Divinity School Program

Academic Life

Faculty

The Brite Divinity School faculty, composed of twenty-four faculty and numerous part-time instructors, includes scholars widely known for their publications, lectures and other contributions to the intellectual, spiritual and organizational life of the church. Many of the faculty have had experience in the local pastorate. This, coupled with their academic preparation, continuing scholarship and participation in the life of the church, equips them for their work in theological education.

Curriculum

The curriculum of Brite Divinity School has been developed carefully and is under constant evaluation. Insight from both ministers and laypersons has been sought and received. At every stage in curriculum planning, faculty and students have had in view the varied ministries in which Brite’s graduates serve — in the pastorate and in the university, on the mission field and in the educational program of the local church, in denominational and interdenominational agencies, in established and in new forms of ministry.

The M.Div. curriculum is designed to provide for the church a leadership that is highly competent, imaginative, and aware of the world’s needs and of the church’s resources. Programs of study and degree requirements are described in other sections of this bulletin.

Interinstitutional Curricular Cooperation

Brite Divinity School is a member of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools (COSTS) which is engaged in various types of cooperative activity. Selected students and faculty members from COSTS schools have participated in summer interseminary courses on a variety of topics. COSTS institutions continue to explore further possibilities of regional and sub-regional cooperation.

Library

When the building housing Brite College of the Bible was dedicated in February 1915, the library consisted of two rooms on the second floor. In 1924, the religion collection was moved into the new library of Texas Christian University. Named for its benefactor, the Mary Couts Burnett Memorial Library maintained a large room for religion books and continued to receive gifts from many well-known Disciples ministers and scholars. So large was the collection of books by Disciples and about the Movement of the Disciples, a room was set aside in 1935 for the Disciples Collection, touted as the most nearly complete collection of its kind in existence at that time.

The possibility of developing a graduate program in religion began to be considered seriously by fall 1958. A key element of this endeavor was the development of library collections and services to support advanced studies in theology and religion. Maintaining and preserving a dynamic collection of resources that undergirds the educational, research, service, and future scholarship needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Brite Divinity School is still paramount.

Library resources of Brite Divinity School are an integral part of the Mary Couts Burnett Library, Texas Christian University, a research facility consisting of over 2 million items, including more than 200,000 works in religion and theology. With Internet access to the library’s online catalog, CD-ROM and online databases, full-text electronic journals, and document delivery options, students may access library services and resources from anywhere at anytime. In addition, cooperative agreements provide access to resources held by other Texas universities and seminaries. To ensure students take full advantage of the extensive resources available for theological research and congregational ministry, instruction in use of the library and electronic resources is required of all entering students.

Field Education

Field Education is a learning/serving experience. It produces growth in professional skills, and personal and vocational identity with students functioning in supervised ministerial settings. Through reflection, academic studies are integrated with ministerial practice. The supervised year is based on an action/reflection model with experience in ministry being a key factor. Most students receive a stipend that helps offset the expenses of graduate study.

Students may choose to serve in field settings in their first year in seminary. The supervised year in ministry (PRTH 70503 and PRTH 70603, which must be taken sequentially in the fall and spring semesters) is normally undertaken by M.Div. and M.A.C.S. students in the second academic year along with regular academic courses. The program requires close supervision in an approved field setting (confirmed by a learning covenant signed by the supervisor, the student and the Director of Field Education) and participation in a theological reflection group.

While encouraged to experience the total work of ministry, the student may concentrate in one or more specific areas such as parish ministry, chaplaincy, youth ministry or Christian education. The supervised year in ministry carries a total of six semester hours credit. A student must have satisfactorily completed twenty-one semester hours of seminary credit before enrollment in the supervised year.

Arrangements for field settings are made in cooperation with the Office of Field Education. The director of the program is responsible for training approved field supervisors and for nominating theological reflection group leaders to the full faculty for confirmation. The director consults with field supervisors, theological reflection group leaders, and students on matters pertaining to supervised ministry.

