Academic & Institutional Policies
CRI’s academic and institutional policies are designed to ensure clarity, consistency, and integrity across all of our theological programs of study. Please review them carefully.
- Grading scale and academic integrity
- Course withdrawal and extension requests
- Student conduct and communication standards
Institutional Policy Manual
Purpose. This manual codifies the biblical and institutional expectations that govern participation in every Covenant Reformed Institute (CRI) program of study. The manual applies equally to students, staff, instructors, teaching assistants, volunteers, and guests—regardless of where accessing CRI resources from ( i.e., a living room, a coffee shop, or a mission field half a world away).
Theological foundation. CRI is unapologetically Christ-centered, reformed and confessional. We affirm the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, the sovereignty of God in salvation, and the sufficiency of the Word for faith and practice (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21). All policies below flow from that commitment.
1. Supremacy of Christ: Christ is preeminent in all things (Colossians 1:18); every class, discussion, and assignment should magnify Him.</strong>
2. Authority of Scripture: The Bible is the final rule for doctrine in life; when policy questions arise, Scripture interprets policy, not vice versa.
3. Holiness & Integrity: We pursue sanctification in heart, speech, conduct, study habits, and online instruction (I Peter 1:15-16).
4. Covenant Community: While we are in online community, we are students and faculty who are members of the body of Christ, which is one body, called to build one another up in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).
5. Mission & Service: Learning is ordered towards our being servant as Christ served. We serve in the home, church, and throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:10).
Our Mission: Covenant Reformed Institute exists to equip believers through accessible, faithful, and Reformed theological education. Our mission is to cultivate Christ-centered scholarship and nurture spiritual maturity in the body of Christ.
Our Vision: Our vision is to be a global training center for gospel-centered leadership and biblical depth — faithful to the historic Christian faith and the Reformed tradition.
CRI is a fully online Institute. The absence of brick-and-mortar walls does not diminish our obligation to practice Christian Fellowship. Therefore:
1. Presence & Participation: Whether logging into synchronous class meetings (live or prerecorded), or participating in class conversations through our Canvas Learning Management System, all cameras need to be on at all times as well as our microphones available. This is the digital equivalent of being physically present in a lecture hall.
2. Vocational Diversity: Because students often study from workplaces, homes, ministry fields, etc., classmates must extend patience regarding time zones, accents, and background noise-while each participant strive to minimize avoidable distractions. In other words, be courteous treating others as you would desire to be treated.
3. Hospitality: Again, we are in online community, but this should not negate how we act as Christians towards others. Be quick to greet newcomers in chat, sure to pray for each other's needs, and offer technological assistance to those who are less experienced.
Our online experience should mimic as much as possible how we would treat each, other and interact with each other, in person.
All CRI community members commit to:
Domain | Expected Conduct | Prohibited Conduct |
Speech & Writing | Truthful, gracious, edifying (Eph 4:29) | Vulgarity, profanity, crude joking, racial or ethnic slurs, blasphemy, coarse memes |
Academic Work | Original work, proper citation, honesty | Plagiarism, contract cheating, data fabrication, use of Ai prohibited |
Digital Etiquette | Muting mic when not speaking; using real name; appropriate video background, Camera on at all times | Streaming unrelated media, multitasking that disrupts class, offensive avatars/screen names |
Respect for Authority | Honoring instructors, moderators, and administrative directives | Repeated defiance, trolling, impersonation of staff |
Use of CRI Platforms | Posts advance learning & godliness | Spam, commercial solicitations, political campaigning, doxxing |
Created “from one man” (Acts 17:26), all people bear God’s image and share equal dignity and worth (Gen 1:26-27). CRI repudiates every form of racism, ethnocentrism, and sinful partiality (Jas 2:1-9). We welcome students of all ethnicities and cultures who affirm our doctrinal standards. Discrimination in admissions, grading, or community life on the basis of race or ethnicity is sin and subject to discipline.
At CRI, we are a community of believers in Jesus Christ, we have faith in the redeeming and sanctifying work of God in all areas of our lives. Scripture tells us we have died to our old nature and have been united to Christ and raised to newness of life (Rom. 6:4, 8:11; I Cor. 6:14; II Cor. 5:15; Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:12-14, 3:1). We have been made new creatures (Rom. 6:5-11; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; Col 3"10, and so on) and therefore recognize that our identity is in Christ and our daily thoughts and actions demonstrate we now live to the Glory of God. We believe as we commit our lives to God, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith, compassionately care for and lead others to Christ, and be good stewards of all of our resources, including sexuality as defined by God.
We believe God created humans to love and worship Him above all else (Deut. 6:5; Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 12:28-29) so that everything we are and everything we do falls under His Lordship. We are His people. So, as we consider our human sexuality, we strive to honor and serve Him, above our own desires. Our sex and sexuality is not an end in itself but is something God created for His purpose. Our sexuality has a purpose in the created order toward His end. We understand our beliefs may be contrary to other worldviews and we do not seek to antagonize or disrespect those whose views differ from ours. Since CRI is a Christian institute, guided by the above principles, members of this community are expected to live according to and in harmony with our policy in accordance with the clear teaching of Scripture. We further expect this community of believers to extend grace and care as we strive to honor God in all we do and say.
