Academic Dishonesty
At Biola University, academic dishonesty is taken very seriously. It is defined as follows:
Academic dishonesty is the deliberate attempt to misrepresent individual efforts, whether in writing, audio-visual representation, or oral presentation. Issues of plagiarism are specific examples of academic dishonesty. Basically, plagiarism is claiming someone else’s ideas, words, or information as your own without acknowledgement or citation. In minor cases, it can be the simple quotation of a sentence or two without quotation marks and without a citation, footnote, endnote or inclusive note to indicate the true author. In the most serious cases, plagiarism reproduces a significant fraction of an entire work written by someone else. An example of plagiarism consists of removal of the true author(s) name(s) and substituting the plagiarist’s name. Mere reformatting of a text does not constitute “original” thought, but merely juxtaposing someone else’s work and text.
To view the full text of the university’s Academic Dishonesty Policy, see Appendix 6 .
Academic Probation & Disqualification
If your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) at Biola University falls below a solid "C" (2.00), you will be placed on academic probation. Probation indicates a "grace" period, in which at least a 2.00 GPA average must be achieved in the subsequent term or risk disqualification.
You will be disqualified if your grades are below a 1.00 GPA in one term or below the 2.00 GPA minimum for two successive semesters. If considered for disqualification, a written appeal may be submitted to the Registrar's Office requesting to be allowed to continue on strict academic probation.
If disqualified, you will need to withdraw from the University. It may be possible for you to apply for re-admission after one year. However, re-admittance is contingent upon the ability to achieve sufficient academic progress as determined by the Registrar's Office. Contact your education center to initiate this process.
Adding a Course
Bible and G.E. Courses
The Bible and G.E. Course List includes offerings for the entire academic year (fall-summer) and indicates courses held at the various BOLD Program locations. To view the complete list of courses and/or to download a Course Request form go to www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/bold/current_students/schedule/.
Module Courses
Course Request forms are provided to current groups via their class bag or group mail box. Forms may also be downloaded at www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/bold/current_students/major_courses/. However, if you need to take a module outside of your cohort group, contact your Academic Counselor.
Note: The tuition rate for the added module
may be higher than the rate of your current group. Tuition rates are
based
on the academic year in which a group started.
To Register
The Course Request form must be accurately completed, signed and returned before the registration deadline. If a course is registered for after the deadline or if a student has not been financially cleared by 5 p.m. on the deadline date, a $120 late fee will be assessed.
For Bible and G.E. courses, a coursepack and/or letter will be sent via email 2-3 weeks prior to the first class session. If a coursepack and/or letter is not received, please contact the BOLD Program Office.
For major courses, coursepacks are available for purchase through the Biola Bookstore. [see Appendix 1 ]
Please note: The above procedures are your responsibility. It is also your resonsibility as a student to order your textbook(s) and coursepack in time for each course as well as to complete the assignment for the first session of the course. [see Textbooks and Coursepacks] Your grade for a course may be affected if the first session's assignment has not been completed. [see Attendance & Coursework Expectations]
Attendance & Coursework Expectations
Due to the compressed scheduling of courses and the emphasis upon participatory learning, it is important to be in attendance and on time for each class session. One absence will result in your course grade being reduced by half a letter grade (e.g. B+ reduced to a B-). Two late arrivals (more than 10 minutes) will also reduce your grade depending on the severity of the tardiness. If you miss more than one class session, you must repeat the course.
Coursework expectations will be a part of the coursepack and explained during the first class session of each module. Each instructor’s expectations may slightly differ and will be clarified in the coursepack. It is your responsibility to be aware of the expectations and to notify the instructor of any anticipated absence.
Report Delayed (RD)
In the case of extenuating circumstances, a Report Delayed (RD) may be granted. This is a temporary mark issued only as approved by the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs. Although the Attendance Policy remains applicable, an RD will allow you to complete the work with a deadline established by the Vice Provost and the professor. Please contact your Academic Counselor or Education Center regarding the circumstances of your situation.