Pastoral Care and Clinical Pastoral Education

Brite Divinity School strives to prepare ministers to respond to the personal needs and problems of people in a variety of circumstances. Several opportunities for supervised training in pastoral care are available:

1. Brite Divinity School is one of a small number of seminaries with a Pastoral Care and Training Center accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Advanced students may receive AAPC credit as they serve as pastoral counselors at the Center. Students are given the opportunity to offer pastoral counseling to individuals, couples, and families from the community. All work is carefully supervised by members of the Department of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling and qualified adjunct supervisors (see PTPC 70953 and 70963).
2. During some semesters, students may elect to work on a crisis hotline as a part of PTPC 60153 The Ministry of Pastoral Care.
3. Clinical Pastoral Education programs may be completed at any training center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. CPE offers students first-hand experience in ministry to individuals and families confronting illness, surgery, dying, grief, etc. (see PTPC 70323). Students entering a CPE program must register prior to the course at Brite Divinity School.

Visiting Lecturers

TCU Ministers Week annually presents four distinguished Christian leaders in a four-day program of enrichment.

THE WELLS SERMONS, founded in 1943, are made possible by an annual gift from the East Dallas Christian Church in honor of its former minister, L. N. D. Wells. Past Wells preachers have included Edwin McNeil Poteat, Halford E. Luccock, Walter W. Van Kirk, Nels F. S. Ferré, George Arthur Buttrick, Harold Cooke Phillips, Roy C. Snodgrass, Granville T. Walker, McGruder E. Sadler, James W. Clarke, Albert C. Outler, Merriman Cunninggim, Robert James McCracken, Richard C. Raines, James A. Pike, C. E. Lemmon, James T. Cleland, Ralph W. Sockman, Carlyle Marney, Robert Clyde Yarbrough, A. Wayne Braden, Gustave A. Ferre, Harold A. Bosley, David H. C. Read, Jack Finegan, Browne Barr, Fred B. Craddock (twice), Charles L. Allen, Perry E. Gresham, James M. Moudy, Ernest T. Campbell, John Claypool, Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., William Muehl, Lawrence W. Bash, P. Hunter Beckelhymer, Elizabeth Achtemeier, Wallace E. Fisher, Gilbert D. Davis, Eugene W. Brice, Albert M. Pennybacker, James A. Wharton, Gardner Taylor, William Sloan Coffin, Jr., Peter J. Gomes, James A. Sanders, K. David Cole, Joseph R. Jeter, Jr., Zan Holmes, Thomas G. Long, Eugene L. Lowry, Bryan G. Feille, Joan Brown Campbell, Alvin O. Jackson, Paul Scott Wilson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Jeremiah A. Wright. Jr, Pablo A. Jiménez, Patrick J. Willson, Dan P. Mosley, L. Susan Bond, Brian K. Blount, and Douglas B. Skinner.

THE McFADIN LECTURESHIP was founded in 1943 by an annual gift from the McFadin Ministerial Loan Fund set up by D. G. McFadin of Dallas, Texas, to be administered by Brite Divinity School. These lectures cover a broad range of theological and pastoral concerns. They have been given in the past by Rollo Resse May, Kelley O’Neall, Alexander Paul, C. W. Longman, Homer Carpenter, Samuel Guy Inman, Hampton Adams, Gaines Monroe Cook, A. T. DeGroot, George P. Fowler, W. A. Welsh, C. C. Morrison, John Knox, William L. Reed, J. Philip Hyatt, Lewis J. Sherill, Martin Rist, T. Hassell Bowen, Charles F. Kemp, A. Campbell Garnett, Howard E. Short, M. Jack Suggs, Langdon B. Gilkey, Glenn C. Routt, Ronald Osborn, Leslie R. Smith, Robert A. Raines, Dwight E. Stevenson, Schubert M. Ogden, John W. Stewart, James D. Glasse, B. Davie Napier, William R. Baird, Muriel James, Sydney E. Ahlstrom, Samuel Sandmel, John H. Westerhoff, III, James A. Sanders, William L. Hendricks, Peggy Ann Brainard Way, Krister Stendahl, James W. Fowler, William H. Willimon, James O. Duke, Leander E. Keck, John Deschner, David G. Buttrick, Jeffrey William Rowthorn, Toni Craven, M. Eugene Boring, Lewis Smedes, Maria Harris, Phyllis Trible, William O. Paulsell, Sheila Greeve Davaney, D. Moody Smith, Susan J. White, David Balch, Carol Meyers, Adela Yarbro Collins, Amy-Jill Levine, C. David Grant, Carolyn Osiek, Ronald J. Allen, Sandra M. Schneiders, and Cain Hope Felder.

