Academic Policies and Procedures

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

1. Completion of a minimum of 122* credit hours with a minimum cumulative index of 2.0 and a minimum index of 2.0 in the major. The minimum number of credit hours, the minimum cumulative index, and the minimum major index may differ in some programs.
2. 60 of the 122 credit hours required for the bachelor’s degree must be completed in residence.
3. Fulfillment of all requirements stipulated in the major program.
4. Two credits are required in Wellness and Physical Fitness. A maximum of four credits can apply toward a degree.
5. The Further Disciplinary Study requirement is satisfied by completing a second Liberal Education course, outside the major, that is approved for one of the required learning objectives.
6. Writing Intensive Requirement: Each student must successfully complete at least one writing-intensive course designated as such by his/her major. (Prerequisite: ENG 105 Expository Writing, Oral Communication, and Research Techniques, or transferred equivalent.) This requirement must be completed at The College of Saint Rose.
7. Diversity Degree Requirement: Each student must successfully complete at least one three-credit Liberal Education, major or elective course designated to satisfy the diversity course requirement.

*The exception would be for students in dual degree programs (i.e., combined bachelor’s/master’s programs) who meet the content requirements of both degrees within their dual degree curricula.

Liberal Education Requirements

The bachelor’s degree at The College of Saint Rose builds on a balanced foundation of study in the arts and sciences that creates a context for advanced study in the major. Liberal Education courses are designed to fulfill learning outcomes.

Liberal Education Goal Statement

Education liberates the mind, freeing it from the constraints of unexamined convention and habit. Our faculty envisions a liberating education that develops students’ skills, knowledge, and perspectives in many contexts, empowering them to critically evaluate and appreciate the full range of human experience.

The program of liberal education at The College of Saint Rose is intended to achieve this goal through a broad introduction to knowledge and ways of thinking in the arts, humanities, behavioral and physical sciences and mathematics. Students work individually and collaboratively to achieve proficiency in written and oral communication, critical thinking, and information literacy in challenging courses that involve problem-based inquiry and analysis of diverse points of view. Our students learn how to be environmentally knowledgeable and socially responsible citizens who make ethical decisions based on mutual respect. Students gain a global perspective through knowledge of other cultures and engagement with the diversity in our own society, including our local urban community. We envision that this process will lead our students to integrate their learning and reflect on how their liberal education enriches their lives and enhances their role in society.

Approved by the Faculty, January 31, 2008

If an approved Liberal Education course is required in the major, that course may satisfy the corresponding Liberal Education requirement. Liberal Education courses are characterized in part by attention to such skills as writing, critical thinking and information literacy.

Liberal Education requirements may vary with the major. Students majoring in Accounting, Business Administration, Childhood Education, Special Education/Childhood Education or Communication Sciences and Disorders should consult the sections below for specific requirements in Liberal Education.

Courses which fulfill designated areas of the Liberal Education requirement are identified under the course descriptions found in that section of the catalog. They are designated L01 to L12.

Liberal Education Learning Objectives and College-wide Liberal Education Requirements (41 credits)

Communication through Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening (4):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates communication competency in writing and speaking standard English, in critical reading and listening, and in using information and research resources effectively.

All students must take ENG 105, unless they have transferred in equivalent course work. Students must receive a grade of C or better to complete this requirement. This course may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Study of Language (3):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates an understanding of language and the ability to analyze its function.

Historical Knowledge, Analysis, and Perspective (3):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates historical knowledge, the ability to analyze that knowledge, and an emerging perspective on historical, cultural, and political influences which contribute to local and global change.

Artistic Knowledge and Interpretation (7):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates knowledge of, appreciation of, and the ability to interpret, art, literature, communications, music, or drama.

Philosophical or Theological Ethical Inquiry (3):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates the ability to think critically about philosophical or religious traditions, especially their ethical dimensions.

Mathematical Reasoning and Information Technology (6):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates competency in mathematical, quantitative, and technological concepts as they apply to the processes of analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving.

Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry (4):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates effective use of scientific methodology and knowledge of the results it produces.