If an RD is not completed by the established deadline, you will receive a "W" and financial aid will be revoked for the course.
Waiting for an Instructor Protocol
If your instructor has been detained for some reason (i.e. flat tire, stuck in traffic due to a car accident) and has not arrived by the time class is scheduled to begin, please wait for one hour.
If the instructor still has not arrived,
- Sign your name on an attendance sheet and place it in the group's mailbox or bag.
- Select someone from the class to notify the BOLD Program Office the following working day.
The BOLD Program Office will call the instructor immediately and will contact everyone in your class regarding any message the instructor and/or the office has for you.
Auditing Courses
BOLD Program courses may not be audited. However, if a "substitution" (based on previously completed coursework) for a major module has been approved, you may sit in on the module at the discretion of the instructor. In such a case, registration as an auditor is not necessary.
Alumni may audit one traditional undergraduate course or graduate level course free of charge. Contact the Office of the Registrar for an Audit Application.
Changing Groups
Moving from one cohort group to another can be disruptive to the group being entered, as well as to the student making the change. Thus, changing groups is not encouraged unless absolutely necessary.
Changing groups may be possible if:
- Success in the program, to date, has been demonstrated.
- The group to be entered does not exceed the classroom limit as a result of the change.
- Entry into the new group can be done, preferably, at the beginning of a term.
To initiate the process, contact your Academic Counselor or Education Center.
Financial Aid Group Change Process
If you entered a cohort group prior to fall 2007 and are receiving financial aid, a request to change groups must first be made to the Financial Aid Office as follows:
- The student must submit a written group change request to her/his Education Center Director.
- The director will review the request, add her/his own request and submit both letters to the Director of Financial Aid for approval. *
- The request must include a Registration Intent and Award Schedule (RIAS), which is a complete listing of the classes to be taken during the award year (Summer, Fall, and Spring).
* Group change requests are for extenuating circumstances only and are not automatic. "Extenuating circumstances would need to be situations beyond the student's control - extreme sickness, permanent home relocation, mandatory job changes."
All incomplete requests will be returned to the student.
For a group change, Financial Aid must be recalculated and enrollment dates updated. Students will be notified if their financial aid is impacted.
Note: A $50 fee may be assessed when you change groups in the middle of an academic term.
Changing Majors
In order for a student to change majors within the BOLD Program (e.g., Organizational Leadership to Psychology), or to move from pre-major into a major, a student must have a 2.00 GPA. If a student's GPA is below this level, the student will need to remain in his/her current major or in pre-major until the GPA has been raised.
When a student is qualified to change majors, a Change of Major form must be submitted to the academic counselor. Forms are available at the education centers.
Closed Courses/Waiting Lists
On occasion, the Bible and GE courses offered through the program fill to capacity. When this occurs, a waiting list may be established. Students on the waiting list will be given preference based on their level of academic standing and their proximity to graduation. For example, a student about to graduate would be given preference over a student just beginning the program, even if the latter student pre-registered first. Students who pre-register prior to the establishment of a waiting list will not be bumped from a course.
If you are on the waiting list, please do not show up for the first session of the course unless instructed to do so by your Education Center.
Double Major / Double Degree / Minor
Because the BOLD Program is uniquely structured, students are not usually able to double major, complete a double degree, or minor in another discipline without extensive additional coursework. [see Biblical Studies minor] However, if you are interested in pursuing this, please contact the Registrar's Office at the beginning of your program to inquire about this as a possibility.
Dropping a Course
You may need to drop/withdraw from a course if the following apply:
- Work or personal schedule conflicts make it impossible to attend a module with your group. If this is unavoidable, make arrangements to drop the module in conflict and add/register to take it with a different group on a different day. [see Adding a Course Above]
- You cannot continue and must withdraw from the program. [see Withdrawal below] Refunds are calculated based on when the student contacts the Education Center letting the Academic Counselor know that the course will be dropped. [see Tuition Refunds] If a course is dropped after more than 50% of the sessions have already been held, a “W” (official withdraw) cannot be granted. If a student attends beyond this point, a letter grade must be assigned.