THE OREON E. SCOTT LECTURESHIP on “Crucial Current National and International Issues from the Christian Point of View,” was established in 1952 by the Oreon E. Scott Foundation of St. Louis. The Scott Lectures have been delivered by Samuel Guy Inman, Walter H. Judd, Ellis Gibbs Arnall, Robert G. Storey, Roswell Barnes, Cleveland Kleihauer, Gerald H. Kennedy, M. Searle Bates, Albert C. Outler, Harold L. Lunger, Irwin Miller, Harold F. Fey, John E. Hines, Levi A. Olan, Robert E. Lucey, Brooks Hays, Ernest C. Colwell, Frank Porter Graham, Howard Lowry, Waldo Beach, James M. Gustafson, Joseph C. Hough, Jr., James I. McCord, Wernher von Braun, C. Shelby Rooks, Roger L. Shinn, Martin E. Marty, W. A. Welsh, T. J. Liggett, Thomas C. Oden, Jorge Lara-Braud, H. Jackson Forstman, Lawrence N. Jones, Donald W. Shriver, Jr., Gabriel Fackre, James Deotis Roberts, Walter Brueggemann, Max L. Stackhouse, Marjorie Suchocki, George Rupp, Don S. Browning, Jane Dempsey Douglass, George W. Stroup, Don E. Saliers, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Ronald B. Flowers, Clyde E. Fant, Justo L. González, Michael Kinnamon, Martin E. Marty, Andrew Lester, Molly Marshall, Tex Sample, Mark G. Toulouse, Howard W. Stone, Nancy T. Ammerman, Charles Kimball, David J. Gouwens, Daisy L. Machado, and Christie Cozad Neuger.

THE DAVIS WORKSHOP IN MINISTRY was established in 2004 and made possible by gifts in honor of Dr. Gilbert Davis, former Director of Church Relations at TCU, and his wife, Hilda. This workshop focuses on strengthening skills for engaging in pastoral ministry. Leaders of the workshop have included George Bullard, Fred B. Craddock, George A. Mason, and Anthony B. Robinson.

The Brite Series, funded by the Brite Student Body and the TCU Student House of Representatives, provides lectures on a variety of subjects. Brite Series speakers have included James Cone, Carter Heyward, Corbin S. Carnell, Anna Jarvis Parker, Vine Deloria, J. Robert Nelson, Ronald B. Flowers, Langdon Gilkey, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Hans Küng, Keith Watkins, Robert Capon, Marie Fortune, John Cobb, Charles Foster, Martin E. Marty, Walter J. Harrelson, Rita Brock, Emily Townes, Sheila Gustafson, and Mary Donovan Turner.

The Kirkpatrick Summer Institute, which was established with a gift from Dr. Ruby Kirkpatrick of Post, Texas, is held every other summer in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lecturers, preachers, and worship leaders come from Brite Divinity School and seminaries and churches around the country to provide continuing education for pastors.

The Louis and Madlyn Barnett Visiting International Scholars Program in Jewish Literature and Thought was established by Dr. and Mrs. Louis Barnett of Fort Worth, Texas. This visiting scholars program is a part of the Jewish Studies Program at Brite. The first Barnett International Scholar was Israel Finkelstein in 2001. Other visiting scholars have included Richard Sarason, Avigdor Shinan, Paul Mendes-Flohr, Isaiah Gafni, Yair Zakovitch and Pamela Barmash.

The Gates of Chai Distinguished Lectureship for Judaic Studies was established in 1997 by the Gates of Chai, Inc., a foundation whose founder and president is Marcia Kornbleet Kurtz. It is established in memory of Larry Kornbleet as well as family members who perished in the Holocaust. Lecturers have included Chaim Potok, Harold Kushner, Elie Wiesel, Morris Dees, Susan Estrich, Joel Siegel, Thomas Cahill, Bruce Feiler and Dennis Ross.

The Borderlands Intersection – Faith and Culture Lecture Series brings to the Brite and TCU communities nationally known Latina/o theologians and scholars who explore borderlands intersections and examine their impact on church and society. Past lecturers have included Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Orlando Espin, Harold Recinos, Jean-Pierre Ruiz, David Carrasco, Fernando Segovia, Otto Maduro and Roberto Goizueta.

The Roman Catholic Lectureship was established in 2003 with support from the Amon G. Carter Foundation. Lecturers have included Andrew Greeley, Joan Chittister and Wendy Beckett.

