Academic Catalog
Academic policies and requirements
Graduation requirements
1. Total credit hours
Minimum total credit hours for each bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree is 120 credit hours.
2. General education
All general education requirements must be completed as listed in the catalog that is current at the date of matriculation.
Courses that meet multiple requirements:
Most general education courses may also count toward a student's major or
minor. Exceptions are SST alternate courses, Engl 105/110 (for English majors),
and Bibl 100/200 (for Bible and religion majors).
3. Major
A defined major or interdisciplinary major must be completed. At least 12 upper-level credit hours (300-499) are required, with at least six upper-level credit hours in the major completed at Goshen College.
Internship credit expectations:
From 40 to 60 clock hours of experience will be expected for one hour of credit
earned in departmental internships completed during the academic year. See
credit by experience information for policies governing credit earned outside
the semester calendar.
Double major policies:
Students with a double major are required to complete only one senior seminar
and one internship. However, since seminar and internship credit counts toward
the total number of credit hours required for a major, other departmental courses
must be substituted in order to reach the total required number of credit hours
for the second major. Duplicaton of courses for two (or more) majors may occur
only for courses specifically required in both of the majors.
4. Minor (optional)
A minor supplements the major, often emphasizing a special interest, an interdisciplinary approach or vocational skill. Minors consist of 18-20 credit hours, with at least eight credit hours of upper-level study (300 and above). At least three credits in the minor must be completed at Goshen College.
Course overlap between majors and minors:
Duplication of courses for two (or more) minors may occur only for courses
specifically required in both of the minors. However, courses in a minor may
duplicate related courses in a major, at the discretion of the relevant departments.
5. Grade point average
A minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA) for all work at Goshen College is required for graduation. Some specific majors require a GPA of 2.50.
6. Minimum credits of coursework at Goshen College
At least 30 credit hours of course work must be completed at Goshen College.
7. Senior credit requirement
Of the minimum 30 credit hours taken at Goshen College, at least 24 must be completed in the senior year (after achieving 90 credit hours). Exceptions are made for certain professional curricula where the fourth year is spent at another institution and for students in the Division of Adult and External Studies.
8. Limit of credit hours in one department
No more than 45 credit hours in one department can count toward the minimum hours required for the degree. In other words, at least 75 credit hours must be completed outside the department of the major. All interpretations of requirements should be checked with the registrar.
9. Convocation/chapel attendance
Posted attendance requirements must be met. Current attendance policies are distributed to students annually and available at the chapel and convocation Web site.
10. Full financial settlement
Diplomas and transcripts are released only after the student's financial obligations to Goshen College have been met.
Special degree conditions
Credit limitations
- Technical education - A maximum of 12 credit hours may be transferred from terminal (non-liberal arts) programs at other colleges, such as community colleges, technical or Bible institutes.
- English as a second language - A maximum of 10 credit hours may be counted toward the bachelor's degree.
- Online/Correspondence credit - Goshen offers no online or correspondence courses, but up to 12 credit hours may be accepted in transfer.
- Credit for learning based on work and/or experience - A maximum of 12 credit hours of experience-based credit can be counted for the bachelor's degree.
Changes in graduation requirements
A student will normally be expected to meet the graduation requirements outlined in the catalog for the year of matriculation at Goshen College (or Hesston College) unless those requirements have been changed later by faculty actions that are to be applied retroactively. A student whose graduation is delayed because of absences of more than two semesters will be subject to the graduation requirements in force at the date of readmission. However, a student who, in spite of a period of absence, can graduate not more than seven years after first matriculation (or an appropriate share of this time, in the case of a student admitted with advanced standing), may elect the requirements in force on the date either of the first matriculation or of readmission.
Candidacy for degree
Candidates for degrees must file applications not later than the beginning of the semester in which the degree is to be awarded. Application forms are available online.
Advising and registration
Following admission for study in a particular semester, all new students participate in course registration as described below.Registration procedures
Registration for each semester normally proceeds in two distinct stages – course selection and final check in. Course selection includes consultation with a faculty adviser and online course-selection. This registration must be confirmed at the final check in just before classes begin. Final check in includes housing confirmation, financial aid processing, proof of insurance, ID cards, auto registration and other items. Fees must be paid prior to check in by the accounting department's due date. Part-time students and late applicants complete both course selection and check in on the first day of the semester.Fall semester
Continuing students select courses in April. New students participate in special orientation/registration days scheduled from May to August. Final course selection and registration for all students is held the first days of the semester, as is course selection for late students. Classes begin on the evening of the first day of the semester.Spring semester/May term
Students on campus select courses in November and December. New students complete course selection in December or on the first day of the semester. Final check in for all students is the first day of the spring semester, and classes begin on the second day.
