into the degree program. Up to 30 units used for the first degree may be applied to the second degree. Students completing a second seminary degree must complete 15 units of the second degree requirements in residence.

Seminary Students

Graduate students are academically eligible to participate in commencement provided they have completed their degree OR they plan to participate in commencement, and Projects/theses are submitted six weeks prior to the end of the semester for program director approval.

Conferral of Degrees and Commencement

Completion of academic requirements for a degree is termed graduation. The ceremony celebrating this achievement is commencement. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation from the university or satisfactory completion of program requirements.

Degree Application

All graduating students must make a formal application for the degree with the Registrar's Office by the deadline listed below and pay the fee. Students who fail to complete degree requirements within two consecutive semesters will be required to reapply and pay the corresponding fee again. Graduation ceremonies are held twice per year on the main campus in May and December. Applications for Degree are obtained from the Registrar's Office or online through the university website.

Commencement Eligibility

All students must meet the commencement eligibility requirements listed on the website. For more information please see the Registrar's Office website.

Graduate students are academically eligible to participate in commencement provided they have completed their degree

1. Carry a minimum 3.0 Fresno Pacific graduate course GPA, and are registered with the intent to complete their degree requirements within the semester in Fresno Pacific. -OR
2. Carry minimum 2.5 Fresno Pacific graduate course GPA, and are registered with the intent to complete their degree requirements within the semester in which they plan to participate in commencement or are registered in no more than 6 units in the summer session when applying for a spring graduation.
3. Projects/theses (if required) must be approved by the program director by,

November 15: Fall

April 1: Spring

June 30: Summer

4. Program Director approved projects/theses are due to the dean of the appropriate school by the last day of the term in which the student plans to graduate
5. Seminary students will have satisfactorily completed ministry discernment.
6. Fall Commencement: Grad-Degree requirements must be fulfilled by the end of the fall semester in order to participate in ceremony.

      Spring Commencement: Grad-Degree requirements must be fulfilled by end of spring semester in order to participate in ceremony. If not fulfilled, students may be enrolled for up to 6 units in Summer (to be completed by end of FPU Summer semester) and still participate in spring ceremony.

Diplomas

Degrees are conferred upon satisfactory completion of all requirements following the final evaluation and transcript posting by the Registrar's Office at the end of each semester. Diplomas are mailed to graduates several weeks after the posting of the degree and verification that all FPU financial obligations have been met. The conferral record is considered permanent and cannot be changed after the student has graduated. The program name, title and requirements are based on the matriculation catalog.

Honors

Seminary Dean's List

Seminary students are recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being placed on the Dean's List in the semester they are eligible. Students are eligible if they are:

• Full-time with an FPU semester GPA of 3.80-3.89 (high honors) or 3.90+ (highest honors)
• Part-time, having completed 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 units, with a cumulative FPU GPA of 3.80-3.89 (high honors) or 3.90+ (highest honors)

Student-Faculty Dispute Resolution

Occasionally a student may find cause to question the action of a professor regarding requirements of a course, teaching effectiveness, comments made in a class that seem derogatory or inflammatory, criticism of the student, general performance or sanctions given for academic dishonesty. Students should first discuss their concerns with the instructor. If the student and faculty member cannot resolve the issue satisfactorily or if the student does not feel comfortable speaking directly with the instructor the student should consult with the chair of the division in which the course is lodged, who will attempt to resolve the issue. Decisions may be appealed to the dean of the appropriate school for a final resolution.

Petitions/Appeals

A request for an exception to a published university academic policy must be made in writing and initiated through the Registrar's Office. For additional details, please refer the Registrar's Office website.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Progress

Fresno Pacific University believes in the importance of students maintaining academic rigor. See the Costs and Financial Aid section for additional information. Students who wish to remain enrolled will be required to appeal. Please see the Registrar's Office for additional information on how to appeal an academic disqualification.

Academic Integrity Policy

All people participating in the educational process at Fresno Pacific University are expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. Fresno Pacific University seeks to take a restorative approach to actions of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of university rules and policy, but it is seen primarily as an indication of broken relationship and a separation between the offender (student) and the university community. It also jeopardizes the growth and learning of the individual and is a disadvantage to those people who do their work with integrity. The offense and response to it are seen as an opportunity for constructive learning and growth and for the offender to be restored to the community. This restorative approach emphasizes acceptance of responsibility for harm done and searches for responses and consequences that facilitate learning and restoration.

Definitions

It is the student's responsibility to know and understand what constitutes academic dishonesty and to seek guidance when in doubt about these matters. Fresno Pacific University defines academic dishonesty as follows:

Consequences of Student Academic Dishonesty

Although first, second and third offenses typically result in the same consequences, the university seeks to review every situation as unique. For additional information on the standard consequences for academic dishonesty, please speak with your mentor, advisor or the Registrar's Office.

First Offense

The typical consequence for a recognized first offence is a zero on the assignment. However, depending upon the nature of the violation, the response may be:

• Appointment with the director of the Center for Writing and Learning.
• Meet with a special tutor, program director, mentor/advisor or sponsor.
• Re-do assignment (e.g., paper or exam) with guidelines for re-submission.
• Complete an additional substitute assignment.
• Re-do assignment for less credit.
• Reduction of grade for an assignment.
• Zero on the assignment.
• Reduction of overall course grade.
• Withdrawal from or failure of course.
• Other consequences agreed upon by the student and faculty member

All student/faculty mutually determined and agreed-upon responses (and fulfilled agreements) will be reported to the appropriate dean and the student's mentor or advisor.

Multiple Offenses

All second or multiple offenses of any kind will be treated as recognized and intentional (i.e., as known, willful violations) and dealt with by the appropriate dean. Multiple offenses may include:

• Second/third/subsequent offenses.
• Different types of offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, etc.)
• Simultaneous offenses (e.g., in different courses).
• Unintentional followed by intentional offenses.

The typical response for a second or multiple violations maybe failure of the course, loss of eligibility for honors, possible loss of financial aid and may result in reduction or removal of scholarships at the discretion of the dean. The typical response for a third violation will be disqualification from attendance at the university, which becomes part of the student's official record.

Students who do not believe they have violated academic integrity or believe the options/outcomes are disproportionate may appeal the decision through the Provost's Office or FPUProv@fresno.edu. Appeals must be sent in writing (hard copy or email) within 72 hours of the student receiving notification from the Dean's Assistant of the professor's and/or Dean's decision.