Master’s program students are responsible for reviewing Catalog program requirements, and the Academic Handbook to facilitate their timely program progress.  Trinity Evangelical Divinity School reserves the right to change without notice any statement in this publication concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, curricula, and courses.

Note: During the academic year, updates and changes are made to the Academic Handbook and highlighted in red.  These changes take effect immediately or at the date indicated, and are published in subsequent year's publications.

Please note: A number of further updates will be made, and identified in red, to this Handbook in the coming year.

Compiled by the Office of the Academic Dean
Email corrections to asscdean@tiu.edu

Revised and © 2007 by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

INTRODUCTION

1. ACADEMIC CALENDAR

2007-2008 Detailed

Catalog
Academic Advisement
Academic Petitions for Exception
Academic Integrity
Admission Deficiencies and Prerequisites
Advanced Standing
Americans with Disabilities Act Services
Change of Degree Program or School
Computers and Technology in the Classroom
Course Substitution
Faculty Availability
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Field Education
Formation Groups
Gender References in Speech and Writing
Human Rights of Research Subjects
Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright Policy
Placement
Probation, Warnings, and Academic Dismissal
Student Academic Concerns
Transcripts
Transfer Credit
Withdrawal from Trinity
Working on a Second TIU Degree

Academic Year
Academic Load
Auditing Courses
Course Registration Process
Changes in Registration
Reading and Guided Research Courses
Distance Education
Cross-Registration for ACTS Courses
Cross-registration for Graduate Students Taking Undergraduate TC Courses
Course Rotation
Courses on Demand
Syllabi
Class Attendance
Course Preparation
Course Assignments and Workload
Final Examinations
Final Grade Submission and Grading Scale
Grade Changes
Course Repeat Policy
Course Extensions
May Candidates for Graduation Course Completion Deadlines

Residency – General Requirements
Candidacy
Graduation – Review and Application
Time Limits for Program Completion
    – Program Extensions
    – Course Sunset and Readmission
Continuation Fees
Suggested Course Sequences
    – Biblical Language Completion
        - Hebrew
        - Greek
    – Master of Arts (all concentrations)
    – Master of Arts (Religion)
    – Master of Divinity
    – Master of Theology

Examinations and the English Language
Computers and Exams
Standard Bible Content Test (SBCT)
Greek Proficiency Exam
Hebrew Proficiency Exam
TEDS General Comprehensive Exams
Major Comprehensive Exams
Special Administration of Exams

Internship and Practicum
     – MDiv Internship
     – Other Program Practica
Integrative Papers
    – MAR
    – Other Program
Projects
ThM Major Papers
Theses
    -- MDiv Thesis
    – Responsibilities of Student
    – Role of Thesis Committee
    – Thesis Methodology and Form
    – Human Rights in Research
    – Style and Formatting
    – Selection and Approval of Thesis Topic and Committee
    – Thesis Proposal
    – Writing the Thesis
    – Thesis Calendar for Completion
    – Thesis Oral Defense Hearing
    – Outcomes of the Thesis Hearing
    – Final Copy of the Thesis
    – Extensions

The Academic Handbook for Master’s-Level Students at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is intended to serve as an advisement tool orienting all TEDS master’s level students to the academic policies and procedures of the Master of Arts (MA); Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries, Counseling Psychology, Ministry, or Urban Ministry; Master of Divinity (MDiv); and Master of Theology (ThM) programs at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School at either the Deerfield campus or an extension site.  Students at extensions, and the Chicago and Miami Regional Centers, should use this Handbook in conjunction with publications from their local site.

Students admitted to TEDS are subject to the Catalog program requirements current at the time of their matriculation, or to a subsequent Catalog if the student so elects.  The Academic Handbook serves to explain policies and procedures related to the completion of that program and is updated on a regular basis.

Refer to the Catalog for the following program matters in particular:

•   Admission requirements and pre-requisites
•   Program residency requirements and continuation, including statute of limitations
•   Program curricula
•   Candidacy and Graduation requirements
•   Courses and course descriptions

Throughout the Handbook reference is made to forms and other resources available online.  Students should become proficient in their use of computer technology including their Trinity GroupWise email, MyTrinity, etc. whether through personal computing resources or the campus computer labs.  Graduate education in the twenty-first century demands such an understanding.
 

**NOTE: Individual Department web pages or the Department Chair will have further Department specific information such as: guides and reading lists for Major Comprehensive Exams, department Practica, Integrative Paper helps, and Thesis helps.  The Office of Supervised Ministries should be contacted for details regarding Field Education, MDiv Internships, and Placement.

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The Academic Calendar is relevant to all students in terms of dates TEDS is in session; registration dates; field education and internship matters; special events; and critical academic events such as registration for and the dates of language proficiency, and General and Major Comprehensive Examinations; and the due dates for writers of master’s theses.  Other special events are scheduled from time-to-time, and the University event calendar may be found at MyTrinity > Resources > TIU Calendar.

The comprehensive TEDS Academic Calendar is at MyTrinity > Departments / TEDS Academics > Calendars .

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The General Academic Policies and Procedures section examines general policy and procedural matters not highlighted in the other more specific chapters.

CATALOG

Students admitted to Trinity are subject to the Catalog program requirements current at the time of their matriculation.  A student may elect to complete program requirements described in any subsequent Catalog published during their time of study by filing such a request with the Records Office.  If a student withdraws and is readmitted, or enters a second program, they are subject to the program requirements of the Catalog current at the time of re-enrollment.

Modifications and exceptions to Catalog or Academic Handbook requirements are made through petition to the TEDS Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee.  Further clarification of the Catalog or the Academic Handbook may be obtained through the Records Office or Academic Dean’s Office.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

While ultimately a student is responsible to ensure they complete their program requirements as described in the Catalog at the time of their matriculation, a number of academic advisement resources are available to consult in this process.  First is the Catalog which describes each program and its requirements.  Second, the Academic Handbook provides procedural and more detailed guidance on the process relative to program completion.  Third, departments (in the case of the MAs) or program offices (in the case of the MDiv, MA in Min, MA/CS degrees), all of which maintain helpful web pages from the TEDS Academic web page provide specific and valuable assistance for their respective programs.  After consulting these sources, students often find their peers, faculty Formation Group leaders, faculty instructors, and/or the Records and Academic Dean's Offices helpful.  The Graduate Assistant Registrar in charge of program requirements in the Records Office is also available by appointment to discuss program completion requirements.

If you continue to find yourself in an academic quandry, do not hesitate to contact the Academic Dean's Office who will endeavor to assist or direct you to the best person for guidance.

At the time of admission, each incoming student is assigned to a faculty Formation Group leader (see also Formation Groups).  Often students have found this faculty member particularly helpful when it comes to various advisement matters.  This individual is also critical to MDiv students who work with their Formation Group leader in the candidacy process.  At times faculty signatures are required in particular academic matters, and the student should first consult their faculty Formation Group leader for these requisite signatures.  When a faculty member is on sabbatical, their Formation Group meets with another faculty member who is fully empowered to serve as signator as needed, or the student may also consult with the relevant department chair or its faculty.

