Academic Guidelines

Guidelines for Academic Studies

Chapter 1. General

Article 1. These guidelines are set in accordance with Article 40 of Fu Jen Catholic University (hereafter FJU) Academic Policies.

 

Chapter 2. Bachelor's Degree

Article 2. Guidelines for bachelor's degree program are as follows:

  1. Holistic education core courses: 8 credits
  2. Basic skill courses: 12 credits.
  3. Holistic education general knowledge (通識涵養) courses: 12 credits.
  4. Professional mandatory courses: 44 credits.
  5. Professional optional courses: 20 credits.
  6. Specialized elective courses: 10 credits (minimum).
  7. To be graduated students must complete 128 credits in all.
  8. Students must be able to handle both Chinese and English languages.

Article 3. In case of course schedule conflicts, transferred students, students with minor or double major may apply for recognition of equivalent mandatory courses with the same title in another department or university.

Article 4. Guidelines for course selection

  1. Mandatory courses: must be in compliance with the department guidelines.
  2. Optional courses: Three courses in introduction to religion must be completed in the first year. During the first semester students are required to score an average of 85 points, and be approved by the instructor or the department chair.

Article 5. Credit requirements: are processed by University Office of Academic affairs, Centre for holistic education and the department.

 

Chapter 3. Bachelor's Degree (Continuing Education)

Article 6. Guidelines for bachelor's degree program (Continuing Education) are as follows:

  1. Holistic education courses: 8 credits
  2. Basic skill courses: 12 credits.
  3. Holistic education general knowledge (通識涵養) Courses: 12 credits.
  4. Professional mandatory courses: 42 credits.
  5. Professional optional courses: 22 credits.
  6. Specialized elective courses: 10 credits (minimum).
  7. To be graduated students must complete 128 credits in all.
  8. Students must be able to handle both Chinese and English languages.


Article 7. In case of course schedule conflicts, transferred students, students with minor or double major may apply for recognition of equivalent mandatory courses with the same title in another department or university.

Article 8. Guidelines for course selection

  • Mandatory courses: During the first semester students are required to score an average of 85 points, and be approved by the instructor or the department chair.
  • Optional courses: Three courses in introduction to religion must be completed in the first year. During the first semester students are required to score an average of 85 points, and be approved by the instructor or the department chair.

Article 9. Credit waiver: application should be done according to relevant regulations of FJU Office of Academic Affairs and Holistic Education Center, and will be considered only if the course score is 65 or above.

 

Chapter 4. Master's Degree

Article 10. Guidelines for master's degree program are as follows:

  1. Thesis: 6 credits
  2. Professional Mandatory course: 4 credits
  3. Required courses on Traditional religion: 8 credits
  4. Optional courses offered by the department: 8 credits (minimum)
  5. Courses offered by the supervisor: two courses in FJU.
  6. To be graduated students must complete 36 credits in all.

Article 11. Master's degree students are allowed to choose courses (with a maximum total of 8 credits) offered to professional working students (Master's program) after obtaining approval from the department.

Article 12. Students who have completed master's credit courses in FJU School of Professional and Conintuing Education may waive a maximum of 10 credits provided that the scores of these courses are 70 or above. A maximum of 6 credits may be waived in the area of religious studies. For students who have studied courses in the department of religious studies before entrance by screening examination (甄試), a maximum of one course may be recognized.

Article 13. Students without a previous degree in religious studies should, under the guidance of the department chair or an instructor, attend religion-related classes. These credits are not included in the Master program graduate credits.

 

Chapter 5. Master's Degree for Professional Working Students

Article 14. Guidelines for master's degree program for professional working students are as follows:

  1. Thesis: 6 credits
  2. Professional Mandatory course: 8 credits
  3. Optional courses on religion: 22 credits
  4. Courses offered by the supervisor: two courses in FJU.
  5. To be graduated students must complete 36 credits in all.

Article 15. Professional working students can select mandatory and optional courses offered to regular master students.

Article 16. Students who have completed master's credit courses in FJU School of Professional and Conintuing Education may waive a maximum of 10 credits provided that the scores of these courses are 70 or above. A maximum of 6 credits may be waived in the area of religious studies.

 

Chapter 6. Ph.D. Program

Article 17. Guidelines for Ph.D. program are as follows:

  1. Thesis: 12 credits
  2. Professional mandatory courses: 12 credits
  3. Optional courses offered by the department: 6 credits (minimum)
  4. Courses offered by the supervisor: two courses in FJU.
  5. Three publications: Before the degree exam, three articles must be published in any peer evaluated, religion-related journal or periodical. (Proof of already published/accepted for publication articles must be provided).
  6. Before applying for doctoral candidacy, students must prove their english proficiency according to one of the following criteria and be approved by the department:
    • A proof of having a degree majored (or double majored) in English, or a proof of having a degree obtained in an English-speaking country
    • TOEFL CBT 210 points or above; TOEFL iBT 77 points or above; TOEIC 750 points or above; GEPT high-intermediate level stage one or above, or any other equivalent certificate issued by a competing authority.
    • Certificate of attending 4 semester/8 credits of English language classes in FJU or in other national or international language centers (these credits are not included in the graduation credits).
    • Certificate of attending one semester religion-related course in English in national institute of religion.
  7. To graduate, students must complete a total of 36 credits.

Article 18. Those who did not score 60 or above in English in the entrance test should attend 4 credits of English classes with Master degree students. These credits are not included in the graduation credits.

Article 19. Students without a previous degree in religious studies should, under the guidance of the department chair or an instructor, attend religion-related classes. These credits are not included in the graduation credits.

 

Chapter 6: Appendices

Article 20. The above-mentioned guidelines are provisional and are subjected to change according to FJU and department guidelines.

Article 21. These guidelines are approved by the department and are sent to college meetings and the Academic Affairs Council for future reference and implementation.