Academic and Behavioral Standards

Academic Standing

Any undergraduate students failing to maintain the minimum grade point average required by their academic program after the completion of 6 or more credits in a term, any graduate students failing to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average required by their program after the completion of 5 or more credits in a term, or any doctoral students failing to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average required by their program after the completion of 3 or more credits in a term will be placed on Academic Probation (for the purposes of tracking program GPA requirements). All students on Academic Probation must adhere to the stipulations of their probation as outlined in their notice of Academic Standing. These limitations can include restrictions on the number of credits they may take per term (generally a limit of 15 credits for undergraduate students and 12 credits for graduate students). Undergraduate students on Academic Probation must register for and successfully complete GNST 001. Undergraduate students on first term probation are required to meet with the Office of Academic Advising. The academic record and transcript of all students on Academic Probation will be notated accordingly.

Students on Academic Probation (for the purposes of tracking program GPA requirements) who do not successfully remove themselves from Academic Probation at the end of two consecutive terms of Academic Probation will be academically disqualified. Any undergraduate student taking 6 or more credits in a term who receives less than a 1.0 term GPA will be academically disqualified. Any graduate student carrying 5 or more credits in a term who receives less than a 1.0 term GPA will be academically disqualified. Any doctoral student carrying 3 or more credits in a term who receives less than a 1.0 term GPA will be academically disqualified. Students may not switch programs to rectify academic standing issues.

Probation Removed

When undergraduate students taking 6 or more credits in a term, or graduate students taking 5 or more credits in a term, raise both their term and cumulative GPA to the minimum program required GPA or higher, they are removed from Academic Probation (for the purposes of tracking program GPA requirements). "Probation Removed" is noted on the transcript, and all Academic Probation restrictions are lifted.

Academic Disqualification Appeals

Academic disqualification appeals must be submitted using the Appeal to the University Registrar form and must include an explanation of why minimum academic requirements were not met and why an exception is warranted. This appeal should be thorough and at least one page in length. Additional documentation may be requested. A disqualified student who does not appeal, or whose appeal was denied, may apply for re-admission after one term. The student may apply for re-admission only if evidence is given which indicates that chances for scholastic success are good. A student who has been disqualified twice may not be readmitted.

Good Academic Standing

Any student not on Academic Probation (for the purposes of tracking program GPA requirements) or Academic Disqualification is considered to be in Good Academic Standing (for the purposes of tracking program GPA requirements).

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid Eligibility

Although Satisfactory Academic Progress (for the purposes of financial aid) is independent from Academic Standing as defined above, poor academic performance may also result in financial aid suspension. For additional information on Financial Aid's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy see the Financial Aid Information section.

Athletic Eligibility

Although athletic eligibility is independent from Academic Standing as defined above, poor academic performance may also result in ineligibility. For additional information see the Student Activities section.

Extracurricular Activities

Students on Academic Probation are required to curtail their extracurricular activities in order to concentrate on their studies. Some activities may prohibit students on Academic Probation from applying or participating.

Academic Integrity

As a Christian institution, Biola University is especially concerned that sound moral values are practiced in all areas of university life. Honesty in academic work is essential for personal growth and an ethical life pleasing to God.

Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense and will be handled by individual faculty in various ways including lowered grades or possible loss of course credit. At the receipt of a second report on the same student, the Office of the Registrar will notify the school Dean or the Associate Provost for further disciplinary action. Repeated instances (2 or 3) of academic dishonesty will result in academic probation or dismissal from the university. A full statement concerning academic dishonesty can be found in the Student Handbook.