Faculty Formation Group leaders may be changed through submission of a Change in Formation Group form bearing the signature of the current and new Fomation Group leader.
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ACADEMIC PETITIONS FOR EXCEPTION

An academic petition for an exception is a request for exception to a stated academic policy or procedure, and/or a request for further review of an academic decision made by a faculty member or academic administrator. A student should initially appeal an academic decision directly to the faculty member or director of the office enacting the decision in question, or in the case of other academic policy or procedural questions directly to the Records Office which serves to implement academic policy of the faculty.  The Office of the Academic Dean will act on certain types of academic decisions.

Further TEDS academic petitions for exception may be made to the Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee which is composed of relevant academic staff and administration, faculty, and a student representative. The Committee generally meets monthly in an as needed basis to consider petitions.

The procedure for filing an academic appeal petition for exception follows:

1. Petitions must be in writing and limited to one written page.

2. Petitions must be filed at least ten calendar days prior to a meeting date to be placed on the Committee agenda.  Petitions filed after the deadline date will go to the Committee at the subsequent meeting.

3. Petitions should be clear, concise, and complete, and specify the precise policy or procedure that is being appealed, including citation of relevant catalog and/or Academic Handbook pages and the year of publication.

4. Petitions must be accompanied by any supporting documentation gathered by the student, including signatures of support and/or written comments from relevant faculty and/or department chairs (which may be submitted directly to the Committee by the faculty member). A current unofficial transcript for the student (available from the Records Office) should also be submitted.  Failure to include signatures of support and/or written comments from relevant faculty and/or department chairs, and a transcript copy generally result in a return of the petition without comment.

5. Petitions should be addressed to the TEDS Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee and submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean.

6. Subsequent to review by the Committee, the student will receive written notification by GroupWise email of the action of the Committee relevant to the petition, a copy of which will also be placed in the student’s permanent file in the Records Office. Petitions are generally approved or denied with alternative recommendations often noted.

An appeal of a decision of the Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee returns to the MPEC for a second review.  Further appeal is directed to the Academic Dean whose decision is final.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The Trinity community is committed to integrity in all areas of life, including academic integrity which we believe is essential in the search for and promotion of truth.  The pursuit of truth is integrally connected with values of the Trinity community including respect for individual intellectual contributions, the development of God-given talents, and the building of relationships in community in a spirit of trust.  Therefore, academic integrity is upheld in the Trinity community and any form of cheating and plagiarism is not permitted.

Cheating is a form of deception and takes many forms from the copying of a word from another’s quiz or exam; the use of unauthorized notes, previous exams, books or other materials; the submission of another’s work to fulfill a course requirement; the unauthorized use of work completed for one course in another; or the reporting of material as read that was not read.

Plagiarism gives the impression that the words or ideas in one's writings are one's own when in reality they are taken from another’s written or oral work.  Plagiarism may be either intentional and unintentional and includes: paraphrasing the words or ideas of another without giving credit (unless describing common knowledge); the use of quotations without identification by quotation marks and citation; and the reproduction of another’s written work as if it was your own.  Plagiarism is an affront to community standards, a willful neglect of the scholarship of another, and an expression of poor scholarship.

A student found to break the standard of academic integrity by cheating or plagiarism will be confronted by the faculty member involved and will be reported to the Dean of Students.  This will result in a “zero” grade for that particular paper or exam, which may result in an  “F” for the course (e.g. depending on the normal weight of that particular assignment, as articulated on the syllabus, the student may fail the course). Such an assignment cannot be “made-up” or a substitute assignment made.  It may also lead to expulsion from the institution, or a revocation of a degree already granted by Trinity.

Refer to the Intranet page where a more lengthy discussion of plagiarism is present including a document with examples.
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ADMISSION DEFICIENCIES AND PREREQUISITES

Occasionally students are admitted to the University with deficiencies or uncompleted prerequisites as stated on their letter of admission. Such students should complete those deficiencies or prerequisites as early as possible in their Trinity studies thus enabling them to move quickly toward advanced courses in their program. These may at times be met through course work taken at Trinity College or another undergraduate college, or through Distance Education courses.

ADVANCED STANDING

Advanced standing is available only to students enrolled in the MDiv program. Eligibility is determined by those who have completed undergraduate course work in excess of a standard bachelor’s degree (generally 126 semester hours) and have taken course work that would be repeated in their master’s program. Advanced standing is available only for core courses (not electives). A maximum of 15 semester hours may be granted. These hours are credited toward the required number of hours in the program to which the student is admitted as Advanced Standing on the transcript.

Requests for evaluation of Advanced Standing eligibility must be made to the Records Office subsequent to an accepted student indicating their intention to enroll by submission of the tuition deposit, or during the first year of enrollment. Consult the current Catalog for the exam fee.

Advanced Standing hours are credited after a written and/or oral assessment has been made by the department in which Advanced Standing is being considered. The assessment examination evaluates whether a student has the knowledge, competence, and skills provided by the specific course(s) for which Advanced Standing is being considered. The level of achievement on the examination that constitutes a Pass is determined by the Department and/or Department Chair and is final. A student may be examined only once for each course. A Pass on the examination results in the posting of Advanced Standing hours; a Fail requires that the required course or a Course Substitute be completed.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT SERVICES

In an effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the policy of the Divinity School is to provide effective auxiliary aids, services, and academic adjustments to qualified students with disabilities. The Dean of Students acts as the institution’s ADA coordinator assisting students with disabilities and works in consultation with academic departments and faculty member(s) involved. Academic adjustments are determined on a case-by-case basis and subject to review by the Academic Dean. Requests for aids, services, or academic adjustments should be submitted in writing with appropriate supporting documentation of the relevant disability to the Dean of Students at the earliest possible time. (For more information, see the Policies section of the catalog)
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CHANGE OF DEGREE PROGRAM OR SCHOOL

Applications for change of degree program or school in the University are received only after completion of one semester in the degree or school to which a student was originally admitted.  Such applications are filed with the Admissions Office. For details consult the Catalog and/or the Admissions Office.  See also Working on a Second TIU Degree.

COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

The use of computer technology is critical to contemporary education and students are encouraged to use their computers to the fullest extent.  Many take notes directly onto their computer.  Some faculty host web pages for their classes, and some use power point in the classroom.  (See Chapter 5 Exams for a statement regarding computers and exams.)

COURSE SUBSTITUTION

Advanced Courses

Students who have taken course work as part of their bachelor’s degree that would be repeated in their master’s program, are encouraged to build on their previous studies by requesting permission to substitute advanced courses in the same department. Such substitutions are granted, without examination (except in the case of languages), in consultation with a faculty member, generally their Formation Group leader.

The following guidelines aid in determining appropriate Course Substitutions:

1. The previous course should have covered at least 50% of the required Trinity course, and provide background for advanced study; particularly in cases where the Trinity course is a prerequisite for advanced courses in that department.  Substitutions for general comprehensive courses also meet the general comprehensive requirement.

2. Substitution should be made in the same department as the required course and from the same general area if possible, generally with a higher course number.

3. A two hour substitution may be made for a three hour requirement (or a three hour for a four hour).  The one additional hour may be taken as an elective in any department when the grade received in the substitute course is “C” or higher. If the grade is below “C,” the additional hour must be taken in the same department.

