Academic Information
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY
Students are responsible for understanding the rules that govern academic activities. Students are welcome to consult their advisor, the chairperson of the department, and/or the faculty dean. Ultimately, responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests upon the enrolled student.
ACADEMIC CLASS STANDING
Undergraduate students are classified according to the program under which they entered MEU and the number of credits they have earned. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in the Freshman Program must enroll in required courses that will count toward meeting the equivalency criteria prior to registration for sophomore courses. Remedial courses are not considered when determining class standing but must be taken in the first semester of study.
| Standing | A regular student who has successfully completed: |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 0 - 29 credits |
| Sophomore | 30 - 59 credits |
| Junior | 60 - 89 credits |
| Senior | 90 or more credits |
ACADEMIC DEGREE PROGRAMS
degree program is a course of study, which leads to an academic degree. The general requirements for undergraduate and graduate degree programs are described in the following sections. Specific degree requirements for a BA, BS, BBA, MA, MAT, MS, and MBA are stated under each designated faculty or department. University students are permitted to enroll in only one degree program at a time. If a student wishes to study more than one degree program, they must apply only after the successful completion of the requirements of the first degree program.
GRADING SYSTEM
Grades are recorded in students' transcripts that are kept in the Office of the Registrar. Grades that have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar may not be altered, except in the case of an error in computation by the faculty member. The faculty member must submit a request to the Academic Affairs Committee within one month from the date the grade was issued if they wish to change a grade, providing the appropriate documentation. The right to assign grades rests with the faculty member. In the event of a grade change, the committee will authorize a change only if a computational or recording error has occurred. Grade reports are issued at the end of each semester. The following grading system is used to compute students' quality points on a 4.0 scale:
MEU Grading Standards
Undergraduate Level
| Percent | Letter Grade | Performance Description | Acceptability | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95-100% | A | 4.0 | ||
| 90-94% | A- | Excellent | 3.67 | |
| 87-89% | B+ | 3.33 | ||
| 83-86% | B | Good | Meets requirements towards any undergraduate degree program. | 3.00 |
| 80-82% | B- | 2.67 | ||
| 77-79% | C+ | 2.33 | ||
| 73-76% | C | Weak | 2.00 | |
| 70-72% | C- | 1.67 | ||
| 67-69% | D+ | 1.33 | ||
| 63-66% | D | Acceptable for general education courses but unacceptable for a major course. | 1.00 | |
| 60-62% | D- | Fail | 0.67 | |
| 0-59% | F | Does not count towards graduation requirements for any degree or certificate. | 0.0 |
Graduate Level
| Percent | Letter Grade | Performance Description | Acceptability | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95-100% | A | 4.0 | ||
| 90-94% | A- | Excellent | 3.67 | |
| 87-89% | B+ | 3.33 | ||
| 83-86% | B | Good | Fully meets requirements towards a master's degree. | 3.00 |
| 80-82% | B- | 2.67 | ||
| 77-79% | C+ | Weak | Can meet requirements towards a master's degree under certain contions. | 2.33 |
| 73-76% | C | 2.00 | ||
| 70-72% | C- | 1.67 | ||
| 67-69% | D+ | 1.33 | ||
| 63-66% | D | Fail | Does not count towards graduation requirements for a master's degree. | 1.00 |
| 60-62% | D- | 0.67 | ||
| 0-59% | F | Does not count towards graduation requirements for a master's degree. | 0.0 |
GRADE-POINT AVERAGE
Grade-point average (GPA) signifies the average number of quality points (QP) earned per credit in all courses taken with grade designations of "A" - "F" only. GPA is calculated by:
- Multiplying the number of credits by the number of quality points assigned to the letter grade earned in each class,
- Adding the number of quality points earned in all classes, and then
- Dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits attempted
The cumulative GPA is the ratio of all quality points to credits accumulated since the student began their study program at MEU.
INCOMPLETE COURSES
An "Incomplete" grade is temporary, and is given only when an individual student cannot, due to circumstances beyond their control, complete the course requirements on schedule (such as the disruption of a course of study due to illness). Students with inferior performance who have not completed their academic assignments do not qualify for an "Incomplete" designation. An "I" is awarded only when a significant portion of the coursework has not been completed and after consultation between the faculty member, chairperson of the department, and the faculty dean. In such an instance, a contract sheet obtained from the Office of the Registrar must be completed and the conditions must be met within four weeks from the start of the next semester (or two weeks from the start of the summer session). It is the students' responsibility to meet the deadline for their incomplete course(s).
