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    Oct 15, 2024  
Catalog 2012-2013 
    
Catalog 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduation and Academic Achievement


Dean’s List

Students who have earned 12 or more credits at CSM are eligible to be considered for the dean’s list. At the end of the fall, spring, and summer sessions, the Registrar’s Office will publish a list of those full and part-time students who have completed at least six credits during the semester and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will notify students in writing of their accomplishment.

 

Phi Theta Kappa

In recognition of their academic achievement, currently enrolled students who were on the dean’s list the previous semester will be invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. The college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa sponsors activities involving scholarship, service, leadership, and fellowship on all three campuses. Every two years, the Phi Theta Kappa national organization selects a topic for honors study, and the college offers a seminar for honors students on the topic. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa enhances students’ opportunities for receiving scholarships when transferring to four-year colleges.

Scholars Program

The CSM Scholars Program is a selective admission program for students seeking exciting opportunities and academic challenges. Students admitted into the program will be eligible to enroll in specially designed honors courses. Participants in the Scholars Program may be eligible for special transfer opportunities at four-year institutions, such as the Maryland Transfer Advantage Program offered through the University of Maryland College Park. Participants who complete 12 honors-level credits, earn at least a B in all honors classes, and maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 will be awarded a Scholars Diploma, while those who earn nine honors-level credits may be awarded a Scholars Certificate. In addition, the college, with support from the CSM Foundation, will award a limited number of scholarships for participants in the Scholars Program.

Students may apply for the Scholars Program as entering first-year students, as current CSM students, or as transfer students, and applicants may be full- or part-time. Eligibility is determined by several measures, including GPA, test scores, an essay, and faculty recommendations. For more information, eligibility requirements, and application materials, please consult the CSM Scholars web site at csmd.edu/Scholars.

Honors Convocation

An annual Honors Convocation and reception (held prior to graduation in May) honor those students whose academic work in specific areas of study is meritorious. Each academic department views this convocation as an opportunity to recognize promising students.

To be eligible for an Academic Excellence Award, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and have earned at least one-half of their degree or certificate credits at CSM. This award, as well as honors recognition at the graduation ceremony, are based upon grades received up to the semester prior to the graduation date.

Graduation Honors

There are three levels of honors awarded at the completion of degrees or certificates: highest honors—a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 to 4.0; high honors—a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89; and honors—a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74.

Students must have earned at least one-half of their degree or certificate credits at CSM in order to be eligible for honors. The honors designation is recorded on the transcript, based on all CSM courses included in the degree or certificate.

Graduation/Commencement Ceremonies

Two graduation ceremonies are held each year on the La Plata Campus for students attending classes at all sites. These ceremonies take place in January and May. All degree and certificate recipients in attendance are recognized.