4. The same substitution cannot be used to meet more than one required course.

Note that Course Substitutions are available only when prior course work has been completed; not on the basis of “life experience” or other proficiencies or competencies.  In the case of Hebrew and Greek language courses, students should contact the Department for completion of the placement examination.

The procedure for making a Course Substitution follows:

1. Complete a Course Substitution Form obtained in the Records Office or on the Intranet

2. After consultation with a faculty member, obtain their signature for approval of the substitution

3. Register for the substitute course by submitting the signed Course Substitution Form at the time of registration (not later). Course substitutions are counted as electives unless a Course Substitution Form is on file for that course.
 
 

Program Courses

Occasionally there are course substitutions made within a program, particularly in the MA or ThM programs, when particular courses are unavailable, or the objectives of the student's program are best met with a substitute.  These program substitutions are made by the department chair and/or program director.
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EXPULSION OR DISMISSAL FROM TEDS

A student may be expelled or dismissed from TEDS under the following circumstances:

• If a student fails to demonstrate academic improvement after a period of academic probation. Academic dismissal is processed by the Records Office in accordance with Catalog policy.
• If a student has breached community guidelines of academic integrity as described in the Catalog and Academic Handbook. An expulsion for breach of academic integrity is processed by the Dean of Students in accordance with Academic Handbook policy.
• If a student has breached community life expectations as described in the Catalog and Student Guide. An expulsion for breach of community life expectations is processed by the Dean of Students in accordance with Student Guide policy.
• If a student has been denied candidacy for reasons above or relative to matters of Christian character described in the Catalog and the candidacy process. An expulsion related to candidacy is processed by the Student Life Committee of the TEDS Faculty.

FACULTY AVAILABILITY

Full-time faculty maintain regular office hours, and appointments may be scheduled through the scheduling notebook held by each academic office assistant. Appointments with part-time faculty should be made directly with the faculty member.  Campus mailboxes for each faculty member are also available in each academic office area.

Full-time faculty generally are on sabbatical one semester after every three years of teaching. During sabbatical availability varies with each faculty member. Students anticipating thesis writing or needing specific faculty consultation during sabbatical should make arrangements early and directly with that faculty member. A current faculty sabbatical listing may be found on the Intranet.

During a sabbatical, the faculty member's Formation Group is assigned to another faculty member who is fully empowered to serve in any capacity as the primary faculty Formation Group leader (relative to needed counsel, signatures, etc.)

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380) ensures access to educational records for students and parents while protecting privacy of such records and controlling the release of educational information. In accordance with requirements established by the Act, Trinity International University provides notice of intention to comply fully with the Act and also notice to students of their rights under the Act. Detailed questions or information about the Act is available from the Records Office.
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FIELD EDUCATION

Field Education is field-based ministry experience under the guidance of an approved supervisor who serves as a mentor. Field Education courses involve two to five hours per week in ministry for the duration of the semester, and may be taken in any semester, anywhere in the world, with the summer in particular offering flexibility in terms of time and place.

Field Education is required in most programs (including Extension site programs) and is a prerequisite for Internship. PT 520 for MAR students, and PT 525 for MDiv students serve as a prerequisite for Field Education. Required orientation sessions are conducted at the beginning of each semester (see Chapter 1). Further information and details may be found at the Office of Supervised Ministries web page linked from http://tiunet.tiu.edu/teds .  Additional questions may be directed to the Field Education Office at fielded@tiu.edu or in the Rodine Academic Offices.

FORMATION GROUPS

At the time of admission, each incoming student is assigned to a Formation Group led by a faculty member.  Formation Groups meet weekly during the semester, generally Tuesdays or Thursdays from 12:00-1:20pm.  These weekly meetings are designed to support a student's personal, spiritual, and ministry development.  MDiv students are required to participate in two consecutive semesters of Formation Group, but all students are encouraged to participate as long as they remain in residence in Deerfield.

GENDER REFERENCES IN SPEECH AND WRITING

The faculty of Trinity recognize the divine act of creation whereby the imago Dei (image of God) has been equally given to women and men who are of equal worth, value, and meaningfulness. As such, care is to be exercised with regard to gender references in speech and in writing. Students are expected to avoid unwarranted exclusive language and references to men and women as if only one gender were in view, when actually intending to address the whole group.
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HUMAN RIGHTS OF RESEARCH SUBJECTS

Trinity’s concern with the moral responsibilities involved in the rights and welfare of human subjects in all research, class projects and related activities; including the protection of rights to privacy, the need for informed consent, protection of confidential data, and protection against physical, psychological, spiritual, social and legal risks, has led to the development of the institution’s Human Rights in Research Policy. The policy serves to guide a Trinity researcher in the safe-guarding and confidentiality of records and data collected on individuals and groups, the use of such data by the investigator conducting the original research or by other investigators, and the use of the data at a later time.

All research projects using human subjects, whether a class project, thesis, or other must be cleared prior to the research being conducted by the Human Rights in Research Committee. Course research projects should be designed in consultation with the faculty member, while thesis proposals are reviewed directly by the Committee. Researchers should consult the full text of the policy posted on the Intranet for further details.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT POLICY

The Copyright Permissions Act of 1976 requires that permission to reproduce copyrighted materials be obtained from the copyright owner except under very limited circumstances. Trinity faculty, staff, and students are expected to comply with the provisions of such state and federal intellectual property laws. Procedures for obtaining copyright permissions for course materials are followed. The complete policy and procedures related to its implementation may be found on the Intranet.

Students as well are expected to respect intellectual property rights and copyright guidelines in their research as a matter of academic integrity. As such, audio and/or video taping of lectures, class syllabi and handouts, etc. must be used only for the student’s personal use, and should not be reproduced in any form, unless specific permission is given in writing by the author/faculty member of that material.

PLACEMENT

The Placement Office assists students and graduates in the MDiv and other master’s programs seeking placement in a church ministry context. All such students are eligible for this free service and are encouraged to contact the Placement Office. PT 670 Seminar for Placement provides helpful background toward the use of Trinity placement services and those seeking its services are encouraged to take the course.

District superintendents from the Evangelical Free Church of America, Trinity’s sponsoring church, and other EFCA officials regularly make on-campus visits for recruitment purposes. Trinity endeavors to also serve a broad spectrum of denominations, including nondenominational churches which regularly contact the Placement Office for ministerial candidates.
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PROBATION, WARNINGS, AND ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

An Academic Warning will be given at the conclusion of any semester in which a student fails to earn during that semester the minimum GPA required for their program of study. Written notification is given by the Records Office at the time of grade report distribution.

Academic Probation occurs at the conclusion of any semester in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below that which is required for their program of study. Written notification is given by the Records Office at the time of grade report distribution.

Academic Dismissal occurs at the conclusion of two consecutive semesters in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below that which is required for their program of study. Such a student is immediately academically dismissed from Trinity and administratively dropped from all courses. Written notification is given by the Records Office at the time of grade report distribution.

Readmission: Subsequent to academic dismissal, the Admissions Committee will consider application for readmission only after the elapse of one semester and only if warranted by exceptional circumstances when the applicant can demonstrate that satisfactory progress can be made. If such a student is readmitted, he or she must earn and maintain the minimum GPA required for their program of study for each subsequent semester, or he or she will be immediately academically dismissed.

