Catalog and Student Handbook

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

The Independent Baptist College provides its students with an education that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and Church-oriented. We believe that the formal education received in the structured educational environment of a Bible college is preferable to the long process of learning solely by unplanned educational experiences. The Independent Baptist College is committed, therefore, to the philosophy of Christian education that recognizes the distinctive features of autonomy and authority of the local church and which emphasizes both the understanding of the Word of God as foundational to all knowledge and the demonstration of its principles as essential to all of life.

This philosophy is reflected in the following statements:

  1. The Bible, as the infallible Word of God, gives to humanity absolute and final revelation of God and His will and provides the foundation for all knowledge.
  2. The Bible is the focal point of all curricular material, whether in spiritual development or general education.
  3. The local church is the divine institution through which God does His work.
  4. Sound doctrine, spiritual maturity, evangelistic zeal, and educational excellence are indispensable qualities to be cultivated in the Christian's life.
This philosophy has been demonstrated in the lives of the many students who have attended IBC since its founding in 1964.

ADMISSIONS POLICIES

Admission to Independent Baptist College is selective and only those likely to benefit from the distinctive nature of the college and those in sympathy with the college's primary purpose will be admitted.

IBC does admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school-administered programs.

However, the Independent Baptist college reserves the right to prohibit enrollment of the divorced male applicant whose intention is to assume a pastorate. Other divorced applicants or those married to divorcees will be considered individually by the Admissions Committee. Applicants in this category must meet the same qualifications as all other students and will also be considered individually by the Admissions Committee. Our interpretation of Scripture leads to the conclusion that women are prohibited from the pastoral office. Therefore, IBC does not allow women students to enroll in pastoral courses. Elective courses will be substituted.

CREDIT TRANSFER

IBC reserves the right to accept or refuse credit transfer for work done at other institutions. The transfer student may be required to achieve satisfactory scores on entrance examinations and/or complete one semester satisfactorily at IBC before credit is granted. The following stipulations will be observed in evaluating transfer credit:

  1. No grade below a "C" will be transferred.
  2. Liberal arts taken at an accredited school will be accepted when they conform to our requirements.
  3. Credit for Bible college work will be granted when the course description is compatible with a course description in this catalog.
  4. Transfer from unaccredited colleges in Texas will be based on the stipulations in the statements above and/or the school's certification by the Coordinating Board for the Texas College and University System.
  5. Transfer from unaccredited colleges outside of Texas will be based on the stipulations of that state's educational agency.
  6. No credit will be transferred until IBC receives an official copy of the student's transcript.
  7. The student will receive a form listing the courses that transfer and the corresponding credit received.
  8. No more than 24 hours may transfer into IBC.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

A person desiring to enter the Independent Baptist College must submit the following information to the Registrar's office:

  1. A completed application filed within the one year period preceding the desired time of registration.
  2. A physical examination conducted by the family physician within the past six months.
  3. An official transcript of his/her high school record mailed direct from the office of a recognized high school, certifying graduation and a minimum of 20 units. The high school equivalent (G.E.D.) will be considered individually.
  4. An official transcript of all college or Bible college work sent directly from the office of the respective institution or institutions.
  5. All the above information must be received at least three weeks before registration so the student's file can be completed and a letter of acceptance issued. The student should not come before receiving a letter of acceptance.
  6. A brief statement of the student's salvation experience.
  7. A brief statement of his/her objective if the student feels that God would have him/her enter a particular field of Christian service.

TESTING

All freshmen and transfer students are required to take standardized entrance examinations. Proficiency will be measured by exams in English, Bible, and reading. These exams are normally administered through the orientation course.

Students who do not make an acceptable score on the English placement examination are required to enroll in a remedial English class until such time that they make an acceptable score. All students who are within 24 hours of completion of their diploma will be required to take an English proficiency exam. Failure to attain a passing score will result in enrollment in an English class.

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION

REGULAR STUDENTS

These are students who are enrolled in a certificate or diploma program. These students are classified as follows:

Freshmen 0-32 hours
Sophmore 33-64 hours
Junior 65-96 hours
Senior 97-128

UNCLASSIFIED STUDENTS

These are students who attend a limited number of classes for personal improvement not leading to a certificate or diploma. If at any time an unclassified student desires to become a regular student and his work has been satisfactory, the student may do so by meeting all the requirements for admission as a regular student. Normally, the unclassified student will be restricted to first and second year courses.

AUDITING STUDENTS

These students are required to pay the auditing rate per hour for the classes they attend. Auditing students will not take tests or hand in written work. Attendance requirements are the same as those for the regular and unclassified students. A grade status of "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" will be given based upon attendance.

EVENING CLASS STUDENTS

Some courses are scheduled at night to accommodate students when warranted. These courses are open to all students. The courses selected for night scheduling will be determined upon the basis of need.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

GRADING SYSTEM

A--93-100               Excellent                               A--1 hour=4 points
B--85-92                 Good, above ave.                  B--1 hour=3 points
C--77-84                Average, acceptable               C--1 hour=2 points
D--69-76                Below average, conditional     D--1 hour=1 point
F--68 or below       Failure                                    F--1 hour=0 points

I          An incomplete will be given, but only for reasons of extended illness or major family emergencies. This incomplete must be removed by the end of the following semester.

