Course and Grade Information - Undergraduate

The Course Numbering System

Each course includes an academic discipline prefix followed by four numerals (Example: HIST 3305). The first numeral indicates the academic level of a course; developmental courses are indicated by a “0”; freshman-level courses by a “1”; sophomore-level courses by a “2”; junior/senior-level courses by a “3” or “4”; courses restricted to graduate students by a “5”; courses restricted to doctorate students by a “6.”

After taking a higher level course, a student is not allowed to take the prerequisite of the course for credit. For example, if a student successfully completed MATH 1304 - College Algebra , the student would not be allowed to take MATH 0325 - Pre-Algebra  and MATH 0326 - Elementary Algebra  or MATH 1300 - Intermediate Algebra .

The second digit indicates the credit hour(s) given for the course. The third and fourth digits represent the position of the course in the sequence of offerings by the discipline.

Example: HIST 3305

  HIST - History curriculum
  3 - Junior level course
  3 - Three hours credit
  05 - Fifth course in the sequence of history courses

Other indicators used in the numbering system include:

1. Hyphenated numbers, which indicate that the first course is usually a prerequisite to the second (GERM 1301-1302).
2. Directed Study Courses indicated by a section number of 99 (HIST 3305.99). 
3. Practicum Courses indicated by a 60-69 in the final two digits (EDUC 4361).
4. Experimental/Special Courses indicated by a 79X in the final digits (ENGL 4379X). 
5. Honor Courses indicated by a 90-99 in the final two digits (MATH 4691).

Definition of Courses

Developmental Courses

Developmental courses (such as MATH 0326  and ENGL 0301 ) offer students the opportunity to develop competence in the areas of reading comprehension, writing, mathematics, or English proficiency. Taught by qualified academic personnel, these courses do not count as credit toward a degree, but rather as additional GPA hours on the transcript.

Lower-Level Courses

Those courses designated as freshman or sophomore level. At Wayland these are indicated by a “1” or “2” in the initial digit (Example: ENGL 1301).

Upper-Level Courses

Those courses designated as junior or senior level courses. At Wayland, these are indicated by a “3” or a “4” in the initial digit (Example: EDUC 3301). All degrees and most subcomponents of degrees (i.e., major, minor) require a specified number of upper-level credits.

Graduate-Level Courses

Courses designated as master’s level courses begin with a “5” (Example: EDUC 5301). Courses designated as doctoral-level courses begin with a “6” (Example: MGMT 6301).

Unique Courses

In addition to its lecture and laboratory courses, the university offers a number of courses to meet unique needs. These include:

Undergraduate Directed Study Courses

Directed study courses are those taken by independent study when schedule problems confront senior-level students or when a special program is designed for an individual student. They carry a section number of 99. The content and the degree of difficulty of a directed study course are the same as for the regular course for which it is substituted. The following restrictions and procedures apply to all directed study courses.

1. A directed study course may not be taken during the same term in which the course is offered on the regular schedule.
2. Directed study courses may be taken only in the student’s major or minor field, and at least 12 credit hours must have been completed in both the major and the minor.
3. Courses taken by directed study must be junior or senior level, and they may not be substituted for lower-division courses in the general education requirements.
4. Courses in the general education requirements may not be taken directed study. 
5. Directed study courses may be offered only by full-time faculty members. 
6. A maximum of six credit hours in directed study courses may be applied toward a degree.
7. A minimum of one hour each week must be spent with the instructor, and at least 90 clock hours of study are normally required in addition to that time spent with the instructor.
8. There are no directed studies at external campuses except those taught by full-time faculty and approved by the vice president of academic affairs.
9. Directed study courses must be requested on the appropriate form, which is available in the University Registrar’s office and must be signed by the student, faculty advisor, dean, and vice president of academic affairs prior to registration. For students whose primary campus is external, the external campus executive director signature is also required.

Travel-Study Courses

Travel-study courses are designed as enrichment for regular course offerings within the various academic disciplines and require special approval by the Academic Council. Students participating in these courses must submit reservation fees at least four weeks before the departure.

