Emmanuel College is an educational community committed to academic integrity, ethics and trust. All members of this community share in the responsibility for building and sustaining a culture of high academic standards.
View the full language of the Emmanuel College Academic Integrity Policy.
At the conclusion of each semester, a student will receive an assigned academic standing. Students must meet specific semester grade point average (GPA) requirements to be considered in good academic standing. Students who do not meet the criteria for good academic standing will be placed on probation. Students on academic probation will be required to complete an Academic Recovery Plan. Students on academic probation who earn below the good standing criteria may be at risk of academic suspension or dismissal. To graduate from Emmanuel College, students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as well as a major GPA of 2.0.
Academic standing definitions and information are detailed below.
Good Academic Standing
Student has met the minimum GPA requirement to be considered in good academic standing and eligible to participate in all activities on campus. A semester GPA of 1.8 or above for new freshmen or transfer students (with less than 24 transfer credits into Emmanuel) in their first semester is required to be in good academic standing. Students in their second semester and beyond must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing.
Academic Warning
New freshmen and transfer students (with less than 24 transfer credits) who earn a first semester GPA between 1.8 and 1.99 are considered in good academic standing for purposes of eligibility to enroll in 20 credits in a semester, participation in the Student Government Association, elected position in student activities, and NCAA sports, but will be flagged with an academic warning for outreach for students to voluntarily engage in academic support services on campus. Students who fall into this category will be contacted by the Registrar.
Academic Probation
A student is placed on academic probation for the next subsequent semester enrolled at Emmanuel if their semester GPA is below the criteria for good academic standing. New freshmen and transfer students (with less than 24 transfer credits) in their first semester will be placed on academic probation if their semester GPA is below 1.8. Students in their second semester and beyond will be placed on academic probation with a semester GPA under 2.0. Academic probationary status cannot be appealed.
Students on academic probation will be required to complete an Academic Recovery Plan. Details available on the Emmanuel College website. During the probationary semester, the student must not enroll in more than 16 credits. As students typically register for the upcoming semester prior to academic standing review, any student placed on probation who is registered for 20 credits in the upcoming semester should consult with their academic advisor regarding which course to drop to ensure that the student is enrolled in no more than 16 credits by the end of the Add period for the upcoming semester. If by the end of the Add period a student on probation is still registered for 20 credits, they will be contacted by the Registrar and will be automatically dropped from one course.
In addition, the student may not participate in an intercollegiate sports program, hold an elected position in the Student Government Association or be involved in a leadership position in Student Activities. The student may be placed in a course to support academic success.
A student on academic probation may not receive any grades of INC. A grade submitted of INC by a faculty will be requested to resubmit a letter grade. Students on probation due to a(n) INC grade(s) who after receiving a final letter grade(s) for the courses in which the INC were awarded and have an adjusted term GPA of 2.0 or above, will have the probationary status removed from their academic history. A student’s probationary status for a particular semester does not change when a credit deficiency removal has been processed affecting the original term GPA. See the Credit Deficiency Removal/Course Repeat policy for more information. A student may not have a final letter grade changed to an INC grade after a final letter grade has been submitted.
Academic Suspension
A student who earns two consecutive semester grade point averages below the criteria for good academic standing will be placed on academic suspension. The student must take a break from Emmanuel for one academic (fall or spring) semester. The student may petition to return to Emmanuel upon successful completion of four (4) approved courses off-campus at another regionally accredited college or university and demonstrate ability of completing college level work with grades of “C” or better at the off-campus institution. The student should work with their advisor and the Registrar in determining the best courses to take off campus to progress with their degree at Emmanuel upon return. It is advised that students complete two courses in a summer term and two courses in either a fall or spring term based on term of suspension. The student should complete a Study Off Campus Form and submit to the Office of the Registrar for review and approval of transfer courses prior to registration off-campus. Students suspended at the end of the spring semester may not complete all four courses in summer sessions and return the following fall semester.
Once a student has returned to Emmanuel after an academic suspension, the student will be on permanent probation and must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 through graduation or risk academic dismissal.
Petition for Reinstatement and Permanent Probation
Students who have been academically suspended after two consecutive semesters of term GPAs below the good standing threshold may petition for a reinstatement at least one full academic (fall or spring) semester after the suspension. Suspended students should complete the following process to petition for reinstatement:
Students approved to return will be notified in writing and the Associate Dean of Student Learning and Success will work with the student to raft a schedule for the approved return semester.
Once a suspended student has re-enrolled at Emmanuel, they will be on permanent probation, required to follow the policy for all students on probation, and must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher for every subsequent semester enrolled at Emmanuel, otherwise the student risks permanent academic dismissal from the College.
Academic Dismissal
Students on permanent probation who have received a semester GPA under 2.0 after reinstatement will be academically dismissed permanently from Emmanuel College without appeal and are not eligible to enroll in courses or a degree program at Emmanuel in the future.
