I(Incomplete) - An Incomplete grade may be issued by a faculty member in lieu of a final
grade when course requirements have not been met by the end of the semester. An Incomplete Grade Contract must be completed by the faculty member and signed by the student. Request for an “I” must be made prior to the due date of the work required. The student is responsible for removing an “I” from his record. This work must be completed within six weeks of the end of the semester in which the “I” is received. Failure to meet this deadline will automatically result in an “F” for the course.

Withdrawal - A student desiring to withdraw from the Seminary at any time should report that fact in writing to the Academic Dean, so that his records may be completed, and his transcript released. Failure to complete the proper withdrawal form will result in the non-release of the transcript.

Examination - All examinations must be taken at the time scheduled. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the professor with the approval of the Academic Dean. Requests for such an exception must be submitted in writing prior to the set time.

Add - During the pre-enrollment period through the end of the second week of classes for the term, all students, with the exception of 1st term freshmen, may add courses that are free from restrictions/permissions, by using VACU’s Web for students. Instructor or academic unit approval is conditional on class size limitations. Regardless of when a student adds a course, the student is responsible for meeting all course requirements as mandated by the specific course syllabus.

Drop - Please note that “dropping” a course and “withdrawing” from a course are distinct actions and are governed by different policies. (See “Course Withdrawal Policy” below.).
For both graduate and undergraduate students, courses may only be dropped during the “drop period” lasting from the beginning of the enrollment period through the end of the second week of the quarter. Dropping a course results in the course being removed from the student’s academic record without a “W” appearing on the transcript, specifically, neither the course nor the grade of “W” appears on the student’s transcript. Freshmen and new first-term transfer students must meet with their academic advisors to drop courses during the first quarter.
For “accelerated courses,” which normally last five weeks, the drop period is limited to the first week of the course. Thus, for accelerated courses given during weeks one through five of the regular term, the drop period is week one; for accelerated courses given during weeks six through ten of the regular term, the drop period is week six (of the regular term).

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students from other acceptable seminaries who seek to complete their theological
studies at VACU must meet the requirements set forth in the catalog. Transfer applicants will be considered for acceptance by the Admission Committee upon presentation of satisfactory transcripts from accredited college and universities which grant higher degrees.
Credit will be given for courses completed in other accredited institution when such courses are comparable to those offered in this institution;

(1) The grades of D or F are not transferable.
(2) Transfer of some credits is allowed toward all degrees from accredited graduate theological schools or other accredited university.
(3) All transfer students for BA degree must complete at least two full years of work (70 credit hours) at this University to be eligible for graduation.
(4) No more than 40 hours of credit for M.Div degree may be transferred.
(5) No more than 25 hours of credit for MABC (MACE) degree may be transferred.
(6) No more than 15 hours of credit for doctoral degree may be transferred.
(7) No credit is given for correspondence courses of all degree program.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Application forms may be obtained by writing to:
VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 14012-F Sullyfield Cir. Chantilly, VA 20151
The application should be submitted as soon as possible together with the a application fee of $30.00 and the other items required. The application fee is not refundable.

2. An original transcript of credits from each past school and college or seminary institution
attended by the applicant should be sent by each institution directly to the Director of School.

3. Satisfactory references from the pastor of local church or professor of School.

4. The Director of Admissions may require an interview with applicant before admitting her/
him as a student at the seminary. After all required data have been received, the Admissions Committee will prayerfully consider the applicant, and the Director of Admissions will inform the applicant of their decision.

The faculty believes that class attendance is an integral and meaningful element in courses of instruction. Since the importance of the common gatherings of participants may vary from course to course, instructors are given the responsibility of regulation attendance in their classes, subject to the following limitations:

(1) Attendance regulations are to be clearly announced in writing by the instructor at the
beginning of each term.
(2) Attendance regulations for multi-section courses are to be set by agreement at the department level.
(3) Excessive absences may in suspension from the course with the grade of F. When a grade ofF is given for excessive absences, the instructor must notify the Registrar in writing.
(4) Attendance at quizzes announced at least a week in advance and at special sessions is
mandatory. Excuses for absence in such instances are to be obtained by the student from the Academic Dean.
(5) Student appeals concerning attendance regulations are to be made to the School Academic Regulations Commitee( or Teacher meeting).