Upon fulfillment of the conditions, the "I" designation will be replaced by the grade earned. Students with incomplete courses should adjust their course load the following semester/session so that the necessary work to remove the incomplete designation may be made up without jeopardizing their academic performance in the new semester. Failure to meet the deadline will result in changing the "I" designation to the grade earned (possibly an "F"). Students may not register for a course when a prerequisite course has been designated with an "I". The same applies for sequence courses. An "I" designation is not calculated in the cumulative GPA and must be removed before graduation.
DEFERRED GRADE
A Deferred Grade (DG) may be given in certain courses recognized to be of such a nature that all the requirements are not likely to be completed within one semester. It may be given for tours, field/clinical experiences, internships, projects, intensives, independent study courses, courses requiring research such as theses, and undergraduate upper division courses where mastery learning is required. The Office of the Registrar records a DG for the above listed courses previously recommended by a dean and approved by the Academic Affairs Committee. With the exception of theses, all DGs must be finalized within one year from the beginning of the course. At the time of granting the DG, the faculty member will designate a time limit for a given course. The faculty member will also provide the grade to be received if no further work is done. All DGs are required to be cleared before a student can graduate. A faculty member may change the DG to a letter grade (A-F), S/U as appropriate within the timeframe designated at the time the DG was initially granted.
WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES
Students who wish to withdraw from a course after the end of the add or drop courses period must complete a withdrawal form, available from the Office of the Registrar. This form must be filled out and submitted before completing more than 80% of the scheduled class periods. For classes meeting for the full duration of the academic period, the last date to withdraw is published in the University academic calendar. Those who withdraw will receive a "W" designation on their transcript without forfeiting their academic standing. A "W" designation may not be changed to any other grade. A withdrawal from a course after the last available day to withdraw from a course will result in an "F". Students may not withdraw more than once from the same course. In the instance of a second withdrawal, an "F" grade will be given. If a student withdraws from a course early in the semester, they may benefit from the University's refund policy as stated in the Financial Information section.
CHANGE FROM CREDIT TO AUDIT
Students who register for credit may elect to change their status from Credit to Audit only until the last day to withdraw from the course.
AUDITED COURSES
Persons interested in taking classes without credit must first obtain the permission of the faculty dean, the chairperson of the department, and the course instructor. They must also fulfill the University's admission requirements. Auditing classes requires registration for the course, presence at all class sessions, and payment as stipulated in the financial information section of this catalog. Fulfilling class assignments, tests, and examinations are optional, however. An individual auditing a class is required to attend at least 80% of the class periods. The designation received will be "AU". Those who fail to attend regularly will be given a "U" designation. Changes from an audit to credit can only take place before the last day to Add or Drop Courses. Should an individual later desire credit for an audited course, they must retake the course. Laboratory courses cannot be audited. Any individual registered only for an Audit who is not a University student will not be provided with an ID card and is not recognized as a University student. Suspended students may not audit courses at the University.
SATISFACTORY/UNSATISFACTORY GRADES
Certain courses designated by the Academic Affairs Committee may be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory ("S"/"U") basis. Credit is earned only when an "S" is received (the equivalent to a "C" grade for undergraduate students and a "B" grade for graduate students). No quality points are assigned "S"/"U" courses, and an "S"/"U"notation does not affect the GPA.
FACULTY DEANS' HONOR LIST
The University recognizes outstanding academic performance in undergraduate students by issuing a Faculty Deans' Honor List at the end of each semester. To qualify, the following criteria apply:
- Students must be in a degree program and carry a minimum study load of 12 credits per semester;
- Students must not be on academic or social probation; and
- Students must achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA, with no grades lower than "B" no "I" or "W" designations, and no repeated courses.
Students who are fulfilling a portion of their degree requirements at partner institutions are eligible for listing under the same criteria as on-campus students.
Toward the end of spring semester, there is an assembly program during which students who have maintained their names on the Faculty Deans' Honor List for two consecutive semesters (spring and fall semesters) are honored with awards.
