Nov 23, 2024

Missouri Baptist University 2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog

Missouri Baptist University 2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Academic Policies and Procedures

Undergraduate Academic Advisement

After admission to Missouri Baptist University, undergraduate students are assigned to an academic advisor. The advisor plays a vital role in helping the student to develop long range academic and career plans and to select semester class schedules. While it is ultimately the students’ responsibility to monitor their progress toward satisfying the requirements for their respective degrees, academic advisors serve an important role in mentoring students throughout the process. The advisor must also give approval for all schedule adjustments, overloads, inter-institutional registrations (consortium), and directed studies.

If a change of advisors or major is desired for any reason, the student must submit a Request for Change of Major/Advisor form to the Academic Advising Office. The form may be downloaded from http://www.mobap.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Change-of-major-advisor.pdf.

A student desiring Missouri teacher certification is required to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Information is available in the Education section of the catalog and from the Director of Teacher Certification Advising.

Academic Priorities

All students are expected to do the best academic work of which they are capable. They are expected to give first priority to the preparation of assignments, to class attendance, and to class participation. Outside study time needed will vary with each class. Generally, two hours of outside study time are required for each hour of in-class time.

For the University experience to be fulfilling, students must strive to grow through the knowledge offered in class and outside study. True intellectual growth results from an individual forming opinions under the rigors of intellectual discipline.

Class Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for every exercise of a course in which a student is enrolled. For students eligible for financial assistance, documented attendance is necessary before the initial disbursement of funds to their student accounts. Documented attendance in online classes will be determined by the completion of weekly class assignments. Students failing to complete any required assignments in an online class during a given week may be counted as absent for that week. Absence from class prevents a student from receiving the full benefit of the course, and often detracts from the learning process for other students in the class. Unless an absence is unavoidable, an absence may result in lower grades due to missed examinations, assignments, exercises, and the failure to enter into the classroom learning process.

Unavoidable (excused) absences are defined as:

Participation in a university-sanctioned event;
Death or major illness in a student’s immediate family, or other as deemed appropriate by faculty member or Senior Vice President for Student Development;
Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student’s presence;
Injury or illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class;
- Injury or illness of 3 days or more: For injury or illness that requires a student to be absent from class for 3 or more business days, the student should obtain a medical confirmation note from his or her medical provider. The Mercy Clinic at MBU or an off-campus medical professional can provide a medical note only if medical professionals are involved in the medical care of the student. The medical confirmation note must contain the date and time of illness and the medical professional’s confirmation of needed absence.
- Injury or illness of less than 3 days: At the discretion of the faculty member, as outlined in the course syllabus, illness confirmation may be required and can be obtained in the manner described above.
- An absence for a non-acute medical service (regular check-up, dental cleaning, etc.) does not constitute an excused absence.
Required participation in military duties;
Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school which cannot be rescheduled.
In accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Missouri Baptist University shall treat pregnancy and related conditions as a justification for an excused absence for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician. Requests for excused absence related to pregnancy should be directed to the instructor; questions about Title IX should be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator.

In all other cases of absence, instructors are not required to allow students to make up the missed work.

Academic Integrity and Honesty

Academic dishonesty jeopardizes the academic integrity of the University and is not in keeping with Christian principles. It is considered to be a serious offense. Missouri Baptist University expects students to attach their names only to work or research which they have done 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. Academic dishonesty is a part of the Student Conduct Code.

Statement on Uniform Grading System Regarding Proper Communication

All formal communication by the student, 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 as specified in the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA) stylebook, or composition books featuring these styles.

Research Papers

Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) styles have been adopted by the University faculty as the official guide for all research papers. Only papers prepared using these forms will be accepted.

Missouri Baptist University Institutional Review Board

Missouri Baptist University (MBU) maintains an active Institutional Review Board (IRB) whose purpose is to insure 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 at this link https://www.mobap.edu/academics-overview/institutional-review-board/.

