Academic Policy

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=125 BGCOLOR="#996699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040467d1erlcll.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>National Spiritual Science Center</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="National Spiritual Science Center"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Curriculum"><U>Curriculum</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Registration"><U>Registration</U></A>   |   <B>Academic Policy</B>   |   <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fourth Year Admission Requirements"><U>Fourth Year Admission Requirements</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12 Qualities of A Spiritual Leader"><U>12 Qualities of A Spiritual Leader</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=155 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="National Spiritual Science Center"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vision"><U><B>Vision</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Spiritual Science"><U><B>What is Spiritual Science?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual Science Guidelines"><U><B>Spiritual Science Guidelines</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="School of Spiritual Science"><U><B>School of Spiritual Science</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Curriculum"><U><B>Curriculum</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Registration"><U><B>Registration</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Academic Policy</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fourth Year Admission Requirements"><U><B>Fourth Year Admission Requirements</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12 Qualities of A Spiritual Leader"><U><B>12 Qualities of a Spiritual Leader</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U><B>Calendar</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prayer List"><U><B>Prayer List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="InSpirit"><U><B>InSpirit</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership"><U><B>Membership</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><U><B>Board of Directors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U><B>Related Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=355 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>ACADEMIC POLICY</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>REGULATIONS</B></div> <div> Students enrolled in the School of Spiritual Science are required to conform to the following regulations. Students who withdraw or are suspended, or who, for any other reason, are not registered at the School for one semester or more, may re-enter and continue work only under the regulations and requirements in force at the time of return.</div> <bR> <div> <B>ADMISSIONS</B></div> <div> Acceptance is based on available space and evidence of potential for successful study. The following criteria are considered: previous diplomas and degrees, previous metaphysical or esoteric studies, stated purpose for taking School courses, suitability of individual for metaphysical studies.</div> <bR> <div> Applicants must be high school graduates. Those who have not graduated from high school, but who have satisfied graduation requirements through the General Education Development (GED) Test or through an accredited high school home study course, may be considered for admission.</div> <bR> <div> <B>REGISTRATION</B></div> <div> For the Fall term, registration may be conducted by mail at any time prior to the official registration period which takes place during the month of August. For the Spring term, registration takes place in February. Registration may be conducted by mail or in person.</div> <bR> <div> Classes begin the first week in September, one evening per week, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, for two 18-week semesters. Tuition plans are available. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required with the Registration application. For further information, call and leave a message at the Center.</div> <bR> <div> Students must register for each semester. Satisfactory completion of previous semester require-ments is necessary to continue.</div> <bR> <div> <B>TUITION</B></div> <div> Tuition may be paid in full at Registration, or through a Tuition Plan contracted with the Center. Tuition payments are made only to the course instructor (or designated representative), either at a specific registration period, or on a class night. (Tuition payments are never placed in the Sunday collection plate.) All tuition must be paid in full by week 18 of each semester.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Tuition Refunds</B></I></div> <div> Tuition will be refunded in full when a student withdraws from the current semester prior to attending any classes, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit required for registration. The remaining tuition balance is 75% refundable through the 2nd week only. Books may not be returned for refunds.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>One Time Tuition Waiver for a Returning Student who is completing a "Withdrawal" or "Incomplete" Course</B></I></div> <div> A returning student completing a withdrawal or incomplete course may waive payment of tuition for a course which they paid for completely. If a student's withdrawal from a particular semester because of a personal or family emergency, has been approved by both the course instructor and the Education Director, and he or she completely paid for this course within a two-year period before retaking the course, the student may repeat that specific semester for one time only at no additional charge. If reaccepted into the program, any subsequent return by the student will require full tuition payment for that and all following courses. If a student is asked to leave a semester because of non-fulfillment of attendance, homework, other classroom responsibilities or unsatisfactory conduct, he or she, if reaccepted to the program, is required to pay full tuition for that semester and all following courses.