Penn View's Academic Policies & Requirements
............................................................................................................................................................................

Grading System
The official grading system of the Institute is as follows:

• A       (96-100 Outstanding Achievement)
• A-      (94-95)
• B+     (92-93)
• B        (88-91 Above Average Achievement)
• B-       (86-87)
• C+      (83-85)
• C        (77-82 Average Achievement)
• C-       (74-76)
• D+      (72-73)
• D        (67-71 Below Average Achievement)
• D-       (65-66)
• F        (0-64 Failing)
• I  (Incomplete, An incomplete will be assigned when the student has made arrangements with the instructor of the course to submit assignments after the close of the semester. Such work must be completed within six weeks from the last day of the semester, otherwise, an "I" becomes an "F". If the student fails to make prior arrangements for submitting late work, his grade for the unsubmitted work will be zero.)
  

A grade submitted by the instructor of the course to the Office of the Academic Dean becomes official, and may not be changed except in the case of a clerical error. Such change must be authorized by the instructor and approved by the Academic Dean.

Quality Points
To be eligible for graduation, a student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C). The GPA is based upon quality points earned. Quality points are assigned as follows:

A .......... 4.0 points per hour
A- .......... 3.7 points per hour
B+ .......... 3.3 points per hour
B .......... 3.0 points per hour
B- .......... 2.7 points per hour
C+ .......... 2.3 points per hour
C .......... 2.0 points per hour
C- .......... 1.7 points per hour
D+ .......... 1.3 points per hour
D .......... 1.0 points per hour
D- .......... 0.7 points per hour
F .......... 0.0 points per hour

The GPA is computed by dividing total quality points by the total hours (including failures).

Attendance Requirements

At Penn View Bible Institute, class attendance and chapel attendance are required. Excessive unexcused absences will cause the final grade to be lowered. If a student is charged with more than the equivalent of one week of unexcused absences in a class, each one beyond the limit will result in a reduction of one letter grade for that class. If a student is absent without proper excuse the last day of school prior to a holiday or the first day of school following a holiday, a double assessment will be made.

A student who is absent from any class for four consecutive sessions or six non-consecutive sessions without adequate excuse, will automatically be dropped from the course. Course hours will not be considered successfully completed if the student has been absent from one-fifth or more of the class sessions for any reason.

Tardiness for more than one-third of the class period is counted as an absence. Three unexcused tardies in one course are counted as one absence.

Regulations Pertaining to Veterans

Most of our programs are approved for Veterans Education. Contact the Academic Dean for additional information.

Tardiness
Any student not physically present at the start of his scheduled class period will be considered tardy, and the exact number of minutes will be recorded. Excessive tardiness, such as three times unexcused in any five-day period, shall be cause for discontinuance of training.

Absence
An excused absence is one that is due to illness, death in the immediate family, or any other unavoidable circumstance; however, the school must be apprised of the reason for said absence and the reason must be supported by documentary evidence, or said absence will be recorded as unexcused. Three unexcused absences in any one month will result in immediate dismissal. All students must attend 85% of the class sessions for the duration of the course in order to attain satisfactory attendance. When a student has missed over 15% of the class sessions of the course by excused and/or unexcused absences, his training will be immediately interrupted.

Class Cuts are not permitted and shall be recorded as unexcused absences.

Make-up Work is not permitted for the purpose of receiving Veterans Administration training allowances.

Equivalent course hours will be awarded for comparable previous education and training, and the training period will be shortened accordingly.

Textbooks may be purchased in the school bookstore.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will be notified if a veteran is on probation for more than two (2) semesters.

A leave of absence will be granted on an individual basis.

International Students

Penn View Bible Institute has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service for the education of non-immigrant alien students.

In addition to the application materials included in this bulletin, several additional forms must be submitted by foreign students. These forms may be obtained from the office of the Academic Dean, and should be requested by the prospective non-immigrant alien student at the time of application. It is the responsibility of the student to keep his residence permit current and to register with the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service each year in January.

The applicant should take the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL). The U.S. Embassy will have details where the test will be administered. An official record of the score should be sent to Penn View Bible Institute.

Requirements for Graduation

The one-year certificate, or the four-year advanced diploma is awarded to those completing the requirements outlined below:

• Completion of 30 hours of academic course work for the Certificate or 126 to 135 hours for the four-year Advanced Diplomas. At least 30 hours of the total must be taken at Penn View Bible Institute. Consult the individual program descriptions.
• Completion of all course requirements of the particular program of study, including any required internships, music organization course work, and student teaching. 
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). The Christian Education program requires an overall average of 2.75 and 3.0 in the major subjects. 
• Recommendation of the Institute faculty.
  