COURSE SYLLABI
For each course of study, students receive a syllabus that specifies course objectives, textbooks used, areas to be studied, assignments, attendance requirements, and a schedule for tests and examinations. This syllabus will also include a description of how the student's final grade will be computed. The course syllabus will also normally include information regarding the expectations for the time the student must spend on course-related tasks outside of class time.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual attendance of classes, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, and other academic appointments is required of all students. Absence for whatever reason (including late registration, suspension, and early/ late vacation leaves) does not excuse students from their responsibilities. Absences are counted from the first scheduled meeting of the class, regardless of when the student registers for the course.
Faculty members are responsible for keeping regular class attendance records and enforcing the University's class attendance policy. The class attendance requirement is an integral part of the course syllabus. Excuses for absences are granted and makeup work is assigned at the discretion of the faculty member when an absence is due to a documented illness or another serious cause. Absences do not negate the student's obligation to complete all requirements of a course. Activities or assignments that take place in class during an unexcused absence will be treated the same way as any unsubmitted work.
When a student is late three times for a class, they accumulate one absence. If a student is more than ten minutes late for class or they leave before class is over, then they may be counted as absent.
If a student has unexcused absences exceeding 15% of the course contact hours, or 20% inclusive of the excused absences, the student is no longer eligible to earn credit for the course. The faculty member should notify the student, their dean, and the registrar. The student is expected to then process their withdrawal from the course. A student whose withdrawal is not processed during the authorized period to withdraw will receive a grade of "F". Whenever a student is continuously absent for more than the equivalent of one week of instruction (whether excused or unexcused), it must be reported to the faculty dean for follow-up.
COURSE EVALUATIONS
All courses have requirements that will be used to evaluate students' academic performance. Credit and a passing grade are not granted unless students complete the course requirements satisfactorily. Failure to complete course requirements by a scheduled date can result in a failing grade.
If a student misses a test, a mid-term examination, or a final examination for a justifiable reason, the faculty member will evaluate the case and, with permission from the faculty dean, may allow for a makeup test within one week of the scheduled test/examination. A form obtained from the Office of the Registrar must be filled out and a fee is charged before the test/examination is administered. If a student fails a course, no re-examination is authorized; they must then repeat the course the next time it is offered.
REPEATING UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
A student is allowed to repeat a course in which they received a failing, unsatisfactory, or withdrawal designation only once. The same course must be taken the next time it is offered. When a course is repeated, the latter grade is considered in the cumulative GPA. However, both grades are retained on the student's permanent transcript. A course grade may be replaced by another grade only for coursework repeated in residence. The student who repeats a course must complete all the required work. In sequence courses, a student who fails a course or receives an unsatisfactory grade must repeat that course before they are permitted to enroll in any subsequent course in the sequence. Students may repeat up to 21 credits to raise their GPA to the required level.
REPEATING GRADUATE COURSES
Graduate students may repeat only once a maximum of two graduate courses in which they have received a grade of "B-" or less. In case of repeating a course, only the latter grade will be counted in calculating the cumulative GPA.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
In exceptional cases, the faculty dean and the Academic Affairs Committee may grant a student the opportunity to obtain credit by examination. A student may request such an opportunity if, in terms of course content, they have a depth of knowledge and experience that appears to meet course requirements.
The student requesting Credit by Examination shall submit a written request to the Academic Affairs Committee through their academic advisor and faculty dean, stating the reason for the request, and supplying supporting evidence if needed. If the request is granted, the student must fill out the Credit by Examination form, pay the Credit by Examination fee (equivalent to tuition), and work out the details with the teacher approved by the Academic Affairs Committee. The teacher may supply the student with the course syllabus and a list of resource materials but is not to engage in any tutoring activities.
The Committee, upon recommendation from the relevant faculty dean, shall designate an individual that normally teaches the course at MEU, to prepare, administer and evaluate the examination. Such an examination shall be equivalent in difficulty and content to a comprehensive final examination for the course.
The minimum acceptable grade for credit by examination is "C" for undergraduate credit or "B" for graduate credit. The GPA will not be affected by the results of the examination. The study load of the student will not be affected by an examination for credit. The credits gained will be regarded as transfer credits. No type of credit by examination may be used to replace failures or other low grades received. Credit by Examination is not the same as credit taken in residence; however, students must pay the regular tuition fee for Credit by Examination.
WAIVER EXAMINATIONS
A required course may be waived provided the student demonstrates proficiency by means of a waiver examination. Permission for this must be obtained from the faculty dean and approved by the Academic Affairs Committee. No credit is given for a waiver examination, and a fee is charged.
