Academic Degrees
Calvin University offers the following degrees for undergraduate continuing studies students:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The formal requirements for a Calvin bachelor’s degree include the following: successful completion of 124 semester hours, completion of the designated program of study and the Core, and a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall. A minimum of four upper-level major courses and 30 out of the last 60 semester hours must be completed at Calvin. Not more than five semester hours of basic physical education or eight semester hours in applied music and drama may be applied to graduation requirements except when such courses are a designated part of a required major or minor program. No more than 12 semester hours of internship credit and no more than eight semester hours of independent study may be applied to graduation requirements.
Students desiring to earn a second baccalaureate degree from Calvin must meet all of the requirements of the second degree and complete a minimum of 144 semester hours. Students who wish to obtain a third baccalaureate degree need to complete a minimum of 164 semester hours. Students may not obtain more than one of the same baccalaureate degree (e.g., BA, BS, BSA, BSE), but may have more than one major within a given degree.
The Associate of Arts in faith and community leadership degree is limited to students in the Calvin Prison Initiative program. Sixty semester hours are required, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for completion.
Academic Forgiveness Policy
All students must meet the 2.0 GPA standard for graduation. However, students who have completed course work at Calvin prior to their readmission can invoke an academic forgiveness option. To do so, students must specifically request this option at the time of readmission, and at least five years must have elapsed since their last Calvin attendance date. Under the academic forgiveness policy, grades received in a student’s prior academic period at Calvin are excluded from the GPA calculation required for graduation. All course and grade information, even when not included in the GPA calculation, remain on a student’s official transcript. The semesters for which academic forgiveness has been granted will be so noted. Only those courses in which a student received a C- or better can be used as semester hour credit toward graduation requirements. Other prior coursework must be repeated or replaced in an approved manner.
Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal
Each student admitted to Calvin is assumed to have the preparation, the desire, and the ability to make satisfactory progress toward a degree; however, some students do not make the progress expected of them. Such students are notified that they are placed on academic probation, offered special assistance and academic counseling, and given an opportunity to improve their records. The following policies apply to continuing studies students. The residential undergraduate and graduate program standards are published in this catalog.
Academic Review
The number of semester hours attempted is the number of hours for which a student is registered at the beginning of the second week of classes plus the attempted hours accumulated from previous semesters at Calvin. Credited hours are those for which the student has earned credit that applies toward a degree.
Courses that are repeated are counted in the number of courses attempted, but not in the number of semester hours credited. For the purpose of calculating the GPA, incompletes are not calculated in the GPA until the deadline for completion. If they are not completed by the deadline, a failing grade is assigned.
At the end of the fall and spring terms and summer, students who have attempted at least 24 semester hours at Calvin are evaluated by the Academic Review Committee, and determined to be in good standing if they maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and have completed at least 50% of attempted semester hours. Students who have attempted fewer than 24 hours at Calvin are assumed to be in good standing.
Academic Warning
All students who earn a semester GPA of less than 2.0 are placed on academic warning and will be required to take a number of actions as outlined by the Academic Review Committee. These actions generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Meet regularly with an academic counselor and/or faculty lead
Failure to meet the specified conditions will constitute grounds for immediate dismissal.
Academic Dismissal, and Probation
The Registrar will notify continuing-studies students and their faculty leads when students are on academic probation. In consultation with the Academic Review Committee, faculty leads might recommend specific actions to address the probationary status. These actions generally include, but are not limited to, regular meetings with an academic counselor and/or faculty lead.
Continuing-studies students on academic probation are subject to academic dismissal after attempting to complete courses in a subsequent semester if they have a resulting cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 or have completed less than 50% of attempted credit hours. The Academic Review Committee, in consultation with faculty leads, makes final decisions about academic dismissal.
Students who are not permitted to continue may appeal their academic dismissal to the Academic Review Committee. Students for whom an appeal is granted are placed on academic probation, no longer in good standing, and consequently subject to the interventions determined by the Academic Review Committee and the students’ faculty leads.
Programs may have additional graduation requirements related to accreditation or other professional standards. Students are responsible for understanding specific program requirements.
Readmission
A request for readmission will be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee; readmission following academic dismissal will be based upon evidence that the difficulties previously encountered can be overcome and that eventual completion of degree requirements can reasonably be expected.