In addition to these general requirements, there may be other specific program requirements. Ultimately it is the student's responsibility to see that he has completed all requirements, including course requirements for graduation. A student planning to graduate should file an application (available from the Academic Dean's office) during the first semester of the year in which he plans to graduate.

The school account must be paid before the student may graduate. The school account must be paid and all courses completed before the diploma will be given. If a graduate returns for a second program, he must take at least 30 additional hours.

Graduation Honors

Each year a valedictorian and salutatorian are selected from the graduating class to be recognized as having achieved the highest and second highest level of scholarship respectively among their classmates. The criteria for eligibility are as follows:

• Have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) for the entire four year program,
• Be enrolled in one of the four year advanced diploma programs, 
• Be a student at Penn View Bible Institute for the last two years of training, 
• Be a full-time student for both semesters of the senior year. Exception is made if the student is still finishing a four-year program in four years. 
• Plan to participate in commencement exercises, 
• Exhibit character consistent with Christian scholarship.
  

A graduate of the 4-year program who returns to take another program is not eligible for graduation honors unless he has taken 42 hours additional work toward another advanced diploma.

Examinations

Students are expected to take scheduled examinations at the announced times unless prior arrangement has been made with the instructor. A semester final examination taken later than the announced time must also be approved by the Academic Dean. Scheduled exams missed for other than excused absences may or may not be retaken, at the discretion of the instructor. When a make-up exam is given in the case of an unexcused absence, a late examination fee ($1.00 or $2.00) must be paid at the business office where a late exam permit slip will be issued. In the case where the instructor elects not to give a make-up examination, an "F-O" grade will be given for the missed test. No late exam fee is required in the case of a test missed for an excused absence. Unscheduled ("pop") quizzes missed for unexcusable reasons may or may not be given, also at the discretion of the instructor.

Academic Course Load

Fifteen hours is considered a normal course load. Students must have permission to carry more than 17 hours (including music organizations and private lessons). Students who are employed full time (32 hours per week or more) must receive permission from the Academic Dean to take more than 13 hours (including music organizations and private lessons).

Academic Probation

Any student who fails to maintain a 2.0 (C) grade point average for the semester is placed on academic probation. The student must carry a reduced course load as well as demonstrate significant progress toward remedying this deficiency the following semester. If substantial progress is not made toward reducing the deficiency during the probation period, the student may enroll only by permission of the Academic Dean. A student may not remain on academic probation for more than three successive semesters. Students on academic probation will not be eligible for class office or participation in student musical groups. Extra-curricular activities may also be restricted. Academic probation will be indicated on the student's transcript. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be notified if a veteran is on probation for more than two (2) semesters.

Withdrawal from School

Any student who desires to withdraw from school must complete a withdrawal form available in the school office. Until this form is completed and submitted, the student is considered officially enrolled even though he may not be attending classes. Class absences continue to accumulate, and the student is not eligible for any refund of charges until he is officially withdrawn.

Transcripts

Any student desiring a copy of his transcript to be sent to another school may request it by notifying the Academic Dean's office and furnishing the name and address of the institution to which it is to be sent. The first transcript will be sent free; subsequent copies will cost $2.00 each. No transcript can be sent until all financial obligations have been met, or satisfactory arrangements made with the Business Manager.

Dean's List

At the close of each semester, the names of all students who carried at least 12 hours and whose grade point average is 3.5 or above, with no grade lower than a B-, will be published by the Academic Dean.

Schedule Change

Within the first week of the semester, a student may drop and/or add a course to his schedule, with the approval of the Academic Dean. After the first week, a student may not add a course to his schedule. A student may withdraw from a course at any time during the semester with the approval of the Academic Dean. The assessment of grade is as follows:

Within the first week -  No assessment
Within the second through sixth weeks WP or WF
After the sixth week  F

A grade of WP or WF is given based on the student's standing at the time of withdrawal. After the sixth week, a grade of F is automatic unless there are circumstances which necessitate such withdrawal.

Clock Hour Requirements for Non-Accredited Courses

Inasmuch as Penn View Bible Institute is a non-accredited, non-degree granting institute of higher learning operating in the state of Pennsylvania, all courses are set up on a clock hour basis.
The Veterans Education Office of the Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has approved most of our programs for the education of veterans. The benefits received are based on the total clock hours of instruction. The full-time student can expect to receive full benefits. The veterans' representative on campus can assist in providing details for eligible veterans. To determine the actual amount of your benefit, contact the Veterans Administration at 1-800-829-4833. Any student wishing to enroll as a full-time student under the Veterans Benefit Program, will be required to have a minimum number of hours per week including regular class instruction and required chapel attendance.

In measuring net instruction, there will be included customary intervals not to exceed ten minutes between classes.

Each hour given in the course descriptions represents sixteen (16) clock hours of instruction.