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    Nov 23, 2024  
Missouri Baptist University 2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin 
    
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Missouri Baptist University 2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin

Policies and Procedures

Academic Policies and Procedures

Plan of Study

Each degree-seeking or graduate certification-only student is required to develop a comprehensive plan of study indicating timelines, required courses, and research option (major project, professional portfolio with an action research component, or elective) with the Graduate Advisor. The degree sheets for the plan of study are available in the Graduate Advisor’s office and must be completed and approved at the beginning of the student’s program, including transfer and portfolio credit for prior learning. Degree sheets are also available online in the Graduate Bulletin in the Graduate Programs matrix. The plan of study should be reviewed periodically with the Graduate Advisor to ensure that the student is meeting desired academic goals.

Directed Studies

Qualified students are permitted to engage in directed studies under graduate faculty supervision. Under this arrangement, students are enabled to explore subjects in depth, or examine new areas of study beyond the opportunity afforded by the University’s curriculum. In some cases, catalog courses may be offered as directed studies. Graduate students may not earn more than six (6) credit hours of directed study in their master’s program unless special permission is received in writing from Vice President for Graduate Affairs. Certain courses may not be taken by directed study, as specified in the course description. Directed studies are not permitted for the completion of a Master of Business Administration degree, the completion of the Educational Specialist degree, or the completion of the Doctor of Education degree. The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors will not accept directed studies as meeting the academic requirements for counselor licensure.

Directed study forms are available in the Records Office and approval must be obtained from the student’s Graduate Advisor, the instructor of the course, Dean, and Vice President for Graduate Affairs before the beginning of each term. The student and graduate faculty are expected to present the following items as part of the directed study: objectives, detailed description of the study, procedures for student-instructor interaction, method of evaluation, and anticipated resources needed for the study, or a course syllabus may be attached to the directed study form.

Senior Permission Students

Undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Accounting; Business Administration; Healthcare Management; Management; Marketing; Exercise Science; Health Sciences; Sport Management; English; Christian Ministry; Behavioral Sciences; Criminal Justice; Psychology; History; Human Services; Social Sciences; Worship Arts Technology; Worship Leadership; or Biology, Chemistry, Cross-Categorical Disabilities, or Early Childhood, Elementary, Health, Middle Childhood, Physical, Secondary, Music, or Early Childhood Special Education may take designated, dually-listed courses (400/500) during their senior year.

Missouri Baptist University undergraduate, senior-level students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may take up to twelve (12) hours of graduate credit; they may take no more than six (6) hours in any one semester (or 3 hours per 8-week session). Students must complete a Senior Permission form via Formstack, available online under Electronic Forms at https://www.mobap.edu/academics-overview/academics-records-registrar/forms/ during the first two weeks of each semester or 8-week session, which must be signed by their academic advisor. To be eligible for Senior Permission, students will have completed a total of 90 hours of undergraduate work and cannot exceed a total of nineteen (19) hours in the semester in which they are taking Senior Permission courses. These hours may count toward a master’s degree if they meet the specific requirements for the program. Credits earned as Senior Permission must be applied toward a master’s program within seven years.

The following guidelines apply to Senior Permission students:

  1. Senior-level students (those who have earned at least 90 semester hours of credit), with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000, may request permission to take up to 12 hours of graduate credit with a maximum of 6 hours per semester (or 3 hours per 8-week session). Students may not be enrolled for more than 19 hours during any semester in which a senior permission course is taken.
  2. Seniors will register for any dually listed (400/500) course as undergraduates (for 400-level courses) and will be charged undergraduate tuition.
  3. Seniors must complete the Senior Permission Form via Formstack, available online under Electronic Forms at https://www.mobap.edu/academics-overview/academics-records-registrar/forms/ during the first two weeks of each semester or 8-week session, which must be signed by their academic advisor.
  4. The Records Office will notify students and their instructors by the end of the second week of day classes, or by the second class session for evening classes, if they have met the eligibility requirements and have been approved to complete the course for graduate credit. Students who elect not to pursue graduate credit after approval has been granted must notify the Records Office in writing.
  5. At the end of each semester, instructors will notify the Records Office of those students who have successfully completed graduate-level requirements. The Vice President for Graduate Affairs will approve those students to receive graduate credit, and the undergraduate course will be updated to the graduate course on the transcript at that time.
  6. These hours may count toward a master’s degree if they meet the specific requirements for the program the student is pursuing. Credits earned as Senior Permission must be applied toward a master’s program within seven years.
  7. Students taking Criminal Justice (CRJS or CRPH) courses for senior permission must be enrolled in online sections.

This program is provided for regular undergraduate students enrolled in a program of study at Missouri Baptist University. Undergraduate students enrolled in courses at MBU through the Intercollege Consortium are not allowed to enroll in these courses for graduate credit.

Enrollment Procedures

  1. All new students will be advised and registered for their first term of enrollment by their assigned graduate enrollment counselor. While the student may choose to do this on campus, each student will be provided the opportunity to do this electronically. Teleconferencing via Zoom may be used to personalize this experience for students. The following information will be included in the initial registration:
    • The graduate enrollment counselor will explain degree requirements.
    • The graduate enrollment counselor will inform the student of any documents required for admission that are missing.
    • The graduate enrollment counselor will inform the student of the tutorial for online registration available through myMBU Access if the student is enrolled in an eligible program.
    • The graduate enrollment counselor will register the student for the first term of enrollment. Students pursuing initial teaching certification, students who are re-admitted to their graduate program, and students in other unique circumstances may work directly with their advisor in the first term of enrollment.

NOTE: Students who have been absent for over one year must file an online application to be readmitted by the Graduate Admissions Office.

