Academic Policies

Academic Advising

An academic advisor from the Office of Student Success will be able to help each college student with course scheduling, career planning, and personal concerns. Freshman and Sophomore students are required to meet with an academic advisor each semester and must obtain approval from an advisor on all items submitted to the Registrar (including semester registration, add/drop requests, degree change requests, etc.). Junior and Senior students are encouraged to meet with an advisers when making academic decisions but are not required to do so. While academic advisors provide guidance and should be aware of all current academic policies, each student is responsible to be aware of and abide by current policies, procedures, and deadlines, and is responsible for his/her academic decisions.

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Academic Standing

Continued enrollment at Southeastern depends upon a student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward attaining a degree. The college and seminary measure this ability by both the student’s semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA). To assist students in maintaining satisfactory progress, Southeastern has adopted academic standards designed to provide early identification of students who are experiencing academic difficulty and to provide timely intervention through academic support programs.

Every student’s academic standing is reviewed at the end of the Spring and Fall semesters. Based on this review each Southeastern student is categorized into one of the following classifications of academic standing:

Good Standing

A student is considered in good standing if he or she has a grade point average of at least a 2.0 in both the semester that is subject to academic review and in his or her cumulative GPA.

Probation

A student is placed on Academic Probation for the coming semester if his or her academic standing falls under one of the three categories below:

1. The student’s cumulative GPA drops below a 2.0.
2. The student has a cumulative GPA above a 2.0 but earns a semester GPA below a 1.0.
3. The student has a cumulative GPA above a 2.0 but earns a semester GPA between a 2.0 and 1.0 during two consecutive semesters

Entering Probation

Once placed on probation, students must complete an Academic Probation Student Agreement form in order to be enrolled in further classes. They must also meet with the Student Success office in order to have the form signed off and processed.

Academic Probation will be noted on the student’s transcript for each applicable semester.

During Probation

When on probation, a student is limited to a certain number of hours. Graduate-level students are limited to 9 semester hours (minimum full-time status), and Undergraduate students are limited to 12 semester hours (minimum full-time status).

Students will not be considered in good academic standing while on Academic Probation Status and should be aware that this status may impact their financial aid eligibility.

A student may graduate while on probation, but only if their cumulative GPA is at a 2.0. In addition, he or she must have the approval of the appropriate Dean in order to graduate.

Leaving Probation

For Academic Probation status to be removed, a student must earn a minimum of a 2.0 semester GPA during each subsequent term until his or her cumulative GPA reaches a 2.0 or above. At this point, he or she will be placed back on good standing.

Suspension

A student is placed on Academic Suspension for the coming semester if his or her academic standing falls under one of the three categories below:

1. The student completes 12 or more credit hours and earns a cumulative GPA below a 1.0.
2. The student is currently on probation and fails to earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher.
3. The student has a cumulative GPA above a 2.0 but earns below a 1.0 semester GPA during two consecutive semesters.

Entering Suspension

Once placed on suspension, students must drop all courses that they have registered for in the following term. In addition, students on second or third suspension are required to move out of campus housing until they are readmitted. 

• Students on their first suspension will not be allowed to take classes during the next main term (Fall or Spring). 
• Students on their second suspension will not be allowed to take classes for the next two main terms (Fall or Spring) and any minor terms included within that time span (Winter or Summer). 
• Students who are placed on third suspension will not be allowed to continue taking classes and will be dismissed from Southeastern with ineligibility for readmission.
• Academic Suspension will be noted on the student’s transcript for each applicable semester.

During Suspension

While on suspension, students may not take classes at the College at Southeastern or at SEBTS. Academic credits from classes taken while a student is suspended, even if those courses are taken at another institution of higher education, will not be accepted toward fulfillment of requirements for a degree at the College at Southeastern or SEBTS. 

Students who have been suspended for only one semester for academic reasons only may remain in campus housing during their suspension.

Readmission After Suspension

After each suspension term, the student must formally request readmission through Chris Lee (clee@sebts.edu) in the Student Success Office. Readmission is not automatic and is subject to the approval of the Student Success Office.

Upon readmission, the student enters on Academic Probation status and is once again subject to all the regulations related to a student on probation status as cataloged above. Failure to meet the requirements for probation status (2.0 semester GPA or higher) will result in further suspension.

Academic Dismissal

Academic dismissal results when a student fails to satisfy the requirements necessary for removal from academic probation once that student has been readmitted following academic suspension. Academic dismissal requires the student to withdraw from classes and move out of campus housing. The student is then ineligible for readmission.

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Auditing Courses

Students, student spouses, friends of the Seminary, and other interested parties may audit undergraduate and graduate courses at Southeastern if there is space available, with the professor’s permission, and by paying a $50 audit fee. Music classes are not eligible for auditors.

FOR NON-STUDENTS

1. The prospective student must fill out the Audit Registration Form to be entered into the student database: https://apply.sebts.edu/register/audit
2. The student should email the professor directly to inquire about the possibility of auditing the desired course.
3. The student must then apply and pay the audit fee using the Application to Audit a Course: https://form.jotform.com/90084280982158. A new form must be filled out for each course being requested.
4. If approved, the student will be registered for the course as an Auditor and will receive access to the course in CampusNet.

FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

1. The student should email the professor directly to inquire about the possibility of auditing the desired course.
2. The student must then apply to audit the course using the Application to Audit a Course: https://form.jotform.com/90085620599161. A new form must be filled out for each course being requested.
3. If approved, the student will be registered for the course as an Auditor and will receive access to the course in CampusNet.
4. The audit fee will be applied to the student’s account to be paid through Accounting Services.

TO AUDIT AN ADVANCED (DOCTORAL) COURSE

Students who have completed an accredited graduate degree may be allowed to audit advanced level courses (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.Min.). In order to audit an advanced-level course, students will adhere to the following approval process:

1. The student must obtain approval from the program director under which the course is listed (e.g., the Director of Ph.D. Studies for a Ph.D. course).
2. The student must obtain approval from the professor of the course(s) to be audited.
3. The student must fill out the appropriate form(s):
   • For Non-Students: Register as an Auditor here: https://apply.sebts.edu/register/audit. Then apply to audit the course and pay the fee here: https://form.jotform.com/92866009285163
   • For Current Students: Apply to audit the course here: https://www.jotform.com/92865922837169
4. No student will be allowed to audit or “sit in” on a doctoral course without meeting the above conditions.

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Changing Degrees and Curriculum

Changing Degrees

Students who desire to change their degree must fill out a Degree Change Application. Degree changes are those that meet the following qualifications:

• Associates degree to/from any Bachelor’s degree
• Bachelor of Arts to/from Bachelor of Science 
• Master of Arts (Vocational) to/from Master of Arts (Research)
• Master of Arts (any) to/from Master of Divinity
• Any application to/from the Advanced Master of Divinity
• Any application to/from the Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Any application to/from a Certificate Degree (except another Certificate)

Degree changes do not become official until the semester after they are submitted. Students who wish to graduate under their new degree must submit the Degree Change Application in the semester prior to their final semester (e.g., students wishing to graduate in May must submit their degree change form in the Fall semester or earlier; students who wish to graduate in December, must submit their degree change form in the Summer semester or earlier).