Application for Degree and Certificates
In addition to the formal requirements for degrees, students must satisfy certain technical requirements. Students intending to graduate must file a formal application for a degree online (https://calvin.edu/students) no later than the beginning of the semester in which they expect to graduate. If they are completing teacher education programs, they must also file an application for Michigan certification at the same time they apply for a degree or not later than a semester before they complete the certification requirements.
Students may not participate in the graduation ceremony unless they are within one semester of meeting their graduation requirements.
The university also recognizes student scholarship with the following transcript designations for any bachelor’s student who meets the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) standards.
- Cum laude: 3.650–3.799
- Magna cum laude: 3.800–3.949
- Summa cum laude: 3.950–4.000
For purposes of awarding honors cords for commencement, Latin honor designations will be determined based upon a student’s official cumulative GPA of fully completed courses as of March 15 of their graduation year. Official Latin honors designations, based on final GPA, will be added to a student’s transcript after the degree is conferred.
Auditing
Auditors must be formally admitted to the university. The audited course is listed on the student’s academic transcript, but no credit is recorded and the student’s GPA is unaffected. Auditors are expected to attend all classes and participate in the assigned activities of the class. They may take all tests and submit assigned papers for evaluation, but they are not required to do so. Auditors may change their registration from audit to credit during the first 11 weeks of a 16-week semester; students enrolled in a course for credit may change to audit only during the first 11 weeks of a 16-week semester.
Complaints
Calvin University is committed to an excellent educational experience for students and welcomes opinions and feedback regarding programs, services, and personnel. All students have the right to register a concern regarding a university policy or procedure or a person’s behavior as described in the policies referred to below:
- Challenging the accuracy of student records: See Calvin’s FERPA policy, on this page.
- Concerns about academic sanctions given as a result of academic dishonesty: See the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
- Concerns and appeals regarding faculty, courses, or general teaching effectiveness: See the Faculty Concerns, Protest, and Appeals section of the Student Handbook. Complaints can be registered at any time using the Comment-on-Faculty form, available in the university’s online portal.
- Concerns about online or out-of-state courses: Students who are taking Calvin courses while in another state may also contact that state to register a complaint. A current list of the states in which Calvin is authorized to offer courses and their complaint procedures can be found on the registrar’s website.
- Discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or abuse of power (whether experienced or witnessed): The university encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination, harassment or retaliation regardless of the offender’s identity or position. Reports may be made to a Safer Spaces Administrator. Reports also may be made via the “I Will Report It” 24/7 designated message line at (616) 526-IWRI ([616]-526-4974) or via the online Comment-on-Faculty form. The Safer Spaces policy outlines the procedures for handling such complaints.
- Discrimination on the basis of disability: See Calvin’s Grievance Procedures for Persons with Disabilities, published in the Student Handbook.
Calvin University seeks to resolve student concerns in a timely and effective manner. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. If a student believes that the university’s internal procedures have not adequately addressed his or her concerns, the student may directly register a complaint about the university with the Higher Learning Commission by email (complaints@hlcommission.org) or in writing:
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
Questions or concerns about Calvin’s complaint policies should be directed to the provost.
The Dean’s List
In order to be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student. Full-time students with a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher and a cumulative grade of 3.5 or higher will be placed on the Dean’s List. Part-time students who meet the grade point requirements above and have earned 3 semester hours within the last year and at least 12 semester hours within the last 2 years will be placed on the Dean’s List. The Dean’s List is compiled at the end of each fall and spring semester. Subsequent grade changes normally do not alter the list.
Dropping/Withdrawing from a Course
Students must notify the registrar’s office when deciding to drop a course. Refunds will be given according to the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Students who do not engage in a course within 5 days of its start date will be dropped from the course. The course will not appear on the transcript, and no charges will be incurred. Non-access after the first week will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Students who discontinue classes without permission or notification are not entitled to a grade of W but will be given an N, unauthorized withdrawal. This grade is computed as an F in determining a student’s GPA. However, students who withdraw from school at any time with the approval of the registrar may be given grades of W in all courses.