COURSES SELECTED OR CHANGED
During the third month of the spring and fall terms each student should, in consultation with the faculy advisor, select courses for the following term and submit the selections to the Office of Redistrar on a preregistration form. Any change in the course of study must be made at start times during the first two weeks of the semester with written permission.
Courses discontinued(with permission) after the first two weeks of the Fall or Spring Term are recorded WA(authorized withdrawal). Courses dropped after the date announced in the registration bulletin for each long term will automatically get the garde of WF( withdrew failing).
The deadline is announced at each registration. Courses marked WF are counted as hours attempted in the grade point ratio while grades of WA are ignored in computing the grade point ratio.

1) Class Attendance.
Regular and punctual attendance in classes is expected of all students at VACU. Each faculty member is to state in writing to all students in a class the attendance policy for that class. The faculty member is the judge of whether the student has met the stated attendance requirements of the course.
Class attendance is considered essential to the educational process. The VACU subscribes to the philosophy that academic success is directly proportional to class attendance. It is important that students regularly and punctually attend all class sessions. Attendance will be recorded from the first day the class meets through the final exam:
(1) The professor must receive the names of students from the office of VACU.
(2) The professor must call attendance from those who have registered for every class.
(3) The professor must verify the student through their ID and attendance record the first day.
(4) The professor must announce the class policy to their students for the attendance of class.
(5) The professor will report to the school office on those students who have missed two or
more classes.
Recognizing that situations may arise to prevent a student from attending a class, the VACU will accommodate occasional absences but recommends that students who attend less than 80% of the scheduled class meetings submit a withdrawal request to the VACU Office according to the Withdrawal Procedures described in the VACU Catalog and Faculty Handbook.
Regular attendance and participation in schooling is an important factor in educational and life success. Students who are regular non-attenders are at risk of alienation from education that can lead to decreased options for future pathways.

2) Seminar Attendance.
The success of a seminar depends upon the regular attendance and participation of each
member. For this reason, an unusual number of absences from the regular meetings of a seminar
will result in a grade of ‘F’ for the course, despite completion of other requirements.

3) Special Absence
All absences are unexcused except those caused by illness of the student, quarantine, death in the immediate family, recovery from an accident, required court attendance, educational tours and trips, and certain religious holidays. If a student is absent from school, his/her family should call the School office at (703) 250-8711, report the absence. It does not alleviate your responsibility to provide a written excuse, as directed in this policy. A student shall not be absent from school or from any other required school hours except for illness or other providentialcause, unless with written permission of the teacher, or other duly authorized school official.

4) Illegal Excuse
A student, who is absent from school without legal excuse, will be marked as being unexcused for the period of each absence. Students will be notified of their responsibility for their unexcused absences by the proper school authority;

(1) The office of VACU will also send a notice by mail to the students who have accumulated three absences from the class of school, informing them of the attendance policy and inviting them to contact the VACU Office to discuss the matter.
(2) An unexcused absence occurs when the student does not provide, within two <2> days after an absence, an explanatory note signed by the student or visitation by a physician, which satisfies the criteria for excused absence. After three <3> days unexcused absences from school or the class, an official notice of unexcused absence will be sent to the student. The notice will list the dates of unexcused absences and notify students that any further illegal absence constitutes a summary offense under the School Code.

5) Excused Absence.
Excused absences may be granted for: illness, quarantine, death in the immediate family,
impassable roads, school-sanctioned educational trips, family trips, religious holidays, and
exceptionally urgent reasons which affect the student and which do not include work at home.
Absences for other reasons will be considered unexcused. For an absence to be excused, the student must send a note to the office of VACU within two (2) days after each absence or the day of absence.
Instructor(Professor)s may advise any student with excessive absences to withdraw from the course involved to protect the academic standing of the student. It is the students responsibility to monitor absences and to comply with the instructors syllabus concerning make up work.
Failure to complete make up assignments or to withdraw when it is clear that the student cannot achieve an acceptable grade in the class may result in a low grade, including possibly an ‘F’ based on grade performance in the course. Grades will not be raised or lowered based directly on attendance.

