Academic Catalog 2016-2017
Academic Policies
Course Registration
LifeSpring utilizes registration software that allows you to conveniently register and pay for courses online. To register, login to our course registration system through the LifeSpring Student Center. New students that do not have a LifeSpring Student Center account may request one on the login link. Allow up to 2 business days to receive access.
Textbooks
The textbook listing can be found on the “Textbooks” page at www.lifespringschool.org. Each course textbook listing will be updated by the last day of registration. In order to have your books when you need them, be sure to order them no later than 1-2 weeks before the course begins.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are available by request for $10 each by submitting a Transcript Request Form, available at www.lifespringschool.org. Allow 2 weeks process time. Transcripts will not be released to currently enrolled or former students who are delinquent in their accounts.
Students may view their unofficial transcripts at any time under “Grades” in the LifeSpring Student Center.
Grading System
Grading System with Honor Points
| Letter | Honor Points | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent demonstration of course objectives | 4.0 |
| B | Commendable demonstration of course objectives | 3.0 |
| C | Acceptable demonstration of course objectives | 2.0 |
| D | Unsatisfactory demonstration of course objectives; no credit awarded | 1.0 |
| F | No credit awarded | 0.0 |
Grading System with No Honor Points
| Letter | |
|---|---|
| P | Pass. Acceptable demonstration of course objectives. Awarded for internships/practicum/credit by demonstrated competency only. |
| AU | Audit. No credit awarded. |
| Q | Q-drop. Student dropped a course without penalty of a failing grade. No credit awarded. See Q-Drop details below. |
Course Withdrawal
Students who discontinue a course must formally withdraw/notify LifeSpring by submitting a Course Withdrawal Form, available in the LifeSpring Student Center. Courses withdrawn during the first three weeks of a course (or by Wednesday of the second week during summer term) will not appear on student’s transcript. Unless a student withdraws within this time period or uses a Q drop, the grade on the student’s transcript will reflect both completed and uncompleted assignments for the entire course. See Financial Policies for refunds.
Q Drop
Students may drop a course without a penalty of a failing grade by submitting a Q-drop Request Form, up to the maximum allowance for their program* according to the Q-drop schedule**. The course will appear on student’s transcript with the designation of “Q” rather than a letter grade; the course will not be included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. If a Course Withdrawal Form or Q Drop Request Form is not submitted within the specified times and the student discontinues participation in the course, their grade will reflect both completed and uncompleted assignments. To Q-drop a course, students must submit the Q-drop form, available in the LifeSpring Student Center.
*Q-drop allowance
| Program | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Certificate Programs | 1 |
| Diploma of Christian Ministry Program | 2 |
In a case where a student who is enrolled in more than one program Q-drops a course, the Q-drop will counts towards the Q-drop allowance of every program which included that course in its degree plan.
**Q-drop schedule
| Term | Q-Drop allowed |
|---|---|
| Fall, Winter & Spring | Between the beginning of the fourth week and the end of the sixth week of a course |
| Summer | Between Thursday of the second week and the end of the third week of a course |
If a Course Withdrawal Form or Q Drop Request Form is not submitted within the specified times and the student discontinues participation in the course, their grade will reflect both completed and uncompleted assignments.
Course Extension
Students experiencing extenuating circumstances after the 6th week (3rd week for summer term) of a course may request a course extension by completing the Course Extension Request Form, available in the LifeSpring Student Center. The course instructor and academic dean must approve the extension, and the instructor must assign a new due date. Extensions may not exceed 120 days after the last day of the course. If the course is not completed by the extension date assigned by the instructor, the student's grade will reflect both completed and uncompleted assignments for the entire course.
Class Cancellation
LifeSpring reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment. In the event of a class cancellation, students may choose to transfer enrollment to another course or receive a full tuition refund or credit*.
*Scholarship monies used for a cancelled course may not be transferred if a student chooses a refund or credit
Credit
Unit of Credit
Academic credit through LifeSpring is measured in units of credit. Units of credit are assigned to courses on the basis of the “Carnegie unit”, which is more commonly known as the “quarter unit”.
A 4 credit course is the equivalent of 40 hours of instruction and 80-120 hours of outside preparation and assignments by the student. For an internship or practicum, students earn 1 unit of credit per 40 hours of qualified and verified field experience.
Transfer of Credit
Students may request to have credits transferred from other institutions by having an official transcript sent to the LifeSpring office.
Credits from other institutions will be accepted upon the following conditions:
- Student earned a grade of C or better.
- Credits are from equivalent courses required for student’s program of study. Transfer of credits from non-evangelical institutions may be contingent upon student completion of additional assignments, integrative essay and/or a competency exam.
- The institution is accredited by a regional accrediting association, TRACS, ABHE, or ATS. Credit from non-accredited schools or schools accredited by other agencies may be evaluated and accepted at LifeSpring’s discretion.
- Credits from non-accredited institutions will be considered on a course-by-course basis.
Many institutions of higher learning award credit based on the “semester-unit” system. When applying semester credits to LifeSpring certificates or diplomas, the following equivalency scale is to be used:
1 semester unit = 1 ½ quarter units
2 semester units = 3 quarter units
3 semester units = 4 ½ quarter units
4 semester units = 6 quarter units
In order to receive a certificate or diploma from LifeSpring School of Ministry, 50 percent of total credits must be earned through LifeSpring or Summit School of Theology (SST). In order to receive a B.A. in Christian Ministry from LifeSpring School of Ministry, 30 percent of total credits must be earned through LifeSpring or Summit School of Theology (SST).
LITES Ministries
Graduates from LITES Ministries campus program who are enrolled in a LifeSpring program may request to earn credit for LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry. Requests may be sent to registrar@lifespringschool.org.
Credit by Demonstrated Competency
LifeSpring’s Credit by Demonstrated Competency opportunities offer students the opportunity to earn credit for knowledge acquired through life experience or self-study related to specific LifeSpring courses.
Because LifeSpring courses are designed around sets of content mastery objectives, both traditional and demonstrated competency credit is earned by demonstrating proficiency in a high percentage of these objectives. LifeSpring credit by demonstrated competency is recommended for students who believe their life experience and self-study has prepared them to be able to demonstrate proficiency in the content mastery objectives.
A list of courses available for credit by demonstrated competency and the associated content mastery objectives can be found on the LifeSpring website.
Graduation
In order to apply to graduate and be issued a diploma, students must submit a Program Completion Form no later than the last day of their final course. The Program Completion form is available in the LifeSpring Student Center.
Commencement
A commencement ceremony will take place every other July at the biennial convention of the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day). All students who graduate in the two academic years leading up to the commencement ceremony will be eligible to participate.