Practicum Courses

Practicum courses are designed to provide the student with field experiences in a particular area of study.

Special Courses

Special courses are offered to complement course offerings in a department or school and to permit experimentation with a new subject. All special courses must be presented to Academic Council prior to being offered.

Honors Courses

These courses are designed to challenge academically superior students and to assist them in developing initiatives and abilities beyond those expected in a normal course of study.

Definition of a Credit Hour

Wayland Baptist University awards academic credit as credit hours. A credit hour is a unit of credit given for a minimum of 15 hours of lecture or 45 hours of laboratory per term. Each class hour generally requires an average of two hours of preparation by the student, with preparation times ranging from one to three hours per class hour. Although most courses are for three credit hours, course credits vary.

The credit hour represents the amount of work typically required to achieve stated student learning outcomes and verified by appropriate evidence of student achievement. The University’s definition of credit hour covers all coursework offered by the University that leads to academic credit and is consistent with federal guidelines and higher education best practice. The standard applies to all of Wayland’s undergraduate and graduate courses, both face-to-face and online.

Each credit hour awarded is the equivalent of a minimum of 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty contact and a minimum of 120 minutes of additional work outside of the classroom. This results in approximately 2,550 minutes of student work per credit hour regardless of length of term, location or method of delivery.

Courses that do not meet face-to-face (such as online courses) meet the standard for the award of credit hours when they adhere to one of the following:

a.  There is an equivalent face-to-face course, and the online version of the course covers the same material at the same level and meets the same learning outcomes as the face-to-face course.
b.  The course content has been evaluated and the credit-hour award has been approved through the University’s academic process, including approval by the faculty of the academic school in which the course resides and by the appropriate academic council (Academic Council for undergraduate courses and Graduate Council for graduate courses).

For other academic activities established by the University such as laboratory work, practica, internships, activity courses or studio work, students must complete at least an equivalent amount of work per credit hour as required for face-to-face or online classes.

Definition of Grade Points

Grade points are earned as follows for each credit hour completed.

Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

The GPA is used to determine academic standing. Academic standing, in turn, affects a number of things including scholarships, athletic eligibility, and graduation honors. All hours taken, except where CR, NCR, W, WP, WF, I, IP, and X are received, are used to determine the GPA. In instances when a course is repeated, only the last grade and corresponding grade points are counted in the cumulative GPA (see Repetition of a Course). GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale.

The Grading System

Grades for courses shall be recorded by the symbols below:

Other symbols used for grading include:

Faculty Grade Submission Deadlines

All faculty, instructors and adjunct instructors are required to adhere to grade submission deadlines as listed for their respective campus in the official academic university calendar portion of this catalog.

Change of Grade

A change of grade (among the values A, B, C, D, F, CR, NCR) may be made only if there has been an error in computation or recording of the grade, or if a change has been ordered as a result of the grade appeal process. A grade may not be changed because of consideration of work completed following the end of the respective session/term for which the grade was issued. The change is initiated by the instructor of record with notification sent to the academic dean of the school of record and the external campus executive director/dean for courses completed at an external campus. For such a change to be valid, it must be submitted to the university registrar on or before the last day of the term following the term in which the grade was originally issued, and on the form provided for that purpose.

Changing the Grade of Incomplete

A grade of incomplete is changed if the work required is completed prior to the last day of the next long 16-week term or 8-week session, unless the instructor designates an earlier date for completion. If the work is not completed by the appropriate date, the I is converted to the grade of F. An incomplete notation cannot remain on the student’s permanent record and must be replaced by the qualitative grade (A-F) by the date specified in the official University calendar of the next regular 16-week term or 8-week session. An incomplete turned to a qualitative grade will be indicated by the notation I/grade on the student’s transcript.

Grade Reports

Grade reports are available to students at the end of the session/term through the on-line student information system. Deficiency reports are sent at mid-term to those students enrolled on the Plainview campus who have been reported as making unsatisfactory progress by their instructors. Only the final grade for a course is permanently recorded.

Student Grade Appeals

A basic aspect of the teaching-learning process is the evaluation of student performances and the assignment of grades. Student performance will be evaluated solely on an academic basis, and not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to the course taken.