There is a $5 fee for dropping a course.
Note: Dropping units in a term may affect or even cause the loss of financial aid. Check with the Financial Aid Office before dropping a course.
Evaluations
Course Evaluation
Course Evaluations are intended to provide feedback to administration on the effectiveness of each course. Your comments and suggestions are very important in order to maintain excellence in the BOLD Program. Changes can only be made when administration is aware of your experience in the course and receives feedback.
Course evaluations may be completed online during the last two weeks of a course, and must be submitted by midnight of the last day of a course. For directions on how to access and complete a course evaluation, see Appendix 7.
Please note that the instructor will not receive any of the evaluations for her/his course until four weeks after grades have been submitted.
Program Evaluation
The Program Evaluation form, distributed quarterly, requests feedback on a variety of topics including your overall experience in the BOLD Program. This form provides administration with important information on the effectiveness of the program.
Program Evaluation forms will be distributed to your Group Leader. Please fill out the form completely and constructively; do not include your name, as the evaluations are confidential. However, if you do wish to be contacted about your comments, you may write your name on the form.
Your Group Leader will collect and take the completed forms to a quarterly meeting that s/he has with administration. Feedback from your cohort will be shared so that administration is aware of what aspects are going well and what areas need attention.
Grade Change Request & Appeal Process
If a student feels that the grade received for a course is in error [see Grading System below] the following process needs to be followed in order to request a grade change.
- A student will need to initiate the process by requesting a Grade Change Request form from their Education Center. The top of the form must be completed, by the student, with the class information as well as an explanation for the request.
- The completed form must be returned to the student's Education Center and will then be forwarded to the instructor for review.
- The instructor will complete the next section, approving or denying the request, and return the form to the Education Center.
If the request is accepted, the student will be notified. A grade change will be made and the student’s record updated with the “new” grade.
If the request is denied, the student will be notified. If the student wants to further appeal, a meeting of all three parties will be arranged. The director cannot override the instructor’s decision, but will act as a mediator in the situation. If an agreement can be reached, the action will dictate the appropriate steps outlined above. If the student is still not willing to accept the instructor’s decision, the process will move to the next level of appeal.
At this level, the Academic Program Chair will meet with the instructor, Education Center Director/Director of Academic Services, and student for a final conversation. The Academic Program Chair will make a final decision.
Grading System
The quality of coursework is graded on a scale, using a system of grade points to determine Grade Point Average (GPA) or academic standing:
| Grade | Quality | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | Highest Passing Grade | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | Good | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | Satisfactory | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 | |
| D+ | 1.33 | |
| D | 1.00 | |
| D- | Lowest Passing Grade | 0.67 |
| F | Failure | 0.00 |
"W" indicates an Official Withdrawal from a course and does not affect your GPA.
"UW" indicates an Unofficial Withdrawal. If you register for a course but do not attend, you are given the grade of "UW" which will influence your GPA the same as an "F".
"RD" indicates a temporary mark of Report Delayed that will be issued when approved by the Vice Provost’s Office. This is granted only for extenuating circumstances. [See Attendance & Coursework Expectations Above]
Grade Point Average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of units attempted into the total number of grade points obtained at Biola University. [see Appendix 8 ] To graduate with a baccalaureate degree, a student must have at least twice as many grade points as units in total credit value of all courses taken at Biola (2.00 GPA), as well as a 2.00 GPA in the major field.
Repeating Courses is permitted if a grade of "D" or "F" was earned. Courses in which grades earned were either "C" or "B" may be repeated only with approval from the Registrar's Office.
