M.DIV.
AND M.A.T.S. DEGREES
Additional regulations governing life at the Seminary are contained
in the Student Handbook. This publication, issued each year at the
beginning of the fall semester, is part of the educational contract
between the student and the Seminary. Students are responsible for
familiarizing themselves with the information contained in the Student
Handbook.
Academic Year
The academic year consists of two semesters, each of 15 weeks duration:
The Fall Semester, from the beginning of September through December,
and the Spring Semester, from the beginning of February through
Mid-May. There are two periods of Intensives: Winter, during the
month of January and Summer, during the months of June and July.
English Proficiency Requirement
Graduate theological study presupposes proficiency in the use of
English. Therefore, all students for whom English is their first
language are required to take an examination assessing proficiency
in written English. When indicated by test scores, a student will
be required to enroll in the Theological Writing course.
English as a Second Language
Students for whom English is a second language are required to have
their English skills evaluated through the ESL programs at Rutgers
University or St. John's University. Enrollment status will depend
on the results of the evaluation. Students may be required to do
additional ESL work before beginning their theological studies.
Students applying from outside the New Jersey-New York area must
submit their TOEFL scores with their application for admission.
Once these students arrive on campus, they must also have their
English skills evaluated at Rutgers University or St. John's University
by application through the Seminary.
Students for whom English is a second language (ESL) are required
to complete two semesters of the three hour course (2 cr.), Theological
Writing for ESL Students, in addition to whatever ESL study is prescribed
on the basis of the evaluation described above. Those who have studied
five years or more in the degree programs in English speaking schools
may be exempted from taking this course.
Full-Time/Part-Time Status
The minimum credit load necessary to maintain full-time status is
twelve (12) credits per semester. The minimum credit load necessary
to maintain half-time status (part-time status for financial aid
purposes) is six (6) credits per semester.
Grades
Academic grades are a permanent part of the student's seminary record
and are issued to students shortly after the close of each semester.
Work is evaluated on the following grade and point scale:
| Grade |
Description |
Points |
| A |
Excellent |
4 grade points per credit hour |
| B |
Good |
3 grade points per credit hour |
| C |
Average |
2 grade points per credit hour |
| D |
Poor |
1 grade point per credit hour |
| F |
Failure |
|
| I |
Incomplete |
|
| W |
Withdraw |
|
| TF |
Technical Failure |
|
| IP |
In Progress |
|
At the option of the professor, plus and minus grades may be issued,
up to A.
Students may request to receive a grade of pass-fail in an elective
course by consulting with the professor of the course before the
end of the first two weeks of the term within which the course is
taken.
Students may retake courses. When a course is retaken, the grades
awarded will be averaged to determine the grade which will be recorded
on the Student’s transcript.
Inclusive Language
New Brunswick Seminary is a Christian community of women and men
marked by racial, ethnic, and ecumenical diversity. The way we communicate
in written and spoken language expresses our conviction that in
Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek . . . slave nor free
. . . male nor female” (Gal. 3:28). It is, therefore, the
policy of the faculty of New Brunswick Seminary that in our written
and spoken language—in course work, worship leadership, and
public and internal communication—the full diversity of the
people of God be reflected. When speaking or writing about human
beings, we do not use gender-specific, racist, or culturally exclusive
language; when speaking about God, we employ the full spectrum of
biblical and theological imagery for God that includes and goes
beyond gender-specific anthropomorphism.
Limited Enrollment Students
Persons who wish to enroll for a limited number of courses may do
so by completing the application form for Limited Enrollment Students.
Only students who hold a college degree (e.g. B.A., B.S.) may enroll
on a limited enrollment basis. An official copy of the student's
college transcript may be requested by the Admissions Committee
to determine the student's ability to benefit from graduate-level
course work. Permission to enroll in a course must be given by the
instructor. Course registration priority is given to students in
degree programs.
Limited Enrollment Students may enroll for no more than two courses
in a given semester (8 credits maximum) and no more than an additional
8 credits in any subsequent semester. The maximum number of credits
a person may earn as a Limited Enrollment Student is 16. Persons
who wish to enroll for additional courses must complete the application
for a degree program.
Student Conduct
Concerns about student conduct and apparent inappropriate behavior
may be raised by any member of the Seminary community to the President
of either the Seminary or the Student Society. A meeting of a Disciplinary
Board, composed of the officers of the Student Society, the President
and Dean of the Seminary and two members of the faculty, may be
called by the President of the Seminary. Where indicated, the President
of the Seminary may consult with the President of the Student Society.
The decision for dismissal or other penalty may be made by the Disciplinary
Board. The decision of the Disciplinary Board may be appealed to
the Board of Trustees.
Student Records
Policies and procedures regarding student records are governed by
and in accordance with provisions of the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credits from M.Div. or M.A. programs at ATS accredited
theological institutions may be accepted towards degrees at New
Brunswick Seminary. Only courses graded B (3.0) or higher may be
accepted for transfer credit. In the M.Div. program, the final 32
credits must be taken at New Brunswick Seminary. In the M.A.T.S.
program, the final 24 credits must be taken at New Brunswick Seminary.
The actual granting of transfer credit is decided on a case-by-case
basis by the Assistant Dean of the Seminary. Any transcript recording
work that is older than 15 years will not be considered. The Academic
Affairs Committee will consider an exception to this limitation
only when the student has continued to work or to study in the given
field.
ACADEMIC POLICIES for THE M. DIV.
DEGREE ONLY
Advanced Standing
Students in the M.Div. program may receive up to 12 credits of advanced
standing toward their degree. Advanced standing credits may be awarded
for previous graduate work, and/or on the basis of examination,
and/or for successful completion of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Except in the case of advanced standing by examination, advanced
standing credits may not be used to exempt a student from required
courses, including requirements for specific electives. For further
details about advanced standing, please consult the Student Handbook.
Class Standing in the M.Div. Program
A student’s class standing in the M.Div. Program is determined
on the basis of the number of academic credits earned. A student
having earned 32 or fewer credits has junior standing. A student
having earned more than 32 credits, but fewer than 66 credits has
middler standing. A student having earned 66 credits or more has
senior standing.
ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR THE M.A.T.S.
DEGREE ONLY
Advanced Standing
Students in the M.A.T.S. program may receive up to, but not more
than, 28 credits of advanced standing toward their degree. Advanced
standing credits may be awarded for previous academic work and,
in some M.A.T.S. concentrations, for the successful completion of
Clinical Pastoral Education. Advanced standing credits may not be
used to exempt a student from required courses, including requirements
for specific electives. For details about advanced standing, please
consult the Student Handbook.
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