Fraudulent Records

The submission, alteration or falsification of transcript(s), record(s), or document(s) may result in denial of admission, disciplinary action or possible dismissal from the institution. In the event that such unethical acts are discovered after the student has discontinued attendance or has graduated from the university, the following procedure will be followed:

  1. The former student will be notified that a fraudulent item or alteration has been discovered. This notification may be made in person or sent by mail, posted to the address currently on file in the Office of the Registrar.
  2. The student's file will be suspended during the investigation, and documents will not be released during this time.
  3. The student will be given 30 days to present evidence that may assist the university in determining whether there was fraud and/or alteration.
  4. The university will review the evidence and determine whether the documents in question were fraudulent and/or altered.
  5. The student will be notified of the university's decision and may appeal it to the Office of the Provost within 30 days of the written notice. This notice may be made in person or sent by mail, posted to the address currently on file in the Office of the Registrar. If the evidence indicates that fraudulent or altered transcript(s), record(s) or document(s) were submitted and a degree was granted, such a degree will be rescinded and the student placed on a "dismissed without possibility of re-admittance" status. When possible, any person, employer or agency who was provided a transcript before the fraud or alteration was discovered will be notified that the transcript submitted was erroneous. Even if no degree was granted to the student, this individual will be placed on a "dismissed without possibility of re-admittance" status. In the event the student attended the university on a student visa, the appropriate embassy will be notified.

Sexual Misconduct

Biola University is committed to maintaining a university environment consistent with its Christian beliefs that all people are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect. As such, Biola should be a place for spiritual growth, work and study free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment, including sexual misconduct. The Sexual Misconduct Policy outlines the university’s commitment to ensuring that its campus is free from sexual misconduct, the steps for recourse for those individuals whose rights may have been violated, and the procedures for determining a violation of this policy. This policy applies to the following forms of sexual discrimination, which are referred to collectively as “Sexual Misconduct”: sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation. For more information, visit Biola’s Sexual Misconduct Policy website.

Discrimination and Harassment

Biola University is committed to the biblical truth that all persons are created in the image of God and should, therefore, be treated with dignity and respect. Biola seeks to emphasize the importance of being an authentically diverse community in pursuit of growth, awareness, and appreciation of our own diversity as well as that which exists in the broader world. As such, Biola does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, or prior military service in administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities. For more information, visit Biola's Discrimination and Harassment website.

Biola University Community Standards

The Biola Community

Biola University is a unique environment committed to following Christ's example of loving others. We believe that community is born of other-centered practices, strengthened when members:

  • Live with integrity.
  • Practice confession and forgiveness.
  • Attempt to live in reconciled relationships.
  • Accept responsibility for their actions and words.
  • Submit to biblical instruction.

As men and women of Biola, we do not ask each other to be perfect people, but rather to be people in active pursuit of integrity and growth, in dynamic relationships with the living God and with others in community. Those in leadership at Biola are eager to serve by coming alongside you and offering support, accountability, and, when necessary, loving discipline, in order to help you grow. We affirm our commitment to serve you with your best in mind.

The Standards

We at Biola uphold integrity as a core value of our community. Members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the value of integrity in word and deed and to take responsibility for their own violations of behavioral guidelines.

We at Biola recognize that Scripture condemns sins of the heart, such as covetousness, selfishness, ambition, envy, greed, lust and pride. By their very nature, these sins are more difficult to discern, but because they lie at the heart of relationships, they are of central concern to the Biola community. We confess and repent of these sins as we become aware.

Furthermore, while students at Biola commit to refrain from practices that Scripture forbids, some of our Community Standards and policies ask that you give up individual freedoms for the purpose of character development and the creation of a healthy, vibrant Christian community. A complete published statement of the standards can be found in the Biola Student Handbook.

Biola students have chosen, freely and willingly, to abide by these standards. We regard any violation of these standards to be a breach of integrity, since each member has voluntarily chosen to associate with the Biola community and to accept, uphold and live by these standards. The university reserves the right to refuse admittance and/or dismiss any person who does not conform either to the stated guidelines and regulations governing student conduct, or to the expressed principles, policies and expectations of the university. The university also reserves the right to take action against an individual for violating the standards regardless of how much time has passed since the violation.

When The Standards Apply

The Biola Community Standards apply to all students:

  • While enrolled in classes for the Fall Semester (including Thanksgiving), Spring Semester (including Spring Break), and Summer Session.
  • Who are representing the Biola Community in any off-campus events, such as mission trips, internships, study abroad, and athletic or academic activities.
  • Who are not enrolled in classes but are living on campus.

A complete published statement of the standards can be found in the Biola Student Handbook.