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Payment Procedure for New Student Sign Up Bonus</B></I></div> <div> Beginning with the Fall, 1999 semester, the NSSC Board of Directors voted to pay a fifty dollar ($50.00) bonus to NSSC students or members for each new student introduced to the School of Spiritual Science, after that new student has completed payment in full for the first semester.</div> <bR> <div> The bonus may be paid directly, or credited to an existing student's semester tuition. The bonus is paid or credited only if, and when, the new student has completed full payment for their first semester. The bonus applies only to the new student's first semester at the School; not for each semester of the new student's tenure. </div> <div> <I>For example: if you brought two students into the September semester of the first year, you are eligible for a one-hundred dollar bonus or tuition credit: (a) as soon as your students pay in full- even if they do not complete the semester. If the student withdraws without completing payment, no bonus is paid. You may contact the teacher of SS101 to find out if or when your student(s) has paid; and, (b) a tuition payment or credit of fifty dollars per paid student will given to you in the second semester of the school year.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>TRANSFER STUDENTS</B></div> <div> To be accepted for transfer from another School of Spiritual Science, a student must:</div> <div> • Be in good standing as to scholarship and conduct at the other school. A student who has been academically dismissed from another School of Spiritual Science will not normally be considered for admission.</div> <div> • Submit an application and meet standards for admission to the School of Spiritual Science at the National Spiritual Science Center.</div> <div> • Submit a written request for transfer of credit for courses taken at another School of Spiritual Science.</div> <div> • Arrange for transmittal of official transcripts to the School of Spiritual Science at the National Spiritual Science Center for review by the Board of Education.</div> <div> • Be interviewed by the Board of Education and recommended for admission into the School of Spiritual Science at the National Spiritual Science Center.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Transfer of Credit</B></I></div> <div> Credit for courses taken at another institution may be transferred only from another School of Spiritual Science affiliated with the National Spiritual Science Center. Transfer credit must satisfy the requirements for the degree sought as stated in this bulletin. Each course will be evaluated for transfer of credit on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Education of the School of Spiritual Science at the National Spiritual Science Center. Evaluation will be based on the course syllabus, books and other materials used, attendance and written course requirements and qualification of the instructional staff teaching the course.</div> <bR> <div> <B>TEXTS</B></div> <div> Text costs are not included in tuition. All texts used in the School of Spiritual Science are available for purchase at the Center. Text costs are subject to change without notice, and they may not be returned for refund. For approximate costs, talk with the Education Director or class instructor. The non-refundable tuition deposit of $100 does not include or apply to text costs.</div> <bR> <div> <B>SCHOLARSHIP</B></div> <div> After successful completion of the first year, a student may apply in writing for a scholarship to the Director of the School of Spiritual Science, who will present the application to the Board of Directors of the National Spiritual Science Center for approval Applications must be received by the Board of Directors in a timely manner, and before the beginning of the semester where the scholarship is requested. Scholarships are approved for only one semester at a time. Students are expected to meet their own financial obligations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>WORK-STUDY</B></div> <div> Work-study positions at the NSSC are sometimes available to students with a demonstrated need for financial aid. Prerequisite: Successful completion of SS101. Interested students should contact the Director of the School of Spiritual Science. Such requests will be forwarded to the NSSC Board of Directors for action.</div> <bR> <div> <B>ATTENDANCE</B></div> <div> A student may attend only those classes for which he or she is registered. Regular attendance is expected and the instructor for each course maintains attendance records for each student at the School. A student is permitted three absences per semester. <B>Three late arrivals to or early departures from a class meeting will be counted as one absence</B>. When a class or portion thereof is missed, the student is expected to obtain lecture notes concerning the missed class material and submit class assignments as detailed in the class syllabus. Required attendance at National Spiritual Science Center activities other than classes is listed under each course description. A student may be dropped, by the Director of Education, from any course for excessive absences.</div> <bR> <div> <B>GRADES and HOMEWORK</B></div> <div> Grading System: The following grading system is used: Complete; Incomplete; Withdrawal. A student will receive a student evaluation review during the 8th and 16th week.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Incomplete and Withdrawal</B></I></div> <div> When work is not complete, the grade of "I" or "W" will be recorded. The grade "I" indicates that a satisfactory explanation has been given to the instructor for the student's inability to complete the required work of the course. At the option of the instructor, the grade "I" may be recorded if a student, for reasons beyond the student's control, is unable to complete the work of the course, and if the instructor is informed of, and approves, such reasons before the end of the semester. The grade may be used only if the student's prior performance and class attendance in the course has been satisfactory. If a student satisfactorily completes the work of a course of the semester, the student will be graded "complete." Any failure to complete the work of a course by the end of the semester will result in a grade of "incomplete." The student may not continue into the next semester until such assignments are completed. If acceptable reasons are presented to the instructor, the instructor may initiate an appropriate change. The grade of "withdrawal" is assigned when a student is registered for a course that he or she has not attended or in which he or she has done no substantial graded work.