When a course is repeated in which a student has received a grade of a "D" or an "F" the first time, the better grade is the only one used in computing the cumulative GPA, and the units are counted only once. However, both grades will be shown on the student’s permanent record. When a course is repeated in which the student received a "C" or "B" grade the first time, both the first and the second grades figure into the total cumulative GPA computation and both grades will be shown on the student’s permanent record.
Keep in mind that a class with the same course number cannot be repeated within the same term. Thus, if a student fails a course and wants to immediately sign up again, the student needs to be certain that the course to be repeated falls in a subsequent term.
Final Grade Reports
All assignments, including final papers, are due as scheduled in the coursepack for each course. Grade reports will be available online at the end of each academic term; access Biola Student Information (BSI) through your Portal account at https://portal.biola.edu/portal.
Grade Report Errors
If there is an error in the final grade report, a student has 12 months from the last day of the class to report the error and appeal for correction. However, grade changes are only allowable for computational or recording errors.
Independent Study / Arranged Courses
Under certain circumstances, a student may need to complete coursework that is not currently available in the course schedule. If these circumstances apply, the student may request to complete the coursework via an Arranged Course. This needs to be mutually arranged by the student and a qualified faculty member who will set assignments, a grading scale, and a due date. Before pursuing an Arranged Course option, the following must to be considered:
- Faculty members are under no obligation to set up an Arranged Course for a student, so their participation should be considered an act of grace and generosity, not a responsibility.
- Tuition will be charged whether or not the assignments for the course are completed. Late work is not permitted for an Arranged Course. The student will be graded on the basis of work submitted work by the pre-established due date.
A $15 fee will be assessed for each Arranged Course form that is submitted. Contact your Education Center Director or Academic Counselor for more information.
Portal / Biola Student Information (BSI)
Each student will receive a Biola Portal account through which various resources are available, including Biola Student Information (BSI). BSI gives students access to their grades, courses taken and those registered for, as well as financial account information. Biola Portal may be assessed from https://portal.biola.edu/portal.
A personalized password will be issued to each student to use for the duration of their time as a Biola student. The password is case sensitive and must be typed in exactly as it appears. The password is confidential and should not be given to anyone. If misplaced, please contact the Education Center.
Passwords are distributed during the mandatory advising appointment that should be scheduled with an academic counselor during the first course of the first term of the program.
Re-admittance
If a student "stops out" of the program (e.g., officially or unofficially withdraws), the student must return under the most recent catalog and its requirements. Contact the education center for details on how to proceed with the necessary paper work.
Registration / Records
Registration for the program, as well as for each academic term is recorded by the Biola University Registrar's Office. This office also maintains all of the official academic records.
Substitution for a Module
The following modules may not be substituted and must be taken at Biola University:
Organizational Leadership
ORLD 340 Group & Organizational Behavior
ORLD 450 Organizational Ethics
Psychology
CPSY 202 Group Behavior
CPSY 450 Psychology & Ethics
In the major, 24 of the units must be upper division (300/400 level). Substituting lower division (100/200 level) transfer units for upper division module units may, in some circumstances, be prohibited because of this requirement.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
In some cases, a module course may be met by substituting units received from
CPL. [see Credit for Prior Learning]
Transfer Courses
If a previously completed course that has transferred to Biola appears to be comparable to one of the major modules, a petition to have it substitute for that module may be submitted. In addition, a copy of the catalog course description from the year that the course was taken must be submitted. If the petition is approved, tuition will be waived for that module.
If you do not have access to the catalog for the year you took the course, contact the Records Office at the college or university where you took the course. Request that a copy of the catalog’s course description be sent to you from their archives for the year you took the course.
Substitution of a transferred course for a major requirement should be requested prior to registration for the term in which the course is being offered. Contact your academic counselor or Education Center Director to initiate the process.