ARABIC LANGUAGE EXEMPTION
Students whose mother tongue is not Arabic and/or who have completed their secondary education in a school where Arabic was not used as the language of instruction may apply for exemption from the Arabic language requirement. Those exempt from Arabic may choose Arabic for Beginners or any relevant language course to fulfill the language requirement.
TUTORIAL COURSES
When fewer than five (5) students enroll in a course, the course may be offered as a tutorial. The student(s) will be assigned a faculty member as a supervisor, and will work with the supervisor to complete the appropriate learning for that course. It is expected that during a tutorial, the student will work more independently, with fewer hours of instruction than in a regular course. The number of contact hours with the faculty member will vary depending on the situation and the course content.
As an exception, a student may request to take a course that is not currently being offered as a tutorial due to personal interest. If approved, the student will be charged at the rate currently in effect as set by administration, which is higher than the normal tuition rate.
All tutorials, regardless of their nature, require the student to work with their academic advisor and faculty dean to prepare a full student plan, including the reasons why the tutorial is appropriate. The faculty dean will then request the appropriate approval from the Academic Affairs Committee before the tutorial commences.
TRANSCRIPT OF GRADES
The Office of the Registrar issues transcripts of students' academic record upon written request from the students. Official transcripts are issued in sealed and stamped envelopes or mailed directly from the Office of the Registrar to the institution chosen by the student. A student requesting a transcript of grades must allow one week to process the document. A fee must be paid for every transcript, and no transcript will be released until the students' financial obligations to MEU have been fully met.
Students may access their grades online using the online records system. This enables them to track their own progress and make appropriate plans for future semesters.
ONLINE CHECK SHEETS
All students have access to their own online check sheet. This allows the student to see what remaining degree requirements must be completed and allows the student to have the opportunity to plan their future courses. While a useful tool, the final degree audit is done by the registrar's office. The student should address any questions regarding their check sheet to their academic advisor.
UNIVERSITY COURSES
A course is a series of presentations, lectures, exercises, tests, and research projects dealing with a specific subject. Courses are numbered with an official course code. The prefix indicates the academic discipline, the area of study to which the course belongs, and the level of the course.
Each course earns a given number of credits if successfully completed. The number of credits ranges from one to six per course. Courses typically are scheduled for one 50-minute class period per week per credit for the duration of one semester (a period of 15 weeks or its equivalent). In the case of a laboratory course, two or three 50-minute class periods are scheduled weekly per one credit.
The University's course numbering system is as follows:
- Courses numbered 100 - 299 are undergraduate lower division courses and may be taken by freshman and sophomore students.
- Courses numbered 300 - 499 are undergraduate upper division courses and may be taken by junior and senior students. Many of these courses have lower division prerequisites that must be met before entering the course.
- Courses numbered 500 - 699 are graduate level courses.
Courses may require prerequisites or co-requisites. A prerequisite is a preliminary course that must be completed prior to the intended course. A co-requisite is a course that must be taken no later than concurrently with the intended course.
Some courses must be taken in a specific order and time sequence over two consecutive semesters. Other courses indicate variable credit (1-3 credits), where students may register for one, two, or three credits. Certain courses are shared between departments; they have the same content and usually hold the same title. Not all courses listed in the Academic Catalog are offered every academic year.
CHANGE OF STUDY PROGRAM
Students are advised to select their degree and major area of study at the time of their first registration. In case students are undecided about a major, they must decide at the end of their second semester. If students wish to change their study program at a later stage (major or area of academic study), they must consult with the chairperson(s) of the department(s), the faculty dean(s), and apply for this change on the appropriate form available from the Office of the Registrar. Sponsored students may not change their study program without the consent of their sponsor.
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
MEU expects each student to display honesty in all academic matters. Dishonesty during a test or examination or with an academic assignment is a serious offense, and it will always result in severe consequences. Academic dishonesty includes falsification of official documents or signatures; plagiarism of any published or unpublished work; presenting assignments that are not the student's own work; using materials during a quiz, test, or examination not allowed by the faculty member; studying from stolen quizzes, tests, or examinations; copying from a colleague's paper or talking during a formal or informal quiz, test, or examination. A student who intentionally aids another student in a dishonest act is considered equally responsible.
