Table of Contents

• Omega Graduate School Academic Catalog 2026-2027
• History and Purpose of Institution
• Mission Statement and Objectives
• Chancellor’s Message
• Solidarity of Faith
• Christian Education Philosophy
• Ethical Values Statement
• Tennessee Higher Education Commission
• Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
• Higher Education Directory
• Non-Profit, Non-Sectarian, Non-Partisan Statements
• Non-Discrimination Statement
• Philosophy and Policy for Faculty-Student Relationships
• Upholding OGS Academic Values
• Student Grievance Procedure
• Admission Requirements and Procedures
• Application Procedures
• International Student Admission Criteria
• Audit Requirements
• I-20 Policy
• Probationary Admission
• College Credit Transfer Policy
• Credits Earned at Another Institution
• Credits Earned at Omega Graduate School
• Placement Services
• Disability Services and Service Animals
• Disability Services
• Service Animals
• Graduate Programs
• Instructional Philosophy
• Curricular Philosophy
• Curriculum Codes
• Definition of a Credit Hour
• Tuition Credit
• Continuous Enrollment
• Continuous Enrollment Fee
• Room and Board
• Core Completion
• Special Circumstances
• Academic Term Deadline Extension
• Virtual Course Attendance
• Attendance Grade
• Non-Degree Certificates
• Focus of Study Certificates
• Master of Letters/Arts (MLitt/MA) Degree
• Master of Letters/MA in Organizational Leadership
• Mater of Letters/Arts in Human Behavior
• Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) Degree
• DSL Program Outcomes
• DSL Requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil/PhD) Degree
• DPhil/PhD Program Outcomes
• DPhil/PhD Program Requirements
• DPhil/PhD Course Descriptions
• Matriculation
• Candidacy
• Reading and Research Seminars
• Degree Validation
• Degree Day
• Omega Graduate School Library
• Web-Based Technology Support
• Developmental Readings
• Reading Sources
• Additive and Variant Reading
• Bibliographic Data
• Course Learning Journal
• Academic Advising
• Grading Standards
• Academic Warning and Probation
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
• GPA Standard
• Completion Standard
• Title IV-Specific Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies
• Enrollment Break
• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Stages
• Warning
• Probation
• Reinstated Eligibility
• Appeals
• Student Change of Status
• Student Seeking External Grant Support
• Faculty Senate and Academic Councils
• Faculty Senate
• Academic Affairs Council
• Graduate Research Council
• The Student’s Doctoral Research Committee
• Dissertation or Project Completion Deadline
• Financial Information
• Tuition
• Tuition Reductions and Student Financial Awards
• Tuition Reduction Grants
• Student Financial Awards
• Penalty for Late Payments and Account Status
• Financial Hold Policy (30, 60, 90 Day)
• Financial Recalculation
• Withdrawal by Student Request
• Program Re-Enrollment After Academic or Financial Withdrawal
• User-Pay Fees
• Financial Aid
• Title IV Federal Loans
• SAP Notifications
• Return of Title IV Policy
• Veterans Administration Benefits
• Monthly Enrollment Verification Requirement
• Title 38 USC 3679(e) Compliance
• Refund Policy
• Official and Unofficial Withdrawal
• Student Conduct Rules
• Code of Responsibility
• Institutional Agreement on Conduct
• Community Expectations and Behavior Standards
• Right to Amend or Modify
• Policy on Verification of Student Identity
• Privacy Policy
• Student Records
• Honor Awards
• Omega Society of Scholars
• Board of Regents
• Administration
• Faculty
• Distinguished Faculty
• Faculty
• Visiting Professors
• Emeritus Faculty (In Memorium)
• Facilities
• Campus Safety and Security
• Appendix 1: Academic Calendars
• Appendix 2: Acceptable Use of Technology and Terms of Service
• 1. Permitted Use
• 2. Access at Your Own Risk
• 3. Disclaimer of Warranties
• 4. Limitation of Liability
• 5. Indemnification
• 6. No Warranty of Data Confidentiality
• 7. System Monitoring
• 8. Account Security
• 9. Modification of Terms
• 10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
• Appendix 3: Dissertation Development and Progression
• Appendix 4: Student Rights
• Appendix 5: Notice of Grievance
• Appendix 7: Course Descriptions
• Master of Letters/Arts in Organizational Leadership
• Master of Letters/Arts in Human Behavior
• Doctor of Social Leadership
• Doctor of Philosophy in Social Research
• Focus of Study in Clinical Sociology
• Focus of Study in Data Science for Social Research
• Focus of Study in Medical Sociology
• Focus of Study in Artificial Intelligence Ethics

Omega Graduate School Academic Catalog 2026-2027

500 Oxford Drive

Dayton, Tennessee 37321-6736

Phone: 423-775-6596

Toll Free: 800-933-6188

Fax: 423-775-6599

Omega Graduate School is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [P.O. Box 328, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone 434.525.9539; e-mail: info@tracs.org] having been awarded Accredited status as a Category IV institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission. TRACS is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). According to the Omega Graduate School policy regarding Board of Regents’ approval of all revisions to publications, revisions to the Omega Graduate School Catalog were approved by the Board of Regents.

Omega Graduate School is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to offer master’s and doctoral degrees. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. Omega Graduate School is also eligible for the training of veterans. Eligible veterans enrolled in either the master’s or doctoral programs may receive veteran’s benefits.

Catalog Effective: 07/18/2026

Rev. 06/18/2026

History and Purpose of Institution

Omega Graduate School is an institution committed to providing a quality educational experience for adults in the social professions who wish to integrate faith and learning with their profession. The founders recognized the need for adults to advance in their fields by researching contemporary social problems and reporting findings to contribute to the body of literature related to their occupation. The school's curriculum was designed to provide an educational experience that combined a European approach to academic research with distinctive elements drawn from American models. The goal of the program was to use qualitative and quantitative research methodology to investigate concerns and propose possible solutions.

Dayton, in Rhea County, Tennessee, was selected for the location of the school because of its proximity to major cities in the southeast. A retreat-like, pastoral setting was purchased for the campus. For more than 40 years, students have found opportunities for academic, personal, and spiritual growth in programs at Omega Graduate School.

Omega Graduate School is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.

For the purpose of the Oxford, England research trip, Omega Graduate School is registered in the United Kingdom as the American Centre for Research in the Social Sciences (ACRSS), St. Michael’s Centre, Cornmarket Street, Oxford OX1 3EY, United Kingdom.

Mission Statement and Objectives

Omega Graduate School exists to equip scholar-practitioners from a Christian perspective with research skills for constructive social change.

The objectives of Omega Graduate School are to:

1. Recruit, educate, and graduate students suitable for social research at the master’s and doctoral level.

2. Provide appropriate campus facilities for limited residency study.

3. Secure economic resources for financial stability and advancement of the school mission.

4. Offer a sequential, research-based course of study that students contextualize to their field to address societal issues from a Christian worldview.

5. Include interdisciplinary and cross-cultural areas of study in the curriculum.

6. Provide tutoring and support in the dissertation process.

7. Develop scholarship skills and provide a supportive community for lifelong learning.

Chancellor’s Message

You have committed to embarking upon an educational journey that will stretch you academically and personally. When I was a student to receive my Doctor of Philosophy at OGS, I was very excited to learn in a different way. The English American blend of learning pushed me to think in broader domains than the traditional categories I was used to.

Omega Graduate School is a great academic institution for adult learners and working professionals who have an appetite to do graduate-level research in a safe and supported environment.

As your Chancellor, I am cheering you on and praying for your success as you journey toward your next degree and embrace a life of continued learning.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Anderson

Chancellor

Solidarity of Faith

Omega Graduate School is a social research institution with a faith-based orientation. OGS is non-sectarian and not a seminary; we welcome students and faculty from diverse traditions. We strive to be a “safe place to think,” where faith and scholarship are integrated to advance constructive social change.

Individual students, faculty, staff, and alumni are free to hold their own theological convictions. While we do not compel uniformity of belief, we affirm together the following shared commitment to a Christian worldview:

We affirm the inherent dignity and worth of all people as created in God’s image, the reality of sin and its effects on humanity and the world, redemption through the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus, transformation by the Holy Spirit, and hope for the renewal of all creation.

We recognize and respect the diversity of convictions represented among our stakeholders. We express these commitments not as a litmus test of theological agreement, but as a clear witness to the faith of the institution’s founders and stewards.

Christian Education Philosophy

Omega Graduate School (OGS) operates on the premise that God is truth and that He reveals Himself to those who seek truth. Graduate study at OGS challenges students to discover His truth and to demonstrate the integration of professional activities with religious beliefs. OGS faculty members provide direct instruction in the areas of orthopraxis and contextualization to encourage students to exhibit a Christian worldview.

A basic assumption of OGS is that learning should be a lifelong activity. The graduate program of limited campus or virtual residency followed by tutorial interaction with faculty is designed to accommodate the personal and professional responsibilities of serious adult students. Training in reading and research techniques supports the basic philosophy of lifelong educational activities.

Study at OGS builds on educational experiences and previous studies. Building on previous studies allows a student to continue in a chosen academic direction. The culminating graduate activity contextualizes learning in a primary research project that assists in investigating and proposing solutions to a critical social problem.

The graduate program is designed with two groups in mind, mature students who want to continue their education and certified professionals who want to develop additional competency in an occupation by engaging in scholarly work in an area of interest. The individuality of the program fosters development in a student’s area of interest. Concentrated classroom sessions provide a foundation in specific content, but each student pursues individual needs and interests through academic assignments.

Students are viewed as mature adults seeking self-improvement. Faculty supervision and direction are regular and specific but not substitutes for student self-discipline in acquiring both content and competency in a specified curriculum.

The academic program is structured to balance content and application.

Since the program is contextual, curricular content is a vehicle for social change. Students are sensitized to their contemporary social and professional context and are encouraged to apply what is learned to their profession or vocation. Integration of religious beliefs and values into individual, societal roles is the ultimate expectation for students of OGS. The outcome of such integration benefits society.

Ethical Values Statement

Omega Graduate School fosters the application of ethical standards in all aspects of personal and professional life. Regents, staff, faculty, students, and alumni are expected to demonstrate Christian values of truthfulness, honesty, integrity, honor, and respect in every area of life.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Omega Graduate School is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to offer master’s and doctoral degrees. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, and fiscal responsibility.

Omega Graduate School is also eligible for the training of veterans. Eligible veterans enrolled in either the master’s or doctoral studies may receive veteran benefits.

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

Omega Graduate School is a member of the Transnational Association of

Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [15935 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone 434.525.9539; e-mail: info@tracs.org] having been awarded accredited status as a Category IV institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission. TRACS is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).

Higher Education Directory

Omega Graduate School is listed in the Higher Education Directory of accredited, degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States.

Non-Profit, Non-Sectarian, Non-Partisan Statements

Since its founding, OGS has clearly expressed certain aspects of its identity that delimit its identity, mission, and purpose. OGS is:

Non-Profit – OGS is a non-profit institution and does not have shareholders or profit-driven interests.

Non-Sectarian – OGS is not affiliated with any particular denomination or organized religion.

Non-Partisan – OGS does not advocate for or affiliate with any political party, agenda, or figure.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Non-Discriminatory – OGS does not discriminate or prioritize admissions based on race, religion, or any protected class.