Definitions of Academic Terms

Definition of Semester and Terms

Missouri Baptist University operates on the semester plan, offering two regular semesters of fifteen weeks each. Eight-week evening and weekend classes, Winterim, 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, five weeks; Winterim, 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 (eg - 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

A course number such as MUAP 111 /MUAP 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.
A course number such as BUSN 471-476 indicates variable credit, ranging from one to six hours.
A course number such as MURA 110 /MURA 310 indicates a course which carries no credit per semester toward the degree, but is required for the major or program.
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.
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.
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 ).
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 section on Senior Permission). Students must complete all graduate course requirements to earn graduate credit.
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.

Definition of Course Load

Undergraduate students carrying less than twelve credit hours of coursework during a Fall or Spring semester are considered part-time. Those enrolled for six hours are considered part-time. Normal course load for a full-time student is between twelve and eighteen hours. Students on academic probation are limited to a twelve-hour load.

A student with either a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the previous semester of full-time work, may enroll for one additional course over the eighteen-hour limit, not to exceed a total of twenty-one credit hours. The faculty advisor of the student and the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve the overload in writing before registration can become official. An additional tuition charge will be assessed per credit hour for the overload.

During three-week and four-week Summer sessions, three hours (one course) is considered a normal load. For each five-week Summer session, six hours is the recommended load. Scheduling of more than the recommended number of hours requires the signed approval of the faculty advisor and the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the previous semester of full-time work. Total credit hours taken on an overload in a three-week or four-week Summer session may not exceed five; no overload is permitted for a two-week session. Total credit hours taken on an overload basis in one five-week Summer session may not exceed eight. Total credit hours taken for a full summer session – 3-week, 4-week, 1st 5-week, 2nd 5-week, 1st 8-week, 8-week Late, 2nd 8-week, and/or 16-week – may not exceed twenty-one. During the Winterim, three hours (one course) is considered a normal load.

The course load for students involved in eight-week courses should not exceed nine hours per term (eighteen hours per semester equivalent: i.e., 1st 8 weeks plus 2nd 8 weeks).

Definition of Student Classification

Students are classified by total hours earned, as follows:

	Freshman	0-29
	Sophomore	30-59
	Junior	60-89
	Senior	90+
	Unclassified	Non-degree seeking
	Master	Baccalaureate degree earned
	Specialist	Master’s degree earned
	Doctor	Specialist degree earned

Definition of Major

An undergraduate major consists of a minimum number of credit hours (at least 30) in a concentrated subject area declared by the student. Majors are detailed in the catalog, listing the required and elective courses.

Definition of Minor

An undergraduate minor consists of a minimum number of credit hours (at least 18) in a subject area. Minor requirements are listed in the catalog. A minor is often chosen in an area complementary to the major.

Definition of a Cognate Group

An undergraduate student may take at least eighteen semester hours of courses which are cognate to the major. At least nine hours of the cognate group must be upper division. All cognate courses must be chosen from a list which has been developed by the faculty in the discipline, approved by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and the faculty of the University, and placed on file in the Records Office.

Definition of Concentration Area

Some majors, such as Information Technology, English, and Christian Ministry, are designed to require one or more concentration areas to complete the requirements for the major. Concentration areas allow students to focus their interest within the major and vary from twelve to eighteen semester hours, depending upon the program.

Senior Permission

Undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Accounting; Business Administration; Healthcare Management; Information Technology; Management; Marketing; Exercise Science; Health Sciences; Sport Management; English; Christian Ministry; Behavioral Sciences; Criminal Justice; Psychology; Human Services; Worship Arts Technology; Worship Leadership; Worship Studies; or 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. The following guidelines apply to Senior Permission students:

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 16 hours during any semester in which a senior permission course is taken.
Seniors will register for any dually listed (400/500) course as undergraduates (for 400-level courses) and will be charged undergraduate tuition.
Seniors must complete the Senior Permission Application form and submit it to the Graduate Office, after obtaining written permission from their advisor for verification of eligibility requirements by the end of the first week of day classes or by the first class session for evening classes.
After receiving written approval from the Vice President for Graduate Studies, the Graduate 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 Graduate Office in writing.
At the end of each semester, instructors will notify the Graduate Office of those students who have successfully completed graduate-level requirements. The Vice President for Graduate Studies 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.
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.
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.

