Belhaven University Graduate School of Education Candidate Handbook

Table of Contents

• Changes

• Welcome Information

• Acronyms
• Definitions

• Belhaven University Vision
• Belhaven University Mission
• Belhaven University Statement of Faith
• Christian Worldview - A Belhaven University & School of Education Distinctive
• Belhaven University School of Education Conceptual Framework
• Accreditation
• Belhaven University Graduate School of Education Quality Assurance Assessment System QAAS
• Graduate School of Education Leadership and Contact Information

• Degrees and Programs Offered in the Graduate School of Education
• Academic Plans
  • Out-of-State Candidate Responsibilities
• Admission Requirements
  • Acceptance of Transfer Credits
• Withdrawal/Drop: Course or a Program
  • Dropping a Course
  • Withdrawing from a Course
  • Program Withdrawal
  • Re-Entry
  • Administrative Withdrawal
• Deregistration
• Course Delivery - Course Sessions - Course Schedules & Rotations
  • Course Attendance
  • Cancellation of a Course Session
  • Candidate’s Responsibilities
• Candidate Course Load
• Grading Policies
  • Incomplete Grades
  • Academic Suspension, Warning, or Probation
• Appeals Policies
  • Chain of Authority for Appeals
• Academic/Grade Appeal Policy
  • Conflict/Grievance Appeal Policy
• Candidate Orientation
• Personal Change of Status
• Candidate Records - Privacy
• Candidate/University Resources
• Textbooks, Course Materials, & Technology
• Transcripts

• Graduate School of Education Faculty Policy Statement Regarding Candidate’s Financial Status
• Financial Aid
• Course Verification
  • Course Enrollment
  • Course Participation
• Student Loan Acceptance
• Student Loan Disbursement
  • Disbursement Dates
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
  • Candidate SAP Status
  • Financial Aid Appeal Process
  • Re-establishing Financial Aid
• Course Withdrawal
• Fees & Expenses
• Financial Regulations
• Other Financial Aid Programs
  • Veterans’ Benefits
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
• Other Financial Policies
• Refund Policy

• Information
• Admission Requirements
  • MAT Alt/Cert Teacher Licensure
  • MAT - Non-Licensure
• Plan of Study
  • MAT Alt/Cert Teacher License with Master’s Degree
  • MAT Degree Completion
  • MAT - Non-Licensure with Master’s Degree
• Course Delivery
  • Online Format
  • Dimensions of Learning
• Capstone Paper & Exam
• Assessments & Grading Policy
• Application Process for Mississippi Alternate Route Teacher License
  • Initial, non-renewable 3-year license
  • Renewable 5-year license
• Degree Plan Sheets; Memoranda of Understanding
  • Secondary (7-12) Teaching Certification - Degree Plan Sheet
  • Elementary (K-6) Teaching Certification - Degree Plan Sheet
  • MAT - Memorandum of Understanding
  • MAT Non-Licensure Program - Degree Plan Sheet
  • MAT Non-Licensure Program - Memorandum of Understanding

• Information
• Admission Requirements
• Assessments & Grading Policy
• Areas of Emphasis
  • Curriculum & Instruction
  • Educational Technology
• M.Ed./Reading Literacy Program with K-6 Endorsement
• Capstone Paper/Exam Requirements
• Degree Plan Sheets; Memoranda of Understanding
  • Curriculum and Instruction - Generalist - Degree Plan Sheet
  • Curriculum and Instruction - Memorandum of Understanding
  • TESOL - Degree Plan Sheet
  • TESOL - Memorandum of Understanding
  • MED/Reading Literacy with K-6 Elementary Education - Degree Plan Sheet
  • MED/Reading Literacy with K-6 Elementary Education - Memorandum of Understanding

• Information
• Admission Requirements
• Assessments and Grading Policy
• Internship and Internship Defense Requirements
• Testing Requirements
• Licensure Requirements
• Ed.S to Ed.D. Matriculation
• Degree Plan Sheets; Memoranda of Understanding
  • M.ED. School Administration and Leadership - Licensure - Degree Plan Sheet
  • M.ED. School Administration and Leadership - Licensure - Memorandum of Understanding
  • Ed.S. School Administration and Leadership - Licensure - Degree Plan Sheet
  • Ed.S. School Administration and Leadership - Licensure - Memorandum of Understanding
  • Ed.S. School Administration and Leadership - Non-Licensure - Degree Plan Sheet
  • Ed.S. School Administration and Leadership - Non-Licensure - Memorandum of Understanding

• Information
• Admission Requirements
• Course Delivery
  • Dissertation Handbook
  • Matriculation and Time Frame
• Plan of Study
  • Ed.D. Degree Continuous Enrollment Policy-PHASE IV
  • Residency 2 and the Oral Defense
  • Prospectus Methodology Review
  • Dissertation Chair Person and Committee Member
  • Responsibilities of the Dissertation Committee
  • Deadlines For Graduation
  • Oral Defense of the Dissertation
  • Publishing Guidelines
  • Application for Graduation
• Assessments and Grading Policy
• Degree Plan Sheets; Memoranda of Understanding
  • ED.D. Educational Leadership - Degree Plan Sheet
  • ED.D. Educational Leadership - Memorandum of Understanding

• Information
• Emergency Procedures
  • Fire Evacuation
  • Severe Weather - Tornado
  • Severe Weather - Ice - Snow - Hurricane
• Alcohol and Drug Policy
• Smoking, Tobacco, and E-Cigarettes Policy
• Title IX Policy
• Sexual Harassment
• Disability Policy
  • Grievance Procedure for Disabled Candidates
• Disciplinary Actions

• Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
• Belhaven Academic Honor Code
• Belhaven Code of Conduct
• Policies Regarding Generative AI
  • MAT - M.ED. - ED.S. Policies Regarding Generative AI
  • ED.D. Policies Regarding Generative AI
  • Responsible Research and the Honor Code
  • Exposure Risk
  • Guidelines
• Standards on Plagiarism
  • Responsible Research
  • Plagiarism Defined
  • Consequences of Plagiarism
  • Specific Practices to Avoid
• Appeals Process for Academic Concerns, Conflicts, Grievance and/or Violation
  • Chain of Authority for Appeals

• Commencement Ceremony Participation
• Candidate Needs to Change Graduation Date
• Completion of Course Work
• Diplomas
• Graduation Application
• Graduation Dates
• Graduation Fees
• Degrees Posted/Transcripts
• Verification of Degree Completion
• Alumni Association

• APPENDIX A
  • Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
  • Code of Ethics Standards
• APPENDIX B - FORMS
  • Request for Verification of Licensure Eligibility
  • Transcript Requests
  • Withdrawal Form Preview
    
     

ADDITIONS, REVISIONS, & UPDATES TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE HANDBOOK

The following additions, revisions and/or updates have been included in this version of the Graduate School of Education Candidate Handbook. The effective date of the addition, revision, and/or update is included indicating the date that change/addition will go into effect.

Welcome to the Belhaven University Graduate School of Education! Our dedicated team, including the Dean, Chair, Faculty, and Administrative Assistants, extends a warm welcome to you as an Educator Candidate in our esteemed Educator Preparation Program.

Our degree programs have been thoughtfully designed to not only challenge you but also to provide a solid foundation for you to achieve your professional aspirations in the field of Education. Whether you’re aiming to become a leader in the education sector or enhance your skills as an educator, our programs are designed to support your journey.

It’s important to note that all of our Graduate School of Education degree programs and courses are available in an online and virtual format, making it convenient for you to pursue your education while balancing other commitments. However, we’d like to highlight our Ed.D. Doctoral program, which combines online and virtual learning with two mandatory on-campus Residency sessions. These Residency sessions, spanning two to three days each, are essential for your research and dissertation preparation, ensuring a well-rounded education.

You can be assured that our dedicated faculty and staff are here to support you not only in your academic pursuits but also in your spiritual and professional growth. Your success is our priority, and we’re committed to helping you every step of the way.

As you embark on this journey, may the Lord bless your endeavors, both in the work of your hands and the thoughts of your mind, as you work towards earning your advanced degree in Education. We are delighted that you have chosen to join us on this educational adventure, and we look forward to seeing you thrive!

 

ACRONYMS

DEFINITIONS

Belhaven University prepares candidates academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas. The University develops servant leaders who value integrity, compassion, and justice in all aspects of their lives.

Belhaven University Theme Servant Leaders - To serve, not to be served.

 

Belhaven University affirms the Lordship of Christ over all aspects of life, acknowledges the Bible as the foundational authority for the development of a personal worldview, and recognizes each individual’s career as a calling from God. Each academic department is committed to high academic goals for its candidates and clarifies the implications of biblical truth for its discipline. Belhaven upholds these commitments whether in offering undergraduate or graduate programs; by conventional or technological delivery modes; and in local, national, and international venues. The University requires a liberal arts foundation in each undergraduate degree program, believing that the candidate educated in the liberal arts and sciences is best prepared in order to best prepare candidates to contribute to a diverse, complex, and fast-changing world.

 

• We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, and only infallible, authoritative Word of God, which exercises ultimate authority over the individual, the Church, and human reason.
• We believe that justification through Christ is received by repentant sinners through faith alone, without works.
• We believe that God, by his Spirit, progressively transforms the lives of those who are justified by God.   
• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
  
   

A worldview is the lens through which we make sense of the world. It’s a set of beliefs that every individual, whether consciously or not, holds. This worldview shapes how we perceive reality (metaphysics), determine truth (epistemology), and assess value (axiology), both actively and subconsciously.

Our worldview plays a pivotal role in shaping our attitudes, assumptions, and interactions in various aspects of life, including our relationships, our understanding of the world, and our approach to education. As educators, our worldview influences not only what and how we teach but also how we engage with a diverse student body.

Our worldview is a product of our accepted knowledge, ethical principles, and moral interpretations, affecting our actions in our homes, communities, and schools. For educators, it guides our educational strategies, content choices, and our perception of the purpose of education. It also helps us devise solutions to the challenges we encounter.

Recognizing the significance of worldview, the faculty at Belhaven University School of Education firmly uphold the principle of promoting and articulating a worldview rooted in the Word of God.

Every course in the School of Education is thoughtfully designed to enhance the understanding of Education candidates in the core concepts of a biblical Christian worldview. It also fosters critical thinking skills, providing a foundation for candidates to develop, articulate, and apply their Christian worldview. Integrating faith and learning, all courses incorporate relevant biblical passages and principles related to the subject matter.

Furthermore, School of Education faculty members actively engage students in examining and contrasting Christianity with modernity and postmodernism, as well as exploring the educational philosophies and worldviews encountered by Christian educators in today’s diverse educational settings, including elementary/secondary schools and higher education.

The Belhaven University School of Education, as the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP), has carefully crafted and consistently upholds a comprehensive conceptual framework. This framework is seamlessly interwoven into both undergraduate and graduate educator preparation programs, spanning from the foundational to advanced levels. It is the result of a collaborative endeavor involving faculty, administration, partner schools, and the broader professional education community. Together, they have harnessed the latest research, best practices, and state and national standards to create a robust foundation.

Embedded within this Conceptual Framework are six fundamental core values, derived from the EPP’s overarching vision and mission. These values underpin the EPP’s Quality Assurance Assessment System (QAAS). They are systematically evaluated and reviewed throughout the program’s scope by the EPP Graduate Faculty Council. This ongoing assessment informs areas for improvement at both the EPP and program levels.

Crucially, the School of Education’s distinct Christian worldview forms the bedrock upon which these six core values rest. This Christian perspective is thoughtfully and thoroughly integrated into each aspect of the EPP Conceptual Framework’s key core values, infusing it with a unique perspective and depth.

THE EPP’S SIX KEY CORE VALUES THAT DEFINE THE EPP CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION THEME

EDUCATOR AS SERVANT LEADER

Learning to Lead - Leading to Serve.

 

Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Belhaven University.  
 
Belhaven University School of Education has received accreditation and program approval through the  
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).  Based on its approved Educator Preparation Programs, the
School of Education has authorization from MDE to make recommendations for initial and advanced  Mississippi Educator Licensure. The School of Education is currently seeking and in the process of recognition for accreditation through the Council of Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP), Washington DC.

 

The Belhaven School of Education has created a dynamic Quality Assurance Assessment System (QAAS) designed to gather, analyze, and appraise data related to candidate performance and the Graduate School of Education’s programs. This system aims to assess and enhance the overall quality of the Graduate School of Education and its offerings.

The QAAS serves as a comprehensive tool for evaluating institutional, Educator Preparation Program (EPP), state, national professional association, and CAEP educator standards. It functions as the primary mechanism for data collection, offering insights into candidate achievements and the effectiveness of the Graduate School of Education’s Educator Preparation Programs. To evaluate candidate performance, both qualitative and quantitative data are collected through various means, including input from faculty, candidates, PK-12 personnel, alumni, and multiple types of assessments integrated into the programs.

Continuous reviews and evaluations of these assessments are carried out to provide valuable data that inform candidates about their progress and the impact of their teaching on student learning. Additionally, this process identifies areas within the programs that require improvement.

Candidates enrolled in the Graduate School of Education will notice that key assessments are integrated into all courses. These assessments are strategically linked to a combination of area and content evaluations, institutional objectives, the EPP Conceptual Framework core values, as well as state, national, and CAEP educator standards.

 

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Dr. David B. Hand
Dean of the School of Education
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #104
601.968.8703 - dhand@gmail.edu

Dr. Mariella Simons
Chair - Graduate School of Education
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #103 B
601.968.8961 - msimons@gmail.edu

Mrs. Carol Simmons
Administrative Assistant and Certification Officer
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #104
601.968.8703 - cjsimmions@belhaven.edu

Mrs. Pam Laws
Administrative Assistant
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #103 A
601.965.7045 - plaws@belhaven.edu
 

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE PROGRAM

Dr. Rebekah Mincey
Director of Master of Arts in Teaching MAT-ALT/CERT
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #101 C
601.968.5957 - rmincey@belhaven.edu
 

MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS

Dr. Stacey Donaldson
Director of TESOL Programs
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #108
601.968.9813 - sdonaldson@belhaven.edu
 

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAMS

Dr. Clay Norton
Interim Director of M.Ed./Ed.S. Administrative Preparation Studies
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #114B
601.968.8867 - cnorton@gmail.edu
 

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE

Dr. James Young II
Dean of Doctoral Studies (Education and Business)
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #112
601.965.7073 - jyoung@gmail.edu

Dr. Tracey Gregory
Director of ED.D. Doctoral Studies
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #101D
601.968.8828 - tgregory@belhaven.edu

Mrs. Jennifer Downey
Research Review & Publications Coordinator Doctoral Studies
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #101E
601.968.8863 - jdowney@belhaven.edu

Dr. Catherine Wasson
ED.D. Doctoral Studies
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #102
601.968.5955 - cwasson@belhaven.edu

Kim Campbell
Director of Graduate Research Support
Stuart Irby Building - Office RM #114 A
601.965.7065 - kdcampbell@belahven.edu.