Omega Graduate School (OGS) fully subscribes to the practices and policies of nondiscrimination in admission, enrollment, and educational opportunity. No applicant or enrolled student shall be discriminated against, nor will OGS otherwise discriminate in offering access to its educational programs based on race, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying handicap, religion or creed, or national or ethnic origin. The President or their designee is the policy coordinator to assure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to nondiscrimination.

Philosophy and Policy for Faculty-Student Relationships

Upholding OGS Academic Values

Omega Graduate School affirms an atmosphere of academic safety (“a safe place to think”), promoting respect for human dignity, synergistic relationships, and personalized learning. Omega Graduate School does not tolerate disrespect or mistreatment of its students, faculty, administration, or stakeholders. Omega Graduate School affirms the autonomy of adult learners within reasonable boundaries of an accredited graduate institution. It seeks to consistently affirm the goals, objectives, and creativity of adult learners in its programs, courses, and classrooms. Faculty are expected to strive to foster adult learners' individual goals within the boundaries of established program and course outcomes.

Omega Graduate School affirms andragogy as a learning methodology, which includes a focus primarily on the educational process rather than academic content. Andragogy (Knowles, 1984) encompasses the following principles: (1) Adult Learning must be relevant, (2) Adult Learning should be experiential, (3) Adult Learning should be driven toward problem-solving, and (4) Adult Learners thrive when learning has immediate value. Based upon these principles, Omega Graduate School rejects any educational practices that inhibit the academic and professional respect of the adult learners who have entrusted their graduate education into the care of our institution.

We recognize that adult learners choose our institution to serve their needs, and our orientation toward students is motivated by a philosophy of Servant Leadership. While we understand faculty may fall short of this ideal, we will use this philosophy and policy to measure faculty performance. In cases where experiences have been interpreted as violations of this philosophy or policy, students may engage in due process as stated in the Catalog. Inasmuch as possible, Omega Graduate School commits to strive toward mutually beneficial reconciliation in the spirit of Christian love.

This Educational Philosophy informs Omega Graduate School's internal policies with regards to faculty-student interactions, grading, assignment design, delivery, and differentiation. These policies are documented in the Faculty Handbook. Student-related policies, such as “Due Process,” can be found in the Catalog.

Student Grievance Procedure

A student grievance procedure is available to improve the quality of the academic program and ensure breaches of academic policy or decorum are promptly identified. Before beginning the procedure, students are encouraged to speak directly to a faculty member or the Dean of the Faculty about a grievance or complaint. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved through discussion, the student should file a formal grievance or complaint with the Academic Affairs Council. The grievance or complaint procedure is as follows:

The student will write a letter to the Dean of the Faculty describing the specific complaint or grievance. Supply any evidence, eyewitness accounts, or other materials that will support a grievance. Send the letter to Dean of the Faculty, Omega Graduate School, 500 Oxford Drive, Dayton, TN 37321-6736. For additional information, call 423-775-6596.

The Dean of the Faculty will distribute the letter to the Academic Affairs Council members. If the grievance or complaint involves specific persons, copies of the letter will be forwarded to them by the Chairperson.

The Academic Affairs Council will appoint two representatives who will meet with the student to decide if the issue can be resolved without submitting the grievance to the Faculty Senate.

The Council representatives will report back to the Academic Affairs Council and recommend appropriate action. If the grievance can be resolved by the action of the Council, a letter will be sent to the student who will describe the specific action to be taken to deal with the grievance.

If the situation cannot be resolved by the Academic Affairs Council or if the student is not satisfied with the Council's action, the complaint or grievance will be forwarded to the Faculty Senate for resolution.

The Faculty Senate will consider the specific complaint, identify the particular problem, and interview the Council representatives and all parties involved in the grievance or complaint. After consideration of all the evidence, the Senate will take appropriate action. A letter will be sent to the student that will describe the Senate's findings and the decisions that have been made concerning the grievance or complaint.

If the student is not satisfied by the Faculty Senate's action, an appeal can be made to the Board of Regents. A letter will be sent to the Regents’ Academic Affairs Committee Chairperson. The letter will list specific reasons for the dissatisfaction and recommend what further action should be taken. The Regents will consider the student's letter and decide if further action is needed to resolve the issue or if the decision of the Faculty Senate was sufficient to handle the situation. All decisions of the Board of Regents will be the final action of OGS.

If the student is not satisfied by the action of the Regents, a grievance can be filed with the licensure staff of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and/or Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by this institution that may be in violation of the Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 or Rule Chapter 1540-01-02 may file a complaint with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Division of Postsecondary State Authorization. The THEC contact for complaint review is Julie Woodruff, email or phone (615) 253-8857. The address of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 9th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-1102. The TRACS address and phone number are 15935 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551: telephone number 434.525.9539. The e-mail address is .

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Applicants for Omega Graduate School admission will be considered based on academic records, personal and professional recommendations, and personal information.

Application Procedures

Complete the online application at: https://apply.ogs.edu/

Submit unofficial transcripts in the Admissions Portal and request official transcripts (from the institution from which the highest degree was earned) sent directly to Omega Graduate School. Students will not be permitted to enroll in the next Core session until the official transcripts are received by the school.

1. Submit three references.

2. Meet the Admission Criteria for the program of study desired, as noted below.

3. Students requesting Federal Student Loans must have complete admission files upon enrollment.

Master of Letters Admission Criteria

1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree or its academic equivalent.

2. Present a grade average of at least “B” in undergraduate studies and/or satisfactory evidence of producing at the graduate level.

3. English fluency or proficiency as evidenced by an official TOEFL score

Doctoral Programs Admission Criteria

Complete a master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or course work that provides 30 cohesive graduate semester hours in support of the doctoral Course of Study.

1. Have a grade average of “B” or above in master’s-level studies and/or satisfactory evidence of ability to produce at the graduate level.

2. Have a minimum of two years of professional experience, as evidenced by an official letter from employer(s) and a current resume.

3. Be at least 26 years of age.

Satisfactory evidence of the following:

1. Computer literacy

2. English fluency or proficiency as evidenced by an official

3. TOEFL score, and

4. Evidence of prior academic work including papers, essays, authored books, conference presentations, etc.

Note: Omega Graduate School does not automatically transfer credits from another institution into doctoral studies. Based on master’s-level transcript evidence, the suitability of prior studies is judged by faculty. If deficiencies are determined, the applicant will be assigned appropriate master’s-level course work prior to matriculation into the doctoral program.

International Student Admission Criteria

Omega Graduate School has alumni and a current student body from 30 countries. Non-immigrant students applying for admission must complete the application process and validate academic preparation utilizing a third-party foreign credentials evaluation service if deemed necessary by the Admissions Officer. An applicant who has not completed undergraduate study requirements at an American Institution must present the following: (a) an accurate chronological outline of previous college and graduate-level education and (b) authorized school or university records, transcripts, certificates, or degrees showing all courses taken and all grades received with a certified translation if the records are not in English.

The application is located on the OGS website at The prospective student can follow the tabs on the website to submit an electronic application. Once the application is received, a file is created for the applicant.

English proficiency is required for all students. If a student’s first language is other than English, the student may be required to demonstrate English proficiency through a TOEFL score. Although OGS does not require a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam as part of the application, the school reserves the right to require students to take the exam before matriculation into the doctoral program.

References

Three references are required for each student. Reference contact information (name, phone, and email address) are requested on the online application. References should include former professors, current clergy, and a personal reference.

Attendance

The program of study at Omega Graduate School begins with attendance at Core 1. Weekend virtual residency is required following a week-long intensive period of study. After the week, the student completes assignments from Core 1, working independently and through online discussion forums and scheduled Zoom sessions with peers and faculty. Application to attend a subsequent Core is made by registering for attendance through the student’s DIAL account.

Audit Requirements

Auditing means attending a live session, or watching a video link, of a class. When a student audits a course, no assignments are required. The student is at liberty to pursue readings, videos, books, and academic journal articles at a depth they so desire with their available time that term. Furthermore, as is often the case, students coming into the OGS doctoral program (DSL or PhD) with Transfer Credits or Advanced Standing, may be required to audit certain courses to enable the student to experience the OGS tutorial method and sociological perspective on research.

I-20 Policy

Omega Graduate School is not currently participating in the SEVIS program and will not issue I-20 forms.

Probationary Admission

Probationary Admission may be granted at the discretion of the Academic Affairs Council for students with GPAs lower than 3.0 from previous academic coursework. Students may be released from Probationary Admission following the successful completion of a Core (8 semester hours) with a GPA greater than or equal to 3.0.

College Credit Transfer Policy

Credits Earned at Another Institution

The Dean of the Faculty is responsible for reviewing and assessing all transcript credits presented as part of the application process for an Omega Graduate School degree program. Applicants are responsible for requesting official transcripts for all previous college work completed before completing the application process. Applicants may receive transfer credit for up to three graduate level courses from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that Omega Graduate School will accept credits earned at another institution if the applicant expects to use previous academic credit toward a degree from OGS. Criteria for accepting graduate credits from another institution include: accreditation status of the institution at which the credit was earned, compatibility of courses to the OGS curriculum, and grades attained in courses. Credits accepted for transfer toward a degree at OGS are granted with a one-to-one correlation with courses in the OGS course of study.

Omega Graduate School recognizes there are students who completed all course work in a doctoral program in another institution but did not complete a dissertation. Students who have completed all but dissertation (ABD) may request an evaluation of course work and completed research to determine requirements for a degree through OGS. Each situation will be evaluated on an individual basis. If there is a good fit between work at another institution and the OGS program, some credit earned at another institution may be accepted, thereby waiving one or more OGS course requirements.

Credits Earned at Omega Graduate School

Credits earned at Omega Graduate School are not automatically transferable to another institution. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that credits earned at OGS will be accepted at another institution. Students are asked to sign the transferability of credit statement from Tennessee Code Annotated as stated below:

Credits earned at Omega Graduate School may not transfer to another educational institution. Credits earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by Omega Graduate School. You should obtain confirmation that Omega Graduate School will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement. You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer credits earned at Omega Graduate School to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Omega Graduate School prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement. The ability to transfer credits from Omega Graduate School may be very limited. Your credits may not transfer, and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at Omega Graduate School if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended, and you are advised to make certain you know the transfer of credit policy of Omega Graduate School before executing an enrollment contract or agreement. Additionally, should you wish to transfer credits to another institution in the future, you are advised to be familiar with other educational institutions' requirements regarding credit transfer.

Academic work may be transferable to another institution. The Omega Graduate School Registrar will provide an official transcript for students in good standing (https://ogs.edu/).

Placement Services

An admissions requirement for Omega Graduate School is that applicants are already established in a profession; no placement services are required. All students are employed and involved in careers; advising and networking are integral to the degree programs and occur naturally as part of adults collaborating and building relationships.

Disability Services and Service Animals

Disability Services

For students with disabilities (as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), Omega Graduate School takes an individual, holistic approach in providing, as required by law, reasonable accommodations.

Eligible students must formally notify the graduate school of their disability, either at the time of admission or before the accommodation is requested. The notification must be in writing, must include appropriate documentation, and must be submitted to the ADA Coordinator.

