Biola University 2014–15 Catalog
College Level Examination Program Biola University recognizes the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board. Biola University encourages transfer students from non-accredited schools to validate certain credits on the basis of the examinations provided by this program. High school students with superior records are encouraged to take the exams prior to attending Biola University. Credit will be awarded for CLEP exams, provided no college credits have been attempted or earned in the same field. Students should not take English composition through CLEP. English composition through CLEP does not meet the English Composition requirement. Students should take CLEP exams as early as possible in their college program to receive the maximum value from them. After 27 credits of college coursework have been completed (including transfer credits), students are no longer eligible to take CLEP exams; exception: foreign language, calculus and pre-calculus exams. Biola University reserves the right to determine the score at which credits will be released and the amount of credit awarded. Unlike other CLEP exams, having previously attempted or completed a college level foreign language course does not preclude a student from taking the exam. A student may take a CLEP foreign language exam without pre-approval from the Office of the Registrar. To obtain credit, the student must seek a higher level of language than previously completed. To view current CLEP score requirements, visit: biola.edu/registrar/ transfer/undergraduate/. Challenging a Course A student may be able to challenge a course or requirement if the department has a challenge exam available. Check with the specific department to see if a comprehensive challenge exam is available. By waiver: If a student’s performance on a comprehensive examination demonstrates a good grasp of the course content, an exemption from taking the course may be allowed but no credit(s) will be given. By registration: The Nursing, Biblical Studies and Intercultural Studies department offer some exams for which the student may be granted credits based on the successful completion of the challenge exam. The exams are listed in the course schedule. A fee rather than tuition applies. Specific information regarding these examinations is available from the Nursing and Bible departments. For further information see the University Registrar. Academic Standards A minimum cumulative grade point average of “C” (2.00) is necessary to graduate. A grade of “D” is normally acceptable as a passing grade in a single course. However, some departments have different standards (for example: Business, Cinema and Media Arts, Communication Studies, the Conservatory of Music, the School of Education, Foreign Language, Journalism and the Nursing departments). Also, “D” quality work in general is normally insufficient to allow the student to progress from one course level to the next. Higher GPA minimums are required before admission to teaching and nursing and other major departments. To determine whether a “D” is an acceptable grade in a required course and to review admissions requirements for a major, check with the appropriate academic department. Students receiving less than a “C” grade in a major course may be required to repeat the course to progress. Transfer students from other institutions must also maintain an average grade of “C” in all work completed at Biola University as a requirement for graduation since grades from other schools are not calculated into the student’s cumulative grade point average. All students must have a minimum of a “C” average (2.00) in their major coursework. For policies regarding Academic Standing and Disqualification see the Academic and Behavioral Standards section of the catalog. General Education Program The general education program at Biola is designed to support the University’s distinctively Christian mission by giving specific attention
combined maximum of 32 credits will be awarded for all forms of advanced credit options including AP, CLEP and IB. Biola University’s Transfer Policy is available online at: biola.edu/ registrar/transfer. Transfer of Credits A student may transfer a maximum of 70 credits from community colleges. Upper-division credit cannot be allowed for courses taken at a community college. Final authority for the acceptance of transfer credits into Biola University rests with the Office of the Registrar. Current students taking courses at local community colleges while enrolled at Biola should request written prior approval of courses in order to assure that transfer credit will meet the needs of their curriculum. No course below a “C” (2.0) grade will be transferred from another institution; a “C-” will not be transferred. Credit/ No-credit and Pass/Fail courses should not be taken. Vocational or technical courses will not be accepted for University credit. Admission counselors are prepared to give academic advisement to those attending, or planning to attend, community colleges with the intention of transferring into Biola University. Grades do not transfer, only credits. A student’s grade-point average is computed for graduation purposes only on work completed at Biola University. Distance Education Biola University will accept credit for equivalent courses from schools accredited by regional or national agencies recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Administration), including online or correspondence courses. English Composition credit may not be earned via distance education. Communication credit may not be earned by distance education unless first approved by the Communication Studies Department. Bible Residency Requirement Biola has a residency requirement for biblical studies. Of the 30 credits of Bible required of all students, 15 credits must be taken at Biola. Transfer credit, credit for prior learning or credit by examination may not be used to fulfill the minimum residency requirement. General Education Options for Transfer Students Transfer students may fulfill their general education requirements by completing Biola University’s General Education Curriculum or, prior to enrolling at Biola, completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). The IGETC model for either the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) systems is accepted by Biola University with the following provisions: 1. The current foreign language requirement for all Bachelor degrees cannot be completed by the IGETC certification. 2. The minimum of 130 credits for graduation will remain the same. 3. In addition to the IGETC, all prerequisites and support courses for existing majors must be met. 4. Transfer students following the IGETC must complete it before they enroll at Biola University. A certified IGETC must normally be in the student’s Biola file before enrolling for classes. Students who do not complete it before they enroll will follow the Biola General Education curriculum. Advanced Placement Program Biola University, as a member of the College Entrance Examination Board, recognizes the merits of the Advanced Placement Program and will grant credit for Advanced Placement exams taken in high school. Credit will be given when the Advanced Placement examination grade is 3 or better. A maximum of 32 credits can be awarded for all forms of advanced credit (AP, CLEP IB, etc.).
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