Students must be in good academic/disciplinary standing in order to change their degree. In addition, filling out the Degree Change Application does not automatically grant students approval into the new degree. The student’s file must first be reviewed by the Admissions Office, and he or she will be notified of any questions/decisions. Students should note that a degree change only replaces the student’s current degree. It does not add another degree to the one currently existing.

Students who are not in a degree program (i.e., credit-only students) must fill out a full application through the Admissions Office to switch to a degree program.

Changing Curriculum

Students who desire to change the curriculum for their degree must fill out a Curriculum Change Application. Curriculum changes are those that meet the following qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Arts to/from another Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science to/from another Bachelor of Science
• Master of Arts (Vocational) to/from another Master of Arts (Vocational)
• Master of Arts (Research) to/from another Master of Arts (Research)
• Master of Divinity to/from another Master of Divinity

Curriculum changes do not become official until the semester after they are submitted. Students who wish to graduate under their new curriculum must submit the Curriculum Change Application in the semester prior to their final semester (e.g., students wishing to graduate in May must submit their curriculum change form in the Fall semester or earlier; students who wish to graduate in December, must submit their curriculum change form in the Summer semester or earlier).

Students must be in good academic/disciplinary standing in order to change their curriculum. In addition, filling out the Curriculum Change Application does not automatically grant students approval into the new curriculum. The student’s file must first be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office, and he or she will be notified of any questions/decisions. Approval of other offices may also be required for specific curricula. Students should note that a curriculum change only replaces the student’s current curriculum. It does not add another curriculum to the one currently existing.

ADDING AN ADDITIONAL DEGREE

Students who desire to add an additional degree alongside their current degree must fill out an Additional Degree Application. An additional degree may be added under the following circumstances:

• The student is currently enrolled at Southeastern and is in good standing (i.e., no academic/disciplinary probation or suspension).
• The student desires to add a degree to the degree they are currently seeking; the student is not seeking a new degree to replace their current degree.

Additional degrees do not become official until the semester after they are submitted. Students who wish to graduate with the addition of the new degree must submit the Additional Degree Application in the semester prior to their final semester (e.g., students wishing to graduate in May must submit their application in the Fall semester or earlier; students who wish to graduate in December, must submit their application in the Summer semester or earlier).

In addition, filling out the Additional Degree Application does not automatically grant students approval into the new degree. The student’s file must first be reviewed by the Admissions Office, and he or she will be notified of any questions/decisions.

Overlapping Credit Between Majors and Minors (Undergraduate Students)

Students cannot double major when the two majors in question share more than six required credit hours in common.
 
Students cannot choose a major and a minor that share more than six required credit hours in common. When a major and minor (or second major) share six or fewer hours in common, those overlapping hours may be replaced by hours with the same prefixes as those being replaced or hours whose content is similar in nature per the catalog description.

Overlapping Degrees

If a student is pursuing two graduate degrees at SEBTS simultaneously, only 2/3 of the first degree can be shared with the second degree. 1/3 of the second degree must be unique to that degree. For students pursuing an MDiv and MA concurrently at SEBTS, all of the required hours for the MDiv would need to be completed, and at least 1/3 of the total hours of the MA (i.e., this 1/3 must be credit hours unique to the MA and not shared with the MDiv).

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Chapel Attendance

Because worship is at the heart of God’s design for His children, chapel is at the heart of campus life at Southeastern. It is a time when college and seminary students, faculty, and staff come together for corporate worship of our great God and Savior.

Chapel services are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Occasionally, there are Wednesday chapel services as well. Chapel is an important component of spiritual life and discipline. Faithful attendance, even on those days when we might not be inclined to come, builds a wise Christian habit that will honor God and strengthen our walk with Christ. The goal of Southeastern’s administration is to foster a spirit of worship and instruction through prayer, Scripture reading, singing, and faithful exposition of the Bible. All students are required to attend chapel in accordance with chapel policies as stated in the Student Handbook and agreed to in the Southeastern Covenant.

On-campus students are expected to attend in person. Students with extenuating circumstances may set up an appointment with the Dean of Students or Director of Student Life to request permission to listen to chapel messages online.

Our desire is for as many students to gather, as much as possible, for corporate worship. Therefore, Distance Learning and Commuting Students are asked to make every attempt to order their schedule in a way to adhere to chapel requirements in person. If, however, the student’s schedule, throughout their time as a student, does not allow them to attend in person, they have the option of listening to chapel services online.

Graduate students are required to attend twenty (20) chapel services or listen to twenty-five (25) chapel services online during four (4) semesters of enrollment.

Undergraduate students are required to attend twenty (20) chapel services or listen to twenty-five (25) chapel services online during six (6) semesters of enrollment.

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Church Membership

Southeastern seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. Therefore, to promote accountability in each student’s participation in a local church, each student is required to verify his or her church membership every semester prior to registering for classes (see Term Check-in in Self-Service). Due to the tuition subsidy from the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program, church verification must indicate membership in good standing in a Southern Baptist church in order for the student to be eligible for the discounted Southern Baptist tuition and fees.

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Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is expected and students are responsible for completing all assignments. The individual instructor is responsible for his or her attendance policy. Instructors are at liberty to assign a failing grade to any student who is absent from 25% or more (for graduate students) or 15% or more (for undergraduate students) of the scheduled class meetings regardless of assignment and/or examination grades.

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Course Levels

Courses are divided into levels as defined below:

• Non-Credit Courses (Below 1000 level courses): Courses that do not count for academic credit.
• Lower-Level Undergraduate Courses (1000/2000 level courses): Typically lower-level or introductory courses taken during the freshman and sophomore year.
• Upper-Level Undergraduate Courses (3000/4000 level courses): Typically upper-level undergraduate courses that are more advanced and taken during the sophomore, junior, and senior years.
• Graduate-Level Courses (5000/6000/7000 level courses): These courses are normally restricted to graduate students.
• Doctoral-Level Courses (8000/9000 level courses): These courses are normally restricted to doctoral students.
  • 8000-level: DMin and EdD Programs
  • 9000-level: PhD Program

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Distance Learning

At Southeastern we recognize that commitments to family, work, and ministry make it impossible for some people to physically attend our main campus at Wake Forest for the total duration of their respective degree programs. It may be impossible for students to attend or continue to attend one of our brick-and-mortar classrooms.

To meet these real needs, an innovative system of delivering theological education has been developed that is academically sound, ministry-focused, and Christ-centered. Whether it is through an online class or a face-to-face extension center experience, this program provides both a supplement and a front door to the world of theological preparation. The Office of Distance Learning is available to answer any questions concerning these opportunities.