Note: The change in term units may affect your financial aid eligibility. Please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Textbook Return Policy
Textbooks purchased from the Biola Bookstore for BOLD Program courses may be returned for a refund up to one week after the start of class, but no more than five weeks from the date of purchase. A sales receipt must accompany textbook refund requests and the student must show a vaild Biola ID. New textbooks must be in oringinal condition, clean, free of any marks and erasures. Bookstore management reserves the right to pass judgment on the condition of returned books. Packaged textbooks or coursepacks are not returnable or exchangeable if indicated on the packaging. Coursepacks are non-returnable unless in new condition.
Types of Textbook Refunds
No refund will be given without a receipt. Textbooks eligible for refund or exchange must be accompanied by an original receipt.
Transcripts
In order for a transcript from another institution to be considered official by Biola University, it must be mailed directly from the institution to the BOLD Program Office. Hand-delivered transcripts (even if sealed and marked “official”) will not be considered official.
To request transcripts from other schools attended, you will need to contact the Records Office at each school, individually.
Transcripts showing all academic coursework, to date, may be requested from the Biola University Registrar’s Office by calling (562) 903-4720 or by going to www.biola.edu/registrar/services/transcripts/. A fee may apply.
Transferring Units to Biola
Before taking a course outside of Biola University, check with your Education Center or Academic Counselor to determine that the course will transfer to Biola. After a course has been completed outside of Biola, the official transcript must be requested and sent directly from the institution to your Education Center.
Academic Status
Coursework from other institutions may only be transferred to Biola if a "C" (2.00 GPA) or better was received.
A minimum of a "C" average (2.00 GPA) in all major coursework at Biola must be maintained.
For graduation, a cumulative 2.00 GPA or a “C” average must be maintained in all coursework completed at Biola University. A grade of "D” (1.00 GPA) is acceptable as a passing grade in a single course, however, such quality of work is not indicative of satisfactory progress.
Evaluation of Transfer Units
Units from regionally accredited 4-year colleges and universities may be accepted for transfer. The method of evaluation, the courses accepted, and the amount of credit will be determined by the nature of the course(s) and the type of institution(s). All official evaluations will be completed by the Registrar's Office, and any appeals regarding transfer units should be made to that office.
Limitations on Transfer Credit
- Only 70 community college units will transfer. If more than 70 have already been completed, select which units (on the basis of usefulness for program requirements) to transfer.
- Only 17 Bible units (outside of those integrated into the modules) may be taken and counted toward the units needed for graduation.
- Only 30 units of Credit for Prior Learning may be counted towards the units needed for graduation. To earn this credit, documentation and/or an essay will be evaluated by faculty in the respective disciplines. This does not include CLEP, AP, or military-based TPT. [see Credit for Prior Learning]
- A maximum of 32 units may be awarded for all forms of advanced credit (i.e. AP, CLEP).
Reasons Why Some Units Will Not Transfer
- School or coursework is unaccredited (i.e. classes taken at a church or Bible study, a church-operated school of ministry)
- A grade of a "C-" or lower was received in the course
- Units were graded “Credit/No Credit” or “Pass/Fail”
- Units taken were at a pre-college level (i.e. remedial) or are technical in nature
- Units do not conform closely enough to Biola University’s courses
- Exceeds the maximum of 8 units allotted for Music Performance or PE activity
- Units exceeded maximum of 70 community college units
Withdrawal
If for some reason a student cannot continue and must withdraw from the program (even if anticipating to return), the student must:
- Talk to an Academic Counselor.
- Drop the appropriate courses. [see Dropping a Course Above]
- Submit a Departure Card. The top portion must be completed by the student. The Education Center will route the completed card to the appropriate on-campus offices for signatures. Cards may be obtained online at www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/bold/current_students/schedule.cfm or from your Education Center.
If a student is temporarily withdrawing from the program, s/he may request to re-enter with another group. [see Changing Groups above] Any refund of tuition or fees will be governed by the refund policy. [see Tuition Refunds]