Any violation of academic honesty by cheating or plagiarizing shall be managed either by the faculty member or presented to the Academic Affairs Committee for appropriate action. It will be punishable either by warning, receipt of a lower grade or an "F" grade, or expulsion from the course. Academic suspension/dismissal follows a severe act or a repeated offense of academic dishonesty. In the case of suspension, the student will not be readmitted to MEU until one calendar year has elapsed. The faculty member will report the incident, as well as the outcome, to the faculty dean supervising the student's academic program.
MEU supports copyright laws; therefore, students are advised not to illegally copy textbooks, printed material, computer software, or any other copyrighted material.
ACADEMIC PROBATION FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (average grade of "C"). If failure to maintain the overall minimum GPA of 2.00 occurs, they are placed on academic probation for the following semester and may remain on academic probation for a maximum period of two consecutive semesters. Students on academic probation are expected to limit their extracurricular activities. They may not hold any office in MEU organizations. Their study load is restricted to 12-13 credits per semester, and 4-5 credits for the summer session, or as advised by the faculty dean. Students are removed from probation if they attain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher during the designated period.
Students who remain on academic probation for a second semester will be required by the Academic Affairs Committee to attend personal academic counseling sessions where they will be advised and supervised by an appointed counselor. During the semester and on a weekly basis, students must submit a written report to the counselor demonstrating their educational progress. Teachers of courses taken by students on academic probation will be involved in assisting and supporting the counselors for the scholastic welfare of the students.
Students who carry a reduced study load of less than 12 credits per semester are not subject to the academic probation regulation until they have successfully accumulated a minimum of 12 credits (including the summer session).
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Students are subject to academic suspension if their cumulative GPA falls below 1.25 in a given semester. Those whose GPA continues to remain below 2.00 at the end of a second semester of probation (or the third if the second semester is the fall semester) will be suspended. The summer session is not counted as a semester. Academic suspension lasts for one calendar year, after which students may apply for re-admission. At the time of their return, suspended students must demonstrate that they are ready to pursue their studies seriously. For example, during their suspension period, they may study at another institution of higher education and complete at least 12 credits with a "C" average or be employed for a period of one year and receive a good recommendation. Suspended students are excluded from all MEU services and facilities other than official church activities during the period of their suspension.
Upon their re-admission to MEU, students will be placed on probation for a maximum of two regular semesters with a maximum load of 12 credits per semester. Any course taken at another accredited institution of higher education during the suspension period will not be transferred if it was originally failed at MEU. Re-admitted students who fail to maintain a semester GPA of 2.00 or to raise their cumulative GPA to the required 2.00 by the end of the second semester after readmission will be dismissed from MEU.
Students who voluntarily leave MEU while on probation may be readmitted on probationary status to fulfill the uncompleted probationary period. MEU reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student at any time for reasons regarded as valid by the administration.
PROBATION AND DISMISSAL FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
A graduate student may be placed on academic probation for one semester by the Academic Affairs Committee if they:
- Are admitted originally on probationary graduate status
- Fails in a graduate course by receiving a grade below "C"
- Does not maintain the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on the first nine graduate level credits
Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.00 and are placed on academic probation must work with their academic advisor on a plan to raise their cumulative GPA to the acceptable level. If the plan is not met successfully, students will not be permitted to advance to degree candidacy, register for the thesis, and continue in the degree program.
A student may be dismissed from the graduate program if they:
- Were admitted on probation and unable to comply with the requirements within the first two semesters of graduate study
- Accumulate more than two grades below "B-" and/or more than two repeats,
- Have more than one "F" grade in the graduate study program,
- Are not removed from probation after the prescribed semester,
- Fail the thesis oral defense twice, or
- Do not complete the degree program within six academic years.
Graduate students may also be dismissed from MEU for ethical reasons. Dismissed students will not be re-admitted to MEU. The date of dismissal for academic or ethical reasons will be recorded on the student's transcript of grades.
ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY
The admission of students to MEU, their status, their attendance, their academic programs, and their degrees are all subject to the governing authority of MEU. The University reserves the right to terminate any privileges for reasons considered valid by the administration.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY
Students who voluntarily wish to withdraw from MEU for any reason must complete the withdrawal form obtained from the Office of the Registrar. If this occurs during the withdrawal period, then all the courses will receive a "W' designation. Students who do not apply to withdraw and simply stop attending classes will earn failing grades. MEU will assess tuition and fees depending on when the MEU Registrar is notified of the student's withdrawal. Students who receive financial aid or live in MEU housing are responsible to contact the associated offices on campus to inform them of a change in status.