Online Courses

Southeastern offers numerous classes through an online-based delivery system. Online courses allow students to complete certain degrees completely online. The Undergraduate  and Graduate  degree program pages note which degrees are offered completely online.

Online classes feature lectures by the same professors who teach on campus. Online students receive the same lectures, the same materials, and the same assignments as an on-campus student. Further information is available through the Distance Learning Office and the seminary website.

Extension Centers

Southeastern offers opportunities at several locations around the Southeast, called “extension centers,” for students to complete a significant portion of their degree program in addition to taking classes on our main campus. These courses feature members of our faculty, qualified adjuncts, or doctoral teaching fellows leading face-to-face classroom experiences meeting in various locations such as churches, denominational buildings, and other educational institutions. Courses are taught on a semester schedule, like our main campus, but in an intensive manner. While the class spans the full semester, the typical extension center course requires online coursework for the majority of the semester with one weekend meeting of face-to-face class time. The courses do not count as “on-campus” credit hours. Most courses will meet on Friday evenings and Saturdays, though exceptions to this schedule do occur.

The Office of Distance Learning, the Admissions Office, or the seminary website provides more specific information. Our centers also have local liaisons to provide additional information.

Intensive and Hybrid Courses

Southeastern offers two on-campus course delivery formats, called intensive and hybrid format courses, which can aid Distance Learning students in meeting on-campus degree requirements without changing their primary residence. Many required courses are taught in an intensive format, where students meet on campus for an abbreviated period of time (usually one or two weeks). During the abbreviated time period, students receive the same amount of instructional time as full-semester courses. Students often complete course assignments (e.g., reading, written work, etc.) before and after the campus meeting time. The intensive format allows students to complete a required course while being on campus for only a short time.

Hybrid format courses are the second on-campus delivery format beneficial to Distance Learning students. Students watch recorded lectures via Southeastern’s online delivery system and, throughout the semester, interact with the professor and other classmates to complete course assignments by using Southeastern’s online course management system. During the semester, the class meets with the professor on campus for an abbreviated time period (usually a Friday and Saturday) for lectures, question-and-answer time, assignments, and live interaction. Attendance during the campus meeting component of a hybrid course is mandatory without exception for any reason.

Students may register for intensive and hybrid format courses through the regular course registration procedure.

On-Campus Requirements

No more than 12 on-campus hours may be taken in practica, individualized study, travel-based courses, or similar special classes. Courses taken at other Southeastern extension center sites, equipping centers, and online courses do not count as on-campus hours.

Students may earn up to 49% of an M.Div. at our extension centers located in Clemson, SC, Greensboro, NC, Richmond, VA, and Roanoke, VA. Undergraduate courses may be taken at the Fruitland extension center in Hendersonville, NC.

The school has been approved to offer the MA (Christian Studies), MA in Intercultural Studies, MA in Church Revitalization, MA in Church Planting, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Divinity fully online. At the undergraduate level, both the Associate of Arts and Associate of Divinity may be completed fully online, as well as the BA in Global Studies and the BA in Pastoral Ministry. 

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Field Ministry Requirements (Graduate Students)

Field Ministry is a vital part of every M.Div. degree offered at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This component of each degree is designed to connect the student with a church to allow him to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of an experienced mentor. The purpose of field ministry is for the student to grow in his personal walk with the Lord, in his understanding of the ministry, and in his ability to minister to the church relative to his calling. The student will be challenged to integrate theological training with the practice of ministry.

There are two ways to gain field ministry experience at Southeastern: mentorship or a mission trip. The first and most common way is for the student to participate in PMN 7900 Mentored Internship. However, the student should be aware that this option requires a faculty sponsor to oversee the mentorship. The student is responsible to find a faculty member who will oversee the mentorship experience. Secondly, Southeastern has partnered with some healthy churches in our area (and near our Extension Centers in some cases) to develop EQUIP Partners for the purpose of offering a significantly greater field ministry experience. These EQUIP Partners normally offer a one or two year internship through which a student can gain field ministry experience. A student must be invited and approved by the individual EQUIP Partner in order to gain Field Ministry credit in this manner.

In any case, the student will be working with a Field Mentor who must meet the requirements set by Southeastern and be approved by the professor and/or the EQUIP Network Coordinator prior to the beginning of the student’s Mentored Internship. It is the student’s responsibility to contact and secure a Field Mentor for his or her field ministry experience. Therefore, this process should normally begin before the start of the semester in which the student wishes to gain Mentored Internship credit. While the EQUIP Network Office will attempt to assist the student in securing a Field Mentor, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility.

For more information, contact the EQUIP Network Office at (919) 761-2460 or equip@sebts.edu.

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Grades

Quality Points

Quality points are awarded on the following basis: One point is awarded for each semester hour earned with the grade D; two points are awarded with a C; three points with a B; and four points with an A. No points are given for the grade F. Students must complete their work with an overall average of 2.0 in order to receive their degree. If a student repeats a course, the higher grade will be used to calculate GPA, though both marks will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Courses that are part of a conferred degree cannot be replaced by repeating the course after the degree has been conferred. Students who wish to raise their GPA are encouraged to take alternative courses.

Evaluation and Grading Scales

Each faculty member is responsible for setting the requirements for courses and for informing students of the grading scale that is used (usually on the course syllabus). The symbols defined below are used for all degree programs.

Seminary Grading Scales

The numerical guidelines are recommendations for graduate courses, affirmed by the Faculty, but they are not enforced as a policy. Variations in numerical grading are commonly based on variations in testing methods and class content, but the A grade would rarely be given for averages less than 90 even in the more difficult classes, and averages less than 60 should, as a rule, be considered failing.

College Grading Scales

The numerical guidelines are recommendations for college courses, affirmed by the Faculty, but they are not enforced as a policy. Variations in numerical grading are commonly based on variations in testing methods and class content, but the A grade would rarely be given for averages less than 90 even in the more difficult classes, and averages less than 60 should, as a rule, be considered failing.

Blank and Incomplete Grades

Blank grades will turn into Fs two weeks after graduation. After this, grades can only be changed at the request of the professor.

In special cases, an Incomplete (I) may be available for professors to give students who need a short extension for course deadlines. Incomplete grades will only be given in extenuating circumstances to allow specific students, with professor approval, to have a 30-day extension following the last day of class to complete a course following the end of the course. If the professor approves the Incomplete, the student has 30 days from the last day of class to complete all requirements. At the end of 30 days, unless the professor requests an additional extension for the student to complete the course, the student will receive an FI for the course.

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Graduation

Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) in order to graduate. It is the responsibility of the student to check his or her record in the Registrar’s office to determine if qualifications for graduation have been accomplished or can be scheduled. This graduation check and degree audit should be made no later than the preregistration period for the semester prior to the semester in which graduation is planned. This will allow the student two full semesters to complete courses required for graduation in a specific degree program.