Academic advising
First-semester freshmen are assigned to colloquium advisers. Those who are ready to declare a major at the end of the first semester are then assigned to advisers in their academic departments. All others will be assigned to general advisers in the collegiate studies department until they declare majors.During the advising period at the end of fall and spring semesters, all students are asked to consult with their academic advisers, but contact is not limited to these days. Faculty advisers are prepared to assist with a range of questions – career goals, graduate school, choice of major, course selection and general adjustment to college. Some departments and professional programs also conduct group information or advising sessions for interested students.
Students share responsibility with the faculty adviser for planning their college program, including course selection, and for becoming acquainted with requirements through reading printed materials and attending departmental meetings. Questions about the advising program should be addressed to the associate academic dean.
Changes in registration (Drop and Add)
Students may make online changes to their course schedules during designated “open registration” times. Students may add new courses and change grading plans only during the first five days of classes in the fall and spring semesters and the first two days of the May term and summer sessions. Courses formally dropped before the end of the fifth day of classes do not appear on a student’s permanent record. Courses dropped during the second to ninth weeks will appear on the permanent record with a W grade (withdrawal). Courses dropped after the ninth week are recorded F (failing) or NC (no credit). Students may make changes in depth-credit registration (see below) during the first 12 weeks of the fall and spring semesters.Course changes after the times specified above are permitted for health reasons only and must be approved by the coordinator of counseling.
Hours and course load
The usual academic load during the fall and spring semester is 12 to 15 credit hours. To discourage fragmentation of the student’s time and allow more concentrated study in each course, the maximum load permitted in any semester is 15 credit hours (six courses maximum). Exceptions to this policy are possible with approval from the registrar. Extra tuition is charged for hours beyond 15.Depth credits
Depth credit is offered in some courses to encourage individual study. Sophomore, junior and senior students may register during the first 12 weeks of the semester for an extra credit hour in one or two such courses each semester. Registration for depth credit must be conducted in person in the registrar's office.Auditing courses
Students are invited to enrich their program by auditing courses on a space-available basis. Auditors may participate in a class, but are not required to complete assignments and tests. Therefore, classes that emphasize knowledge expansion rather than skill-building are most appropriate for auditing. To register, obtain an audit form in the registrar’s office and secure the instructor’s signature. A per-hour fee is charged for part-time students. There is no fee for full-time students. No attendance or achievement records are kept for auditors. Audited courses are not available for later credit by examination.Northern Indiana Consortium for Education (NICE)
Goshen College is a member of the Northern Indiana Consortium for Education, along with Bethel College, Indiana University South Bend, Holy Cross College, Saint Mary’s College and Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend. Through this consortium, Goshen College students may cross-register for courses offered at another member institution. Registration is on a space-available basis. The home school records the registration, and home-school fees are charged. Summer courses are not eligible for cross-registration. See the registrar for registration procedures.
International Baccalaureate credits
Goshen College recognizes International Baccalaureate work and grants seven semester credits for examination scores of four or higher in higher level courses. A maximum of one year of credit (30 hours) is granted. IB credits may be counted toward general education requirements, major or minor requirements, or electives in the same manner as advanced placement credits. Individual departments will determine the exact placement in departmental courses. Generally, Goshen College does not award credit for standard level exams. However, when the IB diploma has been earned, four semester credits will be awarded for exams with scores of six or seven.
