Classification of Students
Regular students (full-time) are those who pursue the prescribed courses of the School of Theology and take 12 or more credit hours per semester. Regular students (part-time) are those who have been admitted to a degree program and who, with the consent of the dean and faculty, are taking less than 12 credit hours per semester.
Non-degree-seeking students (full-time) are those who, under the direction of the dean and the faculty, pursue studies not directed toward graduation. Certain of these students pursue the Anglican Studies program described in a separate section.
Anglican Studies students are normally those who have transferred from the ministry of other communions to that of the Episcopal Church or who have received their theological education in other than Episcopal institutions and who, under the direction of the dean and the faculty, pursue studies not directed toward graduation. Anglican Studies students with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited school can apply for admission to the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) program.
Special students are non-degree-seeking, part-time students who do not go through the admission process and who, with the permission of the instructor, take an elective class for credit.
Auditors are those who, with the permission of the instructor, take a course without credit.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
General Requirements
Graduation from the School of Theology follows upon the successful completion of all requirements for the specified degree program and the awarding of the degree by the Senate of the University upon nomination by the faculty of the School of Theology. Approved courses taken at any accredited theological school receive credit as electives toward the M.Div. degree at the School of Theology. The School of Theology requires that the majority of credits toward its degrees be earned in post-graduate courses during at least three semesters at the University of the South. Academic work taken outside the School of Theology and applied toward a degree from this institution must be reviewed and approved by the associate dean for academic affairs. The University of the South does not award transfer credit for course work taken on a non-credit basis or for life experiences. Work toward the M.Div. degree is to be concluded within five consecutive years from the date of matriculation. In the case of students seeking ordination, the faculty is required by the canons of the church to be concerned not only with the academic proficiency of students but also their personal qualifications for ordained ministry.
Master of Divinity
A regular student, who has been evaluated as “adequate” in all prescribed work, has fulfilled the clinical pastoral education and field education requirements, and who has a cumulative grade point average of 2.33, is eligible for the award of the degree of Master of Divinity.
Graduating with Honors
The faculty of the School of Theology may confer honors on up to ten percent of the graduating class receiving the degree of Master of Divinity, with honors based on final cumulative GPA and the faculty’s determination of each student’s excellence. All grades for courses taken in the Master of Divinity program at the School of Theology will be used to calculate GPA for conferring of honors. Grades for transfer credits will not be considered.
Master of Arts
A regular student with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent who has been evaluated as “adequate” in all prescribed work, has completed all elective work, has completed the thesis, and who has a cumulative grade point average of 2.33 is eligible for the award of the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.).
EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY
Satisfactory academic progress at the School of Theology is defined as eligibility to re-enroll in the specific degree program for the following semester. Letter grades are given on a 13-point system ranging from A+ to F.
A student’s cumulative grade point average is computed on a 4.0 scale and is recorded on his or her transcript. A student with less than a 2.33 grade point average is evaluated by the faculty as either “Provisional” or “Inadequate.” A student who receives an F in any semester is rated as “Provisional,” and more than one F as “Inadequate.” A student rated as “Inadequate” is dismissed; if rated “Provisional,” the student may remain but must rise to the status of “Adequate” by the end of the following semester in order to remain in school. A 2.33 cumulative grade point average on the 4.0 scale is required for re-enrollment unless the student has been given “Provisional” status by the faculty. Students must complete the degree program, where applicable, in a period of not more than eight semesters. In some cases the decision of the faculty concerning the eligibility for re-enrollment supersedes the above.
In accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of the South does not certify, for VA benefit purposes, any student who fails to meet the minimum academic standard to be in good standing with the University.
Incompletes
The grade of “I” (“Incomplete”) is given when a student fails to complete the work of a course for good reason (the instructor being the judge of what constitutes “good reason”). An “I” not removed one month after the last day of classes for that semester automatically becomes an “F.” Students who need to do so may in individual cases appeal this rule at the next convenient meeting of the dean and faculty.
Unless a student has made prior arrangements with the instructor, a student who is late with work due during a course is dropped one grade point immediately (i.e. A+ to A), and then a full letter grade for each week (five working days) that the paper is late.
Grade Point Average for Degrees (GPA)
A student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.33 to receive any degree.
Grading Guidelines
It is normative at the School of Theology that all assignments and tests (in graded courses) be designated in the syllabus with a percentage relative to the final grade in the course.
