School Regulations

SECTION I: GENERAL STUDY MODALITY

ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE STUDY

1. YOU CAN STUDY AT HOME AND PLAN YOUR OWN SCHEDULE TO FIT INTO DOMESTIC LIFE AND SITUATION.

2. THE COST IS MUCH BELOW THAT OF ATTENDING A RESIDENT SCHOOL.

3. YOU MAY ENROLL AT ANY TIME.

EACH STUDENT A CLASS

• THE LONG-DISTANCE METHOD GUARANTEES INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION. STUDENTS ARE THEREFORE ASSURED OF PERSONAL ATTENTION IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS.

• INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL NETWORKING THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM

• ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING

• REFLECTION AND INTEGRATION OF STUDENT'S BELIEF SYSTEM

• COMPETENCY OUTCOMES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• FORMATION AND PROCESS ORIENTED

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN MAINLY OR WHOLLY VIA ONLINE MEANS. CONSULTATIONS CAN BE GIVEN BY TELEPHONE OR E-MAIL IN MOST CASES. EACH SECTION OR COURSE CONTAINS DIRECTIONS FOR STUDY AND PREPARATION OF ASSIGNMENTS. STUDENTS SEND THEIR WORK AND ANY CORRESPONDENCE VIA EMAIL OR DROPBOX TO THE SCHOOL.

EACH COURSE IS INDIVIDUALLY ARRANGED

PROGRAMS OF STUDY ARE ARRANGED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ACCORDING TO HIS OR HER EXPERIENCE, NEED AND INTEREST.

FLEXIBILITY OF COURSES

STUDENTS MAY INDIVIDUALIZE THEIR COURSES RESPECTIVE TO THE PROGRAM CHOSEN. THIS ENABLES THEM TO PLAN THEIR OWN PROGRAM OF STUDY, EACH OF WHICH IS WORKED OUT INDIVIDUALLY. THIS ENSURES THAT NO STUDENT IS COMPELLED TO COVER WORK ALREADY UNDERTAKEN ELSEWHERE.

EXEMPTION FROM REQUIREMENTS

(SEE: GENERAL SCHOOL REGULATIONS / SECTION IV, 10)

TIME FOR COMPLETION

STUDENTS MAY ENROLL AT ANY TIME AND COMPLETE THEIR COURSES AT THEIR OWN PACE. THE TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A PRESCRIBED COURSE DEPENDS UPON: (1) THE NUMBER AND CHARACTER OF SUBJECTS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE; (2) THE NUMBER OF HOURS STUDENTS CAN DEVOTE TO THE WORK EACH WEEK; (3) THE THOROUGHNESS WITH WHICH THEY COMPLETE THEIR WORK.

TRANSCRIPTS OF STUDIES

STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A DEGREE PROGRAM ARE AWARDED A DEGREE UNDER THE SEAL OF THE SCHOOL AND SUPPLIED WITH A DETAILED TRANSCRIPT OF THE WORK FOR WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED THEIR AWARD. THIS IS USEFUL FOR CAREER PURPOSES AND MAY EVEN BE HELPFUL WHEN ENROLLING IN COURSES OFFERED BY OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

SECTION II: APPLICATION

1. APPLICATION

COMPLETE ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES, BEGINNING WITH THE ONLINE APPLICATION. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED SHORTLY AFTER THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE HAS RECEIVED YOUR APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTED HOW TO CONTINUE YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS. IF YOU ARE NOT ACCEPTED AS STUDENT, REASONS WILL BE GIVEN AND / OR HOW TO CORRECT THEM, IF POSSIBLE.

2. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION

THIS ENABLES THE SCHOOL TO IDENTIFY THE STUDENT'S ACHIEVEMENTS, AIMS AND INTERESTS.

3. VERIFICATION PROCEDURE

THE STUDENT SUBMITS DOCUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE INFORMATION GIVEN ON THE APPLICATION FORM.

4. ACTIVATION OF STUDENT STATUS

A STUDENT MAY BEGIN HIS OR HER PROGRAM ONCE STUDENT STATUS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. YOU WILL BE INVOICED VIA PAYPAL. IN CASE YOU WOULD DROP OUT, YOUR STUDENT STATUS IS DEACTIVATED AND YOU ARE NO LONGER A STUDENT AT OUR SCHOOL. YOU CAN RE-ACTIVATE YOUR STUDENT STATUS AT ANY TIME ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO CONTINUE OR TO ENTER A NEW PROGRAM.

5. PROGRAM OF STUDY

AFTER ENROLLMENT, THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR OR DIRECTOR ARRANGES THE COURSE OF STUDY THE STUDENT WILL FOLLOW. THE STUDENT IS PRESENTED WITH AN OUTLINE OF HIS OR HER PROGRAM.