Behavioral and Social Sciences (6):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates knowledge of human behavior at the following levels: the individual; the groups within a society; the world’s cultures and societies as whole entities.

Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (2):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates an understanding, an appreciation and a development of the importance in spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social lifetime wellness.

The Physical Education program is directed to the twin goals of lifetime fitness and wellness through lifetime physical activity. A wide range of lifetime physical activity courses are available to enhance the wellbeing of the learner. Students can develop and implement their own personal wellness/fitness program with regard to exercise, stress management, nutrition and other wellness principles. A total of four credit hours in physical education may be applied to the total number of credit hours required for graduation.

Further Disciplinary Study (3):

The College of Saint Rose graduate demonstrates deeper knowledge and understanding in a discipline of choice outside of the major. This requirement is met by completing a second Liberal Education course in that discipline.  Students will have two Liberal Education courses in the same subject (prefix) outside the major.

Each student should understand that the responsibility for arranging an appropriate program and for meeting all degree requirements rests with the student. The academic advisement given by faculty/administrators acting as advisors and by the Director of Academic Advising is offered to assist students in meeting this responsibility.

Liberal Education Requirements for Accounting and Business Administration Majors

Business Administration majors are required to fulfill the College Liberal Education requirements, which include the following required courses:

• At least three credits of MAT 180 (College Algebra) with grade C or better: This will fulfill the College-wide Mathematics Liberal Education requirement.
• At least three credits of CSC 111 (Introduction to Computer Science): This will fulfill the College-wide Computer Science Liberal Education requirement.
• At least three credits of ECO 106 (Economics): This will fulfill the College-wide Economics, Political Science or Business Liberal Education requirement.

Liberal Education Requirements for Childhood Education and Special Education/Childhood Education (SEED) Majors

Childhood Education and SEED majors must fulfill the 41-credit Liberal Education requirement in the following manner in order to meet program requirements (10 additional credits; 51 credits total):

• Three additional credits in Mathematics: Take MAT 100 (3 credits) to fulfill the “Mathematical Reasoning” (L07) requirement, and, in addition, take MAT 105 (3 credits).
• Four additional credits in Science: Take SCI 100 (4 credits) to fulfill the “Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry” (L09) requirement, and, in addition, take SCI 200 (4 credits).
• Three additional credits in Social Studies: Take a course within “Historical Knowledge” (L03) or within one of the following disciplines in “Behavioral and Social Sciences”: Economics or Political Science (L10); Sociology (L11).
• Six credits in Foreign or American Sign Language: Take three credits to fulfill the “Study of Language” (L02) requirement, and three more credits to fulfill the “Further Disciplinary Study” requirement. The six credits must be in the same language.

Liberal Education Requirements for Communication Sciences and Disorders Majors

Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders are required to fulfill the College Liberal Education requirements PLUS the following to meet certification requirements:

• Three credits in Foreign or American Sign Language (the six credits must be in the same language; three credits may be earned through the “Study of Language,” in the College Liberal Education requirements, and the additional three credits can fulfill the “Further Study” requirement).

Substitution of Degree Requirements

Appeals for a substitution of any of the above College-wide requirements must be submitted in writing to the appropriate school dean.

Credit at Another College

A student who is matriculated at The College of Saint Rose and who wishes to take courses at another accredited college or university may do so within the limits of the College’s residency requirement; that is, 60 earned credits at Saint Rose and a maximum of 62 transfer credits.

Prior to registering for courses at another college, a student must obtain the written approval of his/her advisor and the Dean of his/her school in order to ensure that the credits earned will be applicable toward the degree at Saint Rose. Students are advised not to take course requirements for their major at another college. Once students have reached junior status, they may be discouraged from taking courses at a junior or community college. Prior approval is essential in order to assure transfer of credit. Request forms for taking courses at other colleges are available in the Student Solution Center. The College allows transfer credit for courses taken at other colleges and completed with grades of C- or above. However, quality points are not recorded for these courses and do not enter into the tabulation of the grade point average.

