SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
THE ADVANTAGES OF CORRESPONDENCE STUDY
1. One study at home and plan his or her own schedule to fit into domestic life and situation.
2. The cost is much below that of attending a resident school.
3. One may enroll at any time.
EACH STUDENT A CLASS
The correspondence method guarantees individual attention. Students are therefore assured of personal individual attention in achieving their aims.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Where a student has no previous knowledge of Theology he or she is guided through a course of "Introduction into the Traditional Orthodox Faith". This enables the student to understand something of the overall field of study.
Instruction is given mainly or wholly by correspondence. Consultations can be given by telephone or e-mail in most cases. Each lesson contains direction for study and preparation of the assignments which are to be completed. Students send their work and any queries they may wish to raise to the school.
EACH COURSE IS INDIVIDUALLY ARRANGED
Programs of study are arranged for each individual student according to his or her experience, need and interest.
FLEXIBILITY OF COURSES
Students are allowed a wide choice in courses for those degrees offered on the course system. This enables them to plan their own program of study, each of which is worked out individually. This ensures that no student is compelled to cover work already undertaken elsewhere.
EXEMPTION FROM REQUIREMENTS (See the General Regulations: Section IV, §10)
TIME FOR COMPLETION
Students may enroll at any time, but it takes varying periods to finish a course. A section is defined as the equivalent of one term of full time study at an institution of higher education. The time required to complete a prescribed course depends upon: (1) the number and character of subjects included in the course; (2) the number of hours students can devote to the work each week; (3) the thoroughness with which they complete their work.
TRANSCRIPTS OF STUDIES
Students who successfully completed a degree program with the school are awarded a diploma under the seal of the school and supplied with a detailed transcript of the work for which they have received their award. This is useful for career purposes and enrolling for courses offered by other institutions.
1. APPLICATION
Complete all application procedures and send along the $50 registration fee. This is refundable, should the student not be accepted. A refundable course deposit of at least $100 is also required.
2. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION
This enables the School to identify the student's achievements, aims and interests.
3. VERIFICATION PROCEDURE
The student submits documents in support of the information given on the application form.
4. PROGRAM OF STUDY
After enrollment, the Dean of Studies, in discussion with the bishop, arranges the course of study the student will follow. The student is presented with an outline of his or her Program or Course.
ARTICLE 1
All applicants must complete the prescribed format.
ARTICLE 2
Membership consists of all School Board Officers, Staff, Alumni and active Students.
ARTICLE 3
The church may make a limited number of appointments in the following categories: Fellow, Corresponding Member, and Associate.
ARTICLE 4
The School upon receipt of acceptable testimonials from persons of good standing may confer affiliate membership.
ARTICLE 5
Associate membership may be conferred by the School upon those who have made a notable contribu-tion to the advancement of the Orthodox Faith.
ARTICLE 6
Corresponding membership is conferred upon all students enrolled in a course. Corporate membership shall be open to such institutions as the Executive Council shall decide.
ARTICLE 7
The Executive Council for admission to the grade of Fellow may consider associates of five years' standing. The grade of Fellow may be conferred by the School upon those who have made a distin-guished contribution to the advancement of St. Elias School of Orthodox Theology.
ARTICLE 8
A member desiring to terminate his or her membership shall do so by a letter of resignation which shall be communicated to the Registrar or Secretary no later than six months before his next subscription is due.
ARTICLE 9
Members of the School whose dues are not in arrears shall enjoy the following privileges:
* They shall be eligible to apply to undertake courses of study for which they are qualified.
* They shall be eligible for appointment as Proctors for Examinations.
* They shall be eligible for appointment as Board members of the School.
* They shall receive a diploma evidencing membership under the Seal of the Corporation.
* They shall be entitled to wear prescribed academic dress and insignia.
* They shall receive the Newsletters (as published) and occasional other publications.
* They shall be entitled to attend Seminars of the School.
* They shall be entitled to compete without distinction for Medals & Prizes offered by the School.
ARTICLE 10
Members of the School are eligible for appointment to certain offices within the School.