  1. Make Financial Arrangements
    1. Business Office Master Promissory Note - All students must complete a Business Office Master Promissory note (BOMPN) at the time of admission or readmittance acknowledging that the student is responsible for payment of all charges through personal arrangements and/or financial aid (including, but not limited to, athletic scholarships, alumni, concessions, student loans, etc.).
    2. Financial Aid - If seeking financial aid, students must complete their financial aid file and have loans guaranteed. Students must file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before any aid can be awarded. The FAFSA may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The MBU school code is 007540. Students who prefer to file a paper FAFSA may obtain one by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID.
    3. File Employer Reimbursement Letter - If receiving employer reimbursement, students must have a letter from their employer on file with the Student Financial Services Office detailing the amount and procedure for reimbursement and an MBU Third Party Agreement in order for such reimbursement to be considered in making satisfactory financial arrangements.
    4. Make Satisfactory Financial Arrangements with Student Financial Services -
      1. If a continuing/returning student has a balance from a previous semester, this balance must be paid in full prior to the start of a new semester. If a returning student has a previous balance that has been submitted to the university’s collection agency, the student must contact the agency to pay the balance including collection fees and interest fees.
      2. Pending financial aid awards and/or employee reimbursement will be considered in determining the balance after aid.
      3. The remaining balance after the credit of pending financial aid may be paid in monthly installments. Payment plans are prepared in the Student Financial Service Office located on the Main campus or at the Regional Learning Centers.
      4. Delinquent accounts will be submitted to the university’s collection agency. Interest on the delinquent balances will be charged at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) plus the agency collection cost fees. Delinquent accounts will be reported to a national credit bureau.
  2. Photo ID, Parking, and Network Login - Main campus students will have their photo ID processed in the Public Safety office, located in Spartan Village, Building 101, Suite 102. First-time students, or those readmitting after a one-year absence, must also sign the Student Computer Use Policy form.

Enrollment Procedures - Regional Learning Centers

Students enrolled at MBU Regional Learning centers may complete all registration procedures on site.

Online and Graduate Advisor-Led Registration

Students in select programs may be eligible for online registration. Interested students should contact their graduate advisor to determine online registration eligibility.

Students in eligible programs who have gone through initial advisement, have completed their admissions file, and have been accepted into the university will be granted permission to register online through the student portal myMBU Access. A tutorial to guide the student through online registration is available on myMBU Access.

If a student is not inside one of the selected programs, after initial registration through their graduate enrollment counselor, students will meet with their graduate advisor to schedule classes unofficially. All registrations will be unofficial until cleared by the Admissions, Student Financial Services, and Records Offices. The advisor and student must both sign a registration form to be filed in the Records Office.

Registration Information

Site Designations
MA   Main Campus (West St. Louis County)
JC   MBU at Jefferson College (Hillsboro, MO)
AJC   MBU in Arnold (Arnold, MO)
HYB   Hybrid (Main/Distance Learning)
MDL   Distance Learning (Only for full-time Main Campus undergraduate students taking 12-18 hours including web course(s))
WDL   Distance Learning (All Regional Learning Center students and graduate students as well as undergraduate students taking less than 12 hours at Main campus including web course(s))
OLP   Online Program Courses (Only for students accepted into the Online Programs)

In addition, the above site designations will have one or more of the following characters which will further denote specifics regarding the course:

  • If preceded by the letter D - this denotes a day class (ex. DMA*)
  • If preceded by the letter E - this denotes an evening class (ex. EMA*)
  • If followed by an * asterisk - this denotes a 15-week course (ex. DMA*)
  • If followed by the letter V - this denotes a videoconferencing course (ex. EMA2V)
  • If followed by the letter W - this denotes a weekend course (ex. EMAW)
  • If followed by a 1 - this denotes a 1st 8-week course (ex. EMA1)
  • If followed by a 2 - this denotes a 2nd 8-week course (ex. EMA2)
  • If followed by # - this denotes a 3-week summer course.
  • If followed by ^1, or ^2 - this denotes a 1st or 2nd 4-week course.
  • If followed by %1 or %2 - this denotes a 1st or 2nd 5-week summer course.
  • If followed by a ~ - this denotes an 8-week late start summer course.
  • If followed by a = - this denotes a 12-week course

In addition to the above designations, a class may have an additional letter to denote multiple sections of the same course within the same term. (e.g. DMA*A, DMA*B). These designations indicate that on Main Campus there are two daytime 15-week sections of the same course.

Course numbers are designated as follows:
000-099 Developmental
100-199 Freshman
200-299 Sophomore
300-399 Junior
400-499 Senior
500-599 Master
600-699 Specialist
700-799 Doctoral

The last number in the three-digit number indicates how many credit hours the course carries (e.g. 503 - this is a master-level course that carries three credit hours).

1A four-digit course number such as 5712, 5709, or 5703 indicates a course such as Student Teaching which carries twelve credit hours for a sixteen week semester. Courses in the M.A. curriculum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling also carry four-digit course numbers, with the second digit indicating program year and the last digit denoting credit hours.

Online Courses:
The MDL sections are reserved for undergraduate students taking 12-18 hours on Main campus including any web course for which they are enrolled (9-15 hours for summer sessions). An undergraduate student taking 12-18 hours of Main campus classes pays a comprehensive tuition rate during the fall and spring semesters (during the summer there is a comprehensive flat rate for those enrolled for 9-15 hours). Enrolling a student in the MDL section of a course does not charge additional tuition and allows the course to count toward full-time enrollment which will impact scholarships.

Students taking classes at regional learning centers, or less than 12 hours on Main campus including any web course for which they are enrolled, are charged tuition on a per credit hour basis. The students in this situation are enrolled in the WDL section as it is charged on the per credit hour basis.

Courses with a type of HYB (Hybrid) indicate courses offered in a combined classroom and online format.

The OLP sections are reserved for students accepted into the Online Programs at MBU.

Terms for Undergraduate, Master, and Specialist students:
FA-24 Fall (August - December)
WT-24 Winter (December - January)
SP-25 Spring (January - April/May)
SU-25 Summer (April/May - August)

For specific start, end, add/drop, and withdrawal dates, see the Course Calendar  listed in the Undergraduate Catalog or Graduate Bulletin.

Terms for Doctoral students:
FAQ-24 Fall (September - December)
WTQ-25 Winter (January - April)
SPQ-25 Spring (April - June)
SUQ-25 Summer (June - September)

Schedule Adjustment

Students finding it necessary to add or to drop a course(s) must complete a Schedule Adjustment form supplied by the Records Office. Students should consult the University calendar, printed in the appropriate Course Schedule, for all deadline dates. If a student stops attending a course but fails to complete the proper forms, the final grade will be recorded as XF. An XF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages (GPA).

Students who make any changes to their schedule after the first day of each semester will be charged a $30.00 schedule adjustment fee.

