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; Academic Achievement is 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” or “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 ACAC 0325 - Pre-Algebra and ACAC 0326 - Elementary Algebra or MATH 1300 - Intermediate Algebra .
The second digit indicates the semester hour credit 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 semester hours credit
05 - Fifth course in the sequence of history courses
Other indicators used in the numbering system include:
- Hyphenated numbers, which indicate that the first semester course is usually a prerequisite to the second (GERM 1301-1302).
- Directed Study Courses indicated by a section number of 99 (HIST 3305.99).
- Practicum Courses indicated by a 60-69 in the final two digits (EDUC 4361).
- Experimental/Special Courses indicated by a 79X in the final digits (ENGL 4379X).
- Honor Courses indicated by a 90-99 in the final two digits (MATH 4691).
Definition of Courses
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.
Unique Courses
In addition to its lecture and laboratory courses, the university offers a number of courses to meet unique needs. These include:
Graduate Directed Study Courses
Directed study courses may be offered when special circumstances or scheduling conflicts indicate their need. A directed study is any type of study which is conducted under the supervision of a full-time graduate faculty member. The course must not be concurrently scheduled. Credit hours will be awarded for each directed study course as listed in the catalog for regularly scheduled classes. The student must initiate all directed study, and a written summary along with a course syllabus must be submitted to the dean of the appropriate academic school for approval, prior to the academic term for which credit is sought. The student should submit a written request to the school dean during the advisement period. The academic school dean and the vice president of academic affairs must grant approval prior to enrollment. The student and faculty member will work out the format of each course and will adhere to the following standards:
- No student may take more than one three-semester hour directed study course per academic term; and no more than six hours of directed study may be applied to a graduate degree.
- The student’s schedule must allow for an average of three hours of work per week per semester hour, including time spent in meeting with the professor. Meetings must be documented and submitted to the school dean at the end of the academic term.
- A clearly written understanding must be established between the student and professor concerning the objectives of the study, procedures, reading, written work, travel, and means of evaluation. A written summary of this agreement must be submitted to the school dean prior to enrollment in the course.
- Additional requirements may be imposed by the academic school.
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 Graduate 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 Graduate 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 or Semester Hour
Wayland Baptist University awards academic credit as semester credit hours. A semester 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-semester hours credit, 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 semester hour completed.
| Grade |
Grade Points Earned |
| A |
4 |
| B |
3 |
| C |
2 |
| D |
1 |
| F |
0 |
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:
| SYMBOL |
PERCENTAGE |
| A |
90-100 |
| B |
80-89 |
| C |
70-79 |
| D |
60-69 |
| F |
Below 60 |
Other symbols used for grading include:
| CR |
Credit |
Satisfactory, but without qualitative grading. |
| NCR |
No credit |
Unsatisfactory, but without qualitative grading. |
| I |
Incomplete |
An incomplete may be given within the last two weeks of a long term or within the last two days of a microterm to a student who is passing, but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work for reasons beyond the student’s control. |
| IP |
In progress |
Assigned to a course indicating that at the conclusion of the semester the course was still in progress. |
| X |
No grade |
No grade has been submitted by the instructor. The course grade, which will replace the X must be submitted within 30 days from the beginning of the next full semester. An X can only be issued by the University Registrar’s Office. |
| W |
Withdrawal |
Course(s) dropped or withdrawal from the university after census date, see Change of Schedule and Withdrawal from the University. |
| WP |
Withdrawal Passing |
Course(s) dropped or withdrawal from the university after the deadline to withdraw with a W and prior to the deadline to withdraw with a WP or WF, see Change of Schedule and Withdrawal from the University. |
| WF |
Withdrawal Failing |
Course(s) dropped or withdrawal from the university after the deadline to withdraw with a W and prior to the deadline to withdraw with a WP or WF, see Change of Schedule and Withdrawal from the University. |
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 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 semester 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 (10-15 weeks) term, 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 term. 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 semester through the on-line student information system. Deficiency reports are sent at mid-semester 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
If a student in one of these enrollment categories feels the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at the student-faculty level, the student should follow the steps below:
- 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. If agreement is reached, the faculty member will either sustain the judgment made or make a change according to the agreement reached within two weeks. 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.
- 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 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.
- If the student 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.
- 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.
- 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
If a student in one of these enrollment categories feels the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at the student-faculty level, the student should follow the steps below:
- 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. If agreement is reached, the faculty member will either sustain the judgment made or make a change according to the agreement reached within two weeks. 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.
- 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 external campus executive director will either sustain the judgment of the professor or make a change according to the agreement reached with the student 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.
- If the student 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 faculty member or 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 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.
- If the student 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.
- 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.
- Failure to submit grievances within the required time period will negate the student’s complaint.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Wayland Baptist University, campus name, academic school name (e.g., School of Languages and Literature)
- Wayland Mission Statement
- Course Name - alpha, numeric, section, course title (e.g., ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric)
- Term
- First and last name of instructor
- Office phone number and WBU email address (home phone and cell phone optional)
- Office hours, building, and location
- Class meeting time and location
- Catalog description
- Prerequisites
- Required textbook and resource materials
- Optional materials
- Course outcome competencies
- Attendance requirements
- Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
- 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 Director of Counseling, Career, & Disability serves as the coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291-3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
- Course requirements and grading criteria
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.
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Tentative schedule (calendar, topics, assignments)
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Faculty may add additional information as desired
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