An exception to the above policy is made for courses taken through the College’s cross-registration agreement with other colleges and universities during the fall and/or spring semesters as part of a full-time program at Saint Rose. In this case, credit is given for grades of D or above, quality points are recorded, and the credit earned counts as part of the residence requirement at the College. Forms for cross-registration are available in the Student Solution Center. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the Registrar receives an official transcript in order to process and record the transfer of credit for courses taken at other colleges.

Classification of Students

A student will be classified as a sophomore upon the completion of 30 credit hours, junior upon the completion of 60 credit hours and senior upon the completion of 90 credit hours.

• Full-time - A student who carries 12 or more credit hours of course work in a semester.
• Part-time - A student who carries fewer than 12 credit hours of course work in a semester.

The typical course load for a full-time student is 15-16 credit hours per semester. Tuition overloads begin at 19 credit hours, and additional charges are calculated on a per-credit hour basis.

Permission to take more than 18 credit hours during a semester must be requested of the Dean of your school. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 will be discouraged from taking more than 18 credits during a semester.

• Students may take a maximum of 12 credit hours total during the entire summer. This includes credits approved to be taken at another institution.

Time on Task

Time on task is the total learning time spent by a student in a college course, including instructional time as well as time spent studying and completing course assignments (e.g., reading, research, writing, individual and group projects.) Regardless of the delivery method or the particular learning activities employed, the amount of learning time in any college course should meet the guideline of the Carnegie unit, a total of 45 hours for one semester credit.  In conventional classroom education this breaks down into 15 hours of instruction plus 30 hours of student work/study out of class per credit.

A three credit course would include 45 hours on instruction and 90 hours of outside of class assignments.

Grading System

Quality points are assigned on the following basis. Each course credit hour graded A counts as 4 quality points; A- 3.7; B+ 3.3; B 3.0; B- 2.7; C+ 2.3; C 2.0; D 1.0; F 0.0. The cumulative ratio is determined on the basis of all work taken at the College for which credit and quality points are received.

Pass/Fail Grading

Full-time students may elect to take one course each semester, including courses which fulfill Liberal Education requirements (except ENG 105), on a pass/fail basis. This may be in addition to courses in physical education, which students may wish to take on a pass/fail basis, or any course with mandatory pass/fail grading. The intention to take any course on this basis must be stated at the time of registration or by the deadline posted on the academic calendar and the course listing booklets. The decision to take a course on a pass/fail basis is final, and cannot be subsequently reversed. Quality points for passing grades are not calculated in the grade point average for pass/fail courses, but failure grades are calculated in the grade point average. Students who wish eligibility for Dean’s List should consult catalog pages regarding the possible effects of pass/fail grading on Dean’s List eligibility. In the following majors, no required course in the major or concentration may be taken for pass/fail grading, unless the course has mandatory pass/fail grading: American Studies, Art, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Communications, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, English, History, History/Political Science, Political Science, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Women’s and Gender Studies.

Additional requirements for certain areas follow:

Accounting

No course needed to satisfy core or concentration requirements, except BUS 494, may be taken for pass/fail grading. (This includes mathematics prerequisites.)

Business Administration

No course needed to satisfy core or concentration requirements, except BUS 494, may be taken for pass/fail grading. (This includes mathematics prerequisites.)

Social Work

No required course for the major with a prefix of SOC or SWK may be taken for pass/fail grading.

Independent Study

Independent study is available to matriculated students. An independent study may take the form of research, tutorials, directed readings, or special projects under the direction of full-time faculty members with whom students consult periodically during the semester. Each independent study must have a faculty advisor and requires a formal application to be on file in the Registrar’s office at the time of registration.

This option is not open when a course related to the topic is available. A student may take no more than one course designated as independent study during a semester. To qualify for graduation honors, no more than six credits may be earned through independent study.

Students who wish to pursue independent study have the responsibility to secure approvals and consent from a faculty member in the academic discipline, realizing that a faculty member may not always be able to accommodate requests.

Attendance

It is the responsibility of the professor to state clearly the attendance policy that will be in effect for the course, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of that policy.

