| Schedule
Academic Load
Grading System
Quality Points
Grades in Courses at Other RTC
Schools
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Living in Community
Attendance
Adding, Dropping & Withdrawing
Graduation
Catalog Governing Program of Study
Dual Degree Programs
Schedule
The seminary calendar is based on a 12-3-12-3 sequence; Fall and Spring Terms are each twelve weeks in duration and the Winter and May Terms each last three weeks. The year also includes a four-week Summer Language Term that precedes the Fall Term. (See Academic Calendar 2006-07)
During Fall and Spring Terms the majority of classes are scheduled Tuesday through Friday from 8:20 am to 6:00 pm. (Monday classes meet from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and evening classes meet Tuesdays or Thursdays, 6:00 to 9:00 pm or 7:00 to 9:00 pm.) Classes meet during the following periods:
| 8:20 - 10:10 AM |
4:10 - 6:00 PM |
| 11:15 AM - 1:05 PM |
6:00 - 9:00 PM |
| 2:00 - 4:00 PM |
7:00 - 9:00 PM |
Chapel services are held from 10:25 to 10:55 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with a break following until 11:15 am. Activities of the Richmond Theological Consortium are held on Thursdays 1:00-1:55 pm. Regular seminary classes are not scheduled during that time.
Full credit courses usually meet for two hours on two days each week (Tuesday-Thursday or Wednesday-Friday). Half-credit courses usually meet for two hours on one day each week.
During short terms (Winter, May and Summer), classes normally meet each day, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon or 1:30 - 4:30 pm.
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Academic Load
The normal academic load for the Fall and Spring Terms is four course credits; the maximum load is five course credits. The normal load for each Winter or May Term is one course credit; this is also the maximum course load for these terms. The Dean must approve any exceptions to the maximum load.
A student must take at least three course credits in each half of the year (Fall and Winter Terms, or Spring and May Terms) in order to be considered a full-time student. Note: the Keesee Foundation does not consider online courses to count towards full-time status.
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Grading System
Providing proper assessment and evaluation of the quality of work is an important part of the learning process. Below are the grading symbols used at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, along with their meanings.
| A |
The student has exhibited exceptional
performance. |
| B |
The student has demonstrated more
than required mastery. |
| C |
The student has demonstrated a mastery
of the required essentials. |
| D |
The student has given evidence of
minimal performance. |
| F |
The student has failed to master the
required essentials. |
| IP |
In Progress. Used in a course that has a sequential course following it and in which the work is not given a final evaluation until the completion of the last course in the sequence. When the final course is completed, the "IP" is changed to the letter grade reflecting the overall evaluation; thus, the same grade is given for each course in the sequence. No credit is awarded until completion of the final course. |
| E |
Used in sequential courses such as languages. The student has not achieved a "D" at the end of the first course, but is making progress. If in the second semester the student makes a "C," the "E" becomes a "D." If not, the "E" becomes an "F." |
| I |
Due to extraordinary circumstances the student requested and the professor granted an extension of time to complete the work for the course. Work must be finished and the appropriate grade entered by the end of the eighth week following the end of the term, or the "I" automatically becomes "F." |
| P |
Passing. |
| W |
The student received authorization to withdraw after the deadline but before there was adequate opportunity to evaluate performance. |
| WP |
The student withdrew from the course after the deadline with proper authorization and was passing at the time of withdrawal. |
| WF |
The student withdrew from the course after the deadline with proper authorization and was failing at the time of withdrawal. |
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Quality Points
A student receives quality points for each course credit on the following basis: four quality points for a grade of "A," three for a grade of "B," two for a grade of "C," and one for a grade of "D." No quality points are received for a grade of "F," and the grade point average is negatively affected; the "F" remains a part of the student's GPA even if the student repeats the course and passes it. For a grade of "P," credit is received, but no quality points are awarded and the GPA is unaffected. No quality points and no penalty are received for grades of "W," "WP," and "WF."
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Grades in Courses
at Other RTC Schools
Grades received in courses taken at other RTC schools are
indicated on the BTSR transcript. The
Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union
University uses the same grade designations as BTSR.
Union-PSCE uses
the following designations:
| HON |
Honors |
| CR |
Credit |
| MC |
Marginal credit |
| NC |
No credit |
| WNC |
Withdrew without credit or penalty |
“Honors” is received by BTSR as an “A”
and receives four quality points. Credit is received for
the “CR” grade but no quality points are awarded
and the grade point average is un-affected. “MC”
is received as a “D,” “NC” is received
as an “F,” and “WNC” is received
as a “W.”
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Satisfactory Academic
Progress
M.Div. students are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress if they meet the following criteria:
| 1. |
Pass at least 66 percent of course credits attempted in each half year (Fall/Winter and Spring/May). |
| 2. |
Attempt no more than a total of 40 course credits in pursuance of the M.Div.; no more than 27 for the M.Div. portion of the M.Div./M.S.W. dual degree; no more than 31 for the M.Div. portion of the M.Div./M.S. dual degree. |
| 3. |
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (a "C" average). |
| 4. |
Courses in which a student withdraws and receives a grade of W, WP, or WF, or in which an "F" is received, will not count as having been successfully completed. |
Courses in which a student withdraws and receives a grade of W, WP, or WF, or in which an "F" is received, will not count as having been successfully completed. Courses in which an Incomplete grade is given will count as completed work if the Incomplete is removed within the time frame provided in the academic regulations, or if, in extraordinary circumstances, the Dean of the Faculty grants a further extension. However, no more than six Incompletes can be carried at one time.
Satisfactory academic progress is assessed at the end of each Fall and Spring term.