Documentation required (to be obtained by the student at their expense) includes a formal medical evaluation by a physician or learning specialist (for learning disabilities), a description of what specific accommodations have been offered in the past, and what specific needs and services will be requested from Omega Graduate School. Examples of alternative aids that may be appropriate include taped texts, notetakers, interpreters, readers (for test-taking only), additional time for tests, and alternative assessment methods. The graduate school is not required to supply students with attendants, individually prescribed devices such as hearing aids and wheelchairs, readers for personal use or study, other devices or services of a personal nature, or incompletes/extended semesters. The courts have also ruled that colleges are not required to lower the standards of any program, make fundamental alterations in the essential nature of a program, or assume undue financial or administrative burdens.

The campus ADA Coordinator works under the supervision of the Dean of the Faculty. This person considers a student’s request and documentation and subsequently determines what specific services will be offered by the graduate school. The Coordinator then provides the minimum expectations for accommodations. These accommodations are then provided to the student on a Syllabus Addendum form that she or he must take to the faculty of each course. A Syllabus Addendum must be completed and on file for each course within the first ten business days of the semester or within ten business days of a diagnosis and approval by the ADA coordinator. Once the necessary provisions are deemed acceptable by both the faculty member and student, the original copy must be turned in to the ADA Coordinator. The student or their professor(s) may appeal the ADA coordinator's decision to the Academic Affairs Council, which will make a final determination on behalf of the graduate school. For more information, contact the ADA Coordinator: csso@ogs.edu.

Service Animals

Only certified disability and specifically trained disability service animals are acceptable in publicly accessible buildings on campus. “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting, and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.” https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Graduate Programs

OGS offers a Master of Letters (MLitt) program in Organizational Leadership, a Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Research and cognates in Communications, Leadership, and Philosophy. Although Omega Graduate School traditionally uses the DPhil nomenclature as a commitment to the European tutorial method, alumni of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program may use the nomenclature PhD and DPhil interchangeably.

Doctoral candidates must conduct primary research on a problem relevant to their life and career and demonstrate scholarship skills in research and critical thinking, which can be used in a social profession. Omega Graduate School’s academic program maintains similar requirements for graduate work as do other doctoral programs with five areas of distinction: (a) all credit is relationally-based, and tutorial sessions are concentrated periods of time scheduled to occur at significant points during residency, (b) faculty guidance and direction are individualized to cope with the needs of both entry-level students and certified professionals, (c) students are provided interactive faculty guidance in the development of a research direction, (d) primary research in the field of study is generally applied to one’s vocation, and (e) student work demonstrates the application of the research related to constructive social change.

Distinctive elements of the programs are based on four assumptions about graduate work in general and the Omega Graduate School program in particular. First, the Master of Letters program of study is designed for both career enhancement and entry into doctoral study at Omega Graduate School. The MLitt program adheres to the underlying Christian philosophy of education and learning methods of Omega Graduate program. The master’s program features an interdisciplinary track in Organizational Leadership. The doctoral program builds upon the foundation of graduate work and is not a duplication of previous studies. Graduate study offers students an opportunity for concentrated original research on a subject of relevant concern to their lives and careers, using knowledge and skills acquired in graduate studies and experience.

Second, contact with faculty is structured to fit the academic needs of students. Faculty supervision and direction are regular and specific but are not substitutes for student self-discipline in acquiring both content and competency in a specified curriculum.

Third, campus and virtual courses taught by the Graduate Core Faculty are concentrated with transactional distance over time to promote in-depth learning of a subject and an adequate application of knowledge. Transactional distance ensures a prolonged involvement with specific content areas and offers a way to advance interdisciplinary approaches to graduate research.

Fourth, the graduate course of study encourages faculty and students to interact with their professions' problems. Through interaction, academic research assists in resolving critical social problems. The outcome is a beneficial impact on society.

The doctoral program is structured on a student’s previous graduate studies. Building on previous studies allows students to continue in the academic direction important to them. Through the faculty's guidance, students develop competency, learn essential content and process from other disciplines, analyze personal and professional orientations, and individualize their developmental reading and primary research to a particular social problem or issue of concern. Students prepare a research proposal on a specific problem that serves as the framework for dissertation research. The dissertation demonstrates a student’s ability to contextualize concepts, techniques, and information from different disciplines that benefit the student’s role in the workplace, the religious community, and society.

Omega Graduate School is structured with a philosophical foundation appropriate to Christian scholars. Members of the OGS faculty are credentialed academically and are expected to maintain an active relationship with church and community. OGS does not compete with existing programs that provide first professional degrees.

Instructional Philosophy

The academic program is an adult educational model based on the model of the “British universities in the tradition of Oxford” that uses an interactive learning design. Traditional methods are used to instruct, tutor, or communicate specific content essential to the course of study. The faculty creates an educational climate conducive to adult learning, one that promotes mutual respect and trust among faculty and students. Adult education principles establish a community of scholars united to find practical solutions to social problems in business, industry, the social professions, religion, para-church organizations, and society.

In the implementation of an adult educational model, OGS emphasizes tutorial instruction. Through seminars, colloquiums, forums, faculty supervision of developmental reading, and primary research projects, the program provides a plan for students to acquire both content and competency in social change. The tutorial instruction enlarges the base of knowledge as preparation for graduate research. The faculty provides a method for content acquisition, and students exercise initiative in the learning process. Students use personal and educational skills acquired through professional training and vocational experience while participating in structured classroom activities, developmental reading, and primary research.

The academic program is designed to facilitate rather than intimidate. The educational process does not manipulate students through a threat of elimination from the program. The program is diagnostic and prescriptive to facilitate a scholarly acquisition of knowledge and the completion of a course of study.

Curricular Philosophy

The OGS curriculum provides a balance of content and application. As the program is contextual, the content is a vehicle for social change. Candidates are sensitized to their contemporary social and professional context and are encouraged to apply what is learned in their profession or vocation. The challenges of the present can best be analyzed with a mastery of academic and religious heritage.

A commitment to historical heritage should help a student understand the present society and seek solutions to current problems. A function of the OGS program is to synthesize foundational studies into a working philosophy for service and a functional application to society. Synthesizing foundational studies focuses on the humanities and social sciences and on areas of application.

Curriculum Codes

Omega Graduate School offers three degrees: Master of Letters (MLitt), Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) and Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil/PhD). All course work offered for credit is graduate work to satisfy the requirements of the course of study for the MLitt, DSL, or DPhil/PhD degree. The courses are numbered with the following system:

Definition of a Credit Hour

Omega Graduate School defines a credit hour in terms of the traditional Carnegie Unit. One credit hour represents fifteen hours of classroom time and thirty hours of outside coursework for a total of forty-five hours. Therefore, a one-hour course at Omega Graduate School requires the same number of total hours 45, and a two-hour course requires a total of 90 hours.

Tuition Credit

Tuition credit will only be given for credits completed, not credits attempted.

Continuous Enrollment

Consecutive and continuous enrollment is required until graduation is achieved. Sustained involvement is expected of each student during the course of study to foster the quality of the academic work and during the research phase to ensure completion of a good dissertation.

Students are given four years to complete the DPhil/PhD course of study, from admissions through candidacy. Candidates are given an additional two years to complete dissertation research from candidacy to graduation. Doctoral work must be completed within six years. Students are not penalized for reaching an earlier graduation timeframe provided the time represents a minimum of three years of post-baccalaureate studies. Early completion does not alter financial obligations for the cost of the program. Research tuition fees continue until degree validation.

Continuous Enrollment Fee

Students must maintain continuous enrollment by enrolling in at least one term (Fall or Spring), full-time or part-time, per year. If a student pauses enrollment for a term for reasons other than medical leave, the student must pay a $50/month fee to maintain active enrollment or make payments against outstanding tuition balances.

Students in the dissertation phase of the DPhil/PhD program (Core 7) must maintain continuous enrollment, either paying against tuition balances or monthly research extension fees.

Room and Board

While at Omega Graduate School to participate in Core sessions, reading and research, or individual tutorials, students stay off campus.

Core Completion

If a student does not finish a course before the stated deadline for assignment completion, that course will have to be repeated in an onsite or virtual residency in a subsequent core. No student will be admitted to a future core until all current core courses are completed. When all courses for a term are completed and graded, a student is to apply online for registration to attend the following Core. The Business Office will then clear the student financially to attend, and the Dean will provide academic clearance for the student to attend the next core. Students must pay all usual core fees to attend a repeated course or core.

Special Circumstances

Academic Term Deadline Extension

Students may request an Academic term deadline extension.  Assignment deadlines may be extended up to 6 months past the end of the current academic term. The student financial account must be current in order to request an extension.

A fee of $100 per month of extension will be assessed to the student’s account and must be paid each month in addition to the monthly tuition/research extension billing in order for the extension to be granted.  The maximum grade permitted for late assignment submissions is a B.  Students who do not pay the monthly charge or who do not complete an assignment within the maximum 6-month extension window will receive a N/C for each assignment not completed.

Students who are granted a term assignment deadline extension are ineligible to register for cores in the subsequent term.

Virtual Course Attendance

Students must attend class sessions for one term per year and attempt the associated coursework for the term to maintain continuous enrollment. Students are expected to attend all courses and sessions for each course. Students who have extenuating circumstances that preclude attendance in Zoom sessions may submit a request in writing ten days in advance of the Core and the request must be approved by the Academic Affairs Council.

Attendance Grade

OGS affirms the autonomy of adult learners to direct their own learning, however, it also affirms the necessity of synergistic learning among a community of scholars. Students are expected to attend all virtual residency sessions. Students who do not attend the live session of a weekend residency course will receive an NC grade for assignment #1 and cannot receive higher than a B grade for the course.

Non-Degree Certificates

Non-degree certificates embedded within an approved program may be awarded. The following non-degree certificates may be awarded:

Focus of Study Certificates

Omega Graduate School offers non-degree Focus of Study Certificates, which can be “stacked” on the Doctor of Social Leadership (36 semester hours) degree program to earn the Doctor of Professional Studies (48 semester hours) or completed as post-doctoral studies for the Doctor of Philosophy degree program (72 semester hours).

The purpose of these certificates is to provide pathways to areas of professional specialization that enhance students’ careers; they are not intended to lead to new careers. Focus of Study Certificates may not be completed independent of an OGS degree program; a student must be currently enrolled in or have already completed an OGS degree program.

Students must have an active DIAL account to enroll in Focus of Study courses.

Clinical Sociology (8 semester hours)

Data Science for Social Research (8 semester hours)

Medical Sociology (8 semester hours)

Artificial Intelligence Ethics (8 semester hours)

Master of Letters/Arts (MLitt/MA) Degree

Omega Graduate School's Master of Letters/Arts (MLitt/MA) program is designed for both career enhancement and entry into doctoral study. The MLitt program adheres to the underlying philosophy of education and learning methods of our doctoral program. Candidates for the MLitt/MA degree engage in the Organizational Leadership curriculum track.

Applicants may transfer up to nine semester hours with a one-to-one correlation with courses in OGS course of study from an acceptable master’s program. Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree may request an “Assessment of Prior Learning” to determine eligibility to enter the Master’s program.

Master of Letters/MA in Organizational Leadership

The Organizational Leadership curriculum builds upon principles of human behavior found in organizations large and small, public and private, regimented and volunteer, and profit-making and social service. The curriculum examines organizational systems and structures, emphasizing interpersonal dynamics, ethics, and social costs and benefits.

