Academic Policies

Academic Integrity
Grading
Pass/Fail, Audits, Withdrawals, Probation
Transcripts/Grade Reports
Honors and Awards

Academic Integrity

Students, in their attitudes and activities, are expected to exhibit due respect for matters of faith and morals, for civil and church authority, and for the rights and dignity of others. A student’s life must manifest personal integrity and discipline. The seminary reserves the right to take appropriate action regarding students whose conduct is not in accord with expected levels of integrity or is detrimental to the students’ or the seminary’s best interest. Students are expected to work under an honor system in taking examinations and in preparing papers, reports or other class assignments. Violation of this honor system is considered a serious offense. Source materials and citations used in the preparation of papers are to be clearly indicated by proper notations and credits. Plagiarism is a serious offense that may result in loss of academic credit and dismissal. Additional details of this policy as well as other academic norms are published in the Seminary Student Handbook.

back to top

Grading

The grade point average (GPA) for each semester is obtained by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of semester credit hours attempted.

• Scholastic work at the seminary is graded (points per credit hour) as follows:
     Grade   Q.Pts     Range      Description
       A          4.00     100-96      Exceptional performance
       A-         3.67       95-93      Excellent work
       B+        3.33       92-89      Very good work
       B          3.00       88-83      Good work
       B-         2.67       82-80      Acceptable work
       C+        2.33       79-77      Below average     
       C          2.00       76-74      Poor for graduate work
       C-         1.67       73-70      Deficient work
       F          0.00        69-0       Failure
  

• Other grade classifications:
       P/F    Pass/Fail
       W      Withdraw
       WF    Withdraw Failing
       I        Incomplete
       AU     Audit
       WIP   Work In Progress
  

• Pre-theology courses taken in the undergraduate division use the following scale:  A (4.00), A- (3.66 pts), B+ (3.33), B (3.00), B- (2.66), C+ (2.33), C (2.00), C- (1.66), D (1.00), F (0.00)
  

• Prior to fall of 2006, the seminary grade scale was as follows: A Superior (4.0 pts), B+ Very Good (3.5), B Good (3.0), C+ More than Adequate (2.5), C Adequate (2.0), D Inadequate (1.0), F Failure (0.0)

back to top

Pass/Fail, Audits, Withdrawals, Probation

• Pastoral Field Education (PFED), the Holy Eucharist practicum, and the Penance and Anointing practicum are graded Pass/Fail. All other courses taken for credit are awarded a letter grade.

• No course may be taken for “audit” (AU) without the approval of the seminary academic dean.

• Details regarding withdrawals, incompletes, failures and probation are all given in the Seminary Student Handbook.

back to top

Transcripts/Grade Reports

Upon the written request of the student, official transcripts are sent to a designated school, institution or agency. The fee for this service is $5 per official copy; unofficial copies are provided without charge. No transcripts will be issued to students with outstanding accounts. At the end of each semester, grade reports or unofficial transcripts are issued to the student, the formation advisor and (in the case of seminarians) the sponsoring diocese or religious community.

back to top

Honors and Awards
A notation is made on the transcripts of the recipients of any of the honors, awards or prizes listed below.

• Academic Honors for attaining an above-average cumulative grade point average:
        Summa cum laude         (3.85 or above) 
        Magna cum laude           (3.65 – 3.84)   
        Cum laude                     (3.50 – 3.64)
  

• The Mary Katharine Beers Memorial Award given by Father John Michael Beers to honor a fourth year seminary student who excels in the study and use of patristic and liturgical Latin.
  

• The Reverend Elwood Sylvester Berry Memorial Prize for the student of the Theology Course who has maintained the highest scholastic average and has earned the certification of the seminary faculty. Founded by the Right Rev. Louis J. Mendelis, S.T.D., LL.D., class of 1924, in memory of the late Rev. E. S. Berry, S.T.D., class of 1903, Professor of Theology (1923-54).
  

• The Reverend John F. Cogan Memorial Prize for the seminarian with the highest scholastic average throughout the Philosophy Course. Founded by the Rev. Monsignor Louis J. Mendelis, S.T.D., LL.D., class of 1924, in memory of the late Rev. John F. Cogan, Ph.D., class of 1914, professor of philosophy in the college (1918-55).
  

• The Reverend Harry J. Flynn Memorial Award for the highest scholastic average maintained throughout the course in Moral Theology, as certified by the seminary faculty. Founded by Mrs. Felicia Mendelis Plusik.
  

• The Reverend Harry J. Flynn Memorial Award for the highest scholastic average maintained throughout the course in Systematic Theology, as certified by the seminary faculty. Founded by Mrs. Felicia Mendelis Plusik.
  

• The Belle Holtz Memorial Award for the highest scholastic average maintained throughout the course in Church History, as certified by the seminary faculty. Founded by Anna Margaret (Belle) Holtz, late of Emmitsburg and Thurmont, Maryland.
  

• The Martin and Margaret Frank Holtz Family Memorial Award for the highest average maintained throughout the course in Sacred Scripture, as certified by the seminary faculty. Founded by Anna Margaret (Belle) Holtz, late of Emmitsburg and Thurmont, Maryland.

back to top