Chapel (UMHB 1002)
A complete education includes experiences that seek to develop the mind, body, and spirit. Chapel attendance, therefore, is an integral part of the educational process and one of the distinctive features of attending a Christian university. All full-time, degree-seeking students are required to receive credit (no grade) for chapel attendance. Regular chapel programs are held each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the W. W. Walton Chapel. Informative and inspirational programs are presented. More information is available on the Spiritual Life website. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.
Chapel Attendance Requirements
Satisfactory chapel attendance requirements are as follows:
Incoming Freshmen (and transfer students with less than thirty semester hour credits accepted by UMHB) must acquire four semesters of chapel credit at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Transfer Students:
Sophomores (students with thirty to fifty-nine semester hour credits accepted by UMHB) must acquire three semesters of chapel credit.
Juniors (students with sixty to eighty-nine semester hour credits accepted by UMHB) must acquire two semesters of chapel credit.
Seniors (students with ninety or more semester hour credits accepted by UMHB) must acquire one semester of chapel credit during the first semester of attendance at UMHB.
**Students who transfer from other Baptist institutions will be given credit for chapel according to the number of semesters for which they have credit on their transcript. Credit is not given for the number of chapels they were required to attend each week. It is given only for the number of semesters they attended chapel. For students who transfer from institutions other than Baptist who were required to attend chapel, credit will be given only after approval from the Dean of Students.
- Chapel attendance is mandatory. Registered students must make every attempt to attend all required sessions. Attendance is checked at each chapel service. Chapel attendance at live services is electronically recorded by scanning student identification cards. Should students are invited or directed to attend chapel services virtually via Canvas, attendance will be awarded to students who watch the service and complete any associated online questions.
- Chapel absences for authorized field trips are excused. The faculty advisor will present a list of participating students to the Provost’s Office. Requests for excused absences should be directed to the Dean of Students.
- Students are permitted up to three unexcused absences from chapel each semester. These absences should be used for doctor’s appointments or other health and family emergencies.
- Students who have class conflicts, practicums, or internships that prevent them from attending live chapel services on Wednesdays at both 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. should apply for Alternative Chapel through the Student Development Office. If approved, they will be assigned to a section of the course that allows them to complete all chapel requirements online for the semester in question.
- If attendance records indicate that a student did not attend the required number of chapels or did not make up the absences, then that student will receive a non-credit for chapel on the grade report for that semester. Students are responsible for making sure they have fulfilled all requirements for attendance and can check the records of attendance kept in the Student Development Office. If a student feels that an error has been made, he/she has until the first two weeks of the following semester to question the accuracy of the records.
- Non-degree seeking students are not required to fulfill chapel requirements. Non-degree seeking students shall be defined as follows:
Students entering UMHB on Non-Degree Admissions application form.
Students entering UMHB with a Baccalaureate Degree seeking to obtain a teacher’s certificate or course work to prepare for entry into a professional school such as pre-law courses necessary to enter law school.
(Note: All students included here are not involved in course work requiring their graduation from UMHB or other college or university).
- Part-time students are to begin fulfilling chapel requirements the first semester they take twelve or more semester hours. They shall be expected to take chapel each semester thereafter, during which they are considered full-time students.
Chapel Registration
To register for chapel, students must sign up for a section of course number UMHB 1002. When a student registers for classes, he/she should also register for chapel. Direct any questions regarding chapel registration to the Student Development Office at (254)295-4590. Students are advised to sign up for chapel the first semester they begin as a full-time student. By doing this, scheduling conflicts later on may be avoided.
Fine Arts Experience (UMHB 1005)
The general education core at UMHB is designed to help students develop to their full potential as educated persons. UMHB strives to offer its students a setting in which they can mature culturally, as well as intellectually. In an effort to provide a well-rounded education, the University requires a Fine Arts Experience (FAE) in addition to three hours of fine arts course credit required in the core curriculum. The purpose of this Fine Arts Experience requirement is to establish and foster a life-long pattern of fine arts involvement.
All full-time undergraduate, degree-seeking students must attend no less than eight (see requirements listed below) FAE events, one each semester they are enrolled. Students are advised to enroll for UMHB 1005: Fine Arts Experience each semester of full time attendance at UMHB.
What is a Fine Arts Experience Event?
Each semester a calendar of approved Fine Arts Experience events is prepared. Approved FAE events will cover a wide variety of programs and will be chosen from areas such as plays, art exhibitions and musical performances, or from lectures/presentations of general appeal related to the fine arts. These events will be scheduled and approved by the FAE Coordinator.
How Can the Requirement Be Fulfilled?
Satisfactory Fine Arts Experience (FAE) attendance requirements are as follows:
- Incoming Freshmen (or transfer students with less than thirty semester hours accepted by UMHB) must acquire eight semesters of FAE credit.
- Transfer Students
- Sophomores (students with thirty to fifty-nine semester hours accepted by UMHB) must acquire six semesters of FAE credit.
- Juniors (students with sixty to eighty-nine semester hours accepted by UMHB) must acquire four semesters of FAE credit.
- Seniors (students with ninety or more semester hours accepted by UMHB) must acquire two semesters of FAE credit.
- Students who complete their education in fewer than the expected number of semesters based on the number of hours with which they entered, will have their FAE requirement reduced to one per full semester they are at UMHB. For example: a student who enters as a freshman but completes a degree in seven semesters will only be required to complete seven FAE credits.
- FAE attendance is mandatory, if attendance records indicate that a student did not attend the required number of FAE events, or did not make-up the absence, they will receive non-credit for FAE on the grade report for that semester. Students are responsible for making sure they have fulfilled all requirements for attendance and can check the records of attendance with the FAE Coordinator.
If a student feels that an error has been made, he/she has until the first two weeks of the following semester to question the accuracy of the records.
To receive credit, the student must personally present his/her UMHB ID card for scanning to the designated event staff at the conclusion of the event.
Freshman Seminar (UMHB 1101)
Freshman Seminar is one semester hour credit course required of all freshmen who are new to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and transfer students who have less than twelve (12) transferable hours (excluding Credit by Exam, AP, CLEP, and ACT). This course is taken in the first semester the student is admitted to UMHB. The main goal of the course is to equip new freshmen with strategies for full, active participation in the process of making a successful transition to UMHB.
This required one hour credit freshman course, taught by faculty from various academic disciplines, provides an experience aimed at improving your chances for success during your first year. This course will:
- Assist you in transitioning to UMHB;
- Provide you with an opportunity to build effective relationships through in-class and out-of-class interactions with other students, faculty, and staff;
- Equip you to take responsibility and initiative for your learning experience as both a UMHB student and a lifelong learner.
Peer Mentor Seminar (UMHB 3202)
In the Peer Mentor Seminar, the Peer Mentors (Cru-Leaders) will deepen their understanding of the developmental issues that face first year students as they transition to college life. The Cru-Leaders will have the opportunity to learn theory and apply practical knowledge while working with their assigned mentees.
Career Coaching & Planning (UMHB 4100)
This course is designed to offer students enhanced career coaching through personalized advisement, planning, and courses of action with the opportunity for independent study. Activities and assignments are designed to meet personal career development needs. Course content will include interest assessments, review of what careers match the student’s major, mock interview, and creation of professional cover letters and resumes. In addition, students will learn how to network, conduct successful job searches, and best use of social media. A course of study for any student and major.