Following are the minimum GPAs required for good academic standing and specific degree program completion

•    MA, MA in CP, MA in CM  2.50
•    Certificate, MA in Min, MDiv   2.00
•    ThM     3.00

Students with academic related concerns should first approach the faculty member or director of the program or department involved for resolution, then their faculty Formation Group leader, then the TEDS Academic Dean’s Office. The Dean of Student’s Office and the Counseling Center are also available for counsel.

TRANSCRIPTS

Unofficial or official transcripts may be obtained through the Records Office by submission of the signed Transcript Request Form or a signed letter of request. Official transcripts, bearing the institutional seal, are distributed in a sealed envelope mailed directly to the institution(s) or picked up by the student.

Unofficial transcripts may be mailed, picked-up (no signature required), or faxed (signature required).

Please allow ten business days for processing. Transcripts are generally not issued for students who have outstanding accounts. Consult the current Catalog for transcript fees.
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TRANSFER CREDIT

Accepted students may be eligible for transfer credit for study completed at other accredited graduate institutions.  Petitions for transfer credit should be filed at the time of admission or shortly after matriculation with the Records Office which evaluates the request at the direction of the Academic Dean. Transfer of credit is not automatic and is considered only upon petition by a student.  All residency requirements in a Trinity program must be met.

Official transcripts from a regionally accredited graduate institution where the work was completed must be on file, and course work must parallel courses in the Trinity catalog and be completed at a C- or better grade level. Graduate transfer credit is not granted for undergraduate course work or graduate level course work applied to an undergraduate degree, or generally not for course work taken at non-accredited graduate schools.

TEDS students who have completed a graduate degree at an institution other than Trinity, may not transfer more than one-half of the credits in the shorter degree to the second degree.

TEDS students desiring to complete a semester or year at another institution should carefully arrange the application of this transfer credit prior to their departure with the Records Office and relevant department chair(s).  Such course work is generally applied to electives and may not be equivalent to required TEDS program courses.

WITHDRAWAL FROM TRINITY

If for any reason a student does not plan to register for courses the following semester (except summer), the student must schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students to initial Official Withdrawal from Trinity.  The withdrawal is not complete until all obligations have been settled with the Records and Student Accounting offices.

Grade accountability for a student who withdraws is the same as that of dropping a class.  (Note withdrawal description under Final Grading in Chapter 3.)  The “Audit” option is available if the student desires to audit the course for the duration of the semester.

Students who desire to return to Trinity for studies after having withdrawn must reapply for admission and are then subject to the program requirements outlined in the Catalog effective at the time of reenrollment.

Withdrawal Policy for Students Called to Active Military Duty
Trinity students called to active military duty have the following options:

1. Receive course grades for the current semester, or extensions for all courses, if approved by your professors.

2. Receive administrative drops with a refund for some courses and grades/extensions in other courses, if approved by your professors.

3. Withdraw from all current semester courses with a full refund of tuition and fees.

Contact the University Records Office for information on the procedures to follow and departments to inform in the event of call to Active Military Duty.

WORKING ON A SECOND TIU DEGREE

Students may not enroll in two Trinity degree programs simultaneously; therefore, if one wishes to obtain a second Trinity degree they must subsequently be admitted to the second program and complete its requirements, including the additional residency requirement of the second program, and a minimum of sixteen hours through Trinity, before securing the second degree.  Students earning two Trinity degrees will be awarded each at separate graduations upon the completion of each degree.

In terms of course work overlapping, a maximum of one-half of the shorter degree may be satisfied by course work taken as part of the longer degree.  For example, a student completing both the MDiv and MA in CM might overlap up to 21 hours with the MDiv (one-half of the 42 hours required for the MA in CM). The one-half limit, imposed to protect degree integrity, prevents complete overlap of course work and applies whether or not the first degree is completed before the second is begun.

MDiv and ThM Combination – MDiv and ThM course work from Trinity may not overlap; however, students may take up to eight hours of 7500 level (and above) courses not applied to their MDiv during their final semester and apply those hours to their ThM requirements upon matriculating into the ThM program.

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The focus of this chapter is the processes related to registration, and individual course enrollment and completion.

ACADEMIC YEAR

Trinity’s academic year is comprised of three semesters – Fall, Spring, and Summer. Fall and Spring semester are fourteen weeks in length followed by an Exam Week; while Summer semester is comprised of two six week periods -- Early Summer Session (May/June) and Late Summer Session (July/August) -- which for many classes is further divided into two three week periods each.  Many summer classes are scheduled as short-term modulars and with a one week break in early July.

One semester hour equals 50 minutes of class meeting time per week for one semester, plus a exam period. The conversion from semester to quarter hours is one semester hour equals 1.5 quarter hours.

ACADEMIC LOAD

Each semester, academic load should be carefully evaluated by students to provide opportunity for quality academic success.  Students who also work while attending Trinity are encouraged to reduce their academic load accordingly with the strong recommendation that those who work 20 or more hours per week enroll only as part-time students.  The following identifies the academic load categories at Trinity:

  Credit hours registered  ~  Academic load level

•   1-9 hours   Part-time enrollment
•   10-17 hours   Full-time enrollment
•   18+ hours*   Full-time overload enrollment

A student must be in good academic standing to enroll for over 18 hours with a GPA above the minimum required for graduation in their program.  Such requests are made to the Records Office on the Overload Approval Form.
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AUDITING COURSES

A person who desires to take graduate classes, but not complete them for credit, may audit.  As an auditor, the student may participate in all class functions but will not be held accountable for tests or assignments, and will not receive a grade or credit, nor are faculty required to review submitted tests or papers.  Some classes are closed to auditors as indicated in the course descriptions.  Auditors are not permitted in beginning language courses, unless they have already completed and passed the course at Trinity for credit.

COURSE REGISTRATION PROCESS

Registration for courses begins for returning students the date announced on the Academic Calendar each semester; in November for the subsequent Spring semester, and in March for the subsequent Fall and Summer semesters.  Financial obligations must be met in order for students to be financially cleared for course enrollment.  A late registration fee (see current Catalog for fee amount) is charged to returning students who fail to register before the semester begins.

Students are expected to carefully review Catalog program requirements and course prerequisites, the Academic Handbook, and consult with relevant departmental faculty as needed prior to course registration.  Course registration does not require approval by a faculty member; however, students take responsibility to ensure their courses apply to their program or personal interests.  Some courses, as indicated in the Catalog course description, require the approval of the Department Chair or a faculty member (e.g. Reading and Guided Research, Course Substitutions, Internship, etc courses).

Students should consult the Catalog for course pre-requisites and details regarding course number and descriptions.  Schedule conflicts should be avoided by students.  Any alternative arrangements must be discussed in advance with the faculty members involved.

Course registration takes place online through the TIU Access database in MyTrinity.
 