The purpose of the program is to equip graduates to implement qualities of effective leadership in an organization. The program is designed to improve the work of persons at every level of organizational participation, including entry-level employees, CEOs, board members, consultants, and educators. Required courses of the Organizational Leadership track are listed below in the sequence in which they are offered. In addition to the 10 required courses, students complete a capstone reflection project.

Mater of Letters/Arts in Human Behavior

The Human Behavior curriculum

Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) Degree

The Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) degree is a practical doctorate designed to prepare professionals to lead constructive social change. The program contains coursework in sociology, leadership, and Christian worldview studies. The degree is similar in scope and purpose to a Doctor of Ministry degree but designed for leadership in the social professions.

The Doctor of Social Leadership (DSL) degree is a subset of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD/DPhil) degree offered by Omega Graduate School. The DSL degree utilizes a subset of the same courses already offered by OGS to provide an optional pathway/track to a practical/professional doctorate as an alternative with the research doctorate. The PhD/DPhil program is 72 semester hours and the DSL is 36 semester hours. In place of advanced courses in research design, statistics, and dissertation writing (upper third of the PhD/DPhil), DSL students will diverge to complete an Action Research Project. DSL students will develop an intervention to solve a practical problem in society by applying leadership, clinical sociology, and Christian worldview perspectives in creative and constructive ways. Program outcomes are the same for shared courses.

DSL Program Outcomes

Core 1 – Foundational Graduate-Level Adult Education

[PO1] Synthesize adult education principles, reading, writing, research, and reflection strategies for personal and academic development.

Core 2 – Interdisciplinary Integration

[PO2] Integrate sociological theory, faith perspectives, and persuasive communication to evaluate social problems.

Core 3 – Applied Social Leadership (DSL)

[PO8] Design innovative solutions to complex social problems.

Core 4 – Applied Project Development (DSL)

[PO9] Develop applied action research strategies to address a social problem.

Core 5 – Applied Action Research (DSL)

[PO10] Evaluate the effectiveness of social leadership through action research.

DSL Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil/PhD) Degree

The DPhil/PhD degree process is comprised of four levels: (a) admission to graduate studies, (b) matriculation for a degree program, (c) candidacy for a degree, and (d) degree validation. The Academic Affairs Council supervises the process from admission to candidacy; the Graduate Research Council supervises the process from candidacy to graduation.

The DPhil/PhD degree program is divided into two parts: the course of study and the dissertation process. The course of study has three stages: a first third (Cores 1, 2); a middle third (Cores 3, 4); and an upper third (Cores 5, 6). The dissertation process has four stages under the Graduate Research Council: proposal development, proposal defense, the writing and defense of the dissertation, and the degree validation stage that verifies the error-free copy of the dissertation and authorizes the candidate’s degree. The dissertation stage is divided into 42 steps (Appendix 3), with advisors, readers, and faculty supervision at each step.

The curriculum requires pre-core preparation for each stage in the course of study so each student can be an informed participant in the class during and following residency week. Each stage has post-class assignments to be completed after Core sessions.

An extensive course syllabus with a bibliography and supporting resources materials are provided for each course. Tutorial guidance includes an overview of the subject, an introduction to the sources of knowledge in the field, and is presented by faculty with informed participation by the students. Tutorial guidance is followed by specific developmental and research assignments under the advisement of the faculty.

Faculty-directed research in prescribed sources and available resources constitutes an essential part of the course of study. The educational goal is to excite and direct the self-activity of learners who are engaged in personal research and study.

DPhil/PhD Program Outcomes

Core 1 – Foundational Graduate-Level Adult Education

[PO1] Synthesize adult education principles, reading, writing, research, and reflection strategies for personal and academic development.

Core 2 – Interdisciplinary Integration

[PO2] Integrate sociological theory, faith perspectives, and persuasive communication to evaluate social problems.

Core 3 – Foundational Social Research (PhD)

[PO3] Design context-driven approaches to social research using introductory qualitative or quantitative methods.

Core 4 – Intermediate Social Research (PhD)

[PO4] Construct empirical research designs using intermediate quantitative or qualitative methods.

Core 5 – Advanced Social Research (PhD)

[PO5] Justify ethical research using advanced qualitative or quantitative methods related to a contextualized social problem.

Core 6 – Scholarly Practice (PhD)

[PO6] Demonstrate scholarly practice in social research through communication and cultural awareness.

Core 7 (A–C) – Dissertation (PhD)

[PO7] Research, defend, and publish a doctoral dissertation that advances social research on a contextualized social problem.

DPhil/PhD Program Requirements

DPhil/PhD Course Descriptions

The Doctor of Philosophy degree includes a 72 credit-hour course of study, investigation of a research problem presented in a dissertation, participation in the research and reading seminars at the Library of Congress, in Washington, DC, and a major research library, UK. When the degree is completed, the transcript will demonstrate graduate credits in the following areas:

Matriculation

A student is matriculated to the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Social Leadership program after foundational studies are assessed, and all deficiencies are removed. Students must matriculate to participate in Cores 3, 4, 5, and 6. The following requirements must be fulfilled for matriculation to doctoral studies: (a) a total of 16 cohesive graduate semester credit hours in support of the Omega Graduate School course of study, (b) attendance at Cores 1 and 2, (c) completion of assignments related to Cores 1 and 2, (d) possession of basic computer and academic writing skills, unless exempted by the American Disabilities Act, and (e) control of an email address.

When Cores 1 and 2 are successfully completed, students will be contacted by the Academic Office to participate in an interview. Once matriculation is attained, a student remains at the matriculation level until the completion of all course and pre-candidacy requirements.

Candidacy

Candidacy applies only to the DPhil/PhD. When all requirements are completed, students are to request Candidacy in writing to the Dean of Faculty and participate in an interview. Core sessions are offered during two academic terms. Normally, students will divide their participation into one Core session per term until all sessions are completed in sequence. Candidates must achieve degree validation to participate in the Graduate Colloquy, held the week of graduation. The Graduate Colloquy includes a peer research defense, professional interface and a post-doctoral research proposal.

Candidacy is awarded when a student has completed all assignments, including the Library of Congress Reading and Research Seminar, and meets the following criteria:

1. Demonstrates the ability to use the English language with clarity in both speech and writing.

2. Evidences specialized competence in general research methodology.

3. Manifests proficiency in statistics or qualitative data analysis for completion of a dissertation.

4. Completes all Core and Pre-Candidacy requirements.

5. Enrolled in SR 812 and finalizes a prospectus during Core 7 Dissertation Workshop.

6. Demonstrates competency to gather data and synthesize findings that lead to new knowledge about a significant problem or issue in a field of knowledge.

7. Demonstrates subject matter mastery of literature related to a dissertation area.

8. Demonstrates competency in critical inquiry of unsolved or unresolved problems.

During candidacy, the student is supervised by the Graduate Research Council to facilitate a student’s development of a major research project and dissertation. The Graduate Research Council guides a candidate in developing a research proposal. When the dissertation proposal is successfully defended, the student is authorized to gather and analyze data and write a dissertation. The sequenced tasks that guide a research project and the development of a dissertation are shown in the chart in Appendix 3. All candidates are required to attend a Core 7 Dissertation Workshop every year until they graduate to maintain satisfactory academic progress and candidacy.

Reading and Research Seminars

Reading and Research Seminars are offered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and annually at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The educational experience in the UK includes academic seminars, which provide information on contemporary issues facing society. The Library of Congress Reading and Research provides students access to the world’s largest repository of items. Students register in person as a new researcher to obtain a Reader Identification Card, which is valid for two years. Researchers have access to the Library’s reading rooms, computer catalog centers, and research librarians.

Students will be contacted with information on the Library of Congress orientation in Washington, DC, or/and the UK trip. Students planning to participate must submit a registration form in the time required and receive approval to attend. Rates vary depending on currency exchange rates and housing costs

A student whose health or handicap or citizenship prevents travel to England may select an alternative pre-candidacy requirement from the options listed in the course catalog. The DPhil/PhD and DSL programs require a trip to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC; the Oxford, UK trip is optional. The Library of Congress experience and the Oxford, UK trip serve as opportunities to develop research skills for lifelong scholarship.

Degree Validation

All academic and financial obligations must be fulfilled for the program of study in order for a degree validation letter to be issued. A student must request in writing a letter of degree validation from the OGS Dean of Faculty. The Validation Letter and Official Transcript can be provided upon request. Official transcripts must be requested from the Registrar ().

Degree Day

Our tradition and policy require that degrees are awarded in præsentia (physically present to receive). An exception to this policy is granted upon student’s written permission to be exempted based on constraints that make it impossible to attend in person, such as restricted travel or travel bans from a country of origin, a sudden illness, or other documented circumstances.

Participation in commencement exercises requires the master’s or doctoral candidate to complete all program requirements a minimum of 30 days before the date of graduation. Any tuition and fees outstanding at the end of the tuition contract are due and payable prior to graduation

Omega Graduate School Library

The Omega Graduate School (OGS) Library assists faculty and students by providing access to developmental and collateral reading materials that support the course of study. The purpose of the library is to acquire and maintain materials for general collection needs of OGS programs.

The Faculty Library Oversight Committee determines priorities in the acquisition, classification, and shelving of resources based on the needs of the degree programs. The strategy for acquisitions includes consideration of (a) collection count related to the field of study, (b) course content related to the specific course subjects offered, (c) circulation related to user-friendly library operations, and (d) currency related to the best and most current volumes in the subject areas.

In addition to an orientation to the campus library and electronic resources, students receive on-site research training at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, and the UK. These additional library orientations increase awareness of the research expectations of the program and emphasize the application of scientific methodology to the research process.

Students and faculty have access to material needed for the course of study and for a comprehensive literature review in a dissertation topic. In addition to the holdings of the OGS Library, access to electronic resources on Internet databases is available.

The OGS library and on-line digital books and journals provide students with the resources to do a comprehensive literature review for dissertation research. The program, student interests, qualifications of faculty, and academic mission of OGS determine the focus of dissertation research.

Students learn through eclectic readings. Broad-based comprehensive search techniques locate material that integrates the course essential elements. Subject matter of an interdisciplinary nature is in digital books and full- text journal articles.

The OGS library houses course reserves for master’s and doctoral courses that support the MLitt and DPhil/PhD curricula. The OGS library is a key-access facility with seven-day-a-week, twenty-four-hour-a-day availability to students when on campus.

Web-Based Technology Support

The Internet facilitates delivery of curriculum materials to students and receipt of student work for individual professors. A website with student password access delivers the dialog-support system. The web-based program speeds the input/feedback for supervision and evaluation of the course of study assignments. Technology improves the process of faculty-student interface. The system is designed to provide an organized, step-by-step procedure for students to submit assignments and receive feedback from the faculty. The system is organized by Cores and individual courses.

Developmental Readings

Reading is an important part of the learning process at Omega Graduate School. Students complete developmental readings in each course. The objective of the readings is to increase content knowledge in each curriculum area. The student may proportion the reading according to individual needs. For example, those subjects in which the participant feels the most informed would require less reading while other subjects would require more.

Acquiring knowledge in the subject areas is a developmental, cumulative process. A student begins with foundational knowledge in a subject area and completes eclectic reading to increase perceptions, reasoning, and understanding of a subject to expand effectiveness in a profession.

