ACADEMIC CREDIT & GRADING
This section explains the academic standard and the process involved in obtaining credit for an academic course. The explanation is given under the following three headings:
(A) Academic Standards
(B) Classroom Attendance and Conduct
(C) Course Registration and Process.
(A) Academic Standards
MBTS follows the academic standard set by the ATA Accreditation Commission. In this section, the following are discussed:
1. The Credit Unit
2. GPA and Non-GPA Credit Courses
3. GPA Credit Course requirements
4. Grading System
1. The Credit Unit
A 1 credit unit course requires a minimum of 35 hours of work. In a class-centered course, 15 hours are spent in class and 20 hours on after class assignments. As for the online approach and hybrid approach, a total 35 hours of learning will be needed. Each program requires a certain number of credits for completion. Tuition fees are charged per credit unit.
2. The GPA and Non-GPA Credits Courses
Students are required to meet a certain Grade Point Average (GPA) to graduate or obtain promotion. The GPA depends on the numerical grades earned by the student. Certain courses are given either a PASS (P) or FAIL (F) grade. Such courses are called “non-GPA credit courses” (e.g., Practicum and Spiritual Formation courses). Though the non-GPA courses are not included in the calculation of the GPA, students must nevertheless obtain a P grade in order to continue. An F grade requires the student to repeat the whole course or certain aspects of the course.
3. GPA Credit Course Requirements (1 credit)
4. Grading System
Numerical and Letter Grades may be used.
The passing grade for all programs is 65. However, each program has a different GPA requirement for graduation.
(B) Classroom Attendance & Conduct
1. Absence from Class.
– Students must be present for at least 80% of the total class periods in order to obtain credit for a course. If a student misses more than 20% of his/her class periods, he/she will be given an F grade. Only by special Faculty action can this be altered.
– A student is allowed to be absent from classes only with valid reasons (e.g. sickness or injury). A form shall be filled, signed by the
lecturer concerned, and submitted to the Academic Office.
2. Tardiness.
– When a student is late for classes three times, he/she will be considered as having taken an absence. A student is tardy if he/she
arrives at class after the bell has rung. A lecturer is not authorized to excuse tardiness except in cases of emergency or where there is a special reason.
– A class is considered cancelled if the lecturer is late by more than 10 minutes and after due efforts have been made by the monitor to locate the lecturer. Students may dismiss themselves, and the monitor is to inform the Academic Office accordingly.
3. Classroom Conduct. Students will be penalized for “un-Christian” conduct in the classroom if a complaint is made on a student, and after due examination, disciplinary actions including suspension or dismissal may be taken.
4. Phone Calls during Class. Students are not allowed to receive or place calls when in class except during emergencies. All tele-communication equipment is to be switched off or set to silence mode during Chapel service, classes and official functions.
(C) Course Registration Process
This section clarifies the process of obtaining credit for courses at MBTS. The process begins with the student knowing his/her program requirements, registering for the required courses and completing the course requirements. The explanation of the process is given below under four headings:
1. Programs and Courses
2. Course Registration
3. Course Closure
4. Change of Course
1. Programs and Courses
Students must know the requirements of their PROGRAMS (e.g. Dip.C.S., B.Th., M.C.S.). Each Academic Program has COURSES which must be completed “successfully” for graduation. Courses with credits, either GPA or non-GPA, are what an academic program is all about. Students must make sure they complete all required courses according to standards demanded in their programs.
2. Course Registration
A student registers for a course by doing the following:
(a) Complete appropriate Courses Registration Form.
(b) Get the Fee Payment Form from the Academic Office and make payment to the Finance Office within the first two weeks of the term. Students under workgrant are to inform the Finance Office accordingly.
(c) If there is lack of a minimum of number of students for a course, it may be cancelled and those who sign up for the course will be informed accordingly (those who have not sign up will not be notified).
(d) A student who does not register in time may not be given a place, or when given a place will not have priority in obtaining handouts. Students are responsible for identifying the required courses and completing the registration process.
3. Course Closure
A course officially comes to an end according to the deadline given in the Course Syllabus. From the Academic Office perspective, no changes in any form will be considered on the course after the course grades are submitted by the lecturer.
4. Change of Course
Change (whether change to audit or drop) is allowed only within 25% of class attendance. E.g. A 15-hr class (1 credit) = within 4 hrs of class; a 30-hr class (2 credits) = 7 hrs of class. Money paid will be transferred to the next course (no cash refund).
Change of course is not allowed after 25% of class attendance, unless special permission is granted by the Academic Dean. No money refund or transfer will be given even if the said special permission has been granted.
Any change of course requires students to fill up a Change of Course Form and pay course changing fee. Failure to do so will result in an F grade. Students cannot assume a course is automatically dropped by not attending any of the classes.