Financial Aid Implications: For information regarding the academic requirements to receive federal, state and Emmanuel-funded financial aid, please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy within the Finances and Financial Aid section Finances and Financial Aid .
The Academic Review Board reviews petitions for exceptions to academic policies and monitors satisfactory academic progress of students toward degree completion. Petitions are available in the Office of Academic Affairs.
Students wishing to change a course must secure the necessary forms and/or contact the Office of the Registrar in writing from their Emmanuel College email address. Undeclared students must seek written advisor approval to make any changes to their schedule after the online registration period. This must be done prior to the end of the add/drop period. Students may not enter a class after the add period, which ends after the first week of classes during the fall and spring semesters. The drop period extends to the second Thursday of classes after the semester starts. Matriculated students who are not registered for any courses by the last day to add for the semester, will be administratively withdrawn and will need to contact the Office of the Registrar and their advisor about any future enrollments.
Due to the accelerated nature of summer sessions, registration adds after the start date of the term are typically not permitted. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for add/drop deadlines. The drop period extends to the end of the second week of classes. Changes in courses are processed without charge during the first week.
Please note: Arts and Sciences Summer Session courses and Graduate and Professional Programs (GPP) follow a separate course withdrawal and refund policy. Please see specific dates under the GPP section of the website.
With the approval of the instructor, students may designate a course as an audit by completing an Audit Course Form by the eleventh week of the semester. See Academic Calendar for details. Audited courses are recorded on the transcript with an AU notation. Neither a grade nor credit is given. The total course load taken for credit and audit in a semester cannot exceed the equivalent of five full courses. Audited courses are included in full-time tuition for students registered for 12-20 credits during the fall and spring semesters, inclusive of the audited course. Individual courses that are audited during the summer will be subject to tuition charges. Non-matriculating students will be responsible for the tuition charges associated with auditing a course.
Class attendance is critical to a student’s mastery of knowledge and skills that are taught in a specific course. Emmanuel College has established an attendance policy to support student achievement in the classroom and to emphasize the correlation between attendance and academic success. Attending class is the responsibility of the student and the College expects students to attend class regularly. Course syllabi will state clearly the relationship between class participation and the course grade. Non-attendance or non-participation in online courses does not constitute an official drop or withdrawal from a course. Students will remain enrolled in a course(s) unless a request for a drop or withdrawal has been made to the Office of the Registrar in writing. Students should see the academic calendar for drop/withdrawal deadlines.
Emmanuel College encourages students to visit classes with the instructor's permission. Registration is not necessary. Tuition is not charged and no official records are kept.
In the event that a class meeting must be canceled, staff in the Registrar's Office will post an official class cancellation notice.
Class standing is determined by the number of courses completed by the beginning of the first semester of the academic year. For sophomore standing: 32 credits; for junior standing: 64 credits; for senior standing: 96 credits; and for graduation: 128 credits.
Students should declare a major by March 1 of their sophomore year. Departmental faculty advisors are assigned in the sophomore year. Major change forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or here Major/Minor Declaration Form.
Emmanuel and four of its neighboring colleges- Massachusetts College of Art and Design, MCPHS University, Simmons University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology-comprise the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, a collaboration that benefits students by offer in cross registration to second-semester freshmen or above at no additional cost when within the 12-20 credits for full time load/tuition during the fall and spring semesters. During summer sessions, students who enroll via the cross-registration process will pay Emmanuel tuition. Mass Art does not participate in summer cross-registration and any courses completed at Mass Art over the summer shoudl follow the Study Off Campus and transfer credit process and policies.
Students may take up to two courses each semester at a COF institution. Courses completed via the cross-registration process are considered in-residence and the COF course grade is posted on the Emmanuel transcript and calculated into the Emmanuel GPA.
In addition, students benefit from common social events and access to the academic resources and services of all five institutions. Emmanuel students enjoy all the advantages of a small college environment while having access to resources equal to those of a major university. Students can begin cross-registering in their second semester at Emmanuel.
The COF minor in Africana Studies is a collaborative program between Emmanuel College and Simmons University. Students shoudl see their academic advisor for minor course requirements.
The following outlines the course numbering system for undergraduate courses:
1000-1999: Course numbers 1000 through 1999 are defined as introductory, elementary, and general requirement courses appropriate for first-year students and others with no special background. These courses ordinarily would have few or no prerequisites.
2000-2999: Course numbers 2000 through 2999 are defined as lower-level undergraduate courses, ideal for second- and third-year students. These courses build on materials from 1000-level courses and may carry prerequisites.
3000-3999: Course numbers 3000 through 3999 are defined as upper-level undergraduate courses, courses for majors and courses that may require significant prerequisites.
4000-4999: Course numbers 4000 through 4999 are defined as advanced upper-level undergraduate courses, including senior seminars/capstone courses, advanced directed study courses and so on.