1. REGISTRATION
Candidates may apply at any time for registration as students for any award that they are qualified to apply for. They must complete the Application Procedure as prescribed by the School.
2. REFEREES
Referees must be persons of good standing. Such persons include those listed at paragraph 9, but this provision is not exclusive of other persons acceptable to the School.
3. SUPERVISION
The bishop shall appoint a Dean who should be consulted by the student upon arrangement and who is responsible for ensuring that the School's regulations are complied with. The School will appoint Tutors whose responsibility it is to assist residential and correspondence students with their studies.
4. COURSE WORK
It is understood hat all course work is the work of the student aided only by the guidance of the school administration. The School shall verify the authenticity of a student's work by examining candidates orally or by written examination which shall not form part of the assessment for course grading. This shall not apply to classes or sections gained by accredited application.
5. TIME FOR COMPLETION OF CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
The time limits (hours) suggested for courses are for general guidance only and are not to be regarded as compulsory.
6. TERMINATION
Students should contact the School at least quarterly. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in forfeiture of all tuition fees.
7. DOCUMENTATION
All documentation submitted in support of the application of previous credentials must be authenti-cated in a manner acceptable to the School. All submissions to be assessed directly for application must be accompanied by a declaration that they are the work of the candidate. This declaration must state that the work submitted has not been presented in substantially the same form for any other award of another institution.
8. VERIFICATION
It is the policy of St. Elias School of Orthodox Theology to seek the maximum degree of verification of all documents submitted.
[a] Application for enrollment must contain proof that the applicant is qualified to enroll for the Program applied for before being approved. Referees are asked to comment upon the suitability in academic and other terms of a candidate to academic awards to the best of their knowledge. Candidates are required to submit photocopies of certificates and transcripts:
§ The awards claimed are clearly listed as having been achieved by the candidate in an official publication of a candidate's church or other public institution.
OR
§ A letter confirming the award or courses undertaken is furnished by the institution concerned.
OR
§ A notarized photocopy.
[b] Examination Conditions:
§ Residential students may sit examinations in an approved center or under such conditions as shall be deemed acceptable as constituting examination conditions.
§ These are as follows:
Candidates shall work under invigilation by a mandated witness of the School. They shall not have access to relevant materials except where regulations permit (such as the use of the Bible). They shall not bring into the place of examination any notes of any kind or container in which such might be kept. They shall not use a telephone outside the presence of the appointed invigilator. They shall not leave the examination room unless accompanied by the appointed invigilator.
[c] Correspondence students must submit all their research work as required.
9. APPOINTMENT OF PROCTORS FOR THE EXAMINATION & INVIGILATORS
All invigilators must be approved by the bishop or dean. Immediate family of candidates is excluded from acting as invigilators.
10. EXEMPTION
The School reserves the fight to examine all candidates orally. All examinations will be conducted under examination conditions. Students who may be required to undergo oral examination fall into the following categories:
(a) Those offering practical subjects for examination purposes.
(b) Candidates whose overall work is borderline pass level.
(c) Candidates for the degree of Doctor.
(d) Candidates who have not otherwise satisfied the School's requirements in terms of the verifi-cation of their submitted work.
11. Viva voce examinations may be conducted using the telephone, subject to verification of examina-tion conditions.
12. AWARDS
Work submitted for the award of a degree is assessed by internal and external examiners. Course Tutors do not act as examiners for the work of their own students. If all examiners are in agreement then an award is made.
13. PARTICULAR REGULATIONS
All students must comply with particular regulations relating to entry qualifications, formal presen-tation of material submitted for examination, examination procedures, syllabus and administrative regulations as the School shall from time to time determine.
14. FEES
Internal examination does not take place until all the fees are paid. All fees are payable to the School with the exception of any fees for additional tuition which are paid directly to the school.
15. TERMINATION
Any person who, in the opinion of the Bishop or the School Board shall be guilty of conversation of life incompatible with the Seminary Honor Code, studentship and membership may be re-moved from such status.
16. Students registering for any Program or courses of study are deemed to consent to these regulations.