You can also view the faculty here.

 

For Degree Plan Sheets and Degree Memos of Understanding, refer to the Handbook chapters corresponding to the desired degree.
 

OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Belhaven University Educator Licensure Preparation Programs are following Federal Regulation: 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and 34 CFR 668.43 (c), requiring disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The Belhaven University School of Education has made No Determination as to whether Belhaven’s Educator Preparation Programs and curricula meet other state educational requirements for educator licensure other than those educator licensure programs approved by the state of Mississippi. All Belhaven University School of Education educator preparation degree programs leading to educator licensure have been approved by the Mississippi Department of Education. The Belhaven University School of Education’s Educator Preparation Licensure Programs do not automatically qualify out of state candidates for educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase in the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Admission requirements may be different depending on the Graduate Education Degree Program to which an individual is making application. Please see the admission requirements for each Graduate Education Degree Program as listed in the appropriate Chapter listed in this Handbook.

ACCEPTANCE OF TRANSFER CREDITS

Belhaven University usually allows full credit to transferring candidates for equivalent work completed at other regionally and nationally accredited institutions.

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING - MAT

• No more than 6 graduate hours of credit may be transferred.
• Only courses with a grade of “B” or higher will be accepted for credit.
   

MASTER OF EDUCATION - M.ED.

• No more than 6 graduate hours of credit may be transferred.
• Only courses with a grade of “B” or higher will be accepted for credit.

MASTER OF ED & EDUCATION SPECIALIST: SCHOOL ADMIN - M.ED. or ED.S.

• No more than 6 graduate hours of credit may be transferred.
• Only courses with a grade of “B” or higher will be accepted for credit.
• Transfer credit will only be awarded to courses completed at the corresponding degree level (M.ED. or ED.S.).

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION - ED.D.

• Candidates receiving an earned specialist degree from another regionally and/or nationally accredited institution may transfer in up to 30 hours.
• Candidates who have completed equivalent work at the specialist level may transfer in up to 6 graduate hours of credit.
• No transfer of credit will be granted for courses at the ED.D. level.
  
   

Refer to Appendix B for the Withdrawal Form Preview of this form.
 

DROPPING A COURSE

A candidate who drops a course is not considered to have withdrawn from the school. A course drop occurs when the candidate drops the course prior to and including the Friday of the first week of class.

• A candidate may drop a course, but he/she must consider that financial aid may be affected.
• A course that is dropped does not receive a grade and is not reflected in the candidate’s transcript.
• Course drops cover only one course. If a candidate does not return at the end of the course drop and does not withdraw from the program with the Director of Student Services, there may be financial aid ramifications.
• Any missed required courses must be completed at a later date to complete the program.
   

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE

A candidate who withdraws from a course between the first Saturday of the course and the Sunday of the 6th week of the course:

• A candidate may withdraw from a course, but he/she must consider that financial aid may be affected.
• A course withdrawal results in a grade of W and the withdrawal is included on the transcript.
• A course withdrawal grade of W does not impact a candidate’s academic GPA but does impact a candidate’s eligibility for receipt of federal aid.
   

A candidate who withdraws from a course after the Sunday of the 6th week of the course:

• A candidate may withdraw from a course, but he/she must consider that financial aid may be affected.
• A late course withdrawal results in a grade of F and the grade is included on the transcript.
• A course withdrawal grade of F impacts a candidate’s academic GPA and a candidate’s eligibility for receipt of federal aid.
   

PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

A candidate who withdraws from the program is required to fill out the official withdrawal form located on BlazeNet.

• The date the withdrawal form is submitted is the official date for withdrawal and will be used to calculate tuition charged and the candidate’s grade in the course.
• The tuition refund policy is stated in the University catalogue.
   

It is advised that a candidate withdrawing from the program speak with a Student Finance counselor so that the candidate understands any financial ramifications of the withdrawal, including the return of Title IV funds and any payments that might be due from the candidate.

A Program Withdrawal will affect the grace period of any outstanding candidate loans and may cause the candidate to enter into immediate repayment.
 

RE-ENTRY

A candidate who has previously withdrawn and desires re-entry into the program needs to:

• contact Admissions at least one week prior to re-entry to review the candidate’s academic status and to set up a re-entry schedule.
• have Admissions verify the candidate’s eligibility for re-entry.
   

A candidate who has been out of the program for six months or longer will re-enter under all current program polices, including changes in degree requirements. A candidate who has been out of the program for one year or longer will need to re-apply for admission.
 

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL

Candidates may be administratively withdrawn for nonpayment of tuition, unacceptable conduct, and/or noncompliance with academic policy.

 

Deregistration is a process by which a candidate’s registration in a course is removed from his/her schedule for the semester. Deregistration occurs when a candidate does not take the class preparation quiz by Tuesday of the second week of class. Deregistration is processed on day 10 (the Wednesday morning after the first week of class) of a course. The candidate’s full-time status, financial aid, or international status may be affected by deregistered courses. Notice of course deregistration will be sent to the candidate’s Belhaven email address. Candidates who are deregistered from courses will not have access to the course after deregistration, nor will they receive credit for the course.

 

COURSE ATTENDANCE

Attendance is measured by a candidate’s interaction with the course through submitting an assignment, taking a quiz, or posting to the discussion forum. If the candidate performs any of these elements, he or she is automatically marked present for that week. If not, the candidate is marked absent.
 

CANCELLATION OF A COURSE SESSION

Candidates and faculty will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any course cancellation except in emergency situations.
 

CANDIDATE’S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize Belhaven University’s official email address for all communications.
• Read all weekly course announcements.
• Complete all reading and video-viewing assignments.
• Review and act upon professor feedback on assignments.
• Maintain a professional disposition in all communications.
• Communicate with the professor as issues and questions arise.

The normal course load in a four-month period for graduate candidates is 6 semester hours. Graduate candidates may double up on classes with approval from the Dean.

 

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Belhaven University offers the option of an Incomplete (I) grade under special circumstances, illness, death in the family, etc. Candidates must contact the instructor of the course as soon as possible if they require extra time to submit work for a course. Incomplete coursework is due within 30 days of the last day of the course.
 

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION, WARNING, OR PROBATION

All GRADUATE candidates are required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 with no quality point index deficiency, regardless of their classification. The formula for calculation of quality point index is Belhaven Earned Quality Points - (Belhaven attempted GPA hours times three)

1. At the end of each semester, a candidate whose quality point index shows a deficiency of one to three quality points will be given an academic warning.
2. A candidate whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 3.01 to 9 quality points will be placed on academic probation.
3. A candidate whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 9.01 to 15 quality points will be academically suspended for one semester. This candidate will be eligible to reenroll after remaining out of school for one semester.
4. A candidate whose quality point index shows a deficiency of 15.01 or more quality points will be academically dismissed. This candidate will not be eligible for readmission to Belhaven University.
   
    

The School of Education adheres to the following Chain of Authority regarding Appeals Process for Academic Concerns, Conflicts, Grievance and/or Violation of the Honor Code:
 

CHAIN OF AUTHORITY FOR APPEALS

1. First a candidate is to contact and visit directly with the Instructor/Professor.
2. Second, if not satisfied with the response and communications with Instructor/Professor, the candidate may then contact the Chair of the Graduate School of Education. The Chair will ask the candidate if he/she has first been in contact with the Instructor/Professor.
3. Third, if the candidate is not satisfied with the response and/or communications from the Graduate Chair, the candidate may then request an appointment with the Dean of the School of Education.
4. Fourth, the final step in the Chain of Authority is the Belhaven University Academic Appeals Committee. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
    

ACADEMIC/GRADE APPEAL POLICY

Should a candidate believe there is concrete reason to protest a grade for a course, the procedures are the following:

1. The candidate should contact the faculty member for discussion within seven days of receiving the grade.
2. If the candidate continues to feel justified in making a grade appeal, the candidate should complete the Academic Grievance form (Appendix) and email it to the Chair of the Graduate School of Education describing the circumstances and including supporting documentation for the appeal.
3. The Graduate Chair sends the appeal information to the instructor who has two (2) business days to respond.
4. The Graduate Chair forwards all the material to the Registrar’s office for the University Academic Appeals Committee to render the appropriate disposition.
5. The University Academic Appeals Committee will decide regarding the appeal and notify the Graduate Chair who will notify the candidate in writing (email) of the decision and the Registrar’s office.
    

All decisions by the Academic Appeals Committee are final.

Procedure for appeals for grade changes on individual assignments.

1. Candidate works with the instructor/professor to resolve dispute. If no resolution is achieved, the candidate may appeal to the Graduate School of Education Chair.
2. The Graduate Chair will review the appeal and work to find a resolution.
3. The Graduate Chair’s decision is final regarding appeals related to individual assignments.
    

CONFLICT/GRIEVANCE APPEAL POLICY

See Chapter 9 - Appeals Process for Academic Concerns, Conflicts, Grievance and/or Violation of Honor Code.

 

Candidate Orientation to the Belhaven Graduate School of Education programs varies depending on the degree being sought.

• MAT Program: Candidate Orientation videos are embedded within EDU506 and EDU501.
• MED Programs: All candidates complete EDU600, which is a pass/fail course (no course fees are assessed).
• MED/EDS Admin Programs: All candidates complete EDU699, which is a pass/fail course (no course fees are assessed).
• EDD Program: Orientation is embedded within EDU700 during Residency I.
  
   

Candidates are required to notify the university of the following:

• Change of address
• Change of phone number or email address
• Change of name (must have name documented on Social Security card) must be made with the Registrar’s Office.
   

Forms can be found on BlazeNet.

 

Certain information is considered to be “public” or “directory” information while other information is private in nature. Directory information is identified as the following: candidate’s name, address, telephone listing, e-mail address, enrollment status, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of participants in intercollegiate athletics, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the previous educational agency or institution attended by the candidate. University officials will release directory information to the public as deemed appropriate. Candidates not wanting directory information released should contact the Director of Student Services. Other personally identifiable candidate records are not released without the candidate’s prior written consent or pursuant to judicial or administrative subpoena with the following exceptions: teachers and university officials who have a legitimate educational interest and other persons or agencies as described by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

 

In Canvas, all candidates have access to the “Academic Resources” link within every course. Following this link leads candidates to the “Academic Help and APA Resources” link. This site aids with many areas of candidate concern, including, but not limited to, the following:

• APA Assistance
• Writing Assistance
  • Grammarly.com
  • Tutor.com
• Faith Walk Resources
• Microsoft Tutorials.
  
   

It is the responsibility of each candidate to purchase or rent textbooks and materials for each class in which he/she is enrolled. Candidates may purchase or rent from the Belhaven Barnes and Noble Bookstore (https://belhaven.bncollege.com) or a book vendor of their choosing. Candidates should purchase or rent their books at least a week in advance of the start of class. The Curriculum syllabus is made available through the course website in Canvas approximately one week before the beginning of the course.

 

Candidates may order a transcript from the Clearinghouse website over the secure server and make a credit card payment online. The cost of transcripts is $10.00 for the first 2 copies. Additional copies ordered to the same destination and in the same transaction are $2.00 per copy after the first two copies. The Clearinghouse will also assess a processing fee that varies based upon number of recipients and method of delivery. Currently enrolled candidates may indicate whether the Registrar should send their transcript now or after this term’s grades or after the degree is posted.

By requesting a transcript through the Clearinghouse website, candidates will receive confirmation emails when the transcript is being processed and when the transcript has been sent. To order an official transcript(s), login to the Clearinghouse secure website.

 

• The Graduate School of Education faculty members are not to be involved or even discuss an individual candidate’s financial matters, including a candidate’s status concerning their personal finances, financial aid, and/or their tuition.
• Should a candidate desire to communicate to a faculty member his/her personal financial challenges, the faculty member is not to even engage in a conversation regarding the financial status with the candidate. The faculty member may only advise the candidate to contact the University Financial Aid Office.
• A faculty member cannot and will not assign a course grade or course status based on a candidate’s financial situation.
• Candidates are to address all financial concerns directly to the Financial Aid Office.
   

The following financial information is an abbreviated overview and is not a comprehensive directive regarding the University’s financial policies, regulation, and financial aid. Candidates are encouraged to contact the University’s Student Financial Services office directly for a more comprehensive understanding of the financial policies that govern personal financial packages with the University and/or Federal aid.
Contact Information: Belhaven University Student Financial Services - 601.968.5993 - StudentAid@belhaven.edu.

 

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. The following procedures must be followed in applying for financial assistance:


NEW CANDIDATES

1. Apply for admission to the University.
2. Apply for Federal Assistance by filing the Free Application for Federal Assistance (FAFSA) on the internet at www.fafsa.gov
   
    

RENEWAL PROCESS FOR CURRENT CANDIDATES

Submit the FAFSA each calendar year using tax information from two years ago by filing the Renewal FAFSA for the appropriate year at www.fafsa.gov.

IMPORTANT:  Be sure to list Belhaven University as one of the colleges to receive the results of your evaluation. The Belhaven University code number is 002397.

 

COURSE ENROLLMENT

As part of establishing federal student aid eligibility, every institution is required by law to establish average costs associated with attending classes throughout the year, also referred to as the Cost of Attendance (COA). The Cost of Attendance is the maximum amount of financial aid from all resources that a candidate may receive in an academic year. The COA is not limited to tuition and books. It may include on campus living costs; an average amount for travel to and from class; an average cost for classroom supplies as well as a few incidentals. Federal law governs which expenses may be considered in the Cost of Attendance as well as how the institution may determine these averages.

