2010-2011 HBU Catalog - Houston Baptist University

Graduate Residency Requirement
Students who have earned a first masters degree from a regionally accredited institution who wish to pursue a
second graduate degree in a related or collateral field at HBU may do so with the permission of the faculty of the
College offering the degree. With the exception of students pursuing a second graduate degree in business,
students must complete at least twenty-four hours of course work in the degree program at HBU. The School of
Business requires 30 semester hours for the second graduate degree. Specific requirements are established by the
faculty of the College offering the degree program so that duplicate course work is avoided while fulfilling the
requirements for the degree.
Graduate Scholastic Standing
Every graduate student enrolled in graduate programs is required to maintain a high level of performance and to
comply fully with policies of the University. Students who are admitted to a degree program with stipulations are
subject to compliance with those requirements. Failure to fulfill the conditions stipulated at the time of admission
will result in suspension from the University. If a graduate student‘s cumulative grade point average falls below
3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. A 3.0 average is the minimum requirement of the
University for graduate students; individual academic programs may impose a higher grade point average for
continuance in specific programs. Probationary status can be removed only when the cumulative GPA reaches
the minimum of 3.0. Each student placed on academic probation must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA during the
student‘s current enrollment or he or she will be suspended and will not be allowed to apply for readmission until
at least one full semester has passed. Readmission is not guaranteed after a student has been suspended. When
reapplying after suspension, the student must schedule an interview with the Dean of the college in which the
degree resides. A student on first suspension will be readmitted at the Dean‘s discretion. If admission is denied,
the student may appeal the decision in writing to the college‘s Admission Committee. Two letters of academic
recommendation must support the student‘s appeal. A student readmitted to graduate study after a period of
academic suspension and not attaining a 3.0 GPA for that period will be permanently suspended.
Graduate Transfer Credit
There is no guaranteed transfer of credit toward a graduate degree; however, in certain programs, work
completed in residence at another accredited institution may, on the recommendation of the Program Director, be
accepted by the University Registrar as credit toward a graduate degree. The University will not recognize hours
achieved either entirely or partially on the basis of life experience. No correspondence or extension credit will be
accepted. No more than six semester hours of graduate credit will be allowed in transfer from another college or
university. (See ―Graduate Admissions‖ section.) English language courses are ordinarily not accepted from
institutions in countries where English is not the primary language.
Learning Disability Accommodation
Please refer to the Undergraduate section on this topic.
Student Directory Information
Please see ―Family Education Rights and Privacy Act‖ section.
Time Limit on Length of Program
Required courses are scheduled for the convenience of the student. Using a combination of available offerings, a
typical student will be able to earn the graduate degree within the span of twenty-four or fewer months. A student
may have five years after first enrollment to complete all requirements for the graduate degree. However,
specific degree programs may require shorter periods of study.
2010-2011 HBU Catalog www.hbu.edu/catalog Page 74