|
Academic Policies
Academic
Year
The academic year is
divided into two semesters. The 15 week fall semester usually begins
the last week of August, lasting to mid-December. Also 15 weeks, the
spring semester begins mid-January, lasting to mid-May.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Unit of
Credit
The unit of credit is
based on the number of 50-minute class periods or equivalent devoted to
a particular subject. One credit is granted for approximately 15 class
periods. The number of hours of credit for each course is given with
the course description..
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Class
Attendance
Class
attendance is expected in every course in which students are registered
unless they enjoy the privilege of optional class attendance. Normally,
illness or other sufficiently serious circumstances are the only
legitimate reasons for missing class.
In case of absence, the student is responsible for class
work, assignments, and/or examinations and must, with personal
initiative, ascertain what is expected from the professor.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Withdrawal and Credit/Audit Change
To withdraw from a course or to change registration from
credit to audit or the reverse without penalty, a student must obtain
from the Academic Dean the official form for this purpose for
presentation to the Registrar. Failure to attend class or merely giving
notice to the instructor will not be regarded as official notice of
withdrawal.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Examinations
Students
usually undergo examinations in all subjects at the end of each term.
While such examinations might be oral, written examinations last a
maximum of two hours for each subject. Tests might also be given at
mid-term and from time to time during the term at the discretion of the
professor although no specific days are set aside for such examinations.
One week each semester is designated as Master of Arts
Symposia week. Students seeking the M.A. degree schedule their final
seminar during the week.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Grading
System
Grade reports are given to
the students at the end of each term. Term grades are based on oral and
written class work and examinations. The grade received is an
evaluation of actual performance and the degree of mastery, which the
student has manifested to the instructor.
The following grading system is employed:
|
Grade |
Quality Points |
|
A |
4.00 |
|
A- |
3.667 |
|
B+ |
3.333 |
|
B |
3.00 |
|
B- |
2.667 |
|
C+ |
2.333 |
|
C |
2.00 |
|
C- |
1.667 |
|
D |
1.00 |
|
E |
Conditional |
|
F |
Failure |
|
I |
Incomplete |
|
NR |
Grade not reported |
|
P |
Pass |
|
L |
Auditor |
|
W |
Withdrew with permission |
If a
professor judges that a student’s work was passing except for an
examination or a major assignment, a Conditional (E) may be given and
the opportunity of making up the matter within the time designated in
the calendar is offered. Upon successful completion, the student may
receive a grade no higher than “D.”
An incomplete (I) given for serious reasons, such as absence
from a final examination because of illness, must also be made up within
the time designated in the calendar but without restriction on the type
of grade to be given.
An Incomplete (I) or Conditional (E) not fulfilled within
the designated time becomes an “F.”
When students fail a required course, they must repeat the
subject. Any failing grade is computed in the cumulative grade average
after a successful repetition of the course.
The following descriptions serve as an evaluative measure of
the professor’s assessment of student work. The use of pluses and
minuses in the grading scale allows for an accurate evaluation of the
student’s performance within the range of each letter grade.
[A,
A-] Degrees of Outstanding achievement: exceptional aptitude,
interest and performance. The student has demonstrated a number of the
following characteristics: an exceptionally good grasp of the course
material, evidence of self-initiated reading; cooperation in course
activities; manifestation of exceptional capability and originality; a
command of appropriate vocabulary and superior ability to integrate and
make associations with other material studied.
[B+,
B, B-] Good achievement: a significantly higher grasp of the
course material, which goes beyond the required basic elements. The
student has demonstrated a number of the following characteristics: a
significantly more effective command of the material than is generally
required; a demonstrated ability to perceive applications of principles
and relate them to other material; work distinctly above the average;
investment in extra-curricular work on his own on course material; a
personal grasp of principles so they can be discussed with ease.
[C+,
C, C-] Satisfactory achievement: a grasp of the basic content,
which enables the instructor to certify the required mastery of the
material of the course. The following characteristics are usually
present: A command of the basic course content and demonstrated ability
to make generally correct applications of principles; demonstrated
ability to express knowledge intelligibly; the standard performance
expected.
[D]
Poor achievement: a minimal grasp of course content and limited
ability to apply principles learned. The following may further
characterize this level: sub-standard achievement as related to
graduation; the instructor believes the student would not profit
materially by repeating the course; the student may advance to course or
courses to which the given course is a prerequisite but with dubious
prospects of success.
[F]
Failure: inability to meet minimal requirements as specified by
the instructor. The student will need to repeat the course if he/she is
within a degree program.
Back
to the menu for Academic Policies
Honor
Students
Students
in the second, third, fourth, and fifth year of theology whose
cumulative point averages are 3.5 or above are classified as “honor
students.”
They may be granted, at the discretion of an individual
professor, the privilege of optional class attendance so they may
acquire a more thorough knowledge of a subject through independent study
under scholarly direction.
When professors judge that an honor student would gain more
by class attendance, they may require attendance for a particular
lecture or exercise or the entire course. The student must be present
for all announced tests and is held responsible for all class materials
and major assignments.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Independent Study
Full-time degree-seeking students may participate in an
independent study under the supervision of faculty members with the
approval of the Academic Dean.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Inclusive Language
Gospel values and contemporary social consciousness urge
us to recognize and change those attitudes and practices, which are
unjust. Christian tradition holds that all people are created in the
image of God and that attitudes against anyone because of sex, age,
race, or handicap diminish us all. Therefore, it is the policy of Saint
Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology to foster the use of
inclusive language in academic endeavors and to work to eliminate
attitudes and customs that stereotype and separate persons one from
another.
Back to the
menu for Academic Policies
Academic Probation
Master of Divinity Degree
At the close of each term, a student is placed on academic
probation when the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00.
The student is removed from probation that term in which the grade
average rises to or about the stated value. Placement on, retention on,
or removal from probation is noted on the semester grade report and the
permanent record.
The following rules govern a student on academic probation:
A student who remains on probation for three consecutive
semesters will be required to withdraw for insufficient academic
ability.
A
student who remains on probation for two consecutive semesters may
choose:
-
to continue the regular class
hour load and attempt to remove the probation the third semester, or
-
to reduce the class hour load
and lengthen the time of the course of studies.
A
student on probation:
·
may be required to submit a
progress report to the Academic Dean
·
may have extra-curricular
activities curtailed in the case of candidates for the priesthood
·
may not be admitted to candidacy or
receive ministries/orders during that semester in which he is on
probation
·
may be asked to postpone the
internship year to enroll in another semester of coursework to remove
the probation
·
will not be permitted to hold time
consuming school offices
·
may be required to lengthen the
time of course studies.
Doctor of Ministry or
Master of Arts Degree
At the close of each semester, a student is placed on
academic probation when the cumulative grade point average is less than
3.00. The student is removed from probation that semester in which the
grade average rises to or above the stated value. Placement on,
retention on, or removal from probation is noted on the term grade
report and the permanent record.
The following rules govern a student on academic probation:
A student who remains on probation for three consecutive
semesters or upon accumulation of 18 semester hours will be required to
withdraw for insufficient academic ability.
A
student who remains on probation for two consecutive semesters may
choose:
a.
to continue the regular class hour
load and attempt to remove the probation the third semester, or
b.
reduce the class
hour load and lengthen the time of the course of studies.
Back to the menu for
Academic Policies |