Grading Policy
• All 79.5 required hours in the core curriculum are given a letter grade, except when Pass or Fail grading is authorized by faculty for a particular course or when the instructor authorizes it for an individual student.
• CPE is not graded. If a supervisor sends a letter grade, it is translated to Pass or Fail.
• All electives are given a letter grade unless the student requests at the beginning of the course that the elective be graded Pass/Fail. A Pass/Fail grade is not included in the GPA nor is it used to qualify for honors.
Grading Scale
13 point scale: A+ = 100-97 (Exceptional work)
12 point scale: A = 96-93
11 point scale: A- = 92-90
10 point scale: B+ = 89-87 (More than adequate work)
9 point scale: B = 86-83
8 point scale: B- = 82-80
7 point scale: C+ = 79-77 (Adequate work. This is the minimum GPA needed to graduate)
6 point scale: C = 76-73 (Less than adequate)
5 point scale: C- = 72-70
4 point scale: D+ = 69-67 (Deficient work)
3 point scale: D = 66-63
2 point scale: D- = 62-60
1 point scale: F = 59-00 (Failure to accomplish task)
EVALUATION OF PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
As a seminary of the Episcopal Church, the School of Theology is required by canon law to evaluate candidates for Holy Orders with regard to their academic performance, their professional competence, and their personal qualifications to exercise the ordained ministry of the Episcopal Church. Evaluation involves the student’s participation in the entire curriculum (i.e., lectures, seminars, and liturgical life) and also in the life of the seminary community. It includes several kinds of reporting: grades, oral statements, and written reports. The School of Theology uses criteria developed by the Board for Theological Education to evaluate student personal qualifications to provide as objective, comprehensive, uniform, and sound a process of evaluation as possible. These criteria can be found in the student handbook. Each M.Div. student uses these criteria to prepare an annual self-evaluation. Students who are not seeking ordination and who enroll for one year or more may request a faculty evaluation.
According to the requirements of Title III of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, the faculty votes whether or not to recommend a student for ordination. To be recommended for ordination, the student shall be a candidate from a diocese and shall have spent at least two years in residence at the School of Theology. The faculty vote is forwarded immediately to the dean, who reports these results to students completing that program. The University Senate then votes whether or not to approve those recommended for graduation by the faculty of the School of Theology. The granting of a degree is not contingent upon the recommendation for ordination. Parallel evaluations are done for students from other traditions and judicatories.
POLICY REGARDING DISMISSAL
The dean and faculty may vote to dismiss a student from the School of Theology prior to the granting of a degree and/or a recommendation for ordination for any of the following reasons:
(1) Failure of a student to be adequately responsible for work in classes, seminars, field education, special projects, and any and all other elements that are or may be incorporated into the curriculum.
(2) If on the basis of the evaluation process, the dean and the faculty judge that they cannot reasonably be expected to recommend an M.Div. student for ordination. (See Title III of the Canons of the Episcopal Church.)
(3) Inappropriate behavior that the dean and the faculty judge to be disruptive or destructive to the learning process and/or community life.
(4) Charged with a civil or criminal offense or a flagrant breach of morality. If, in the judgment of the dean, this action precludes effective membership in the student body, causes disruption of the life of the School of Theology, or creates a reasonable doubt of one’s suitability for ministry.
Further details concerning the above as well as a description of procedures are in the student handbook. Dismissal automatically terminates any contract between the school and the student. For information concerning refunds of tuition, see the section on financial information.
RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
The official and final repository of the permanent academic records relating to students is maintained in the University Registrar's Office. Information relating to courses and grades is kept there and is summarized on the students’ transcripts.
Students may request transcripts of their academic records by contacting the Registrar of the School of Theology. Such transcripts are labeled “unofficial” and do not bear the seal of the University. Requests for “official” transcripts (bearing the seal of the University) must be submitted in writing to the University Registrar’s Office. There is no charge for the official transcript. However, there is a fee for next day delivery.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student's education records (providing they have not waived this right) within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the University Registrar or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write to the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University; a person serving on financial aid committees; a person or company with whom the University has contracted; a person serving on the Board of Trustees or Board of Regents; or a student serving on an official committee. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
The University designates the following categories of personally identifiable student information as public or "Directory Information." The University may disclose or publish such information at its discretion: student’s full name; current enrollment status; local address and telephone number; permanent address and telephone number; temporary address and telephone number; electronic mail addresses; parents' names, addresses, and telephone numbers; date and place of birth; dates of attendance; class standing (e.g. sophomore); schedule of classes; previous educational institution(s) attended; major and minor field(s) of study; awards and honors; degree(s) conferred (including dates of conferral); full-time or part-time status; photographic or videotaped images of the student; past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities; and height and weight of student athletes.
Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of directory information by submitting written notification on an annual basis (usually prior to the beginning of the Advent semester) to the University Registrar's Office at: The University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, Tennessee 37383-1000. Directory information will then be withheld until the student releases the hold on disclosure or until the end of the current academic year, whichever comes first. Students should understand that, by withholding directory information, some information considered important to students may not reach them.
(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by State 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 20202-5901
The FERPA Web site is
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
The University of the South's complete Education Records and FERPA Policy is available from the Office of the University Registrar.
ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED
Assistance for Psychological Distress
The University provides a time-limited professional counseling service for students seeking assistance with concerns of all kinds — academic, social, emotional, or interpersonal. At the School of Theology, the Associate Dean for Community Life helps students and their family members make contact with appropriate services. Discussions between students or family members and their mental health providers are confidential and information cannot be disclosed except in rare situations required by law, or at the student’s request. This includes not disclosing mental health information to University officials or dioceses. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Community Life, located in Hamilton Hall, 931.598.1655, or to the University Counseling Center at 187 Alabama Avenue (across the street from McCrady dormitory), 931.598.1325.
Assistance for the Learning Disabled
The University of the South is committed to fostering respect for the diversity of the School of Theology community and the individual rights of each member of that community. In this spirit, and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the University seeks to provide disabled students with the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal access to the programs and activities of the School of Theology. While the School of Theology provides a number of services to support the academic work of all its students, additional accommodations can be made specifically for students with learning disabilities. The University Counselor certifies students as learning disabled or as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder based on professional documentation. A staff psychologist talks with individual students to determine specific needs and to identify appropriate accommodations and resources, and is also available to consult with faculty members regarding learning disabilities and recommended modifications. The office is located at 187 Alabama Avenue; the phone number is 931.598.1325.
All incoming students with previously diagnosed learning disabilities are encouraged to make an appointment at the University Counseling Service as early as possible in their seminary career. A student who requests accommodation on the basis of a learning disability is required to submit the evaluation and diagnostic report and educational recommendations of a professional in the field of learning disabilities. The University also reserves the right to request an additional evaluation to be completed by an appropriate health care provider who may be recommended by the University Counselor. This information is reviewed by the University Counselor who then meets with the student to discuss necessary support services. Students with documented learning disabilities may receive support in a variety of ways, depending on the specific nature of the disability, and what constitutes a reasonable accommodation for a learning disabled student is a highly individualized matter. Students are expected to discuss arrangements that might be necessary with their professors at the beginning of each semester.
Any student who suspects he or she may have an undiagnosed learning disability, or is uncertain about a previous diagnosis, is welcome to talk to a psychologist at the University Counseling Service about possible referrals for assessment with a professional approved or recommended by the University Counselor.
Assistance for the Medically Disabled
Students seeking assistance based upon a medical disability must submit appropriate diagnostic documentation related to the disability to and meet with the University Health Service staff. After review of submitted materials, decisions will be made about accommodations, if appropriate, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Community Life.
Assistance for the Physically Disabled
The location of some campus facilities may be inaccessible to some disabled students. These students should check with the Office of Community Life to obtain help in dealing with specific needs related to those facilities.
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
It is the policy of the School of Theology that the standard of written and spoken language used by students and faculty when referring to contemporary humanity shall be gender inclusive and that it shall avoid perpetuation of derogatory religious, racial, and national stereotypes. Efforts should be made to include the full range of biblical imagery when referring to God.
HOUSING
University housing is available to those enrolled in the School of Theology. Applicants will be shown sample housing when they come for interviews. Housing is assigned by the manager of rental housing. No housing will be assigned until after a person has been accepted for admission. All matters pertaining to housing should be directed to the Office of Rental Housing.
All university housing must be vacated at the completion of the student’s academic studies, but no later than June 15 of the year in which those studies are completed.