Students who qualify to graduate should submit a graduation application to the Registrar’s office no later than the first official day of the semester in which they intend to graduate. Students who submit graduation applications after this date will be required to pay a late fee (see Tuition, Fees, & Financial Aid ). No graduation applications will be accepted after the final deadline posted in the Academic Calendar . Any transcript corrections (including grades, transfer credits, advanced standing credits, etc.) must have been made by this time in order to complete the graduation check. Students must have their accounts paid in full in order to graduate.

Academic regalia must be ordered online through Herff-Jones within the first three weeks of the semester in which the student wishes to graduate. The prescribed regalia list is available online on Herff-Jones’ website (Note: graduation cords for the College House System, Great Commission Student (short-term missions participant), etc., are available for purchase in the Ledford Center at the Locker). Additional details and links will be provided by the Registrar’s Office or in CampusNet under the Graduation Checklist.

Students are required to be present at graduation exercises in order to receive their diplomas. A student is excused from attendance only by written permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies (if a graduate student), the Dean of the College (if an undergraduate student), or the Registrar’s Office. Written requests specifying the unusual circumstances leading to such a request to graduate in absentia must be submitted by the student to the Registrar’s Office no later than three weeks prior to the date on which he or she is scheduled to graduate.

Undergraduate Honors

The College at Southeastern recognizes distinguished academic achievement by awarding degrees cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. All candidates for a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the ranges below will graduate with the corresponding honors:

• Summa Cum Laude - Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.9
• Magna Cum Laude - Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.7 but less than 3.9
• Cum Laude - Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.5 but less than 3.7

The grade point average for honors consideration for a baccalaureate is based on baccalaureate-level college work attempted through the final semester at The College at Southeastern. The grade point average through the penultimate semester will be used for notations in the commencement program, transcript, and diploma. Students who qualify for honors after grades have been submitted for their final semester (i.e., post-commencement) may request an updated diploma and transcript from the Registrar’s Office. 

To qualify for graduation honors, students must complete at least 48 credit hours from The College at Southeastern. Transfer students who do not complete 48 hours will not be eligible for this distinguished academic achievement.

NOTE: The College at Southeastern began recognizing graduation honors starting with the Spring 2018 commencement.

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Inclement Weather

As a general rule, classes will always meet. If extreme weather conditions affect campus operations, an announcement will be made on the website www.sebts.edu and on the following television stations: WRAL (5), WTVD (11), and WNCN (17). The switchboard will also be open during regular hours and will have the latest information at 919-761-2100. On days when Wake County Schools publicly announce that they are closed, delayed, or released early due to inclement weather or similar circumstances, students who live away from the main campus will not be penalized for failure to attend class during the time period specified. No one is expected to subject his or her life to any unusual danger in order to travel on days when severe weather is a problem, nor should preschool or school-age children be left unattended during such times. Nevertheless, classes, if at all possible, will meet at all scheduled times.

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Institutional Literary Styles

The standard style manual for all written work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern is Kate L. Turabian, et al., A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 8th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013). Turabian style is required in all undergraduate composition classes. For any style matters not covered by Turabian, students are to follow The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers, 16th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010).

Professors may require students in upper-level courses (college Junior classification and above) in English to submit written work in conformity to MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association, 2009). Professors may require students in upper-level courses (college Junior classification and above) in Education to submit written work in conformity to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2009).

The required style manual for the D.Min. and Th.M. is Kate L. Turabian, et al., A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 7th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007). The required style manual for all papers and dissertations in the Ed.D. program is the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2009).

The required style manual for all papers and dissertations in the Th.M. with Thesis and Ph.D. programs is The SBL Handbook of Style, ed. Patrick H. Alexander et al., 2nd ed. (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1914). Exceptions are noted in the Ph.D. Handbook. Participants who entered the program prior to Fall 2007 may continue to use Kate L. Turabian, et al., A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 7th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007), though they are strongly encouraged to use The SBL Handbook of Style. For any style matters not covered by the SBL Handbook, students are referred to The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers, 16th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010).

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Mission Trip Credit

Southeastern grants academic credit for mission trips under the following guidelines:

Official SEBTS-Affiliated Trips (3-hour credit)

• These trips are on the Southeastern schedule and accompanied by a faculty member.
• Scholarships will be granted for matriculation fees.
• Registration must be completed before the trip begins.

Mission Trips Sponsored by Other Organizations (Local Churches, NAMB, IMB, etc.)

• Minimum of 1 week but less than 2 weeks = 1-hour Master’s Workshop Credit
• 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks = 2-hour Master’s Workshop Credit
• 30-59 days = 3-hour Missions Practicum
• 60+ days = 6-hour Missions Practicum

Courses must have a supervisory professor, registration completed, and tuition/fees paid prior to the trip.

Courses are given as a Pass/Fail grade.

Requirements

1. 300 pages of reading per credit hour (1 hour credit-300 pages; 2 hour credit-600 pages; 3 hour credit-900 pages)
2. Two to three page book review for each book read (All books must be approved by the professor. At least one book should be related to the country/people group and at least one book should be related to missions.)
3. Daily log
4. Three to five page summary report of your experience

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Registration

After registration, any changes in a student’s class schedule must be arranged through the Registrar’s office. No changes are permitted in enrollment or academic status after stated deadlines except by permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies (if a graduate student) or the Dean of the College (if an undergraduate student).

Adding, Dropping, & Withdrawing from Courses (Spring and Fall)

Courses may be dropped and fees/tuition reversed before the Add/Drop deadline without transcript notation. A fee is charged for each course dropped or added. See Fees and Expenses  for fee amounts and the Academic Calendar  for Add/Drop deadlines for each main term.

After the drop deadline, withdrawals are allowed up to the end of the twelfth week of the semester. Withdrawals after that date are not allowed unless circumstances occur that were not present prior to the withdrawal deadline, and are beyond the control of the student, and prevent class attendance and/or completion of class assignments. Heavy workloads, church responsibilities, or other personal and/or family difficulties normally are not sufficient reasons for withdrawing from a class after the calendar deadline. If a student wants to withdraw from a class after the deadline, an appeal must be made to the Dean of Graduate Studies (if a graduate student) or the Dean of the College (if an undergraduate student) and will be approved only in rare circumstances. Fees and tuition will not be waived or refunded for withdrawals. The withdrawal may be noted on the student’s transcript as WP or WF but will not affect the student’s grade point average.