Repeats - Students may repeat any courses by properly registering for them but must inform the instructor when they are repeating a course. Only the latest grade, whether higher or lower, shall be included in the compilation of a student’s cumulative GPA. The original grade is not expunged from the record but is noted as a repeated course. A student will not receive additional course credit for repeated courses.
Incompletes - If students fail to complete all the required work or to sit for the final examination, instructors may, if they consider a student’s reason valid, give a grade of I, incomplete, rather than a grade of F. The grade of I shall be computed as a neutral grade in determining a student’s GPA. Students given an I in fall semester must make up the deficiency by March 15 of the following spring semester; if given an I during the spring semester or summer session, they must make up the deficiency by October 15 of the following fall semester. If they fail to do so, grades of IN will be entered on their records. Grades of I and IN are never expunged from the records. When a final grade is received or the deadline is passed a new grade preceded by an I (i.e., IB+) will be awarded.
Enrollment in Seminary Classes
Full-time university students may, as a part of a program worked out with their academic advisors, carry up to two courses in Calvin Theological Seminary in any one semester. Approval by the registrar of the seminary and the registrar of the university is required, and under no circumstances may credit for a single course be counted toward degree programs in both university and seminary. Full-time seminary students may enroll for not more than two courses in the university provided the registrar of the seminary and the university approve.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Calvin University
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 helps protect the privacy of student records. It provides for the right to inspect and review information contained in educational records, request an amendment to those records, and to limit disclosure of information from the records. In addition, students have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, if they believe that one of their primary rights has been violated.
Access and Privacy
Students who are currently enrolled at Calvin University or formerly enrolled students, regardless of their age or status in regard to parental dependency, are protected under FERPA. Parents of students termed ‘dependent’ for income tax purposes may have access to the student’s educational records.
With certain exceptions, a student has rights of access to those records which are directly related to him/her and which are maintained by Calvin University. Education records include any records in the possession of an employee which are shared with or accessible to another individual. The records may be handwritten or in the form of print, magnetic tape, film, electronic image, computer storage, or some other medium. This would include transcripts or other records obtained from a school in which a student was previously enrolled.
Official Calvin University transcripts are released only when requested in writing by the students. Transcripts will not be released for students who have failed to meet their financial obligations to the university.
All other requests to inspect and review education records should be submitted by the student in writing to the registrar, dean, department head or other appropriate official, and clearly identify the record(s) that the student wishes to inspect. If the requested record(s) are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official will advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
Disclosure of Information
Calvin may disclose information on a student without violating FERPA through what is known as directory Information. This includes a student’s name, address, telephone number, email address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized sports and activities, weight and height of athletes, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full- or part-time), degrees, honors, and awards received. A student may restrict the release of directory information by submitting a signed authorization form to the registrar’s office.
In certain other situations, a student’s written consent is not required to disclose the educational information. Exceptions include the disclosure
- to school officials who have ‘legitimate educational interests’ (see definition below);
- to postsecondary schools in which a student seeks to enroll;
- to federal, state, and/or local education authorities involving an audit or evaluation of compliance with programs;
- in connection with financial aid;
- to state and local authorities pursuant to a state law adopted before November 1974 requiring the disclosure;
- to organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of educational institutions;
- to accrediting organizations;
- to parents of a dependent student;
- to parents of students under age 21 for violations of any law or institutional policy related to the possession of alcohol or controlled substance;
- to comply with judicial order of lawfully issued subpoena, including ex parte orders under the USA Patriot Act;
- in connection with a health or safety emergency;
- of information designated as directory information (see above definition);
- to the student;
- to a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense;
- in connection with a disciplinary hearing to an alleged victim of a crime of violence; and
- concerning sex offenders and other individuals required to register under stated or federal law.
There are some specific conditions to the exceptions noted above, which can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 34, §99.31).
Requests to disclose educational information will always be handled with caution and approached on a case-by-case basis.