Faculty are responsible for providing syllabi which clearly specify course objectives and/or competencies, and for making clear the means of evaluation for purposes of grading students. Students are responsible for class attendance, for learning the content of any course of study and for those standards of academic performance established for a given course. Students who violate academic integrity and regulations by plagiarism, classroom misdemeanor, or academic dishonesty will be held accountable to faculty and may have their grades adjusted accordingly.

Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic evaluation. A student, who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the following grievance and appeal procedures. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.

Online Degree Program and WBUonline students

Any students pursuing degrees through Wayland’s on-line programs will follow the appeal process outlined for the Plainview campus. If the student is associated with one of the external campuses, the student will follow the process outlined for external campus students. The process may end at any step if the grievance is resolved or if a student fails to follow the above procedures.

Plainview Campus, WBUonline (Plainview primary campus), School of Nursing students

Students in one of these enrollment categories should follow the steps below:

1. The student shall first present, in writing, the matter of grievance to the instructor of the course. This must be done within thirty calendar days after the beginning of the next regular term. The faculty member will either sustain the judgment made or make a change according to an agreement reached with the student. This decision will be communicated to the student in writing within two weeks after receipt of the grievance. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval.
2. If the student feels the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at the student-faculty level, the student should submit the grievance to the dean of the school in which the course is taught. The appeal must be made in writing within two weeks after the faculty member has acted on the grievance; otherwise, the grievance shall be considered withdrawn. The dean of the school will review all facts and evidence in the case and mediate a decision between the student and the faculty member. The dean’s decision will be communicated in writing to the student and faculty member within two weeks after the receipt of the grievance. If the grievance is not further appealed, it will be considered resolved. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval.
3. If the student or faculty member is not satisfied, he/she may request the vice president of academic affairs to refer the appeal to the university Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee. This request must be made in writing, must include the basis for the appeal, and must be submitted within two weeks following receipt of the decision of the dean of the school.
4. The student or faculty member may appeal the findings of the committee in writing to the vice president of academic affairs within one week after receiving the committee’s report. The vice president of academic affairs will render a decision within two weeks and copies of such decision will be sent to the student, the faculty member, and the dean of the school involved. This decision shall be final in all cases of grade appeals.
5. Failure to submit grievances within the required time period will negate the student’s complaint. No grievances will be considered after one full term has passed after the student has received the grade in question.

External Campus and WBUonline (associated with an external campus) students

Students in one of these enrollment categories should follow the steps below:

1. A student shall first present, in writing, the matter of grievance to the instructor of the course. This must be done within thirty calendar days after the beginning of the next regular term. The faculty member will either sustain the judgment made or make a change according to an agreement reached with the student. This decision will be communicated to the student in writing within two weeks after receipt of the grievance. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval.
2. If the student feels the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at the student-faculty level, the external campus student should submit the grievance to the campus executive director within two weeks after the decision by the professor. The appeal must be made in writing. The external campus executive director will review all facts and evidence in the case and mediate a decision between the student and the faculty member. The executive director’s decision will be communicated in writing to the student and faculty member within two weeks. The executive director will notify the appropriate school dean of this decision. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval.
3. If the student or faculty member feels the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at student-executive director level, the grievance should be submitted to the dean of the school in which the course is taught. The appeal must be made in writing within two weeks after the external campus executive director has acted on the grievance; otherwise, the grievance shall be considered withdrawn. The dean of the school will review all facts and evidence in the case and mediate a decision between the student and the faculty member. The dean’s decision will be communicated in writing to the student and faculty member within two weeks after the receipt of the grievance. If the grievance is not further appealed, it will be considered resolved. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval.
4. If the student or faculty member is not satisfied, he/she may request the vice president of academic affairs to refer the appeal to the university Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee. This request must be made in writing, must include the basis for the appeal, and must be submitted within two weeks following receipt of the decision of the dean of the school.
5. The student or faculty member may appeal the findings of the committee in writing to the vice president of academic affairs within one week after receiving the committee’s report. The vice president of academic affairs will render a decision within two weeks and copies of such decision will be sent to the student, the faculty member, the external campus executive director, and the dean of the school involved. This decision shall be final in all cases of grade appeals.
6. Failure to submit grievances within the required time period will negate the student’s complaint.
7. For students attending a campus in the state of Arizona, if the appeal cannot be resolved after exhausting the appeal process, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board of Private Post-Secondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details. The State Board address is: 1740 W. Adams St., Suite 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Phone: (602) 542-5709; Website:http://www.ppse.az.gov.
8. For students attending a campus in the state of New Mexico, if the appeal cannot be resolved after exhausting the appeal process, the student may file a complaint with the New Mexico Higher Education Department at NMHED/PPSD, 2044 Galisteo St., Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100. Phone (505) 476-8442 or (505) 476-8416. Forms may be found at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/institutions/complaints.aspx.
9. For students attending a campus in the state of Alaska, students may also appeal to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education at http://acpe.alaska.gov/; (800) 441-2962; or ACPE@alaska.gov. This appeal process is open to issues besides just grade appeals, for example cessation of programs without proper notice, deceptive practices, or untimely refunds.

