Oct 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalogue 
    
2024-2025 Catalogue

Requirements for Graduation



Requirements for the baccalaureate degree are satisfied upon successful completion of all major requirements, all core requirements, and one hundred twenty-eight (128) credits.

Candidates for degrees must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher (2.40 or higher for nursing students).

Candidates for degrees must have an average of 2.00 or higher in courses required for the major field of study.

Seniors who have met all graduation requirements are eligible to participate in the commencement exercises. Students who are on track to graduate at the beginning of the Spring semester or who are within 8 credits of graduating are permitted to participate in the May commencement exercises.  Exceptions to this policy may be made by the Academic Dean and the President of the College.

Exemption from, or exception to, any requirement for a degree is valid only when approved in writing by either the Registrar or the Academic Dean.

A more detailed listing of required and recommended courses will be found under the departmental headings.

Candidates for undergraduate degrees must spend eight full semesters at Saint Anselm College, unless the time has been shortened by the granting of advanced standing to students transferring from other institutions, or by summer or winter courses taken with the approval of the Academic Dean or the Registrar. The entire senior year must be spent at Saint Anselm College.

For students who have matriculated full-time, the expectation is that requirements for the degree will be completed within eight years from the date of initial enrollment. Courses in specialized areas will not be recognized towards requirements for the degree after eight years.

No student will be recommended for graduation who has not satisfied the faculty and administration of the College as to uprightness of character and sufficient accomplishment in scholarship.

An application for degree and intent to graduate form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s office via the Workday system.

Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science

The following are required for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  • Humanities:  Conversatio I-II (HU 103 -HU 104 , 8 credits)
  • Freshman English (EN 105 , 4 credits)
  • Core Learning Outcomes*
    • Foreign modern or classical language (proficiency through Intermediate I)**
    • Philosophical reasoning (8 credits)
      • Theoretical reasoning (4 credits)
      • Ethical reasoning (4 credits)
    • Theological reasoning (8 credits)
      • Biblical literacy (4 credits)
      • Catholic theological reasoning (4 credits)
    • Quantitative reasoning (4 credits)
    • Scientific reasoning (4 credits)
    • Social scientific awareness (4 credits)
    • Historical reasoning (4 credits)
    • Aesthetic and creative engagement (4 credits)
    • Citizenship (4 credits)***
    • Global engagement (4 credits)***
  • College Writing:  three writing intensive designated courses (four credits each: at least one course must be taken by the end of the sophomore year and at least one after the sophomore year; at least two of the three required WI courses must focus on writing in the English language; students who transfer to the College after two full years of study at another institution are only required to fulfill two writing intensive courses)***
  • A major field of concentration in accordance with departmental regulations
  • A capstone experience in the major field of concentration

*In certain exceptional cases, students seeking a core course substitution due to a qualifying disability, may initiate the request for a substitution through the Disability Services Office. Requests for substitutions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Substitutions will be approved by the Director of Disability Services and the Academic Dean. 

**Not required for the B.S. in Nursing. International Students who hold an F-1 visa or whose legal domicile is not in the United States and whose first language is not English are considered to have fulfilled the aims of the language requirement. Other students for whom English is a second language, who provide documentation of formal education in the language of origin beyond the primary school level, also are considered to have fulfilled the aims of the language requirement.

In certain exceptional cases, the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literature will determine, in consultation with the Academic Dean, fulfillment of the language requirement.

***Eligible to be fulfilled in conjunction with other core courses.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

NOTE: all Nursing course credits can count as elective credits towards the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree at Saint Anselm College. This policy applies to any students that left the Nursing program after the 2015-16 academic year. .