CHANGES IN REGISTRATION

Registration changes (dropping and adding courses) are made through TIU Access.  Changes during the first week of the semester (except summer) are free, after which a small fee is charged. Courses may not be added or dropped after the second week of the semester, except in the case of short-term modulars that have not yet begun meeting, without fee and Grading penalties (see Grading).
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READING AND GUIDED RESEARCH COURSES

A Reading Course is a Catalog course which a student completes on an independent study basis during a semester in which the course is not available. A Guided Research course is an individualized course developed by a student with a faculty member.  Such courses are arranged only with full-time Trinity faculty, unless special advanced permission has been granted by the Academic Dean’s Office to work with adjunct faculty.  Faculty availability for Reading and Guided Research Courses varies according to the course and faculty member.

A student is limited to two courses or a total of six hours Reading or Guided Research courses per semester. Course work in either mode is commensurate with the number of hours invested both in and out of the classroom during a regular semester course, and is to be completed during the semester of enrollment.  During summer semester, students must register for Reading or Guided Research courses no later than the beginning of the late summer session.

A Reading Course must have written syllabus arrangements, including meeting arrangements, and should be developed with the faculty at the time the student secures a faculty member for supervision of the course. A Reading Course is always taken for a letter grade and registered for the same number of hours as listed in the Catalog course description.  MDiv core classes may not be taken on a Reading Course basis without Approval of the Academic Exceptions Committee.

Guide Research courses may be taken for 1-3 hours credit and for a letter grade, or on a Credit/No Credit basis.

Registration for either Reading or Guided Research courses must be accompanied by the Reading or Guided Research Registration form, available online, which includes the signature of the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the student’s independent course, and indication if the course is being taken for a letter grade or on a credit/no-credit basis.

Students registering for Reading Course, Guided Research Course, or Distance Education Course independent study modes should be aware of the program limitations on such courses as follows:

For the Master of Arts program (except MA/CS, MA/ICS and MA in Min - see Catalog), a maximum of 20% of the course work can be in the Reading, Guided Research, and Distance Education modes; though all such course work must have the prior approval of the Department Chair of the concentration to be applicable to concentration requirements or electives; and prior approval of the faculty Academic Exceptions Committee to apply toward core required courses

For the Master of Divinity program, a maximum of 20% of the course work can be in the Reading, Guided Research, and Distance Education modes; though all such course work must have prior approval of the faculty Academic Exceptions Committee to apply toward core required courses

Distance Education course work may not be used to fulfill program requirements in the Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs

Distance Education (DE) courses provide graduate studies through a variety of correspondence-type course formats. Campus students register for DE courses through the regular registration process and must complete DE courses during the semester in which they enroll for the course, just like any other course.  DE courses are generally not applicable to core courses in a program.  For details contact the Office of Extension and Affiliated Education in the Division of Open Studies at 800.588.7705 or 847.317.6554, or in the Veenstra Wing office area on the Deerfield campus.

Note above the limits for independent study courses including Distance Education courses.
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CROSS-REGISTRATION FOR ACTS COURSES

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is a member of both the Northside Chicago Theological Institute (NCTI), comprised of six North Side seminaries, and the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS), comprised of eleven Chicago-area seminaries. Students enrolled in a TEDS degree program and in good academic standing may register for courses in any of the member schools and pay only Trinity’s tuition charge (excluding summer). ACTS course schedules may be viewed by following the link on the Academic Information schedule page in MyTrinity.

Registration for ACTS courses is completed in the Records Office through the ACTS Cross-Registration form. Subsequent to course completion, the grade report is sent to Trinity which enters the grade on the standard Trinity grade report.

Additionally, NCTI sponsors an ecumenical course listed on the TEDS course schedule each semester in an evening/retreat format. The Fall theme is The Church and Its Mission, and the Spring theme is Prayer and Life in the Spirit both of which regularly include TEDS faculty. Registration for these courses is through the regular TEDS registration procedures (look for ID 6011 and ID 6012).
 

CROSS-REGISTRATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS TAKING UNDERGRADUATE TC COURSES

Full-time graduate students may register for one undergraduate course at Trinity College per semester at no additional charge. Undergraduate deficiencies may be met this way.

Qualifications
1. The graduate student must be full-time at Trinity and
2. Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA in their graduate program (or in their bachelor’s degree if a new student)
3. Only one course may be taken each semester (May term and summer courses are excluded)
4. Registration is on a space-available basis
5. Students in such courses are subject to the academic guidelines of the College with regard to deadlines, late fees, grading, etc.

Procedure
1. Complete the Cross-Registration into Trinity College form available from the Records Office
2. Complete a Visiting Student Application from the Trinity College Admissions Office
3. Register with your completed Cross-Registration form at the College registration at the designated time for Trinity College Visiting Students (Note: a late registration fee is assessed for registration after the registration date)
4. If the undergraduate course is being taken to satisfy prerequisites, ensure that the Records Office is notified of this application of the course
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COURSE ROTATION

MDiv core courses are rotated through a three-year evening school cycle, a regular summer school cycle, and are offered either Fall or Spring semester during the day. Other department specific master’s-level courses are offered as determined by the department. Specific projected schedules for the next academic year are available on MyTrinity as they are developed.
 

COURSES ON DEMAND

Catalog course descriptions indicating “Offered on demand” are generally scheduled when minimum of 15 students express a desire to register for the course with the Department Chair and Academic Dean. Due to course scheduling and instructor needs, such petitions should be received by the Academic Dean’s Office a minimum of nine months in advance to enable scheduling.
 

SYLLABI

A written course syllabus is distributed for every course containing basic course information such as; the catalog description, the course student learning objectives, required course readings including author and title, a statement of how class sessions will be conducted, any learning assignments that are required including exercises and term papers, assessment mechanisms that will be used, the method of determining the final course grade including the percent assigned to each learning assignment/assessment mechanism, and an outline of the course. Students should carefully reference the course syllabus, and query the faculty member when questions are present.

All course syllabi are made available online at My Trinity > Departments > TEDS Academics > Schedules and Syllabi as they become available from the instructor.
 

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Class attendance is expected in graduate education at Trinity.  Participation in class discussions and completion of course requirements are also expected.  Absences for illness or other emergencies should be discussed directly with the instructor.
 

COURSE PREPARATION

Students are expected to adequately prepare for class sessions.  Short-term or modular classes require preparation in advance of the first class meeting, or a student may be asked to drop the course.  Please consult the course syllabus or the instructor for short-term or modular course preparation.
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COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND WORKLOAD

All course assignments are to be submitted on time – including Field Education and Internship requirements, Reading and Guided Research Courses, and individual course assignments.

Faculty may change due dates for an entire class for a given assignment, or exceptionally grant individual emergencies during a semester; however, any extension beyond the last day of Final Exam week is granted only by the Dean of Students.

Papers – Course papers are expected to follow the TIU Style and Format Guide. Papers are due at the announced date, and are considered late thereafter and may receive a grade reduction.

Advanced permission is to be secured from the faculty involved if the same paper is to be used for more than one course, except for ID 7900.  It is understood that advanced papers will serve as background for thesis writing.

Midterm Assessments – Faculty are expected to provide early opportunity in a course for assessment of course progress. Assessment may be made in the form of a midterm exam, or a written paper.

International Students – At the discretion of an individual faculty member, international students whose primary language is not English may be permitted to have slightly postponed assignment due dates within the semester; however, due dates beyond the last day of the semester are considered course extensions and must be arranged through the Dean of Students.