6) Early Excuse.
Students are not permitted to leave the school campus at any time during the school day without
permission from the principal or Academic Dean. If student wish to be excused early during
the school day, student must present a note to the Academic Dean of VACU. The note should indicate (1) the date and time of dismissal; (2) appropriate reason of absence; (3) signature of the student.
The secretary of VACU will issue an “early dismissal” slip to the student, which student must
present to the teacher (for his/her signature) at the time of departure of the student. If studentreturn to VACU on the same day, student are to report to the office or Academic Dean before going to class.

7) Appeals Process.
If a student disagrees with the assignment of an unexcused absence, a tardy or denial of permission to make up missed work, an appeal may be made to the appropriate chief instructional officer or his designee. The appeal must be submitted in writing within one week of the incident.

8) Assignments
Students are expected to spend two-three hours outside of class reading and/or studying
the material or working problems for every hour spent in class. Students are required to read the chapters listed on the Assignment Outline. Lectures and class discussion will follow and supplement the text. Students should read the assignments before class, take notes during class,
and follow up by reviewing and/or working related problems immediately after class. Many classes meet every other day and some students make the mistake of thinking that they should study for that class every other day. Best results are realized when students study each class every day.
The student alone assumes responsibility for all absences. A student who presents the instructor with an adequate and documented reason for an absence normally will be given an opportunity to make up the work missed. The responsibility for initiating the request to make up class work missed is vested in the student.

MODES OF CREDIT
Students may earn credit toward a degree through any combination of the following modes:
1) On- Campus Courses
On- campus semester courses normally meet in 3 hour sessions. Each courts meets once weekly for 15 weeks in the fall, spring, or summer term. Other formats, such as semi-monthly and weekend classes are also provided to meet the needs of student unable to meet each week.
2) Online Courses
Online studies are offered simultaneous to on-campus studies lasting 15 weeks each term.
Throughout the term, students interact with faculty and with other students via email and Web bulletin boards. The online course work is accomplished via the Internet though Blackboard.
The courses are asynchronous, meaning students do not have to be online at the same time as their professor or their classmates. Attendance is verified by week online activity.
3) Extended Modular Courses
Extended Modular studies provide students an opportunity to complete courses through acombination of classroom and online work. The typical extended modular consists of one week in the classroom along with pre-classroom and post-classroom academic work submitted online during the regular 15 week semester. Modules coincide with the on-campus schedule.
4) Independent Studies
VACU recognizes the importance of providing students with opportunities for working
independently and accepting responsibility for their own learning. Such experiences help
students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning. It also
provides an avenue for them to demonstrate “the skills of doing independent research that
reflects critical thinking and spiritual perception,” an important objective of VACU.
Independent Students may be defined as study(being pursued for course credit) which is under the direct supervision of an appropriate faculty member but is not done in conjunction with a regularly scheduled class. The following guidelines apply:
(1) From 1-3 hours of credit may be granted per approved Independent Study.
(2) Cumulative credit through Independent Study is limited 12 hours for the BA program, 6
hours for the MA program, 15 hours for the M.Div. program and 6 hours(electives only) for the D.Min. program.
(3) Independent Study must be requested in advance, using the proper request form provided by the Registrars Office.
(4) Independent Study should correspond to(be compatible with) existing institution curriculum, i.e., numbers and titles should normally correspond to particular courses(instead of general listings such as “Topical Studies”).
(5) Independent Study must include appropriate objectives and means of assessment in order to ensure equivalency with work done in other modes.
(6) Independent Study includes mutually agreed upon meetings(in person, online, or via phone) between the student and the supervising faculty member. While the directing faculty member must offer enough guidance to set the student on a fruitful path of study, both the student and faculty directors must remember that the student is involved in independent research.
(7) Independent Study requests must be approved in advance by the students advisor, the
directing faculty person, and the Academic Dean.
(8) Student may be permitted to do independent academic work in close consultation with a
professor. They must have completed at least one course in the discipline, have an overall grade point ratio of 2.50, and sophomore standing. No student may have more than 10 percent of the total semester hours in independent study.To register for independent study, a form which describes the chief requirements must be completed, be endorse by the chair of the department and Dean of Academic, and be filed in the Registrar’s office.