We believe God created two distinct sexes, male and female (Genesis 1:27; Matt. 19:4-5), and our sexuality is a gift from God reflecting who we are as humans, designed for His purpose to do the good work He has called us to do. We regard sex at birth as the identification of a person’s biological sex and do not support attempts to alter one’s birth sex in favor of an opposite psychological gender.
We believe God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed solely within a marriage between one male and one female (Genesis 2; 1 Cor. 6:9, 16-20) and sexual intimacy outside of that marital relationship, as recorded in Scripture, violates the will of God. We do not support acts of sexual behavior (opposite-sex or same-sex) other than those that occur in legal marriage between a male and female. Sexual immorality is sin in God's eyes, regardless of a persons sexual desires and preferences.
Our commitment is to live in ways that guide us towards holiness, whether we are unmarried or married. Our sexuality, expressed through sexual abstinence for single persons and sexual faithfulness in marriage (one man and one woman), allows us to bring honor and glory to God.
We do not support behavior whereby personal desire, satisfaction, and/or dominance (such as pornography, lust, exhibitionism, sexting, sex trafficking, etc.) supersedes care for others and service to God.
- Matthew 18 Model: Private, two-way reconciliation → inclusion of a witness → appeal to instructor or dean.
- Timeliness: Parties have 14 calendar days from the incident to initiate the process.
- Documentation: All steps after the initial private conversation must be summarized in writing and shared with involved parties.
- Submission: Email admin@covenantreformedinst.org with subject line “Formal Grievance – [Your Name]”.
- Acknowledgment: The Academic Dean will acknowledge receipt within 3 business days.
- Investigation: A three-member panel reviews evidence, conducts interviews (via Zoom), and seeks resolution within 15 business days.
- Decision: Written determination delivered to all parties. Decisions may be appealed once to the President; his decision is final. Retaliation is forbidden.
Even in a virtual environment, Christian liberty is bounded by love (Gal 5:13). Therefore:
- Prohibited Content: Obscene emojis, vulgar GIFs, sexually suggestive avatars, graphic violence, or links to morally compromising sites.
- Social Media: Posts that malign CRI, faculty, or students; divulge private academic data; or mock Christian doctrine are subject to discipline.
- Gaming & Side-Chats: Voice or text channels used during class sessions must serve instructional aims. Idle gaming or off-topic chat that distracts others is a violation.
- Falsehood & Rumor: The Ninth Commandment applies online; spreading unverified claims, screenshots, or edited clips is forbidden.
- Verbal Abuse & Slurs: Derogatory remarks about race, sex, age, disability, or theological tradition will trigger immediate review.
Common Issue | Required Response |
Child/pet noise | Mute mic; step off-camera if longer than 30 seconds. |
Connection drop | Rejoin ASAP; message instructor via course chat. |
Background conversations | Use headphones; ask others to relocate. |
Intentional disruption (spam, loud music) | Instructor may remove user; violation report filed. |
CRI forbids any initiation rite, prank, or digital “raid” that:
- Intimidates, humiliates, or endangers another person.
- Compromises academic access (e.g., flooding a class chat with memes).
- Exploits power differentials (upper-class students vs. first-years).
Violations incur disciplinary measures up to suspension.
Because learning requires sober minds (1 Pet 1:13):
- Alcohol & Drugs: Students shall not attend live sessions or submit coursework while under the influence of alcohol or any impairing substance (legal or illegal).
- Illegal Substances: Possession, sale, or use of controlled substances, even off-campus, will be referred to civil authorities as required by law.
- Prescription Medications: Must be used only as prescribed. Abuse is treated the same as illicit drug use.
CRI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (as defined in § 6), age, veteran status, or disability in any program or activity—consistent with its religious convictions and applicable religious exemptions recognized by U.S. law (cf. Title IX § 106.12). Accommodation requests for disabilities should be directed to office@covenantreformedinst.org.
- Upon credible evidence of a felony or serious misdemeanor by a student or staff member, CRI reserves the right to suspend access pending investigation.
- Conviction for violent crime, sexual offense, fraud related to academic credentials, or crimes that undermine trust will normally result in dismissal.
- CRI will cooperate fully with lawful subpoenas and investigations.
Honor all people (1 Pet 2:17) by:
- Addressing instructors with appropriate titles.
- Responding promptly (within 48 hours) to faculty emails.
- Refraining from side conversations while others speak.
- Giving charitable feedback, free of ad hominem or sarcasm.
Members shall “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18), including but not limited to:
- Consuming, producing, or distributing pornography.
- Virtual sexual activity (web-cams, sexting, erotic role-play).
- Adulterous or extramarital relationships, whether emotional or physical.
- Soliciting or offering sexual services.