Examinations

Semester examinations are optional in each course according to the decision of the instructor. The final week of each term may be used for examinations, seminars, conferences, discussions or other evaluative procedures.

Except for extraordinary reasons, students may not take examinations at times other than those set by their instructors. A student necessarily absent from a semester examination should arrange with the teacher concerned to take a make-up examination no later than the first month of the following term.

Change of Grade Policy

Grade changes are the sole responsibility of the instructor assigned to the course. The basis of grade changes is restricted to clerical error, computation error, academic grievance or academic dishonesty. Grade changes which fall within these policy guidelines are to be accepted as if they were the original grade. Grade changes should be completed by the end of the following semester.

Academic Standing

At the end of each academic semester, each student’s progress toward fulfilling degree requirements is reviewed and a determination on academic standing is made according to the criteria listed below.

1. A student with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is in good academic standing.
2. A student who has attempted at least 15 credit hours at The College of Saint Rose and whose cumulative GPA has remained below 2.0 for three consecutive semesters will be dismissed.
3. After attempting 15 credit hours, students are required to achieve a minimum semester GPA of 2.0. Students whose first semester GPA falls below 2.0 are placed on academic probation.
4. After attempting 30 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls between 1.5 and 1.9 are placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.5 are academically dismissed.
5. After attempting 45 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls between 1.6 and 1.99 are placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.6 are academically dismissed.
6. After attempting 60 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls between 1.7 and 1.99 are placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.7 are academically dismissed.
7. After attempting 75 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls between 1.8 and 1.99 are placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.8 are academically dismissed.
8. After attempting 90 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls between 1.9 and 1.99 are placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.9 are academically dismissed.
9. After attempting 105 credit hours, including transfer credits, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to proceed without penalty. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 are academically dismissed.

Attempted credit hours include courses in which students have received the grade of F.

Academic dismissal is binding for a period of at least one year, after which time the student may apply for resumption of study. Some evidence indicating likelihood of success must be presented. The College reserves the right not to readmit students who have been dismissed for academic reasons.

Academic Grievance Procedure

To resolve academic grievances, students should complete this procedure no later than 60 days after the first day of the next regular (Fall or Spring) semester. (A summary checklist for this procedure is available on the Registrar’s office website under “Forms”):

1. A student with a grievance must first identify the grievance and discuss the matter at issue with the faculty member who is the party to the grievance. Students who cannot locate the faculty member to discuss the grievance should meet directly with the chair of the relevant department. If a grievance arises against a department chair, then the school’s faculty will select a faculty colleague to meet with the student.
2. If no resolution of the grievance was achieved during that first step, then, second, the student must request, in writing, a meeting with the chair of the relevant department (or an appointed representative in the case of grievances against a department chair) and the faculty member who is party to the grievance (and the student, him/herself). In the written statement, the student will make clear to the department chair that there is a grievance matter, and that the issue was unresolved in a meeting with the faculty member. The meeting will be set by the department chair for within two weeks of receiving the written request. At this meeting, the grievance issue(s) must be identified. The department chair will facilitate an attempt to resolve the grievance. Students and faculty members should complete the Academic Grievance Process form (available on-line under “Forms” on the Registrar’s office website) at the end of this meeting if the student intends to pursue the grievance to the next step.
3. If no resolution of the grievance is achieved at the second step, the student may make a request for a formal hearing of the grievance by the Academic Grievance Committee. The request must be in writing and presented to the chair of the Academic Grievance Committee within the 60 day time limit noted above. A detailed and clear statement with supporting evidence of the facts must accompany the hearing request. The Academic Grievance Committee will determine if the appeal is within its purview and if the facts warrant a hearing. Four affirmative votes of the Committee members are needed to call a formal grievance hearing.

The student has the responsibility to gather the appropriate signatures on the Academic Grievance Process Form at the end of each meeting of the grievance process. Additionally, the student must provide a signed copy of this completed form to the Academic Grievance Committee should the grievance not be resolved at steps 1 and 2 of the process. The Academic Grievance Process Form is available in the Registrar’s office and on the Registrar’s office website.