Students should refer to the Academic Calendar  in this catalog for deadlines for adding or dropping classes.

To Add a Course

Fifteen and Sixteen-Week Terms (Full Semester)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the tenth working day of the term in the Records Office.

Twelve-Week Terms (Student Teaching)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the fifth working day of the term in the Records Office.

Ten-Week Terms (Forty Sessions – Summer)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the fourth working day of the term in the Records Office.

Eight-Week Terms
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the second class meeting in the Records Office.

Five Week Terms (Twenty Sessions – Summer)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the second working day in the Records Office.

Four Week Terms (Student teaching)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the second working day of the term in the Records Office.

Three-Week Terms (Twelve Sessions – Summer and Winter)
Students wishing to add a class must file a completed Schedule Adjustment form, including signatures, by the end of the second working day of the term in the Records Office.

To Drop a Course

Fifteen and Sixteen Week Terms (Full Semester)
Courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, on or before the tenth working day of the semester will not appear on the student’s transcript. Courses officially dropped after the tenth working day, but before the end of the twelfth week of the semester, appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the twelfth week are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Twelve-Week Terms (Student Teaching)
Courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, on or before the fifth working day of the term will not appear on the student’s transcript. Courses officially dropped after the fifth working day but before the end of the ninth week appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the ninth week are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Ten-Week Terms (Forty Sessions – Summer)
Courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, on or before the fourth working day of the term will not appear on the student’s transcript. Courses officially dropped after the fourth working day but before the end of the sixth week appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the sixth week are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Eight-Week Terms
Eight-week courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, by the second class meeting will not appear on the transcript of the student. Courses officially dropped after the second class meeting but before the sixth class meeting appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the sixth class meeting are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Five Week Terms (Twenty Sessions – Summer)
Courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment Form in the Records Office, on or before the second working day of the term will not appear on the student’s transcript. Courses officially dropped after the second working day but before the end of the twelfth working day appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the twelfth working day are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Four Week Terms (Student Teaching)
Four-week courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, by the second working day of the term will not appear on the transcript of the student. Courses officially dropped after the second working day of the term but before the third week appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the third week are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Three-Week Terms (Twelve Sessions – Summer and Winter)
Courses officially dropped, with a completed, signed, and submitted Schedule Adjustment form in the Records Office, on or before the second working day of the term will not appear on the student’s transcript. Courses officially dropped after the second class day, but before the end of the tenth class day, appear on the transcript with the grade of W, indicating that the student withdrew without grade point penalty. Courses officially dropped after the tenth class day are marked WF. A WF is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Withdrawal From the University

A withdrawal from the University is a full withdrawal from all courses and terminates the matriculation of the student. If a student discontinues enrollment from the Missouri Baptist University, whether voluntarily or not, re-entry for future semesters may be contingent on satisfying conditions outlined by the Assistant Vice President of Online & Graduate Enrollment Services and the Director Online & Graduate Enrollment Services. Any student who voluntarily withdraws from the university or is dismissed for any reason must apply for readmission in order to re-enroll after having been absent the preceding semester.

An accurate student record will be especially important if the student decides to return to Missouri Baptist University or transfer to another institution. Withdrawals can affect a student’s federal financial aid eligibility.

Students finding it necessary to withdraw from the University must complete a Withdrawal from School form, which can be secured from the Records Office on the Main campus, online, or at the Regional Learning Center offices. All notices of withdrawal must be provided to the Office of Records to be considered official notification of a withdrawal. Otherwise, they will receive an XF grade for each course, which is a penalty grade and counts against the semester and cumulative grade point averages.

DROP: If a student withdraws from the University by the tenth working day of the semester, the courses will not appear on the transcript.

WITHDRAW: If a student withdraws from the University by the tenth working day but before the end of the twelfth week of the semester, their courses appear on the transcript with the grade of W, meaning withdrawal without grade point penalty. Additionally, withdrawal after the twelfth week results in a grade of WF, which is a penalty grade and counts against the grade point average. For permissible withdrawal periods for Winter, Summer, and eight-week sessions, consult the section on dropping or adding a course and refer to the calendar in the Course Schedule for specific deadline dates.

Charges and/or refunds are made in keeping with catalog regulations (see Refund Schedule). Accounts become due and payable immediately upon withdrawal.

Petition for Withdrawal Due to Extreme Extenuating Circumstances After Period of “W” Grade

Students who are facing extreme extenuating circumstances, and who have missed the withdrawal during the “W” period, may submit a Petition for Withdrawal Due to Extreme Extenuating Circumstances to be considered for late withdrawal from courses. Regardless of the circumstances, late withdrawal petitions are not guaranteed to be approved.

The petition will require the student to meet the definition of an extreme extenuating circumstance; provide an explanation, details, and documentation of the circumstance, and address why they were not able to withdraw from the classes by the “W” withdrawal period. Documentation to support the petition must be submitted, and must support that the extreme extenuating circumstance occurred in a time-frame appropriate to the petition.  

Extreme Extenuating Circumstances are limited to:  

  • Death in the immediate family (NOTE: Immediate family members include spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, or legal equivalent thereof.)
  • Medical, legal, or other complications from sexual assault or other violent assault.
  • Medical emergency which resulted in medical confinement or incapacitation for at least 50% of the class contact hours or, in the event of an online course, for at least 50% of the total time allotted for the course.  The medical confinement or incapacitation need not be consecutive; intermittent medical confinement or incapacitation may be counted as cumulative provided all are caused by the same medical condition.
  • Permanently/totally disabled.
  • Students who are recalled to military active duty.  (Initial enlistment into the military and Active Duty for Training for Reservists do not typically qualify.)

A committee will receive petitions for withdrawal due to extreme personal circumstances. Committee membership includes, but is not limited to, representatives from the Dean of Student Office, Student Financial Services, Records Office, Business Office, Student Success Center, and for graduate students, representation from Graduate Affairs. Documentation of the committee’s recommendation will be sent to the Provost and Records Office.

Petition for Financial Relief

Students meeting criteria defined as an Extreme Extenuating Circumstance may petition for financial relief associated with the cost of tuition and fees in accordance with University policy. More information can be found online on the Student Financial Services webpage.