All students, whether or not English is their primary language, are expected to complete all examinations – quizzes, midterms, finals, comprehensive exams, and otherwise – within the time allotted for that particular exam. International students may, at the faculty member’s discretion, be allowed a bilingual dictionary during an exam.

ADA Students - Students covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should consult with the Dean of Students if they need adjustments in the location, length, or manner of their assignments or exams based on their disability.

The following computations guide faculty in the construction of course syllabi. The time investments outlined below are apt to lead to average grades for average students. Student academic assessment in a course is a separate matter, linked to such things as background preparation, completion of course objectives, mastery of language, exercise of critical thinking skills, understanding and analysis of content, etc.

1. Work outside of class is based on two clock hours for every (50 min) hour spent in class, excepting beginning and refresher language courses where the ratio is three clock hours preparation for every one (50 min) hour spent in class
2. Reading is computed at 20 pages per hour considering the difficulty of the material
3. Research papers should stipulate total hours to complete considering the nature of the research—reading to final paper (20–40 hrs = 10 pp)
4. Time considerations for exam preparation and review should be included
 

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

The last week of the semester (Mon-Thurs of week 15) is Final Examination Week. The schedule for Final Exams may be found on MyTrinity > TEDS Academics.  Final Exams vary in manner according to the course and faculty member.   If a student has more than three or more scheduled exams on one day, they may request a rescheduling of the third and fourth exam for another day that week through the Dean of Students.

All final examinations must be taken when scheduled except in the case of severe illness/hospitalization or death of an immediate family member.  Such exceptions are to be reported immediately, or within 72 hours of the occurrence.  If a change of exam time meets the outlined criteria, the student should go directly to the Dean of Students with the request.  If a request is granted, faculty are notified directly by the Dean of Students.  Subsequent to approval, arrangements to write a postponed exam should be made directly with the faculty member.

Final examinations are not rescheduled for any other reason than those noted above.  Requests based on vacation or travel plans, work or ministry responsibilities will be denied.
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FINAL GRADE SUBMISSION AND GRADING SCALE

Final course grades are submitted to the Records Office by faculty ten working days following the close of the semester. Grade reports are available online through TIU Access shortly after that date.  The following grades and grade points are used.  Individual faculty assign varying percentages to each of the grades.

•   A = 4.0 and designates outstanding work with superior achievement of course objectives
•   A - = 3.7
•   B+ = 3.3
•   B = 3.0 and designates good work with commendable achievement of course objectives
•   B - = 2.7
•   C+ = 2.3
•   C = 2.0 and designates acceptable work with satisfactory achievement of course objectives
•   C - = 1.7
•   D+ = 1.3
•   D = 1.0 and designates minimal work with marginal achievement of course objectives
•   D - = 0.7
•   F = 0.0 and designates failure with unacceptable work; and is also assigned for Withdrawals as indicated below

• AU (Audit):  Assigned when one registers to audit a class, and is not enrolled for credit.  No hours or grade points accumulate.
• CR (Credit): Represents successful completion of a course offered on a Credit/No Credit basis.  These hours apply toward program requirements, but are not calculated in the grade point average.  Only courses such as colloquia and internships, and others as designated in the Catalog course description are offered CR/NC.
• NC (No Credit): Represents failure to successfully complete a course offered on a Credit/No Credit basis.  Hours are calculated as attempted, but do not apply toward program requirements and are not  calculated in the grade point average.
• EX (Extension):  Entered when an official course extension has been granted; by the Dean of Students for master's students; and for doctoral students according to their program handbooks.  Instructors teaching one or two week long modular courses late in a semester may post EX for all students and announce a due date for course work within 90 days of the last class session.   An  EX changes to an F when a grade is not received by the assigned deadline, or if a grade has not been posted by the end of the first semester following the course (second semester in the case of DMin students).
• W (Withdraw): Indicates that a student withdrew from a course after the initial add period and during the first 50 percent of class meetings (e.g. during the first seven weeks of a semester-length course; during the first five days of a ten-day course).  No hours or grades are calculated as attempted.  Withdrawals after the first 50 percent of class meetings result in the administrative assignment of an “F” grade.

Note: A student may add or drop semester, Quad, or Field Education courses or withdraw with a refund within the first two weeks of the semester (short-term modulars may be added/dropped through the first day of class).  Tuition and fee assessment deadlies and financial aid deadlines may be independent from academic deadlines.
 

GRADE CHANGES

Faculty members may not change a student’s grade for a given course unless an error was made in computing or recording the grade originally filed.  Students who wish to contest an assigned grade may petition the TEDS Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee, but should be aware that a faculty member’s decision in assigning grades is rarely overturned.
 

COURSE REPEAT POLICY

Courses in which a letter grade of “B-“ or lower is earned may be repeated in a regularly scheduled class mode (until a grade of “B-“ or better is obtained in the repeated course).  The higher of the two grades earned will be posted on the transcript and calculated in the GPA; the lower grade will be recorded as originally completed with the notation “This course was repeated” and not calculated in the GPA.  No additional credits will be earned, nor any tuition discount given for the repeated course.  (This is effective with fall 2004 course enrollments.)
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COURSE EXTENSIONS

During a semester faculty may change due dates for an entire class for a given assignment, or exceptionally grant individual emergencies; however, any extension beyond the last day of Final Exam week is granted only by the Dean of Students.  Course extensions must be requested by the last regular class day before finals week.

All course work is due no later than the scheduled time of the final examination for each course (including Reading, Guided Research, Field Education, and Internship).  Course extensions beyond that time are granted only in the case of severe illness/hospitalization or death of an immediate family member.  Such exceptions are to be reported immediately, or within 72 hours of the occurrence.

If a request for a course extension meets the outlined criteria, the student should go directly to the Dean of Students with the request.  If a request is granted, faculty are notified directly by the Dean of Students.

Course extensions will not exceed four weeks from the end of Exam Week. All work must be submitted by the assigned extension deadline, or a Fail (F) will be permanently recorded.

Course extensions are not granted for any other reason than those noted above.  Requests based on vacation or travel plans, work or ministry responsibilities will be denied.

Upon request, an extension of one semester may be granted for IG 789, 790, 791 (project and thesis courses) through completion of the normal course extension process in the Office of the Dean of Students.  The course grade is assigned upon completion of the project/thesis.
 

MAY CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION COURSE COMPLETION DEADLINES

May candidates for graduation, including those at extension sites, must complete all course work by the last day of Spring semester. Course extensions are not given to those anticipating May graduation.

A May candidate for graduation may be exempt from a final exam in a course if agreed by the instructor for that course.  This exemption is applicable only to those completing a program and graduating, not to those with Spring enrollment in a second degree program.  Final exam exemption is NOT given to candidates for May graduation  enrolled in General Comprehensive courses who are meeting their General Comprehensive Objectives in their final Spring semester.

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Program sequencing tips and items particular to completing Trinity programs are included in this chapter.  Students should note specific residency, candidacy, and graduation requirements in the Catalog under which they entered.
 

RESIDENCY – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Residency requirements define the amount of Trinity credit that must be taken through:

1. Course work at Trinity
2. Course work on the Deerfield campus
3. Course work at/near the end of the degree program

Specific residency requirements vary from degree to degree; however, the final eight hours for all Trinity master’s level degrees must be taken through Trinity course work.
 