Students are allowed to declare up to three academic programs (major and minors)-with no more than two majors-and use courses to satisfy the requirements in all programs. Students may pursue two majors within an academic department; however, they may not choose two concentrations within an academic department. While course overlaps are permiited between majors, major capstone requirements cannot overlap to fulfill capstones for two majors. Students must complete two distinct capstone requirements-one for each major. An internship that serves as a capstone for one major, cannot count for a capstone for another major. Internship courses may be used to satisfy the internship requirement for more than one major if the internship is appropriate for the second major and with written approval by both department chairs, unless internships are the capstone experience. Majors constitute a minimum of 40 credits within the department, and while course requirement overlaps may be permitted, each major must have a minimum of 40 credits (typically 10 courses) that are distinctive to the major department.
After the add/drop period and with approval of the student’s academic advisor, a student may withdraw from a course with a grade of W by completing the Course Withdrawal Form, also available in the Office of the Registrar. Fall and spring semester withdrawal deadlines occur in the eleventh week of the semester. Summer session withdrawal dates will be the Monday of the fourth week of the session. The dates for final withdrawal from courses can be viewed on the Academic Calendar. W grades are non-punitive and do not factor into the term or cumulative grade point average. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from a course; a student must contact the Office of the Registrar to officially withdraw. All requests for registration changes, including course withdrawals, must be in writing. Phone requests will not be accepted.
To withdraw from a course, students must contact the Office of the Registrar by completing the 7 Week Course Registration and Withdrawal Form or emailing regmail@emmanuel.edu. When communicating by e-mail, students must request confirmation from the Office of the Registrar. Students who do not officially withdraw will be responsible for the cost of the course. Students should reference the drop/withdrawal dates and refund policy for the 7 week courses on the GPP section of the website.
One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester hour of credit. For accelerated courses, 15-20 hours of out-of-class student work each week. At least an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
Courses may be repeated to replace an F (0.0), to meet college requirements or to improve a student's grade point average. The student must repeat the same course. Another course in the same department may be substituted only with the approval of the student's academic advisor and the chairperson of the department. Credit will be awarded only for one of the two courses and the higher of the two grades will be calculated in the grade point average. The original grade remains on the transcript. Should the original grade have resulted in the student being placed on academic probation, the new grade will not affect that status. The Student Information System will automatically perform a Credit Deficiency Removal for course repeats for which the same course was repeated and the original attempt earned credit. Students seeking to improve their GPA due to an F grade or for a course substitute should submit the Credit Deficiency Removal Form to complete this process. It is the student's responsibility to submit a completed Credit Deficiency Removal Form to complete the process.
A degree application must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar via EC Online Services by September 15 for December completion and by February 15 for May completion. Failure to complete a degree application will delay a student’s ability to graduate. Participation in the May Commencement Ceremony will be allowed upon successful completion of all academic requirements and financial obligations. For more information regarding commencement degree requirements and the process to apply for graduation view the Commencement tab.
Emmanuel College confers degrees two times per year. The first conferral is on the date of the May commencement ceremony. The second conferral is December 31st. Students who do not complete all degree requirements by the spring semester grades due date will be considered December graduates. Written verification of degree completion is available upon request from the Office of the Registrar. The degree, including any major and minor declared at the time of conferral will be the student’s official academic program for that degree level.
Once a student’s degree is conferred, the student’s record for that academic program and level has permanently closed and changes will not be made to the record after the conferral date. Students will be asked to verify their degree and program in writing prior to the degree conferral. Any additional coursework completed after the degree conferral will not impact the credentials nor final cumulative GPA at the time of the conferral. Failure to notify the Office of the Registrar about any undeclared programs for which a student may have earned prior to conferral, will result in the academic programs declared at that time being the final academic record for that program for the student. Additional majors or minors will not be added to the student record retroactively.
Students may earn two majors, but only one degree. Undergraduate students declared with two majors that are housed within different baccalaureate degrees (such as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) will be provided the option to choose the degree with which to graduate. Students must make this determination prior to the degree conferral. Students in this situation who do not confirm their preferred degree to be listed as their final academic record will graduate with the declared degree on file and the degree posted will not be adjusted at a later date.
The final official transcript includes the student’s posted degree and conferral date, major and any minors, language certificates, any honors awarded including Latin Honors, Honors Program, Distinction in the Field, and any Education certifications. The diploma lists the students name, degree, and any applicable Latin Honors for undergraduate students.
Students may elect to have a double major by fulfilling all of the requirements for a major in two different disciplines. Students who successfully complete two majors only earn one degree. Students who earn a double major here each major is from a different degree program (such as one major within a B.A. and one majors with a B.S.) will be able to choose the degree they graduate with and is on all final official graduation documents. Once the degree has been conferred, students may not change their degree designation. Double majors must complete distinct separate capstone courses to earn the double major. Each major must have a minimum of 40 credits (typically 10 courses) that are distinctive to the major department.