SECTION III: MEMBERSHIP IN THE SCHOOL

ARTICLE 1

ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THE PRESCRIBED FORMAT.

ARTICLE 2

MEMBERSHIP CONSISTS OF ALL SCHOOL BOARD OFFICERS, STAFF, ALUMNI AND ACTIVE STUDENTS.

ARTICLE 3

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY MAKE A LIMITED NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: FELLOW, CORRESPONDING MEMBER AND ASSOCIATE.

ARTICLE 4

THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, UPON RECEIPT OF ACCEPTABLE TESTIMONIALS FROM PERSONS OF GOOD STANDING, MAY CONFER AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP.

ARTICLE 5

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP MAY BE CONFERRED BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION UPON THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION.

ARTICLE 6

CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP IS CONFERRED UPON ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A COURSE. CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE OPEN TO SUCH INSTITUTIONS AS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHALL DECIDE.

ARTICLE 7

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADMISSION TO THE GRADE OF FELLOW MAY CONSIDER ASSOCIATES OF FIVE YEARS' STANDING. THE GRADE OF FELLOW MAY BE CONFERRED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPON THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF MEISTER ECKHART DIVINITY SCHOOL.

ARTICLE 8

A MEMBER DESIRING TO TERMINATE HIS OR HER MEMBERSHIP SHALL DO SO VIA A LETTER OF RESIGNATION, WHICH SHALL BE COMMUNICATED TO THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY.

ARTICLE 9

MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL WHOSE DUES ARE NOT IN ARREARS SHALL ENJOY THE FOLLOWING PRIVILEGES:

* THEY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO UNDERTAKE COURSES OF STUDY FOR WHICH THEY ARE QUALIFIED.

* THEY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS PROCTORS FOR EXAMINATIONS.

* THEY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS TRUSTEE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL.

* THEY SHALL RECEIVE A DIPLOMA EVIDENCING MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE SEAL OF THE CORPORATION.

* THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO WEAR PRESCRIBED ACADEMIC DRESS AND INSIGNIA.

* THEY SHALL RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTERS (AS PUBLISHED) AND OCCASIONAL OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

* THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ATTEND SEMINARS OF THE SCHOOL.

* THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO COMPETE WITHOUT DISTINCTION FOR MEDALS & PRIZES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL.

ARTICLE 10

MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT TO CERTAIN OFFICES WITHIN THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.

SECTION IV: GENERAL REGULATIONS

1. REGISTRATION

CANDIDATES MAY APPLY AT ANY TIME FOR REGISTRATION AS STUDENTS FOR ANY AWARD FOR WHICH THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO APPLY. THEY MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE SCHOOL.

2. REFEREES

REFEREES MUST BE PERSONS OF GOOD STANDING. SUCH PERSONS INCLUDE THOSE LISTED AT PARAGRAPH 9, BUT THIS PROVISION IS NOT EXCLUSIVE OF OTHER PERSONS ACCEPTABLE TO THE SCHOOL.

3. SUPERVISION

THE PRESIDING HIERARCH (METROPOLITAN) SHALL APPOINT A SCHOOL PRESIDENT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THESE SCHOOL REGULATIONS. THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WILL APPOINT MENTORS AS NEEDED, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO ASSIST RESIDENTIAL AND CORRESPONDENCE STUDENTS WITH THEIR STUDIES.

4. COURSE WORK

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ALL COURSE WORK IS THE WORK OF THE STUDENT AIDED ONLY BY THE GUIDANCE OF THE SCHOOL FACULTY. THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION MAY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY OF STUDENT WORK BY EXAMINING CANDIDATES ORALLY OR BY WRITTEN EXAMINATION, WHICH SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE ASSESSMENT FOR COURSE GRADING. THIS SHALL NOT APPLY TO CLASSES OR SECTIONS GAINED BY CREDIT TRANSFER.

5. TIME FOR COMPLETION OF CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

TIME FRAMES SUGGESTED FOR COURSE WORK AND PROGRAM COMPLETION ARE FOR GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY AND ARE NOT TO BE REGARDED AS COMPULSORY.

6. TERMINATION

STUDENTS MUST FILE A SHORT PROGRESS REPORT WITH THEIR FACULTY AT LEAST QUARTERLY. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REGULATION MAY RESULT IN TERMINATION, INCLUDING THE FORFEITURE OF ALL TUITION PAID.

7. DOCUMENTATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION OF PREVIOUS CREDENTIALS MUST BE AUTHENTICATED IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO THE SCHOOL. ALL SUBMISSIONS TO BE ASSESSED DIRECTLY FOR APPLICATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A DECLARATION THAT THEY ARE THE WORK OF THE CANDIDATE. THIS DECLARATION MUST STATE THAT THE WORK SUBMITTED HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FORM FOR ANY OTHER AWARD OF ANOTHER INSTITUTION.