CANDIDACY

Program candidacy requirements for each program are outlined in the Catalog.  When requisite program qualifications have been met in the MA, MAR, or ThM the Records Office reviews and verifies the transcript and forwards the student’s name to the faculty for granting of candidacy.  Subsequent to faculty action, the Records Office notifies the student, and posts approved candidacy on the transcript.  MDiv candidacy is initiated by the student in conjunction with the Placement Office beginning the first semester of their studies.
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GRADUATION – REVIEW AND APPLICATION

One semester prior to the date a student intends to graduate an Intent to Graduate form must be filed with the Records Office.

The deadline for the filing of the Intent to Graduate form is one semester prior to the semester in which a student plans to complete all degree requirements (May, August, or December).  Students should allow 30 days for the gathering of data, including transcripts, to enable the completion and timely filing of the Intent to Graduate form.
 

TIME LIMITS FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION

The time limit for program completion or statute of limitation, from the time a student matriculates into the program, varies according to the program as follows:

 TEDS MA, MA in CP, MA in CM, ThM – five years
 MA/CS; MA in UM; MA in Min; and MDiv – eight years

At the time a statute of limitation ends, a student is administratively dropped from the program and a hold is placed on further registration unless a program extension is on file in the Records Office.

PROGRAM EXTENSION    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A program extension request is considered by petition to the Master’s Programs Exception Committee, and generally does not add more than two years to a program’s statute of limitation. The petition should be filed at least one semester before a statute of limitation ends and show evidence of consistent program progress and a definitive plan for program completion. When a program extension is granted, a student is in continuation status and a continuation fee is charged each successive semester (fall and spring) until the student graduates, whether or not the student is enrolled in class work and in addition to any tuition fees.

COURSE SUNSET AND READMISSION    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Students who leave Trinity without completing their program and desire to reapply may make application for readmission under the current catalog. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Readmitted students 2-5 years beyond the date of their original statute of limitation can expect to complete an additional 25 percent program hours, in addition to retaking comprehensive exams, thesis proposal and processes, language competency exams, and other program requirements. Students readmitted more than 5 years beyond their statute of limitation can expect to complete a significant number of additional program hours, the amount of which is decided on a case-by-case basis. TEDS course work older than 10 years is not considered current and must be retaken.

A written statement outlining plans for program completion must be included in application materials. Readmission is solely for the program to which the applicant is making application. Conditions for admission and program requirements will be outlined in the letter of readmission and are determined by the department or program director as applicable.
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CONTINUATION FEES

Students in the Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Theology (ThM) programs within six hours of completing program requirements and not enrolled in courses for credit during a given semester must pay a continuation fee.  Continuation fees are assessed if the student is enrolled for zero hours, thus enrollment for Field Education, auditing, Comprehensive Exams, Integrative Papers, or Thesis writing does not exempt one from continuation fees.   Continuation fees serve to maintain a student’s program enrollment including various academic and student services, consultation with faculty, library use, and protection of a student’s thesis topic.

The first semester, in order to maintain program enrollment, the student must register for Continuation status, subsequent Continuation semesters are automatically made by the Records Office and billed to the student’s account.  After two years of continuation status (in year three and four) the fee increases substantially.  After year four, and in cases when a student has not exceeded their program time limit, no further continuation fees are assessed.

Missionaries engaged in ministry outside their home country and able to work on a program only during furlough may request exemption from Continuation fees while engaged in ministry through the Records Office.

Failure to register for Continuation, or failing to Withdraw from Trinity, does not avoid the payment of Continuation fees, but results in additional deferment fees.  If a student’s intent is not to complete their Trinity program, they should formally Withdraw from Trinity to avoid fees.  If readmission is later sought, new approval must be secured for a thesis through the submission of a new proposal.  Consult the Catalog for fee amounts.
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SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCES

Students should closely consult the Catalog, this Academic Handbook, and faculty for program completion suggestions.  The Catalog articulates

  Admission requirements and pre-requisites
  Program residency requirements and continuation, including statute of limitations
  Program curricula
  Candidacy and Graduation requirements
  Courses and course descriptions

The following suggested course sequences, by program, notes courses that should be completed early, middle, and late in the program.  Complete Program Check Sheets for each program are available on the Intranet or from the Records Office.  Note in particular the schemas for completion of biblical languages, required for MA/OT and NT students as well as MDiv students.  (See Ch. 5 for more information on the biblical language proficiency exams.)

Biblical Language Completion    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hebrew

The Hebrew language sequence includes OT 5240, OT 5241, OT 5242, and must be completed as prerequisites to the two canon courses OT 6216 and OT 6217.

Students intending to complete the M.Div. degree in three years must begin their Hebrew sequence the first semester of their enrollment.  Thus:

   Semester 1 (Fall) – OT 5240
   Semester 2 (Spring) – OT 5241
   Semester 3 (Fall) – OT 5242
   Semester 4 (Spring) – OT 6216 or 6217
   Semester 5 (Fall) – OT 6216 or 6217

All OT courses are NOT offered every semester; thus this sequence is critical.  Students wishing to accelerate the above plan may take OT 5242 between semesters two and three in Summer School.

Alternative: a student may complete the Hebrew and exegesis sequence during one summer as follows: Sum Session I – OT 5240, SS II – OT 5241, SS III – OT 5242.  Canon courses may then be taken during the third and fourth semesters of study.

Bottom line – DO NOT delay the Hebrew sequence beyond your first academic year or the summer following, or you may not be able to complete the M.Div. in three years.

Greek

Students entering a program for which Greek is a prerequisite (including MDiv and MA/NT or OT) must pass the Greek Proficiency Exam.  Those who have had little or no background in Greek may make up the deficiency by enrolling in Beginning Greek (NT 4030, 4031) (or its equivalent at another institution).  This is not for graduate credit.  The series is offered during Summer School (Late Summer Session) and during the regular academic year.

The Greek language sequence includes NT 5210, NT 5211, and NT 5212/6600.  NT 5212 must be completed as a prerequisite to the two canon courses NT 6621 and NT 6622.  Students intending to complete the M.Div. degree in three years must begin their Greek sequence the first semester of their enrollment.  Thus:

   Semester 1 (Fall) – NT 5210
   Semester 2 (Spring) – NT 5211 and 5212/6600
   Semester 3 (Fall) – NT 6621 or 6622
   Semester 4 (Spring) – NT 6621 or 6622

All NT courses are NOT offered every semester; thus this sequence is critical.

Alternative: A student may complete the Greek and exegesis sequence during one summer as follows: Early Summer Session – NT 5210 & NT 5211 and 5212/6600.  One canon courses may then be taken during the Late Summer School session or during the third and fourth semesters of study.  This presumes H 561 has also been completed as a pre-requisite to NT 5212/6600.

Bottom line – DO NOT delay the Greek sequence beyond your first academic year or the summer following or you may not be able to complete the M.Div. in three years.
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Master of Arts (All Concentrations)    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early Courses

Field education
General comprehensive objectives
IG 710 (where required) – prerequisite for thesis, capstone project or integrative paper
Introductory courses and foundational seminars

 Field Education

Any integration seminar/thesis/integrative paper
Project/practica
Electives

Master of Arts (Christian Studies)    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early Courses
 General comprehensive objectives
 PT 5000 – prerequisite for field education
 Field education

Middle Courses
 Field education

Late Courses
 Field education
 Integrative paper
 Practicum and project

Master of Arts in Ministry    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consult with the program director.