Summer Add/Drop Schedule

As Summer term classes vary in length, the following add-and-drop guidelines apply for all Summer courses:

• The last day to add a Summer course will be dependent on the total length of the course:
  • For courses that are four weeks or shorter in length, the last day to add will be the first day of the class.
  • For courses that are five weeks or longer in length, the last day to add will be the Friday of the first week of class.
  • Hybrid and Online courses operate as full Summer courses, so the add deadline will be the first Friday of the Summer term. 
• The last day to drop a Summer course will be based on the number of weeks the course is scheduled to meet. For every week the course is scheduled to meet, the drop deadline will be that many days from the start of the course. For example:
  • For a two-week course, the drop deadline is the second day of class.
  • For a four-week course, the drop deadline is the fourth day of class.
  • For a full Summer term course (10 weeks), the drop deadline is the tenth day of class.
  • Hybrid and Online courses operate as full Summer courses, so the drop deadline will be the tenth day of class.
• The last day to withdraw from a Summer course is the last day of that particular course. Fees will not be reversed for withdrawals. The withdrawal may be noted on the student’s transcript as WP or WF but will not affect the student’s grade point average.

Winter Add/Drop Schedule

As Winter term classes vary in length, the following add-and-drop guidelines apply for all Winter courses:

• The last day to add a Winter course will be the first day of class.
• The last day to drop a Winter course will be the second day of class.
• The last day to withdraw from a Winter course will be the last day of class. 

Online 8-Week Courses

For 8-week online courses, the following add-and-drop guidelines apply:

Courses Occurring During the First Half of the Term:

• Add Deadline - 10th class day
• Drop Deadline - Friday of the second week of class
• Withdraw Deadline - Wednesday of the fifth week of class

Courses Occurring During the Second Half of the Term:

• Add Deadline - 10th class day
• Drop Deadline - Friday of the second week of class
• Withdraw Deadline - Wednesday of the fifth week of class

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Standards and Doctrinal Guidelines

Academic Regulations

The Provost/Dean of the Faculty administers the academic policies and procedures of Southeastern. These academic regulations are established by the Faculty under the authority of the Board of Trustees. Southeastern reserves the right to change academic policies and requirements as needed. Questions concerning the current status of all academic matters should be addressed to the Registrar.

The information in this catalog applies to this respective academic year only. Southeastern reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to review, modify, amend, alter, rescind, abolish, or delete any provision of this catalog or of any other catalogs, policies, publications, or statements of the seminary. This right includes, without limitation, admission or graduation standards, degree requirements, and accreditation of academic programs. The most current version online is always operative.

Students may take advantage of any improvements that appear in later catalogs while they are enrolled. A student who withdraws from enrollment for more than one academic year will be required to re-enter under the catalog current at the time of readmission.

Doctrinal Guidelines

Since Southeastern’s founding in 1950, each elected member of the faculty has publicly signed the Abstract of Principles  at the beginning of his or her teaching career at the Seminary. Southeastern’s faculty members also publicly sign and affirm The Baptist Faith and Message  statement as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000. Trustees have also approved the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and Hermeneutics  and the Danvers Statement  as doctrinal guidelines for the school.

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Student Classification and Load

Student Classifications

Academic Load

Full-time undergraduate academic course load is 12-16 hours per semester (i.e., Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter). An undergraduate student must receive prior approval from his/her academic adviser, the Registrar, and the Dean of the College in order to take more than 18 hours per semester, including hours taken concurrently at another institution. (Additional information may be found in the Concurrent Enrollment section below.) An undergraduate student may not take more than 21 hours per semester.

Full-time graduate academic course load is 9-16 hours per semester (i.e., Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter). The maximum academic load for graduate programs is 18 credit hours per semester. An average academic load of 15 hours per semester enables the MDiv with Christian Ministry degree to be earned in six semesters-an intensive three-year program of study.

Students are expected to give priority to the program of study in which they have enrolled. In regard to individual course expectations, normally each course, whether graduate or undergraduate, is designed for two hours of work outside of the classroom for every hour in the classroom. For example, for a three-credit-hour course, six hours of work outside the classroom are required. When a student assumes responsibilities in addition to academic work, there is an ethical obligation to fulfill all these tasks in a satisfactory manner. Extracurricular responsibilities require a corresponding reduction in the student’s academic load. Students should consult with their faculty advisor each semester to discuss an appropriate course load in light of non-academic responsibilities.

Campus housing is available to students who are enrolled in a minimum of six hours of classes in the college or the seminary, but priority will be given to full-time, degree-seeking students. Enrollment is encouraged but not required in the summer terms. Students actively engaged in course work for advanced degree programs are considered to be full-time students regardless of course load and thus are eligible for student housing. The Housing Office can provide details and priority guidelines.

Undergraduate coursework for credit taken at other schools concurrently while enrolled at Southeastern is not permitted. Any exception to this must include prior approval by the Registrar and Dean of the College.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Records of academic progress toward the completion of a degree are maintained on all students. Semester grades, Academic Plans, and unofficial transcripts can be obtained online through Self Service, which allows secure access through Southeastern’s CampusNet portal.

ACTIVE STUDENT STATUS

Students are encouraged to register for courses every semester. In order to maintain active student status, students must register for at least one main term course* (i.e., Winter/Spring, Summer, or Fall) per year. This means that students can sit out two terms without penalty and remain active as long as they register for a course before the add deadline of the subsequent main term. If a student fails to register for three consecutive terms (i.e., Winter/Spring, Summer, and Fall), they become inactive and must reapply to Southeastern. Students who reapply are required to re-enter under the current catalog at the time of re-admission.

*Advanced Degree students (PhD, EdD, DMin, and ThM) must remain continuously enrolled based upon their respective program’s guidelines.

Note for Research Master of Arts Students: In order for research MA students who did not complete their thesis or capstone course(s) in one semester to remain active in their program, they will be required to enroll in the appropriate Continuous Enrollment course in each successive semester until the requirements for the course(s) are completed.

Undergraduate Students in Graduate Programs

College students who have completed 114 hours or more toward the B.A. graduation requirements can be considered for conditional admission into the Seminary (Graduate Credit-Only status). This allows students to begin some Seminary work (up to 30 credit hours) as they concurrently complete their remaining B.A. requirements. Upon completion of their B.A., students must reapply through the Admissions Office in order to be fully admitted into a master’s degree. Master’s courses generally are not transferable into the degree requirements of the College programs.

Information on the Southeastern Collegiate Partnership is included below.

International Graduate Students

International students who are in “F-status” must take the minimum load that their status requires. For Seminary students, this is nine credit hours. International students should consult with the Director of Financial Aid and International Students before making any changes to their class schedules that might affect their status.

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Student Conduct and Integrity

Academic Integrity

Students in attendance at SEBTS are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity appropriate to a Christian lifestyle. Plagiarism (this includes the unapproved use of Artificial Intelligence) and cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Integrity requires that the Christian student conduct him or herself according to the highest academic standards. 

Cheating & Plagiarism Policy

WHAT IS CHEATING?

Cheating involves either the dishonest act of gaining an academic edge on other students or providing such an edge to others. As such, cheating breaks several of God’s commandments. It is most clearly a form of stealing (8th commandment), but also involves dishonoring the name of God (3rd), disrespecting authority (5th), bearing false witness (9th), coveting (10th), and most likely is a fruit of making an idol of grades (2nd). For this reason, any and all acts of academic dishonesty are considered to be of the utmost seriousness and will be dealt with accordingly. The following are examples of dishonesty related to academic integrity. 