Other visiting lecturers during the school year add to the richness of the Divinity School’s program. Among the distinguished scholars and church leaders who have served as guest lecturers in addition to those listed above are Paul Ricoeur, Paul Weiss, Norman Pittenger, Erich Dinkler, Erika Dinkler-von Shubert, John Hick, Walter Ong, Gordon D. Fee, Victor Turner, George E. LaMore, Jr., Bernadette Brooten, Gary Grassi, John P. Clayton, Noel Freedman, John Westerhoff, III, Binger Gerhardsson, John Vannorsdall, Robert Fulton, Ngoy Bolia, Paula Cooey, Herb Miller, Debra Purviance-Sheriff, John Gammie, Ronald Clements, John Tabbernee, Paul Minear, W.D. Davies, Carol Meyers, Harlynne Geisler, Phyllis Trible, Charles Hartshorne, Lawrence Hoffman, Ann B. Sherer, Jürgen Roloff, Ralph Mecklenburger, Mary Ellen Ross, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Nancy Howell, Jane Bingham, Joseph Bragg, William Farmer, Nancy Ring, William Clements, Ruth Duck, Peder Borgen, Howard Clinebell, Georg Streker, Martha Ann Kirk, William Singer, Edwin Judge, José Miguez Bonino, Belva Jordan, Kenneth Lawrence, Brian Wren, Ulrich Luz, Laura Simms, Cynthia Hale, W. Clark Gilpin, Walter J. Harrelson, Feliberto Pereira, Mary Ann Tolbert, William O. Walker, Jr., Mary Turner, Michael Jackson, Jon Michael Spencer, Sharon Kahn, Victor Furnish, Cynthia Winton-Henry, Phil Porter, Rodney Page, Stanley Kurtz, John Mbiti, Mayer Gruber and James Cone.

Academic Load

The normal load for a student giving full-time to academic work is nine to twelve hours per semester (exclusive of PRTH 60011 Theological Resources Seminar and WRSP 70230^1/2). A student serving as minister of a church or doing other equivalent outside work should not register for more than twelve hours per semester. On the basis of excellent grades and by special permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, a student may enroll for a total of fifteen hours per semester. Students on a two-day schedule must limit their course load to eleven hours unless, on the basis of a grade point average of 3.50 or above, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs grants permission for a registration of more than eleven hours. A student serving a church or doing other equivalent outside work may complete the requirements for the Master of Divinity degree in three years by attending at least one session each summer. A student who wishes to serve as minister of a church or to do other equivalent outside work while in the seminary, and who does not wish to take summer session work regularly, should plan to devote four years to the Master of Divinity degree(maximum load for a five-week summer term is six hours; maximum load for any particular summer "module" is three hours; though a heavy summer load is not recommended, students may take up to fifteen hours per summer by taking a maximum load in each segment of the summer schedule.)

School Terms

The school is organized for the long term (fall and spring) on a semester basis. The summer school consists of a three-week May term and four modules (each running ten class days) as well as a limited number of five-week courses. Students may take one course in the May term and one class in each of the first, second, third, or fourth modules. Students may also elect up to two courses in a five-week term. Students in five-week courses may not enroll in modules meeting during that period. Normally, all summer school course requirements are to be completed by the first day of the next summer school term or module.

On-campus elements of the Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy programs consist of fall and spring terms and, for the D.Min., specially-designed one- or two-week courses in October, January, and May.

First Year Schedule

Entering students are strongly encouraged to complete courses at the 60000 series level during their first year of study at Brite Divinity School. For example, students who enroll for nine semester hours each semester should attempt to complete six 60000 level courses by the end of their first year. The following courses are equally acceptable as representative first year courses:

• HEBI 60003 Interpreting the Hebrew Bible and Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books
• NETE 60003 Interpreting the New Testament
• CHHI 60113 History of Christianity I, Early and Medieval (or CHHI 60413, CHHI 60713, CHHI 60913)
• CHTH 60013 Introduction to Christian Theology I (or CHTH 60023 [requires CHTH 60013], CHET 60003, CHET 60023, CHSO 60103, CHSO 60403)
• PRTH 60103 Congregational Leadership (or PRTH 60053, WRSP 60113, REED 60003)
• PTPC 60153 The Ministry of Pastoral Care

Students are urged to take HEBI 60003 Interpreting the Bible and Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical Books before NETE 60003 Interpreting the New Testament; students are also urged to take CHHI 60113 History of Christianity I before CHHI 60413 History of Christianity II.