Two key factors in determining how the average costs are totaled each year to arrive at a candidate’s annual maximum aid eligibility or Cost of Attendance (COA) are as follows:

1. actual tuition costs and
2. the number of weeks actually enrolled.

Each year, to provide notification of your maximum eligibility from all resources available, it is Belhaven’s policy to pre-award every candidate assuming fulltime enrollment and four months of attendance each semester. However, situations can arise that prevent a candidate attending the full semester or meeting the fulltime definition. Therefore as a matter of federal aid compliance, Student Financial Services will be verifying enrollment schedules for all pre-registered candidates during the first month of each semester: August, January and May. Any schedule not meeting the federal aid requirements for fulltime will require adjustments to the candidate’s annual cost of attendance.
 

COURSE PARTICIPATION

Prior to release of financial aid funds, the University must verify the candidate has participated in an academically related activity in each of the classes in which they are enrolled. Federal regulations define academic related activities as physically attending a class with direct interaction between the instructor and candidates, submitting an academic assignment, taking an exam, taking an interactive tutorial, participating in an online discussion about academic matters, etc. If participation cannot be verified, all Title IV funds (Pell Grants, candidate loans, and other grants or scholarships) cannot be disbursed.

If the candidate receives financial aid and does not continue participating in classes (family emergency, illness, etc.), the candidate needs to notify his/her candidate advisor immediately. If the candidate fails to participate or the faculty member fails to provide participation information to the Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services will not disburse financial aid funds until participation is verified. If participation is not verified, Title IV funds will be cancelled and the candidate will not be eligible to receive funds for that award period.

 

Belhaven University participates in an active confirmation process in regard to all student loans. This means that Belhaven University will NOT accept student loans on the behalf of the candidate. It is the candidate’s responsibility to review his/her loan eligibility on BlazeNet and determine the amount of the offered loan to accept or decline.

Candidates also need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (and PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note if applicable) along with Direct Loan Entrance Counseling (and PLUS Loan Counseling if applicable) before the University Financial Services can disburse the loan funds.

 

Federal regulations require student loans to be disbursed equally throughout the candidate’s attendance pattern and that disbursements are made each semester. Disbursement dates are determined by the program or semester in which the candidate is enrolled. Adult and Online Candidates are assigned a Fall/Spring/Summer attendance pattern. This means the loan is split equally between the three award periods and disbursed accordingly.
 

DISBURSEMENT DATES

Disbursement dates are approximately three weeks after the beginning of each semester to allow time for class participation verification. The candidate will be notified when loan money arrives. In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), information regarding arrival of federal aid proceeds are not discussed over the phone.

 

Financial aid will be defined as Title IV HEA federal grants, loans, work-study, and state grants. Institutional aid will be defined as scholarships offered by Belhaven University.

Financial aid and institutional aid policies are not directly related to policies for academic admission. The Registrar’s Office sets and monitors academic admission policies such as academic suspension and academic dismissal. Reinstatement to Belhaven University after an academic suspension or dismissal does not ensure that financial aid will also be reinstated.

A candidate’s SAP will be evaluated at the end of each semester. To maintain SAP, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

1. A Graduate candidate in the School of Education must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
   1. Transfer candidates - Belhaven University does not include grades from previous schools when determining a candidate’s SAP. Cumulative GPA will be calculated based only on the candidate’s work at Belhaven.
   2. Some specific financial aid programs require a higher GPA than what is required to maintain SAP. A candidate could meet the requirements for SAP but still lose eligibility for one or more financial aid programs. A candidate should be aware of the requirements necessary to maintain eligibility for all of his/her financial aid programs.
2. A candidate must successfully complete at least 67% of his/ her cumulative course work attempted. This is calculated by the number of hours earned divided by the number of hours attempted.
   1. All courses attempted at Belhaven are counted as hours attempted.
   2. Classes from which a candidate withdraws (W), withdraws passing (WP), or withdraws failing (WF) are counted as hours attempted. Classes with a grade of W, WP, and WF are not considered part of a candidate’s GPA calculation.
   3. Repeated classes are considered part of the hours attempted. A candidate can receive financial aid for repeating a class as long as he/she earned a “D” or an “F” in the class. A candidate can receive financial aid once for repeating a class that he/she has passed.
   4. A course with a grade of incomplete will be counted as hours attempted. A candidate may request his/her SAP be reevaluated once a final grade has been posted.
3. A candidate who exceeds 150% of the required credit hours for his/her program is not making SAP. Once a candidate pursuing a 33-hour degree attempts 50 hours (150% X 33 hours),he/she will no longer be making SAP. This is referred to as Maximum Time Frame in the School of Education Federal Regulations. Hours used in determining whether a candidate has reached 150% are defined as hours attempted in previous item #2 (3.6).
    

CANDIDATE SAP STATUS

A candidate’s SAP status falls into one of the following four categories:

1. Good Standing - eligible to receive financial aid: A status assigned to a candidate that is meeting all the SAP requirements.
2. Financial Aid Warning - eligible to receive financial aid: A status assigned to a candidate who fails to meet 3.6 bullet #1 and/or 3.6 bullet #2 at the end of a fall or spring semester. A financial aid warning letter will be emailed to the candidate reminding him/her that failing to meet all the SAP standards will result in Financial Aid Probation. A candidate does not lose financial aid as a result of being on financial aid warning.
3. Financial Aid Probation - eligible to receive financial aid: A status assigned to a candidate on financial aid suspension who successfully appeals and is granted financial aid for one more semester. A candidate is granted one probation semester.
4. Financial Aid Suspension - not eligible to receive financial aid: A status assigned to a candidate who, following a semester on Financial Aid Warning, fails to make SAP. A candidate will remain on Financial Aid Suspension until he/ she meets all of the SAP standards or has a successful appeal.
    

FINANCIAL AID APPEAL PROCESS

Appeal - A process by which a candidate who is not meeting the institution’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards petitions the institution for reconsideration of his/her eligibility for title IV, HEA program assistance.

A candidate placed on Financial Aid Suspension has the option to appeal. The candidate must submit an appeal form to Student Financial Services at Belhaven University explaining, in detail, any extenuating circumstances (death of a relative, an injury or illness, or other special circumstances) that led to the candidate’s Financial Aid Suspension. Any documentation supporting the candidate’s case is welcomed. The appeal and any documentation will be presented to the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee. If the appeal is approved, the candidate will have his/her financial aid for one or more semesters. The candidate must meet all specific requirements as determined by the committee.

Following an appeal, the candidate will be sent an email with the ruling of the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee. If the appeal is granted, the email will explain any specific requirements the committee would like the candidate to fulfill. Failure to comply will result in the immediate loss of financial aid.

A successful appeal to the Registrar’s Office concerning an academic suspension or dismissal does not imply a successful Financial Aid appeal. A candidate will have to submit a separate appeal to the Financial Aid Office to have his/her SAP status reconsidered.
 

RE-ESTABLISHING FINANCIAL AID

For a candidate to reestablish his/her financial aid, the candidate must bring his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.0 respectively (see 3.6 bullet #1) and successfully complete at least 67% of his or her cumulative course work attempted (see 3.6 bullet #2). Candidates who have exceeded the maximum timeframe will not have their financial aid reestablished without a successful appeal.

SPECIAL NOTE: A veteran candidate who has been placed on probation for three consecutive three-hour courses and does not achieve the required GPA of 3.0 will be reported to Department of Veteran Affairs as not meeting the standards of progress.

 

Withdrawal may result in beginning the grace/repayment period of a candidate’s Federal student loan effective on the date of withdrawal. In the event a candidate drops from a course before the course begins with intentions to reenter the next course in sequence, the regular financial aid disbursements will be adjusted accordingly. If a withdrawal occurs after the course begins, apportionment of financial aid must be prepaid to the Federal Student Aid programs. Each case is individual. Candidates must be personally responsible for the financial aid ramifications of any withdrawal from the program.

 

Since economic conditions do fluctuate, Belhaven reserves the right to change its fee charges at the beginning of any program if, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, such a change is necessary. The support of Presbyterian churches, the earnings from endowment investments, and the gifts of alumni and other friends provide funds which enable the University to charge fees that are considerably less than the actual cost of instruction and other services provided.

For those candidates involved in the Doctoral Program, please refer to Chapter 7: Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - ED.D. for a listing of additional fees and expenses related to the Doctoral Program and the Dissertation.

 

Information for candidates receiving federally funded financial assistance: If a candidate withdraws from a course, it could result in a portion or all of financial aid funds being returned to the lender. Additionally, if a candidate withdraws from the University on or before the 60% point in time of the period of enrollment, calculated using calendar days, a portion of the total of Title IV funds awarded a candidate (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan, or Federal PLUS Loan) must be returned, according to the provisions of the Higher Education Amendment of 1998. The calculation for the return of funds may result in the candidate owing a balance to the University and/or the federal government.
 

THE REFUND TO THE TITLE IV PROGRAMS MUST BE RETURNED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER

1. Federal unsubsidized Direct Loan
2. Federal subsidized Direct Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Federal Plus Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
7. TEACH Grant
8. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
    

The Federal Title IV written refund policy and method of calculation is available in the Student Financial Services.

 

VETERANS’ BENEFITS

Certain armed service veterans and dependents who qualify under federal laws administered by the Veterans’ Administration (VA) are eligible to receive educational benefits. Information about these programs may be obtained by writing the state veterans administration office or by visiting www.vets.gov on the internet. Each recipient of VA benefits enrolled at Belhaven University is expected to become familiar with, and to adhere to, all academic policies stated in the current issue of the Belhaven University catalogue.

Veteran candidates intending to use their education benefits should notify their enrollment counselor and provide a copy of their certificate of Eligibility (COE) DD214 form for their candidate file. VA candidates who have received benefits before at another institution should complete VA form 22-1995 (Change of Program or Place) upon being admitted to Belhaven. Those applying for benefits for the first time will complete VA form 22-1990. Forms can be completed online at www.vets.gov.
 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BENEFITS

Individuals with physical disabilities caused by their military service may receive financial aid from state departments of vocational rehabilitation. Detailed information is available through the departments of vocational rehabilitation in the candidate’s home state.

 

Any account balance due for any preceding session/term must be paid before a candidate will be enrolled for the succeeding session/term unless satisfactory payment arrangements have been made. The Registrar is not permitted to release transcripts until all indebtedness to the University is paid. A candidate who has not made satisfactory arrangements with Student Financial Services regarding his account may be administratively withdrawn from Belhaven University.

Candidates who withdraw voluntarily or administratively and have an unpaid balance, for which satisfactory payment arrangements have not been made, will have their account sent to an outside collection agency for collections. Should this action be taken by the University, the candidate will be responsible for the balance and any additional collection charges and fees related to the collection of the debt. The outstanding balance will also be reported to the credit bureau. All transcripts and diplomas will be held until the balance is paid in full.

Candidates who are admitted to the University accept as contractual all the terms and regulations set forth in this catalogue and are liable for the payment of all charges and fees incurred during their stay at the University.

 

Since Belhaven University provides a way for candidates to commit to degree completion, withdrawals from the program are few. However, the following policies exist for the extreme conditions that may necessitate reimbursement.

• All refunds for charges to the candidate’s account will be granted on the basis of the date on which notification of the candidate’s intentions was received.
• The Application Fee is nonrefundable.
• Upon notification of withdrawal received prior to the first class session, a 100% refund for tuition will be given.
• If the candidate never attends the course, all tuition charges will be cancelled and credits will be returned to the source of the payment made on account.
   

TUITION CHARGES SHALL BE REFUNDED AS FOLLOWS

7 WEEK COURSES

• Before the 8th day: 100%
• Before the 15th day: 50%
• Before the 22nd day: 25%
• After the twenty-first day: 0%

 
15-16 WEEK COURSES

• Before the 8th day: 100%
• Before the 15th day: 75%
• Before the 22nd day: 50%
• Before the 29th day: 25%

After the twenty-eighth day: 0%

Fees will also be refunded at 100% should the candidate drop during the Add/Drop period.

Some charges, such as candidate insurance or non-refundable deposits, may not be refunded after the candidate attends class.

• A candidate who is dismissed for disciplinary reasons forfeits the right to a refund of any charges.
  
   

The goal of Graduate Teacher Education is to prepare competent teachers who demonstrate both academic excellence and professional knowledge while providing distinctive Christian leadership and service to candidates, parents, and communities. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for candidates who have a non-education undergraduate degree.

 

MAT ALT/CERT TEACHER LICENSURE

One of the following:

• 3.0+ GPA on qualifying transcripts
• 21+ Composite ACT score (or equivalent SAT score)
• Passing scores on the Praxis Core subtests (reading, writing, math)
   

Praxis II Content Area exam:

• Test 5018 for those seeking a grade 4-6 license
• Content area for those seeking a grade 7-12 license
   

MAT - NON-LICENSURE

One of the following:

• 2.75+ GPA on qualifying transcripts
• 21+ Composite ACT score (or equivalent SAT score)
• Passing scores on the Praxis Core subtests (reading, writing, math).
  
   

MAT ALT/CERT TEACHER LICENSE WITH MASTER’S DEGREE

The State of Mississippi requires unlicensed degree holders who wish to be licensed teachers to enroll in an MAT Alternate Route program after passing PRAXIS CORE and PRAXIS II. The Mississippi Foundations of Reading Test (FOR) is also required for licensure in grades 4-6. A qualified candidate must take EDU 501 (Measurements and Evaluation), 506 (Classroom Management), and EDU602 Psychology of the Exceptional Child to apply for a Mississippi three- year provisional Class A license. After completing one year of teaching and two semesters of Residency/Mentor courses (EDU 502 and EDU 503), a candidate may apply for a Class A standard (5 year) license. EDU502 and EDU503 are part of a candidate’s first year of teaching residency and includes seven online sessions every other week for 14 weeks during each of two semesters plus mentor-faculty observations. Once a candidate completes the MAT program, application for a Class AA standard license can be made.
 

MAT DEGREE COMPLETION

Candidates wanting to complete the full MAT Degree will be required to meet all requirements for admission and complete the five required courses for licensure as describe in 4.3.1.
 

