Who is required to enroll in the Chapel program?
First- and second-year residential students, including students participating in international
programs.
As outlined in the Housing and Residence Life residency requirements, students are required to live on campus for their first four semesters as Pepperdine
students. Any student required to maintain campus residence (domestic or abroad),
as determined by the University, will also be required to complete the Chapel program.
I do not live on campus. Do I have to participate in Chapel?
No. Chapel is a residential-based program.
I am a junior or senior in credits, but a sophomore living on campus. Do I have to
enroll in Chapel?
If, as determined by the University, you are required to maintain campus residence
(domestic or abroad), then you are required to enroll in Chapel.
I am in my third year at Pepperdine, but I am a sophomore in credits. Do I have to
enroll in Chapel?
If, as determined by the University, you are required to maintain campus residence
(domestic or abroad), then you are required to enroll in Chapel.
I am a transfer student. Am I required to participate in Chapel?
Transfer students are required to live on campus for one academic year and, as such,
should complete two semesters of Chapel. Transfer students will participate in the
second year of the program.
First-year spring admits are required to live on campus for three semesters and, as
such, will complete three semesters of Chapel.
Sophomore spring transfers are required to live on campus for one semester and, as
such, will complete one semester of the program.
Transfer students who are not required to live on campus via the housing exemption
process are exempt from Chapel.
How is Chapel graded?
The grading scale is based on 13 weeks per semester of participation with students
being allowed one absence to maintain an A grade. If a student misses two or more
weeks of participation, the grade will progressively decline. 13=A, 12=A, 11=A-, 10=B+,
9=B, 8=B-, 7=C+, 6=C, 5=C-, 4=F, 0-3=F
How is Chapel calculated into a student's GPA?
Chapel is a series of four 0.5 credit-hour classes, taken during the first four semesters
of a student's time at Pepperdine. A first-year student admitted in the fall should
register according to the schedule below.
| Term |
Credits |
| First Year, Fall Semester |
0.5
|
| First Year, Spring Semester |
0.5
|
| Second Year, Fall Semester (Malibu or International Programs) |
0.5
|
| Second Year, Spring Semester (Malibu or International Programs) |
0.5
|
Total Credits: 2 (weighted)
Does Chapel affect my transcripts? What about when I apply to graduate schools?
Seaver College will work with the enrollment office to ensure all students' transcripts
reflect their Chapel participation correctly. The grade received in Chapel is calculated
as part of a student's cumulative GPA but does not count toward the required total
of 128 units for graduation. Chapel will be recorded on all transcripts, including
for those applying to graduate school.
If a student notices an error, please promptly reach out to the Chapel office to discuss
the matter.
What is Connection Chapel? Must I attend?
First-year students will attend a RISE Connection Chapel for four sessions in the
fall semester and for four additional sessions in the spring semester. This RISE group
focuses on spiritually-informed resilience education and training. The groups will
be led by a staff or faculty member and will be an opportunity to connect with other
first-year students in a smaller setting. Following the four RISE sessions each semester,
first-year students will attend a five-week elective Connection Chapel focused on
spiritual development and formation.
Malibu-based sophomore students will attend nine weekly elective Connection Chapels
during both semesters of their sophomore year. Sophomores in International Programs
will experience 13 weeks of programming at their abroad location, led by their program
directors.
More information on Connection Chapel and topics will be provided. Students will be
invited to enroll through WaveNet during the summer of 2023.
How will students know where to go for their Connection Chapel?
Locations will appear on students’ schedules in WaveNet and Navigate360. After students
enroll, they will receive communication from their Connection Chapel leaders with
welcome information, instructions, and contact information.
How will you take attendance for Chapel?
Students attending Core Chapels will utilize an app to sign in. Leaders of Connection
Chapels will take attendance each week. Scans will only be counted within 10 minutes
of the start of the event and students must stay for the event's entirety to receive
credit. Any attempt to falsify attendance in any way will be considered a violation
of the Code of Academic Integrity and addressed accordingly.
Can I file for an exemption from Chapel?
Students with documented disabilities may request exemptions from Chapel through the
Office of Student Accessibility. Exemption requests require medical documentation. Additionally, in the event of
an emergency, students may work with the Student Care Team to address short-term challenges and concerns.
Can I apply for exemption without going through the Office of Student Accessibility?
Generally, no. However, students who have military deployment may seek an exemption
via the Chapel office. If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance not listed
here, that would qualify you for an exemption from the requirements of this program,
please contact the Chapel office.
Are third- and fourth-year students required to attend Chapel?
No. This is a required program for first- and second-year residential students, but
all students are encouraged and welcomed to attend. Additional spiritual life opportunities
for juniors and seniors are listed on the HUB for Spiritual Life website.
How can juniors and seniors get involved in spiritual life on campus?
Juniors and seniors are encouraged to contact the Hub for Spiritual Life to be connected with a faculty/staff spiritual mentor. Additionally, juniors and
seniors can elect to get involved in a myriad of spiritual life opportunities on campus,
including worship gatherings, student ministries, spiritual care, Bible studies, and
more. Juniors and seniors are also invited to apply for spiritual leadership opportunities
on campus, such as the Spiritual Life Advisor (SLA) program or the student ministries leadership program.
We also encourage juniors and seniors to serve as leaders in Connection Chapels and
Core Chapels. Lastly, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to serve on the Core
Chapel hospitality team as a paid team member, be featured in Core Chapel content,
and assist faculty and staff in leading their Connection Chapel groups. Any junior
or senior interested in applying to become a paid member of the hospitality team should
contact the Chapel office.