The following are required for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

  • Humanities: Conversatio I-II (HU 103 -HU 104, 8 credits)
  • Freshman English (EN 105, 4 credits)
  • Core Learning Outcomes*
    • Philosophical reasoning (8 credits)
      • Theoretical reasoning (4 credits)
      • Ethical reasoning (4 credits)
    • Theological reasoning (8 credits)
      • Biblical literacy (4 credits)
      • Catholic theological reasoning (4 credits)
    • Quantitative reasoning (4 credits)
    • Scientific reasoning (4 credits)
    • Social scientific awareness (4 credits)
    • Historical reasoning (4 credits)
    • Aesthetic and creative engagement (4 credits)
    • Citizenship (4 credits)**
    • Global engagement (4 credits)**
  • College Writing: three writing intensive designated courses (four credits each: at least one course must be taken by the end of the sophomore year and at least one after the sophomore year; at least two of the three required WI courses must focus on writing in the English language)**
  • Biology 110,108, 209, 211
  • Psychology 101
  • Sociology 212
  • Two unrestricted electives
  • Courses in Nursing in accordance with departmental regulations.
  • A comprehensive examination.

*In certain exceptional cases, students seeking a core course substitution due to a qualifying disability, may initiate the request for a substitution through the Disability Services Office. Requests for substitutions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Substitutions will be approved by the Director of Disability Services and the Academic Dean. 

**Eligible to be fulfilled in conjunction with other core courses.

Requirements for Graduate Program Graduation

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Requirements for the 4 + 1 in Criminology and Criminal Justice Master of Arts degree are satisfied upon successful completion of forty-four (44) credits. Students who begin the program in spring of their senior year will earn 36 credits at the graduate level and returning alumni 44 graduate credits.

For students who have matriculated full-time, the expectation is that requirements for the degree will be completed within three years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Exemption from, or exception to, any requirement for a degree is valid only when approved in writing by either the Registrar or the Academic Dean.

Candidates for MA degrees must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a B- (2.67) or higher in all program courses. Failure to earn the B- or better requires a student to repeat the course.

Only those students who have met all graduation requirements are eligible to participate in the commencement activities.

Exceptions to this policy may be made by the Academic Dean and the President of the College.

A student may still be eligible to walk at graduation if they only need to repeat one course, due to not earning the B- or better. If a student fails a course, they will not be eligible to walk at graduation.

Students pursuing the thesis track, if granted an Incomplete for CJ 710 - Master’s Thesis II, will still be eligible to walk at graduation if they have maintained the cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher and will not be repeating another graduate course in which they earned below a B-.

If a student is assigned an Incomplete in any graduate course aside from CJ 710 - Master’s Thesis II, they may not participate in graduation until the course is successfully completed.

No student will be recommended for graduation who has not satisfied the faculty and administration of the College as to standards of character and sufficient accomplishment in scholarship.

An application for degree and intent to graduate form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s office via the Workday system.

Master of Education

Requirements for the Master degree in Education are satisfied upon successful competition of a minimum of 34 credits. Graduate students pursuing the degree requirements for the advanced licensure may complete 34-40 credits and those pursuing an initial licensure may complete 34-44 credits depending upon transcript review and clinical capstone experience.

For students who have matriculated full-time, the expectation is that requirements for the degree will be completed within three years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Exemption from, or exception to, any requirement for a degree is valid only when approved in writing by either the Registrar or the Academic Dean.

Candidates for degrees must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a B- (2.67) or higher in all program courses. Failure to earn the B- or better requires a student to repeat the course.

Only those students who have met all graduation requirements are eligible to participate in the commencement activities.

Exceptions to this policy may be made by the Academic Dean and the President of the College.

A student may still be eligible to walk at graduation if they only need to repeat one course, due to not earning the B- or better. If a student fails a course, they will not be eligible to walk at graduation.

If a student is assigned an Incomplete in any graduate course may not participate in graduation until the course is successfully completed.

No student will be recommended for graduation who has not satisfied the faculty and administration of the College as to standards of character and sufficient accomplishment in scholarship.

An application for degree and intent to graduate form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s office via the Workday system.