Challenging Accuracy of Records
Students who believe that their education records contain information that is inaccurate or misleading, or is otherwise in violation of their privacy should discuss their problems informally with the person in charge of the records involved. If the problems cannot be resolved, the student may request a formal hearing by the registrar. The request must be made in writing to the registrar who, within seven days after receiving the request, will inform the student of the date, place and time of the hearing. Students may present evidence relevant to the issues raised. The hearing officer who will adjudicate such challenges will be the registrar, or a person designated by the registrar who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing. The educational records will be corrected or amended in accordance with the decisions of the hearing officer, if the decisions are in favor of the student. If the decisions are unsatisfactory to the student, the student may place with the educational records statements commenting on the information in the records or statements setting forth any reasons for disagreeing with the decisions of the hearing officer. The statements will be placed in the educational records, maintained as part of the student’s records, and released whenever the records in question are disclosed.
School Officials and Legitimate Educational Interest
Calvin discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Calvin University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including Campus Safety and Health Services personnel); a person or company with whom Calvin has contracted as its agent to provide a services instead of using Calvin employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
As school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the university. Please contact the registrar’s office with any questions.
Complaints
To file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Calvin University to comply with the requirements of FERPA, contact
Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Financial Information: Tuition and Fees
Tuition for undergraduate continuing studies programs is assessed per credit. For current rates, see https://calvin.edu/financial-aid/tuition-costs.
The cost of books and other course materials are included in the tuition price.
Grading Systems
Grades given during the regular semester are designated by letters A through F, with A signifying excellent work and F signifying failure. Additional possible grades are: I, incomplete; W, authorized withdrawal; and N, unauthorized withdrawal.
Once completed, an incomplete remains noted with the new grade; this does not lower the calculated grade (i.e., IA-).
For purposes of averaging grades, the following numerical values or grade points are assigned to each of the above grades: A, four points per course; B, three; C, two; D, one. A plus-grade is computed at three-tenths of a point above these figures and a minus-grade at three-tenths below. Grades for courses completed as transfer credit or in cooperative programs at other colleges and universities are recorded on students’ records but are not included in the compilation of their average at Calvin.
- Pass/Fail: Courses approved as pass/fail are graded with CR (completed as required) or NC (not completed as required) grades.
- Audits: Auditors are given grades of AU. However, if they fail to attend classes, the instructor will report a grade of AUN.
Handlon Campus Policies
Students at the Handlon campus (the Calvin Prison Initiative) generally follow the same graduation requirements and other policies as fellow continuing-studies students. They also enjoy similar benefits (e.g., financial aid support, Dean’s List recognition). In some cases, however—especially related to the admissions process—policies have been adapted to the unique circumstances of serving students who are incarcerated. The School of Graduate and Continuing Studies should be contacted for more information.
Hiatus
Undergraduate students may request a hiatus from the university for one academic term. Applications for hiatus are considered for exceptional circumstances, and if the student does not plan to attend a different university during the specified term. Exceptional circumstances that generally merit consideration include: medical need(s), compassionate reasons affecting immediate family, reserve military service training, participation in an off-campus program that is not endorsed or approved by Calvin University, or if course(s) needed for graduation will not be offered until a future term.
If approved for hiatus, the student will maintain account access, and will not need to reapply for admission to return.
Policies for Course Credits and Exemption Examinations
A maximum of 32 semester hours may be obtained through the transfer of non-classroom-based credit. Some students are able to earn advanced college credit in certain subjects.
- Advanced Placement (AP): At the time of admission, first-year students may submit scores from an AP examination conducted by the College Board. While the minimum acceptable score is 3, 4, or 5, depending on the test, the amount of credit awarded for higher scores varies. Detailed information is available from the registrar’s office. Students may not receive both AP credit and a high school exemption for the same Core requirement.
- CLEP: Some CLEP tests administered by the College Board are accepted for course or elective credit. Detailed information is available from the registrar’s office.
- Credit for Prior Learning: Course credit or course waivers may be earned through the list of pre-assessed prior learning or through a narrative assessment of a student’s experiential learning. See the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies webpage for more information.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Course credit will be given to students who receive a grade of 5 or higher on Higher-level classes.
Students who have completed appropriate courses in high school may be exempted from certain university course requirements. This is possible in world language. Details about these exemptions are listed with the Core curriculum. Consult the registrar’s office for more information about the ways high school courses satisfy university requirements.
Student Load and Classification
The typical continuing studies undergraduate student load is eight to nine semester hours during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. A load of six hours is considered half-time for financial aid purposes (for more information, see the Financial Information section).
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