The Emmanuel College email account is the official communication method for all matriculated students, faculty, and staff. Once a student has been registered for their first semester courses, the College will only send emails to and respond to emails from the student’s official Emmanuel College email address.
Each year, students must update or confirm their emergency contact information with the College via EC Online Services in the event of an emergency. Commuter students who reside in local address that is separate from their permanent address must confirm or update that local address with the College each year. Failure to confirm or update emergency contact or local address information may potentially impact systems access.
Student performance is evaluated at regular intervals throughout the semester. In particular, mid-semester grades are required for all students. A final examination or an equivalent form of evaluation is required in each course and must be stipulated in the course syllabus. Examinations for mid-semester and official final semester grades are evaluated and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the faculty of record assigned to the course. Final examinations must be administered on the officially designated days on the academic calendar. A student who has more than two final exams scheduled on the same day may reschedule the middle exam. The student must arrange for the change with the faculty member no later than the last day to withdraw from classes.
Full-time undergraduate students normally carry a course load of between 12 and 20 credits per semester.
Faculty of record for a course will evaluate and submit final grades to the Registrar at the end of each course. Letters express the quality of the work and are correlated as grade point values as follows:
| Grades | Grade Point Value |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.67 (UG only) |
| D+ | 1.33 (UG only) |
| D | 1.0 (UG only) |
| F | 0.0 |
| INC | Incomplete (0.0) |
| IP | In Progress (used for two-semester long courses) |
| P | Pass |
| W | Withdrawn |
| UW | Unofficial Withdrawal (Assigned by faculty to students who stopped attending before the semester withdrawal date and did not officially withdraw. Students who attend or participate in a course, face-to-face or online, after the withdrawal date, will receive the letter grade earned and are not eligible for a UW grade). |
| AU | Audit |
| NG | No Grade was submitted by the faculty member |
| X | Non-credit item completed |
Read About the Dean's List and honors
Grade Requirements and GPA: A student's grade point average or credit ratio is the ratio of quality points earned to credits carried. Grades submitted at the end of a course are considered final. Only courses with a semester grade of 2.0 (C) or above are accepted for major courses and minor courses (Nursing students should see the Nursing Student Handbook for specific course grade requirements); grades of 1.0 (D) or above are accepted for other courses.
Incomplete (INC) grades carry 0.0 quality points are factored into the term as such and cumulative GPA until a final grade has been submitted by the faculty member on a Grade Change Form and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. See Incomplete Grade Policy below for more information. Grades of P, W, UW, AU, NG, and X do not carry grade points or factor in the student’s GPA.
Students must earn a C- or better in any course which is designated a prerequisite for another. While a C- grade may allow progression to the next course in a sequence, any required course for a major that has earned below a C will need to be repeated with a minimum grade of C earned to fulfill the requirement. See the Credit Deficiency Removal/ Course Repeat Policy for course repeat information. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation.
Mid-semester grades: Mid-semester grades are submitted to the Registrar's Office for all students. Course warning forms may be issued by faculty at any time during a semester. A copy is also sent to the academic advisor. Mid-semester grades are used as an advising tool and are not transcripted as part of the permanent student academic record; however, they may be viewed by the student and advisor on Student Planning.
In exceptional cases, students who have been unable to complete the work of a course may request to receive a grade of INC. Such requests will be granted only for extraordinary reasons (e.g., serious prolonged illness). Incomplete grades are submitted to the Office of the Registrar via the online grading tool within ECLearn during the final grade submission. Faculty will complete the online Incomplete Grade Form in conjunction with the grade submission for each INC grade awarded. The submission of the INC form by the faculty on record confirms the faculty has discussed the INC grade and the work to be completed with the student.
An INC grade carries 0.00 quality points, until the faculty member has submitted a final letter grade to the Office of the Registrar and a grade change is processed. This may result in a term GPA below 2.0. Regardless of the reason for INC grades, any term GPA below 2.0 will place the student on Academic Probation. Nursing students should consult the Nursing Student Handbook for specific requirements regarding maintaining good standing within the School of Nursing.
If a student with an INC grade(s) is placed on Academic Probation for a term GPA below 2.0, and the final grade(s) submitted increases the term GPA to a 2.0 or above, the student’s probationary status for that semester will be expunged from the student’s record and academic history.
Incomplete grades must be replaced by final grades by February 1 for fall semester courses and October 1 for spring and summer courses, although individual faculty members may determine an earlier deadline for coursework submission. Incomplete grades not replaced by the deadline automatically become an F. In extraordinary circumstances, the Associate Dean of the Academic School in which the course with the INC grade lives, in consultation with the student and faculty member, may extend the INC, but not beyond the final day of that semester. A student on academic probation may not receive any grades of INC. A student with an INC grade in his or her final semester will not be eligible for degree conferral. A student who has received a final letter grade cannot have that letter grade changed to an INC grade.