Master of Divinity    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The MDiv program has been revised beginning Fall 2005.  Participants should note the latest extensive course plans contained on the MDiv Program Office web page (from http://tiunet.tiu.edu/teds) and in the latest Catalog.

Master of Theology    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consult with department chair.

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Chapter 5 focuses on the above mentioned examinations.
 

EXAMINATIONS AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

All students, whether or not English is their primary language, are expected to complete all examinations – quizzes, midterms, finals, comprehensive exams, and otherwise – within the time allotted for that particular exam and without the assistance of a dictionary. Those students covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should consult with the Dean of Students if they need adjustments in the location, length or manner of their exams based on their disability.
 

COMPUTERS AND EXAMS

The use of a computer during  class exams in the classroom is at the discretion of the instructor; or department chair in the case of comprehensive exams.  Students should be cognizant of the noise generated in the keying process, and sensitive to the concerns of their colleagues.  Principles of academic integrity apply.  When computers are used, only blank word processing pages are permitted – cutting and pasting of previous documents, and/or other computer assistance programs are not permitted.  As a courtesy, please query your instructor and receive affirmation for using your computer during exams before assuming it is appropriate.
 

STANDARD BIBLE CONTENT TEST (SBCT)

All incoming MDiv students must complete the SBCT at the time of their matriculation in order to demonstrate English Bible competency or complete the OT and NT 5000 courses (which count as electives in the MDiv program) before they can enroll in canon courses.  The Test is available online and may be scheduled at the student’s convenience in the Associate Academic Dean’s Office (exams@tiu.edu).

Either the section of the SBCT must be passed (at 70%), or the parallel OT or NT 5000 taken successfully for credit to meet this requirement.  This must be completed before a student may enroll in that department's canon courses (OT 6216, 6217; NT 6621, 6622).

If a section is failed, it may be taken only one additional time.  Failure to pass the section a second time necessitates enrollment in OT and/or NT 5000 (as needed) for credit.
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GREEK PROFICIENCY EXAM

Students must demonstrate Greek proficiency equivalent to two years of undergraduate Greek study before enrolling in New Testament exegesis courses (NT 5210, 5211, 5212) in one of two ways.

1. Complete and pass Trinity’s Beginning Greek sequence (NT 4030 & 4031) or the Greek Review course (NT 4038). Beginning Greek, designed for those with little or no background in Greek, may be taken over the Fall and Spring semester, or during the Late Summer Session (six weeks) of summer school.  Greek Review, designed for those who have studied at least one year of Greek but need a refresher course, may be taken during the Fall semester, or during the last three weeks of summer school.  These courses are not available to auditors or for graduate credit, nor are they credited toward any graduate degree program.

2. If a student does not take the Trinity Greek course sequence, they must pass the Greek Proficiency Exam.  Failure on this exam necessitates enrollment in Beginning or Greek Review.

 The Greek Proficiency Exam is offered as announced in the Academic Calendar (Chapter 1).  Students may bring a lexicon (preferably Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich; and not an analytical one) to the exam.  The two-hour exam assesses knowledge of forms, grasp of grammar and syntax, and translation abilities.  Exam scores determine placement in the Greek Exegesis course sections (a, b, c, etc.) according to ability.  Exam results are posted outside the Academic Dean’s Office within a day or two after the exam.

 Preparation for the exam may be made by a review of basic texts such as Machen, Wenham, Voelz, Hewitt or Jay.  Though not essential, an advanced knowledge of intermediate grammar and syntax, such as found in Syntax of New Testament Greek by Brooks and Winberry, or A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament by Dana and Matney, will be very helpful.
 

HEBREW PROFICIENCY EXAM

The Hebrew Proficiency Exam is available to students who have completed at least six semester hours of undergraduate or graduate (graduate work more than one year ago) course work in biblical Hebrew and have received a grade of “B” or better in that course work.  Students without previous course work must take Elementary Hebrew I and II (OT 5240, 5241) as part of their degree program.

The three-hour exam consists of four sections.  Students are provided a copy of the BHS text and word lists for words appearing less than 50 times in the Old Testament.

Examination scores determine placement in the Hebrew sequence (OT 5240, 5241).

The Hebrew Language Proficiency Exam Application is available from the Department of Old Testament.
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TEDS GENERAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS

General Comprehensive Objectives must be met by MA students.  (MA in CM, and MA in CP General Comprehensive Objectives are met through course work as described in the Catalog; MA in Ministry participants meet these objectives through pre-requisite course work.)  General comprehensive objectives must be met in: Old Testament (OT 5000), New Testament (NT 5000) and Systematic Theology (ST 5101, 5102, 5103).  MA students must meet four objectives as follows: OT 5000, NT 5000, ST 5101, and either ST 5102 or ST 5103.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet these General Comprehensive Objectives during their first year of study.

Objectives may be met in one of three ways:

1. A student may enroll in one of the courses for credit with a final course grade of “C-” or better meeting the corresponding General Comprehensive Objective.

2. Students with undergraduate study or other significant background in Bible and/or theology may meet General Comprehensive Objectives by passing a written exam.  There are five one-hour and 50-minute examinations offered in the subjects covered by OT 5000, NT 5000, ST 5101, ST 5102 and ST 5103. A student may take each Exam only once.

Eligibility to take an exam is determined by the signature of an appropriate faculty member on the General Comp Exam form who indicates that a student has demonstrated background in Bible or Theology enabling them to sit for the exam.  Such determination may also be made by the Graduate Records Counselor in the Records Office during Fall Orientation for incoming new students.

3. A student may choose to complete Trinity’s language and MDiv canon course sequence (NT 6621, 6622 and/or OT 6216, 6217) with a grade of “C” or above and thus satisfy the General Comprehensive Objective.

In the case where a student transfers work from another institution, received advanced or course substitution, or holds an MDiv from another institution, and in such cases coursework is deemed equivalent to TEDS General Comprehensive courses, the requirement is also deemed met.

Preparation

General Comprehensive Exam study guides are available on the Intranet website.

Scheduling General Comprehensive Exams

General Comprehensive Exams are offered on six dates throughout the academic year – during Fall and Spring orientation, on the last Friday of Quad A and Quad B each semester (see Chapter 1 for specific dates).  A maximum of two Exams may be written on each date, one in the 9:00am morning sitting, and one in the 12:00pm afternoon sitting.  Exam times during the orientation schedule vary.  Registration for an Exam must take place a minimum of two weeks prior to the Exam in the Associate Academic Dean’s Office (exams@teds.edu).

Evening only and extension students may make special sitting arrangements with the Deerfield campus Records Office, or with their local extension site coordinator, without paying any special fee.  Special sittings for others are available only by approval of the Master’s Programs Exceptions Committee and will be assessed a $25 mail processing fee per exam.

Grading

 Pass – Student learning objectives related to the general comprehensive examination have been met or exceeded.  Nor further work is required

 Fail – A stude