Special courses by request
A special course may be offered to students who propose and agree to enroll in it, provided a faculty member agrees to teach it. Off-campus courses and all courses not listed in the catalog need approval by the academic affairs committee. In some cases, courses may be offered during the summer or during the May term. The course title and description will be kept as a permanent record by the college. An advance deposit will be required from all students agreeing to enroll.Special registration options
Courses and special credits are available by independent study, credit by experience and credit by examination. Since these options are not part of registration for any semester, students may register for them at any time in the registrar’s office. A special fee is always charged, and financial aid does not apply.Independent study
To develop more curricular flexibility, Goshen College invites students to register for independent study. Students have one year from the date of registration to complete independent study courses. For special circumstances, the professor may request one extension with a specific completion date, generally not to exceed three months. There are two primary reasons why students may wish to take independent study:Regular courses at special time
An academic program may require that a student take a course not offered during a given semester. In some cases it is possible to take such a course by independent study, under the direction of a faculty member, at a special tutorial rate. To register for such a course, the student obtains a form from the registrar. The instructor indicates approval on the form, which the student then returns to the registrar’s office. Students may register for independent study at any time during the year, but normally cannot register for an independent-study class that would increase their current course load to more than 15 hours. All independent study is charged at a special rate: tutorial, which assumes equal amount of professor contact hours as when the course is normally offered, or readings, which assumes about one-fifth the normal contact hours.
Special independent courses
A student may want to engage in an independent-study project in an area not covered by regular curriculum courses, especially during the summer, when full time can be devoted to the project. The student may study at the Goshen campus or may elect to go to any area appropriate to the particular study. To take a special independent course, the student makes an initial proposal to the faculty member under whom the project would be conducted. If the faculty member approves, the student submits a more detailed proposal in writing. Next, the associate dean must approve this proposal, then the student registers for the course and pays the usual fee for independent study.
Credit for learning based on work and/or experience
Students may seek college credit for learning acquired through significant experiences in work, travel and service assignments. Goshen College will give credit for this kind of learning if the area of study is educationally valid and is compatible with college academic programs. The learning experience should involve both thorough preparation and systematic reflection on the importance of what has been learned. Contact with a faculty member before, during and after the experience is crucial for planning and evaluating readings, special research journals, portfolios and other materials. Participants in church-sponsored programs such as YES, Radical Journey and DEO arrange a contract with the associate dean for international education for earning credit through the course Intl 250/350 described in the International education section of the catalog. Registration must preced the actual experience, and payment in full is required to validate the contract.
From 80-to-120 hours of experience will be expected for one hour of credit. A maximum of 12 hours of experience-based credit can be counted for a bachelor’s degree. Students have two years from the date of registration to complete credit by experience contracts. For special circumstances, the professor may request one extension with a specific completion date, generally not to exceed three months.
Credit by examination
Credit is granted for acceptable test results under four programs – College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Program and Advanced Placement Tests (all programs of Educational Testing Services, Princeton, N.J.) and tests given by Goshen College instructors. Any student may take these examinations and credit may be earned unless it duplicates previous college credit.The CLEP tests are administered at least monthly at several hundred centers in the United States, including Goshen College. If acceptable levels are attained in any of the tests, credit is granted. The use of such credit toward specific course requirements of general education and a major will be decided by the departments concerned. Credit policies for CLEP and AP examinations are posted at www.goshen.edu/registrar. Credit earned through testing, other than AP, that is intended to meet Goshen College general education, major or minor requirements is subject to the normal credit by examination fee. Contact the registrar for details.
Grading and evaluation
Goshen’s system of evaluation offers a standard (letter) grading system and a limited option system (CR/NC). The student chooses at registration whether courses will be selected for the option system.Standard system
| A | Excellent | |
| A | 4.0 quality points | |
| A- | 3.7 quality points | |