Students with INC grades should ensure that INC grade deadline associated with their course will not impact eligibility for financial aid. For more information, please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) section or contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
Students who receive one or more INC grades at the time of the semester’s final grades deadline are not eligible for the Dean’s List, including after a final letter grade has been submitted.
The pass/fail option is possible for two free elective courses that are neither in the field of the student's major concentration or minor, or among the general requirements. The pass/fail option is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. The pass/fail option must be finalized in the Office of the Registrar by the semester withdrawal deadline. See Academic Calendar for specific dates. Students should refer to the 7-Week Policy for summer session pass/fail declaration deadlines. Grades for students so choosing are submitted only as pass/fail (P/F). A pass grade does not receive quality points and is not counted in determining the grade point average. However, an F grade received for a credited course designated as Pass/Fail will factor into the GPA with a 0.0 grade point value. Pass/fail designations may not be changed to a letter grade after the course is completed. Changes may not be made to the Pass/Fail designation once the Pass/Fail form has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Pass/Fail Forms are available here.
Changes in any assigned grade will not be made beyond one semester after the initial awarding of the grade. Grade change requests must be signed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Academic or Associate Dean. A student who, after consultation with the faculty member, wishes to challenge a grade on a transcript or grade report should follow procedures outlined in the Grade Grievance Policy outlined below.
The faculty on record for a course will grade all assignments, including the final exam, and submit the official final grade to the Office of the Registrar. Only the faculty on record may officially change a grade.
If on review, a student wishes to challenge a grade, whether on an individual assignment or the final transcripted grade, the formal procedure should be followed in the order listed below. Students may appeal a grade no later than one year after the course was completed. Unless a calculation error occurs, records of students who have graduated are final and cannot be amended.
1. Student: The student determines an error has been made by consulting with the faculty member involved and/or in consultation with the Registrar (or other officer involved).
2. Faculty: The student should consult with the faculty on record for the course to challenge the grade. If after discussing with the faculty member, the student believes the grade is still in error, the student may choose to petition to the Department Chair by email. If the faculty member was an adjunct and no longer employed by the College, the student should consult the Department Chair.
3. Department Chair: The Department Chair may, after discussing with the student, consult with the faculty member regarding the grade. If the student believes the situation cannot be resolved, the student may petition the Associate Dean of the applicable School.
4. Associate Dean: After discussing the matter with the Associate Dean, if the student believes the situation has not been resolved, the student may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA).
5. Vice President of Academic Affairs: The VPAA will review the situation and inform the student of a decision regarding the grievance. The VPAA decision is final and cannot be appealed.
For a list of Department Chairs and Associate Deans please visit: Academic Affairs Administration
A minimum of 128 credits is required for the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation. Only courses with a semester grade of 2.0 (C) or above are accepted for major courses and minor or certificate courses; grades of 1.0 (D) or above are accepted for other course. A C- is required for any course designated as a prerequisite of another course. Students enrolled in the Nursing program should view the Nursing Student Handbook for grade criteria for each nursing program requirement.
For additional information on graduation requirements, degree application, honors, degree conferral and the final transcript please visit the Commencement Information page.
Our top students can achieve a variety of recognitions and honors through numerous honor societies, designations and awards. These points of pride are impressive to future employers and graduate schools, and serve to remind our graduates of the hard work they've achieved while at Emmanuel.
Dean's List
In January and June, the College announces those students named to the Dean's List who have achieved the following:
The records of students in designated IP (in progress) courses are individually evaluated for honors. In order to be eligible for term honors, students must have been officially accepted into their degree program.
Honors Program
The Emmanuel College Honors Program invites highly motivated and talented students to participate in academic opportunities that prepare them for advanced study and successful competition for scholarships and fellowships. The program develops high-level skills in creative, critical and ethical thinking and communication. It also provides students with teamwork and leadership skills in honors courses (labeled with HONOR course prefix) and through service and research opportunities. In order to graduate in the Honors Program, a student is required to complete four honors courses, to complete the “Honors Experience,” which may involve working with a faculty member as an Instructional Assistant (Fellow) or a Research Assistant, or participating in a study abroad experience; and to work toward distinction in the field within his/her own major. Honors Program completers will have the Honors Program notated on the final official transcript at the time of graduation.
Latin Honors for Baccalaureate Degrees
Latin Honors—cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude—are awarded at graduation to bachelor's degree candidates who have achieved the highest scholastic performance among their peers, and have competed at least 64 credits at Emmanuel College. Graduates who earned Latin Honors will have their honors (cum laude, Magna cum laude, or Summa cum laude) noted on the diploma and final official transcript.Latin Honors are awarded to members of the graduating class as listed below:
Distinction in the Field of Concentration
Students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 in major courses have the opportunity to complete a significant research project to graduate with distinction in their field of concentration. The projects are determined in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and presented on Senior Distinction Day, which takes place in April of each year.