MAT - NON-LICENSURE MASTER’S DEGREE

The MAT-Non-Licensure degree is for individuals who have a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in a content area other than Education and who would like to acquire the knowledge base of teaching and learning and want to gain the skills and competencies they need to become a teacher. Candidates completing this degree understand that the degree does NOT meet the requirement to apply for state teacher certification.

While candidates completing this degree understand that the degree does NOT meet the requirement to apply for state teacher certification, the Belhaven staff will work with participants to complete the required tests during their program in order to give the student the option of switching to a licensed degree upon completion of the praxis exams. Candidates admitted to the MAT/NON-LICENSURE degree program are eligible for Federal financial aid.

 

ONLINE FORMAT

All courses in the degree program are presented in an online learning delivery format. With the exception of the Dimensions courses, all courses run for 7 weeks and candidates take one course at a time for a total of two courses per semester.
 

TEACHER RESIDENCY I &II

Prior to enrolling in EDU 502 and 503 Teacher Residency I & II, candidates are required to have a teaching contract and be teaching in a school as a full-time teacher. The two Teacher Residency internship courses also include online sessions and assignments. Each course runs for 15 weeks and candidates take one course per semester, one during the fall semester and one during the spring semester.

 

All final projects must be completed to receive a grade for the course. Failure to complete the final projects will result in a final grade of F, no matter what grade the candidate had prior to those final projects being due.

 

During each course, candidates will be assessed on unit quizzes, through discussion questions, written assignments, comprehensive capstone paper project, and Christian worldview applications. A final assessment will consist of a major application project.

Final projects must be completed to receive a grade for the course. Failure to complete the final projects will result in a final grade of F, no matter what grade the candidate had prior to the final projects being due.
 

GRADING SCALE

For licensure reasons, the Belhaven University School of Education does not post grades of C-.

 

INITIAL, NON-RENEWABLE 3-YEAR LICENSE

• Submit all transcripts from all colleges and institutions attended, including community colleges.
• Create an MDE/ELMS user account.
• Verify that all applicable test scores have been sent to MDE.
• From your Belhaven email account, complete the online licensure recommendation form found at www.tinyurl.com/LicensureRec. Your recommendation for licensure will be based on the qualifying subject content area you select.
• Submit through your ELMS account a notarized copy of the MDE Requirement Letter (see Appendix B - Forms for a copy).
   

RENEWABLE 5-YEAR LICENSE

• Complete all licensure courses and the two Residency Internship courses (EDU 502 & EDU 503 ).
• Have your transcripts showing successful completion of all licensure courses sent to MDE.
• From your Belhaven email account, complete the online licensure recommendation form found at www.tinyurl.com/LicensureRec.
  
   

Master of Art in Secondary Teaching - MAT leading to Secondary Teacher 7-12 alternate route certification.

MAT SEC/7-12-ALT/CERT.
 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants are required to have one of the following four criteria prior to being admitted: 1) Take and have passing scores on either the ACT (with a score of 21 or higher), or 2) have a qualifying score on the Praxis Core, or 3) have a qualifying score on the SAT, or 4) have a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credit hours of their latest degree.
• Applicants also are required to have passed a Praxis II MDE qualifying Content/Subject Area Test prior to being admitted to the MAT Alt/Cert program.
• Upon successful completion of the required Program Teacher Certification Tests and being approved for admission to the MAT Alt/Cert program the following courses may be taken in the following order: 1) EDU 506, 2) EDU 501, & 3) EDU 602.

Completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 leads to MS Standard 5-Year Teacher Certification - 15 hrs.

Completion of Phase 3 leads to the MAT Master’s Degree Completion - 18 hrs.
 

After successfully completing Phase 1 by passing EDU 506, EDU 501, and EDU 602, the teacher candidate must complete an Institutional Program Verification Form (IPV) online at www.tinyurl.com/licensurerec. Once received, the School of Education certification officer will be able to recommend the candidate to MDE for the 3 year alternate route license.

 

After successfully completing Phase 2: EDU 502, EDU 503, and Teacher Residencies, the Teacher Candidate must complete an Institutional Program Verification Form (IPV) online at www.tinyurl.com/licensurerec. Once received, the School of Education certification officer will be able to recommend the candidate to MDE for the Mississippi Standard 5-Year License.

 

Master of Art in Elementary Teaching - MAT leading to Elementary Teacher 4-6 Grade alternate route certification and/or K-6 elementary endorsement.

MAT SEC/7-12-ALT/CERT.
 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants are required to have one of the following four criteria prior to being admitted: 1) Take and have passing scores on either the ACT (with a score of 21 or higher), or 2) have a qualifying score on the Praxis Core, or 3) have a qualifying score on the SAT, or 4) have a 3.0 GPA on the last  60 credit hours of their latest degree.
• Applicants are also required to have passed Praxis II Test 5018 - Elementary Education C&I prior to being admitted to the MAT Alt/Cert program.
• Upon successful completion of the required Program Teacher Certification Tests and being approved for admissions to the MAT Alt/Cert program the following courses may be taken in the following order: 1) EDU 506, 2) EDU 501, & 3) EDU 602.
• IMPORTANT: CANDIDATES WHO HAVE TAKEN THE PRAXIS II 5018 AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 1) EDU 506, 2) EDU 501, & 3) EDU 602 WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PASS THE MS FOUNDATIONS OF READING TEST PRIOR TO RECOMMENDATION FOR THE 3 YEAR ELEMENTARY TEACHER LICENSE.

Completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 leads to MS Standard 4-6 Grades 5 Year Teacher Certification.

Completion of Phase 3 leads to the MAT Master’s Degree Completion and a K-6 Teacher Endorsement.
 

After successfully completing Phase 1 by passing EDU 506, EDU 501, EDU 602, and the Mississippi Foundations of Reading Test, the teacher candidate must complete an Institutional Program Verification Form (IPV) online at www.tinyurl.com/licensurerec. Once received, the School of Education certification officer will be able to recommend the candidate to MDE for the 3 year alternate route license.

 

After successfully completing Phase 2: EDU 502, EDU 503, and Teacher Residencies, the Teacher Candidate must complete an Institutional Program Verification Form (IPV) online at www.tinyurl.com/licensurerec. Once received, the School of Education certification officer will be able to recommend the candidate to MDE for the Mississippi Standard 5-Year 4-6 Elementary License.

 

NOTE: OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT-Alt/Cert) has been developed to meet the requirements of the Mississippi Department of Education’s Alternate Route to Teacher Certification program. It does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator  licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase in other states. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure. The MS Alternate Route Teacher License may not be recognized in other states.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for MAT.

 

* The candidate takes either EDU 624 or REA 511. Only one of the two courses is required for the degree depending on the grade level the candidate  seeks to be certified to teach.

* The Belhaven University School of Education will NOT provide school districts or individuals with letters for the Special Non-Renewable License  stating Unconditional Acceptance of candidates enrolled in the MAT/Non-Licensure degree program. The MAT/Non-Licensure degree does not qualify a candidate for an educator license, certification or endorsement within any state of residence or state where the candidate may seek employment.

* The Master of Arts in Teaching - Non-Licensure degree program does not require the two Mentor/Internship courses as found in the MAT - ALT/CERT program. Courses that replace the two Mentor/Internship courses: TEACHER RESIDENCY I & II required in the MAT-ALT/CERT-LICENSURE degree  program.


If a candidate has taken and passed the MDE required tests for admission to the MAT-Alt/Cert program, they may request a degree change in order to  be eligible for the MS Alternate Route Teacher Certificate.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Non-Licensure.

 

The Master of Education program meets the needs of professional teachers who already are certified and desire a graduate specialty in Curriculum and Instruction. Candidates enrolled in the Masters of Education program at Belhaven University are required to take a core of courses for 24 hours plus 3 online courses in their chosen area of emphasis for 9 credits. This 33-hour degree program culminates with a comprehensive paper/exam that is written in the capstone course.

 

An M.Ed. degree is offered to candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in education or have completed a teacher preparation program. Candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in education or have completed a teacher preparation program may apply to the Master of Education degree program with evidence of holding or being eligible to hold a standard 5-year teaching license. The M.Ed. focuses on the core foundation of the educational profession - teaching and learning.

Candidates must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher on one of the following:

• Cumulative from undergraduate/graduate degree granting institution or
• Cumulative on last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
  
   

During each course, candidates will be assessed through unit quizzes, discussion questions, written assignments, comprehensive capstone paper project completion, and Christian worldview applications. A final assessment will consist of a major application project.
 

GRADING SCALE

For licensure reasons, the Belhaven University School of Education does not post grades of C-.

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION - GENERALIST

The Master of Education meets the needs of professional teachers who already are certified and desire a graduate specialty in Curriculum and Instruction. Candidates enrolled in the Masters of Education program at Belhaven University are required to take a core of courses for 24 hours plus 3 online courses in their chosen area of emphasis for 9 credits. This 33-hour degree program concludes with a comprehensive paper that is written in the capstone course.

• 33 credit hours
• 7-week courses, taught year round
• All courses in the degree program are presented in an online learning delivery format
• All classes taught from a Christian worldview
• Small class sizes so you know your professors and classmates.
  
   

Belhaven University’s Master of Education in Reading Literacy/K-6 Endorsement program is an online degree in reading that incorporates an endorsement in elementary education into the program. This Master of Reading/K-6 program prepares candidates for today’s educational system where there has been a heavy emphasis on evaluating academic achievement. Teachers who enroll in the program will learn how to diagnose and assess student reading problems, as well as improve their own and other teachers’ abilities to meet those needs.

This degree path is intended for those who hold a valid standard teaching license. The online curriculum prepares participants with the most knowledgeable and current practices in elementary education and reading instruction. Internships and practicum field experiences will provide an opportunity to apply classroom principles and techniques.

 

All final projects must be completed to receive a grade for the course. Failure to complete the final projects will result in a final grade of F, no matter what grade the candidate had prior to the final projects being due.

Capstone Requirements by Program

• MED/C&I - Curriculum Emphasis and Ed Tech Emphasis: EDU625
• MED/C&I - National Board Emphasis: EDU635
• MED/C&I - TESOL Emphasis: Foundations of Reading Exam
• MED/Reading Literacy with K-6 Endorsement: Foundations of Reading Exam.
  
   

MASTER OF EDUCATION - CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

M.ED.C&I/GEN - Curriculum and Instruction / Generalist.

All courses in the degree program are presented in an online learning delivery format.
 

 _{*AREA OF EMPHASIS COURSES.
**27 CREDIT HOURS OF COURSES ARE TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE ENROLLING IN EDU-625 AND WRITING THE COMPREHENSIVE CAPSTONE PAPER.}
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed./C&I/ELEM OR SEC) does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding Form.

MASTER OF EDUCATION - CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

M.ED.C&I/ED.TESOL.

Area of Emphasis TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. 

Completion of the Masters Degree OR The Belhaven University Certificate Program in TESOL.

All courses in the degree program are presented in an online learning delivery format.
 

_{**27 CREDIT HOURS OF COURSES ARE TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE ENROLLING IN EDU-625 AND WRITING THE COMPREHENSIVE CAPSTONE PAPER.}

_{***BROWN CELLS INDICATE COURSES REQUIRED FOR TESOL ENDORSEMENT.}
 

PLEASE NOTE: Belhaven University Certificate Program in TESOL
Educators with a renewable 5-year teacher license who are not seeking a Master’s degree will be able to enroll in the Belhaven University TESOL Certificate Program. Successful completion of the five MDE-required courses will qualify them for recommendation for ESL Endorsement #177. The Belhaven University Certificate Program will also qualify candidates for federal financial aid.
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed./C&I/ELEM OR SEC) does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for TESOL Form.

 

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN READING LITERACY WITH K-6 ENDORSEMENT - CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

M.ED./RL - Completion of the Masters Degree or The Belhaven University Certificate Program in Reading Literacy.

_{*IMPORTANT: DUE TO THE PRACTICUM HOURS REQUIRED, A CANDIDATE ADMITTED TO THE M.ED. DEGREE IN READING LITERACY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE A CURRENT TEACHER AND PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF PRESENTLY TEACHING IN A SCHOOL.}
 

_{**CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AND SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE FOUNDATIONS OF READING TEST AS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION AND LICENSURE RECOMMENDATION.}
 

BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN READING - READING ENDORSEMENT

Educators seeking an advanced Master’s degree will be able to add the Reading Endorsement to their current teacher license. Those already holding a teacher license and having a Master’s degree will be able to complete the five (5) required courses and pass the Foundations of Reading Test to receive the Belhaven University Certificate Program in Reading which will make them eligible to apply for the Reading Endorsement to be added to their license. The BU Certificate program will also qualify candidates for federal financial aid.
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction (M.Ed./C&I/ELEM OR SEC) does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Reading Literacy Form.

 

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) - Licensure Programs in School Leadership and Supervision are designed for professional educators in Mississippi schools who want to advance to the role of administrator. These programs, which are aligned with the Mississippi state K-12 licensure guidelines, allow candidates to study both theory and practice of school administration from a Christian worldview.
The Belhaven School of Education Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees do not apply to those outside the field of Education.

Classroom teachers interested in the program must have three years of teaching experience before applying. The master in educational leadership and supervision curriculum addresses the National Policy Board of Educational Administration Standards which include the following:

• Mission, Vision, and Improvement
• Ethics and Professional Norms
• Equity, Inclusiveness, and Cultural Responsiveness
• Learning and Instruction
• Community and External Leadership
• Operations and Management
• Building Professional Capacity

In addition, upon completion of the M.Ed./Ed.S. in School Leadership and Supervision, candidates are prepared to take The School Leaders License Assessment Exam (SLLA). Upon passing the SSLA and completion of all course and internship requirements, the Belhaven University School of Education will recommend candidates for the Mississippi Administrator’s License.

*Applicants are encouraged to confirm state requirements for teacher educator/administrator certification and/or endorsements with the State Department of Education from the state in which they are employed or desire to be employed. Belhaven University does not guarantee that all individual state licensing or certification requirements as defined in this degree program will meet individual State Department of Education requirements for certification or endorsements within all states other than Mississippi.