Discovery of such behavior—on CRI platforms or elsewhere online—is grounds for discipline.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile educational environment. This includes quid pro quo (e.g., “I’ll improve your grade for a date”) and pervasive jokes, comments, or images.
- Reporting: Use the confidential Title IX form in the student portal.
- Interim Measures: CRI may issue no-contact orders, adjust class sections, or suspend login credentials during investigation.
- Sanctions: Ranges from mandatory counseling to expulsion.
- Custodian: The Academic Dean oversees implementation; questions should be emailed to Admin@covenantreformedinst.org.
- Review Cycle: Annually each May; urgent biblical or legal issues may prompt interim updates.
- Acknowledgment: Enrollment or employment constitutes agreement to abide by all provisions herein.
- You MUST sign above acknowledging that you received and read this policy manual. Failure will result in delay of admission until signature received.
19.1 Scope & Assessment
- Tuition basis. Charges are calculated each semester according to (a) the program in which the student is enrolled, (b) the credit load (number of courses/credit hours), and (c) enrollment status (credit vs. audit).
- Published rates. Current per-credit and audit rates are released by the Business Office no later than 1 March for the ensuing academic year.
19.2 Standard Due Dates
Category | When payment is due in full | Notes |
Regular semester coursework | 14 calendar days (2 weeks) before the semester’s first day of class | Applies to all credit and audit registrations. |
Special offerings (workshops, seminars, intensives announced outside the normal schedule) | 7 calendar days before the first session | The announcement date triggers billing; seats are confirmed only after payment is received. |
If the standard deadline falls on a weekend or U.S. federal holiday, the due date rolls forward to the next business day.
19.3 Deferred or Installment Plans
- Written approval required. Only the Dean (or a delegate in writing) may authorize a payment plan that extends beyond the deadlines above.
- Plan terms. Deferred arrangements must specify (1) total amount, (2) installment dates, and (3) late-fee schedule. Failure to meet any installment voids the plan and the entire remaining balance becomes immediately due.
19.4 Payment Methods
- Online portal (credit/debit card or ACH)
- Mailed check (must arrive by the posted deadline)
- Third-party sponsorships or scholarships (documentation required before the deadline)
19.5 Consequences of Non-Payment
- Course-access hold. Students with an unpaid balance after the deadline will be locked out of Canvas and library resources until the account is settled or a Dean-approved plan is on file.
- Late fees. A $35 late charge is applied each month an account remains past due (If a special payment plan has been approved in writing by the dean).
- Transcript & diploma hold. Academic records and graduation clearance are withheld until all financial obligations are met.
19.6 Relationship to Refund Policy
If a student withdraws after paying tuition, the Refund Policy (§ 20) determines any amount to be credited back. Outstanding balances after refund calculations remain payable under this Tuition Policy’s terms.
Reminder. “Paid in full” (or an approved payment-plan agreement) two weeks before class is not optional—it is part of the covenant relationship between the student and the Institute. Extensions granted verbally or by anyone other than the Dean are not valid.
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CRI recognizes that unforeseen circumstances sometimes require a student to withdraw. The Institute therefore grants tuition refunds on the sliding scale below; all dates are counted from the official first day of the semester as published on the academic calendar.
Withdrawal date (Eastern Time) | Tuition refunded | Notes |
Before semester begins (up to the day before) | 100 % | Non-refundable fees (application, technology, payment-processing) are retained. |
Week 1 (Days 1 – 7) | 75 % | Same as above and, course‐access remains disabled until any balance is cleared. |
Week 2 (Days 8 – 14) | 50 % | Same as above and, no grade posted; “W” appears on transcript. |
After Day 14 | 0 % | Full tuition is due; all outstanding balances must be paid. |
Additional provisions
- Disciplinary withdrawal. If a student is removed from a course or program for violating CRI policy (e.g., academic dishonesty, harassment, criminal activity), no refund is granted, regardless of the calendar date.
- Payment plans & scholarships. Any unpaid installments (installment plans are only approved in rare circumstances) or third-party scholarships are prorated according to the same schedule above.
- Administrative fee. A flat $50 administrative charge is deducted from every refund to cover merchant and processing costs.
- How to request. Email admin@covenantreformedinst.org with the subject “Refund Request – [Your Name]”. The timestamp on that email serves as the official withdrawal date.
- Processing time. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method within 15 business days of confirmation.
This policy applies to all CRI courses and programs unless a written exception is made in a signed enrollment agreement
Item | Minimum Specification |
Computer / Tablet | Able to run latest Chrome, Firefox, or Edge; 8 GB RAM; reliable broadband (>5 Mbps) |
Microphone | External USB or quality built-in mic (no constant background hiss) |
Camera | 720p minimum; must remain on during synchronous classes unless instructor grants exemption |
Headphones (recommended) | To prevent echo and protect privacy in shared spaces |
Access to internet
Proficiency in use of the technology
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Covenant Reformed Institute
Effective: 1 August 2025