VACU HONOR SYSTEM
In a VACU community, there can be no doubt that honor and the pursuit of knowledge are
intertwined. An honor system must be believed in, supported by and administered by the
entire VACU community. Upon enrollment at Virginia Christian University, each student is
automatically subject to the provisions of the Honor System.
Each student has a duty to become familiar with the Honor Code and the provisions of the
Honor System. Ignorance of what constitutes an Honor Code violation cannot be used as a
defense in an honor hearing. The Honor System at VACU does not discriminate based upon
race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age or
disability.
All academic work such as, but not limited to, examinations, papers and other written or
electronically submitted assignments is submitted pursuant to the Honor Code, and shall
contain the following pledge (or similar pledge approved by the faculty or staff member) of the student(s) submitting the work: “On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work.” The pledge shall be signed by the student(s) unless it is submitted electronically, in which case the faculty or staff member may require a different method of proof of a student’s pledge.
What is The Honor Code - Students shall observe complete honesty in all academic matters.
Violations of the Honor Code include, but are not limited to, taking or attempting to take any
of the following actions:
(1) Using unauthorized materials or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination
or in connection with any work done for academic credit. Unauthorized materials may include, but are not limited to, notes, textbooks, previous examinations, exhibits, experiments, papers or other supplementary items.
(2) Giving false or misleading information regarding an academic matter.
(3) Copying information from another student during an examination.
(4) Rendering unauthorized assistance to another student by knowingly permitting him or her to see or copy all or a portion of an examination or any work to be submitted for academic credit.
(5) Obtaining prior knowledge of examination materials (including by using copies of previously given examinations obtained from files maintained by various groups and organizations) in an unauthorized manner.
(6) Selling or giving to another student unauthorized copies of any portion of an examination. Using a commercially prepared paper or research project or submitting for academic credit any work completed by someone else.
(7) Falsifying or attempting to falsify class attendance records for oneself, or for someone else, or having another falsify attendance records on your behalf.
(8) Falsifying material relating to course registration or grades, either for oneself or for someone else.
(9) Falsifying reasons why a student did not attend a required class or take a scheduled
examination.
(10) Taking an examination in the place of another student.
(11) Making unauthorized changes in any reported grade or on an official academic report
form.
(12) Falsifying scientific or other data submitted for academic credit.
(13) Collaborating in an unauthorized manner with one or more other students on an examination or any work submitted for academic credit.
(14) Committing the act of plagiarism - the deliberate copying, writing or presenting as one’s
own the information, ideas or phrasing of another person without proper acknowledgement of the true source.
(15) Using computing facilities or library resources in an academically dishonest manner.
Falsifying evidence, or intimidating or influencing someone in connection with an honor
violation investigation, hearing or appeal.

SPIRITUAL LIFE OF STUDENT
1. Student Orientation - VACU offers orientation each semester for new and continuing students to provide information on school life, policies, regulations, faculty, administration, and the surrounding community for the upcoming semester.
2. International Students - The needs of international students studying at VACU are unique and require additional attention to meet their needs. VACU recognizes that these students need more help than local students in adjusting to life at VACU. Although the university does not operate dormitories, ample housing is available nearby.
3. Student Fellowship - Every student enrolled at Virginia Christian University is a member of the Student Fellowship.
The student activity fee funds student activities. The Student Fellowship seeks to stimulate prayer and community among students and organizes the bi-annual mountain prayer meetings and the’Praise the Lord’program in campus.
4. Student Clubs of VACU - VACU encourages the formation of student clubs that will be beneficial to the students academically and emotionally. Friendship and fellowship among Christians canbe soothing to the soul, promote a spirit of cooperation and a desire to continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. We, therefore, encourage the clubs that abide by our Christian values and ethics, spiritual life. Examples of clubs are: Mentoring Club, Book reading Club, Short-term missions Club, Bible study Club and more in VACU campus and field work.
5. Worship and Spiritual Life - Students at Virginia Christian University enjoy a variety of opportunities to enhance their spiritual development. It is expected that all students will regularly attend and be involved in a local church.
Virginia Christian University conducts Revival Meetings at the beginning of each semester.
There are chapel services for students every Monday. Chapel services feature worship, as well as messages by members of the faculty and other Christian leaders. All students are expected to attend chapel. In addition, to assist in the spiritual nurturing of the student body, the Student Government Council arranges the Mountain Prayer Meeting during each semester. The worship services and other spiritual nurture opportunities are intended to complement the instruction and spiritual growth students receive in the classroom.