Registration Procedures and Regulations

Registration Dates

Pre-registration will open the first Monday following Spring Break for Fall and Spring semesters and Winterim and the first Monday after Thanksgiving Break for May and Summer sessions. Pre-registration will close ten days prior to the beginning of each semester or combined Summer session.

Regular registration will be held during the week prior to the beginning of the semester or combined Summer sessions.

Late registration for Fall and Spring semesters will run through the end of the second week of classes (ten working days). For late registration dates of short-term (Winterim, Summer Terms, and eight-week) courses, see the section “To Add a Course.”

To Register as a First-time Freshman, Transfer, or Readmitted Undergraduate Student

All first-time freshman, transfer, and readmitted undergraduate students must begin the registration process in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. After making application and meeting with an Admissions counselor, students will follow the basic procedures for registration (pre-registration, regular registration, or late registration as applicable) outlined below for continuing students. Unofficial registrations for first-time freshman, transfer, and readmitted students will not be authorized until they have completed the admissions process and have been accepted to the University, even though they may have cleared all other offices. Unofficial registrations not authorized by the end of the late registration period may be purged.

To Register as a Continuing Undergraduate Student

Continuing undergraduate students need to schedule an appointment to register with their advisors.

Registration Procedures for Main Campus

Schedule Classes – Undergraduate students will meet with advisors to schedule classes unofficially. All registrations will be unofficial until cleared by the Admissions, Student Financial Services, and Records Offices. At the time of registration, the advisor and student must both sign a printed schedule, including billing, to be filed in the Records Office. The advisor should retain a copy but may not release a copy to the student at the time of registration. In order to complete the registration process students must proceed to the IT Office. Once the registration process is complete, students may print a copy of their schedule through myMBU Access (see the Student Services section for more information on accessing the student portal page). NOTE: Undergraduate students who have been absent for the preceding semester (excluding Winterim and Summer Terms) must be readmitted by the Admissions Office.
Photo ID, Parking, and Network Login – Undergraduate students will have their photo ID processed at the Help Desk in the Information Technologies Office, located in the modular building next to the Muncy Gym. First-time students or those readmitting must also sign the Student Computer Use Policy form prior to receiving their network login and password. While the photo ID is being processed, students will proceed to the Student Financial Services Office located on the first floor of the Administration Building.
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 – Students must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at http://www.fafsa.gov before any aid can be awarded. The FAFSA may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The MBU school code is 007540. In addition to the FAFSA, students applying for federal Stafford loans will need to complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes at http://www.studentloans.gov. Parents applying for federal Parent PLUS loans will need to complete the PLUS Request and Master Promissory Notes at http://www.studentloans.gov. Applicants may be selected for a review process called verification. In that instance additional financial documents will be required. Financial aid files must be complete before any aid can be disbursed.
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.
Pick Up Photo ID, Network Login and Password, Library Access, and Parking Sticker – Undergraduate students will return to the Help Desk in the Information Technologies Office to pick up their photo ID, network login and password (new and readmitting students). Parking stickers (Main campus students only) will be picked up from the Public Safety Office, also located in the first modular building next to the Muncy Gym. All undergraduate students taking at least one class on the Main campus must submit a completed Parking Agreement to the Public Safety Office whether they have a vehicle on campus or not. Students enrolled for any class through the Main Campus will be billed for parking at the time of registration. Students having a car on campus must pay the required fee. All fines must be cleared before parking registration can be completed. Parking stickers will be issued on a first come, first served basis after financial arrangements have been completed. Special needs requests (handicapped parking tags) will be forwarded to the Student Development Office. Residence hall students will be issued a resident parking tag only if they are confirmed for residence hall occupancy during the term for which they are registering. (All residence hall students must have a resident application on file and paid deposit.) Returning resident students must have an Intent to Return Form on file. Students who are issued a resident parking tag and do not move into the residence hall, or who vacate the residence halls during the semester, must remove their resident student sticker and purchase a commuter parking sticker.

