Academic Matters
Study Load: The normal academic load at the college is 15 credit hours per week. The lecture hour is the standard 50 minute period plus a 10 minute break.
The maximum academic load at Summit is 18 credit hours. Exceptions to this limit must be approved by the Dean of Education.
Late Enrolment: Students enrolling after Registration Week may only take up to 12 credit hours.
Enrolment to Audit Only: Students who do not wish credit in a course may enrol to audit only by permission of the instructor. To qualify for an audit, the student must meet any prerequisites for that class. The student will not write examinations, and must participate according to the instructor's direction.
Part-Time & Special Students: Students who enrol for fewer than 12 credit hours are considered to be Part-Time. Students who are not working toward graduation under any particular program, but simply taking courses according to their own interest are considered to be Special. Both Part-Time and Special Students are accepted by the college in principle, but applicants are dealt with on their own merits on an individual basis.
Part-Time Students who attend class on campus and who wish college credit for the course(s) they are attending must officially apply and be accepted.
Credit by Examination: Occasionally a student will have had experience equivalent to a particular course in the college curriculum. Such typical educational experiences would be: non-accredited studies, teaching, a writing project, or extensive reading. A student with this type of experience is allowed to petition for Credit By Examination through the Dean of Education. The student must demonstrate, by examination from the instructor of the course, that involvement in the field of study was as thorough and adequate as the college course. Full tuition is charged for the credits.
Directed Studies (Directed Research): Senior students who need to take a course that is not offered in the current semester, or students who have a schedule conflict of two courses required in that semester may petition the Dean of Education to take a course by Directed Studies. Only those courses which naturally lend themselves to this type of study are considered [Bible/Theology]. A surcharge is assessed for the facilitation of a DS course unless it is due to a scheduling conflict (see the College Costs Summary). A maximum of nine credit hours may be obtained by Directed Studies. Students who register for a DS will be charged a continuation fee if course requirements are not fulfilled within the semester of registration.
Internships: Most Summit programs require a supervised internship in a related ministry to their Major. Program Directors provide a syllabus and assistance during the process of the practicum. A pastor, counsellor, or global worker serves as a supervisory mentor for the period of the internship experience. Normal credit charges apply to internships. Internships are permissible after two years of course work. In order to be eligible to apply for PAOC credentials, students must complete one Pastoral Internship with a PAOC credentialed supervisor.
Grading System: Grades are based on a variety of assessments including class work, assignments [reports; reading; projects], essays/term papers, tests, midterm and final examinations. The reporting of letter grades and equivalent grade points is as follows:
A+ | 90-100% | 4.3 grade points
A | 85-89% | 4.0 grade points
A- | 80-84% | 3.7 grade points
B+ | 77-79% | 3.3 grade points
B | 73-76% | 3.0 grade points
B- | 70-72% | 2.7 grade points
C+ | 67-69% | 2.3 grade points
C | 63-66% | 2.0 grade points
C- | 60-62% | 1.7 grade points
D+ | 57-59% | 1.3 grade points
D | 53-56% | 1.0 grade points
D- | 50-52% | 0.7 grade points
F | Below 50% | 0 grade points
A student's academic standing or G.P.A. (Grade Point Average) is calculated both on the basis of the grade attained and the number of credits earned in each course. Thus, a three credit hour course carries more weight than a one credit hour course.
Incomplete Grade: An incomplete grade is given only in genuine emergency situations [prolonged serious illness or death in the family]. It is granted only upon petition to the Dean of Education before the beginning of final exams and only with the Dean's and the instructor's approval. Make-up work must be submitted not later than two weeks after the close of the semester in which the incomplete is granted.
Attendance: Attendance is required in all courses in which the student is enrolled. A student not in class for any reason is counted absent. Each student is permitted a total of one week's absences per semester without penalty, but additional absences may penalize the final grade by approximately 2% (or its equivalent) per absence. A student must attend eighty percent (80%) of the scheduled classes of a course in order to obtain credit in that course. A penalty for lateness to class may also be exacted by the instructor
In the case of prolonged illness or a necessary prolonged absence from campus, the Campus Pastor or Dean of Students may issue a "leave of absence" memo to the student's teacher(s) so that the absence can be excused. A leave of absence is not granted for absences of less than one week.
Cancellation of Classes: Notification of cancellation of classes due to severe weather conditions or campus emergencies will be communicated by 6:45 am via Canvas announcements and text messaging. In the event of individual class cancellations, the instructor will notify students via Canvas. In the event of hazardous winter road conditions, commuters should determine whether it is safe for them to travel from their locations and advise their instructors accordingly. Essential services on the campus will be upheld regardless of weather conditions.
Orientation: Each September there are a number of Orientation Days for new students to become acquainted with various aspects of college life. Students are provided with information regarding academic expectations at Summit. A style manual for Summit papers and a tour of the library are given to facilitate research. A Bible exam is also written during the registration and orientation period.
Academic Orientation Course: An “Academic Orientation” course is available to all Summit students through the Canvas system. The course provides valuable insights on how to achieve Academic Success at the college. Modules address writing skills, research processes and resources, essay formatting and style issues. Presentations also encourage beneficial study habits, self-care, and positive mental health practices.
Examination Policy: Most Summit courses require the writing of one or two examinations, usually during mid-term exam or final exam week. Examinations are to be written as scheduled by the college. A re-scheduling request will only be considered for very significant [health, family, work] issues. A final date for a re-schedule request is posted each semester.
