BICU is committed to the highest standard of academic integrity in all areas of its scholastic operations. To this end, the institution seeks to expound and practice the principles of honesty, equity, industry, transparency, uncompromising research and the careful proliferation of knowledge. Each student and professor of BICU is required to abide by these core principles.
DEPORTMENT/CONDUCT
Students, faculty, staff and all other persons directly connected to BICU are required and encouraged to display a professional attitude, undergirded by love, courtesy, compassion, civility and dignity at all times. Workers while representing BICU are required to be appropriately dressed as befitting a professional Christian environment and as the specific context so requires. Crass, coarse, lewd and vulgar behavior are not allowed in the physical environment of BICU or on its online operations. Online students are also required to abide by these principles while being engaged in online encounter(s) with the institution and hopefully wherever they are at other times as a sound character matters to a more elevated state of existence.
FULL TIME STATUS
At the undergraduate level the student is in full time status when he/she is taking twelve (12) or more credits per semester. Full time status at the graduate level is nine (9) or more credits per semester.
RESEARCH PROTOCOL
BICU is a research-based teaching institution that seeks to add to the wealth and store of human knowledge in ways that will create paradigm shifts in multiple fields of study/practice both on a micro and macro scale. In pursuit of this vision, faculty and students are encouraged to do original research, to present papers at academic conferences and to publish in scholarly or peer-reviewed journals. BICU will sponsor at least one academic conference each academic year.
PLAGIARISM
According to the standard definition, plagiarism is the deliberate use of another person's or organization's words or ideas and passing them off as being one's own. This practice, otherwise called 'literary theft' is strictly prohibited by BICU. As outlined below, the consequences for this practice can be rather severe. BICU encourages all persons associated with the institution not to be involved in this dishonest practice. Expressions of this practice involve but are not limited to:
→ Use of quotes from sources without giving credit to the author(s)
→ Making presentations using other author(s) works without giving credit (reference to the name and date of publication) to these author(s)
→ The forging of signatures
→ Securing of files, letters or any document without proper authorization
→ The unauthorized altering of any document from or presented to BICU
→ The procurement of term papers, research data from artificial intelligence (AI), online agencies and submitting them as your original work.
→ Submitting another person's exam or portions thereof as being one's own
→ Other verifiable evidences of academic dishonesty
GRADES AND CREDITS
BICU uses a letter grade system (A, B, C, D and F) on a graduated numbers scale (4.0) to represent achievement in each subject completed. The points assigned to each letter grade are as follows:
Grade
Points
Grade
Points
A
4
C+
2.33
B
3.67
C
2.00
C
3.33
C-
1.67
B
3.00
D
1.00
C
2.67
F
0.00
In addition to the letter/points designation assigned to grades, the following calibrations are also attached to grades. These notations however, do not affect the computation of the GPA
Incomplete Grade
An Incomplete 'I" grade will be awarded to students in cases where they are unable to complete a course within the time specified. This "I" designation will be awarded to students who have completed at least 75% of the assigned work. Students will have eight (8) week to complete the outstanding work from the official end of the course.
Deferred Grade
In cases where a student has completed less than 75% of the outstanding work for a course but is on a trajectory to pass and needs additional time for completing outstanding work due to illness or other grave unforeseen circumstances, s/he can be awarded a 'Deferred Grade' (DF). S/he will be expected to complete and submit all outstanding assignments within the arranged time or receive the earlier grade as indicated on the signed agreement form.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Bachelor's and Associate's Levels: BICU encourages its students to maintain high academic standards. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 at the end of a particular semester, that student will be placed under an "immediate advisement" status. With this status, the student will be: i) given special academic counseling by his/her advisor/or other designee, ii) not be allowed to take more than 9 credits for the ensuing semester, iii) encouraged to reduce extra-curricular activities relating to BICU, and iv) cautioned in writing of the consequences of maintaining this status for a successive semester.
A Bachelor's/Associate's student whose cumulative grade point average is less than 2.5 for two consecutive semesters and who has gone through the process described above, will be asked to withdraw from the program for at least two semesters after which the student may reapply to resume his or her studies.
Master's Student: A student enrolled in any of the master's program is required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on BICU's 4.0 graduated numbers scale. At the end of the first semester, if the student's GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be placed under an "immediate advisement" status. With this status, the student will be: i) given special academic counseling by his/her advisor/designee, ii) not be allowed to take more than 6 credits for the ensuing semester, iii) encouraged to reduce extra-curricular activities relating to BICU, and iv) cautioned in writing of the consequences of maintaining this status for a successive semester.