1. Unauthorized possession of or distributing of academic materials, which encompasses the unauthorized possession of or provision of papers, quizzes, examinations, and/or any other academic work. This includes providing or accepting any information from completed assignments, papers, quizzes, and/or exams that a faculty member did not authorize for the student to release. 
2. Dishonesty includes lying, whether by omission or commission, in written or verbal interactions and assignments, in dealings with SEBTS staff, and in a student’s academic work.  
   • Faking illness to avoid an exam
   • Any use of notes or book during a closed-note/book quiz/exam. 

   • Providing another student answers during an exam or providing information and/or materials to another student prior to his make-up quiz or exam. 

   • Copying from another student’s exam. 

   • Providing or accepting information on assignments, quizzes, or exam to or from another student when not authorized by SEBTS. 

   • Illicit collaboration on homework, assignments, quizzes and/or take-home exams. 

   • Submission of the same paper to another class without permission. 

   • Writing papers or completing assignments in any form for other students. 

   • Submitting a tutor’s or other resource’s work as one’s own. 

   • Any other behavior that would generally be considered dishonest by reasonable individuals.

3. Failure to report others for cheating, plagiarizing, or any other form of academic dishonesty. 

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

Plagiarism is a failure to distinguish between the work of the student and the work of others, either intentionally or unintentionally. Plagiarism is stealing from the author and usually some form of defrauding a neighbor. Professors assign specific writing assignments, so students can grow in their ability to evaluate, synthesize, and create content. Students who plagiarize someone else’s content willfully dismiss the intended learning outcome. Unintentional forms of plagiarism are subject to the same standards of intentional plagiarism.  The responsibility is on the student to learn and carefully avoid any form of plagiarism. Plagiarism can be committed in a number of ways, five of which are highlighted here: 

1. Quoting one or more sentences verbatim without proper citation. This is the most obvious form of plagiarism. In addition, using unattributed direct quotations is a violation of US copyright law. Electronically cutting and pasting is easy to do, so it presents a definite temptation-especially if a deadline for an assignment is looming. Copying and pasting from electronic sources is acceptable, however, ONLY if the source’s work is clearly cited and the entire section copied is identified. 
2. Presenting the thoughts or ideas of another (including content generated by Artificial Intelligence) without proper attribution. Many students fail to realize that this practice is also plagiarism even if a student writes the summary himself. If one paraphrases the work of another, then he must give a proper citation. 
3. Borrowing without proper citation such things as an outline, an idea, or an approach to dealing with a problem that is unique to an author. This type of plagiarism often results from poor note- taking on the part of the student. 
4. Using improper methods of citation. The student is responsible for learning the appropriate rules for citing sources and for following those rules throughout the paper. Ignorance of the rules of citation is not an excuse.
5. Self-plagiarism: In no case may a student merely copy and paste any material from one paper to another [including his or her own previously submitted work] without the prior written permission of the instructor. [This means that a student may not “recycle” a previously submitted paper or any portions thereof.] In the rare case when a student is given permission to use his or her own scholarly work in subsequent research, the student must still cite his or her previous coursework as an unpublished paper. Failure to follow these guidelines constitutes plagiarism, and all appropriate consequences apply.  

For other definitions of plagiarism and ways to avoid it, see Robert A. Harris, The Plagiarism Handbook: Strategies for Preventing, Detecting, and Dealing with Plagiarism (Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2001). Finally, when in doubt, cite your work!

DISCIPLINE FOR CHEATING AND PLAGARISM

The professor has complete discretion to fail the student for the assignment or the entire class, and will then notify the student, the Academic Dean, and the Dean of Students of the decision, along with submitting copies of the documents in question. If plagiarism or any other form of cheating is the infraction, the student will be notified by letter that he or she is required to filter all subsequent writing assignments (the entire assignment) that require research and citations through the SEBTS Writing Center before turning them in for a grade. This policy remains effective for as long as the student remains on probation.

Visitation to the Writing Center is confirmed by an official “stamp” on the student’s paper before turning it in to the professor. Instead of a stamp, Distance Learning students may forward their email correspondence and paper comments from the Writing Center to the professor to confirm proper procedure. Students that incur the Writing Center requirement should be certain to give themselves and the Writing Center appropriate time to review the paper (usually one to two weeks or more before the paper is due). Should another form of plagiarism or cheating occur, the student in question will immediately fail the class and face a minimum six-month suspension, with a strong possibility of expulsion.

All the material included in the student’s M.A. or Th.M. research project, thesis, or summative evaluation must be original with the student (unless properly footnoted), previously unpublished, and may not have been used in previously taken classes (unless permission is given by the student’s Major Professor). Plagiarism (i.e. failing to give proper credit for material not the student’s own) or cheating will result in immediate expulsion from the program (if detected prior to graduation) or in withdrawal of the M.A. or Th.M. degree (if detected subsequent to graduation) with no opportunity given for re-application or re-entry into the program. 

In cases where a student has been charged by a professor with cheating or plagiarism, the student has seven (7) business days (from the date of charge) to appeal the charge to the professor. Once the professor has made and informed the student of a final decision, the student may appeal to the appropriate Associate Academic Dean (College or Graduate) or Program Director (Th.M. and doctoral). The appropriate Dean or Director then notifies the Dean of Students once a decision of both the charge and subsequent grade or class status is made. The Dean of Students Office then will make a subsequent ruling regarding the student’s institutional status, which will be regarding institutional status only and will not be in review of any previous decision made by the relevant professor(s) or academic dean(s). 

Revocation of Degrees

Southeastern, by conferring a degree, does not provide a lifetime certification of the good character of the graduate, nor does it guarantee the orthodoxy or spiritual commitments of the graduate. Those who employ any graduate of the institution should conduct interviews and determine whether or not the graduate fits the expectations of the employer.

If it should be discovered after graduation that the student misrepresented personal data on application forms on which admission was improperly based, or if it is found that the student cheated on exams, received transcript credit for courses not actually taken or completed, committed plagiarism in academic papers, or otherwise engaged in academic fraud or other behavior that would have led to expulsion if known at the time, the student may have his or her degree revoked. The academic transcript will note any such revocation from the date of official action. A degree may also be revoked if it is discovered that a diploma was issued in error.

If the student believes the revocation is based on erroneous information or is unjust and appeals the ruling to the Registrar, the case will be reviewed by the Dean of Students, the Dean of the College, and the Provost/Dean of the Faculty. The student would have the right to a hearing and may provide further information to resolve the issue. The decision of the Dean of the Faculty, if it is further disputed by the student, may be reviewed by the President using a procedure appropriate to the case. Unless overturned by the President, the Deans’ decision is final.

Email and Computer Use

Electronic mail (email) is a vital communication tool for faculty, staff, and students at Southeastern. Every student is provided an email account by Southeastern. Accounts use the student ID number with @sebts.edu. Students receive this account and instructions for accessing it following the admissions process.

