Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students who receive financial assistance at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the achievement of their degree. While certain scholarships and grant programs have more stringent requirements, this policy sets the minimum standards for evaluating satisfactory academic progress per federal regulations. All student’s grades, cumulative GPA and rate of completion will be reviewed for each academic term, module or semester to insure students are maintaining SAP. Students using financial aid for summer classes will have their SAP reviewed after the summer semester has ended.
SMWC will measure both quantitative (time-based) and qualitative (grade-based) standards when monitoring SAP. For the complete policy and rules, please refer to the Financial Aid section in this catalog.
Readmission
Requirements
A campus student who does not enroll for two consecutive semesters must reapply before enrolling in courses. A student who is away for an extended period may be required to fulfill different course requirements or to retake successfully completed courses in which material covered previously is deemed to be outdated. Former Woods Online students who wish to be readmitted must submit a new application and personal essay, as well as official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since the last date of withdrawal from the College.
Graduates who have earned an associate degree or bachelor’s degree from SMWC and subsequently return to complete another undergraduate degree program may not earn a second degree of the same type (e.g., Bachelor of Arts). If the student completes all requirements of the new major, the completion of that program will be notated on the student’s transcript, but they will not earn another degree or receive another diploma.
Academic Forgiveness
Students who reapply to SMWC at least five years after their last enrollment may request that the calculation of the cumulative GPA and hours earned be adjusted to reflect only those courses for which they earned a grade of “C” or better. The student must demonstrate a new maturity, such as the successful completion of courses at another institution, employment history or family responsibilities. Although the cumulative GPA and hours earned may be adjusted, the forgiven courses and grades will still remain on the student’s transcript.
Academic Awards
Dean’s List
All undergraduate students who achieve a minimum 3.50 grade point average and higher while earning 6 or more Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College semester credit hours with no grade of F, W, or I, will be recognized as having earned Dean’s List honors. Honors will be recognized by the following increments upon completion of the fall, spring, and summer terms:
Dean's List Honors: 3.50-3.749
Dean's List High Honors: 3.75- 3.899
Dean's List Highest Honors: 3.90-4.00
The honors will be listed by term on the student’s academic transcript as well as published by the College upon completion of grade processing at the end of the semester.
Senior Awards
Two Maud Helm Rockwell Medals for superior scholarship are awarded each year (at the May commencement ceremony), one in the campus program and one in Woods Online. The recipients are graduating seniors who have achieved the highest honors in their respective programs.
Seniors who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above after seven semesters (or the equivalent in Woods Online), and who have demonstrated leadership qualities through volunteer and extra-curricular activities, may be nominated for membership in Kappa Gamma Pi, the national Catholic women’s honor society. Two Kappa Gamma Pi St. Catherine medals are awarded each year at the May commencement ceremony, to two graduating students (one in the campus program and one in Woods Online) who represent the high ideals of a Catholic college education.
Alumni Leadership and Service Medals are awarded each year by the SMWC Alumni Association to two graduating students, one from the undergraduate programs and one from the graduate programs. Each student is selected on the basis of outstanding leadership and service.
Graduation with Honors
Bachelor’s degrees are conferred with honors upon students who attain academic distinction. To be eligible for Latin honors at graduation, a baccalaureate student must earn at least 30 credit hours of graded coursework at SMWC. Only graded qualified coursework that is earned at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will be used in determining graduation honors. Students with a cumulative GPA between 3.50 and 3.749 merit graduation cum laude. Students with a cumulative GPA between 3.75 and 3.899 merit graduation magna cum laude. And, students with a cumulative GPA of 3.90 and above merit graduation summa cum laude.
Associate degrees are conferred with honors upon students who earn a minimum of 18 credit hours of graded coursework at SMWC. Only graded qualified coursework that is earned at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will be used in determining graduation honors. The calculation of eligibility for recognition is based upon the completion of all work required for the degree. Students with a calculated GPA of 3.50 or above merit graduation with honors.
Majors may also have academic honor societies, academic achievement awards, and leadership recognitions that are presented by the department.