General Policies and Procedures

Academic Advisement

Each degree-seeking or graduate certification-only student is required to develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor. Students should make an appointment with their assigned Graduate Advisor at the beginning of their program to develop their plan of study. The plan of study includes the required and elective coursework and timeline for the completion of the designated degree or certification program in which the student has enrolled. The Graduate Advisor also evaluates previous graduate transcripts for possible transfer of credit into the program. The Graduate Advisor must review and approve the student’s Application for Graduation in order for the student to graduate. Students should see the appropriate bulletin sections for specific plans of study requirements for the respective degrees.

Certification and Licensure

Certification and licensure requirements listed in this bulletin reflect the current DESE and state requirements. Certification and licensure requirements are subject to change. Actively enrolled students will be contacted about changes that would affect certification and licensure. Students who withdrew or completed degree programs may need to meet additional requirements to be eligible for certification or licensure. 

Changing Program of Study

Students who wish to change their program of study must submit a new application and all documents required for the new program of study (except for previously submitted transcripts) to the Graduate Admissions Office. See the bulletin sections on application procedures for specific documents required. 

Graduate students who are dismissed from an academic program due to unacceptable grades will not be allowed to immediately enroll in another graduate program. Students must wait one year after dismissal before applying to another graduate program. When reapplying, the student will provide in writing evidence that warrants admission into a new graduate program. Graduate students are limited to one final appeal after the one year waiting period. Two total appeals regardless of programs will be allowed.

Sequential Master’s Degrees

On occasion, a student may wish to pursue a sequential master’s degree. Students interested in pursuing a sequential master’s degree different from their first master’s degree, may apply six (6) to nine (9) hours from the first degree program, in accordance with the transfer policies established for each degree program, to satisfy requirements for the second degree program. Students must submit a new Application for Admission and all documents (except for transcripts already submitted) required for the second degree program. See the bulletin sections on application procedures for specific documents required.

Students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in education should discuss programs that cannot be taken sequentially due to curriculum overlap. Students who have earned a master’s degree in Education from another college or university will have their transcript evaluated on a course by course basis to determine eligibility for a subsequent degree at Missouri Baptist University. Students who have previously earned a Master of Science in Fitness Management degree from Missouri Baptist University may not pursue a subsequent Master of Science in Sport Management degree. 

Students whose first master’s degree was earned at another institution may only apply for a second master’s degree in a program that is substantially different from their first master’s degree.

Students may not pursue more than one degree at a time.

Application for Graduation Process

A student may apply for graduation when all requirements for the degree have been or will be completed by the end of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. The following policies and procedures apply in order to complete the graduation process:

  1. An Application for Graduation must be completed by the Graduate Advisor and signed by the student, the Graduate Advisor, and the Vice President for Graduate Affairs.
  2. All graduate students are required to pay a graduation fee before they receive their diploma.
  3. Students must complete all degree requirements before the degree conferral date each term (or conferral date of their graduation term).
  4. Degrees are conferred eight times during the academic year:
    1. Fall - at the conclusion of Fall;
    2. Fall Quarter - at the conclusion of Fall Quarter;
    3. Winter - at the conclusion of Winter;
    4. Winter Quarter - at the conclusion of Winter Quarter;
    5. Spring - at the conclusion of Spring;
    6. Spring Quarter - at the conclusion of Spring Quarter;
    7. Summer - at the conclusion of Summer; and
    8. Summer Quarter - at the conclusion of Summer Quarter.
  5. Diplomas will be mailed to students after degrees are conferred and all holds have been cleared.

Attendance at Commencement

All master’s and education specialist candidates for graduation during an academic year - Fall/Winter, Spring, and Summer - are encouraged to attend the commencement exercises which are held at the close of the Spring Semester. Students will be responsible for the graduation fee regardless of participation in the ceremony.

Application Procedures for Certification-Only-Seeking Students:

  1. Submit a completed Graduate Application for Admission
  2. Complete a BOMPN
  3. Submit all official transcripts
  4. Letter(s) of Recommendation are waived, however, additional requirements as noted in program descriptions are required.

Students should see the appropriate bulletin sections for a summary of the process for the respective degrees.

Program Timeline for Master’s and Educational Specialist Degrees

Degree and certification seeking students must complete all requirements within seven (7) years of the time of admission to the program or from the time of enrollment in the first course at Missouri Baptist University.

Program Timeline for the Doctor of Education Degree

The load for students enrolled in the Ed.D. in Leadership in Teaching and Learning program will be one three-hour course every twelve (12) weeks or a total of twelve (12) credit hours by the end of the first year. The timeline for completion of the Ed.D. Leadership in Teaching and Learning program for most students is projected to be two years, although some students may take longer to complete the dissertation. The study must be completed within five years after admission into the program. It is expected that students will begin the process for completion of the dissertation near the end of the second term or early in the third term with the appointment of a Dissertation Committee Chair.

The load for students enrolled in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program will be one or two three-hour courses every twelve weeks. The timeline for completion of the entire program for most students is projected to be two and a half years, although some students may take longer to complete the dissertation. Students who take longer than two and a half years will be required to enroll in a zero credit hour extension with a fee the equivalent to one credit hour for each 12-week term beyond the tenth quarter in the program. The study must be completed within five years after admission into the program. It is expected students will begin the process of the dissertation with the appointment of a Dissertation Committee Chair during the third term.  

Definitions of Academic Terms

Definition of Semester and Terms

Missouri Baptist University operates on the semester plan for master and specialist level classes, offering two regular semesters of fifteen (15) weeks each. Eight-week evening and weekend classes, Winter, and Summer terms operate on different calendar schedules, but within the semester hour principle. The doctorate is a cohort program that is on a twelve-week cycle limited to admission during specific times during the year.

Definition of Semester Hour

Missouri Baptist University grants credit expressed as semester hours. Quarter hours are accepted in transfer as two-thirds of a semester hour. One semester hour normally requires one 55-minute class period per week throughout a regular 15-week semester. Adaptations of this principle are sometimes employed, especially in music, physical education, and laboratory courses.