Undergraduate Graduation Honors

According to the degree of academic excellence, graduates may be awarded the distinctions of cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. For the class of 2021, and all subsequent classes, candidates for the distinction cum laude must have a grade-point average of 3.4; for the distinction magna cum laude, a grade-point average of 3.6; and for the distinction summa cum laude, a grade-point average of 3.85. In order to qualify for the Chancellor’s medal (awarded to the student who has earned the highest cumulative average in the graduating class) and the President’s award (awarded to students graduating with the distinction of summa cum laude), students must have completed a minimum of sixty-four credits at the College.

Undergraduate Honor Societies

Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society that recognizes academic excellence during a student’s first year in college. Its purpose is to promote academic achievement, leadership and service early in the students’ collegiate experience, as well as to encourage intelligent living, a continued high standard of learning, and a vision for meaningful societal roles and contributions throughout the student’s career. The chapter was established at Saint Anselm College the spring semester of 2015. Membership is by invitation.

Beta Beta Beta, the national honor society for students majoring in the biological sciences, was founded in 1922. The society is dedicated to recognizing excellence in academic achievement, improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and promoting the active involvement of students in scientific research. The Saint Anselm College Chi Zeta Chapter was established during the Spring semester of 1996. Membership is by invitation.

Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, established in 1996, recognizes college students who receive a varsity letter in their sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and/or senior years.   Saint Anselm College has been a member of Chi Alpha Sigma since 2001. Membership is by invitation.

Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national Catholic scholastic honor society, was founded in 1939 to recognize academic excellence, to foster scholarly activities, and to encourage a sense of intellectual community among its members. The Saint Anselm College Tau Chapter was established in 1940. Membership is by election.

Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education was founded in 1911 in hopes of fostering excellence in education and promoting fellowship among those dedicated to teaching.  A chapter at Saint Anselm College, Alpha Eta Mu was established in 2016. Membership is by invitation.

Omicron Delta Epsilon was founded in 1963 to recognize scholastic attainment and outstanding achievement in the field of economics. The Saint Anselm College Gamma Chapter was founded in 1974. Membership is by invitation.

Phi Alpha Theta was founded in 1921 to recognize and encourage excellence in the study of history. The Saint Anselm College Sigma Omega Chapter, the first in the State of New Hampshire, was founded in 1972. Membership is by invitation.

Pi Delta Phi was founded in 1906 to honor those who seek and attain excellence in the study of the French language and of the literature and culture of French-speaking people. The Saint Anselm College Kappa Epsilon Chapter was founded in 1989. Membership is by invitation.

Pi Gamma Mu was founded in 1924 to recognize scholarship in the social sciences. The Saint Anselm College Chapter was founded in 1968. Membership is by invitation.

Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society in political science, was founded in 1920. It honors those who seek and attain excellence in the study of politics and government. The Saint Anselm College Upsilon Lambda Chapter was founded in 1995. Membership is by invitation.

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. Its purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of its members in all fields, particularly in psychology. Saint Anselm College was granted Chapter membership in 1990. Membership is by invitation.

Sigma Delta Pi was founded in 1919 to honor those who seek and attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and the literature and culture of Spanish-speaking people. The Saint Anselm College Omicron Rho chapter was founded in 1984. Membership is by invitation.

Sigma Pi Sigma is an honors society that recognizes outstanding student achievement in physics. Founded in 1921, it aims to promote scholarship, interest, fellowship, and a spirit of service among its members. A chapter at Saint Anselm College was established in 2018. Membership is by invitation.

Sigma Theta Tau was founded in 1922 to recognize superior achievement, to develop leadership qualities, and to foster high professional standards in nursing. The Saint Anselm College Epsilon Tau Chapter was founded in 1982. Membership is by invitation.

Theta Alpha Kappa, the National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology, was founded in 1976 for the purpose of recognizing the academic achievements of religion and theology students. It is the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students and in scholars in the fields of Religious Studies and Theology.  A chapter at Saint Anselm College, Alpha Lambda Psi, was established in 2014. Membership is by invitation.