Grading and Point System

The definition of grades and the grade point system at Brite Divinity School is as follows:

• A+ 4.00
• A 4.00 Excellent
• A- 3.70
• B+ 3.30
• B 3.00 Good
• B- 2.70
• C+ 2.30
• C 2.00 Marginal
• C- 1.70
• D+ 1.30
• D 1.00 Poor
• D- 0.70
• F 0 Failure
• I Incomplete
• W Withdrew
• P Pass
• NC No credit
• Q Dropped with Dean’s permission
• AU Audit
• NR Grade not reported by instructor

Incompletes. The grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be granted by faculty members and the appropriate Assistant/Associate Dean only in cases of truly exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the student that prevent the completion of course work by the end of the semester. An "I" must be removed within sixty days of the completion of the course. Failure to remove the "I" will result in a grade of "F." It is the student's responsibility to obtain the change of grade permit form from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and present it to the instructor at the time the course work is delivered. Likewise, if an extension of time is needed it is the student's responsibility to obtain the form from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and present it to the instructor.

Student-Initiated Withdrawal. The purpose of student-initiated withdrawal from courses is to enhance the learning opportunity in a program of study. In cases when a student may lack the background needed for the mastery of course content, the subject matter in a course does not match student need or interest as anticipated, or course requirements will limit effective appropriation of learning in a semester's overall program of study, a student may officially withdraw from a course in accordance with the policy stated below.

Mere absence from a class does not constitute withdrawal. In order to withdraw from a course, a student must follow official established procedure. During the withdrawal period stipulated in the Brite Divinity School/TCU Calendar in each semester, students may elect to withdraw from any class according to standard procedures. The date of withdrawal for all purposes, including tuition adjustment, shall be the date of official withdrawal. There will be no withdrawals after the withdrawal period. Dates and refund percentages are noted in the Brite Divinity School/TCU Calendars published each spring and fall.

If adding a course during the ADD/DROP period, check with the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for space availability. Usually no additions are permitted after classes begin.

Any student who experiences unusual hardship may seek special consideration through a written petition to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Divinity School. Petitions should, where possible, be documented with supporting statements from a physician. That a student is doing unsatisfactory work in a course will not be taken as sufficient reason for special consideration. If, in the judgment of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the request is justified, a grade of "Q" (dropped with the permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs) may be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs after consultation with the instructor of the course. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will notify the Office of the Registrar. A copy of the "Q" grade assignment will also be placed in the student's academic file and sent to the instructor.

Students who withdraw from all classes at Brite Divinity School, and remain unregistered over the course of two semesters, must formally apply through Brite's Office of Admissions for readmission to Brite Divinity School.

Pass/No Credit. Brite students may not elect the Pass/No Credit grading option. Certain courses may be designated by Brite faculty and administration as Pass/No Credit. These are PRTH 60001 Theological Resources Seminar, PRTH 70503 Supervised Ministry I, PRTH 70603 Supervised Ministry II, WRSP 70243 Spiritual Resources and Disciplines, and PTPC 70323 Clinical Pastoral Education. Pass/No Credit courses are disregarded in the calculation of the student’s GPA.

Repeating a Course. If a course taken at Brite Divinity School is repeated at Brite, the official grade is the last letter grade received. All grades for any one course, if taken more than once, at Brite Divinity School will be listed on the transcript and will be counted for the purpose of computing a GPA. However, only three hours credit will be extended toward degree completion, no matter how many times the course is taken. Only grades earned at TCU and Brite Divinity School may be used in GPA calculations. Financial aid restrictions may apply to Brite Divinity School students repeating courses.

Travel Courses. Occasionally, faculty at Brite Divinity School may teach a course that involves travel. In these cases, such courses receive normal academic credit. Students who participate in travel courses led or taught by persons who have no formal academic association with Brite Divinity School, or with other ATS accredited seminaries, will not normally receive academic credit for such courses. However, recognizing the value inherent in many such trips, members of the faculty express a general willingness to consider offering specialized reading courses in their areas of expertise relevant to the travel engaged in by the student. In this way, a travel course could be used to enhance independent study that results in academic credit, even though students would not receive academic credit for the travel itself.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is identified on the academic record as the total number of credit hours accepted from each institution attended and is added to the total number of cumulative earned hours. Transfer credit hours may satisfy degree requirements but are not used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Transfer students should also refer to the material entitled “Transfer Students and Transfer of Credit Hours” in the “Admission” section of this bulletin.