Course Syllabus

A course syllabus will be provided to each student on the first day of class. At a minimum, each Wayland undergraduate syllabus is to include the following elements in the order listed: 

1. Wayland Baptist University, campus name, academic school name (e.g., School of Humanities and Leadership) 
2. Wayland Mission Statement
3. Course Name - alpha, numeric, section, course title (e.g., ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric)
4. Term/Session
5. First and last name of instructor 
6. Office phone number and WBU email address (home phone and cell phone optional) 
7. Office hours, building, and location 
8. Class meeting time and location 
9. Catalog description
10. Prerequisites 
11. Required textbook and resource materials
12. Optional materials
13. Course outcome competencies
14. Attendance requirements
15. Statement on Academic Integrity and reference regarding how generative artificial intelligence (GAI) may or may not be used in the course; such as:
    1. No use of any generative AI tools permitted.
       1. Students are required to create and produce all work themselves or with assigned group members. Any work submitted that has used an AI generative tool like ChatGPT will be in immediate violation of the academic integrity policies for the course and WBU.
       2. All assignments must be fully created, designed, and prepared by the student(s).
       3. Any work that uses generative AI will be treated as plagiarism.
    2. Generative AI tools permitted in specific context and with proper citations.
       1. Students are allowed to use, reference, or incorporate generative AI tools into specific assignments for this course. When used, students must properly cite the generative AI tool in their submitted work.
       2. While there is no true substitute for direct help and instruction for your instructor, students may be allowed to use generative AI tools to provide further explanations of course content, readings, and other assignments. Any use of generative AI tools to help further explain or translate content must be properly referenced and cited.
       3. Specific parameters for generative AI usage are provided by the instructor.
       4. Any use of generative AI tools outside of the approved instructor parameters will be considered a form of plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
    3. Generative AI tools usage encouraged and may be actively assigned in coursework.
       1. Use of generative AI tools is actively encouraged and incorporated in to specific assignments for this course.
       2. Use of generative AI tools for assignments in brainstorming, content understanding, or revision to work is perfectly acceptable if cited and referenced properly in any submitted work for the course.
       3. Use of generative AI is encouraged as long as students understand the use of generative AI in the course is to be an assistance tool and not the generator of assignments and submitted work. Ultimately, all submitted work must still reflect student’s own work, understanding, and analysis.
       4. Specific parameters for generative AI usage provided by the instructor.
       5. Any use of generative AI tools outside of the approved instructor parameters will be considered a form of plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
16. Disability statement - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university. The Disability Services Coordinator and Academic Coach serve as the coordinator of students with disabilities and must be contacted concerning accommodation requests (office (806) 291-1057). Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
17. Course requirements and grading criteria
18. The following statement must be included following course requirements and grading criteria: Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic Catalog.  Appeals  may  not  be  made  for  advanced  placement  examinations  or course  bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the vice president of academic affairs to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
19. Tentative schedule (calendar, topics, assignments)
20. Faculty may add additional information as desired