Unofficial pre-registrations will be authorized to official registrations on a weekly basis beginning July 1st for Fall, December 1st for Winterim and Spring, and April 1st for Summer. Registrations which have not been authorized ten days prior to the beginning of the semester may be purged. Students whose registrations have been purged will be eligible to re-enroll during regular registration, but may lose their position if a class is closed and has a waiting list.

Late Registration:

Procedures for late registration are the same as regular registration with the exception of the assessment of a late registration fee.

Regular and late unofficial registrations not authorized to official by the close of late registration may be purged.

Registration Information

Site Designations
MA		Main Campus (West St. Louis County)
TW		MBU-Troy/Wentzville (Moscow Mills, MO)
JC		MBU at Jefferson College (Hillsboro, MO)
AJC		MBU in Arnold (Arnold, MO)
FC		MBU in Franklin County (Union, MO)
	PFC	MBU at Pacific
	SJFC	St. James
	LDFC	St. Louis County Special School District
LC		MBU at Lewis and Clark (Godfrey, IL)
LM		MBU in Farmington (Leadington, MO)
WBA		Williamson Baptist Association (Marion, IL)
SIC		MBU at Southeastern Illinois College (Harrisburg, IL)
RL		MBU at Rend Lake (Ina, IL)
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 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 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	Master¹
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-17	Fall	(August – December)
WT-17	Winterim	(December – January)
SP-18	Spring	(January – April)
SU-18	Summer	(April/May – August)

For specific start, end, add/drop, and withdrawal dates, see the Term Calendar .

Terms for Doctoral students:

FAQ-17	Fall	(September –December)
WTQ-18	Winter	(January – March)
SPQ-18	Spring	(March – June)
SUQ-18	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 should refer to the University Academic Calendar 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 Winterim)

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 Winterim)

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

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. 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.

If a student withdraws from the University by the tenth working day of the semester, the courses will not appear on the transcript. If a student withdraws from the university after the tenth working day but before the end of the twelfth week, his courses appear on the transcript with the grade of W, meaning withdrawal without grade point penalty. 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 Winterim, 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.

Requests for Medical Withdrawal

All requests for medical withdrawals must be appealed to the Senior Vice President for Student Development/Associate Provost using the Withdrawal from School form. Students must notify the Senior Vice President for Student Development/Associate Provost as soon as the medical need is detected and must remain in regular contact with him or his designee regarding the progress of the medical situation. Students must provide a typed letter from their attending physician stating the exact reason for the need to withdraw and the date the physician began treatment of the medical situation. Final resolution of the medical withdrawal from classes will be subject to the approval of the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. An appeal for a medical withdrawal does not automatically make null and void any tuition charges incurred during the semester in which the student needs to withdraw. Nor does it automatically void the student’s grades for the semester. Students who fail to notify the Senior Vice President for Student Development/Associate Provost of the need to withdraw based on the medical need will be responsible for the entire balance due on their account. All medical withdrawal requests must be submitted within the same semester as the need arises. Any/all requests submitted after the close of the affected semester is complete will not be reviewed.

Should the medical need be resolved, the student must provide the Senior Vice President for Student Development/Associate Provost a typed letter from the attending physician giving approval for the student to return at either a full-time or limited basis prior to the student’s re-admittance to the University. If special considerations are needed, they must be stated in the physician’s letter. It will be the responsibility of the student to meet with the Special Needs Access Coordinator if special considerations are required.

Repeating a Course

If a course is repeated, only the higher grade will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. Both enrollments will appear on the transcript.

Students should be aware that federal financial aid will cover repeats of courses that were previously failed and may not include more than one repetition of a previously passed course. Also, athletes should be aware that under NAIA regulations, a repeat of a course previously passed with a grade of D or better cannot be applied toward satisfying the 24-hour rule for athletic eligibility.

