Academic Handbook Template

Purpose and scope

This Academic Handbook template provides a clear structure for institutional handbooks used by Bible colleges, seminaries and theological training centres. Use it to document governance, academic regulations, programme information, student rights and responsibilities, assessment rules, complaints and academic integrity procedures. The handbook should be adapted to local legal requirements and institutional context.

Core handbook contents (template outline)

Include the following sections as a minimum:

1. Institution overview: mission, values, accreditation status, campus locations and key contacts.
2. Governance and leadership: governing body, academic board, roles and delegations.
3. Admissions & enrolment: entry requirements, recognition of prior learning, registration, enrolment and fee policies.
4. Programme & curriculum information: learning outcomes, credit values, modes of delivery and assessment strategies.
5. Assessment, progression & awards: marking schemes, reassessment, grading scale, award recommendations and transcript issuance.
6. Academic integrity & conduct: plagiarism, misconduct processes and sanctions.
7. Student support & wellbeing: learning support, disability accommodations and pastoral care.
8. Complaints & appeals: informal resolution, formal complaints procedure and external review options.
9. Data protection & record-keeping: retention schedules and privacy notices.
10. Policies & referenced documents: code of conduct, fees schedule, refund policy and health & safety guidance.

Student-focused drafting principles

Write the handbook in plain language, state student rights clearly, publish assessment expectations and timelines, and provide concise steps for complaints and appeals. Make the handbook readily available online and in accessible formats. Ensure version control and a clear review date.

Legal and regulatory responsibilities

Institutions must ensure the handbook and all institutional activity comply with applicable national, state/provincial and local laws, including requirements for operating an educational institution, issuing awards, consumer protection and any registration or licensing obligations. ITAA accreditation does not alter or replace those legal responsibilities; institutions remain responsible for compliance.

Locked ITAA statements (must be preserved):

ITAA is a private theological accreditation agency.

ITAA is not a governmental accreditation authority.

ITAA accreditation never overrides local law.

Institutions remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable national, state or provincial, regional, and local laws.

ITAA does not grant statutory degree-awarding powers.

Accreditation status does not replace governmental recognition where required.

Practical checklist for finalising a handbook

1. Confirm legal and regulatory requirements for your jurisdiction and reflect them in the handbook.
2. Map handbook sections to institutional policies and linked documents.
3. Assign responsibility for maintenance and set a published review date.
4. Publish an accessible online version and an abbreviated student summary.
5. Record version history and approval by the academic board or equivalent.

Publishing and maintaining transparency

Make the handbook publicly available and keep it current. Clearly state the effective date and review cycle. Provide contact details for queries using institutional email addresses or web forms (do not publish telephone contact in the handbook). Notify ITAA promptly of significant institutional changes that affect published information.

Frequently asked points

• Can ITAA accreditation be described on the handbook? Yes — state ITAA institutional recognition and provide transparent details about the scope of accreditation; do not imply governmental recognition. (See Important Accreditation Information.)
• Must local law be referenced? Handbook must reflect local statutory requirements where they affect operations or awards.