The student and faculty member, and witnesses with direct knowledge of events germane to the grievance for either party, are permitted at the formal hearing of the Academic Grievance Committee. All pertinent documents and supporting written statements will be admitted into evidence at this time, and those that are determined to be relevant by the committee will be considered carefully. The chair will moderate the proceedings. The grievant may be assisted during the hearing by an advisor selected from the College community (faculty, staff or student) but that advisor will not address the committee directly. While all parties to the grievance are free to consult with and receive advice from attorneys concerning the grievance, no party shall be represented by an attorney during the hearing itself.

The Committee’s recommendations, in writing and within a reasonable time frame, typically within ten days of the formal hearing, and they will be forwarded for final deposition to the appropriate school dean (or directly to the Provost in situations where no dean is available). The school dean will notify all parties concerned, in writing, of his/her decision and the recommendations of the Committee.

The Academic Grievance Committee will be comprised of four faculty representatives elected by each of the four schools and three students selected by the Student Association (which should keep in mind the fact that a traditional, nontraditional and graduate student should be included). Two alternate students will also be selected annually by the Student Association. No person on the Academic Grievance Board shall hear his/her own complaint. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.

Policy on Plagiarism and Other Infringements of Academic Honesty

Definition:

Students at The College of Saint Rose are expected to be honest in every aspect of their academic work. All work presented as a student’s own must be the product of her or his own efforts. Plagiarism, cheating, academic misconduct, or any other submission of another’s work as one’s own is unacceptable. Students working in groups are each individually responsible for the academic integrity of the entire group project.

Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

• Purchasing, copying, down-loading, printing, or paraphrasing another’s book, article, paper, speech, exam, portfolio, creative work, argument, or any other work and presenting it as one’s own, either in whole or in part.
• Incorporating portions of another’s work without proper acknowledgement and documentation.

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to:

• Using means other than academic achievement or merit to influence one’s academic evaluation.
• Knowingly providing assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation, including papers, projects, and examinations. A student who writes a paper or does an assignment for another student is an accomplice and must be held accountable just as severely as the other. A student who knowingly permits another student to copy from her or his own paper, examinations, or project should be held as accountable as the student who submits the copied material.
• Receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation, including papers, projects, and examinations.
• Presenting as one’s own the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgement or documentation.
• Presenting the same, or substantially the same, papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the instructor(s) involved.
• Obtaining and/or reporting research data in an unethical or intentionally misleading manner.

In sum, the work of others, regardless of origin, must be properly and accurately cited in an accepted style. Students avoid plagiarism by concentrating on their own words and ideas and by fully crediting others’ work when used. Students are advised to always indicate another writer’s exact words and ideas with appropriate references. Whenever in doubt, cite the source.

Procedures

It is the responsibility of the course instructor to identify and act upon breaches of academic integrity according to her or his best judgment in conjunction with institutional guidelines.

• In cases where the instructor determines that a violation of academic integrity has been committed, she or he will attempt to inform the student and will inform the department chairperson* of the charge and the consequence. Within two weeks of notification, the student may request an opportunity to present her or his defense to the instructor.
• The course instructor will file a report in the Registrar’s office by either completing an Academic Dishonesty Report Form or by writing a letter.
• The report will be retained in a central file in the Registrar’s office.
• If the student elects to appeal the sanction by following the steps outlined in the College’s Academic Grievance procedure, the report will be kept by the Registrar in a “Pending File.”
• If the student’s appeal is successful, then the Registrar will remove the report from the files.
• If the student chooses not to appeal or if the appeal is not successful then the report will be retained in a central file in the Registrar’s office.
• The Registrar will refer repeated violations of the standards of academic integrity to the Provost.

A student who has more than one report filed in the Registrar’s Office regarding a violation of the standards of academic integrity may receive sanctions up to, and including, dismissal from the College as determined by the Provost.

*Department chairs will confer with a tenured colleague.

Confidentiality of Student Records

The College of Saint Rose wishes to encourage trust and confidence among students, faculty, staff, and administration and, in particular, to affirm the right of privacy of each member of the College community.