Simultaneous Enrollment in Other Degree (or Certification) Programs

Students at TCU, and at Brite Divinity School, may only be enrolled in one degree (or certification) program at a time. Students enrolled in a program at Brite may not be enrolled in any other degree (or certification) program outside of Brite Divinity School. Exceptions are granted only in cases where undergraduate students at TCU are within nine hours of receiving their undergraduate degrees.

Transfer Between Programs at Brite

Students currently enrolled in the M.A.C.S., M.T.S. or the M.Div. programs who would like to transfer into one of the other programs may make application to do so (through the Office of Admissions) once they have completed 18 hours at Brite. Only grades of “C” (2.0) or above will be transferred. Those who wish to transfer from the M.T.S. or M.A.C.S. programs to the M.Div. program, however, must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Normally, students transferring from the M.Div. to the M.T.S. program must complete at least 12 hours and the 3- hour Final Exercise independent research study course while enrolled in the M.T.S. program. Normally, students transferring from the M.Div. to the M.A.C.S. program must complete at least 12 hours while enrolled in the M.A.C.S. program.

Advisers and Advance Registration

All entering students are assigned a faculty adviser. After their first semester, students have an opportunity to indicate their preference for a permanent academic adviser. There are limits, however, to the number of students a faculty member can advise. Further, certain academic programs and elective concentrations have specific advisers.

All students are encouraged to complete 60000 level course requirements early in their programs. Students who leave requirements until their last year of study run the risk of not graduating because of required courses not being offered or conflicts in scheduling. Final responsibility for choice of academic program and for successful completion of all program requirements rests with the student and not with the adviser.

During the fall and spring semesters, the Divinity School holds advance registration for the following semester. Only students registered and attending classes at the time of advance registration are eligible to participate in advance registration. Students will be notified of registration dates by e-mail. Registration and advance registration may be completed by the student through use of the internet.

Audit Enrollment

At Brite Divinity School occasional visitation of classes by students is allowed with the consent of the instructor. In all cases, attendance of more than one-third of the class sessions requires official enrollment as an auditor. Auditors are admitted to classes on space-available basis only. Interested returning students should consult the instructor and the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. New students should consult the instructor, the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, and Brite’s Office of Admissions. An audit fee is charged, and written permission of the instructor is required. Fulltime Brite Divinity school students, however, as well as faculty spouses, are eligible for grants equivalent to the audit fee. Normally, no more than one course per semester may be audited under this grant provision.

The only period during which students may register for an audit or change a credit class to audit is from the second day of late registration as published in the university calendar up to the end of the time period covered by the first one-third of the class sessions. It is recommended that prospective students consult the instructors of courses in which they are interested before they register. Students wishing to audit courses must be admitted for graduate study through the Admissions Office and have written approval of either the instructor of the course for which they wish to register or the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Classroom recitation and participation may be restricted at the discretion of the instructor; no grade is assigned and no credit is awarded.

If credit is desired, the student must register for and repeat the regular course after paying regular tuition. If a student switches from credit to audit enrollment for a class, that too may be done no later than the time period covered by the first one-third of the class sessions.

The student’s name will appear on the instructor’s class roll. In order for “AU” to appear on the transcript, however, the instructor must certify at the end of the semester that the student has attended as an auditor. Audits not approved by the instructor as a final grade will be omitted from the student record.

Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal

Brite Divinity School’s probation and dismissal policy is composed of the following policies: (1) if a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.50, or if a student receives a grade of “F” in any three- or four-credit hour course, the student will be placed on academic probation; (2) all students on academic probation are limited to an enrollment of nine hours per semester; (3) if a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters, or if a student receives a grade of “F” in any three- or four-credit hour course, the student will receive notice of academic dismissal from Brite Divinity School; (4) if a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.50, or if a student receives a grade of “F” in any three- or four-credit hour course, three times while in program (non-consecutive semesters), the student will receive notice of academic dismissal from Brite Divinity School; (5) normally, if a student receives a grade of “F” in any two courses that meet core or distributive requirements in any masters program, the student will receive notice of academic dismissal from Brite Divinity School; (6) students who enter a Brite degree program on probation must complete nine graded semester hours work with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above before they will be removed from probationary status; (7) students on academic probation are not usually allowed to register for courses taught by adjunct faculty (whether during a regular semester or during the summer); (8) students on academic probation are not usually allowed to register for Independent Study Courses; (9) if a student completes at least two summer modules of work (six semester hours or more), the summer’s work will count, for academic probation purposes, as the equivalent to a fall or spring semester of work at Brite Divinity School (the summer semester includes work taken during the May module); and (10) students on academic probation after completing at least one semester’s work are normally subject to an immediate reduction in student aid to no more than 50% tuition. Normally, if students who enter on probation do not achieve a 2.50 GPA their first semester, they will not be allowed to continue in program.