If the student fails to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters then the student will have to redo the courses contributing to the lowered GPA, under special advisement/tutelage. In any master's program, a student is allowed to earn only one 'C' grade for the entire program.
HONORS SOCIETY
The Honors society of BICU consists of students who have achieved excellence in course work along with a commendable citizenship attitude. Excellence in course work computes to: 1) a grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0 over an uninterrupted school year of course work, 2) students with a GPA of 3.00 -3.4 are designated as 'Honor students' and 3) students with a grade point average between 3.5- 4.0 are honored with the designation of "Scholars."
The achievement of the required GPA does not totally guarantee access to the Honors society. Along with academic excellence, BICU highly values good ethical conduct and caring human relationships. Hence, commendable citizenship attitudes also factor into access to the Honors society.
'Commendable citizenship attitude' means that the student's general deportment/conduct is exemplary and there has been no public immoral, illegal, or scandalous behavior for which the student was found guilty within the particular school year for which the honors standard is being computed. The guilty verdict may have been in a court of law or by the administration of BICU or other reputable public body.
'Uninterrupted school year' means that the student took classes for at least two consecutive semesters. Honor students and Scholars are honored at a special ceremony held in the Spring semester of each school year. Honors are not awarded for the summer terms.
DOING COURSE(S) ABOVE ONE'S PROGRAM LEVEL
There may be special cases where a student can be allowed to take course(s) above his/her program level. For example, a Bachelor's student may be allowed to do 500 level course(s). This can only be done after the following criteria are met: 1) the student must request this in writing to the Registrar's office, 2) the student must be recommended by his/her academic advisor for this consideration, 3) the student's GPA must be at or above the required standard for his/her program, 4) no more than three (3) such courses can be so taken within a given school year, and, 5) the written request is considered on a case by case basis by the Academic/Petition Committee.
CONSEQUENCES FOR ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS & UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT
All consequences for academic violations and unsatisfactory conduct at BICU are designed to be restorative even if punitive measures have to be taken. For extreme circumstances, a student may be asked to sever links with the institution. In such dire situations, an attitude of Christian love and care will be utilized to preserve the dignity of all as best as possible. Academic violations will be dealt with by the Academic Appeals Committee and the Citizenship & Disciplinary Committee will handle citizenship violations.
Where a complaint/grievance needs to be lodged, the following steps are to be followed:
→ Write a formal letter or email outlining the grievance that has occurred. Be sure to include time of incident, date, witnesses (if applicable)/persons involved, the essential facts of the circumstance and the action that you are seeking.
→ Send this letter or e-mail to your immediate supervisor. If you are a student, send your letter or e-mail to the professor involved. For matters other than academics, send your letter/e-mail to the Students' Services Director.
→ Once the letter or e-mail has been received, the supervisor, professor or Students' Services Director will investigate the matter, collect all the relevant facts and should respond within three (3) days.
→ Where the complainant has not received a response within three (3) days from the supervisor/professor or other applicable party, s/he should follow up with a reminder.
→ The resolution of the matter may require that a meeting be convened or follow up e-mails be sent.
→ If the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome s/he has the right to appeal to the next higher-ranking officer in the department or work unit. For example, a student would appeal to the Department Chair after addressing the matter with the professor without satisfaction.
→ If the outcome of the appeal is still unsatisfactory, then the complainant may write a formal letter or e-mail to the Appeals Committee of the University which will research the facts of the given case, convene a meeting of the parties or take other relevant and timely measures to resolve the issue. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
Procedure for Handling Disciplinary Actions
In the event that the need arises for disciplinary action among employees and/or students, the following steps will be taken:
→ A careful gathering of all the relevant facts and details should be undertaken after which a formal letter or e-mail should be sent to the offender and copied to the immediate supervisor or professor.
→ The immediate supervisor or professor will convene a meeting and seek to address the matter in a redemptive manner that is ethical, equitable and respectful of diversity (Exodus 18; Ga. 6:1).
→ If the disciplinary measure taken is considered to be unjust then the offended party may write a formal letter or e-mail to the Appeals Committee of the University. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
ADMISSIONS PHILOSOPHY
BICU believes that everyone was created with the ability and potential to learn. We therefore have a very open policy to anyone who demonstrates the aptitude and willingness to apply himself or herself to the rigors of academia within the Christian ethical framework and context of BICU. We admit persons irrespective of religion, denominational affiliation, age, race or gender so long as their conduct is respectful and professional.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
See section under each Program of Study.