College Calendar: Students should note the scheduled dates and events in the College Calendar before planning personal engagements or activities.
Add or Drop a Course Policy: Each semester the college posts the final day to make changes in courses. After the Add/Drop day has passed, a student is required to meet all obligations of the course. Failure to do so may result in a W or F which will affect the overall G.P.A.
Summit Style Manual: A Writing Style Guide provided annually for basic style issues required in an essay or paper. Students should follow the guidelines for best results. Students should make certain that they are using the most recent version. (Available for download from within Canvas LMS).
Plagiarism and Academic Cheating Policy: The college highly values the process of learning which occurs through diligent research, reading, listening, evaluation, reflection, and creative writing. Therefore, Summit values academic integrity in the classroom and expects students to adhere to best practices for research and the submission of assignments which claim to be their personal work. This means that all information taken from books, the internet, fellow students, teachers, or artificial intelligence tools and any other sources, must be properly acknowledged and referenced according to the SPC style manual.
Presenting the work, ideas or information generated by artificial intelligence language tools and other sources without careful, detailed referencing will be considered plagiarism. Penalties for cheating on exams or plagiarism may include a grade of zero on an assignment or exam, and even failure of the course.
Classroom Protocol: Summit instructors work very hard to prepare lectures and classroom presentations. Students are encouraged to attend class on time, fully rested and attentive. Interaction and discussion are encouraged for the benefit of the class.
SPC Information and Technology: The college is equipped with a fibre optic network infrastructure that facilitates campus-wide Wi-Fi connection for a variety of devices and supports internet services for the learning community. Classrooms are equipped with media devices which enhance course delivery. Students are expected to own and use their own computer devices for all their learning and assignment submissions.
All SPC students have access to the OasisSIS (Student Information System) for their personal course progress, registration, and transcript information. The portal provides access to grades, attendance, course resources, and links to college documents and forms. It is important that students check the portal regularly for material and updates from their instructors.
As of September 2020, the OasisSIS system was integrated with the Canvas Learning Management System for all student course requirements. This facility is used for all students who take courses in the classrooms on campus or online from home. Students will be provided with appropriate orientation to use this technology upon registration.
Classroom Computer Usage: Students are welcome to use their computers in class for taking notes. Students who use their computers in class for other purposes may lose this privilege so that other students and the instructor will not be distracted during the lecture.
Academic Appeal Procedure: A student wishing to appeal a grade decision (e.g., exam, assignment, music jury, audition decision, etc.) may do so according to the following procedure:
The appeal and the reasons for it must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Education within one month of the issue of the grade.
The Dean will investigate the appeal with the respective instructor and in writing will either confirm the original grade decision or report a modified grade.
Should the Dean of Education confirm the current grade decision and the student still wish to appeal the same, a written appeal may be submitted to an academic standards review committee. This committee will consist of the Dean of Education, the President of the college, the Dean of Students, and the Student Council President (or designated substitute). The committee will fully investigate the complaint and make its decision. In all cases the decision of the committee will be final and binding on both parties.
Note: If the appeal is against any member of the academic standards review committee, then that member will step aside and be replaced for the duration of the investigation.
Policy on the Submission of Late Assignments: When a student is not able to submit an assignment on a given due date for a class, an “Assignment Extension” form issued by the Registrar, must be completed. This process notifies the instructor of the request for an extension. Detailed requirements are listed on the form. All major assignments in a course must be submitted no later than the last day of classes in a semester before final exams begin in order for a student to write the final exam in that course.
For a candidate to be included in the graduation ceremony, all major course work (i.e., assignments, directed studies, research projects, music proficiency, etc.) must be completed no later than the last day of the semester before exams begin. For extenuating humanitarian circumstances where one course is incomplete (refer to Grad Requirements #9.) a student may appeal by letter to the Grad Committee for a limited extension.
Policy on Change of Program: Candidates for graduation are not allowed to change their chosen program in their final year. Change of program in the second or third year requires an interview with the student’s current program director and the Dean of Education.
SPC Learning Accommodations: For students who have a documented disability or Individual Education Plan from a registered professional or specialist, the college will try to facilitate appropriate accommodations to promote successful learning
Students who require assistance must submit appropriate documentation to the Registrar for consideration of academic accommodations. When student needs are accessed by the Registrar and Dean of Education, the student and Faculty will be notified of provisions.
Adjustments that may be considered include the provision of course materials, class notes, permission to record lectures, the use of technological support, and exam accommodations (i.e., extra time, use of technological support, permission to write exams in a quiet but monitored space).
G.P.A. Requirements:
A student is expected to maintain at least a minimum academic standing in order to continue attending the college. If the G.P.A. falls below 1.4 the student is placed on academic probation for the following semester. If the G.P.A. is not raised above 1.4 by the end of the probationary semester, the student is not permitted to continue in attendance. However, after one semester's absence the student can be considered for readmission, particularly if there is a promise of improved achievement. At the beginning of the third year, the student must have a minimum G.P.A. of 1.50, and graduate with a minimum of 1.75 in the diploma program. Graduation from the degree program is contingent on a minimum 2.0 G.P.A.
Each semester students are honoured by the "Dean's List" = 3.75 G.P.A. and above; "Honours List" = 3.50 to 3.74 G.P.A.