| B | Very Good | |
| B+ | 3.3 quality points | |
| B | 3.0 quality points | |
| B- | 2.7 quality points | |
| C | Satisfactory | |
| C+ | 2.3 quality points | |
| C | 2.0 quality points | |
| C- | 1.7 quality points | |
| D | Unsatisfactory, but Passing | |
| D+ | 1.3 quality points | |
| D | 1.0 quality points | |
| F | Failing | |
| F | 0 quality points | |
| NR | Grade not reported (temporary grade) | |
| I | Incomplete (temporary grade) | |
| W | Withdrew during 2nd -9th week, no evaluation made | |
Option system
Selected by the student for a maximum of 12 credit hours in the entire college program (prorated for transfer students) or by the instructor/department for certain courses. The Credit/No Credit option may not be selected for courses in the General Education curriculum, including International Education, nor for courses in a student’s major or minor, unless designated by the academic department. The student chooses at registration whether courses will be selected for the Credit/No Credit option system.| CR | Passing work of C level or better; no grade point value | |
| NC | No credit: equivalent to C- level or lower; no grade point value | |
Changes in grade plan
Changes in the grading plan are possible only in the first week of each semester (two days in May term). Under CR/NC, letter grades cannot be granted, but students may ask for a more extensive written evaluation of their work in a given class for up to five years after graduation.Incomplete grades
A grade of I (incomplete) may be given at the instructor’s discretion for medical emergencies or circumstances beyond the student’s control. Students must be earning a passing grade at the time of the request for an I grade. It is to be given rarely and not to accommodate the student who, through carelessness or poor planning, does not complete course work in the given time. The student will work with the instructor to establish a plan for completion of the course. If a final grade is not submitted by the end of the spring semester (for fall) or the beginning of fall semester (for spring or May terms), an F or NC will be recorded. The new grade is used to compute the grade point average, but the I remains on the student’s permanent record.Evaluations rather than letter grades
The objectives of certain courses can best be met by special grading conditions. The academic dean can approve such courses, and they will be so marked on the official semester course offerings. Some courses have continuing approval to be offered in such a manner, e.g., student teaching and field-experience courses. Evaluations submitted for such courses become part of the permanent academic record, available with transcripts.Grade reporting
An examination period is scheduled at the close of each course. Grade reports are available online to the student within one week of the close of each semester. Grade reports will also be sent to the parents at the request of the student.Grade point average
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) for standard-system courses is posted on the student’s record at the end of each semester. Only courses completed at Goshen College (and Hesston College) are factored into the cumulative grade point average. For graduation, a minimum 2.00 GPA is required. Some majors require a cumulative GPA of 2.50.Any course may be repeated only once for a higher grade. The first entry will be specially marked on the transcript and only the second attempt will count in the grade point average (GPA).
Latin honors
Academic honors are awarded to traditional baccalaureate degree graduates who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or above (A = 4.0) and with no grade lower than a C at Goshen College. To qualify for graduation honors, a student must have completed at least 48 graded semester hours at Goshen College. Academic Honors indicated in the commencement program are reflective of fall semester grades and are subject to change with the addition of spring, May term and summer grades.Academic honors are also awarded to graduates who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or above, with no grade lower than a C, while pursuing a degree in the Division of Adult and External Studies. To qualify for graduation honors, a student must have completed at least 40 graded semester hours at Goshen College. Academic Honors indicated in the commencement program are reflective of fall semester grades and are subject to change with the addition of spring, May term and summer grades.
- Summa Cum Laude3.90-4.00 GPA (with highest honor)
- Magna Cum Laude3.80-3.89 GPA (with great honor)
- Cum Laude3.60-3.79 GPA (with honor)
Dean’s list
The Dean’s list is published after the fall and spring semesters. Students who have earned a semester GPA of 3.75 or higher on at least 12 credit hours of course work for a letter grade and who have no grades of incomplete (I) will be named to the list. Students may decline having their names published, if they so desire, by informing the registrar.Other academic policies
Official transcripts
Official transcripts of a student’s academic record will be released upon written authorization of the student. To assure that the student has complete control over this confidential information, all requests by other individuals will be refused. Positive identification in the form of student number or birthdate should accompany the signed request.One transcript is available free of charge. A fee of $4, payable in advance, is charged for each additional transcript. A transcript will be issued only if all financial obligations have been settled with Goshen College.