REGISTRATION POLICIES
Complete application form online
Submit completed application form with required processing fee. This fee is non-refundable
Submit completed application form at least two (2) months before the start of the semester
Attend an interview as deemed necessary by the admissions committee
Fulfil the application requirements that are specific to the program of study to which you are applying. For further details, please see the registration policies and application processes for the respective programs.
TRANSCRIPTS
A transcript will be provided once the student has completed any course of study at BICU and has a zero balance on his/her financial account. A processing fee of $15.00 applies. The transcript will show all courses that have been completed including repeat courses, withdrawals and administrative withdrawals among others (see section 6- Grades and Credits).
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Students can register online at www.xxxxx. Recommendations can be uploaded by person (s) who will be sent a special password from the Registrar's office. The registration form gives the details for this process.
TRANSCRIPTS
Transcripts will be accepted in hard copy or electronically (from institution to institution). Hard copies (sealed envelopes) are to be mailed to:
Baldwin International Christian University Registrar's Office 9750 Apollo Drive, Suite B #124 Largo, Maryland 20774
LATE REGISTRATION
Registration is considered late if the student's matriculation process is not completed seven (7) days after the official beginning of the semester. These days do not include weekends, that is, Saturdays and Sundays. After the seventh day, a late registration fee of $150.00 will be charged. This amount is mandatory and non-refundable. The registration process closes 15 instruction days (i.e. excluding Saturdays and Sundays) after the official commencement of a particular semester. At this time, no more students can be registered for that particular semester, unless by special consideration by the administration.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students will be taught in the virtual space and some may face differences in time zones. Students are expected to attend at least 80 percent of the scheduled classes in a particular course, if attendance is affected by time differences then the student is expected to login and complete all readings and assignments pertaining to each class asynchronously. Failure to do so in a punctual and regular manner can result in: i) a reduction in letter grade for that subject to a low of C- or, ii) administrative withdrawal of the student by the professor of the course.
Note: Where a student is on Financial Aid, this non-attendance or low class attendance could affect future assistance. In addition to being a spiritual, intellectual, and social encounter, the classroom experience is a professional engagement in which all the policies and principles of BICU must be adhered to by both students and teachers. This policy will be printed in each course syllabus.
DEFINITION OF UNITS OF CREDITS
→ The university uses the semester model of credits based on the Carnegie System which is 15 weeks of instructional time.
→ A three-credit course comprises 45 clock hours. This is distributed between scheduled class time of at least two (2) 80 minutes sessions each week, with the remaining time consisting of home work/assignments/field experience. For our online system, classes will be held virtually – synchronously and asynchronously.
→ A two (2) credit course comprises of 30 clock hours. This is distributed between scheduled class time of at least two (2) 50 minutes sessions each week, the remaining time consisting of home work/assignments/field experience and additional out of class activities. For our online system, classes will be held virtually – synchronously and asynchronously.
CLASS STANDING FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Class standing is dependent on the total number of semester hours successfully completed. Successful completion means that the student earns a minimum grade of 'C' in all the courses taken to accumulate number of hours in each designated category.
DIVERSITY POLICY
BICU is a Christian community of students, professors and workers that seek to be very inclusive. We do not discriminate based upon gender, race, religion, ethnicity or cultural affiliations. Our inclusive posture is guided by the Christian ideals of love, mutual respect and care to which BICU subscribe.
FINANCIAL POLICIES
BICU advocates financial integrity and pledges to honor all its financial commitments in a prompt, honest and fair manner. BICU expects the same from all its clients. The following charges are automatic to the respective engagements with BICU. These charges are marked to market conditions and subject to change. They are only incurred as they are relevant to each program (see section on program charges). Charges will include:
→ Application fee – $50.00
→ Registration fee – $120.00
→ Late registration – $150.00
→ Lab fees – $60/semester (where applicable)
→ Technology fee – $149.00/semester
→ Late monthly payment fee – $25.00 (for payment plan)
→ Transcripts – $15.00
→ Graduation fee – $60.00
TUITION FEES BY PROGRAM
The tuition fees will be provided for in-state, Florida and out-of-state in the USA. The overseas tuition fees will be set as a percentage (~80-90%) of these stated fees given exchange rate variations, consideration for parity value and affordability.
→ The cost per credit for the Associate of Arts degree will be $213.00 for in-state students and 398.00 for out-of-state students.
→ The cost per credit hour for a Bachelor's degree is $423 for state residents and $478.00 for out-of-state students.
The cost per credit hour for the MBA program for state residents is $504 and $756.00 for out-of-state students.