Only those within the College who have a legitimate educational interest may have access to student records. Persons outside the College do not have access to the records of individuals unless the student gives permission for the release of specific records or unless the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of other persons.

Such “directory information” as name, address, email address, dates of attendance, enrollment status, photographic image, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities, degrees and awards received, and the most recent educational institution attended by the student will be released by the College when such release is appropriate unless a student specifically requests that this information not be released.

In accordance with this policy, present and former students at The College of Saint Rose have access to their own records at the following locations:

• Records of academic progress – Registrar’s Office
• Health records – Health Services
• Placement records (the provisions of law protect the confidentiality of letters of recommendation filed prior to January 1, 1975, as well as letters for which students have formally waived their rights to access) – Office of Career Services
• Financial Aid information (excluding the Parent’s Confidential Statement if the parents specify that the student may not have access to the statement) – Financial Aid Office
• Records of charges and payments – Business Office
• Alumni records – Alumni Office
• Higher Education Opportunity Program testing records – HEOP Office
• College progress reports for sponsoring agencies – Office of Academic Services

The complete Notice of Student Rights with Respect to Education Records is available in the Registrar and Student Affairs offices, as well as on the College’s website.

If students wish to challenge any part of their record, they may do so informally by contacting the Vice President for Student Affairs. A formal hearing process is available as set forth in the Annual Notice to cover instances when the informal procedures are not satisfactory. The hearing will be conducted by a College official that does not have an interest in the outcome.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) generally prohibits the disclosure of information about students and the inspection of student records without their permission to do so. “Directory information,” as defined by the institution, may be disclosed as long as notification to do so has been made available to students, and students are given the opportunity to request nondisclosure.

School Deans, department chairs, and advisors often do have a “legitimate educational interest” in the examination of student records, which authorizes sharing of such information among faculty and staff when the information is reasonably necessary in order to fulfill the faculty member’s professional or assigned responsibilities.

Honors Convocation

Each spring, the College extends recognition to students who have demonstrated distinguished academic achievement. This recognition is acknowledged by a public Honors’ Convocation. The ceremony includes awards for Outstanding Seniors, Graduate Honors and other special awards which are determined by criteria set by department faculty.

Dean’s List

Full-time undergraduate students, who complete a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, and who achieve a semester average of 3.5 with no D, F or Incomplete grade, will be eligible for the Dean’s List. Notification of this achievement will be sent by the dean to each qualifying student.

Matriculated part-time students who complete a minimum of 12 graded credit hours at The College of Saint Rose and who achieve an overall cumulative average of 3.5 or better with no independent study, internships, field placements, D, F or Incomplete grades will be eligible for the Dean’s List for Continuing Higher Education. Part-time students will become eligible, once again, for the Dean’s List for Continuing Higher Education only after they complete the next 12 graded hours in subsequent semesters governed by the same academic standards (12 graded credit hours at the College with an overall cumulative average of 3.5 or better with no independent study, internship, field placements, D, F, or Incomplete grades).

Honor Societies

Delta Epsilon Sigma

Students who have completed at least five semesters of college, who have maintained a superior quality point index, who have helped to foster intellectual activities and who give promise of becoming leaders within the scope of their activities are eligible for nomination for membership in Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national scholastic honor society. Members of the Alpha Chi Chapter have the final responsibility for electing students to membership in the honor society.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Students are eligible to join the International Sociology Honor Society once they have obtained Junior class standing, have successfully completed at least four sociology courses, with a sociology course grade point average of a 3.0 or better, as well as an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. This honor society is open to students of any major who have demonstrated serious interest in sociology.

Alpha Phi Sigma

Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society for students in the criminal justice sciences. The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates as well as graduate students of criminal justice. Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of 3.2 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale, and a 3.2 GPA, on a 4.0 scale, in criminal justice courses. The student must also rank in the top 35% of his/her classes and have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminal justice curriculum. The Honor Society is open to those with a declared criminal justice major or minor.

