Bethany is a Christian Liberal Arts institution. Its fundamental purpose is Christian growth and the pursuit of knowledge. Consequently the principle of ethical academic integrity is an integral part of this community. Every student is expected to be honest. Academic plagiarism, cheating and other misrepresentations are not condoned.
In order to uphold the standards of collegiate academics and the integrity of Bethany Lutheran College, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may place a student on academic probation or dismiss a student from college for academic irresponsibility.
Academic Honors
The Vice President for Academic Affairs publishes a Dean’s List each semester. This gives recognition to students who have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in at least 14 academic credits.
Academic Probation / Academic Suspension
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree a student must maintain a Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher in addition to other requirements listed in the Academic Catalog. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 is not demonstrating satisfactory academic progress and will be placed under academic discipline according to the following formula: Less than 25 credits attempted, 1.50 cumulative GPA; At least 25 but less than 49 credits attempted: 1.75 cumulative GPA; At least 49 credits attempted: 2.00 cumulative GPA.
If a student is placed on academic probation, that student:
- Will be interviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- Will be reminded that Financial Aid is jeopardized.
- May undergo assessment by the professional tutor.
- Will be encouraged to take advantage of the peer tutoring service.
- Will be restricted to no more than 12 hours of employment per week.
- Will be counseled by the Vice President for Academic Affairs to limit involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Will be allowed to take no more than 16 credits the next semester.
If after the end of the probationary semester the student has not demonstrated satisfactory academic progress according to the formula above, that student may be suspended from the college. A student suspended at the end of a semester is ineligible for admission the following semester. The student who has been suspended has the right to petition the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in writing for reinstatement and may receive a hearing before the Academic Affairs Committee.
Bethany Lutheran College reserves the right to suspend a student whose scholastic achievement, general health, or conduct is such that continued enrollment would not be in the best interest of the student or the college.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. The instructors reserve the right to lower student grades or drop students from class for excessive absences. Instructors will state their attendance policies at the beginning of each semester.
Class Cancellation
Classes with unacceptably small enrollments may be cancelled for that semester by the administration of the college.
Classification of Students
Students carrying at least 12 credits are designated as full-time students. Part-time students are those who carry fewer than 12 credits. Of these, a three-fourth-time student carries at least nine but fewer than 12 credits, a half-time student carries at least six but fewer than nine credits, and a less-than-half-time student carries fewer than six credits.
Students are classified according to the number of semester hours of college credit earned. A freshman has successfully completed fewer than 28 credit hours; a sophomore has successfully completed at least 28 but fewer than 65 credit hours; a junior has completed at least 65 but fewer than 95 credit hours; a senior has completed 95 or more credit hours. A credit hour is defined in the following section.
Credit Hours and Grading System
More information on credit hours and Bethany’s grading system are available here.
Repeating Courses
Courses may be repeated to improve the letter grade. All courses attempted remain a part of the permanent record but only the highest grade is computed into the GPA.