 

ED.S. LICENSURE

Due to the required internship hours for licensure, those seeking Administrator Licensure who do not have three years of verifiable teaching experience and a current Standard- Teaching license cannot apply to the Ed.S. Licensure Educational Leadership program.

Licensure applicants will be required to:

1. Submit completed Ed.S. Licensure application
2. Hold a Master’s Degree in Education or related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA:
   1. Official Bachelor’s Degree Transcript from a regionally accredited college and/or university
   2. All official Graduate-Level Academic Transcripts from a regionally accredited colleges and/or university.
3. Submit documentation of a minimum of three (3) years’ teaching experience in a PK-12 educational context as a licensed teacher (Electronic form will be provided).
4. Submit an academic research paper to include citations, references, and completed in APA format. This can be a paper written during your Master’s level course work.
5. Submit one (1) Professional Letter of Recommendation from current supervisor. (Electronic Form will be provided)
6. Completed and signed copy of the Candidate Request Form for Intern Mentoring Supervisor. (Electronic Form will be provided)
7. Submit a copy of a current Standard-Teaching License.
8. Submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Ed.S. Licensure program.
    

All applicants will be reviewed for acceptance or denied acceptance by the Graduate School of Education Review Committee.

The School of Education Graduate Review Committee may request an additional letter of explanation/appeal from an applicant and/or an on location, phone, or virtual interview. Passing the SLLA test is only required for licensure. It is not a requirement for graduation.


MISSISSIPPI RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS

The following documents must be submitted as part of an individual’s application file and are requirements of the Mississippi Department of Education for entrance into a School Administration program leading to the Mississippi Administrator License.

• The applicant is required to hold a current and valid 5-Year Renewable Mississippi Teaching License.
• The applicant must provide proof of having completed at least three years of teaching experience before making application.
• The Belhaven University School of Education Verification of Teaching Experience Form will need to be completed to assure three years of prior teaching experience. This form will also serve as verification to MDE for licensure validation. The applicant should have the School District Human Resource Offices at the District Superintendent’s Office complete the form to verify teaching experience.
• For candidates to receive a Mississippi Administrator License, the candidates’ Internship hours must be taken and completed in a Mississippi school.

Belhaven University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As a member, Belhaven University is authorized to offer online degree programs in NC-SARA states. Out-of-state applicants need to confirm that their state is a member of NC-SARA and confirm reciprocity regarding the Belhaven University School of Education’s Master or Specialist of Education in School Leadership & Supervision degree program.
 

ED.S. NON-LICENSURE

The Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) Non-Licensure program is an advanced degree of 33 credit hours beyond a Master’s Degree. The educational specialist degree is designed for professional educators who already hold leadership roles in education or those who aspire to positions that do not require administrative licensure. Successful candidates may desire to continue to complete a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) The ED.S. Non-Licensure Educational Leadership program requires applicants to validate their involvement as an Education Practitioner. (Form provided in Application Packet).


NON-LICENSURE APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO

1. Submit completed Ed.S. Non-Licensure application.
2. Must hold a Master’s Degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA:
   1. Official Bachelor’s Degree Transcript from a regionally accredited college and/or university
   2. All official Graduate-Level Academic Transcripts from a regionally accredited colleges and/or university.
3. Must submit documentation of a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in an educational context (Electronic form will be provided).
4. Submit an academic research paper to include citations, references, and completed in APA format. This can be a paper written during your Master’s level course work.
5. Must submit one (1) Professional Letter of Recommendation from current supervisor. (Electronic Form will be provided)
6. Must submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Ed.S.Non- Licensure program.
    

All applicants will be reviewed for acceptance or denied acceptance by the Graduate School of Education Review Committee.
 

During each course, you will be assessed through unit quizzes, discussion questions, written assignments, assigned projects completion, and Christian worldview applications. A final assessment will consist of a major application project.

GRADING SCALE

Every administrative intern is responsible for logging and having verified 320 internship hours during the first eight courses taken; hence, a minimum of 40 internship hours need to be accomplished in each course.

This process involves the following:

• creating an official Livebinder account using the Belhaven University template
• uploading to Livebinder the signed Code of Ethics form
• uploading the Mentoring Supervisor Agreement form and the Verification of Teaching Experience form with admissions paperwork
• uploading one typed log in each course showing what hours are claimed. Each log is uploaded during the second week of the course being taken and covers ONLY the activities claimed during the PREVIOUS course taken. This gives candidates a chance to log the hours during each course and then allowing approximately two weeks for the information to be compiled and signed by the local school administrator (mentor) before upload to Livebinder
• notifying the assigned Belhaven Internship Supervisor via email that the log has been uploaded and is ready for verification, then working to clarify any questions raised
• keeping artifacts on Livebinder (or in a file) to be used during the written and oral defense to document participation claimed in each internship activity
• tagging each activity with the appropriate NELP standard that it covers
• participating successfully in the oral and written defense courses, completing required documents, and personally presenting an oral defense on campus
   

NOTE: No candidate will be allowed to enter the final three courses, which include the oral and written defense courses, until 320 hours are verified. Candidates not meeting this requirement will be required to take an extra course at their own expense during which the missing hours can be accomplished.

 

 The State of Mississippi requires candidates for an administrative license to take and make an acceptable cut score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). Check current requirements on the MDE website.

 

Candidates seeking licensure must complete the required coursework, earn a minimum of 320 verified internship hours, and present a written and oral defense. Further, the overall GPA must be at or above 3.0 at the conclusion of coursework. Candidates must then sign a document provided by the School of Education giving permission for Belhaven University to communicate their graduation status to the Mississippi Department of Education.

Candidates must then follow the Mississippi Department of Education guidelines for licensure, which includes uploading the Citizenship Verification information, Verification of Teaching Experience, and a successful School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) score to the ELMS system.

 

The Ed.S. program at Belhaven University is considered to be the first phase of the Ed.D. program. Near completion of the Ed.S. program, current Belhaven candidates may wish to matriculate from the Ed.S. program to the Ed.D. program. To apply to matriculate and enter the Ed.D. program, an applicant candidate follows these instructions before their Ed.S. program ends and before the application deadline for the next Ed.D. entry term:

1. Once a candidate has completed the Ed.S. degree, professional advanced course work, and if in good standing and eligible, up to 33 hours of the Belhaven University Ed.S. degree may be applied to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. If a Belhaven Ed.S. graduate desires to extend their academic work by pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership, they will indicate their desire by submitting a notice of intent to the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee.
2. Acceptance into the Ed.D. program is based on the submission of one of the candidate’s best written works from one of their Ed.S. courses (ED.S. Non-Licensure applicants submit their EDU 725 Comprehensive Capstone Paper). Papers will be reviewed by the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee.
3. Once approved by the Review Committee the candidate seamlessly transitions into the ED.D. program. Submit a new memorandum of understanding for Ed.D. program

All documents should be submitted directly as supplemental items in the application portal, to onlineadmission@belhaven.edu, to the Office of Graduate Admissions via Fax: (601)510-9144, OR by mail to:
Belhaven University - Graduate Admissions
1500 Peachtree Street Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202

Once these steps are completed, an admission counselor will send the candidate application file to the doctoral admissions committee and will contact the applicant candidate with an admission decision.

 

MASTER OF EDUCATION SCHOOL LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION - LICENSURE

M.ED./SLA/ADM Licensure.

All courses in the degree program are delivered online.

_{*IMPORTANT:DUE TO REQUIRED INTERNSHIP HOURS, THOSE SEEKING ADM LICENSURE MUST BE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN A SCHOOL.}

_{*10 Internship hours are embedded in each professional core course, allowing candidates to partially fulfill Internship hours while enrolled as part of the course work. However, the remaining 240 Internship hours are to be completed above and beyond the course work and are to be completed while taking the first 8 courses.}


NOTE

Internship hours earned in the sequence of studies require the creation and maintenance of a digital portfolio. While enrolled in EDU 677/678: Principal Internship I & II, candidates finalize the written portfolio, then present an oral defense that focuses on the relationships between their internship experiences, knowledge gained and the national NELP Standards. This oral defense will be conducted in person at the Jackson Belhaven campus.

Candidates desiring licensure will need to take The School Leaders License Assessment Exam (SLLA). Once a candidate has successfully completed the degree program, a qualifying passing score on the SLLA is required before the School of Education will be able to recommend a candidate to MDE for licensure. Passing the SLLA is an MDE requirement for licensure.
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Master of Education School Leadership and Instruction - Licensure program (M.Ed./SLA) does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for M.ED./SLA/ADM Licensure.

 

MASTER OF EDUCATION SCHOOL LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION - LICENSURE

ED.S./SLA/ADM Licensure.

All courses in the degree program are delivered online.

_{*IMPORTANT:DUE TO REQUIRED INTERNSHIP HOURS, THOSE SEEKING ADM LICENSURE MUST BE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN A SCHOOL.}

_{*10 Internship hours are embedded in each professional core course, allowing candidates to partially fulfill Internship hours while enrolled as part of the course work. However, the remaining 240 Internship hours are to be completed above and beyond the course work and are to be completed while taking the first 8 courses. PLEASE NOTE: Internship hours completed in the sequence of studies require the creation and maintenance of a digital portfolio. While enrolled in EDU 777/778: Principal Internship I & II, candidates finalize the written portfolio, then present an oral defense that focuses on the relationships between their internship experiences, knowledge gained and the national NELP Standards. This oral defense will be conducted in person at the Jackson Belhaven campus.}

_{**Once a candidate has completed the Ed.S. degree, professional advanced course work, and if in good standing and eligible, up to 33 hours of the Belhaven University Ed.S. degree may be applied to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. If a Belhaven Ed.S. graduate desires to extend their academic work by pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership, they will indicate their desire by submitting a notice of intent to the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee.
Acceptance into the Ed.D. program is based on the submission of one of the candidate’s best written work from one of their Ed.S. courses to be reviewed by the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee. Once approved by the Review Committee the candidate seamlessly transitions into the ED.D. program.}


Candidates desiring licensure will need to take The School Leaders License Assessment Exam (SLLA). Once a candidate has successfully completed the degree program, a qualifying passing score on the SLLA is required before the School of Education will be able to recommend a candidate to MDE for licensure. Passing the SLLA is an MDE requirement for licensure.
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Educational Specialist - School Leadership and Administration Licensure program (EDS/SLA) does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for ED.S./SLA.

 

MASTER OF EDUCATION SCHOOL LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION - LICENSURE

ED.S./NL/Non-Licensure.

All courses in the degree program are delivered online.
 

_{*Once a candidate has completed the ED.S. degree, professional advanced course work, and if in good standing and eligible, up to 33 hours of the Belhaven University ED.S. degree may be applied to the Doctor of Education (ED.D.) degree. If a Belhaven ED.S. graduate desires to extend their academic work by pursuing a Doctor of Education (ED.D.) degree in Educational Leadership, they will indicate their desire by submitting a notice of intent to the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee.}


Acceptance into the ED.D. program is based on the satisfactory completion of the final research-based paper written while enrolled in EDU 725. The candidate has the option to continue and seamlessly transition into the ED.D. program once approved by the ED.D. Graduate Review Committee.
 

NOTE FOR OUT-OF-STATE CANDIDATES

The Belhaven University Graduate School of Education’s Education Specialist - Educational Leadership/Non-Licensure program does not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure.

 

Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for ED.S./NL.

 

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership Degree is dissertation-based and intended for practitioners who presently hold leadership roles in education or those who aspire to leadership positions of influence through positions in elementary/secondary educational school settings. This Doctoral Educational Leadership degree program is based on 60 credit-hours of post-master’s degree study that incorporates a 12 credit-hour research dissertation. The degree program has been designed to afford professionals in the field of education the opportunity to enhance and expand their knowledge base, conduct research, address current and pressing issues in education, and reinforce the competencies needed as a professional Christian leader in education.

The degree has been designed for educational leaders, whether teachers or administrators at the K-12 level, in public or private schools who desire to advance as educational leaders, as well as foster and apply new research in the field of elementary and secondary education.

 

Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Education Graduate Review Committee to determine those who possess the personal qualities and dispositions, academic acumen, and professional experiences to suggest a compelling potential for success as a doctoral candidate and to advance as educational leaders.

The following information will be required to complete an applicant’s Application Portfolio:

• Documentation of an earned specialist’s degree in education or related field, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Submit an academic research paper to include citations, references, and completed in APA format
  • Belhaven Ed.S. Licensure candidates will provide their best written work from one of their Ed.S. courses
  • Belhaven Ed.S Non-Licensure candidates will submit their EDU725 Comprehensive Capstone Paper
• A professional letter of recommendation
• Documentation of a minimum of three years’ experience in a PK-12 education context
• Copy of the applicant’s current standard teaching or administrator license
   

All applicants will be reviewed for acceptance or denied acceptance by the Graduate School of Education Review Committee.

 

All courses are delivered through Canvas in an online format. In addition to the online courses, Belhaven University has included two Residency Sessions. Residency Sessions are two or three meetings held on the main campus at strategic periods throughout the Ed.D. plan of study. These Residency Sessions allow candidates to have real-time experiences with professors and develop a network of professional friendships with fellow cohort members in the program. The Residency Sessions have been scheduled to coincide with four stages in the Ed.D. program, called Phases.

• Phase I: Professional Specialized Courses the initial 30-33 credit hours of core content courses taken online (equates to the Ed.S. degree)
• Phase II: Pre-Dissertation & Orientation to the Ed.D.- Residency 1 (R1)
• Phase III: Statistics & Research Design Phase (no residency requirement/courses taken online)
• Phase IV: Dissertation Phase - Residency 2 (R2). Residency 2 is taken at the beginning of the dissertation writing process and addresses the various stages of chapter development. At the beginning of Phase IV, candidates are provided with a copy of the Ed.D. Dissertation Handbook
   

DISSERTATION HANDBOOK

This handbook is designed to guide the Ed.D. candidate through the dissertation and degree completion process, including policies and procedures intended to complement and supplement the policies and procedures in the Graduate School of Education Handbook. Doctoral candidates are held accountable and responsible for adhering to the policies and procedures in the Dissertation Handbook along with this Graduate Education Candidate Handbook.
 