W          A withdrawal will be recorded if a course is dropped within the first nine weeks of any semester.

WF          A withdrawal failing will be given if a course is dropped after the first nine weeks (see academic calendar for specific dates).

S          A satisfactory grade is given where numerical equivalents are not assigned.

U          A "U" is given when work is unsatisfactory and numerical equivalents are not assigned.

F          An "F" will also be recorded on the transcript for all unofficial withdrawals. An official withdrawal is a written withdrawal notice (form S-4) from the student to the Dean.

MAKE-UP EXAMS

Any student enrolled in a class for credit may elect to retake or make up any exam except the final with the instructor's approval. However, the penalty of $20 per exam must be paid to the bookkeeper prior to taking the exam.

WITHDRAWAL OR CHANGE OF COURSE

A student withdrawing from the college during the school year must submit a withdrawal notice (Form S-4) to the Dean's office. If this regulation is not followed, a failing grade will be recorded on the permanent record in all courses in which the student is enrolled.

Any change in a student's schedule other than an "administrative change," made after the period during which change is permitted, will be charged at the rate of $5 each. Withdrawal from a course must be arranged within the time period specified in the college calendar. See statement under "Refunds." Details are given in the Student Handbook.

UNITS OF CREDIT

A unit of credit is defined as the credit given for one fifty-minute period of class instruction weekly throughout the semester. For example, if a student meets in a class three times a week for one semester, he will receive three semester hours of credit.

ACADEMIC HONORS

Graduating students may be considered for Honors on the following bases:
Cum Laude grade point average 3.50-3.69
Magna Cum Laude grade point average 3.70-3.89
Summa Cum Laude grade point average 3.90-4.00

STUDENT HONOR ROLLS

Regular students at IBC enrolled in the number of hours required in their program per semester as specified in their curriculum have the opportunity to be recognized for high scholastic achievements during each semester. The college has two honor rolls which are posted for each semester. The GPA's necessary for these honors are listed below:

Dean's List 3.50-3.89 GPA
President's List 3.90-4.00 GPA

Special or unclassified students are ineligible.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

The administration and faculty believe strongly in quality performance by all students. Therefore, all regular students who fail to maintain a 2.0 GPA in a given semester will be placed on academic probation.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Any student who fails to maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average for two consecutive regular semesters is placed on academic suspension and prohibited from enrollment for the next regular semester. Under extenuating circumstances he/she may appeal to the Admission's Committee for further consideration.

Reinstatement to academic probation status may take place after approval by the Admission's Committee and payment of a $30 reinstatement fee. Upon obtaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above within two regular semesters after reinstatement, the student will be removed from academic probation.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

When students enter college, it is expected that they will give first priority consideration to thier studies. Classes are conducted with the expectation that each student will be present and on time for every class. Students are responsible for the materials covered during the time of each class period, as well as assigned outside work for each class. There are no unexcused absences given. Educational expectations cannot be reached if there is excessive tardiness and absenteeism. Three tardy marks are equivalent to one absence. When 25% of the classes are missed it is an automatic failure of that course. If over 10% of the classes are missed there will be a graduated penality taken off the course grade up to 25% which is automatic failure. When 10% or less of the classes are missed there is no penalty, but the assigned work is still due and the student is responsible for all the materials covered during his or her absence.

NUMBERING OF COURSES

100 level courses are primarily first year courses.
200 level courses are primarily second year courses.
300 level courses are primarily third year courses.

COURSE DESCRIPTION CODE

All courses are identified by one of the following code letters:

EN--English
CD--Christian Development
CE -- Christian Education NT--New Testament
GK--Greek
PS-- Psychology

 OT--Old Testament
PA--Pastoral
MU-- Music
TH--Theology
SP--Speech
HB --Hebrews

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Complete all courses specified in your particular program of study.
  2. Complete the number of hours specified in your particular program of study.
  3. For the one-year Investment in Eternity certificate, all courses must be taken in residence (including extension courses).
  4. For the Certificate in Biblical Studies, take a minimum of 48 hours in residence.
  5. For the Diploma in Biblical Studies, take a minimum of 72 hours in residence.
  6. For the Diploma in Biblical Studies, the student must demonstrate a mastery of English by passing an English exam.
  7. Maintain a 2.0 grade point average on all course work. (Transfer work is accepted on a pass/fail basis and is not figured into grade point average of work done at IBC.)
  8. An application for graduation on file in the Dean's office by the date specified in the academic calendar.
  9. All indebtedness to IBC paid in full before participation in graduation exercises.
  10. Participation in the formal graduation exercises occurring each May.
  11. Students must sign a statement indicating that they do or do not agree with the IBC statement of faith.