Distinction in the Field of Individualized Majors
For students with an individualized major, in addition to earning a 3.5 average in all courses in the major program, a project must be completed as part of a capstone course or culminating experience. The project must be approved for distinction by two faculty members representing different academic disciplines within the individualized major. Transfer students' qualification for honors is based on the grade point average achieved at Emmanuel College.
Kappa Gamma Pi
Students graduating from Emmanuel College who have maintained a 3.5 cumulative grade point average for seven semesters and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and community service are eligible for membership in Kappa Gamma Pi, the national honor society organized in 1927 for graduates of Catholic colleges in the United States.
To view criteria for Dean's List, Latin Honors, Senior Distinctions and Sister Marie Barry Scholars, as well as the list of national and international Honor Societies, please view our Academic Honors and Awards page. Graduates receiving Distinction in the Field will have this notation on their final official transcripts.
Massachusetts State law requires all college students registering for nine or more credits to show proof of the requirement immunization. Students may not register for classes or reside on campus unless these requirements are fulfilled. View the full list of undergraduate immunization requirements.
International students must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester to maintain their Certificate of Eligibility.
Internships and practica are an integral part of an Emmanuel education. Through an internship or practicum, a student can work in a professional setting, gaining new insights on classroom learning while obtaining practical job experience. All departments at Emmanuel provide the opportunity for students to receive credit for off-campus academic experience through internships and practica. An internship may consist of work, research and/or observation. Internships are directed by an instructor of the College and supervised on location by personnel of the sponsoring organization. A practicum consists of clinical experience closely related to the student's field of concentration. Practica are coordinated by an instructor of the College and supervised in the clinical setting by a qualified professional. Ordinarily, no more than four to eight credits are accepted from internships toward fulfillment of the undergraduate degree requirements. Transfer credit will not be awarded for general or major credit for internships or practica completed through other institutions, including study abroad. Internships with an academic component through an approved Emmanuel College student abroad program may be eligible for free elective credit upon review, but may not fulfill major internship or practica requirments.
Internships for academic credit are available to upperclass students and non-credit, independent internships INT1010 are available to sophomores and above, once the required INT1001 Career Planning and Engagement course is taken.
Students are required to complete an internship or practicum experience as a graduation requirement. The internship or praticum must be fulfilled through the major program if required or by completing IDS 4194 or INT1010 as approved by department` for majors not requiring an internship. Internship experiences must be conducted in the semester in which the student is registered for the internship course.
A student may take a voluntary leave of absence for one semester after consultation with a member of the Academic Advising Office. During this time, a student ordinarily does not study at another college--such permission is granted only by the Associate Dean of Academic Advising. Students should consult with the Office of Student Financial Services before taking a leave of absence. International students should consult with the International Student Advisor before taking a leave of absence. Students may extend a voluntary leave of absence for one additional semester after consultation with representatives of the Academic Advising Office. Download the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form.
Students may want to take a voluntary medical leave of absence (MLOA) during the semester as a result of medical or mental health reasons. A MLOA allows students whose academic progress and performance, or ability to otherwise function, has been seriously compromised by a mental health condition or a medical condition to take time away from the College without academic penalty. Such leave affords students time to pursue treatment and eventually return to the College with a significantly improved chance of academic and personal success. In some instances, a student may be required to take a required leave of absence (RLOA). The Dean of Students will review related materials to determine the need for a RLOA.
The appropriate Director makes a recommendation to the Associate Dean of Student Learning and Success who will make the final decision regarding the MLOA. Students will be asked to sign a release of information form so that the recommendations, but not the student’s medical details, can be shared with the Associate Dean. Students are encouraged to meet with the Office of Student Financial Services to understand the financial implications of a MLOA. Recommendations for a MLOA are made on an individualized case-by-case basis but usually will include a recommendation for appropriate form of treatment so that the student can address the health concern while on leave. Course work at another institution is not permitted without special permission from the Associate Dean of Student Learning and Success. Additionally, after consultation with the Associate Dean of Student Learning and Success, students on a MLOA will be permitted to re-enroll in a subsequent semester at Emmanuel. Once final grades are awarded for the semester an MLOA cannot be retroactively applied.
View the full Medical Leave of Absence Policy to learn more.
Majors lead to either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A). Typically, majors leading to a B.A. require 40 to 48 credits, whereas majors leading to the B.S. or B.F.A require 60 and 68 credits. At least 50% of the credit hours counting toward the major requirements must be completed at Emmanuel. A minimum grade of C is requirement to fulfill major requirements. Nursing students should consult the Nursing Student Handbook for specific course grade requirements.
Students are allowed to declare up to three academic programs (major and minors)-with no more than two majors-and use courses to satisfy the requirements in all programs. Students may pursue two majors within an academic department; however, they may not choose two concentrations within an academic department.
Individualized majors (IM) are designed for students whose career goals and intellectual interests can best be served through a carefully constructed individualized major program. The individualized major is appropriate for highly motivated and self-directed students. Students who choose an individualized major work closely with a faculty advisor throughout their program and are encouraged to begin planning their program as early in their academic career as possible. Information about designing and submitting an IM for approval is availalble from academic advisors or in the Office of Academic Affairs.