  • A one-credit hour laboratory science course meets for one hour and 55 minutes per week; a two-credit hour laboratory science course meets for the equivalent of three hours and 55 minutes per week.
  • A one-credit hour physical education activity course meets for two 55-minute class sessions per week.
  • A one-credit hour music ensemble meets for three 55-minute or two 85-minute class sessions per week.
  • Applied music lessons follow this standard:
    • One-credit hour lesson (elective/secondary) meets for 30 minutes per week.
    • One-credit hour lesson (major/primary) meets for 45 minutes per week.
    • Two-credit hour lesson (major/primary) meets for 60 minutes per week.

Courses operating on an accelerated schedule are offered in accordance with the semester hour principle: day summer sessions, two weeks and five weeks; Winter, three weeks; and online, evening, weekend, and selected day classes, eight weeks.

Definition and System of Course Numbers

Courses numbered 000-099 are developmental in nature and are not considered for degree credit. Courses numbered 100-299 are lower division courses designed for freshmen and sophomores. Those numbered 300-499 are upper division courses designed for juniors and seniors. Those numbered 500-599 are master’s degree level courses. Those numbered 600-699 are specialist degree level courses. Those numbered 700-799 are doctoral level courses. The third digit in the course number indicates the number of semester hours of credit which the course carries, except for classes with four-digit course numbers. In the case of four-digit course numbers in the Teacher Education Program the third and fourth digits indicate the number of semester hours of credit (e.g. - 4709 = nine, 4712 = twelve). Courses in the M.A. curriculum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling also carry four-digit course numbers, with the second digit indicating program year and the last digit denoting credit hours.

Special Numbering

  1.  A course number such as MUAP 111/311 indicates a course that may be taken for multiple semesters of credit. Piano Lesson (Major/Primary) for the first four semesters of credit would use the course number MUAP 111 and upon successful completion of the Sophomore Proficiency the student would receive upper division credit for Piano Lesson (Major/ Primary) using the course number MUAP 311 for the final four semesters of credit.
  2. A course number such as BCHM 481-486 indicates variable credit, ranging from one to six hours.
  3. A course number such as MURA 110/310 indicates a course which carries no credit per semester toward the degree, but is required for the major or program.
  4. A course number such as KATH 211SC/311SC or KATH 221SC/321SC indicates a course which may be taken twice for credit: the first semester for lower division credit and the second semester for upper division credit. A course number such as BIOL 273/373 indicates a course which may be taken once for either lower or upper division credit. Instructor approval is required before the student may register for upper division credit, and additional advanced work is required.
  5. A course number such as COMT 483A/B indicates a course which may be taken for credit twice, with the A course being designated with I after the title and the B course being designated with II after the title. A course number such as ENGL 333A, ENGL 333B, or ENGL 333C indicates separate but related courses.
  6. Courses with prefixes such as EDPS or CMHS are cross-listed in two disciplines, such as Education/Psychology or Christian Ministry/History. The courses will be listed under both disciplines in the Course Schedule (see the Cross-Listed Courses information on the Course Description Index page).
  7. Courses cross-listed at the 400- and 500-levels may be taken for either undergraduate or graduate credit. Selected courses are available to undergraduate students for graduate credit with Senior Permission (see the catalog section on Senior Permission). Students must complete all graduate course requirements to earn graduate credit.
  8. A four-digit course number such as 4712, 4709, or 4703 indicates a course such as Student Teaching which carries twelve credit hours for a sixteen week semester. Students seeking certification in a K-12 subject area or in more than one subject will complete 4709+4703. Students seeking certification in only one area or level will complete 4712.
  9. Courses listed at the 500-level designation are master’s level classes.
  10. Courses listed at the 600-level designation are specialist level classes.
  11. Courses listed at the 700-level designation are doctoral level classes.

Grading Policies

Uniform Grading Scale
  93-100 A
  85-92 B
  75-84 C
  74 and below F

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A student receives grade points for every unit of credit completed, calculated per the scale in the following table. The grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. Courses in which grades of IP, CR, NC, P, W, WV, or AU were awarded are excluded in determining grade point averages. All other grades affect the grade point average.

Graduate course credit is given only for courses taken for graduate credit with course numbers ranging from 500-799. Failed courses must be repeated with the permission of the Vice President for the Graduate Studies Program. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for degree credit courses by the end of their graduate degree program. Sport Management and Exercise Science certificates require a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to be granted.

Grade Explanation Affects GPA Affects Earned Hours
A 4 grade points awarded per credit hour YES YES
B 3 grade points awarded per credit hour YES YES
C 2 grade points awarded per credit hour YES YES
F 0 grade points awarded per credit hour YES NO
AU Audit: course not taken for academic credit NO NO
CR Credit: courses offered on a Credit/No Credit basis* NO YES
IN Incomplete: to be removed within one semester (15 weeks) after which time the grade will automatically be changed to an F YES NO
IP In Progress: applies to a course or research spanning more than one grade-report period NO NO
NC No Credit: courses offered on a Credit/ No Credit basis* NO NO
P Pass: meets course objectives NO YES
W Withdrawal during the permissible withdrawal period NO NO
WF Withdrawal/Failure: Withdrawal after the permissible withdrawal period YES NO
WV Waiver of required course on basis of competency as established by examination NO NO
XF Unofficial Withdrawal/Failure due to excessive absences YES NO

*At present, the Credit/No Credit grading option is only available for courses carrying zero (0) credit hours (e.g. - EDUC 510 Teaching Field Experience II Seminar),  for the awarding of credit by examination or portfolio assessment of prior learning and for the following specific courses SOCW 5182 Field Experience I, SOCW 5192 Field Experience II, SOCW 5282 Field Experience III, and SOCW 5292 Field Experience IV.

Final Grades

Final grades are available to all students at the conclusion of each semester or term. It is the student’s responsibility to login to myMBU Access to print out a final grade report. (See the bulletin section on myMBU for more information on accessing the student portal page).

Grade Policy for Graduate Students 

Students pursuing a master’s degree or graduate courses leading to certification (PBC, PSC or PMC) at Missouri Baptist University must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) throughout the duration of their program. If a student falls below the required GPA, he/she has one semester in which to bring it up to the required level. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for a master’s degree to be conferred.

Students pursuing the CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree may only earn two C grades in non-core and benchmark courses in the Master of Arts degree program and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Students pursuing the Master of Social Work Program are responsible for maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the duration of the program and must receive at least a grade of “B” in the following courses: SOCW 5103, 5113, 5123, 5133.