Auditing a Course

University credit is not granted for audited classes. Since the auditors do not participate in the graded written assignments or examinations, the chief benefit is from class lectures and discussions. Although auditing may be permitted, the University strongly recommends that qualified students enroll for coursework on a for credit basis. Online courses are not available for audit.

Declaring or Changing a Major

The major of an undergraduate student as listed on the application for admission will be considered the student’s declared major until the student completes a Request to Change Major/Advisor form, available in the Records Office, and submits it to the Advising Office.

If an undergraduate student is admitted to the University as undecided or undeclared, the major will be listed as undecided until the student completes a Request to Change Major/Advisor form and submits it to the Advising Office.

Changing Name or Address

Students may update only local address information through myMBU Access. To change billing and/or home address information, or to make a name change, students must complete a Change of Name and Address form and submit it to the Records Office for processing. The form may be downloaded from http://www.mobap.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Change-of-Name-and-Address.pdf.

Choice of Catalog

A candidate for an undergraduate degree is expected to meet the graduation requirements stated in the catalog in effect at the time of first matriculation. However, if graduation requirements are completed more than six years after the date of first matriculation, the student must meet the requirements of a later catalog:

An undergraduate student maintaining continuous enrollment during the regular sessions, must meet the requirements of the catalog in effect when application for graduation is approved;
or
An undergraduate not maintaining continuous enrollment (not registered at Missouri Baptist University for one or more regular semesters), must meet the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of latest matriculation;
Any undergraduate student may elect to meet the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.

Undergraduate Grading and Grade Information

A student receives grade points for every unit of credit completed, calculated per the scale in the table below. 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.

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
D	1 grade point 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) or quarter (12 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: Applies only to non-transcript degree audit courses in the Education Division	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. – MURA 110 /MURA 310 Recital Attendance) and for the awarding of credit by examination or portfolio assessment of prior learning.

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 section on myMBU for more information on accessing the student portal page).

Mid-Term Grades

Mid-term grades are issued only for full semester undergraduate courses. It is the student’s responsibility to login to myMBU Access to print out a final grade report. (See the section on myMBU for more information on accessing the student portal page).

Grades in Undergraduate Major or Minor

Only grades of C or higher are counted toward fulfilling minimum requirements for the undergraduate major, minor, or cognate. Students who earn a grade of D in a course which is required in their major or minor must repeat the course, or substitute another appropriate course with the approval of their advisor, the Division Chair/Dean, and the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. If a course is substituted, the grade of D on the original course is included in calculating the grade point average in the major or minor, as well as in the total cumulative grade point average.

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 Division Chair/Dean. This first step should be completed by the student in writing by letter or e-mail to both the instructor and the Division Chair/Dean 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 Winterim 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 deadline for responding may be extended by the instructor or Division Chair/Dean for good cause. The student will be notified of any such extension. 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 Division Chair/Dean. If an instructor fails to respond to a student’s grade appeal within fourteen (14) days (or by the date set forth in any notice of extension), then the grade appeal will be deemed denied and the student may proceed to the next appeal level.

If the instructor denies the appeal, the student may next appeal to the Division Chair/Dean responsible for the course within fourteen (14) days of receiving the instructor’s decision. If the course instructor is the Division Chair/Dean, or if the Division Chair/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 Division Chair/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 Division Chair/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 Division Chair/Dean will render judgment as to whether the grade that has been assigned is the accurate grade. The Division Chair/Dean’s decision will be the final determination of the grade.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit

The entire transcript of an undergraduate transfer student, including grade point average and credit hours, will be evaluated as if all hours were earned at Missouri Baptist University. Thus, a grade of D is not acceptable in a course taken to fulfill a major or minor requirement, but may fulfill other requirements. A required course must be repeated if a grade of F is earned. An elective course may be repeated or another course substituted if a failing grade is earned. Both will appear on the transcript.

After a student has enrolled at Missouri Baptist University, prior written approval from the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs must be obtained for taking any university work elsewhere.

Missouri Baptist University does not have an academic forgiveness policy and therefore accepts all transfer credits with the grade originally earned unless the course has been repeated for a higher grade (Repeating a Course).