Students who are admitted to Brite Divinity School on academic probation, or who fail to make satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion, may be denied tuition grants, or have current tuition grants reduced.

Students may be withdrawn from individual courses for lack of academic progress on the recommendation of the faculty member and the approval of the Dean or Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Students may be dismissed from the Divinity School at such times as it is clearly demonstrated that the student is not interested in, or making, acceptable academic progress.

Transcripts of Academic Records

Students and former students may request official transcripts of their academic record at Brite Divinity School from the TCU Office of the Registrar for a transcript processing fee. All transcript requests must be made by the student and must be in writing. Adequate notice, normally one week, is required for transcript processing. Transcripts cost $5.00 each. Transcripts will not be released unless the student has satisfied all financial obligations to the University.

Classification of M.Div. Students

A “Junior” is a first-year Master of Divinity student with credits from 0 to 27.5 semester hours. A “Middler” is a student with credits from 28 to 54.5 semester hours. A “Senior” is a student with 55 or more semester hours.

Honors and Awards for Students

Dean’s List. Each fall and spring semester, students who achieve a grade point average of 3.80 or above in a given semester on a minimum of nine completed credit hours are honored by being named to the Dean’s List. Students with one or more grades designated as “Incomplete” are ineligible for the Dean’s List that semester.

Chalice Press Book Awards. Chalice Press gift certificates are awarded each year to outstanding Disciples senior, middler, and junior Master of Divinity students.

Colby D. Hall Award. A cash award honoring the first dean of Brite, Colby D. Hall, is given to a promising Disciples graduating senior. It was established by Dean Hall’s daughter, Dr. Bita Mae Hall Compton.

The May and Elmer D. Henson Preaching Award. A graduating senior who is an outstanding preacher and who has an exemplary record in all aspects of seminary life receives this award through the generosity of Elmer D. and May Henson.

The Barrett T. Moore Award. Established by Ron Moore in memory of Barrett T. Moore, and in appreciation of his ministry. The award is given annually to an outstanding student in homiletics.

Harry G. Knowles Award for Evangelism. Given by First Christian Church in Houston, Texas to a Disciples student who has demonstrated competence in evangelism, this award was named after a former pastor of the congregation.

Hebrew Bible Award. An award is presented annually to an outstanding student in Biblical Hebrew.

Interpretation Award. Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves in their biblical and theological studies and intend to pursue careers in parish ministry. Recipients receive both print and on-line versions of the journal.

The Zondervan Book Award. This award is given to an outstanding student working in advanced areas of Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek.

The Gilbert L. Ferrell United Methodist Studies Award. Established in 2001, this cash award is given to an outstanding Methodist student based upon academic achievement, service to the church, and commitment to social justice. Gilbert Ferrell served the Brite community in United Methodist Studies for nearly twenty-eight years.

The William L. and Lois A. Hendricks Baptist Studies Award. Established in 1997 by Dr. and Mrs. Hendricks, this award is a cash gift given to a Baptist student at Brite Divinity School who exemplifies scholarship, service and promise in ministry. Dr. Hendricks, a respected teacher and theologian, served as Director of Baptist Studies and Lecturer in Theology at Brite.

The Student Pastoral Ministry Award. Established in 2002 by an anonymous donor. First consideration is given to a woman who is a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and who is engaged in student ministry while a student at Brite Divinity School.

Baxter F. and W. Dell Thomas Excellence Award for Christian Ministry. Established in 1997, this ecumenical award is a cash gift to be given annually to a deserving Brite student who meets designated criteria and does not qualify for awards from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Methodist Church, or the Baptist Church.

Faculty Book Awards. Each year faculty members choose the best student in their respective fields to receive a book award.

Honors and Awards for Faculty

Louise Clark Brittan Endowed Memorial Faculty Excellence Award. This award was established in 1997 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Brittan honoring the memory of his mother, Louise Clark Brittan, whose mother was a graduate of AddRan College, highly valued formal education and worked tirelessly so that her children could complete degrees. This fund benefits Brite faculty; recipients are chosen each year by the student body.