Students pursuing an Educational Specialist degree at Missouri Baptist University must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the duration of their program. If a student falls below the required GPA, he/she has one semester in which to bring it up to the required level. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in specialist coursework is required in order for an Educational Specialist degree to be conferred.

Students pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at Missouri Baptist University must earn a grade of B or better in doctoral level courses in order to continue in the Doctor of Education program. Students who receive a grade lower than B will be withdrawn from the doctoral program. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 GPA in doctoral coursework is required in order for a Doctor of Education degree to be conferred.

If classes are retaken due to a low grade, both grades will be reflected on the student’s transcript, but the higher grade will be the one calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA. Students who receive a grade of WF, XF or F in any class will be withdrawn from their graduate program.

The University has an appeals process for readmission to the graduate program that may be discussed with a graduate advisor if desired.

Financial aid recipients must demonstrate through their scholastic records that they are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward completion of their program(s) of study in order to maintain eligibility for enrolling in class and receiving any form of federal financial assistance. Please note that students who withdraw frequently, repeat several classes, or do not successfully complete their program are at risk for financial aid suspension. 

Grade Appeal Policy

If a student believes he or she has received a course grade that is not reflective of the quality of work put forth in accordance with the expectations outlined in the course syllabus, the following procedure provides a way for that student to appeal the grade and address his or her concerns. However, the student should not assume that any grade appeal will be successful.

The first step is to contact the instructor upon posting of the final course grade. Final course grades are posted online through myMBU Access the week following the end of the course. In the event that the instructor is no longer employed by the University, the grade appeal will be determined by the Dean. This first step should be completed in writing by letter or e-mail no later than 30 days after the beginning of the semester following the one in which the disputed final grade was received (30 days into the Spring semester for a Fall or Winter course or 30 days into the Fall semester for a Spring or Summer course). The appeal must be factually based and the evidence for the appeal clearly explained. An appeal may be based on one of the following standards: (1) the recorded grade is an error or (2) the grade determination was not reflective of the quality of work put forth in accordance with the expectations outlined in the course syllabus. These are the only legitimate grounds for an appeal. Students may not appeal an individual test, assignment, or project grade.

Upon receipt of the appeal, the instructor has fourteen (14) days to evaluate and respond in writing. The instructor’s response need only notify the student as to whether the appeal has been sustained or denied. If the instructor determines that the grade should be changed, the instructor will file a Change of Grade Form with the Records Office. A copy of that communication will be provided to the student and to the Dean.

If the instructor denies the appeal, the student may next appeal to the Dean responsible for the course within fourteen (14) days of receiving the instructor’s decision. If the course instructor is the Dean, or if the Dean reviewed the original appeal because the instructor is no longer with the University, the appeal would be to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. To initiate the second-level appeal, the student must submit the following items to the Dean (or the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, when appropriate) and to the Records Office: signed Grade Appeal Form, the instructor’s written denial, and an explanation with supporting evidence as to why the denial is deemed to be unjustified. The Grade Appeal Form is available in the Records Office and can be downloaded from the MBU website.

The Dean will consider the grade appeal and review the points of disagreement and thereby determine whether the grade was recorded in error, or whether the award of the grade was not reflective of the quality of work put forth in accordance with the expectations outlined in the course syllabus.

The Dean will render judgment as to whether the grade that has been assigned is the accurate grade. The Dean’s decision will be the final determination of the grade.

Graduate students who are dismissed from an academic program due to unacceptable grades will not be allowed to immediately enroll in another graduate program. Students must wait one year after dismissal before applying to another graduate program. When reapplying, the student will provide in writing evidence that warrants admission into a new graduate program.

Graduate Admissions Failure Policy

Graduate students who are dismissed from an academic program due to unacceptable grades will not be allowed to immediately enroll in another graduate program. Students must wait one year after dismissal before applying to another graduate program. When reapplying, the student will provide in writing evidence that warrants admission into a new graduate program. Graduate students are limited to one final appeal after the one year waiting period. Two total appeals regardless of programs will be allowed.

Academic Probation and Suspension

(Students who are admitted on Probationary status are subject to the following policy only after their initial semester of enrollment.)

Any student whose cumulative graduate grade point average falls below the required GPA will be placed on probation by the Vice President for Graduate Affairs for one regular semester. The student is expected to show evidence of reasonable progress in improving academic performance during the probationary period in order to continue in the program. Master and Specialist students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their coursework. Doctoral students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their coursework.

If the grade point has not been raised by the end of the probationary period, the student will be academically dismissed. The student may then petition the Vice President for Graduate Affairs in writing for permission to re-enroll. The petition must explain the causes for academic deficiency and outline a program of action to overcome them. The Graduate Affairs Committee considers the petition and approves or denies any such petition. The appeal process must take place before a student is permitted to re-enroll for graduate classes at Missouri Baptist University. A student dismissed for a second time will not be eligible for re-admission.

In order for students to continue to receive federally-funded financial aid, they must maintain satisfactory progress in the course of studies pursued at Missouri Baptist University. Students who have been placed on academic suspension must demonstrate that it is reasonable to expect that they will be able to graduate (achieve the appropriate cumulative grade point average for the degree being sought) within one and one-half times the published length of their program.

The regulations of this section supersede all similar policies in previous bulletins and are effective for all students.

Readmission of Service Members

If service members cannot attend school due to military service as defined below, MBU will readmit them with the same academic status they had when they last attended, or when they were last admitted to MBU but did not begin attendance because of military service obligations. A student’s readmission rights under this specific policy are terminated in the case of a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, general court-martial, federal or state prison sentence, or other reasons as stated in 34 CFR 668.18(h), but students may still be eligible for regular readmittance.

Readmission Procedures

The student, or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense, must give oral or written notice of the student’s military service as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. This notice must be provided to the Director of Records. No notice is required if precluded by military necessity. The student may, alternatively, submit an attestation that military service necessitated the student’s absence from the institution at the time of readmission.

The student must also notify the Director of Records of their intent to return to MBU within three years after the completion of the period of service and provide appropriate documentation. If a student is hospitalized for or convalescing from an illness or injury incurred in or aggravated due to service, the student will be given a two-year extension from the end of the recovery from such illness or injury to provide notification.