Developmental readings are selectively chosen by the student and are guided by the essential elements from course syllabi.

Reading Sources

Readings are from books, journals, and other academic resources. Books are particularly useful for learning the philosophical and theological themes and assumptions within a field of study. Older books may be as useful as newer because generic, foundational principles do not change. Seminal authors will provide a grasp of historical events that lead to understanding current social phenomena or intellectual movements.

Journal articles present the most recent data and perspectives. Most journal articles are narrowly focused. Reading a combination of older and newer materials allows one to place the latest developments in the context of historical influences. Academic sites on the worldwide web and databases provide rich resources in most research areas.

Additive and Variant Reading

Both additive and variant materials are read. Students begin with foundational knowledge in a subject area. Additive reading provides new ideas, concepts, constructs, remote premises, assumptions, operational definitions, and subject jargon. Students should read in areas that add to current understanding.

Variant reading includes new, different, or opposing viewpoints. Scholars read differing viewpoints to understand them. Variant reading sharpens the perspective of one's preferred position and enables informed dialog with other points of view.

Both additive and variant reading should be eclectic. Readings should be from several sources. Readings should cover the scope of all courses in each Core and include the general topic of the integration of society and religion. Reading is accumulative from Core to Core.

Bibliographic Data

Concise Rules of APA Style is the style manual adopted by Omega Graduate School. The APA style will be used to document all OGS work; it is advisable to learn it well and early in the course of study.

All OGS students are required to load Zotero, a computer-based program designed to assist students in documenting readings, linking all readings through keywords, and providing accurate bibliographic documentation. Zotero helps organize notes and compose bibliographic references. With Zotero, all references and notes can be entered on note cards within a word processing program. Once research notes and bibliographic information are in Zotero, a research writer can group notes on similar topics, click to open original materials instantly, and generate properly formatted references.

Zotero helps avoid accidental plagiarism by keeping all notes and bibliographic information in an organized database. A researcher can pursue an issue through a series of courses and use information saved in the Zotero program to build on previous academic work.

Course Learning Journal

Course Learning Journal — For the Doctoral student, the learning journal is a written reflection of the student. The journal is the learning journey while working in each course and integration of the essential elements of the course with the students’ professional field. The objective of the course journal is to produce a degree of acculturation, integrating new ideas into the students existing knowledge of each course.

The course learning journal should be concise but comprehensive and include the following sections:

Introduction –Summarize the intent of the course, how it fits into the graduate program as a whole, and the relevance of its position in the curricular sequence.

Personal Growth - Describe your personal growth–how the course stretched or challenged you– and your progress in mastery of course content and skills during the week and through subsequent readings – what new insights or skills you gained.

Reflective Entry - Add a reflective entry that describes the contextualization (or adaptation and relevant application) of new learning in your professional field. What questions or concerns have surfaced about your professional field as a result of your study?

Conclusion – Evaluate the effectiveness of the course in meeting your professional, religious, and educational goals.

Academic Advising

The OGS advising program is explained during Core 1. The faculty provides academic advising for students so that they are informed of degree requirements and advising procedures. Basic advising is provided during Core 1, during courses offered in all Cores, during the Faculty/Student Interface at the end of each Core, during the Matriculation interview, during the Candidacy interview, and during dissertation preparation. Additionally, students are encouraged to make appointments to meet with faculty during campus meals, to consult with faculty by telephone, e-mail, or fax, and/or to make office appointments for advising or inquiries about the OGS degree programs. OGS views academic advising as a necessary and critical interface with students in the educative process.

Grading Standards

All students must perform at a level of satisfactory academic progress in content areas. Students who withdraw during a term receive no academic credit for that term. Students who do not attend all required virtual residency sessions will receive an NC grade for Assignment #1 and can earn no higher than B for the course.

Students earn grades designated A, A-, B, B-, or NC for class assignments, individual assignments, and program projects. Assignments received after the Assignment 1, 2, 3 or 4, deadlines for the MLitt, DSL, or DPhil/PhD are not eligible to be graded higher than B. The deadline for course work is the end of the term. All course work must be completed and submitted via DIAL by the end of term. All grades are posted in DIAL. A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 is required for graduation. Student may view an unofficial working transcript of their academic record within DIAL at any time.

The basis for determining student grades is as follows:

Academic Warning and Probation

Students must perform at a level of satisfactory academic progress in all studies to remain in the OGS program. When the Academic Affairs Council is notified that a student is not performing at a level of satisfactory academic progress, the student may be placed on academic warning or probation by the Academic Affairs Council. Performing at a level of satisfactory academic progress includes completion of Core assignments in a timely manner, at the academic level to achieve a “B” or better, maintaining a regular schedule of faculty-student contact, and continuing to advance in the degree process.

If after one term on academic warning the student has shown little or no improvement in the performance of academic work, the Academic Affairs Council will place the student on academic probation. Academic probation means the student is not permitted to continue to advance to the next Core until academic deficiencies are resolved in areas recommended by the Council and are not eligible to receive financial aid. The student may appeal to the Faculty Senate for a review. The decision of the Faculty Senate is final.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

GPA Standard

Cumulative GPA is composed of all coursework at the current academic level and is calculated by the Registrar’s Office. Students in the Master of Letters programs (Organizational Leadership or Family Life Education) must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students in the Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Social Leadership degree programs must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Completion Standard

To meet the completion standard students must complete all coursework at the current level for the Master of Letters, Doctor of Social Leadership and Doctor of Philosophy degrees by the end of term. Failure to meet end-of-term completion dates results in a grade of “NC” (No Credit) and the course must be repeated. Eligibility for student loans is based on completion of all class assignments per term. The student is given a warning for the first “NC” and if the grade is not replaced by retaking the course, the student will be placed on probation. Please note that student is eligible for federal loan disbursements while on warning, but not on probation.

Doctoral students are required to attend a minimum of one term per calendar year to maintain their continuous student enrollment status. Federal loan students must attend a term be to be eligible for a federal loan disbursement for that term. The research trips to the LOC and UK count as a term for attendance under this mandate. Exceptions may be granted (for example, teachers and students traveling from extremely long distances) upon written application to, and approved by, the Academic Affairs Council.

Title IV-Specific Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies

Full-time students may complete the Doctor of Philosophy within a 9-year timeframe, the Doctor of Social Leadership within a 4.5 year time-frame, the Master’s degree within a 4.5 year time-frame, and the Graduate Certificate within a 2.5 year time frame. Generally, maximum timeframes for completion are calculated at 150% of the published expected timeframes for completion. Students who fail to complete the programs within these timeframes will be advanced through the probation and warning phases of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress and may be considered for unofficial withdrawal. Part-time students may extend the maximum timeframes for completion to 300% of the published expected timeframes for completion.

For full-time students, the number of hours that must be completed per term to ensure program completion within the maximum time frame are:

Doctor of Philosophy: 4 credit hours per term

Doctor of Social Leadership: 4 credit hours per term

Master of Letters: 4 credit hours per term

Credit hours that are accepted from another institution toward the student’s educational program will be counted as both attempted and completed hours.

If a student receives a grade of “NC” (No Credit) for a course, the student is put on SAP warning status and must repeat the course. If the student earns an “NC” on the second attempt at the course, they will be put on SAP probation and must repeat the course. Students on SAP probation are not eligible for federal loan disbursements until they meet SAP requirements.  If the student earns an “NC” on the third attempt of a course, then the Academic Affairs Council will vote on SAP withdrawal.

A student on SAP probation may appeal the probation decision for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. To appeal, a student must submit to the Chair of the Omega Graduate School Academic Affairs Council a signed and dated letter of appeal explaining why they failed to make SAP and why they should not be placed on probation along with any supporting documents. The student must also explain what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow them to meet SAP requirements at the next evaluation.

The Faculty Senate will serve as the board of appeal. The decision of the Faculty Senate is final. Mitigating circumstances eligible for an appeal include:

• Death of immediate family members: a parent, child, spouse, brother or sister.

• Illness or injury: You, your spouse, your dependent children were injured or ill for an extended period of time.

• Military obligations

• Other extenuating circumstances: You experienced an unusual situation in which you had no control. Automobile accident, significant automobile breakdown, family emergencies, change in living situation, separation/divorce are examples of extenuating circumstances.

Enrollment Break

When a student takes a break from school and is readmitted, the Satisfactory Academic Progress for the prior terms will apply.

Should a student fall behind in coursework the student may petition for an end of term assignment deadline extension. The Academic Affairs Council approves or disapproves all requests for assignment extensions and will notify the student. Students are responsible for submitting supporting documentation with this request. Financial obligations still apply. The program completion deadlines still apply.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) includes GPA, completion, and time frame standards. Accumulative academic records are reviewed at the end of each term; letters will be sent to students who have insufficient academic progress and are being placed on Warning or Probation. Student Loan eligibility is directly affected by the Satisfactory Academic Progress of the student.

Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Stages

Warning

Students who fail to meet the GPA or attendance completion standards at the end of a term will be placed on academic warning status. Students on warning status must meet the GPA completion standards by the following term. Students will remain eligible for financial aid while on warning status.

Probation

Students on warning not meeting the requirements by the end of the next term will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation means the student is not permitted to continue to advance to the next Core until academic deficiencies are resolved in areas recommended by the Academic Affairs Council. The student may appeal to the Faculty Senate for a review. Students on probation are ineligible for financial aid. Students may remain on academic probation for one term. Students will be considered ineligible for future financial aid until the deficiencies of academic progress are resolved. Reinstatement of aid eligibility is not retroactive. Reinstatement of eligibility affects current or future terms.

Reinstated Eligibility

Students may reinstate eligibility for Student Loans by bringing themselves into compliance with the standards. Reinstatement of aid eligibility is not retroactive. Reinstatement of eligibility affects current or future terms.

Appeals

A student on academic probation may appeal the probation decision. To appeal, a student must submit to the Chair of the Omega Graduate School Academic Affairs Council a signed and dated letter of appeal explaining why s/he should not be placed on probation along with any supporting documents. The Faculty Senate will serve as the board of appeal. The decision of the Faculty Senate is final.

Student Change of Status

A student may only change academic status, either from full-time to part-time status or part-time to full-time status, before the start of a term during the registration process. Students must notify the registrar by the end of business on the first Friday of the Fall or Spring term if they wish to “drop” classes.

Student will be responsible for any outstanding financial obligations upon change of status. If changing from full-time to part-time status, student must complete the first two classes in the current term and will be enrolled in the remaining classes in the new term.

Failure to complete the first two classes in the current term will result in the student being required to enroll in the classes in the subsequent term. Change of status requests must be directed to the Chief Student Success Officer. Change to/from part-time/full-time does not change the total amount due on the contract, only the monthly payment and/or the length of time it will take to complete the program.

Student Seeking External Grant Support

Omega Graduate School may write letters of support or provide needed documentation, when appropriate, for enrolled students independently seeking public and private grants to fund their research.  The faculty of Omega Graduate School will not, however, serve as a signing officer, program director, or principal investigator for any student research.  In addition, Omega Graduate School will not accept grant awards for independent student research and students should not list Omega Graduate School as a co-investigator on any application for public or private grant support.