Academic Honors and Awards

Academic honors for undergraduate students are conferred at two levels: semester recognition and in conjunction with graduation.

Semester Honors

Semester Honors recognize those undergraduate students on the Honor Roll and the Dean’s List, and those receiving the President’s Citation, during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. All full-time students enrolled for at least twelve semester hours at Missouri Baptist University are eligible to receive Semester Honors recognition with the following exceptions: students are disqualified for honors during any semester in which they are on disciplinary probation (such as for failing to attend chapel), or in which they receive a grade of F, WF, XF, or IN, regardless of grade point average. Semester honors are based only on the MBU classes enrolled for that semester.

The Dean’s List carries the names of all qualified students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.75 or higher during a regular (Spring or Fall) semester. Those students on this list who have achieved a perfect 4.00 grade point average are further honored by a special citation from the President.

The Honor Roll carries the names of all qualified students who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.40, but less than 3.75 during a regular semester.

Student Fellows

A student fellow is an upperclassman selected by a faculty member to assist in grading papers and tests, proctoring exams, or other appropriate duties related to the instructional process, including typing, copying, and filing.

To be eligible a student must meet the following criteria:

Be recommended by a full-time faculty member;
Be ranked as a junior or senior;
Be pursuing a major or minor in the discipline taught by the faculty member recommending the student;
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
Have completed at least one full-time semester or twelve credit hours at Missouri Baptist University;
Be enrolled as a full-time student for the semester(s) in which he/she is serving as a fellow.

Each full-time faculty member is eligible to nominate a student to serve as a fellow. The nominations are reviewed and approved by the Dean’s Council each semester.

Recognition for service as a student fellow is noted on the student’s transcript as an academic honor. In addition, the student will receive a stipend each semester that they serve as a student fellow.

Awards

Awards are conferred during the Spring semester at the Missouri Baptist University Outstanding Students of Achievement awards ceremony. Students are recognized for the following areas of achievement.

Demonstrating exceptional achievement or progress in an academic discipline
Making a significant contribution to the University, commonly through exceptional participation in extracurricular activities
Demonstrating superior university citizenship and positive attitude in relationships with the faculty, staff, and student body.

Graduation With Honors

An undergraduate student who has attended Missouri Baptist University as a full-time student (12 hours or more) for at least two terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer), or as a half-time student (6 to 11 hours) for at least four terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer), may qualify for honors at graduation by achieving one of the following cumulative grade point averages:

An index of 3.40 to 3.59 may qualify for graduation Cum Laude
An index of 3.60 to 3.79 may qualify for graduation Magna Cum Laude
An index of 3.80 to 4.00 may qualify for graduation Summa Cum Laude

In considering the eligibility of a transfer student for graduation with honors, the student’s entire transcript will be evaluated as if the hours were earned at Missouri Baptist University. For all students, both the degree credit cumulative and total cumulative grade point averages must be at or above the indexes listed above.

Only students who have completed all requirements for graduation (Fall or Spring semester graduates) are recognized at commencement by the wearing of gold honors cords. Summer graduates receive their honors cords with their diplomas upon completion of all requirements for graduation.

Academic Probation and Suspension

Students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 2.00* at the end of the Fall or Spring semester or Summer session, are placed on academic probation by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for one regular semester.

A freshman or transfer student accepted on probation is given one academic year to raise grades above the probationary level. The student is expected to show evidence of reasonable progress in improving academic performance during the probationary period.

If the grade point has not been raised by the end of the probationary period, the student will be placed on academic suspension. The student may then petition the Senior Vice President for Academic 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 Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve any such petition before the student is permitted to re-enroll for classes at Missouri Baptist University. A student suspended for a second time is normally not eligible for re-admission.

Students on academic probation, or re-admitted after being placed on academic suspension, are limited to a twelve credit hour course load. A load of thirteen credit hours may be approved in special circumstances, such as enrollment in a laboratory science course.

