Accreditation
Belmont University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Belmont University.
Belmont University grants eight undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), the Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.S.P.H.), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), and Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.). Belmont also offers masters degrees in Accountancy (M.ACC.), Audio Technology (M.S.), Business Administration (M.B.A.), Education (M.Ed.) (M.A.T.), English (M.A.), Music (M.M.), Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Nursing (M.S.N.), Sport Administration (M.S.A.), and doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.), Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.), Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Law (J.D.), Nursing (D.N.P.).
Belmont University School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Belmont University is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing and the Southern Regional Education Board. The master’s program at Belmont University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Belmont University is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Association of Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. It has the approval of the State Board of Education of Tennessee as a teacher education institution to meet licensure requirements.
Belmont University is a member of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Belmont University graduate and undergraduate business and accounting programs are accredited by AACSB - International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
Belmont University has full accreditation status by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
The Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Belmont University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
The Belmont University Doctor of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and holds ACPE Candidate status within the organization’s multi-stage review process.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Graduate Bulletin represents the offerings and requirements in effect at the time of publication, but there is no guarantee that they will not be changed or revoked. The course offerings and requirements of the institution are continually under examination and revision. However, adequate and reasonable notice will be given to students affected by any change. This Bulletin is not intended to state contractual terms and should not be regarded as a contract between the student and the institution. The institution reserves the right to change any provision, offering or requirement to be effective when determined by the institution. These changes will govern current and readmitted students. Enrollment of all students is subject to these conditions.
Faculty
A highly competent faculty is the paramount attribute of a strong institution of higher education. Educational policies of the institution are established by the faculty. It determines entrance requirements for students, prescribes and defines courses of study, establishes requirements for degrees, determines rules for academic guidance of students, and recommends for degrees those students who have completed prescribed courses of study.
Belmont University has a well-educated faculty who are dedicated to their profession and to the university. Belmont University has a well-educated faculty who are dedicated to their profession and to the university. Of the 340 full-time faculty members, 88% percent hold terminal degrees.
The influence of the Belmont University faculty is felt beyond the campus. Faculty members are active in church, civic, professional, and academic associations; frequently speak to various groups; and often write for denominational and secular publications. Most faculty members have traveled extensively and many have experienced life in other sections of the United States and in foreign countries.
Instructor of Record - The instructor of record is determined by individual responsibilities within a specific course. The instructor of record:
- has overall responsibility for the course, including:
- design and implementation of the course
- ongoing instruction and day-to-day delivery of the course
- submission of the final grades according to deadlines established by the Office of the Registrar
- student complaints and grievances associated with the course will be evaluated by students in the course and by the academic department offering the course according to University policy and procedure for teaching evaluation
Affiliations and Standards
FERPA (Family Education and Privacy Act)
http://www.belmont.edu/registrar/FERPA.html
Tennessee Independent College and University Association (TICUA)
Belmont University is a member of TICUA. http://www.ticua.org/
Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures
Belmont University Internal Processes
If a Belmont University student has a grievance regarding the student’s academic division or an administrative procedure the student has the right to request a review of his or her particular situation. The student must first attempt to resolve the problem by contacting the relevant department directly and requesting a review of his or her situation. If the grievance is not resolved by contacting the department directly the student should follow up with an e-mail to the representative of that department / area and detail the concern so that the student’s concern is documented. The recipient of the e-mail, or an appropriate area designee, will respond in a timely manner.
Because the University already has several published policies and mechanisms for dispute resolution in place, students who contact the Dean of Students Office may be redirected (back) to the Dean of the relevant academic college or area if it is clear that the process and response were reviewed appropriately and in keeping with the published process; for example grade appeals, etc. In these cases the college or area decision and response may be deemed final.
After contacting the appropriate department directly and receiving a final response as described above, any student who still believes he or she has been treated unfairly by a university employee or process, may seek review with possible alternative resolution through the Dean of Students office. “Unfairly” means there was no process of review as described above or in a University publication; or adequate explanation of the final disposition to the student’s grievance; or there was a noted bias on the part of the decision maker, which affected the decision.
Students may file a formal complaint by e-mailing deanofstudents@belmont.edu describing the treatment, action, final decision given by the academic or administrative area and the remedy still sought. Complaints will be investigated and / or referred to other offices as necessary. A written response regarding the issue will be sent to the student who initiated the complaint within 30 days.
The Associate Provost and Dean of Students serves as the primary coordinator of response and support to students with concerns or those students experiencing a crisis. Please see the Bruin Guide, page 62. http://www.belmont.edu/studentaffairs/student_conduct_academic_integrity/bruinguide/index.html
Students should first seek a resolution through the institution’s procedures above. Grievances that are not resolved internally and may involve state consumerism, state licensing boards, or accreditation may be addressed by following the links provided below.