Faculty Senate and Academic Councils

Faculty Senate

The Graduate Faculty members are organized into a Faculty Senate to administer the degree programs and supervise student participation. The Faculty Senate reviews, develops, and establishes academic policy for approval by the Board of Regents. All exceptions to published academic policy must be referred to the Faculty Senate. The Senate is chaired by the Dean of the Faculty and is organized under the President and Board of Regents.

Academic Affairs Council

The Council is composed of three to five faculty members appointed by the President. The Academic Affairs Council supervises student participation during the course of study, monitors compliance with academic policy from admission to candidacy, maintains academic tracking of student work and Core participation, and processes student grievances.

The Academic Affairs Council approves candidacy for students when all course work has been completed and an interview is conducted by the Dean of the Faculty. The student is then transferred to the supervision of the Graduate Research Council for the dissertation research phase of the degree program.

Graduate Research Council

The Graduate Research Council is composed of three to five faculty members appointed by the President. The Graduate Research Council supervises and monitors candidate research participation until degree validation and approves research proposals and completed dissertations. The candidate, with the support of their research advisor, must defend their research before the Graduate Research Council. The Graduate Research Council issues the degree validation when the dissertation is successfully defended. The candidate may receive a degree at the next commencement following degree validation provided the date is a minimum of 30 days before graduation.

The Student’s Doctoral Research Committee

Doctoral research at Omega Graduate School is an opportunity for a student to demonstrate their acquisition of skills and knowledge in gathering facts, wisdom in summarizing and interpreting them, and creative, practical application toward the betterment of people by means and toward ends consistent with orthodox Christianity. This process is a personal effort of a student, planned and executed in consultation with a committee. The Committee has three to four members approved by the Academic Dean. Two of these are selected from the OGS Faculty or membership of the Omega Society of Scholars. The third member and the optional fourth member (who is ad hoc and non-voting) are approved by the Academic Dean from three readers nominated by the student. These readers must have earned a doctorate and experience in the subject field of the research. The role of optional outside members is to bring further expertise in the subject matter, to offer critique and perspective beyond OGS, and to connect the student to the wider community of scholarship. An honorarium for this person’s service is at the student’s discretion; the school does not provide such.

The functions of the student’s dissertation committee are to guide the research (not to do it), to encourage the student, to help the student maintain steady progress, to facilitate logistics through networking (again, as an advisor), to see what is missing, to help identify weaknesses or limitations; in short, to call for and guide toward integrity and excellence. The committee members are tutorial guides, not co-laborers. The research is the student’s, not the committee’s; neither co-dependence nor micromanagement is needed nor appropriate.

Dissertation or Project Completion Deadline

Projects for the DSL and dissertations for the DPhil/PhD must be defended with an error-free copy submitted before the end of the Spring academic term to graduate in September of the respective calendar year. Dissertations and projects cannot be defended after the official close of the prior academic term.

Financial Information

The provisions set forth in the Omega Graduate School Memorandum of Agreement are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and OGS. Regulations and requirements, including tuition and fees, are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Regents.

Steady progress during study has nothing to do with the financial contract. Students must remain current with financial arrangements.

Tuition

Travel and lodging expenses to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and the University of Oxford in the UK are not included in tuition and fees. Students are responsible for all expenses related to reading and research trips. Travel and lodging to attend the Degree Day ceremony are also not included.

Students are expected to have capable computers and Internet access for attending cores and completing assignments.

All tuition and fees incurred must be paid before a student will be awarded a degree or certificate. If degree or certificate program completion occurs prior to completion of the financial contract, all fees and tuition balances are due and must be paid by the first of the month prior to the month of graduation. A transcript of a student's academic record cannot be released until all accounts, academic and non-academic, are current.

Tuition Reductions and Student Financial Awards

Tuition Reductions and Awards are applied to full and part-time programs only.

Students are eligible for ONLY one tuition reduction award, not a combination.

Students who elect to pay in annual installments qualify for a 12% discount.

Work Study Student Positions: full or half-time positions are available.

Tuition Reduction Grants

Omega Graduate School offers to our students the opportunity to qualify for a reduction in the amount of their monthly tuition. This need-based grant is set on a sliding scale with Income Tuition Reduction up to 30%. Student must recertify annually in August with a current tax transcript to continue receiving the tuition reduction grant. The tuition reduction may be forfeited for any month where payment is not made on time.

Student Financial Awards

Presidential Financial Award: Given annually to a maximum of three (3) students as funds are available. Award amount is a 20% tuition reduction.

Presidential Financial Award Qualifications:

1. Requires an exceptional graduate who demonstrates the attitude of a scholar and who demonstrates excellence in their discipline of study.

2. Requires continued leadership participation during student status at Omega Graduate School.

3. Only open to United States Citizens.

4. Granted based on the application, volunteer history, and essay.

5. Reviewed annually for satisfactory academic progress and current student financial status with the school.

Chancellor Financial Award: Given annually to a maximum of three (3) students as funds are available. Award amount is a 15% tuition reduction.

Chancellor Financial Award Qualifications:

1. Requires high academic achievement (GPA) from previous college.

2. Requires documented current leadership activities in community and/or student organizations.

3. Granted based on the application, volunteer history, and academic record.

4. Only open to United States Citizens.

5. Reviewed annually for satisfactory academic progress and current student financial status with the school.

Janice Humphrey Financial Award: Given annually as funds are available. Award amount varies.

Janice Humphrey Financial Award Qualifications:

The Janice Scholarship is awarded to actively enrolled, qualified applicants based on an application, an essay, previous experience and an interview. Top applicants will be contacted for an interview with the Janice scholarship panel, composed of Omega Graduate School faculty and board members. The Panel is looking for future leaders.

1. Reviewed annually for satisfactory academic progress and current student financial status with the school.

Penalty for Late Payments and Account Status

Tuition is due the first day of each month. All fees are due and payable when invoiced to a student’s account.

Financial Hold Policy (30, 60, 90 Day)

• 30 days delinquent = Warning

• 60 days delinquent = Financial Hold, DIAL Lock Out

• 90 days delinquent = Financial Withdrawal

Students on financial hold must pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee. In order to reinstate an account from hold, the student must pay all other current billed fees, one month’s past due balance, and 75% of all other past due tuition invoices. The remaining 25% will be deferred to the last contracted tuition payment and must be paid in full prior to graduation. Students receiving a tuition reduction grant may forfeit their reduction for any month where payment is not made on time.

Any student with arrears older than 6 months will be withdrawn for failure to pay. Students may reapply to Omega Graduate School to renegotiate their contract in order to continue with their studies.

Financial Recalculation

When financial obligations are calculated upon re-enrollment or change in status, tuition will be reduced by tuition paid for credit hours completed, not attempted, under the prior contract. The new tuition and fee structures will be applied to the credit hours remaining to complete the program.

Withdrawal by Student Request

To withdraw from the program any time prior to completion a student must give thirty (30) days written notification to OGS (Attention: Academic Office (dean@ogs.edu), plus a separate copy Attention: Business Office (finance@ogs.edu) and ensure no outstanding financial obligation to the school.

Program Re-Enrollment After Academic or Financial Withdrawal

Students may withdraw and re-enroll for financial or academic cause or renegotiate a financial contract no more than three times before a financial payment arrangement contract will no longer be extended. Students who wish to re-enroll after three financial contracts have already been negotiated will be required to pay for future academic terms in advance of Core attendance.

Students who are withdrawn for failing to make satisfactory academic progress may apply for re-admission on a case-by-case basis.

User-Pay Fees

Financial Aid

Omega Graduate School understands that a graduate degree is an investment in your future and desires to support the student in completing their educational goals by assisting them in obtaining financial resources. The primary type of available aid is in the form of the Federal Title IV student loans program. Veterans Administration payments are also possible for qualified individuals.

Title IV Federal Loans

Those interested in student loans can visit Omega Graduate School’s Virtual Financial Aid Office under the tab “Students”, “Virtual Financial Aid Office”. To receive federal aid, a student must be fully accepted into a graduate program. Due to the limited virtual residency structure of OGS programs, proof of residency (an unexpired picture ID listing the student’s current address) will be verified by the Admissions department.

The Admissions department will review all undergraduate transcripts to verify completion of a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree prior to acceptance into an OGS program of study. Provisional acceptance does not meet the requirements to qualify for federal aid. Loans must be offered to the student within 30 days, allowing the student at least 14 days to respond to accept or decline the funds. Title IV Regulations for Institutions Participating In Federal Student Aid Programs 2013-2014 Specifically: Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy 34 CFR 668.34 Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy required elements:

• The policy is at least as strict as the policy the institution applies to a student who is not receiving assistance under the title IV, HEA programs

• The policy provides for consistent application of standards to all students within categories of students, e.g., fulltime, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students, and educational programs established by the institution GPA or other comparable assessment measured against a norm

• The pace at which a student must progress to complete the program within the maximum timeframe

Process for Incompletes, Withdrawals, Repetitions, and transfer of credit from other schools

Frequency of SAP evaluation:

• SAP Warning (applicable only if school's policy places student on Financial Aid Warning)

• SAP Probation (applicable only if school's policy places student on Financial Aid Probation)

• SAP Appeal (applicable only if school's policy places student on Financial Aid Probation. Student must appeal before probation granted.)

Process for Schools that evaluate SAP at the end of each payment period

Process for Schools that evaluate SAP annually or less frequently than the end of each payment period

SAP Notifications

Omega Graduate School strongly urges students to use federal aid sparingly and aim to graduate debt-free. OGS tuition payments are interest-free and enable students to graduate without debt. If federal aid is used, students are wholly responsible for repaying loans after graduation.

Return of Title IV Policy

The amount of funds due from the institution is calculated by adding all the institutional charges incurred by the withdrawal date, then multiplying that total by the percentage of the period the student did not complete. Prorated refunds will be issued according to the following order: Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Subsidized Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and cash payments. A post-withdrawal disbursement statement will be issued to document Title IV funds that the student has earned but have not yet been disbursed.

Veterans Administration Benefits

Omega Graduate Schools is an eligible institution for certification for and acceptance of Veteran’s benefits. Prospective students should contact the Veterans Administration directly to determine their eligibility and funding available for their interested program of study.

Veterans Administration benefits may not fund a course a student does not complete at OGS with an “NC” grade. Students may be required to return VA funds or may be directly billed by OGS for courses attempted but not completed.

Any covered individual will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1.  The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.

2.  90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Omega Graduate School will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Monthly Enrollment Verification Requirement

Students receiving Active Duty GI Bill® (Chapter 30) and Reserve GI Bill (Chapter 1606) benefits have an additional, ongoing responsibility. These students are required to verify their enrollment monthly by Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE). The monthly verification of enrollment has not been added for the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or Dependent’s Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), with one exception. Chapter 35 Non-College Degree (NCD) students are mailed a monthly verification form (VA Form 22-8979) to verify enrollment.

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, Post-9/11 GI Bill students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment to continue receiving their payments.

Enrollment verification is a new requirement for Post-9/11 GI Bill students to verify that they have remained enrolled in the same courses or training every month. Students who receive MHA/kicker payments will have their payments withheld if they fail to verify or report that they are no longer enrolled in their courses or training. To streamline the process, VA is providing the option to verify enrollment easily and securely via text message.

This requirement is only for Post-9/11 GI Bill and does not impact other benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP), or the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. This requirement also does not currently apply to GI Bill students in on-the-job, apprenticeship, flight, or correspondence training.

