Credit Hour Policy and Grade Point Average

The Evangelical Institute complies with the definition of a credit hour articulated by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE):

Credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l), a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than—

(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or

(2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. (See Federal Regulation 34 CFR 600.2)

A student’s GPA is calculated by dividing the grade points earned by the hours of classes taken.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Students may withdraw from a course within the first 2 weeks of classes without it reflecting on their transcript. After the first 2 weeks of classes, students who withdraw from a course mid-semester will be given a “W” grade which will be reflected on their transcript. A withdrawal does not impact a student’s GPA.

Incomplete Policy

Students who are unable to complete course requirements may be given an “incomplete” grade at the end of the semester. The “incomplete” grade is a temporary status that allows students to submit their missing work and receive a final grade. Students who fail to hand in missing work by Feb 1 (following the fall semester) and June 1 (following the spring semester) will automatically have their “incomplete” converted to an “F”.

Class Attendance Policy

Evangelical Institute distinguishes between excused and unexcused absences. An excused absence is a request to miss a class made in advance for a legitimate purpose (attending a wedding, funeral, etc…). An unexcused absence is an absence from a class without prior permission. It also includes last minute notices of being sick (students who call in and listen in to a class via phone will not be considered as being absent). A student may have as many unexcused absences as the number of credits hours in the course with a minimum of at least 2 unexcused absences per course. For instance, in a regular 3 credit hour course, students may not have more than 3 unexcused absences. In a 1 credit hour course, students may have no more than 2 unexcused absences.