A non-matriculating student is one who is earning credits, but not toward an Emmanuel degree. Students who wish to take undergraduate courses at Emmanuel College as non-matriculating students should contact the Office of the Registrar. Arts and Sciences course registration for non-matriculated students begins one week after Emmanuel College degree-seeking students finish priority registration for the given semester. At the time of registration, students must provide evidence of successful completion of high school. This documentation may be provided by an official or unofficial high school transcript, college transcript, or college degree audit. The student must provide documentation of completion of any course pre-requisites.
Available courses are viewable on the College's Searchable Course Directory.
A course prerequisite is a requirement an academic department identifies as essential for a student to complete before taking a course. All prerequisites should be stated in the course description, on the course syllabus and included in the college catalog. Prerequisites may consist of one or more of the following:
Undergraduate students must earn a C- or better in any course which is designated a prerequisite for another course.
(Note: School of Nursing requirements may differ. Please see the School of Nursing Student Handbook for specific prerequisite and course restriction information.)
With the advice of their academic advisors, students register online through Student Planning facilitated by the Office of the Registrar each semester. Students who are already enrolled pre-register in April for the following summer and fall semesters and in November for the following spring semester. A student is officially registered for classes only after all financial obligations to the College have been met or an acceptable and approved deferred payment plan has been arranged with the Office of Student Financial Services. New students with outstanding final official transcripts will not be permitted to register for their second semester until these transcripts have been received by Emmanuel College.
A student in good standing who has voluntarily withdrawn from the College and who wishes to be reinstated should apply to the Associate Dean of Academic Advising at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester in which reinstatement is sought.
Final grades are available online on Student Planning at the close of the semester. All students on receive mid-semester grades. Mid-semester grades are associated with the electronic student record in Student Planning, but are not posted on the academic transcript. The College will withhold copies of grade reports and transcripts under certain conditions, such as outstanding financial obligations and non-compliance with Massachusetts Immunization Law. Official transcripts are provided at the hand written request of students or graduates. Transcript request information can be viewed here. Unofficial transcripts can be accessed by current stuents on Student Planning. The grades reflected on Student Planning and on the transcript are considered the official final grades.
The Office of the Registrar maintains the student education record. The Emmanuel College transcript, including student graduation information, as well as student demographic information, and class and grade rosters are maintained permanently.
All other student education records are maintained by the College for a minimum of five years after the student’s last active enrollment.
PROCESS FOR ACCESS, OBTAINING, AND EXPLANATION OF THE EDUCATION RECORD
Students have the right to review and challenge their education records. Each student may waive this right in special cases of confidential letters of recommendation relative to admission to any educational agency or institution, application for employment, receipt of financial aid form, receipt of any services or benefits from such an agency or institution.
Students may view their mid-semester and final grades on Student Planning (EC Online Services). During the semester, students can view their individual course assignments and grades on ECLearn.
To request access to their entire academic records, the student should contact the Office of the Registrar. On an agreed upon date, the student and the Registrar (or delegate) will provide access to the record and respond to any questions regarding the record. Students may request copies of their education record. High school and other college transcripts may be provided with a “Copy” notation and only provided to the student. Emmanuel will not send non-Emmanuel transcripts to third parties, including other institutions.
This review applies to evaluation material submitted on/after 1975 unless access is waived by the student. The College reserves the right of 45 days for compliance of the request. Each office maintains a record of anyone who has requested and obtained access to each student’s record.
For information regarding student privacy and the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, please visit our Privacy page.
Students must complete a minimum of 64 credits and 50% of major and minor requirements at Emmanuel College to receive a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts and sciences.
Courses registered for and completed at one of the Colleges of the Fenway through the official cross-registration process will be considered in-residence. Courses pre-approved and completed through an approved Office of International Programs study abroad program will also be considered in-residence, counting toward the residency requirement, but the study abroad grades will not be posted to the transcript. Please see the Study Abroad section for more details.
The student's final semester must be completed at Emmanuel College. The student's internship and senior capstone experiences must also be completed under the supervision of Emmanuel faculty.
Emmanuel College regulates access to and the release of a student’s records in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (PL 93-380, Section 438, The General Education Provisions Act). The purpose of this act is to protect the privacy of students regarding the release of records and access to records maintained by the institution.
View the full policy and procedures surrounding privacy and student records.
Courses completed at regionally accredited post-secondary institutions that are comparable in content, scope, and rigor to course offerings at Emmanuel College will be considered for transfer credit. In general, courses must be 3-4 semester credits, or the equivalent, to transfer credit. Courses with credits in non-semester hours will be converted to equivalent semester hours. For undergraduate programs, no credit is given for courses below 2.0 (C).
