I am a new student, when do I register for classes?

Registration opens for new students on the 3rd Monday in April for fall semester, and on the 3rd Monday in November for spring semester.

How do I know what courses are required for my degree?

Students follow the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog for the semester in which they first entered their degree program. This means that even if the school changes the degree requirements, you will still follow the original requirements. However, students may choose to enter into a newer catalog year but cannot opt into older catalog requirements.

To view the degree requirements for a program, students should consult the academic catalog from the year they started the degree.

Can I change degrees?

In certain situations, students may desire to change degree programs. Some may wish to switch to a newer academic catalog for their current degree because degree requirements have been modified. Others may wish to change programs because their long-term vocational objectives have changed.

To change degrees or move to a newer academic catalog, students should complete the Degree Change Form.

Note: Requests to change degrees from the MDiv to the MA are rarely approved because most MA programs (with the exception of those in the School of Church Ministries) are reserved for laypeople. If you are unsure whether it is the best option for you to change degree plans, contact your academic advisor.

Is it possible to substitute a required course with a different course?

Course substitutions are possible but only as rare exceptions. All requests for substitutions must be submitted through the Course Substitution Form. Students who are considering a course substitution request should consult the Course Substitution Policy.

What should I do if a required course for my degree plan is no longer (or rarely) offered because it has been modified in newer academic catalogs?

When newer catalogs alter a degree requirement, students in older catalogs can choose to either take the original class or have the new course automatically substitute in the place of the original. Examples of this automatic substitution include:

• 35040 Leadership and Family Ministry replaces 40080 The Ministry of Leadership
• 32060 Building an Evangelistic Church replaces 32030 Introduction to Evangelism and Church Growth
• 40150 Personal Spiritual Disciplines replaces 40010 Formation for Christian Ministry
• 40301 Pastoral Ministry replaces the Worship elective for older Theology M.Div. programs

Do courses need to be taken in any particular order?

It is preferable to take the second semester of two-semester introductory courses after the first semester, but this is not required. Further recommendations about the order of completing courses can be found in the Course Selection Planning Guide.

Do any courses have prerequisites?

Please refer to the curriculum guide and course descriptions in the back of the academic catalog to see if the course you want to take has a prerequisite.

Common courses with prerequisites are:

• Preaching Practicum (Christian Preaching is required)
• The  Syntax & Exegesis courses for both Greek and Hebrew (Elementary Greek/Hebrew is required)
• Applied Ministry (Personal Spiritual Disciplines is required)
• Counseling Electives (Introduction to Biblical Counseling is required)

How do preaching classes apply to women?

Christian Preaching and Preaching Practicum are restricted to male students. Female students may choose from course numbers 36105, 45450, 46515, or 48100 to fulfill the requirements for either of these courses in a degree program.

What should I do when I plan to graduate?

All students who indicate an intention to graduate in the following semester on their Student Information Form will automatically receive a preliminary graduation audit prior to the start of their final semester. Students who would like a degree audit prior to their final semester should consult the Degree Audit Portlet.