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Homework and Meditation assignments</B></I></div> <div> Completion of homework and meditation assignments is mandatory and due every week. Whether late, absent due to illness, travel or special circumstances, each student is responsible for submitting class assignments on time. All class assignments, including homework, and all tuition payments must be completed in full and turned in to the instructor by the last week of the semester. All school commitments must be satisfied before a student may continue into the next semester or school year. In any course, more than four week's of uncompleted homework/meditation assignments are grounds for dismissal by the Director of Education.</div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS</B></div> <div> The policy for academic standards is established by the Board of Education of the School of Spiritual Science composed of faculty members. The Board of Education has set the following standards to determine student academic progress. A student must receive a grade of "complete:" </div> <div> a. On all class assignments, which will be recorded and returned to students weekly. All class assignments must be completed in full by the last week of the semester. In any course, more than four weeks uncompleted homework/meditation assignments are grounds for dismissal by the Director of Education.</div> <div> b. For class participation, which will be given in a Progress Report after the 8th and 16th class meetings. The cumulative grades will be conveyed to students by the 9th and 18th class meetings of the course.</div> <div> c. At the end of the semester for the course of its entirety, in order to proceed to the succeeding semester. Course grade will be communicated to the student before the beginning class date of the succeeding semester.</div> <bR> <div> <B>STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT</B></div> <div> While attending classes, or otherwise present upon the premises of the National Spiritual Science Center, please consider the following standards of conduct out of respect for the sensitivities of fellow classmates and your instructors.</div> <div> • NSSC is a smoke and drug free facility.</div> <div> • Cultivation of habits of personal cleanliness, and the wearing of only light smelling fragrances or none at all, out of respect for the sensitivities of classmates and instructors.</div> <bR> <div> <B>DISMISSAL, SUSPENSION OR OTHER INTERRUPTION OF STUDY</B></div> <div> A student may be dismissed, suspended or otherwise subject to interruption of his program of study for failure to meet the School's standards for (a) student conduct, (b) academic progress, or (c) attendance.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Procedures</B></I></div> <div> a. A student failing to meet any of the above standards will be asked to attend a student-teacher conference to discuss the extent of the failure to meet standards.</div> <div> b. The teacher will schedule an initial meeting attended by the student, teacher, and Director of the School of Spiritual Science to determine the extent of the student's failure to meet standards.</div> <div> c. If the Director determines that the extent of the student's failure to meet standards is so great that the student will not be able to remedy the failure within four weeks, the student will be immediately dismissed from the School and issued a letter of dismissal.</div> <div> d. If the Director, after independent consultation with the teacher, determines that the student may be able to remedy his failure to meet standards within four weeks, then the student will be placed on probation for four weeks.</div> <div> e. At the termination of a probationary period, the teacher will schedule a follow-up meeting attended by the student, teacher and Director to assess whether the student has remedied his failure to meet standards. After the meeting, the Director will determine whether the student has remedied his failure. If the Director decides that the student has, then the student's probationary status will be terminated and his or her enrollment in the School may continue. If the Director decides that the student has not, then the student will be dismissed or suspended from the School, or will have his program of study otherwise interrupted for a specified period, and issued a letter of dismissal, suspension or other interruption of study.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Right to Dismiss Students</B></I></div> <div> The right is reserved by the School to dismiss or exclude any student from the School or the National Spiritual Science Center, or from any class or classes, whenever, in the interest of the student or the School, if the School administration deems it advisable.</div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS</B></div> <div> Graduation and ordination certificates are conferred each spring. To be recommended by the faculty for graduation, a student must have:</div> <div> a. Met the School of Spiritual Science's admission requirements.</div> <div> b. Met the School's standards for (1) student conduct, (2) academic progress, and (3) attendance.</div> <div> c. Satisfied all indebtedness to the School.</div> <bR> <div> <B>RULES CHANGE</B></div> <div> The School reserves the right to modify or change all requirements, rules and tuition. Such requirements, rules, etc., shall go into effect whenever the proper authorities may determine. Any change will be published promptly and distributed to faculty and students.</div> <bR> <div> <B>CHANGES IN PROGRAMS AND COURSES</B></div> <div> The School reserves the right to make changes in its programs, texts, courses and materials without notice whenever circumstances warrant such changes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>POLICY ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</B></div> <div> The School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap or veteran status. This policy covers all programs, services, policies and procedures of the School, including admission into educational programs and employment.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>