Grading and Academic Information

Credit Transfer

Students with previous theological training from a recognized institution may be granted certain credits toward their program of study upon application. Requests for transferred credits from other institutions or continuing education programs should be addressed to the Registrar and accompanied by documentation relating to the course requirements, syllabus, learning outcomes, class time, evaluation and transcript of marks. Transferred credit may not necessarily involve exemption from certain required courses.

Shared Credit: Where a particular undergraduate course from an accredited Bible College or religious institution can be shown to have specific relevance to one’s Masters program at Carey, up to 6 credits may be granted as shared credit. A minimum grade of B- is required and the course must have been taken within the last ten years. These shared credits are applied to Carey’s introductory courses only and transfer fees apply.

Those who wish to take courses at another institution for credit must receive prior written approval for the course. Requests for credit toward the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and the Master of Divinity degrees must be made to the Registrar of Carey Theological College; requests for credit toward the Doctor of Ministry must be made to the DMin Director of Carey Theological College. After written approval is received, the student must make application and register for such courses with the appropriate institution. On completion, an official transcript must be sent to the Registrar’s Office. There is a fee for transfer credits.

Carey course offerings are published in advance so that students may plan their course load to fulfill the requirements of their program. Students should note the maximum number of transfer credits that are acceptable.
Grading Scales

The professor of record for any course may assign the marking of papers or other types of assignments to qualified individuals, including co-instructors, teaching assistants, and other faculty members.

Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
NOTE: 3 credit hours require 135 hours of work.

Doctor of Ministry
NOTE: 3 credit hours require 150 hours of work.

Course Attendance

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions in order to fulfill the degree requirements.

Course Withdrawal Policy

After the period for which tuition refunds are available, a “W” will be placed on the transcript of a student who withdraws from any course within the first half of the course. Beyond those dates, an “F” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Students who undergo extreme hardship which was not of their causing, was beyond their ability to control, and prevents them from completing course requirements even given an extension, may appeal, in writing, to the Registrar for a Withdrawal from the course. If granted, a grade of “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Grade Changes

It is the student’s responsibility to appeal any error in grades and to bring it to the faculty or instructor’s attention within two months following the issued grade. Grade changes are allowable for computational recording errors and must be corrected no later than the last day of classes of the next full term.

A student will be permitted to repeat a course in which he/she has received an ‘F’ grade. The better grade will appear on the student’s transcript. Regular tuition fees will be charged for repeated courses.

Extensions

Extensions for course work will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. If a student requests an extension that will make it impossible for the professor to submit the final grade no later than one month following the final assignment, the student must petition the Registrar’s Office. If the Registrar’s Office grants such a request, the extension deadlines will be clearly established and will be final. Work granted an extension may receive a grade reduction of up to one-third of the final mark.

Academic Probation

In each program of study, Carey Theological College sets standards for the competencies students are expected to achieve. Satisfactory academic performance (MDiv = B-; MASF= B- ; DMin = B) is a necessary prerequisite for a student to continue their program of studies. Should a student achieve final course grades that are below the minimum standard in three courses or fail to complete those courses within the specified time lines, that student will be placed on Academic Probation. Under Academic Probation, a student will be placed under the supervision of the Admissions Committee which may recommend one of several alternatives including remedial work, personal counseling, extension of time to complete the program, or withdrawal from studies.

Student Appeals

Students are assured the right to appeal any judgment relative to their academic program, whether it is permission to enter a degree program, a ruling regarding academic procedure or a grade given in any academic work. The appeal would normally be made, in the first instance, to the person or committee responsible for the decision under dispute (e.g. grades to Faculty, admissions to the Admissions Office). Any such appeal must be initiated no later than two months following notification of a ruling or a grade being issued. A written statement of the ruling will be issued to the student.

Where the student is not satisfied that the appeal is fairly heard or considered, a further appeal may be made to the Vice President Academic. The Vice President Academic will hear and discuss the circumstances attending the complaint and counsel the student regarding the issue. A written statement of the ruling will be issued to the student.

In the event that the appeal is related to the Vice President Academic or the Admissions Officer, the President will hear and discuss the circumstances attending the complaint and counsel the student regarding the issue. A written statement of the ruling will be issued to the student.

If the student is still not satisfied, the ruling may be appealed in a written summation to the Appeals Committee of the Senate of Carey Theological College. The decision registered by the Senate of Carey Theological College is final.

Student Representation to the Senate

All students are represented on the Senate of the College by MDiv student, David Grice. Students may contact their representative by email at studentrep@carey-edu.ca

Academic Integrity

A high standard of academic integrity is expected of all Carey Theological College students. Any infraction will be treated seriously and may be grounds for dismissal.

It is important that students understand what constitutes a lack of academic integrity and is considered to be academic dishonesty. Plagiarism misrepresents the work of another person (in whole or in part) as a student’s own work or fails to give credit for either wording or ideas that belong to another. Learning to cite accurately other’s work is critical for all students. Submitting the same material for credit in more than one course misrepresents effort and is dishonest.

Using unauthorized aids of any sort in examinations, completing work in unauthorized collaboration with others, or the unauthorized recording and use of class lectures are all examples of breaches in academic integrity.

The penalty for a lack of academic integrity may include a failing grade either in the assignment, examination or course, depending on the severity of the offense. Penalties will be recorded in writing and a note placed in the student’s file, as well as communicated directly to the student by the professor and/or the Registrar.

All students are responsible for knowing and practicing academic integrity. Students are expected to become familiar with the Plagiarism Resource Centre for students at: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/plagiarism/

Non-Academic Grievance

Carey Theological College attempts to provide a Christian community for students. Christian community involves communication, cooperation, commitment, and consideration of others. A student with a grievance of a non-academic nature may bring that grievance in writing to the President.

Gender Language

As language usage changes over time, the church must discern where its own language must change in order to continue to bear witness faithfully to the gospel. Modern English usage has moved away from using masculine terms to refer to groups that include women. The continued use of such terms in worship, writing, or conversation miscommunicates the invitation of the gospel and the nature of the church.

This policy refers to humankind. Examples of inclusive language for persons can be found in the NRSV and the TNIV translations. In regards to Scripture texts, the integrity of the original expressions and names of God should be respected. The language of previous eras and other authors need not be rewritten to conform to contemporary usage. It is expected that inclusive language will be used in written work, publications, and classroom conversation at Carey Theological College.

Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Carey seeks to be a community in which students, faculty and staff can grow together, free from discrimination and harassment. We are identified by our commitment to Jesus Christ and to the Scriptures which make Him known. Our purpose is that each of the members of Carey lead exemplary and honourable lives, consistent with and faithful to this revelation. So it is that we seek to love, honour, serve, guide and, where we have failed, to seek to make and be made right with one another. We acknowledge that we sometimes fail to live up to the high ideals upon which we claim to rest. Relationships may be fractured through acts or attitudes that either intentionally or unintentionally cause hurt. Discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, are two of many possible ways in which this sense of Christian community may be betrayed.

Anyone who believes that he or she has been subjected to comment or conduct which might constitute discrimination or harassment should report it to the Registrar.