Admissions

Admission Requirements and Policies

Western Ministry Institute is designed as a one-year program with entrance to the program available prior to the beginning of each trimester. The program is focused on credit students, while audit students are accepted they cannot exceed 20% of the class population for any course.

A credit student must: have graduated from high school or submit proof of completion through the General Education Development (GED) program; complete an application and remit a non-refundable administrative fee; be willing to sign and be in compliance with the school's Statement of Faith and Standards of Conduct; begin matriculation during the first trimester after acceptance (note: failure to matriculate, without pre-approved exemption by the Administrator will render their application invalid); and maintain continuous enrollment, unless pre-approved by the Administrator.

An audit student must: complete an application and remit a non-refundable administrative fee; be willing to sign and be in compliance with the school's Statement of Faith and Standards of Conduct; and understand audit classes are not transferable, not applicable toward graduation. Should the student desire to change their academic status from audit to credit the audit courses must be repeated and additional tuition costs remitted.

All students must: keep current and be familiar with the academic policies and curriculum in pursuit of graduation (assistance is available from the staff); and maintain a life-style and academic performance in alignment with biblical principles and school protocol as outlined in the Statement of Faith and Standards of Conduct.

Attendance Policy

To maintain continuity, credit students will receive grade deductions for unauthorized absences as follows: one unauthorized absence will yield a reduction of one letter grade; and two unauthorized absences will yield an automatic failure of the course.

Students are expected to arrive on time and remain through the end of class; being tardy twice (arriving 15 minutes late or leaving 15 minutes before the conclusion of class) will equate to one unauthorized absence.

NOTE: this policy is applicable to weekday courses. For weekend courses, students must be present for all sessions or receive an automatic failure (F) of the course. The school will allow exemptions for emergencies or illness with appropriate written documentation submitted to the Administrator but the student is still required to complete and pass the course.

Grading System

The school conforms to a standardized grading system and to satisfactorily complete a course students must achieve a minimum 1.66 (C-) average. If the final grade is a D or F, the grade will be calculated into the GPA but the course will not be counted for credit toward graduation and to complete the program the student must repeat the course in the next trimester it is offered.

Graduation Policy

Students are eligible for graduation after completing twenty-seven trimester units of required course work with a cumulative grade point average of 1.66 or higher and fulfillment of their financial obligations. They must submit in writing to the Administrator a request to graduate, this should be submitted no later than the beginning of the trimester in which they will complete their required hours. Students approved for graduation will be notified via email. The graduation ceremony will occur once-a-year following the Spring Trimester.

Policy Exemption Procedures and Criteria

To facilitate the adult learner, the school recognizes the necessity to include a policy for exemptions; the merit of requests will be determined on an individual basis. Exemptions will be considered for the following reasons 1) to add or drop a class; 2) leave of absence (one or more trimesters); 3) withdrawal from the program; or 4) a refund request. Requests must be submitted in written form to the Administrator. Requests must be submitted prior to the completion of a course or for withdrawal prior to the completion of that trimester. If requests are not received within the prescribed time frame the student will receive an F (fail) for the course or courses.

Confidentiality, Right of Access, and Disclosure of Records

The Western Ministry Institute, although unaccredited, does observe the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Therefore, students may review their educational records on written request to the Administrator. Student information, other than directory information (name, current address, telephone number, email address, place of birth, admission and graduation dates, and enrolled units) will not be released without the written consent of the student.

Grievances and Appeals

Students with grievances or appeals are requested to submit, in writing, a declaration of their situation, pertinent or precipitating events, and a delineation of their desired outcome to the Administrator. The departmental directors will review the submission and respond either in written form or request an interview.

Emergencies and Incident Reports

In case of an emergency, students should contact and follow the direction of a faculty or staff member; in the absence of a staff or faculty member, notify 911 immediately. Escape routes are clearly defined in the buildings and all students should proceed to the pre-arranged assembly area. Prior to the arrival of emergency crews, command will be under the guidance of the Institute Director or Administrator and if neither are present the faculty member will assume the role. In the event that a student witnesses—or is a victim of—an incident, they should immediately contact 911 as well as a faculty or staff member. The individual will also be contacted by the Administrator to complete an Incident Report.