*NOTE: Students in the teacher education program must achieve an overall GPA of at least 2.750 in order to be eligible for certification. Certain majors or programs – such as Exercise Science – may also require a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.

In order for students to continue to receive federally funded financial aid, they must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their course of studies pursued at Missouri Baptist University. Please refer to the section on “Federal and State Aid ” for specific information regarding SAP.

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

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:

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 Office of Records (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 Office of Special Needs (for special needs/individual education program 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.
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.
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.
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 date, submitted, and official transcripts from high schools and other colleges or universities which will be maintained for ten (10) years after graduation orlast 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, or in person and must include the signature of the student. There is no charge for the first official transcript issued for any student. The charge for each subsequent official transcript is $6.00. 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://12566-presscdn-0-30-pagely.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Transcript-Request-Form2017.pdf.

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements and Application for Graduation Process

Graduates of Missouri Baptist University are expected to demonstrate a lifestyle that will reflect honor on themselves, and on the institution which awarded the degree, as they serve the needs of the community and seek to make the world a better place in which to live. The degree is academic in structure, but represents ethical, social, moral, and spiritual development as well. Although a student earns the privilege of being considered for graduation, the final decision regarding the awarding of degrees is the prerogative of the faculty for recommendation and approval.

The candidate for any degree should study carefully all courses and other requirements for that degree and for graduation as listed in the University catalog. Each student is responsible for all requirements as stated. Careful attention to the program will result in completion of the requirements for graduation in the minimum time.

The undergraduate degree programs are designed with a strong liberal arts foundation. Credits are given as standard semester hours, at least 128 of which are required for graduation (64-65 for the Associate of Science degree). Students must complete at least 30 hours in a major field of study, and satisfy the requirements of both the general education program and the degree program for which the student has opted. The remaining hours to be applied toward the degree are elected by students with consent of their academic advisor.

A major field of specialization should be declared by the beginning of the junior year, and may be chosen earlier. This choice is to be made after a conference with the student’s academic advisor, followed by a formal declaration to the Records Office. A degree plan should be filed in the Records Office as soon as the major has been declared.

In order to be considered a candidate for graduation, a student must have fulfilled, or have in progress, the following requirements:

The academic advisor of the student must approve choice of degree, major field(s) of study, and minor(s) or cognate(s), and all semester schedules. Those seeking teacher certification must also obtain approval for their program of study from the Education Division and complete a certification check.
The student will meet assessment criteria established by the faculty as follows:
1. Students enrolled in IDST 101 Collegiate Seminar will complete the Proficiency Profile in their first semester of enrollment with a follow-up the semester prior to graduation.
2. The student who has completed between 55 and 89 credit hours, with at least 30 hours earned at Missouri Baptist University, will take a mid-level assessment test of general education.* All general education and degree requirements, with the exception of IDST 403 World Citizen, should have been completed or be in progress at the time this test is taken.
3. All students will take the appropriate subject field test(s)* for their major(s) during the senior year, and/or complete other internal/external subject assessment measures (such as portfolios, senior recitals, senior research projects, or internships) as determined by the faculty.
  
