Program Interruptions

One way we try to provide students the flexibility to fit school around family and ministry needs is by making sure there is an easy way to jump in and out of classes. Once you begin a class you have complete it in that term to receive credit. But you can take up to two terms off in a row. You just have to take a class at least 2 terms every year while you are in the program and you must graduate in no more than 10 years. If you need time off for financial reasons, note that you would at minimum need to spend $3690 on school per year.

Leave of Absence
Any student who encounters unusual and unavoidable career or family circumstances that cause interruption in participation in his or her program may submit a petition for a leave of absence (LOA), for a period of up to three years. The petition should specify the reason(s) the student believes warrants an LOA and the length of LOA desired. Supporting documentation might be required. Any student who is called to active duty while a student should contact the Online Learning Team. This student will be granted an LOA. 

The deadline to receive a petition is one month before the student’s next registration period. The Online Learning office will notify the student if the LOA is approved. While on a leave, the student is considered a current Westminster student.

The student should notify [e-mail] of any changes while on leave and contact the Online Learning Team with a return date, at least one month prior to the returning term. 

Students receiving government loans who wish to take an LOA should contact the Online Learning Team for possible restrictions.

Withdrawal

Withdrawing from courses
Students can withdraw from a course they've already begun, but are not able to complete. Students may choose to do this to avoid receiving a failing grade if they know they are unable to complete the course. Withdrawing from a course occurs after the designated drop period and after the term has begun. When a student withdraws from a course, the course will be assigned at “W” grade on his or her transcript. 

There are several types of withdraws, depending on the circumstances.

• Personal withdrawal from courses is completed by the student by contacting the Online Learning Team. The student may be asked to complete supporting information. The deadline to withdraw from a course is 5 weeks into the term. If a student withdraws after the last eligible day, they will be assigned a grade of "F" in the course. 
• Administrative withdrawal is completed by the seminary. There are three reasons a student would be administratively withdrawn from courses: 1) they have not met satisfactory academic progress requirements, having a grade point average too low to continue, 2) they have not fulfilled financial payment obligations, or 3) they have violated the Seminary’s standards for student conduct, which includes violation of the Westminster Online Community Values and/or Honor Code.

Withdrawing from all courses in a term will signal that a student would like to take the term off. After 2 terms without registering for a course, a student will be considered withdrawn from seminary. At that time, a student would need to request reinstatement. 

Withdrawing from the program
A student planning to withdraw from the Seminary, whether during or between an academic term, should inform the Online Learning Office. If the “Personal Withdrawal” notification is received during a term, the effective date of withdrawal will be the date of notification. If the notification is received between terms, the effective date of withdrawal will be the last day of exams of the previous term. A student who withdraws from seminary after the final date to withdraw from a course will receive a failing grade for each course not completed. An online student is automatically withdrawn from the program if he or she does not register for 2 consecutive terms.

Probation

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Academic probation is a warning that the student’s academic work does not meet the Seminary’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. (SAP) measures the qualitative and quantitative aspect of a student’s academic work as being adequate to receive the desired degree. SAP requirements are as follows:

1. For students who have completed their first term (having completed at least one course but attempted less than 12 credit hours): the student’s GPA must be 2.00 or higher.

2. For students who have completed or attempted 12 credit hours: the student’s cumulative GPA must be 2.00 or higher and the student must have a minimum completion rate of 67% (i.e., the student must have completed 67% of the credits attempted). Credits attempted but not completed are credits for courses from which the student withdraws or for which the student receives a failing grade. They do not include credits for courses that the student dropped during the Add/Drop period.

3. To be eligible to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Probation Procedures
If the student's academic work does not meet the SAP requirements, the following probation procedures will be followed:

1. For students who have completed their first term (having completed at least one course but attempted less than 12 credit hours): the student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 1.95 or lower. This student must raise his or her GPA by the term that he or she meets or exceeds 12 hours of coursework in an official program or be administratively withdrawn from his or her program.

2. For students who have completed or attempted 12 credit hours: the student’s cumulative GPA is between 1.96 and 2.00. This student is required to raise his or her GPA to 2.00 or above to be approved to graduate.

If the student’s term GPA is 1.95 or lower for two consecutive terms, the student will be asked to meet with a member of the Online Learning Team. A student who does not meet the SAP requirement(s) will either be placed on probation or administratively withdrawn. 

Reinstatement
If a former student desires to resume studies in the online MAC program, they should contact [e-mail]. This student will notify the Online Learning Team of their desire to reinstate and complete any necessary paperwork required. The student will be notified by the Online Learning Office of approval status. If a former student desires to resume studies after a withdrawal period of five or more consecutive terms, he or she must apply for readmission. Students are not guaranteed reinstatement to the program. Requests may be reviewed by the Student Development Office and the Dean of Online Learning if needed.

Approval for reinstatement or readmission is at the discretion of the Seminary. A readmitted or reinstated student will be subject to all program requirements, as well as all financial and academic policies current at the time of return.