The cumulative length of absence and of all previous absences from the school for military service may not exceed five years. Only the time the student spends performing service is counted. 

Documentation Requirements

Students applying for readmission should provide documentation to establish that they did not exceed the five-year service limitation, and that their readmission rights have not been terminated pursuant to the exceptions stated in 34 CFR 668.18(h). Documentation that will satisfy these requirements includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

  • DD (Department of Defense) 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
  • Copy of duty orders prepared by the facility where the orders were fulfilled carrying an endorsement indicating completion of the described service.
  • Letter from the commanding officer of a Personnel Support Activity or someone of comparable authority.
  • Certificate of completion from military training school.
  • Discharge certificate showing character of service.
  • Copy of extracts from payroll documents showing periods of service.
  • Letter from National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Team Leader of Administrative Officer verifying dates and times of NDMS training or Federal activation.

Terms and Conditions

Military service is defined as voluntary or involuntary service in the armed forces, including service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. This does not include National Guard service under state authority.

An appropriate officer, as defined for the purposes of providing notification of a student’s military service that necessitates the student’s absence from an institution, is a commissioned, warrant, or non-commissioned officer authorized to give such notice by the military service concerned.

At the time of readmission, the student will be admitted at the same academic status into the next program class occurring after MBU has received the student’s intent to return to courses, unless a later date is requested. MBU reserves the right to readmit at a later date to extenuating circumstances. If the program is no longer offered, admittance will be offered into a program determined to be most like the prior program.

For the first academic year, a student readmitted to the same program will be charged tuition and fee charges they would have been assessed for the academic year during which they left the school. However, if veteran education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the higher tuition and fee charges for the year, the school may assess those charges to the student as well. Subsequent years will be assessed no more than the tuition and fee rates that other students in the program are assessed for that academic year.

If MBU determines that the student is not prepared to resume the program, MBU will make reasonable efforts to assist the student to become prepared. However, MBU will not readmit a student if it is determined that there are no reasonable efforts available to prepare the student to resume the program at the same point or enable them to complete, or that the student is not prepared after reasonable efforts are made.

Students who fail to apply for readmission within the required time limits or who otherwise do not meet the conditions set out herein may still be eligible for regular readmittance to MBU.

Full-Time and Part-Time Loads

Based on the level of work required for master- and specialist level students, six (6) hours minimum and up to twelve (12) hours maximum per semester (16-week period) is considered a full-time load. Students may take up to six (6) hours each eight-week term. Up to six (6) hours may be taken each eight-week term during the summer and not more than twelve (12) hours for the entire summer. In certain cases, students may exceed this load if prerequisite undergraduate courses are included as part of the load. Students may not take more than twelve (12) hours of graduate credit in any given semester without the written permission of the Vice President for Graduate Affairs, with the following exceptions, which have been approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee:

  • Students seeking initial certification, who are taking a combined graduate and undergraduate course load, are limited to six (6) hours of graduate credit (three (3) hours per 8-week session) and ten (10) hours of undergraduate credit. Students may not be enrolled for more than sixteen (16) hours during any semester in which they are enrolled for a combined course load.
  • Doctoral-level students enrolled in 6 hours of credit are classified as full-time. Doctoral-level students enrolled in zero, one, or two credit hours are classified as part-time and continuing toward degree completion. Doctoral-level students enrolled in three, four, or five credit hours are classified as half-time and continuing toward degree completion.  

Graduate students carrying a load of three (3) hours are considered to be enrolled half-time. Those enrolled in less than three (3) hours are considered part-time.

Attendance Policy

Each instructor gives reasonable consideration for unavoidable absences and to the possibility of making up missed work. The instructor has the right to request the withdrawal of a student with excessive absences in any course. Since eight-week courses are offered in an accelerated format, students who miss a significant amount of content as deemed by the instructor will receive an automatic “F” for the class. Course attendance may be defined differently for students enrolled in hybrid or online courses. For asynchronous online courses, documented attendance will be determined by completing weekly class assignments. Students failing to complete at least one academic activity, such as assignments, quizzes, exams, or discussions in an online class during a given week, will be counted as absent. For students enrolled in hybrid or synchronous online courses, attendance during the in-person hybrid class sessions and synchronous online sessions will be determined by the student’s physical presence during the specified course meetings. Attendance in the online portion of a hybrid course will be determined by completing class assignments in the same manner as for asynchronous online courses.

MBU defines excused absences as:

  • Participation in an approved university-sanctioned event;
  • Extenuating circumstances that make it impossible for a student to be present in class (e.g., jury duty, military duty, pregnancy, severe injury, or acute/chronic illness). In an extenuating circumstance, a student should submit relevant documentation (jury summons, doctor’s note, etc.) in advance, when possible or within three school days of an unexpected event, to the Dean of Students office. The office will validate the circumstances of the absence and, if the absence is approved as excused, provide notification of excused absence to the student’s instructors.

Students are responsible for turning work in on time, even if the student has an excused absence. In the case of an excused absence, the student must make arrangements with the instructor to complete missed work in advance when possible or within 24 hours of the excused event.

Approved Style for Research Papers

All formal communication by the student with regard to course assignments, either written or oral, is graded not only according to the content demanded by the assignment, but also according to established standards of proper English or specified in the Modern Language Association Manual (MLA) or the American Psychological Association Stylebook (APA), or composition books featuring these styles. The faculty of the division in which the student’s major is listed determines the formal style required for papers, projects, or theses.

Missouri Baptist University Institutional Review Board

Missouri Baptist University maintains an active Institutional Review Board (IRB) whose purpose is to ensure the safety of research subjects and investigators. The IRB meets regularly to review all applications for conducting research by MBU students and faculty. All research conducted under the auspices of MBU is subject to the approval of the IRB. The policies governing the operation of the IRB and the research subject to it, as well as appropriate research application forms and procedures, can be accessed online at this link: http://www.mobap.edu/student-life/institutional-review-board/.