Delta Epsilon Iota

Delta Epsilon Iota is an academic honor society with a focus on Career Services. Students are eligible to join once they have completed 30 semester hours. Undergraduate students must be enrolled fulltime and must maintain a minimum 3.5 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Delta Mu Delta

Delta Mu Delta is the Honor Society for ACBSP Accredited Business Schools. Undergraduates majoring in accounting or business administration who (1) are Juniors and have completed at least half the Saint Rose business credits required for the degree; and (2) have a cumulative grade point average of above a “B” or better; and (3) are in the top 20 percent of their class; and (4) are in good standing, are eligible to join by invitation. Induction ceremonies are usually held toward the end of Fall and Spring semesters.

Kappa Delta Pi

Students who meet eligibility requirements are invited to join this international honor society for education. The honor society is open to all students enrolled in the School of Education and Adolescence Education students.

Phi Alpha

Students must be declared Social Work majors to participate in this national honor society for social work students. In addition, students must hold sophomore standing, have completed a minimum of eight semester hours of social work coursework, and have a 3.0 or higher GPA overall with a 3.25 GPA or higher in required social work courses.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta is the national honors society for history students. The Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta at The College of Saint Rose was established in 2003 and is now one of the largest and most active honors societies on campus. Its members have achieved academic distinction by maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.1 within their history coursework and a grade point average of 3.0 overall in their Saint Rose coursework. Members actively promote the intellectual life of the campus by hosting speakers, running film series, organizing field trips to historical sites, and presenting their research at student conferences.

Phi Sigma Tau

This international honor society in Philosophy is open to all students who meet the requirements for admission, including a 3.0 GPA or higher in their Philosophy courses and an overall GOP that places them in the top 33% of his/her graduating class.

Psi Chi

Students are eligible for membership in the Saint Rose chapter of the national honor society in Psychology who (1) have completed at least 3 semesters of college, (2) have completed a minimum of 9 Psychology credits, (3) have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.6 in Psychology, and (4) have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.2 overall. Interested students should contact the Psychology department or the School of Mathematics and Sciences.

Sigma Tau Delta

Students majoring in English or English ­– Adolescence Education, who meet the academic standards set by this international honor society as well as the standards set by The College of Saint Rose English faculty, are invited to join this honor society in the spring of each year.

Sigma Xi

Students who meet eligibility requirements are invited to join this national science research honor society.

Tau Sigma

Tau Sigma is the National Honor Society for transfer students. Tau Sigma recognizes the academic achievement of students transferring to four-year institutions and encourages and promotes students’ involvement in their new college environment. To be eligible, students must earn a 3.5 GPA or higher after their first semester at Saint Rose and be enrolled full-time. Each fall semester, Tau Sigma offers $25,000 in national scholarships.

Upsilon Iota

The national honor society of the National Communication Association requires student members to be majoring in Communications or be interested in the communications field, have completed 60 semester hours including at least four communications courses, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, have a 3.2 GPA or higher in communication courses, and be in the top 35% of his/her graduating class.

Commencement Honors

To qualify for a degree with honor, a student must have completed a minimum of 36 graded (A-D) credit hours at Saint Rose. No more than six of these credits may be earned through independent study. College honors are awarded on the basis of the cumulative scholastic index as follows:

An EAP student with 30-35 formally graded (A-F) credit hours at Saint Rose qualifies for honor on the basis of the cumulative scholastic index as follows:

The cumulative index is determined on the basis of credit hours earned in residence. Honors at Commencement are based upon work completed as of the end of the semester preceding the granting of the degree. Final honors are recorded on the permanent record. This includes all work completed at the College.

Conferring of Degrees

Degrees are conferred by The College of Saint Rose at the College’s annual Commencement in May. Only those students who have completed all requirements and are registered for, and participating in, courses that will allow successful completion of requirements as certified by the Registrar’s office will be allowed to participate in the May Commencement ceremony. Students who complete requirements in the subsequent summer and fall may participate in the next May Commencement, although degrees will continue to be conferred in August and December with graduates invited to attend the May Commencement.

Undergraduate Completion Rates

The undergraduate completion rate is based on the number of entering freshmen in a given year who graduate within a six-year period. Please refer to the College’s website for specific cohort details.