Students will be provided a Southeastern User ID for logging into Southeastern internet services (including CampusNet, Self-Service, online course content, and online classes).

All students have access to the campus computer labs when classes are not being conducted in the labs. Nevertheless, students are strongly encouraged to purchase and learn to use computers with word processing and Internet capabilities.

Each professor may allow or disallow the use of portable computers in his/her classroom. Students should check with each professor about the rules for computer usage for that class. If portable computers are permitted, students should arrive early so that all set-up procedures are complete prior to the beginning of class, turning off all computer sounds, and sitting so that other students will not be distracted by computer images. Computers are to be used for class-related purposes only. If a professor thinks a student is being distracted from lectures or is using a computer for non-class purposes, the professor may revoke a student’s privilege as he/she deems appropriate.

The Student Handbook contains information regarding student privacy concerns and the Southeastern Acceptable Use Policy. It is available on the institution’s website.

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Student Records

A student’s permanent academic record consists of the following:

• Completed application for admission
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Final Southeastern transcript (showing degree received and the date awarded)
• Graduation application with the final degree check
• Original church recommendation for admission
• Annual Church Membership verification forms
• Copies of any correspondence regarding disciplinary issues and the student’s written response(s), if any. U.S. Courts have ruled that disciplinary files qualify as “educational records” under FERPA.
• Any other information deemed pertinent to a student’s academic history

A student has the right, with the Registrar present, to view his or her permanent file but is not allowed to alter the content in any way except by the addition of written and signed correctives. Failure to provide truthful and/or accurate information on applications, church certifications, or other permanent records provided by the student may be grounds for dismissal.

FERPA

Southeastern has established and is committed to certain guidelines for maintaining the confidentiality of student educational records in keeping with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA generally bars colleges from releasing any educational records that include “personally identifiable information” without the student’s consent). Current personal educational records, including transcripts, enrollment records, and academic plans, are not released or shown to anyone other than Southeastern personnel except in accordance with the written consent of the student.

Access to these files by Southeastern personnel is allowed under the authority of the Provost/Dean of the Faculty on a need-to-know basis for honors evaluation, routine processing, academic concerns, and to fulfill necessary administrative tasks. Student records are otherwise held in confidence.

Directory Information

Directory information published by the Seminary is in the public domain. Students may request that the school not disclose directory information about them. This may be done by completing a Directory Information Opt-Out Request. Questions regarding directory information and/or permanent student records should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

The institution considers the following information as Directory Information:

• Student Name
• Dates of Attendance
• Participation in Campus Organizations and Intramurals
• Date of Birth

It is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s practice not to provide student education record information to any party outside the institution with the exception of vendors that are contracted to provide a service to the institution and a few entities that provide support to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the College at Southeastern.

Retention and Destruction Policy for Student Files

The Retention and Destruction Policy for Student Files identifies the record retention responsibilities of the Registrar’s Office for maintaining and documenting the storage and destruction of student documents and records after a student has graduated or become inactive. Any student who takes three consecutive terms (winter/spring, summer, fall) off from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary or the College at Southeastern will become inactive and will be subject to this policy.

1. Students who are actively enrolled at Southeastern will have their student file stored in the Registrar’s Office. This file will remain in the office until the student becomes inactive or graduates.
2. When a student graduates, his or her file will be removed from the Registrar’s Office and be stored in the archives, digitized, or both. All of the documents in the file will be retained and the file will be stored indefinitely. Upon digitization of the student file, all hard copies will be destroyed.
3. Students who have become inactive will have their files removed from the Registrar’s Office and stored in the archives, digitized, or both. All of the documents in the file will be retained and the file will be stored indefinitely. Upon digitization of the student file, all hard copies will be destroyed.
4. Digital files will be kept and maintained indefinitely by the Registrar’s Office.

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Transcripts

Requesting Transcripts from Southeastern

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has retained Credentials Solutions to accept transcript orders over the internet. Transcripts can be sent electronically as a PDF (recommended), as a hard copy via mail, or picked up at the Registrar’s Office.

The cost for an official transcript is $10 plus a handling fee. For unofficial transcripts, former students without CampusNet access can email our office at registrar@sebts.edu; current students can access their unofficial transcript in Self-Service.

Transcript Evaluations to Transfer Credit to Southeastern

Students can request transcript evaluations to determine if credit from other institutions can be brought into Southeastern for credit toward their degree. Note the following policies regarding transcript evaluations:

• Course work completed at other institutions and applied toward any program at Southeastern is subject to certain conditions. The Registrar can provide additional information about other institutions and the seminary’s interaction with these institutions.
• Course work must be complementary to the course requirements and overall purposes of Southeastern’s degree program as determined by the Registrar. In general, course descriptions, material covered, and assignments given must reasonably correspond to the complementary course at Southeastern for credit to be transferred.
• Course work must be from a school whose accreditation is commonly recognized by similar institutions in this region. Southeastern is accredited by ATS and SACS. Other accrediting agencies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. To verify the accreditation of an institution, contact its Registrar. The student may be asked to provide a copy of the transfer institution’s academic catalog.
• Only comparable-level courses that appear on a student’s official transcript with a grade of C- or better will be transferred.
• Course work taken at non-accredited institutions cannot be transferred to the seminary.
• An official transcript evaluation incurs a charge of $20 per official transcript evaluated. This fee is not refundable.

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Transfer Policies

Undergraduate Transfer Policies

Course work completed at other institutions and applied toward any program at Southeastern is subject to certain conditions. The Registrar can provide additional information about other institutions and the college’s interaction with these institutions.

Course work must be complementary to the course requirements and overall purposes of Southeastern’s degree program as determined by the Registrar. In general, course descriptions, material covered, and assignments given must reasonably correspond to the complementary course at Southeastern for credit to be transferred.

Course work must be from a school whose accreditation is commonly recognized by similar institutions in this region. The College at Southeastern is accredited by SACS. Other accrediting agencies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. To verify the accreditation of an institution, contact its Registrar. The student may be asked to provide a copy of the transfer institution’s academic catalog.

Only college-level courses that appear on a student’s official transcript with a grade of C or better will be transferred.

Course work taken at non-accredited institutions cannot be transferred to the college.

Official transcripts showing completed coursework from the other institution(s) must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before a student’s final semester in order for those credits to be transferred into SEBTS. Students cannot transfer in credits from other institutions during the final semester at Southeastern.

Concurrent Enrollment
Once a student has enrolled as a student at Southeastern, the student should not enroll at another academic institution without permission from the college. A student who desires to take classes from another regionally accredited institution for the purpose of transferring credit to Southeastern while concurrently enrolled at Southeastern must have prior approval of the student’s faculty adviser, the Dean of the College, and the Registrar. To initiate the approval process, the student should complete a Transfer Request Form available from the Registrar. The student should be prepared to provide all pertinent information regarding the transfer course in question. Except in rare circumstances, students will not be permitted to enroll in transfer courses if the course in question is offered in the same term by The College at Southeastern. Consult the Academic section for additional information.