Classification
Students enrolled for 12 to 15 credit hours are considered full time; those enrolled for one to 11 credit hours are considered part time. All students are classified each semester as freshman, sophomore, junior or senior according to the following scale, based on total hours at the beginning of the semester:| Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
| 0-29 | 30-59 | 60-89 | 90 or more |
Attendance regulations
Regular attendance at class is expected; the instructor will announce specific requirements for each course. Absences and completion of missed class work are issues for the instructor and student to resolve. When a class field trip results in absence, the professor is responsible to notify other instructors via the online Faculty-Staff Bulletin.Credits
Credit is given for work successfully completed by the student and for which a passing grade or CR has been earned. The credit hour should indicate the use of one-fifteenth of the student’s time (3 to 3 1/2 hours per week in and out of class for the average student). The number of class meetings each week in a particular course will be determined by the instructor in consultation with the academic dean.Standards for academic progress
Satisfactory progress depends on maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) and earning at least 12 hours of credit each full-time semester. Since graduation requires a 2.00 GPA, these intermediate goals must be met:- In first year (12-29 hours earned) 1.50 minimum GPA
- After earning 30 or more credit hours 2.00 minimum GPA
Academic integrity
Goshen College expects all students and faculty members to practice academic integrity. Honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility are essential building blocks in creating a vital learning community. They are also the foundation for lifelong integrity.Academic dishonesty at Goshen College is considered a serious breach of the “Goshen College Commitment to Community Standards.” Academic dishonesty is any act that misrepresents academic work or interferes with the academic work of others. It includes:
- Plagiarism (giving the impression that another person’s work is your own)
- Cheating on assignments or exams
- Falsification of data
- Submission of the same (or substantially the same) paper in more than one course without the prior consent of all instructors concerned
- Depriving others of necessary academic sources
- Sabotaging another student’s work
Academic bankruptcy
Academic bankruptcy is designed to assist the once-disqualified student to return to school under reduced handicap. Only selected students may be considered for bankruptcy status; to qualify the student will: a) have earlier been academically disqualified from Goshen, b) not be enrolled in any college study for at least two years, c) submit a written appeal to the Appeals Committee. Academic bankruptcy can be granted only once for a student and results in the entire Goshen College record up to that time being re-evaluated as a transfer record. This means that: a) only courses with grades of C or better will be retained for credit at Goshen; b) the grade point average will be restarted with no computation for former work at Goshen; c) academic bankruptcy will be clearly marked on the academic record. Clear conditions of probation will be stated to fit the individual situation. Fully meeting these conditions and the maintenance of a minimum 2.00 GPA will be required to continue after academic bankruptcy.
Privacy rights of students
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), post-secondary students enrolled at Goshen College are hereby notified of their rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s
education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request
for access.
Students should submit to the registrar, vice president for student life or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. - The right to request the amendment of the student’s
education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. - The right to prohibit disclosure of personally identifiable information
contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that
FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including security personnel); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person serving on the board of directors; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks. A school official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. - The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Goshen College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605. FERPA further provides that certain information concerning the student, designated as “directory information,” may be released by the College unless the student has informed the college that such information should not be released. “Directory information” includes:
- Name
- Permanent address
- Local address*
- Telephone number*
- E-mail address*
- ID photo*
- Verification of birthdate supplied by inquirer
- Dates of attendance
- Full- or part-time status
- Date of graduation and degree received
- Major field(s) of study
- Classification
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Height and weight of athlete
*Local address, campus phone number, email address and student ID photo are available on Goshen College’s Web site, but only to people using a computer connected to Goshen College’s on-campus network (physically connected to the network or remotely connected with a valid Goshen College username and password.) Goshen College does not provide student e-mail lists to public or private entities.
Any student who desires that any or all of the above listed information not be released may contact the registrar’s office or complete the form found at http://www.goshen.edu/registrar/privacy. Questions about this policy may be directed to Stan Miller, registrar, or Bill Born, vice president for student life.
Withdrawal and refund policy for reservists called to active duty
Any student called to active duty may withdraw from courses up until the last day of the semester. If the withdrawal comes during the first nine weeks of the semester, normal withdrawal and refund policies take effect. If departure comes after the ninth week, the student has the option of withdrawal “W” or incomplete “I”. Options should be discussed with and approved by the course instructor(s). If course withdrawal “W” is pursued, tuition and fees will be refunded on a prorated basis. The official date of withdrawal will be used to calculate the refund. Students receiving financial aid will be subject to refund policies as provided for by the agencies sponsoring the aid. Reservists called to active duty who wish to withdraw from courses must provide the registrar with a copy of their orders.
Leave of absence policy
Students whose enrollment is interrupted by one or two consecutive semesters may apply for a leave of absence at the time of their withdrawal. Formal requests for leaves should be made by completing a Leave of Absence Form, available from the registrar’s office or online. Justifiable reasons for a leave may include medical or financial difficulties or church-related service assignments. Students enrolled at the Indianapolis Peace Institute, Chicago Center, Oregon Extension, Washington Community Scholars Center or in BCA study programs are considered to be currently enrolled students at Goshen College.
Students on official leave shall enjoy all the catalog privileges of continuous enrollment. The offices of registrar, student financial aid, SST and residence life will communicate with students on leave in a timely manner to ensure student services commensurate with continuing students.
Students who interrupt enrollment for more than one academic year must apply for readmission through the admission office. All students who take courses elsewhere during their leave, and who want to transfer that credit to Goshen College, also must apply for readmittance through the admission office.
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