A student who fails to maintain a "C" average in any term must have a conference with the Dean of the Faculty to discuss methods for improving performance. The student may be placed on academic probation and required to limit the academic load to three credits during the following 12-week term. If still unable to maintain a "C" average, the student may be required to withdraw. A student who is suspended may apply for reinstatement after not less than one 12-week term. The Admissions Committee in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty makes decisions on reinstatement.
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Living in Community
Students also are expected to contribute to Christian community by exhibiting Christian moral character, giving evidence of potential for Christian ministry, and demonstrating skills in relating to others necessary for building Christian community.
As members of the seminary community, students are expected to adhere to the seminary's Code of Ethics and Harassment and Discrimination Policy . These documents are based on the premises of mutual trust and fairness while expecting a high standard of moral conduct and individual honor in all aspects of student life. Each document describes a process for dealing with breaches, including disciplinary measures. Copies of the two policies are published and distributed to all students annually through the Student Handbook.
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Attendance
Class attendance is an important part of the learning process
and is expected of all students. Students missing more than
25 percent of class sessions cannot expect to pass the course.
The faculty is responsible for maintaining this policy.
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Adding, Dropping & Withdrawing
After a student has registered, any changes in registration
must be made through the office of the Registrar rather
than with the professor of an individual class.
Adding a Course. Students may add a class
in any term according to dates published in the Academic
Calendar. A late fee will be charged if students do
not add and pay tuition by published deadlines.
Dropping a Course. Students may drop a
class in any term according to dates published in the Academic
Calendar. A charge may be incurred when dropping courses.
See refund policies in the BTSR
Catalog (.pdf).
Withdrawing from a Course. A student wishing
to withdraw from a course after the deadline for dropping
a course must request approval from the Dean of the Faculty.
Approval will be granted only if there are extraordinary
circumstances.
If such approval is granted, notice will be sent to the
professor who will make the determination as to whether
to award a grade of “W,” “WP,” or
“WF.”
Withdrawing from the Seminary. A student
wishing to withdraw from the seminary must have a conference
with the Dean of the Faculty. This will enable the student
to withdraw officially and remain in good standing with
the seminary, facilitating readmission at a later date.
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Graduation
The faculty approves all students for graduation based
on their meeting all requirements. It is the student’s
responsibility to monitor progress toward meeting requirements
for graduation. It is advisable to check with the Registrar
a year before the planned date of graduation to assure that
all requirements are being and will be met.
Any student desiring to graduate in absentia must have
written permission from the Dean of the Faculty.
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Catalog Governing Program
of Study
Students may choose to follow the program of study indicated in the catalog under which they were admitted as long as they maintain continuous enrollment or withdraw from enrollment for less than one year. However, if they withdraw from the seminary for more than one year, they must follow the program of study indicated in the catalog in effect when they returned to the seminary.
2006 -2007 Academic Catalog (.pdf format)
Transcript Request Form(.pdf format)
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Dual Degree
Programs
Social Work: M.Div. & M.S.W.
BTSR has a cooperative arrangement with the School of Social
Work of Virginia Commonwealth University that allows a student
to earn a degree from both schools.
To participate in the program, a student must be admitted
to both the M.Div. program at BTSR and the Master of Social
Work program at VCU. Admission to BTSR does not in any way
assure admission to the VCU School of Social Work. Students
considering this option should contact VCU as early as possible
to obtain information about School of Social Work admission
policies, financial aid, etc. The VCU program is extremely
competitive, and its application deadline is May 1 of the
year preceding enrollment.
Students may begin at VCU before coming to BTSR.
BTSR does not require students to go through any additional
steps for admission to the dual degree; any admitted M.Div.
student who gains admission to the VCU program may follow
the curriculum outlined for the dual theology social work
credentials.
Students engage in a prescribed program of either one or
two years of theological study at BTSR and then complete
the two-year M.S.W. program at the School of Social Work.
Upon completion of the social work program, students will
receive the M.S.W. degree from VCU and one of the following
from BTSR: an M.Div. degree (for those who completed the
two-year program of study at BTSR) or a certificate in theology
(for the one-year program of study at BTSR).
One-year Study
Although there is an increasing emphasis on spirituality
and a holistic approach in social work programs, the seminary
will take responsibility to aid the student in integrating
theology and social work. In the final semester of the M.S.W.
program, the student concurrently takes an integrative seminar
at BTSR.
Students deal with the two schools separately for purposes
of admission, tuition payment, financial aid and the like.
For a VCU graduate bulletin ($3) or a free VCU graduate
school prospectus, call (804) 828-6916, or visit the VCU
School of Social Work Web site.
Chaplaincy/Pastoral Counseling: M.Div. & M.S.
This dual degree is offered in cooperation with the School
of Allied Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University
and is designed to equip chaplains and pastoral counselors
for the practice of ministry in their fields.
To participate in the program, a student must be admitted
to both the M.Div. program at BTSR and the Master of Science
degree in Patient Counseling at VCU. Admission to BTSR does
not in any way assure admission to VCU. The deadline for
applying to VCU is February 1 of the first year at BTSR.
The program is designed for completion in four full years.
Upon completion of all study the student receives a Master
of Divinity degree from BTSR and a Master of Science degree
in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.
The student spends the first two years of study in theological
class work at BTSR, with summers devoted to Clinical Pastoral
Education (CPE) programs at VCU. During the third year of
the program, the focus of learning is at the Medical College
of Virginia Hospitals of VCU, where specifically designed
advanced CPE work will join interdisciplinary seminars taught
in tandem by university and seminary faculty, on a rotating
basis. Course requirements are completed at BTSR during
the fourth year.
For more information about this program, contact the Director
of Prospective Student Services. For specific questions
about admission, tuition, and financial aid at VCU, call
the Program of Patient Counseling at (804) 828-0928.
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