Seminary Policies

NOTE: POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Definition

An online course involves a cohort of students studying at the same time, but not necessarily in the same place. Because online courses use a cohort model, at least five students must be registered in order for an online section of a course to be offered. The section code is O (online). Enrollment in an online course requires you to commit at least ten (10) hours to study each week the course runs. Assignments must be submitted by the dates in the syllabus or a grade reduction will apply to the assignment.

Official Communication

Because of privacy laws, all official e-mail correspondence will be sent to your CIU e-mail address (username@mailbox.ciu.edu). Be sure to check your CIU e-mail address regularly, and be sure to communicate with your instructor only from that address.

Timelines

• Due dates are set throughout the course. You are responsible for submitting work by the due dates listed in the syllabus. Work submitted late will receive a grade penalty.
• Unless your instructor approves an incomplete, all work must be postmarked no later than the course end date.
• If you are graduating, all course requirements must be received by noon on the course end date.
• You should note that spring semester online courses end at least two weeks after Commencement. For that reason, taking a spring semester online course will delay your graduation until August or later.

Incompletes 

• At his/her discretion, your instructor may issue a grade of “Incomplete” for up to thirty (30) days beyond the course end date. The SSM Dean must approve any period longer than thirty days.
• Incompletes are considered only under these conditions:
  • You have completed the majority of the course assignments
  • You have satisfactorily completed all graded work.
  • The instructor has determined that you have extenuating circumstances which warrant additional time for completing the remaining assignments.
• If your request is denied, the course grade assigned will reflect all work required for the course, with any work not submitted by the end of the semester graded as a zero.
• Receiving a grade of “Incomplete” might affect your eligibility for financial aid and/or student loan deferment.

Other Deadlines, Fees, & Administrative Procedures

• Fees and deadlines related to registration, drop/add, and withdrawal are set by the Registrar’s Office. Any questions in regard to these items should be directed to that office.
• Dropping or withdrawing from an online course must be completed through the Registrar’s Office in the CIU Administration Building. Call (803) 807-5059, or send an e-mail message to registrar@ciu.edu for assistance.
• To enroll in an online course, register at CIUOnline using your assigned username and password.

Allocating Time

• Set aside blocks of time for the course lectures and assignments in your calendar. These assignments are the equivalent of attending class meetings and completing your homework for face-to-face courses. Do not fall behind in your work for your online course.
• Course assignments are set out in the syllabus which lists the work to be completed and submitted for grading.
• Pace your work evenly so that you have time for comprehension and reflection.

Submitting Work Online

Most work will be submitted on the course website. Students are responsible for course content located on the course website.

Submitting Work By Postal Mail

• As soon as you have completed the work to be submitted, send it in a sealed envelope to your instructor at the address below. Be sure to keep a copy of all submitted work for your records. Work must be received on or before the Due Date. Allow seven (7) days for postal delivery.
• Please address the envelope as follows:

CIU Seminary & School of Ministry

Attn: (your instructor's name)

PO Box 3122

Columbia, SC 29230-3122

Submitting Work By E-Mail

•  If you submit your work electronically, be sure to include the following information at the top of each attached file:

 Your name (ex. "Jannell Smith")

The course number (ex. "THE 5110")

Date of submission (ex. "Dec 5, 2010")

Assignment title as listed in the syllabus (ex. "Case Study #2")

• Use this formula to name each of your files for written assignments:

 Last name_Course number_Assignment name or number Smith_THE5110_CaseStudy#2

• Attach your assignment as a file to an e-mail message. Be sure to use your CIU e-mail address (username@mailbox.ciu.edu).
• Always put your course number in the subject box.
• Send your work directly to your instructor, not to CIU or to the Center for Educational Innovation and Development.
• Work should be in Word 2003 (.doc), Rich Text Format (.rtf), or Adobe Portable Document (.pdf) format.
• You are responsible to be certain that your work is completed and received on time.
• Keep an electronic copy of your documents until you receive your graded work.
• Your instructor will notify you that he/she has received your work.
• Graded work will be returned automatically by postal mail or by e-mail to your CIU e-mail address. Grade information cannot be sent to outside e-mail accounts.

Retaking a Course

• If you receive a failing grade in a course, you may re-enroll in the course by paying the full, current, tuition and fees, and completing the requirements set out in the current syllabus.
• Re-enrollment entitles you to a new start to the course, with new deadlines as set out in the syllabus.
• Note that both the new and the old grade will appear on your transcript. Only the last grade will be computed into your GPA for academic purposes, but both grades will computed into your GPA for financial aid purposes.

VA Students

Students using military benefits are responsible for contacting their instructor every week. Weekly documentation of progress is required to maintain your benefits.

ADA Accommodations

If you require an accommodation for completing any assignment or for taking exams, approval must by granted when you first enroll in the course. If you will need an accommodation, immediately contact the CIU Director of the Academic Success Center at (800) 777-2227, extension 5611 or send an e-mail message to academicservices@ciu.edu.

Taking Exams

The format of online exams vary from course to course. Refer to the syllabus for exam dates and specific details. Online students are expected to be honorable in all their academic work. All students are responsible to complete all assignments and insure their submissions are received by the professor on or before assignment deadlines. Dishonesty in examinations, assignments, written papers, or any other academic work is contrary to scriptural principles of Christian living and is an affront to the CIU community of students and faculty.

Taking Proctored Exams

Specific course exams must be taken under the supervision of a proctor who meets these qualifications: a principal, professor, guidance counselor, school administrator, pastor, chaplain, or a church, mission, or college leader who can administer the exam in his/her office. A proctor may not be anyone related to you.

• The proctor must be present the entire time while you are taking the exam.
• When instructed in the syllabus, send the following information on your proctor to your instructor by e-mail:
  • Name
  • Position
  • Postal Address
  • E-mail Address
  • Telephone Number
• You are responsible for getting the information to your instructor in time for the exam to be sent to your proctor.
• Take your exam after you have completed and reviewed all work covered on that exam, but before you begin the work on your next assignment.
• When you are ready to take your exam, follow this procedure:
  • Contact your proctor and arrange a suitable time.
  • Bring photo identification and a supply of paper with you to the exam.
  • No cell phone or PDA may be used during the exam.
• Your proctor is reponsible for returning the exam and your answer sheet to your instructor.