For information on how to verify your enrollment, please see the VA website:

• GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Title 38 USC 3679(e) Compliance

The following policies and procedures are of primary concern to veterans, servicepersons, members of guard and selected reserves, and other eligible persons who receive VA educational benefits while enrolled at the Graduate School.

Please note: Academic standards of progress and attendance are covered under school standards of progress as specified in the academic catalog and are required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e}, this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs {VA} Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33} or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;

• Assess a late penalty fee to;

• Require student secure alternative or additional funding;

• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities} available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent} or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.

• Provide written request to be certified;

• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies

Note: Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 student cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905 (or any equivalent} before the VA VR&E case-manager issues it to the school.

Refund Policy

Each student signs a Memorandum of Agreement (Contract) detailing financial obligations per term. Signing the Memorandum of Agreement demonstrates the student’s intent to make payments of tuition and any fees required to complete the entire degree program. Title IV funds received will be distributed evenly for each term attended.

A decision, by the student, to withdraw from the degree program requires a written letter (signed letter transmitted in PDF format as email attachment is acceptable), which must be sent to the business office and the Academic Dean informing the school of said decision. The student’s request will be reviewed and acknowledged by the Academic Affairs Council upon receipt of dated and signed correspondence.

Official and Unofficial Withdrawal

Official withdrawal occurs when a student notifies the institution in writing of an intent to withdraw. A student is considered withdrawn in good standing when all current financial obligations have been met. Students with a credit balance on their account at the time of withdrawal will receive a refund per their contract (p. 66 of current catalog). All post-withdrawal disbursements are applied to the student’s account first; any resulting credit balance will be issued as a refund within 14 days of the student’s effective withdrawal date. The effective withdrawal date will be the date the submitted the written request to the institution.

Unofficial withdrawal occurs when a student who receives federal financial aid either does not attend or does not successfully complete all classes during a registered semester. A student who receives a combined “NC” (No Credit) grade for a term is advanced through the warning and probation phases of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, which may lead to unofficial withdrawal after.  All post-withdrawal disbursements are applied to the student’s account first; any resulting credit balance will be issued as a refund within 14 days of the student’s effective withdrawal date. The effective withdrawal date will be the date the Academic Affairs Council considers the student’s case and officially votes for the student’s withdrawal in documented minutes.

Student Conduct Rules

Code of Responsibility

The Omega Graduate School Code of Responsibility represents high standards of personal conduct and academic integrity.

As a community of scholars, Omega Graduate School is committed to advancing scholarship, academic pursuits, and service to society. Certain rights and obligations flow from membership in an academic community: (a) the right to personal and intellectual freedom, (b) respect of the equal rights and dignity of others, and (c) dedication to the scholarship pursuits that assure academic quality and credibility of the institution.

Students must comply with the legal, ethical, and moral standards of the institution as well as those of their profession. All members of the community are expected to inform the Vice President of Administration of a violation of conduct or academic regulations.

Students must understand and abstain from plagiarism. Omega Graduate School expects students to manifest a commitment to academic integrity through rigid observance of standards for academic honesty. Assignments, exams, projects, papers, practice, and all research must be the original work of the student. Work is not original that has been submitted previously by the author or by anyone else for academic credit. Work is not original that has been copied or partially copied from another source unless such copying is acknowledged at the time the work is submitted for credit. Original work may include the thoughts and words of another author if indicated in a manner consistent with a recognized form and style manual. Violations of the requirements for original work constitute plagiarism which may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination from the institution.

Institutional Agreement on Conduct

Omega Graduate School encourages an atmosphere conducive to spiritual and academic excellence and recognizes the freedom of graduate students to develop in response to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The faculty and staff acknowledge mature students as leaders in the church and community and anticipate that they will exemplify a Christian lifestyle of morality and integrity without administrative attention or regulation.

Minor misconduct is recognized as an opportunity for mentoring and spiritual growth. The institution anticipates that students will respond to correction graciously in the spirit it is given. Those who through attitude or conduct show an unwillingness to maintain moral and spiritual standards of conduct are subject to dismissal from the institution. Admission to graduate study is a privilege that can be withdrawn by action of the administration or faculty should the good of the institution, faculty, or students make it necessary.

Community Expectations and Behavior Standards

When groups of people are living and working together rules and a system for orderly compliance are necessary. The policies, procedures and rules adopted reflect moral and social beliefs of both the group and individuals.

As part of the OGS registration process, students are asked to sign for a copy of the student handbook which is an acknowledgment that the student agrees to abide by the Omega Graduate School standards or conduct regarding policies, procedures, rules and the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking and other requirements. Students who fail to abide by the terms of the Catalog and Student Handbook will face possible suspension or expulsion from the school. Any student who refuses to sign an acknowledgement of receiving a copy of the Student Handbook will not be allowed to enroll as a student.

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendments of 1987, Public Law 101-226, requires that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession and use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.

Drugs

Students involved in any illegal activity related to drugs or alcohol may be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Possession of drugs or any drug paraphernalia will result in severe disciplinary measures, including the possibility of suspension. Possession of any illicit drugs for personal use or for resale will result in immediate suspension from the university. The misuse of prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs will result in severe disciplinary measures including the possibility of suspension or expulsion.

Alcohol

Students are not permitted to possess or consume alcoholic beverages and/or possess any type of alcohol containers on school premises, which includes the grounds, library building or classrooms (with the exception of at special permitted events in designated areas for those who are of legal age).

Tobacco

The use of tobacco products is not permitted in any campus building.

###Open flames

The use of any open flame (candles, matches, etc.) is not permitted in any campus building unless prior authorization is received in writing from the VP of Operations.

###Possession of Weapons

Students are prohibited from possessing guns, ammunition, making of bullets for any kind of weapon or weapons including but not limited to paint, air-soft, pellet guns, darts, squirt guns, bows and arrows, toy guns, Taser guns, large knives and swords on campus unless permitted by State Laws.

###Pets

Students are not allowed to bring pets into any campus facility. Service animals are allowed with proper documentation. Owners are responsible for any damage caused by their animal.

###Noise

On campus, quiet hours are from 11 PM to 6 AM Sunday through Thursday during Core weeks.

Right to Amend or Modify

• OGS reserves the right to amend or modify these rules, policies and/or procedures from time to time without notice to students, although

• OGS will provide notice of such changes through appropriate media.

Policy on Verification of Student Identity

All students are required to attend a virtual residency prior to proceeding to online learning courses. Therefore, all students must be present to verify their identity, meet faculty and administrators, and interact with other students.

All students are provided a secure username and password for access to the DIAL systems. This unique username and password combination is in compliance with the August 2010 US Department of Education Guidelines. The username and password verify the student’s identity before any assignments are submitted or access is provided to course-related resources.

Distance Learning ethics are integrated into the DIAL training for faculty and presented in the respective tutorials. Issues of student identity and plagiarism are of less concern to Omega Graduate School because of required residencies that precede any faculty-student interactivity via distance learning methods. Students meet faculty face-to-face, interact with them, and receive instruction before assignments are submitted online via DIAL. However, faculty members are trained to identity issues of plagiarism, fraud, and misrepresentation of student work.

Should an ethical issue arise concerning work submitted by a student to a faculty member via DIAL, faculty are encouraged to use one of the following industry standard online engines for evaluating student work:

Faculty members are also instructed to consult the Dean of the Faculty should ethical issues arise, in which case the Dean of Faculty may suggest that a peer review of the student’s work be conducted internally by the faculty. Should an ethical issue be identified, the faculty member is required to follow due procedure as documented in the Faculty Handbook.

Privacy Policy

Student usernames and passwords are securely protected in the DIAL learning system and identity is protected via secure login during use of the DIAL site. Omega Graduate School does not distribute usernames and passwords to anyone other than the student. The DIAL system uses session management rather than cookies to maintain the user’s state.

Student Records

OGS complies with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) with respect to requests for access to covered student records. Personally identifiable information from educational records may not be disclosed to third parties without prior consent from the student. Consent shall be granted electronically via email correspondence to the Registrar and must specify records or information to be disclosed, the reason of the disclosure, and the party or class of parties to whom disclosure may be made. Grades and Transcripts of students utilizing VA education benefits will be maintained for a minimum of three years.

Honor Awards

Candidates for Academic Awards are nominated by the Graduate Research Council and approved by the Faculty Senate.

Chalice Award - Given in recognition of distinction in academic research and on the basis of research with greatest potential for Christianity.

Grail Award - Given in recognition of distinction in academic research and on the basis of research quality.

Chancellor's Honor Award - Given in recognition of the documentation of a faithful ministry and the resolve to teach others and in recognition of quality research with a potential for advancing the Christian Faith.

President’s Award - Given in recognition of research with the greatest potential for societal change. a three-to-five year systematic documentation of participation in scholarly activity, public and professional services that include pure and/or applied research, pedagogical development, artistic creativity or performance, and formal and informal academic development activities that enhance research, scholarship, or creative development.

Candidates for the following honor awards are determined by the Board of Regents:

• Order of the Lion & the Eagle — Academic support for American and English educational cooperation.

• Order of Cornelius — Distinguished military service.

• Order of the Round Table — Contribution to current American issues.

• Silver Cup Award — Unselfish community service.

• Golden Apple Award — Outstanding teaching.

• Globe Award — International/cross-cultural achievements.

• Silver Quill Award — Academic research and publication.

Omega Society of Scholars

The Omega Society of Scholars is an integral part of Omega Graduate School and was established to promote lifelong learning and scholarly research. Society members invite scholars who hold earned doctoral degrees and who are interested in research to become members. The Society provides a means through which members may share their work with each other, collaborate and encourage one another to continue a life of research, and impact contemporary society through investigation and implementation of strategies that relieve societal distress. The Society does not advocate research for its own sake; it shares the global mission of Omega Graduate School to change the world.

Graduates from Omega Graduate School who hold the DPhil/PhD degree enter the Society as Initiates. By presenting substantial research papers through the Omega Society of Scholars Panel of Referees, Initiates may advance through the Fellow, Diplomat, and Scholar levels. Detailed information about the Society is given during the Graduate Colloquy.

