Academics
Accreditation of GRS
GRS is preparing to apply for recognition by one or more accreditation associations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which in turn is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
GRS is a new school with a distinctive and fresh vision that is urgently needed today, a vision that complements, rather than competes with, the work of other existing Christian institutions of higher learning. New schools do not begin by being accredited prior to offering their first courses; rather, each must go through an accreditation process (typically requiring at least five years).
GRS is committed to pursuing appropriate accreditation as quickly as the accrediting process permits. Students who apply for admission during the first and foundational years of GRS are pioneers who jointly share the vision of GRS and are prepared to shoulder the responsibility of forging the way for those who will follow. Theirs is an enduring and special place of honor among the alumni who will follow the trail blazed by them. Therefore, GRS very carefully screens applicants and weighs admission decisions seriously to ensure that the first cohorts of students (as future GRS alumni) will be in all ways a praise to the Lord and exemplary models of devotion to Christ and of academic excellence.
Degree Programs Degree andCertificate Programs of GRS
GRS is an evangelical-Reformed, missions-oriented seminary in North America, providing the following academic degree programs. GRS programs have been authorized by GNPEC (The Georgia Non-public Postsecondary Education Commission).
Ph.D/ICSM (Intercultural Studies & Ministries)
D. Min/ICM (Intercultural Ministry)
M.A/Intercultural Education Ministries)
Intercultural Ministry Certificate Programs
Classes
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GRS instruction will use a number of different delivery systems. Among the most prominent will be traditional classroom lectures and seminars, directed studies supervised by faculty members, on-line courses, and web based instructional processes. All course work will require some on-line or web based work.
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Traditional classes and seminars will be modular and take place in the USA and at various partner institutions throughout the world.
Directed Studies
Directed studies are course credits obtained by working directly with a professor in a group of 2-4 students or on an individual basis. These arrangements are permitted for students who cannot schedule a necessary course prior to their planned graduation and for students who study some particular areas in intercultural studies under the professor and Academic Dean’s approval. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the professor’s and the seminary’s approval for the directed study.
Grading Scale and Quality Points Per Hour
The seminary has adopted a four point grading scale as follows:
A+ 98 -100 = 4.00 Quality Points
A 94 - 97 = 3.75 Quality Points
A- 90 - 93 = 3.50 Quality Points
B+ 87 - 89 = 3.25 Quality Points
B 83 - 86 = 3.00 Quality Points
B- 80 - 82 = 2.75 Quality Points
C+ 77 - 79 = 2.50 Quality Points
C 73 - 76 = 2.25 Quality Points
C- 70 - 72 = 2.00 Quality Points
D+ 67 - 69 = 1.75 Quality Point
D 63 - 66 = 1.50 Quality Points
D- 60 - 62 = 1.00 Quality Point
F Below 60 = 0.00 Quality Points
I Incomplete = 0.00 Quality Points
P Pass = 0.00 Quality Points
Academic Term Paper
All academic papers must be judged on the following criteria:
1) Theological: Demonstrating a mastery of the historic Reformed theological framework.
2) Theoretical: Integrating a sound theoretical foundation.
3) Academic: Showing the highest level of academic scholarship.
4) Contextual: Applying conclusions to contemporary issues in ministerial contexts.
Failing Grade
In a course in which a failing grade has been received (including an Inc/F), a student who has feasible reasons may ask the professor to grant permission to take a reexamination or complete a reassignment of sufficient quality to raise the grade to an F/D. Such work must be completed within 21 days after notification of the failing grade. If the grade is raised to an F/D, the student receives credit for the course, but no quality points are counted in calculating the student’s general standing. When a student repeats a course with an F, the F will not be factored into the grade point average (GPA).
Grade Point Averages (GPA)
Quality points will be computed for each course by multiplying the number of quality points designated for a grade by the number of course hours.
MIM students are required to maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.75. At the end of any semester, a student whose overall average is below “C” will be placed on academic probation. If, after the next semester, the student has not raised the average to at least “C,” the student will be dismissed for academic reasons.
Doctoral level students are required to maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0. At the end of any semester, a student whose overall average is below “B-” will be placed on academic probation. If, after the next semester, the student has not raised the average to at least “B-,” the student will be dismissed for academic reasons.
Semester Grades
Course grades will be issued at the end of each semester. Grades will be mailed to students the third week after the end of the semester. Permanent records will be maintained for each student. These records will show grades and hours earned.
Grades will not be issued, academic credit given, nor official transcripts issued until all financial obligations to the seminary are met.
Incomplete Grades
Incomplete assignments and grades should always be the exception and not the rule. (The grade “I” indicates that the work required for the course was not completed. It is given only when special, extenuating circumstances (such as illness) prevent the student from completing the work or taking the examination. A written request for an extension must be submitted prior to the due date of the work concerned. If the request is granted, it remains the responsibility of the student to complete all work for the course as soon as possible. In any case, an “I” grade must be removed within the extension time granted; otherwise it will be changed to “F.”)
Graduation
The responsibility for meeting the requirements for a degree rests with the individual student. If all requirements are not completed, a degree will not be awarded. It is important for each student to have an understanding of all graduation requirements.
Students must notify the Seminary office to apply for graduation at least one year before graduation. Formal graduation ceremonies are held in May of each year. Each graduate is required to pay a graduation fee prior to graduation, whether or not the student participates in the graduation ceremony. The fee is determined and reported to prospective graduates the first of each calendar year.
A Pre-graduation assessment is required. Contact the Registrar or Dean of Academic Affairs for the necessary paperwork.
Obligations
Students are expected to demonstrate Christian maturity. GRS reserves the right at any time to dismiss any student whose conduct is found to be unsatisfactory on the basis of the spiritual and ethical principles found in Scripture and the Westminster Standards.
Library
GRS does not provide traditional library resources. Instead each student is required to demonstrate lending privileges at a library judged to be of doctoral level quality. Students will be required to show they have these lending privileges as a condition for registering for any class each semester. Any student who fails to maintain these lending privileges will be dropped from his program without any grade or return of fees paid.