State of Tennessee Complaint Procedures
Should the institution not be able to resolve the student complaint, the student has the right to contact the state of Tennessee and its appropriate agency to determine the course of action. Complaints can be filed with the following agencies in Tennessee:
- Complaints related to the application of state laws or rules related to approval to operate or licensure of a particular professional program within a postsecondary institution (college / university) shall be referred to the appropriate State Board (i.e., State Boards of Health, State Board of Education, etc.) within the Tennessee State Government. It shall be reviewed and handled by that licensing board http://www.tn.gov, and then search for the appropriate division);
- Complaints related to state consumer protection laws (e.g., laws related to fraud or false advertising) shall be referred to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and shall be reviewed and handled by that Unit http://www.tn.gov/consumer/.
Complaint Resolution Policies and Procedures for Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement States, commonly known as SARA.
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution. Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the Institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html).
For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards (http://www.nc-sara.org/content/sara-manual) have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.
For a list of SARA member States, please visit the NC-SARA website (http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions). Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective State of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Procedures
Allegations regarding noncompliance with accreditation standards, policies, and procedures may be referred to SACSCOC, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. (The Commission’s complaint policy, procedure and the Complaint form may be found on their website at: http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/complaintpolicy.pdf.
Belmont’s Governing Ideas
Our vision, mission and values jointly known as the university’s “governing ideas” distinguish us as a university that seeks to serve students from diverse backgrounds within a Christian community. These ideas honor our past, define our present, and describe our future. The statements honor our past by building upon the principles of academic excellence, Christian community, and service to others that have long been the hallmarks of a Belmont education. Our present is defined, by our governing ideas, in proclaiming the student-centered nature of a Belmont education, the ends to which we at Belmont engage in the experience of teaching and learning. Finally, our governing ideas enhance our future because our work to achieve this high calling is continual.
As a Belmont University family of students, faculty, staff, and board, we value honesty, mutual respect, and listening and learning from everyone which is the foundation that ensures our efforts to build the promising future that is uniquely Belmont’s.
Robert C. Fisher, President
Belmont University Vision, Mission and Values
- Vision:
To be a leader among teaching universities, bringing together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service.
- Mission Statement:
Belmont University is a student-centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.
- Belmont University is student-centered. The university provides an environment for students to develop intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically through experiences of learning and research, leading and serving, success and failure, and consideration and choice. Faculty, administration and staff commit themselves to guide and challenge students to develop their full potential in order to lead lives of meaning and purpose.
- Belmont University is a Christian community. The University faculty, administration and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. Students encounter Christian values relevant to personal growth, service, and spiritual maturity and are expected to commit themselves to high moral standards.
- Belmont University is academically challenging. The university offers rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs emphasizing knowledge and discernment, intellectual discourse and debate, and humble engagement of cultural and social perspectives within a framework of ethical and moral reflection. All learning contexts stress the skills and dispositions necessary for lifelong learning and the sustaining value of higher education in each person’s professional and personal life.
- Belmont University welcomes men and women from diverse backgrounds. The university upholds the dignity of all and fosters an atmosphere of respect for the civil expression of divergent perspectives that enables students to learn, live, work and socialize together.
- Belmont University empowers men and women to engage and transform the world. The university prepares students to use their intellectual skills, creativity and faith to meet the challenges and opportunities that face the human community.
- Values:
As a student-centered Christian community with a rich Baptist heritage, Belmont University upholds the following core values as essential to intellectual, spiritual, personal and corporate life:
Integrity
Inquiry
Collaboration
Service
Humility
Correspondence Directory
Correspondence should be addressed to the program directors of a specific program and may be sent to:
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
(615)-460-6000
www.belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in Business
Jennifer J. Fowler, Associate Dean
Massey Graduate School of Business Administration
615-460-6319
e-mail masseygrad@belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in Education
Wayne D. Lewis Jr, Dean
School of Education
615-460-6505
e-mail wayne.lewis@belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in English
Sarah Blomeley, Director, Graduate Studies in English
615-460-6503
e-mail sarah.blomeley@belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in Music
Kathryn Paradise, Director, Graduate Studies in Music
615-460-8213
e-mail kathryn.paradise@belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in Nursing
Linda Wofford, Director, Graduate Studies in Nursing
615-460-6121
e-mail linda.wofford@belmont.edu
Graduate Studies in Occupational Therapy
Lorry Kleinfeld, Associate Dean, School of Occupational Therapy
615-460-6700
Graduate Studies in Physical Therapy
Gary P. Austin, PT, PhD, Chair, School of Physical Therapy
615-460-6727
Graduate Studies in Pharmacy
Erin M. Behnen, Pharm.D., Associate Dean College of Pharmacy
615-460-8123
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Counselor
615- 460-6403
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