High school students with college level coursework completed while in high school will need to meet the criteria outlined in the section for the high school students outlined on the Transfer Page. The Office of the Registrar will review all off-campus work for transfer eligibility and assign equivalencies and credit designations. If a departmental review is necessary, the Office of the Registrar will facilitate the evaluation with the appropriate academic department.
Transfer students are expected to fulfill the regular requirements for the degree and meet the residency requirements of the academic program in order to receive an Emmanuel degree. Courses to be considered for transfer credit will only be reviewed once a student has been accepted.
Once matriculated, a student may obtain transfer credit for no more than one course for every full year completed at Emmanuel College as a full-time student, with a maximum of four courses eligible for transfer. This policy excludes courses completed via the official cross-registration process at one of the Colleges of the Fenway institutions and approved study abroad programs from the Office of International Programs and study abroad. A student wishing to exercise this option must obtain a Study Off Campus form and a copy of the regulations for study off campus from the Office of the Registrar website and submit course descriptions and if applicable, a syllabus/syllabi for transfer credit evaluation. The student is responsible for understanding and complying with the regulations, including those relating to financial aid.
This maximum does not include courses taken through the COF consortium or approved Study Abroad programs. Courses taken through an approved study abroad program, courses taken as part of the Colleges of the Fenway Consortium, other official inter-institutional programs of the College, and courses taken at Emmanuel during the summer session are considered “in residence” and count toward the 64 credit Emmanuel credit minimum to receive an Emmanuel degree.
Students who receive credit for a course that is approved as an Emmanuel equivalent cannot also receive credit for the Emmanuel course on his/her transcript. Credit will be added to the Emmanuel transcript upon receipt of an official sealed transcript from the host institution or received directly via a secured, encrypted electronic transcript service, such as the National Student Clearing House, Scrip-Safe, Parchment, etc. Grades are not included in the grade point average and will not appear on the Emmanuel College transcript. This policy of not posting transfer grades to the Emmanuel transcript does not apply to courses taken within the Colleges of the Fenway consortium through official cross-registration.
No credit will be granted for the following: vocational coursework, continuing education units, pre-collegiate or remedial courses, including any ESL coursework, social activities, or correspondence courses, unless recognized and offered by the U.S. Armed Forces Institute. Military courses on a Joint Services transcript with content that are within the scope of programs offered at Emmanuel will be accepted for credit. Courses with credits in non-semester hours will be converted to equivalent semester hours.
Students must complete 64 credits at Emmanuel College with 50% of the major and minor requirements in residence to receive an Emmanuel degree.
Emmanuel College encourages students to visit classes with the instructor’s permission. Registration is not necessary. Tuition is not charged and no official records are kept.
Students wishing to withdraw from the College must notify the Office of the Registrar and their academic advisor. The Withdrawal Form is available at the Office of Academic Advising, Office of the Registrar or you may download the LOA/Withdrawal Form. Matriculated students who do not enroll in classes by the end of the Add period during the fall or spring semesters will be administratively withdrawn from the College. Mere absence from classes and examinations is not a withdrawal, nor does it reduce financial obligations. Students who received a Federal Perkins Loan or Massachusetts No-Interest Loan must meet with the Office of Student Financial Services at the time of withdrawal. Students who are withdrawing due to financial concerns are also encouraged to meet with the Office of Student Financial Services.
When it came time to search for an internship, Philip decided to go big—and looked to the accounting industry’s Big 4 of Deloitte, EY, PwC and KPMG, each of which has a Boston-based office just a few miles from campus.
"If anyone would ask me what to do in college, I would tell them to do everything. Get as much experience as you can. Meet people and do things. Take advantage of all college has to offer."
Jumping into her Emmanuel experience, Shakirah was sure of two things: that what she had planned was going to be a “tall task,” and that she was up for the challenge.
Katherine’s foray into biology might seem an unlikely one for a future dentist.
As a future educator, Jonathan understands there is a lesson to be learned in everything.
For career inspiration, Erin looked no further than her family of first responders and their calling to “help people on their worst days.”
During the Fall 2022 semester, MacDonald and her research team of psychology majors Madeline Bradley ’23 and Matthew Lemansky ’23 (pictured) investigated the lived experiences of participants in an 8-week mindfulness training program.
One transformative high school law class changed Alyssa’s college plans from STEM to political science.
Nick grew up in a family of medical professionals—his mother and grandmother are both nurses and his father is a paramedic. “I’ve always been surrounded with medical jargon and stories of health incidents, crises, and the rewarding benefits of providing care,” he said.
Emmanuel College is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through the Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program.
Counseling & health psychology major Christine came to Emmanuel knowing she wanted to pursue a career in health care, and the College’s opportunities and connections for students interested in the field—as well as a neuroscience course she attended at EC Incoming—made the decision an easy one.
When asking secondary education and biology double major Angela Girodier '22 if she’s more passionate about research or teaching, she quickly and emphatically says “both.”
Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.
Questions?
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