Catherine Saylor Hill Endowed Faculty Excellence Award. This award was established in 1998 by James Calvin Hill in honor of his mother, Catherine Saylor Hill. It is funded by the James Calvin Hill Brite Divinity School Foundation. Recipients are chosen each year by the faculty.

Policy on Inclusive Language

Acknowledging the power of language to create as well as to describe ideas and attitudes, Brite Divinity School recognizes that language has often been used to perpetuate discriminatory biases against and stereotypes of persons and groups. The Divinity School is committed to the proclamation that God’s grace is extended equally to all persons. In our effort to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we believe that language itself can be a witness. The Divinity School, therefore, urges students, faculty and staff to exercise responsible use of inclusive language when referring to gender, race, ethnicity, age or physical ability. The faculty of Brite Divinity School has adopted the “Discussion Guide for Inclusive Language at Brite Divinity School,” available in the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.

Guidelines for Formal Student Papers

The faculty of Brite Divinity School has adopted Guidelines for the Preparation of Term Papers, available in the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Guidelines for Master’s Theses, Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses, and Ph.D. Dissertations are also available. For masters students, the official style manual for all written assignments is Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996). In some cases, the Brite “Guidelines,” as well as individual faculty, may specify exceptions. Ph.D. students will follow The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003) and/or the APA Style Guide; see the Ph.D. Handbook for details.

While Turabian provides basic examples of footnotes, endnotes, parenthetical references, and bibliographic citations, students should refer to The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition, for more specific examples. In addition, students should refer to The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies when preparing manuscripts for biblical studies and related fields. For convenience, a copy of Turabian, The Chicago Manual of Style, and The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies is kept at the Library's Reference Desk. Students who require more assistance with Turabian style may consult the Brite Librarian.

Students may not fax papers in order to meet deadlines or for any other purpose.

Worship and Devotional Life

Brite Divinity School is not only an academic and intellectual community, but a worshiping community as well. Divinity School chapel is held on Tuesday morning; worship leaders are faculty members, students, and distinguished guests. Students and faculty of Brite Divinity School also participate in weekly university-wide services. Preachers for these services include members of the university faculty and guest ministers. Services are conducted in the Robert Carr Chapel. Carr Chapel is equipped with a perfectly voiced Reuter pipe organ and a 186-bell carillon. In addition to public worship, courses on spiritual life and disciplines are regularly offered by qualified faculty.

Community Life

Many opportunities for social gatherings and service enrich student life at Brite Divinity School.

The Brite Divinity School Student Association is the official organization of students in Brite Divinity School. Its purpose is to reflect the concerns and interests of students and to provide an efficient structure for the proper conducting of its business. Its major decisions are reached during regular and called meetings of the student body. The Brite Student Association supports Brite's community and spiritual life through various programs and activities, through local and global outreach, through the annual Brite Series lectures, and through many other events throughout the year. Student Association representatives serve on seminary committees.

The Divinity School Choir provides music for seminary chapel and other special events.

The TCU Recreation Center offers a wide range of excellent facilities, including an indoor NCAA swimming pool, a diving pool, two gyms, handball and racquetball courts, body conditioning and weight lifting rooms, a gymnastics room, a modern tennis center, etc. All physical education facilities are open to Brite students.

Intercollegiate Athletics. TCU is a member of the Mountain West Conference. As part of the NCAA, the TCU “Horned Frogs” compete against leading universities in the country in all major sports. Students registered for nine or more semester hours are admitted free of charge to all home athletic events.

Musical and Theatre Productions. TCU’s College of Fine Arts produces numerous musical concerts, ballet/dance programs and major theatrical productions each academic year. Full-time Brite students are admitted free of charge.

Continuing Education

Brite Divinity School is committed to the development of a comprehensive year-round program of continuing education for ministers, religious educators, and church leaders.

The program includes an annual Ministers Week with lectures, sermons, and workshops, a biennial Summer Institute in Santa Fe, seminars/conferences for small groups of ministers, and tutorial guidance for ministers on sabbatical leave. The Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity offers half-day seminars by leading scholars for the laity and clergy. Each year, Brite hosts and supports a variety of lectureships open to the public, including such events as the Gates of Chai Lectureship, the Borderlands Lecture Series: Faith and Life, the Power of Black Preaching, and the Black Church Studies Summit and Awards Banquet.