MATRICULATION AND TIME FRAME

The time limit for completion of the Ed.D. degree is five (5) years if a candidate is starting with 30 credit hours from an earned Ed.S. degree and has already completed an Ed.S. That candidate then has five years to complete PHASES II, III, & IV.

Any candidate who does not complete coursework within the permissible time limit for any reason, including discontinued enrollment, must reapply for admission. If the student wishes to continue in the program at a later date, he or she must reapply, and if accepted, be subject to all requirements for the degree completion plan for the current academic year.

NOTE: Refer to the Dissertation Handbook for all doctoral time-frame requirements.

 

Of the total required 60 credit-hours, the degree program requires a minimum of 12 credit hours for PHASE IV - the development, research, writing, and defense of the dissertation. All doctoral candidates are required to complete an approved dissertation prior to earning the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) degree and prior to graduation.

Once a candidate reaches PHASE IV of the program, the candidate enrolls in the following four courses in this order:

*These courses as blocks are a semester in length and not scheduled as the customary 7- week course scheduling. The courses are 15-week, semester-long courses.

The candidate takes all three EDU Dissertation Blocks. The minimum required dissertation hours for all doctoral candidates is 12 credit hours. Candidates may have to enroll in supplementary dissertation hours due to numerous unforeseen issues that can arise during the course of the candidate’s research.
 

ED.D. DEGREE CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT POLICY-PHASE IV

During PHASE IV, the doctoral candidate attends two summer residency sessions and completes a minimum of 12 dissertation writing credit hours.

If a candidate requires additional time to complete the dissertation process, he/she may need to receive an “Incomplete” (I) in EDU 783 Dissertation Block 3 and enroll in EDU 784 Supplementary Dissertation Hours for an additional 3 credit hours per semester, consecutively, until the dissertation process is complete.

Failure to maintain continuous enrollment results in a candidate’s dismissal from the program. Readmission at a later date is possible, and if accepted, all policies and regulations currently in effect at the time of readmission apply. The five-year time for matriculation through the program is based on the date of the first admission to PHASE III, and not the readmission date.

If a candidate has not completed and defended his/her dissertation by the time he/she has taken the 12 minimum dissertation credit hours as required in the Dissertation PHASE IV, he/she will be required to purchase and enroll in EDU 784: Supplementary Dissertation Hours for 3 credit hours and maintain continuous enrollment. This course will be required and repeated each ensuing semester until the candidate has successfully defended his/her dissertation.

The candidate may enroll in EDU 784 up to a total of eight times. If a candidate has not completed his/her dissertation during the eighth enrollment in EDU 784, the candidate will be administratively withdrawn from the program at the end of the semester.

A one-year extension is possible beyond the five-year maximum under these conditions:

1. The candidate must file a One Year Extension form from the Graduate College in the School of Education.
2. The candidate must document progress toward completion of his/her dissertation during his/her eighth enrollment in EDU 784. This documentation may take the form of a prospectus, dissertation chapters I‒III, or problem development worksheet. Review of this documentation will be made by the Graduate Review Committee in consultation with the student’s doctoral committee. Approval by the Graduate Review Committee is required for the extension.

If these conditions are not met, the candidate will be administratively withdrawn. Additional extensions are possible based on the candidate’s annual submission of the One Year Extension form, documentation of progress toward completion of the dissertation, and approval from the Graduate Review Committee in consultation with the candidate’s doctoral committee.

NOTE: Refer to the Dissertation Handbook for all doctoral time-frame requirements.
 

RESIDENCY 2 AND THE ORAL DEFENSE

Residency 2 (R2) is a required intensive seminar where the candidate is provided with a dissertation committee chair who serves as the candidate’s dissertation advisor and helps the candidate through the dissertation process.

During the dissertation process, the candidates are required to have six (6) reviews at different stages of the dissertation process to verify, validate, and sign-off on the study:

1. Research Review #1 - Prior to approval of the prospectus
2. APA & Content Review #1 - Prior to approval of Chapters I‒III
3. IRB Review - Prior to approval of the IRB Application
4. Research Review #2 - Prior to approval of Chapters IV & V
5. APA & Content Review #2 - Prior to approval of Chapters IV & V
6. Dissertation Publication Review - Prior to approval for publication

All dissertations have official University APA & Content Reviews. This is at the candidate’s expense. The candidate is charged a $200 fee upon enrollment in EDU 783 that pays for two reviews (APA & Content Review #1 and #2). $100 is charged for each additional review thereafter.
 

PROSPECTUS METHODOLOGY REVIEW

During the dissertation process, depending on the candidate’s study-whether it be a Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed-Methods study-the candidate is required to have Research Reviews by a School of Education-appointed Research Reviewer to verify and validate the study design prior to approval of the prospectus.


INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

All candidates involved in doctoral research in the Belhaven School of Education are required to apply to the Belhaven University Institutional Review Board (IRB) in order to receive approval to conduct the candidate’s research. The doctoral candidate’s first three chapters, the Proposal, must be completed prior to seeking IRB approval. Candidates are not allowed to begin their research until they have received approval from their dissertation committee and have received signed IRB approval.
 

DISSERTATION CHAIR PERSON AND COMMITTEE MEMBER

The candidate is assigned a dissertation chair and dissertation committee member prior to writing the dissertation and in particular the prospectus, the proposal (Chapters I, II, and III), and the IRB application.

The candidate is appointed a qualified academic individual to serve as his/her dissertation chair for advisement in methodology, research, data collection, assessment, interpretation, and compilation of dissertation chapters.

Dissertation committees shall consist of the chair and one (1) other member (a second additional committee member may be requested in very rare circumstances should the study warrant an additional member). The committee chair and one committee member are assigned to candidates by the Graduate School of Education Doctoral Leadership Committee.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISSERTATION COMMITTEE

The doctoral committee shall consist of the chair and one other committee member, each having an earned doctorate. At least one of the committee members shall currently be or have recently been involved with experience at the elementary/secondary school level and/or involved with an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). A committee member may be a professor from one of the other disciplines in the university, an administrator of the University, or a qualified professional in the field of the candidate’s interest.

It is possible that a candidate might be appointed a dissertation chair approved by the School of Education that is considered external, meaning they are not a contracted full- time employee with the university. However, they have been contracted to work with candidates as a dissertation chair or as a member of a dissertation committee.

A candidate’s dissertation topic must be approved in consultation with his/her dissertation chair and committee. If the chair does not agree with a candidate’s topic and/or how his/her want to word the problem statement, and the chair does not agree with how the candidate wants to conduct the research and his/her methodology, the candidate will need to make the necessary adjustments to achieve agreement with his/her chair and committee.
 

DEADLINES FOR GRADUATION

In order to be considered for graduation, the candidate must submit and receive approval for Chapters I‒III of the dissertation at least one semester prior to the expected graduation semester. Two semesters prior to the expected graduation semester are preferred if possible.
 

ORAL DEFENSE OF THE DISSERTATION

Oral defense of the dissertation is required on campus once the written, complete, and approved dissertation is ready for formal presentation to the candidate’s dissertation chair and committee member.

The Dissertation Committee must approve the manuscript before the oral dissertation defense can be scheduled. Once the candidate has permission from his/her chair, the candidate submits the dissertation manuscript to the Director of Doctoral Studies prior to the candidate’s oral defense.

The oral defense date must be scheduled to occur prior to one of the following:

• the second Friday in October for a Fall semester graduation
• the second Friday of March for a Spring semester graduation.

No oral dissertation defenses will be scheduled during Belhaven University holidays.

After the defense, the committee makes one of the following decisions:

• APPROVED WITH MINOR OR NO FURTHER REVISIONS
• PROVISIONALLY APPROVED WITH MAJOR REVISIONS
• NOT APPROVED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO REVISE AND REWRITE OR DISCONTINUE THE RESEARCH STUDY

If the candidate’s dissertation chair and committee make one of the first two decisions, the chair outlines the required steps and specifies a timeline for completion (usually 7-15 days) for the candidate to make the revisions.

Only two dissertation oral defenses are permitted. Failure to defend successfully within two defenses results in removal from the program.

NOTE: Refer to the Dissertation Handbook for additional doctoral requirements.
 

PUBLISHING GUIDELINES

Four (4) final hardbound copies of your dissertation must be submitted to these individuals/offices:

• One copy for the Belhaven University library
• One copy for the Graduate School of Education office
• One copy for the doctoral candidate
• One copy for the chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee
• Optional copies for the other committee members
• Optional additional bound copies for the candidate

HARD COPIES‒PRINTING AND BINDING

The School of Education’s Publication Coordinator will communicate any necessary dissertation revisions to the candidate after the oral defense. The doctoral candidate should submit a revised dissertation to the Publication Coordinator for final review and submission for publication. Any required revisions must be coordinated with the Publication Coordinator and made as soon as possible following the successful oral defense of the candidate’s dissertation defense.
 

APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION

Candidates are reminded to complete all requirements and paperwork and submit the online Blazenet-Candidacy Intent to Graduate Application. Ed.D. graduating candidates should plan to attend both the Investiture Ceremony and Commencement Service. Belhaven University has graduation services twice a year - May and December. Graduation information can be found on the registrar’s website through Blazenet. The Candidacy Intent to Graduate Application for graduation is to be completed and submitted no later than the beginning of the term in which the candidate intends to defend the dissertation.

The deadlines are as follows:

• November 1 for May graduation
• June 1 for December graduation

If a Candidacy Application has not been filed by the deadline date, the candidate’s graduation is deferred until the next graduation. If, for some reason, a candidate’s graduation is delayed and the candidate has already submitted the Candidacy Intent to  Graduate Application, the candidate is to contact the Registrar’s Office and the application can be withdrawn.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to see that he/she meets the required deadline dates prior to being permitted to participate in commencement services.

It is the responsibility of the doctoral candidate to take care of all graduation requirements of Belhaven University.

 

Phase II and Phase III courses are graded on an A, B, C, D, and F 10-point scale. No plus or minus grades are recorded.

GRADING SCALE FOR COURSEWORK

AN “S” FOR SATISFACTORY IS GIVEN FOR THE FOLLOWING DISSERTATION BLOCKS

A final S for Satisfactory “Success at Last” is awarded once the candidate has successfully defended the dissertation and has met all requirements for final publication; the final S is recorded in EDU 783 - Dissertation Block 3.

If a candidate does not complete and/or defend his/her dissertation during the semester he/she is enrolled in EDU 783, they are given an “I” for Incomplete (this does not equate to a negative grade). They then enroll in EDU 784: Supplementary Dissertation Hours.

If a candidate has to take more hours to allow more time for his/her dissertation to be completed, he/she is required to take EDU 784: Supplementary Dissertation Hours.

An “S” for Satisfactory is given for EDU 784. However, once the dissertation has been successfully defended, the “I” (Incomplete) recorded in EDU 783 converts to an S.

 

 ED.D./ED Leadership.
 

_{*Required only for Non-Belhaven Ed.S. graduates.}

 

_{**Required if a grade of “C” is earned in EDU 704 and optional for all candidates; taken concurrently with EDU 710.} 

 

_{***A minimum of 12 dissertation hours are required. Additional hours may be needed. Dissertation and degree completion varies by candidate. Productivity is self-directed and self-motivated.}
 
 

 Read and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for ED.D. Educational Leadership.

 

All Graduate School of Education program courses are delivered online. Therefore, candidates are generally not required to attend classes on campus. However, there are times that candidates may be asked to attend special called course sessions, meet with a professor, present an oral defense, or be on campus for other reasons. The following policies and procedures apply to candidates when on campus.

 

FIRE EVACUATION

Candidates are required to exit the building immediately any time the fire alarm sounds! Candidates should become familiar with the fire exits in each building. Candidates are to evacuate the building immediately and stay at least 50 feet away from the building until the “all clear” signal is given from an appropriate official.
 

SEVERE WEATHER - TORNADO

When a TORNADO WATCH is issued, candidates should be prepared to move to a pre- selected area of safety on the ground floor or basement. In the event of a TORNADO WARNING, candidates should proceed at once in an orderly fashion to a pre-selected area of safety on the ground floor or basement. All candidates should remain in this designated area until authorization to leave is confirmed by a Belhaven official. Should a tornado hit the campus or immediate area, everyone should restrict his or her movement until the area is cleared of hazards such as power lines, gas lines, and unstable structures.
 

SEVERE WEATHER - ICE - SNOW - HURRICANE

Candidates should monitor the Belhaven web site at www.belhaven.edu, their campus Facebook pages, and/or Twitter in the event that a snow, ice, or hurricane event is projected to impact one of the Belhaven campuses. Email notifications will be sent to candidate Belhaven email addresses should the decision be made to close the campus.
The class time missed due to a campus closure will be made up. The professor and/or Dean of Faculty will work to reschedule missed classes with the minimum of disruption to the current class schedule.

 

In concurrence with state law, candidates or guests may not sell, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages on the campus or on the premises of any organization granted recognition by Belhaven University. Procedures for adjudicating violations of Belhaven’s alcohol policy are as follows:

• Persons/organizations in violation of Belhaven’s alcohol policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including possible dismissal from the University.
• Candidates in violation of Belhaven’s alcohol policy will be asked to leave the campus or premises. Failure to comply will result in civil/legal action. (Hosts shall be responsible for the actions of their guests.)
• The University supports the federal and state laws with regard to drug use. No controlled substances shall be sold, possessed, or used on the Belhaven University campus, in any of its facilities, or in a facility used by an organization recognized by Belhaven University. Any person abusing controlled substances shall be subject to penalties including immediate dismissal from the University.
• Possession, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages or any controlled substances is prohibited at all study group meetings.
  
   

Belhaven University recognizes the effects and costs of smoking, tobacco, and nicotine use on our society. The University is committed to promoting a healthy environment for its candidates, staff and visitors without the hazards associated with these products. This policy establishes the University as a smoke free institution and includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, any form of tobacco, and devices such as e-cigarettes, pipes, vaporizers. The use of these items is prohibited in all property owned by the University, including vehicles and property leased by the institution, campus grounds, parking lots, garages, plazas and courtyards. This policy applies to all candidates, faculty, staff, and other persons on campus, regardless of the purpose for their visit. This policy is the same for all Belhaven branch campuses.