8. VERIFICATION

IT IS THE POLICY OF MEISTER ECKHART DIVINITY SCHOOL TO SEEK THE MAXIMUM DEGREE OF VERIFICATION OF ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED.

[A] APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT MUST CONTAIN PROOF THAT THE APPLICANT IS QUALIFIED TO ENROLL FOR THE PROGRAM APPLIED FOR, BEFORE BEING APPROVED. REFEREES ARE ASKED TO COMMENT UPON THE SUITABILITY IN ACADEMIC AND OTHER TERMS OF A CANDIDATE TO ACADEMIC AWARDS TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE. CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PHOTOCOPIES OF CERTIFICATES AND TRANSCRIPTS:

[B]AWARDS, DEGREES, CERTIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS CLAIMED ARE CLEARLY LISTED AS HAVING BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE CANDIDATE IN AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF A CANDIDATE'S CHURCH OR OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTION.

OR

A LETTER CERTIFYING THESE ACHIEVEMENTS IS FURNISHED BY THE INSTITUTION CONCERNED.

OR

A NOTARIZED PHOTOCOPY IS FURNISHED.

[C] EXAMINATION CONDITIONS:

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS MAY SIT EXAMINATIONS IN AN APPROVED CENTER OR UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS AS SHALL BE DEEMED ACCEPTABLE AS CONSTITUTING EXAMINATION CONDITIONS.

THESE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

CANDIDATES SHALL WORK UNDER INVIGILATION BY A MANDATED PROCTOR OF THE SCHOOL. THEY SHALL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO RELEVANT MATERIALS EXCEPT WHERE REGULATIONS PERMIT (SUCH AS THE USE OF A BIBLE, A LEXICON, etc.). THEY SHALL NOT BRING INTO THE PLACE OF EXAMINATION ANY NOTES OF ANY KIND OR CONTAINER IN WHICH SUCH MIGHT BE KEPT. THEY SHALL NOT USE A TELEPHONE OR ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE APPOINTED INVIGILATOR. THEY SHALL NOT LEAVE THE EXAMINATION ROOM UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE APPOINTED INVIGILATOR.

[D] ONLINE STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT ALL THEIR RESEARCH WORK AS REQUIRED.

9. APPOINTMENT OF PROCTORS FOR THE EXAMINATION & INVIGILATORS

ALL INVIGILATORS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT OR DEAN. IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF CANDIDATES ARE EXCLUDED FROM ACTING AS INVIGILATORS.

10. EXEMPTION

THE SCHOOL RESERVES THE FIGHT TO EXAMINE ALL CANDIDATES ORALLY. ALL EXAMINATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER EXAMINATION CONDITIONS. STUDENTS WHO MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO ORAL EXAMINATION FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

(A) THOSE OFFERING PRACTICAL SUBJECTS FOR EXAMINATION PURPOSES.

(B) CANDIDATES WHOSE OVERALL WORK IS BORDERLINE PASS LEVEL.

(C) CANDIDATES FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE.

(D) CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT OTHERWISE SATISFIED THESE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF THE VERIFICATION OF THEIR SUBMITTED WORK.

11. VIVA VOCE EXAMINATIONS MAY BE CONDUCTED USING TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCING, SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION OF EXAMINATION CONDITIONS.

12. AWARDS

WORK SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF A DEGREE IS ASSESSED BY FACULTY. COURSE TUTORS AND MENTORS DO NOT ACT AS EXAMINERS FOR THE WORK OF THEIR STUDENTS. IF ALL FACULTY IS IN AGREEMENT, THE RESPECTIVE AWARD IS MADE.

13. PARTICULAR REGULATIONS

ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLY WITH PARTICULAR REGULATIONS RELATING TO ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS, FORMAL PRESENTATION OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR EXAMINATION, EXAMINATION PROCEDURES, SYLLABUS AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AS THE SCHOOL SHALL FROM TIME TO TIME DETERMINE.

14. FEES

INTERNAL EXAMINATION DOES NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL ALL TUITION AND OTHER FEES ARE PAID IN FULL. ALL FEES ARE PAYABLE TO THE SCHOOL.

15. TERMINATION ON ETHICAL GROUNDS

ANY PERSON WHO IS DEEMED (BY EITHER THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR CHURCH AUTHORITY) OF BEING GUILTY OF CONVERSATION OF LIFE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SCHOOL HONOR CODE, STUDENTSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP MAY BE TERMINATED.

16. CONSENT

STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR ANY PROGRAM OR COURSES OF STUDY MUST CONSENT TO THESE REGULATIONS.