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Academic dishonesty is not in keeping with Christian principles and jeopardizes the academic integrity of the University. It is considered to be a serious offense. Missouri Baptist University expects students to attach their names only to work or research that they have completed themselves. Materials and sources must be properly documented. Students must prepare original work and research, present their own reports and papers, and take examinations without any assistance or aids not expressly permitted in the testing procedure.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not necessarily confined to: plagiarizing; cheating on examinations; submitting counterfeit reports, tests, or papers; stealing tests or other academic materials; knowingly falsifying academic records or documents such as transcripts; and submitting the same work to more than one class without consent of the instructors involved.

Academic dishonesty of any nature will result in disciplinary action, which may include receiving a failing grade on the work in question, failure in the course, or dismissal from the University.

The evaluation and adjudication process for the determination of the disciplinary action is outlined in the Spartan Virtues (Student Handbook).

Professional Behavior

Students and faculty are expected to behave at all times in a manner that is in keeping with the standards of the profession that they are planning to enter. It is also important that students recognize and accept that Missouri Baptist University is a faith-based institution and it is expected that the values and traditions of the University will be respected regardless of whether the individual student personally agrees with these values. While the University provides a climate of openness with regard to a plurality of intellectual viewpoints, the use of profane or off-color language, with the exception of certain case-study material, is not considered appropriate behavior. Disrespectful and/or aggressive behavior toward other students, faculty members, or staff will not be tolerated. Students who act in a hostile or provocative manner in relation to others will be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include a range of responses including warnings, memorandums for the record in the student’s file, and/ or dismissal from the University depending on the seriousness of the offense. The policies and procedures for dealing with such behavior are included under Student Development, Student Services. See the Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure and the Missouri Baptist University Policy on Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence.

Distance Learning

Through technologically-enhanced teaching-learning opportunities, Missouri Baptist University is prepared to reach out to a global and culturally diverse community of learners with a Biblically-based Christian perspective that students will find to be:

  • Caring and personalized
  • Learner-centered
  • Respectful of individuality
  • Accessible and convenient
  • Responsive to students’ spiritual, intellectual. and professional needs
  • Accommodating to students’ schedules
  • Interactive among students, faculty, and staff
  • Academically stimulating and challenging
  • Replicating the same high quality for education and support services as in the traditional on-campus environment

Web-Enhanced Courses

A web-enhanced course uses online technology and tools to support traditional classroom-based instruction, supply course material (i.e.: resources, lecture notes, assessments), and facilitate faculty-to-student and student-to-student communication (through email and discussion boards).

Web-Centric Courses

The center of instruction shifts from the classroom to the Internet in a web-centric class. A web-centric course makes significant use of the Internet to facilitate and support self-paced, self-directed learning activities (online content, exercises, and assessments). This type of course has few classroom-based lectures or seminars.

Online Courses

An online course at Missouri Baptist University can be accessed through the Internet from any location at any time. All instructional strategies are planned and executed around the communication capabilities and content resources available on the Internet in any given online class offering. Online courses at MBU will not require any “face-to-face” meetings. Online communication requirements are flexible and generally asynchronous. Times and places for online interaction and communication in MBU online classes will be determined by the individual faculty member. The University offers online courses in various disciplines. Both undergraduate and graduate courses are available.

Online Programs

For specific information regarding online graduate programs, please see the MBU Online  section of the Graduate Bulletin.

FERPA: Notice of Educational and Privacy Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the University receives a request for access. A student should submit a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect to the Records Office (for academic records), the Office of Student Development (for disciplinary records), the Office of Student Financial Services (for financial records), the Office of Career Development (for placement records), or the Student Success Center/Special Needs Coordinator (for Special Needs/individual accommodation records). A University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
     
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

    A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the University Office responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.

    If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
     
  3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

    The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to University officials with legitimate educational interests. A University official is typically includes a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A University official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the University who performs an institutional service or function for which the University would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another University official in performing his or her tasks. A University official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.
     
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to University officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student —

  • To other University officials, including teachers, within the University whom the University has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the University has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met.
  • To officials of another educational institution where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34.
  • To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf.
  • In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
  • To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the University, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction.
  • To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
  • To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
  • To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36.
  • Information the University has designated as “directory information” under § 99.37.
  • To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.
  • To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of § 99.39, if the University determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the University’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her.
  • To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the University determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.

Directory Information Notice

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the University, with certain exceptions, obtain students’ written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from their education records. However, the University may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless a student has advised the University to the contrary in accordance with University procedures.

Students who do not want the University to disclose any or all of the types of information designated below as directory information from their education records without their prior written consent must notify the University’s Director of Records in writing. Those who choose to block the University from releasing directory information should note that this will restrict financial records, degree conferral, and dates of attendance from being released to any agencies that may require this information for employment or loan deferment. Once directory information has been blocked, the student must submit a formal written request to remove the block.

The University has designated the following information as directory information:

  • Student’s name, address and telephone number
  • Date and place of birth
  • Email address
  • Photograph
  • Program of Study (including degree, major, minor, and/or educator certification area)
  • Dates of attendance and enrollment status/grade level
  • Degrees, honors, and awards received
  • Credit hours in progress or already completed
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • The most recent educational agency or institution attended

Retention of Records

Missouri Baptist University has adopted the recommendations of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers as its policy concerning retention of student records. The majority of a student’s record is maintained in the permanent file and will be retained until five (5) years after graduation or the date of last attendance, whichever is later. Exceptions include audit authorizations, schedule adjustment forms, registration forms, and transcript requests, which are maintained one (1) year from the date submitted, and official transcripts from high schools and other colleges or universities which will be maintained for ten (10) years after graduation or last date of attendance.

Records of academic performance, including individual student records (transcripts, narrative evaluations, competency assessments, etc.) change of grade forms, original graded rosters, and graduation lists are maintained permanently in the Records Office.

The admission materials of those who apply but do not enroll are retained by the Admissions Office for one year after the term for which application was made.

Academic Transcripts

Official academic transcripts must be requested from the Records Office in writing by mail, fax, in person, or electronically through Parchment and must include the signature of the student. The charge for each official transcript is $10.00. Unofficial transcripts may be printed from myMBU Access (see the catalog section on myMBU for more information on accessing the student portal page). No transcript, official or unofficial, will be issued until the account of the student has been cleared by both the Business and Student Financial Services Offices and all holds affecting the release of transcripts have been cleared. Transcript request forms are available in the Records Office and can be downloaded from https://www.mobap.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/transcript-request-form-10.pdf. 

   
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