Academic Load
The normal class load for the semester is 15 – 18 semester hours. Full-time students may register for 12 – 18 semester credits. After the first semester of attendance, those who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for permission to carry an additional load. A charge is made for each credit hour in excess of 18, excluding applied music, intercollegiate athletics and CM109-112, CM115, CM213, CM302-305, CM307, FS101, TH106, and TH306. Students with outside employment should make necessary adjustments in the number of hours they attempt to carry.

Bethany Lutheran College intends that each student will succeed academically. Therefore, students are encouraged to spend at least two hours of study outside of class for each hour spent in the classroom. For example, a student carrying 16 credit hours should set aside an additional 32 hours per week for study.

Auditing Courses
Registered full-time students may audit courses, at no charge, with the permission of the instructor. Part-time students who audit are billed per credit. Auditors do not engage in laboratory or studio activities and do not take examinations in courses audited. Audited courses carry no credit and do not qualify for credit by special examination.

Pre-College Credit
Students who acheive a score of 50 or higher on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), 3 or higher on the Advance Placement Test (AP), or 5 or more on the higher level exams of the International Baccalaureate are given advanced placement with college credit. In addition, students who have taken college coursework through a post-secondary option program on the campus of an accredited college or university may transfer academic credits with a grade of C or above. Fulfillment of general education requirements is at the discretion of each department.

Changes in Registration
Students should plan their academic programs carefully so that changes in registration may be kept to a minimum. When necessary, the student may make course changes after consultation with the advisor and the Registrar. A student who wishes to drop or add a course must first complete a "drop-add" form, have the advisor sign it and submit it to the Registrar. Not attending class does not constitute formal withdrawal.

Withdrawal from a Course. If a withdrawal from a course takes place during the first three weeks of a semester, the registration is cancelled. If a withdrawal occurs during the fourth through the tenth week, a grade of W (Withdraw) is issued. If a withdrawal takes place during the eleventh through twelfth week, a grade of WF (Withdrew-Failing) or WP (Withdrew-Passing) is issued. A withdrawal after the 12th week will result in an F grade. A WF is rated the same as an F in computing the grade point average. Not attending a class does not constitute a formal withdrawal from a course.

Adding a Course. A student may add a course only within the first ten class days of the semester.

Incompletes
If a student receives a grade of Incomplete (I), the incomplete work must be made up within 30 calendar days. If a longer period of time has not been granted by special permission, the incomplete will automatically be recorded on the student's transcript as an F.

Transcript of Record
Official and unofficial transcripts of academic record are available in the Registrar's office. A request form is available and must be signed by the student. Copies will not be issued to a second party. Transcripts will not be released if the student has a balance due in the business office. Faxed copies are not considered an official record. Faxed copies will be sent for a charge of $5. Transcripts are not sent via e-mail. You may request a transcript here.

Withdrawal from College
Students who wish to withdraw from college are required to obtain a signed withdrawal slip from the Registrar. This must be presented to a number of offices including the Business Office for adjustment of fees. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in failing grades in the courses in which the student is enrolled and loss of refund privileges.