This Academic Catalog presents the educational programs and policies of Point University for students entering in Fall Term 2023, Spring Term 2024, and Summer Term 2024. It describes programs offered at the main campus in West Point, Georgia, along with programs offered online and at other Point educational sites, including Dual Credit Enrollment (DCE).

Point University Accreditation. Point University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500, or http://www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Point University. All other inquiries, such as for admission or academic information, should be made directly to the appropriate Point office.

SACSCOC is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

State Authorizations. For purposes of Title IV (financial aid), Point University is authorized to operate in Georgia by the Governor's executive order of June 28, 2013. Point offers online degree programs to students in 49 states with appropriate state authorization through GA-SARA, NC-SARA, and other arrangements. The process to review and appropriately act on complaints arising under state laws and NC-SARA is conducted by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC, 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, GA 30084, www.gnpec.ga.sara or call 770-414-3300). However, out-of-state online students must first complete the complaint process through Point University and contact GNPEC only if the complaint is not resolved.

GaPSC Teacher Education Accreditation. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC, www.gapsc.com) governs teacher certification in the State of Georgia. Within Point’s College of Education, GaPSC has approved the Teacher Education Department and all educator programs that lead to state certification. Approved programs include the Elementary Education preparation program (preschool through fifth grades), the Middle Grades Education preparation program (fourth through eighth grades), the Secondary Education program in the areas of Biology, English, and History (sixth through twelfth grades), and the Special Education General Curriculum program (grades PreK-12).

CSWE Social Work Accreditation. Point University launched its Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program in 2019-2020 after receiving approval to offer the program from its SACSCOC institutional accrediting body. At the same time, Point began the process of seeking professional accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE, https://www.cswe.org). Point aligned its Social Work Major with CSWE’s nine Core Competencies and other standards, so that the program prepares students for licensure as social workers. In February 2020 the CSWE Commission on Accreditation granted candidacy status to Point’s B.S.W. program. In November 2021 CSWE granted Initial Accreditation through October 2029. In accordance with CSWE policy concerning retroactive accreditation status, any students who entered the program in Fall Term 2019 or later are considered to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited Social Work program. For further information concerning CSWE accreditation, contact Dr. Aisha Williams, BSW Program Coordinator and Chair of the Sociology & Social Work Department (Aisha.Williams@Point.edu).

U.S. Department of Education Recognition. Point University is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is listed in the Education Directory. For the purposes of Title IV (federal financial aid), Point University is authorized to operate in Georgia by the Governor's executive order of June 28, 2013.

USCIS Approval for Serving International Students. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security has approved Point University for acceptance of foreign students. Students who are eligible for benefits under programs administered by the Veterans Administration, State of Georgia Rehabilitation and Social Security are approved to receive benefits while attending the University. Point University has been certified as a nonprofit institution by the Internal Revenue Service.

Georgia State Authorization and Student Complaint Process

As an institution that participates in the federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Point University is authorized to operate by the State of Georgia. Point is authorized by name to operate educational programs beyond secondary education in Georgia by the Governor’s executive order of June 28, 2013.

In Georgia, the Georgia Non-Public Post-Secondary Education Commission (GNPEC) conducts the process to review and appropriately act on complaints arising under State laws, including damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by a nonpublic post-secondary educational institution. However, out-of-state online students must first complete the complaint process through Point University and contact GNPEC only if the complaint is not resolved.

A student who has an unresolved complaint may initiate the GNPEC’s Authorized School Complaint Procedure by:

Submitting an Authorized School Complaint Form found on the GNPEC website (www.gnpec.ga.sara);

Calling the GNPEC at (770) 414-3300; or

Visiting the GNPEC at the following address during normal office hours with a scheduled appointment:

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305

State Authorization for Online Learning. Point University complies with all applicable state regulations governing online programs offered across state lines. Point is a member of SARA, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, at both the state level in Georgia (GA-SARA, www.gnpec.ga.sara) and the national level (NC-SARA, http://nc-sara.org). SARA membership and other state authorizations currently allow Point to offer online programs in 49 states—all U.S. states except California.

 Full details on accreditation, authorizations, and affiliations are available here.

 Consumer information is available here.

Memberships. Point University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU, www.cccu.org); the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO, www.aacrao.org), and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA, www.nacada.ksu.edu). 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Nondiscrimination Policies. In accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, Point University does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, color, race, nationality, national or ethnic origin, disability, status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other protected category in the administration of admission policies, educational policies, financial aid, employment, or any other University program or activity. Point admits qualified students who acknowledge the mission of Point University. It hires qualified faculty and staff who support the mission and goals of the University. The designated coordinator for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is Edward Clark, the Director of Disability Services (706-385-1432; Disability.Services@Point. edu).

How to Interpret and Use This Catalog. The Academic Catalog serves as a reference guide. The information contained in the catalog is accurate as of the date of publication. As part of its quality control systems, Point University constantly reviews, assesses, and revises its educational programs and policies to meet changing world needs. Accordingly, the statements set forth in the catalogs are not to be construed as the basis of a contract between the student and the institution. Point reserves the right to change any policy, procedure, provision, student expense, course, degree program, and/or graduation requirement at any time through appropriate processes. Every effort will be made to publicize changes. The University further reserves the right to require a student to withdraw at any time.

Candidates enrolling in a degree program enter under the catalog requirements in effect at the time they begin the program. The University permits students to complete their degrees under the original catalog requirements as long as they maintain continuous enrollment and finish the degree within a reasonable timeframe. For details, see “Maximum Timeframe for Completing Degrees” in the section of this catalog devoted to “Academic Policies & Procedures.”

Students are responsible for knowing and following the policies, procedures, and regulations presented in the Academic Catalog. The Point University Honor Code (student handbook) provides additional guidelines for residential students on the main campus in West Point. It is also the student’s responsibility to stay informed about program revisions and to be aware of the University calendar, critical deadlines, and all University mail delivered to the student’s Point mailbox and/or email account.

Published Information

The primary sources of information about Point University are the institutional website (www.point.edu) and this Academic Catalog.