  *Students seeking teacher certification are required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to pass all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) as their general education (mid-level) examination and the Missouri Content Assessment(s) (MoCA) for each area in which certification is being sought. Students must also receive a passing evaluation on their Professional Development Folio the semester prior to student teaching as well as pass the Missouri Pre-Service Teacher Assessment (MoPTA) which is completed during student teaching.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, for both degree credit and non-degree credit, must be maintained on the overall program. Certain majors and degree programs (e.g., Exercise Science and Sport Management majors or the Associate of Science Degree in Pre-Nursing) require a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.75 for teacher certification and also requires a 3.00 in the content area (for K-12, middle, and secondary subjects), with no grade lower than C, as well as a 3.00 in professional education, with no grade lower than C. Therefore, certain degree programs (Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Music Education) require a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and certain majors (Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, Middle Childhood Education, K-12 Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education Cross-Categorical Disabilities Mild/Moderate) require a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 for graduation. Students should check catalog requirements for their specific program.
A student seeking to earn a baccalaureate degree must complete at least 45 hours of junior and senior level courses, which are normally taken after the student has completed at least 45 hours of lower division courses. Seniors must secure special permission from the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs to take freshman level courses.
A minimum of 128 hours is required to complete a baccalaureate degree at Missouri Baptist University; however, some programs may require in excess of 128 hours for completion. A minimum of 64 hours is required to complete an Associate of Science degree.
At least six hours of major and three hours of minor must be earned at Missouri Baptist University.
At least 24 of the last 32 hours must be taken at Missouri Baptist University. This requirement is waived for students enrolled in the Plus-Two programs at Jefferson College, Lewis and Clark Community College, and Rend Lake College, provided that the courses to be transferred are taken at Jefferson College, Lewis and Clark Community College, or Rend Lake College. The residency requirement remains in effect for Plus-Two students taking courses through institutions other than Jefferson College, Lewis and Clark Community College, or Rend Lake College.

All candidates for baccalaureate degrees must file an Application for Graduation in the Records Office during the first semester of their junior year (sophomore year for associate degree candidates), as notice of intent to graduate. This will make it possible for records to be checked to determine eligibility for graduation. Unless the Records Office is thus properly notified of intent to graduate, a graduation delay may ensue. To be admitted to unqualified candidacy for graduation, the student must be following an approved degree program, making it possible to graduate as planned, and must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 (some programs do require a higher mimimum GPA).

Final graduation checks must be completed with the Director of Records (or Education Division Advisor for students in the Teacher Education Program) no later than the tenth working day of the semester in which the student plans to complete degree requirements. Summer session graduates must complete a graduation check by the tenth working day of the Spring semester.

Degree Conferral

Degrees are conferred three times during the academic year:

Fall Semester and Winterim – at the conclusion of Winterim
Spring – at the conclusion of the Spring Semester; and
Summer – at the conclusion of the 2nd 8-week Summer Session.

Students must complete all degree requirements before the degree conferral date each term (or conferral date of their graduation term).

Diplomas for Fall Semester/Winterim and Spring Semester graduates are mailed to students after commencement exercises, upon verification of completion of degree requirements. Diplomas for Summer graduates are available after the official closing date of the 2nd 8-Week Summer Session, upon verification of completion of degree requirements. No student may receive a diploma until all degree requirements are completed, the necessary official records are on file in the Records Office, and all accounts are paid in full, including the graduation fee.

Attendance at Commencement

All undergraduate candidates for graduation during an academic year – Fall/Winterim, Spring, and Summer – are expected to attend the commencement exercises which are held at the close of the Spring Semester. Permission to graduate in absentia is granted only in rare instances. Requests for exceptions should be made to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs in writing at least one month prior to commencement, and must be approved by the faculty.

Dual Baccalaureate Degrees

Students may pursue two different baccalaureate degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science), simultaneously, with different majors at Missouri Baptist University provided that they complete a minimum of 152 semester hours, at least 24 semester hours beyond the minimum requirements for the first degree, including all specific requirements for each degree and each major. A minimum of 12 additional hours of upper division coursework is also required within the 24 additional semester hours, for a total of 57 hours of upper division credits.

Requirements for Earning a Second Degree at Missouri Baptist University

A student who already holds a baccalaureate degree may qualify for a second, and different¹, baccalaureate degree from Missouri Baptist University by completing a minimum of 24 hours in residence after all requirements for the first degree have been completed. These hours must include all major, minor, general education, and degree requirements pertaining to the second degree which were not included in the first degree program. The major for the second degree must differ from the first, and must include at least 12 hours of additional upper division work, for a total of 57 hours of upper division credits. A minimum of 152 semester hours is required for completion of a second baccalaureate degree. At least six hours of major and three hours of minor must be earned at Missouri Baptist University.

¹For example, if a Bachelor of Science degree has previously been earned, then the student may pursue a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, or Bachelor of Professional Studies degree at Missouri Baptist University, but not another Bachelor of Science degree.

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