 

It is the policy of Belhaven University (“University”) not to discriminate against any person on the basis of gender in violation of any applicable law, including but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as well as its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 106).

TITLE IX COORDINATOR

Ms. Virginia Henderson
Title IX Coordinator and Director of Human Resources
(601) 968-8778 (Office) - (601) 927-3636 (Work Cell)
titleix@belhaven.edu.

 

The University will not tolerate any untoward behavior of its candidates, on campus or off campus in an academic-related activity. References of a sexual or predatory nature made to candidates or faculty will be cause for the suspension of and possibly the reporting of the person involved in the remark or action.

Candidates are reminded of the efforts of Belhaven University to teach Christian morality and professional demeanor in all of its programs. The burden is upon the candidate to guard his/her conduct in this very serious matter. Be aware that “joking” or “kidding” could be misunderstood.

Complaints alleging sexual harassment should be reported to the Dean within 45 calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. Complainants may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he/she is dissatisfied with the resolution by making requests for reconsideration to the Provost.

 

Belhaven University complies with the obligations set forth under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The University does not unlawfully discriminate against persons with disabilities, and furthermore, it provides reasonable accommodations to qualified disabled candidates. Persons who believe that they require special accommodations should contact Candidate Services.
 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE FOR DISABLED CANDIDATES

Belhaven University has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of candidate complaints alleging any action prohibited by regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other pertinent federal, state, and local disability antidiscrimination laws. Candidate Services personnel will serve as the Complaint Coordinators.

• Applicants or candidates shall file complaints, in writing, with the Office of Candidate Services. A complaint shall contain the name and address of the person filing it and a brief description of the alleged violation. If the complainant needs an  accommodation in order to file the complaint, he/she should inform the person taking the complaint.
• Such complaints must be filed within 45 calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
• An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The Coordinator will conduct the investigation.
• The Coordinator shall issue a written determination regarding the complaint and a description of the resolution. The Coordinator shall forward a copy to the complainant within a reasonable time.
• The complainant may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he/she is dissatisfied with the resolution. Persons with complaints should make requests for reconsideration to the Provost within 30 calendar days of the date of the written determination issued by the Coordinator.
• The Provost shall issue a decision regarding the appeal within a reasonable time, and the decision of the Provost shall be final.
  
   

Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A failing grade on the work in progress
• A failing grade in the course
• Suspension from the University for a specified minimum time
• Dismissal from the Degree Program and the Graduate School of Education
• Dismissal from the University.
  
   

The Belhaven University School of Education Faculty Council has adopted the Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct to be applicable to all candidates involved in the EPP’s initial and advanced programs in both the Undergraduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Education. Most candidates in the School of Education are or will be professional educators holding educator licenses in the state of Mississippi and are subject to the MS Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Therefore, the School of Education Faculty Council considered it appropriate to hold all Education Candidates as professional educators accountable to the MS Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct along with the University’s Academic Honor Code and Code of Conduct.

See the Appendices: Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

 

The Belhaven University Honor Code states that:

• One will neither give nor receive aid on any form or test, or on assignments where such aid is prohibited.
• One will not steal.
• One will not make any form of false statement in official matters.
• One will not plagiarize the work of others.
• Any violation of the Honor Code should be reported to the Chair of the Graduate School of Education.

All communication between candidates and other candidates, or between candidates and faculty, must be conducted in a manner that is respectful, using language that is professional. This includes all forms of communications, such as emails, texts, phone conversations, and others.

 

• Disruptive behavior in the physical classroom or the online/virtual classroom is not permitted. Candidates will receive a warning and may be asked to leave the classroom if necessary.
• Tardiness for a campus or online/virtual class is unacceptable. Candidates are expected to be in the classroom when class begins and to remain there until the class is finished. Candidates who arrive 20 minutes late or leave 20 minutes early will be marked absent. See complete attendance policy on page 33.
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to initiate the completion of exams and course work missed because of an absence from class, late arrival, late submission, or early departure. This should be arranged with the faculty member.
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide for supervision of his/her children while he/she is on campus for class, or in an online/online/virtual class. Children should not be brought into classrooms nor left unattended while on campus.
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to aid in keeping classrooms neat and orderly. Food and drink are usually allowed in the classroom, as long as candidates clean up after themselves.
• The use of tobacco in any form is not allowed in the classroom, the computer lab, or in any other public building on campus. Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Cheating implies dishonesty or deception in fulfilling academic requirements. Plagiarism involves the presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. A faculty member has authority to grant a failing grade in cases of academic misconduct as well as referring the case to the Dean.
• Any furnishing of false information to the University by forgery, alteration, or misuse of - among other things - university documents or records or ID’s or falsifying identification to a university official is prohibited.
• All accounts must be kept current. Belhaven University reserves the right to withhold grades, transcripts, diplomas, participation in graduation, and registration of candidates who fail to pay any university and/or university-related debts.
• Possessing any form of pornography on the Belhaven campus including the accessing of pornography through computer networks is not permitted.
• Candidates will avoid any type of disparaging, offensive, or threatening language directed at any Belhaven candidate, staff, or faculty. This includes profanity, as well as any language with racial or sexual overtones. This language must be avoided in person, by email, by text message, and in Canvas. Upon the first offense, the candidate will receive a warning and may fail the course. Upon the second offense, the candidate may be dis-enrolled from the university.
• Candidates, faculty, and staff are expected to dress in a manner that is respectful of others and is reflective of Christian character. The following guidelines will allow candidates to make wise choices about their dress on campus, for an online/virtual class, and at all University sponsored events:
  • Clothing with advertising, pictures and/or sayings that are contrary to the University mission and University policy is not permitted, including, but not limited to, clothing that demeans and/or dramatizes sexuality or promotes alcohol or drugs.
  • Clothing that bares the midriff and/or exposes cleavage as well as inappropriately short and/or revealing skirts, shorts, pants, and shirts are not permitted.
  • Shirts and shoes must be worn in all public buildings.
    
     

MAT - M.ED. - ED.S. POLICIES REGARDING GENERATIVE AI

GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) SHALL NOT BE UTILIZED IN MASTER’S AND SPECIALIST DEGREE PROGRAMS

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited in Master’s and Specialist Degree Programs. Candidates are expected to independently create all course assignments and online responses unless explicitly allowed by the course instructor in exceptional circumstances. Employing any generative AI tool to complete assignments or online responses is deemed a violation of academic integrity and will be reported as a breach of the Honor Code.
 

ED.D. POLICIES REGARDING GENERATIVE AI

The Graduate School of Education - Doctoral Studies recognizes the use of Generative Artificial

Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT. AI can be a useful tool but requires academic integrity and human discernment. All candidates in the doctoral program should adhere to the following policy and guidelines concerning the use of AI.
 

RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH AND THE HONOR CODE

Responsible research is a critical component of education. Doctoral candidates must be able to read, investigate, synthesize, and explain complex ideas and issues in writing. Doctoral candidates benefit immensely from the research and personal interaction with the research process, as well as expand the depth and quality of knowledge gained during the academic journey. The Belhaven Honor Code is a statement of the highest ideals of the student body. This code demands and involves the honest and appropriate presentation of work where credit and proper citation are correctly assigned to the original source. Doctoral candidates must acknowledge sources of ideas, words, phrases, or sentences included in their dissertation. 
 

EXPOSURE RISK

Open AI is a tool that can be used and accessed by anyone using AI. Sensitive information is not private or secure in anyway. Be vigilant and aware of disclosing personal and/or institutional data.
 

GUIDELINES

The Graduate School of Education Doctoral Studies has adopted the following guidelines regarding the proper use of Artificial Intelligence:

• AI-generated text and images are NOT allowed for any type of graded assignments, unless explicitly approved by an instructor or required within the syllabus or announcements.
• Use AI with care and discernment. Be careful to stay on task and frame prompts within the parameters of the subject matter.  Slight changes can skew the validity of the AI-generated output.  AI cannot be assumed to be factual.
• Use AI wisely and with the purpose of deepening your understanding of doctoral-level research.  It can be useful for ungraded tasks, such as brainstorming research topics, identifying theoretical and/or conceptual frameworks, identifying data collection instruments, and published scholarly literature.
• Acknowledge and give the proper credit for AI-generated content using Belhaven’s guidelines.  Citation and reference to an AI source format is below (APA):

Format:

Author. (Year). Title (version)[Large Language Model]. URL

Example:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (March 14 version). https://chat.openai.com/chat.
 

In a day in which moral relativism has become epidemic, it seems necessary to address the issue of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a practice that has become increasingly easy due to modern technology. Plagiarism is not only widespread on college campuses but has also been engaged in by leading historians. Belhaven University, with its emphasis on applying a biblical worldview to all of life and biblical ethics in the marketplace, must raise a high standard of honesty and responsibility with regard to research and writing. The Bible teaches that God honors honesty and fair dealing. God will bless the person who “walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth” from the heart (English Standard Version, Ps. 15.2; see also Prov. 20.7). Only responsible, honest research fulfills this high ethical standard.
 

RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH

Responsible research is a critical component of a liberal arts education. Candidates must learn how to investigate, read, understand, systematize, interpret, and finally explain complex ideas and issues in writing. There is no shortcut to good research and writing.

Candidates gain immensely from personal experience with the research process, the broader and deeper knowledge of areas of academic study, and the discipline of summarizing their findings in a clear and orderly form. Responsible research includes giving credit to all materials on which candidates rely in the research process. Candidates must realize that they are not experts; they rely on experts and must therefore fully credit these expert sources. Candidates must acknowledge all sources of ideas, words, phrases, or sentences included in the research paper.

One of the best ways to avoid plagiarism is to read thoroughly to gain an understanding of source materials and then, without looking at the source, give one’s own summary or evaluation.

Good research and writing are hard work. The Bible teaches that God blesses diligent, righteous labor (Prov. 12.20, 27). The Bible stresses that work should be performed in such a manner as will please God who always sees not only what pleases people when they are watching (ESV, Col. 3.22-24).
 

PLAGIARISM DEFINED

Plagiarism involves the presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. It is a violation of the Belhaven Honor Code and is clearly unacceptable.

Plagiarism includes the following:

• The presentation of some other person’s work or idea as if it were the work of the presenter. It is a violation of the Belhaven Honor Code and is clearly unacceptable.
• Submitting a paper written by someone other than the candidate. (Such plagiarism would also include parts of the paper written by someone other than the candidate.)
• Quoting from source materials without using quotation marks or block indentations to show that the material quoted as required in acceptable documentation.
• Failing to give proper credit (i.e., a reference citation or other notation) in a paper for all ideas, phrases, quotes, or concepts used in the paper. Typically, references must be made for all sources within each paragraph. Style forms may vary in the reference content. Candidates should consult an English handbook for more detail on plagiarism.
• Using papers/assignments submitted in a previous course to fulfill an assignment in a current course is considered plagiarism. However, a candidate may quote from the previous assignment as long as it is properly cited.
• Enabling academic dishonesty (contract cheating), i.e., helping another candidate violate the standards on Academic Integrity, is unacceptable and could result in censure or disenrollment. Masking of IP addresses is not permitted when accessing the Belhaven University LMS (Learning Management System - Canvas) as it is a common method of hiding contract cheating. Examples include the following: allowing one’s work to be copied, working together on an assignment where collaboration is not allowed (such as a quiz or exam, etc.), doing work for another candidate, or submitting work for a course to an internet site which other candidates can use to violate these standards.
   

CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM

Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against candidates accused of scholastic dishonesty.

1. For the first instance of plagiarism, the candidate receives a zero (0) grade for the assignment with no option for extra credit.
2. For the second instance of plagiarism within the same course, the candidate receives an “F” for the course.
3. For the third offense, the candidate will be immediately dis-enrolled from Belhaven University and may not re-enroll for at least one complete semester. Re-enrollment is contingent upon an interview with the Dean regarding the candidate’s attitude and promise to avoid plagiarism if allowed back into Belhaven.
    

SPECIFIC PRACTICES TO AVOID

• Do not attempt to get a research paper off the internet (or anywhere else) and submit this for your paper. This is dishonest and unethical.
• Do not merely copy from any book, article, or encyclopedia and submit this for your paper. This is not acceptable research.
• Do not fail to include references (including source and page numbers) which document every source that you have in any way relied upon for each paragraph of your paper. If sources are not properly referenced, the candidate has cheated the sources out of deserved credit and cheated readers out of valuable information.
• Do not use material from any other candidate’s paper or work unless you give that candidate full credit in reference notes.

NOTE: The above list is not meant to be inclusive of all plagiaristic practices. Candidates should consult an English handbook for more details on plagiarism. Remember: If in doubt, ask your instructor.

 

Since academic concerns, conflicts, grievances and/or violations to the Academic Honor Code or the Belhaven Code of Conduct are related to a candidate’s disposition, their course work on campus, online, and/or in a virtual environment, the appropriate *Chain of Authority and the first point of contact is vested in the professor. (See the section on Plagiarism for specific information on the discipline process for plagiarism.) If a candidate does not find satisfaction or does not agree with a professor’s handling of the candidate’s concern or incident, an appeal may be made to the Chair of the Graduate School of Education.

The following general procedure is followed for Academic Concerns, Conflicts, Grievances, and Honor Code Violations:

1. The faculty member has the authority over course academics and grades and can impose a sanction in response to candidate’s violation of the Honor Code. The candidate has 48 hours to appeal the faculty member’s decision in writing to the Chair of the Graduate School of Education who will consider the reason(s) for appeal and case evidence and will render a decision based on all information. The candidate will be notified of the decision in writing within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 days. This decision is considered final.
2. The case may be referred by the faculty member to the Chair of the Graduate School of Education (or a designee) who will observe the following procedure:
   1. The accused receives written notice of charges and is contacted by the Chair of the Graduate School of Education to discuss the concern or violation and to enter a plea.
   2. If the candidate pleads guilty, a sanction is administered by the Chair of the Graduate School of Education. The candidate receives notice of any sanction in writing.
   3. If the candidate pleads innocent, the candidate can appeal to the Dean of the School of Education.
       