Board of Regents

• Chairman, Dr. Gary Nicholds

• Chancellor, Dr. David Anderson

• President (Ex-Officio), Dr. Joshua Reichard

• Dr. Sharlene Buszka

• Dr. Joe Charles

• Dr. Troy Fitzpatrick

• Patsy Huffaker

• Dr. Cleveland Huntley

• Dr. Steve Maltempi

• Dr. Shane Merritt

• Dr. Bob Page

• Dr. Joe Olachea

Administration

• Founder and Chancellor Emeritus: Hollis L. Green, ThD, PhD, DLitt (deceased)

• Chancellor: David Anderson, DPhil, DLitt

• President/CEO: Joshua D. Reichard, DPhil, PhD, EdS, MBA, CCS

• Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean: Curtis McClane, DPhil, DMin

• Chief Financial Officer: Michael Pecchia, CPA(i)

• Chief Student Success Officer and Director of Admissions: Brenda Davis, PhD

• Registrar and Institutional Effectiveness Officer: Richard Gamble, ThM

• Librarian: Caroline Geer, PhD, MLIS

• Senior Tutor for DPhil: David C. Ward, PhD, ThM

• Senior Tutor for MLitt: Sara M. Reichard, EdD, CNE

• Lead Faculty for Research Design and Statistics: Sean Taladay, EdD

• Business Manager: Mary McDermott

• Director of Information Systems: David R. Richardson, MA

Faculty

Distinguished Faculty

Ward, David C. (Doctoral Senior Tutor)

DPhil, Omega (Oxford) Graduate School (2009)

ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary (1998)

BA, English, College of Charleston (1982)

Faculty

Davis, Brenda (Full-time Administration, Part-time Faculty)

DPhil/PhD, Omega Graduate School (2018)

MS, Educational Studies, Johns Hopkins University (2016)

MA, Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University (1995)

BS, Home Economics Clothing, Textile and Fashion Merchandising, North Carolina, A & T State University (1985)

DeKoven, Stan (Full-time)

DLitt, Omega Graduate School (2021)

PhD, Professional School of Psychological Studies (1983)

MA, Counseling Psychology, Webster University (1979)

BA, Psychology, San Diego State University (1973)

United States International University (School Psychologist and Counselor Credentials)

Licensed Marriage and Family and Child Therapist (CA)

Geer, Caroline

DPhil/PhD, Omega Graduate School, 2023

MLIS, University of Texas – Austin (1995)

MA, University of North Texas (1976)

BA, Michigan State (1970)

McClane, Curtis (Full-time Administration, Part-time Faculty)

DPhil/PhD, Omega (Oxford) Graduate School (2017)

DMin, Drew University (1992)

MDiv, Harding University School of Theology (1988)

BA, Bible, Freed-Hardeman University (1977)

McCullough, J. Andrew (Part-time Faculty)

PhD, Omega Graduate School (2026)

EdD, Leadership/Health & Wellness; American College of Education (2020)

LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, Mental Health Counseling, Capella University (2011)

BS Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Metropolitan State University (2006)

Neale, Elseworth (Part-time Faculty)

DPhil/PhD, Omega Graduate School (2014)

MLitt, Family Life Education, Omega Graduate School (2009)

Diploma, Bible & Theology, West Indies School of Theology

Reichard, Joshua (Full-time Administration, Part-time Faculty)

PhD, Technology Education (Computer Science Education), University of South Africa (2024)

PhD, Human and Social Studies (Religion & Theology), University of the Western Cape (2010)

EdS, Educational Leadership, Liberty University (2010)

Graduate Certificates, Data Science and Machine Learning; Computer Science Education, University of California, Riverside (2020)

DPhil, Omega (Oxford) Graduate School (2007)

MBA, Data Analytics, American College of Education (2023)

MLitt, Omega (Oxford) Graduate School (2005)

BA, Logos Christian College (2001)

CCS, Certified Clinical Sociologist, Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (2017)

Reichard, Sara (MLitt/MA Senior Tutor)

EdD, Educational Leadership, American College of Education (2023)

EdS, Teaching and Learning, Liberty University (2012)

MSN, American College of Education (2021)

MLitt, Family Life Education, Omega (Oxford) Graduate School (2006)

BSN, American College of Education (2019)

BA, Christian Counseling, Vision International University (2004)

RN, St. Francis School of Nursing (2002)

Sorber, Jared (Part-time Faculty)

DPhil/PhD, Omega Graduate School (2023)

MA, Ministry, Moody Bible Institute (2008)

BRE, Youth, Davis College (2000)

Strecker, James (Part-time Faculty)

DPhil/PhD, Omega Graduate School (2023)

MLitt, Organizational Leadership, Omega Graduate School (2023)

BA, Youth and Family Ministry, Trinity Lutheran College (1993)

Taladay, Sean (Full-time Faculty)

EdD, Leadership, American College of Education (2021)

ABD, Duquesne University (Curriculum, Instruction, & Supervision) (2009)

MEd, Instructional Design and Technology, American InterContinental University (2004)

BS, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (2002)

Vos, Matthew (Inactive)

PhD, Sociology, University of Tennessee (2003)

MEd, Education Administration, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1996)

BA, Music, Covenant College (1990)

Visiting Professors

Geiger, Kimberly (Inactive)

Boyd, William R., Sr. (Retired)

Thomas, Tommy (Inactive)

Tucker, Rebecca F. (Inactive)

Emeritus Faculty (In Memorium)

Hollis Green, Founder Emeritus, ThD, PhD (deceased)

Loren Humphrey, MD, PhD, DLitt (deceased)

Rolin VanBroekhoven, DLitt, DPhil, JD, LLB, BS (deceased)

Richard Humphrey, PhD, DLitt, BD, BA (deceased)

Ted Kittell, PhD, JD, DLitt (deceased)

Basil Jackson, JD, DLitt, MD, DPM, ThM

Helen Morgan, PhD, DLitt

Note:  Faculty who earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Omega Graduate School are listed with the DPhil nomenclature as a matter of institutional tradition, however the DPhil/PhD nomenclature are interchangeable.

Facilities

For most of its history, Omega Graduate School operates from a 25-acre campus. The school consisted of six buildings located west of State Highway 27 in Dayton, Tennessee. The European-style architecture of the buildings makes the school unique. The administration building housed offices, work areas, a conference room, and classrooms. A library/study center provided ample space for the 68,000-volume collection, computers for student use, and The Scholars Porch, a kitchen/snack area. Books are shelved according to course number in the reading rooms. The non-lending library provided easy 24-hour access to all holdings while students are on campus.

A lodge with employee apartments and research student bedrooms was located on campus. The Gathering Place, a multi-purpose building with a screened porch, was the center for meal service, group activities during Core weeks, and the Roaden Educational Library. The chapel was a focal point for religious activities, forum presentations, and group assemblies. The institute center in the chapel is used as a classroom.

In 2021, OGS sold most of these facilities to the Transformation Center, a Christian social service agency. However, OGS maintained ownership of the library building at 500 Oxford Drive and about three acres of land. OGS continues to partner with the Transformation Center to provide on-site facilities to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students when necessary.

Campus Safety and Security

Campus Safety and Security policies are available for inspection on campus. These policies are communicated in writing and verbally at the orientation session of each Core week. The policies specifically address a campus ‘lock-down’ and the violence against women (VAWA).

Appendix 1: Academic Calendars

Academic Calendars and Core Schedules are posted in DIAL and on the website.

Appendix 2: Acceptable Use of Technology and Terms of Service

Omega Graduate School (OGS)

End User License Agreement (EULA) and Terms

and Conditions for DIAL and Related Systems

Effective Date: 07/31/2025

Last Updated: 07/27/2025

By accessing or using any Omega Graduate School (“OGS”) system, including the DIAL platform, Extranet, or any affiliated digital services (collectively, “OGS Systems”), you (“User”) agree to the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree, do not access or use any OGS System.

1. Permitted Use

OGS Systems are provided exclusively for academic, administrative, and instructional purposes related to your role as a student, faculty member, or employee. Any unauthorized access, probing, scraping, reverse-engineering, or use of the system outside the scope of intended academic activities is strictly prohibited.

2. Access at Your Own Risk

You acknowledge that access to digital systems involves inherent risks, including potential data exposure, service interruptions, and unauthorized access by third parties, despite the implementation of reasonable security measures. You agree to use OGS Systems at your own risk and understand that OGS does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.

3. Disclaimer of Warranties

OGS Systems are provided “as is” and “as available.” OGS disclaims all express and implied warranties, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. OGS does not guarantee data security, system availability, or the absence of unauthorized access.

4. Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Omega Graduate School, its officers, trustees, employees, contractors, or affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages (including loss of data, income, or reputation) arising from or relating to the use or inability to use OGS Systems, even if OGS was advised of the possibility of such damages.

5. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Omega Graduate School, its affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use or misuse of any OGS System;

• Your violation of this agreement;

• Any claim that your use of OGS Systems infringes on third-party rights.

6. No Warranty of Data Confidentiality

While OGS takes reasonable steps to secure student and institutional data, no system can guarantee complete confidentiality or protection from breach. You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for not uploading, storing, or transmitting sensitive data (such as Social Security Numbers or banking information) unless explicitly required and secured through official channels.

7. System Monitoring

OGS reserves the right to monitor, audit, and investigate any activity on its Systems for security, academic integrity, or compliance purposes. Use of these systems constitutes consent to such monitoring.

8. Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You agree not to share your password or grant access to others. Unauthorized access or use may result in disciplinary action or referral to law enforcement.

9. Modification of Terms

OGS reserves the right to modify this agreement at any time. Continued use of the systems constitutes acceptance of any revised terms.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any disputes arising under this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Tennessee.

BY ACCESSING OR USING OGS SYSTEMS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN FULL.

Appendix 3: Dissertation Development and Progression

Embarking on doctoral research is a life-changing journey, a quest. Before you can change your world, you must be changed by the quest of preparation. The journey will require your growth in the virtues of a Christian scholar: humility, wonder and curiosity, teachability, discretion, teamwork, courage, and perseverance. Humility is the spiritual protection against the deadly vice of pride because knowledge puffs up. Wonder and curiosity are virtues that fuel learning and must be fanned into a flame even when the research road is long and weary. Teachability is needed to receive guidance from research advisors even when you do not fully understand their reasons for requiring some adjustments to your plans. Discretion is the scholarly virtue for learning when to assert your ideas and preferences and when to receive guidance gratefully; wisdom is needed to know when to stand for your ideas and when to submit to the yoke of mentors. The ability to work in a team and to build teamwork and cooperation will be needed to get help to collect your data and do your research. Courage is called for so as to stand up for your sense of calling about your research even when advisors may not fully grasp your vision. Courage is needed to win allies to provide access to a population where you will do your data collection. Finally, without perseverance, you will never finish!

Your research journey moves through three distinct phases, with several stages per phase. Each stage has practical tasks to complete in order to progress to the next stage. The following diagram provides a high-level, step-by-step representation of the dissertation process. You are advised to be familiar with program requirements stated in the OGS Catalog and the principles and requirements found in the Social Research courses, including Dissertation Foundations, Stats I, II, and III, Research Design I, II, and III, and the Core 7 Dissertation Workshop week and SR 905 Planning and Proposal Writing.

Appendix 4: Student Rights

OGS seeks to maintain an environment where students have the following rights:

Freedom from Discrimination – Students can expect to participate fully in the OGS community without discrimination, as defined by federal and state law and the Catalog;

Safe Environment – Students can function in their daily activities without unreasonable concerns for personal safety;

Discipline – Students can expect discipline to be implemented through established procedures;

Privacy – Students are free of unreasonable intrusions into personal records and/or matters relevant to identity, living space and wellbeing and will be notified if a breach of privacy occurs;

High Quality Resources – Students have access to high quality resources which support intellectual and social development;

Grievance Process – Students have access to established procedures for respectfully presenting and addressing their concerns/complaints to the OGS; and

Academic and Administrative Policies – Students can expect academic and administrative policies that support intellectual inquiry, learning and growth.

Appendix 5: Notice of Grievance

Date: Date of Complaint Event:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Event or Action of Complaint:

Student Right(s) Violated:

Relief Requested:

Student Signature

Appendix 7: Course Descriptions

Master of Letters/Arts in Organizational Leadership

Master of Letters/Arts in Human Behavior

Doctor of Social Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Research

Focus of Study in Clinical Sociology

Focus of Study in Data Science for Social Research

Focus of Study in Medical Sociology

Focus of Study in Artificial Intelligence Ethics