Key to the Transcript of Academic Records

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) are separate coordinate colleges. Undergraduates at either college may take courses offered by both schools and located on either campus.

Course work taken by CSB and SJU students beginning with the 1978 Summer Term is shown on this transcript. Students with course work completed prior to Summer 1978 have a second transcript listing their academic record for the earlier period. Credits and grade point averages listed on this transcript are cumulative for both records.

Academic Calendar

When introduction of the 4 – 1 – 4 calendar was made in the fall of 1967, the Fall and Spring Terms consisted of 14-week sessions during which time semester credits may be earned. From 1967 through 1987, the January Term consisted of 18 class days and semester credit was not awarded for most January Term courses. Beginning in 1988, the January Term was shortened to 15 class days and most courses were awarded semester credit.

The January Term was removed from the academic year after the 2000 session. In the 2013-2014 academic year, a transition was made to a 15-week semester, which was used only for one year. Since the Fall of 2014, a 14.5-week semester has been in use. 

Course Numbering System

GRADING SYSTEMS-UNDERGRADUATE AND CSB GRADUATE PROGRAMS EXPLANATION

GRADING SYSTEMS-SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY 

Incomplete grading

Beginning with the 1982 Summer Term, students with incomplete course work were assigned the symbol I / provisional grade (I / A, I / C, I / F, etc.). The I / provisional grade is recorded until

1. the student completes the course work and is assigned a permanent grade (A, C, F, etc.) or,
2. the following semester ends (at which time the “I” is removed and the provisional grade becomes permanent), whichever occurs first.

Credit policy

The unit of credit is the semester hour. Each undergraduate, full (four-credit) course includes, at a minimum, the equivalent of 120 instructional hours. Each graduate, full (three-credit) course includes, at a minimum, the equivalent of 80 instructional hours. Students are expected to devote a minimum of 2 hours outside of class time for every hour in class. Some courses carry additional lab or discussion sessions.

Repeat course policy

A course which has been failed may be repeated for credit. Courses which have been passed may not be repeated for credit. They may, however, be repeated for additional honor points. In the latter case, although the original grade is not removed from the transcript, it is the higher grade which is computed in the GPA. Credit for a course can be earned only once.

All repeated courses are designated with an “I” (Include in credit hours and GPA) or an “E” (Exclude from credit hours and GPA) and can be found in the far right column(s) of each column block on a page.

Each repeatable course for credit has a maximum number of credit hours that can be earned.

Institutional Accreditations

• American Chemical Society
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (1974-2002)
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Association of Theological Schools
• Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education
• Council on Social Work Education (1986-2011)
• Higher Learning Commission
• Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Minnesota Board of Teaching
• National Association of Schools of Music
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1967-2019)

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are also recognized by the State Department of Education of the State of Minnesota for the certification of secondary and elementary teachers.

Authenticity of Paper Transcripts

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University employ the following safeguard to ensure the authenticity of transcripts:

• The background of the transcript face should have multiple repetitions of the joint institutional logo.
• Further authentication can be obtained by calling 320-363-3396.

Any alteration or modification of a transcript or any copy thereof may constitute a felony and/or lead to student disciplinary sanctions.

Authenticity of Electronic (pdf) Transcripts

Our vendor, The National Student Clearinghouse, applies a digital signature to the PDF transcript that is automatically validated. They utilize Certified Document Services to mark the document as authentic, proving that it was created and published by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. The blue ribbon seal must be present to both authenticate and demonstrate the integrity of the document. This is automatically verified when the recipient views the authentic document using Adobe® Reader.

If you do not see a certified blue ribbon in Adobe® Acrobat or Adobe® Reader bearing the words ” This document was certified by the Certified Document Services <[email protected]>,  National Student Clearinghouse, certificate issued by GlobalSign CA 3 for AATL” this PDF should not be accepted.