The following general procedure is followed:

1. A hearing is held in which the candidate makes a plea and witnesses may be called to testify.
2. The Dean of the School of Education decides based upon hearing the concern, conflict, and/or grievance and evaluating the appeal.
3. The candidate receives written notice of the decision and, if applicable, sanction.
4. The candidate is notified in writing of the right to appeal the decision to the Belhaven University Academic Appeals Committee within 48 hours of receiving the written sanction. The appeal should be written and should state the reason for the appeal as one of the following:
   1. Procedural violations
   2. Sanction inconsistencies
   3. New evidence.
5. The University Academic Appeals Committee will consider the reason(s) for appeal and case evidence and will render a decision based on all information. The candidate will be notified of the decision in writing within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 days. This decision is considered final.
    

CHAIN OF AUTHORITY FOR APPEALS

1. First, a candidate is to contact and visit directly with the Instructor/Professor.
2. Second, if not satisfied with the response and communications with Instructor/Professor, the candidate may then contact the Chair of the Graduate School of Education. The Chair will ask the candidate if he/she has first been in contact with the Instructor/Professor.
3. Third, if the candidate is not satisfied with the response and/or communications from the Graduate Chair, the candidate may then request an appointment with the Dean of the School of Education.
4. Fourth, the final step in the Chain of Authority is the Belhaven University Academic Appeals Committee and its decision is final.
   
    

Prior to the Graduation Ceremony, candidates who have completed all degree requirements and who have received final authorization to walk during the graduation ceremony will:

• have their degree conferred
• be able to pick up their diploma

For the commencement ceremony held in Jackson at the end of the fall semester, all participants must be certified as complete with no degree requirements remaining.

Candidates completing degree requirements with no more than 12 credit hours (undergraduate) or 6 credit hours plus Comps (graduate), if applicable, remaining and registered prior to the graduation ceremony to complete the remaining hours (plus Comps, if applicable) in the summer term may participate in any spring commencement ceremony prior to their summer degree completion:

• candidates will receive their diploma after the degree is completed
• candidates will not have their degree conferred at graduation (may participate in next available ceremony if want degree conferred)
• such candidates may participate in the next ceremony when honors will be recognized; however, candidates may participate in only one ceremony

Candidates may participate in only one graduation ceremony per degree (i.e., Associate, Bachelor, and Master) and may be listed in only one program. Candidates must apply for each degree earned and must pay the graduation audit fee for each degree.

 

If all the graduation requirements cannot be met after an Application for Degree Form has been submitted, the Registrar’s Office must be contacted in writing regarding a change in graduation date.

 

All degree requirements must be completed and transcripts received in the Student Services Office. The graduation date is the next graduation date following the degree completion date. Correspondence, directed studies, proficiency exams, portfolios, and other nontraditional course work must be completed, submitted, and transcripted by the semester prior to degree completion term.

 

Graduates walking in the commencement ceremony will pick up their diplomas following the ceremony. Diplomas are available for pickup in Registrar’s office for all Jackson candidates and in the Office of the Director of Student Services.

 

It is the responsibility of the candidates to file an application for graduation. Graduation procedures are as follows:

• Complete the Application for Graduation and pay the graduation fee according to instructions available online at www.belhaven.edu/Academics/Registrar/graduation.htm.
• Applications are to be done online. Deadlines for application are approximately three months before the graduation date (see the above web page for exact dates). Only those candidates who plan to complete degree requirements prior to the upcoming graduation date should apply.
• If an Application for Graduation Form is not received or a deadline is missed, a diploma cannot be issued until application is made for the next graduation date.
  
   

Belhaven University conducts graduation ceremonies in May and in December. Consult with Student Services or on the University BlazeNet web pages for the schedule.

 

A graduation audit fee is required for all candidates. The fees associated with graduation are not included in any other program charge. If a diploma has been ordered for a candidate who has applied for graduation and who does not complete requirements, an additional amount may be charged if the fee has increased when the candidate actually graduates. A graduation audit fee is required for each degree earned at Belhaven University.

NOTE: Doctoral Candidates may have additional Graduation Fees.

After completion of all degree requirements and payment of all outstanding balances, candidates are eligible to graduate. The candidate accepts the responsibility of applying for graduation at the proper time and paying the graduation audit fee.

 

Degrees will be posted to transcripts upon completion of all degree requirements according to the following schedule:

• December graduates - no later than the end of the first week of January
• May graduates - no later than the end of the first week of June
• August graduates - no later than the end of the first week of September
  
   

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

Candidates must request transcripts online through https://gobelhaven.com/transcript.

 

Candidates who have completed all degree requirements and are waiting to receive their diplomas may request a letter of completion from the Student Services Office. An Application for Degree form must be on file in the Student Services Office when the letter is requested.

 

As stated in the constitution and by-laws, the purpose of the Belhaven University Alumni Association “shall be to advance the cause of Christian higher education, to unite all the alumni of Belhaven University into a compact organization so that they may more effectively communicate with each other and with the University on matters of mutual interest, to arrange for alumni reunions, and in other ways support the work of the University’s Alumni Office.”

The Office of Alumni Relations is located in Fitzhugh Hall at 1500 Peachtree Street. The affairs of the association are managed by alumni councils, which are elected to serve two-year terms beginning at the annual business meeting each year.

 

MISSISSIPPI EDUCATOR CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Each educator, upon entering the teaching profession, assumes a number of obligations, one of which is to adhere to a set of principles which defines professional conduct. These principles are reflected in the following code of ethics which sets forth to the education profession and the public it serves standards of professional conduct and procedures for implementation.

This code shall apply to all persons licensed according to the rules established by the Mississippi State Board of Education and protects the health, safety and general welfare of candidates and educators. Ethical conduct is any conduct which promotes the health, safety, welfare, discipline and morals of candidates and colleagues.

Unethical conduct is any conduct that impairs the license holder’s ability to function in his/her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, safety, welfare, discipline, or morals of students and colleagues.

Any educator or administrator license may be revoked or suspended for engaging in unethical conduct relating to an educator/student relationship (Standard 4). Superintendents shall report to the Mississippi Department of Education license holders who engage in unethical conduct relating to an educator/student relationship (Standard 4).
 

CODE OF ETHICS STANDARDS

STANDARD 1: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Encouraging and supporting colleagues in developing and maintaining high standards
• Respecting fellow educators and participating in the development of a professional teaching environment
• Engaging in a variety of individual and collaborative learning experiences essential to professional development designed to promote student learning
• Providing professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner
• Maintaining competence regarding skills, knowledge, and dispositions relating to his/her organizational position, subject matter and pedagogical practices
• Maintaining a professional relationship with parents of students and establish appropriate communication related to the welfare of their children
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Harassment of colleagues
• Misuse or mismanagement of tests or test materials
• Inappropriate language on school grounds or any school-related activity
• Physical altercations
• Failure to provide appropriate supervision of students and reasonable disciplinary actions
  
   

STANDARD 2. TRUSTWORTHINESS

An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice and does not knowingly engage in deceptive practices regarding official policies of the school district or educational institution.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Properly representing facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression
• Advocating for fair and equitable opportunities for all children
• Embodying for students the characteristics of honesty, diplomacy, tact, and fairness
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting any of the following:
  1. employment history, professional qualifications, criminal history, certification/recertification
  2. information submitted to local, state, federal, and/or other governmental agencies
  3. information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel
  4. reasons for absences or leave
  5. information submitted in the course of an official inquiry or investigation
• Falsify records or direct or coerce others to do so.
  
   

STANDARD 3. UNLAWFUL ACTS

An educator shall abide by federal, state, and local laws and statutes and local school board policies.

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the commission or conviction of a felony or sexual offense. As used herein, conviction includes a finding or verdict of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought or situation where first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted.

 

STANDARD 4. EDUCATOR/STUDENT RELATIONSHIP

An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Fulfilling the roles of mentor and advocate for students in a professional relationship. A professional relationship is one where the educator maintains a position of teacher/student authority while expressing concern, empathy, and encouragement for students
• Nurturing the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and civic potential of all students
• Providing an environment that does not needlessly expose students to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement
• Creating, supporting, and maintaining a challenging learning environment for all students
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Committing any act of child abuse
• Committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment
• Committing or soliciting any unlawful sexual act
• Engaging in harassing behavior on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability
• Furnishing tobacco, alcohol, or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any student or allowing a student to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs
• Soliciting, encouraging, participating or initiating inappropriate written, verbal, electronic, physical or romantic relationship with a student.
  Examples of these acts may include but not be limited to:
  1. sexual jokes
  2. sexual remarks
  3. sexual kidding or teasing
  4. sexual innuendo
  5. pressure for dates or sexual favors
  6. inappropriate touching, fondling, kissing or grabbing
  7. rape
  8. threats of physical harm
  9. sexual assault
  10. electronic communication such as texting
  11. invitation to social networking
  12. remarks about a student’s body
  13. consensual sex
      
       

STANDARD 5. EDUCATOR COLLEGIAL RELATIONSHIPS

An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, both in and outside the classroom.

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Revealing confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law
• Harming others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system
• Interfering with a colleague’s exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities
• Discriminating against or coercing a colleague on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability or family status
• Using coercive means or promise of special treatment to influence professional decisions of colleagues.
  
   

STANDARD 6. ALCOHOL, DRUG AND TOBACCO USE OR POSSESSION

An educator should refrain from the use of alcohol and/or tobacco during the course of professional practice and should never use illegal or unauthorized drugs.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Factually representing the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use and abuse to students during the course of professional practice
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Being under the influence of, possessing, using, or consuming illegal or unauthorized drugs
• Being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while documented as being under the influence of, possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages. A school-related activity includes, but is not limited to, any activity that is sponsored by a school or a school system or any activity designed to enhance the school curriculum such as club trips, etc., which involve students.
• Being on school premises or at a school-related activity involving students while documented using tobacco.
  
   

STANDARD 7. PUBLIC FUNDS AND PROPERTY

An educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use funds, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his/her charge for personal gain or advantage.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Maximizing the positive effect of school funds through judicious use of said funds
• Modeling for students and colleagues the responsible use of public property
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Knowingly misappropriating, diverting or using funds, personnel, property or equipment committed to his/her charge for personal gain
• Failing to account for funds collected from students, parents, or any school-related function
• Submitting fraudulent requests for reimbursement of expenses or for pay
• Co-mingling public or school-related funds with personal funds or checking accounts
• Using school property without the approval of the local board of education/governing body
  
   

STANDARD 8. REMUNERATIVE CONDUCT

An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Insuring that institutional privileges are not used for personal gain
• Insuring that school policies or procedures are not impacted by gifts or gratuities from any person or organization
   

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Soliciting students or parents of students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the educator or to participate in activities that financially benefit the educator unless approved by the local governing body
• Tutoring students assigned to the educator for remuneration unless approved by the local school board
• The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or obtain special advantage. (This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.)
  
   

STANDARD 9. MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY

An educator shall comply with state and federal laws and local school board policies relating to confidentiality of student and personnel records, standardized test material, and other information covered by confidentiality agreements.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Keeping in confidence information about students that has been obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a legitimate purpose or is required by law
• Maintaining diligently the security of standardized test supplies and resources

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Sharing confidential information concerning student academic and disciplinary records, health and medical information family status/income and assessment/testing results unless disclosure is required or permitted by law
• Violating confidentiality agreements related to standardized testing including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing, or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, and violating local school board or state directions for the use of tests
• Violating other confidentiality agreements required by state or local policy
  
   

STANDARD 10. BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ABANDONMENT OF EMPLOYMENT

An educator should fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local school board or educational agency for the duration of the contract.

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Abandoning the contract for professional services without prior release from the contract by the school board
• Refusing to perform services required by the contract.
   

<sub>This code shall apply to all persons licensed according to the rules established by the Mississippi State Board of Education and protects the health, safety, and general welfare of students and educators.

Ethical conduct is any conduct which promotes the health, safety, welfare, discipline, and morals of students and colleagues.

Unethical conduct is any conduct that impairs the license holder’s ability to function in his/her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, safety, welfare, discipline, or morals of student and colleagues.</sub>

 

REQUEST FOR VERIFICATION OF LICENSURE ELIGIBILITY

Complete the Request for Verification of Licensure Eligibility form.
 

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

Please note: For expedited delivery of transcripts, we suggest you select the electronic delivery option. Ordering a transcript of your academic record at Belhaven University is easy when you follow these guidelines:

You may order a transcript from the Clearinghouse website here.
over the secure server and make a credit card payment online. The cost of transcripts is $10.00 for the first 2 copies, additional copies ordered to the same destination and in the same transaction are $2.00 per copy after the first two copies. The Clearinghouse will also assess a processing fee that varies based upon number of recipients and method of delivery. If you are currently enrolled you may indicate whether we should send your transcript now or after this term’s grades or after the degree is posted.

By requesting a transcript through the Clearinghouse website, you will receive confirmation emails when the transcript is being processed and when the transcript has been sent. To order an official transcript(s), login to the Clearinghouse secure website.

• The site will walk you through placing your order, including delivery options and fees. You can order as many transcripts as you like in a single session. A processing fee will be charged per recipient. You can order transcripts using any major credit card. Your card will only be charged after your order has been completed.
• Order updates will be emailed to you. You can also track your order online.
   

The Registrar is not permitted to send a transcript of an academic record if the candidate is in debt to the college. All outstanding debts can be viewed and paid on BlazeNet.

Belhaven University wishes to inform candidates of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The act, with which the institution intends to comply fully, was designated to protect the privacy of educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Candidates also have the right to file complaints with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the act.

• Belhaven University accords all the rights under law to candidates who are declared independent. No one outside the institution shall have access to nor will the institution disclose any information from candidates’ education records without the written consent of candidates except to personnel within the institution, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of candidates or other persons. All these exceptions are permitted under the act.
• Within the Belhaven community only those members individually or collectively acting in the candidate’s educational interest are allowed access to candidate education records. These members include personnel in the Office of the Registrar, Provost Office, Admission Office, Student Development Office, Financial Aid Office, and Business Office.
• Candidates may not inspect and review the following as outlined by the act: financial information submitted by their parents, confidential letters and recommendations associated with admission, employment or job placement, or honors to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review, or education records containing information about more than one candidate, in which case the institution will permit access only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring candidate.

If you need additional assistance, please e-mail the Registrar’s Office at registrar@belhaven.edu.