Biola University 2012-2013 Catalog
Note: A maximum of 32 credits can be awarded for all forms of advanced credit (AP, CLEP IB, etc.). College Level Examination Program Biola University subscribes to 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 general examinations prior to attending Biola University. Credit for CLEP general examinations will be awarded only in those areas where a general education requirement has not been met by previous college coursework and only up to the amount needed to complete the requirement. (For example, a maximum of only 8 credits in the sciences and mathematics will be released if the student has no credits in these areas). Elective credit will not be given for the general examinations of CLEP. Credit will be awarded for CLEP subject examinations in areas not covered by CLEP general examinations, 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 the CLEP test 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. BOLD students should refer to the BOLD Student Handbook to review BOLD CLEP policies. The Office of the Registrar has final authority for the release of CLEP credits into Biola University. 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. Click on Transfer. 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 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 comprehensive challenge exam is available. By waiver: If a student’s performance on a
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 to four themes: (1) developing intellectual skills, (2) educating whole persons, (3) understanding our Christian heritage, and (4) becoming thinking Christians. All four themes presuppose the hallmarks of any genuine university education which are honest inquiry after truth and the development of creativity. The knowledge and skills gained from courses in general education will be further developed by students in their major fields of study and in their life long learning. Philosophy of General Education 1. Developing Intellectual Skills Because all students need to strengthen and supplement the set of intellectual skills they acquired in their primary and secondary education, Biola devotes part of its general education requirement to specific and intensive training in those skills. Cultural, technological, and other developments may, from time to time, require changes in the list of skills studied in our general education courses. 2. EducatingWhole Persons Our general education courses seek to educate students as human beings
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