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Student handbook

(Table of contents)
Chpt 1: Introduction
Chpt 2: Why a personal therapy requirement
Chpt 3: How personal therapy works
Chpt 4: Early evaluation
Chpt 5: Professionalism
Chpt 6: Common style errors to avoid
Chpt 7: Empowering your writing
Chpt 8: Grades and GPA
Chpt 9: Avoiding burnout
Chpt 10: Various policies
Chpt 11: Student complaint process
Chpt 12: Faculty complaint process
Chpt 13: Degree candidate status
Chpt 14: Looking ahead: post graduation
Chpt 15: Applying for graduation
Chpt 16: Friday night baccalaureate
Chpt 17: The formal graduation

(On-line forms)
Common style errors   
Intent to receive therapy
Verification of therapy 
Degree candidate status

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology ("MAC")

The MAC student handbook:
Chapter 8:  Grades and cumulative GPA 

The issue of grades in the MAC Program is a controversial one.  Recent years have seen increased discussions of such problems as "grade inflation," the "purchasing" of degrees, the perceived expectations of "A" grades in all classes, and so on.  Most MAC students work hard and expect good grades.  That's fine.  But some expect the highest grade possible as a "given" in graduate school.  It isn't a given.

Please understand that grades have particular meanings that the faculty are required to keep in mind.

• A grade of "A" is not automatic, even for graduate students, and is reserved for truly exceptional work. It is true that most graduate students, who represent a small and often select minority of people, earn higher grades than most undergraduate students. It is not true that these high grades are given as a matter of course. We expect excellence for an "A" and reserve high grades for high performance.

• A "B" indicates a strong and note-worthy performance, which is expected of graduate students.  Thus, if you earn a grade of a "B" you can interpret it as the kind of solid performance we expect of any graduate student.  This is roughly equivalent to what a "C" would mean to an undergraduate student.

• Generally, a "C" indicates performance that is average across all college students but would be considered  below average for graduate students.

• Any grade below a "C" demands serious attention.  This is a failing grade in graduate school.  There may be extenuating circumstances and these will be taken into account.  Generally, however, any grade below a "C" will place a student on immediate academic probation. 

MAC students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (B or better) in their coursework and to receive a grade of at least a C+ in any MAC course. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, or who receive a grade of C in any single class, will be placed on immediate academic probation and their candidacy reviewed by the core MAC faculty. A student who either: 1) fails to return the GPA to a 3.0 by the end of the next semester, 2) receives two grades of C, or 3) receives any grade lower than a C in any class, normally will be withdrawn from the MAC program and from Saint Martin's University. 

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