A.Div. Program Transfer Policies
Up to 15 hours of General Studies courses may be taken at other accredited colleges and applied to the A.Div. program. Since the A.Div. is a specialized professional degree, a maximum of 6 hours of foundational or vocational electives may be transferred from comparable work at another accredited institution. Credit hours completed at a non-accredited institution will not be applied to the A.Div.

B.A./B.S. Program Transfer Policies
Transfer students in the B.A. or B.S. programs must take a minimum of 32 hours at Southeastern in order to graduate from the college. Not more than 12 may be taken in practica, individualized studies, and similar special courses.

Correspondence and External Degree Programs
A maximum of 12 hours of regionally accredited correspondence and external degree program coursework may be credited toward graduation requirements. Before registering at another accredited institution for correspondence or online course work to be transferred to the college, current students must have written permission from the Dean of the College. Transfer Request Forms are available from the Registrar.

Military Course Credit
Military credit is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may apply only as electives. Applicants must provide all necessary military transcripts.

Graduate Transfer Policies

Credits earned at other schools may be applied toward degree programs at Southeastern, subject to certain conditions: the credits must be of a comparable graduate level, in a subject appropriate to the student’s degree program at Southeastern, and awarded by a recognized accredited school. Other guidelines may also apply (Note: this policy does NOT apply to the ThM degree).

Persons seeking to transfer to Southeastern must make an application through the normal admission process. Upon the student’s request, Southeastern’s Registrar will evaluate the official transcript and inform the student of the credit that may be transferred. Students transferring credits to Southeastern must maintain a C average on courses taken at Southeastern in order to graduate (students enrolled in advanced degrees must maintain a B average).

All eligible graduate transfer credit must come from course work completed at an accredited institution. The most common accreditations that are accepted by SEBTS for transfer credit include the following: ATS, ABHE, TRACS, and SACS.

All eligible graduate transfer credit must also come from completed graduate courses with a final grade of C- or better, or reflect a “Pass” for a pass/fail grade. Students can only have a maximum of 15% of their degree be comprised of pass/fail courses. Students must also have their previous school submit an official transcript with all their final grades to the Registrar’s Office before their transfer evaluation can be completed and credits transferred to their new program.

If students use previous course work from other schools to fulfill a prerequisite for getting into a specialized program at SEBTS (e.g., MA Old Testament, MA Biblical Languages, MA Philosophy of Religion, Advanced MDIV) those courses that were used as prerequisites cannot also be used as transferable credit hours towards the program.

Students can transfer in a maximum of 2/3 of the credits needed to complete a graduate degree program at SEBTS.

Seminary masters-level courses that are counted toward an undergraduate degree cannot be transferred back into any Seminary master’s degree program.

Official transcripts showing completed coursework from the other institution(s) must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before a student’s final semester in order for those credits to be transferred into SEBTS. Students cannot transfer in credits from other institutions during the final semester at Southeastern.

Non-Credit to Credit

Some churches and organizations have formed Schools of Ministry (SOM)/Bible Institutes where students gain practical ministry experience and receive some formal theological education while being taught at the highest standards by academically qualified instructors. When the educational quality and learning objectives are commensurate with what is offered through SEBTS degree programs, SEBTS may partner with such organizations by recognizing them as an unaccredited institution from which we allow new students to transfer up to 30 hours of credit to SEBTS at the graduate and undergraduate levels, unless otherwise stipulated. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis after evaluation of syllabi and corresponding documentation of academic and ministry experience. These partnerships are managed through the SEBTS EQUIP office. SEBTS charges a non-refundable transcript evaluation fee for all official evaluations.

Southeastern Collegiate Partnership (SCP)

The Southeastern Collegiate Partnership (SCP) allows students who made an A or B in an equivalent undergraduate course to receive credit through either examination or course replacement with an upper-level course of the same prefix. All graduate students who have completed undergraduate courses in the area of biblical studies/Christian studies at an accredited institution may request to have their transcripts evaluated by the Registrar’s Office for eligibility. Students must be pursuing a graduate degree to participate in the SCP.

SCP eligibility is determined by the Registrar’s Office. Students are encouraged to contact the Registrar’s Office for further information at 919-761-2215 or registrar@sebts.edu.

SCP Exams

• Students are only eligible to attempt SCP Exams one time. If a student fails an SCP Exam they must complete the required course. However, students who fail an SCP Exam are still eligible for SCP Course Replacement.
• Students can only be registered for 2 SCP Exams at a time. Students will have two months to complete the SCP exam upon registration.
• Students are eligible to test out of up to 1/3 (33%) of their degree through the SCP Exams.
• Students who take SCP exams during their final semester must pass their exams before the final graduation application deadline in order to graduate.

SCP Course Replacement

• Advanced MDiv students are ineligible for SCP Exams but are eligible for SCP Course Replacement

SCP Language Course Replacement

• Students who received an A or B in 6 hours of either Greek or Hebrew are eligible to enroll in either Greek or Hebrew 3.
• If the student receives an A or B in Greek or Hebrew 3, they will receive Advanced Standing for Greek or Hebrew 1 and 2.
• Failure to receive an A or B in Greek or Hebrew 3 will result in the student being required to take Greek or Hebrew 1 and 2.

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Undeclared Students

Many students are undecided about their major when they enter the College at Southeastern. Students who do not have a clear idea of which major to pursue are designated as Undeclared students. 

Undeclared students must be admitted into either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree even though they have not yet declared a major of study. Undeclared students follow a track of courses that will allow them to progress toward graduation by completing general education courses before declaring a major. 

While it is proper to explore choices, students should also pursue a course of study that culminates in graduation. For this reason, there is a limit to the length of time students may remain Undeclared students. Before completing 63 hours, students who have entered the College at Southeastern must officially declare a major before the next term of enrollment.

Students can formally declare a major at any time during the first two years of their degree. Once a student declares and is admitted into a major of study, they will be under the degree requirements of the academic catalog current at the time they are admitted into the major.

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Withdrawing from Southeastern

In order to withdraw from enrollment, a student must consult the Registrar, obtain certain required approvals, return all materials on loan to the Library, and clear their accounts with the Accounting Services office. A Withdrawal Form is available online via CampusNet. Students whose withdrawals are completed before the final drop date will receive a reversal of fees. Students who have not completed requirements for a degree and who do not plan to enroll for the following term are required to withdraw from enrollment through the withdrawal procedure.

Additionally, a student may initiate the withdrawal process by contacting the Coordinator of Student Success, the Assistant Registrar for the College at Southeastern, or the Director or Assistant Director of Student Resources & Financial Aid. This contact can be in written form or by way of conversation while they are acting in their official capacity as employees of the institution. An official withdrawal is finalized by completing the process outlined in the previous paragraph.

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