ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The Seminary is affiliated to Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. The seminarians who complete the four year Theology course in the Seminary are entitled for Bachelor of Theology Degree
1. Admissions
Students should have an affiliation with a diocese or religious order at the time of applying for admission into the seminary. St. John's Regional Major Seminary reserves the right to determine the conditions under which students may be admitted or may continue in its academic and formation programs or be required to withdraw from the seminary. All records submitted at the time of application become the property of the seminary and will not be returned to the applicant even after the completion of his theological studies and formation in this seminary. Admissions will be based on the application materials and (if necessary) interview of the applicant by the Rector or by a member of the Academic council delegated by him. Normally, applications for placement beyond the first year of Theology will not be accepted.
1.1. Admission requirements:
i. Students (seminarians) seeking admission into theology at St. John's should have successfully completed a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Philosophy with at least 50% marks from any recognized university or Religious Institute recognized by the Catholic Church. OR
ii. Students should have completed a year of Regency / Pastoral experience.
iii. Students should have some preliminary knowledge of ecclesiastical Latin (O.T. 13).
1.2. Admission documents:
i. An application form duly filled in by the applicant.
ii. Photo copies of certificate of graduation and other certificates and transcripts of marks of Philosophical Studies (as specified above) should be attested by his Bishop/Religious Superior or an authority like the Diocesan Administrator or Vicar General.
iii. Certificates of Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage certificate of the parents issued by the Parish Priest and a certificate of health obtained recently from a doctor are to be submitted in original.
iv. A report from the Rector of Philosophate or Religious Institute, Regency report(s), the recommendation letter from his Bishop or the Religious Superior.
v. Three passport size photos of the student taken recently.Applications with all the documents should reach the Rector's Office on or before May 15th every year.
2. Attendance and Course Work
2.1 The academic year is divided into two semesters totaling approximately 30 weeks. One class hour a week for one semester earns one academic credit. A student attends approximately 40 credit hours in a year. Punctual and regular attendance at classes is the required norm. Students are expected to complete all the courses in the four years of Theology programme.
2.2. Absence from the class should be reported to the Prefect of Studies. The student who is absent for any course for more than one-third of the days, will repeat the course.
2.3. In addition to the mandatory courses, each student should select one from among many seminars offered every year. They 19 should complete three seminars, one per year, before their promotion to Theology IV.
2.4. Normally, students are not encouraged to transfer credits that they earned in other Institutes of Theology to St. John's. Exceptionally, when a student transfers credits, the Prefect of Studies in consultation with the Staff Council will determine which courses are acceptable for transfer.
2.5. To promote greater attention to the theological subjects students are not permitted to begin or continue their education in any other university or institute (even by correspondence course or distance education) during the period of their stay in the seminary.
3. Regulations governing examinations, assignments and assessments
3.1. Examination and Assessment:
3.1.1. Students should write assignments/papers as per the direction of the professors. The courses that are taught for two or more credits require assignments/papers from the students. The assignments/papers should be the result of the reflection, research, comprehension and conviction that the students reach while the courses are being taught.
3.1.2. An examination / assessment is conducted at the end of each semester for every subject that is taught. Examinations can either be oral or written or both. The method of examination is left to the discretion of the professor.
3.1.3. The duration for the oral examination per individual will be about 15 minutes and the duration for the written examination will be about two hours or more for subjects that carry two or more credits.
3.1.4. For some grave reason a student may seek an exemption from the examination schedule from the Prefect of Studies. The Prefect of Studies, after consulting the professor concerned, may permit a student to postpone or anticipate the examination.
3.1.5. Term papers, projects, book reviews, class participation and class work should not exceed 40% of the total assessment.
3.1.6. The minimum marks required for passing is 60% for all subjects.
3.1.7. Marks are awarded as per the grading system as that of the Pontifical Urbaniana University : Maximum marks: 100
60-69 : Third Class (Probatus)
70-79 : Second Class (Bene Probatus)
80-89 : First Class (Cum Laude Probatus)
90-95 : Distinction (Magna Cum Laude Probatus)
96-100: High Distinction (Summa Cum Laude Probatus)
3.2. Failures and Repetitions:
3.2.1. Students who fail in the examinations are obliged to repeat the examinations at the beginning of the following semester. Students who fail in the second attempt will be warned by the Prefect of Studies and will be permitted by him for the third attempt.
3.2.2. Students who fail in three subjects (even after two attempts) will be asked to repeat the year.
3.2.3. Students who fail continuously and make repeated attempts to pass will be advised to discontinue the theological studies in this seminary or will be withdrawn by his Bishop or his Religious Superior.
3.2.4. The seminary records will reflect the number of attempts and the marks the student gets in each attempt. The transcript of marks issued by the seminary will present the mark of the final attempt without awarding the Class/grade (3.1.7).
3.3. Research Paper:
3.3.1. The students of III year Theology should write a research paper that should be scientific and scholarly. The research should characterize one's theological and scientific thinking and systematic presentation. The research paper may not exceed 30/40 pages. The 21 paper will be evaluated for 100 marks and the minimum marks required for passing is 60%.
3.3.2. They can choose any theological topic and get it approved by the professor specialized in that area whom they choose for this research paper. The themes can be interdisciplinary and should have theological, spiritual and pastoral relevance for the Church. Topics that have been chosen in previous years should not be repeated. A list of topics chosen in the previous years is available with the Prefect of Studies.
3.3.3. After choosing a director for the research paper, students should consult the director and follow his instructions at important stages such as choosing the topic, bibliography, preparation of an outline, writing a draft, submitting the draft for correction and submitting the final copy.
3.3.4. This research paper must be proposed, written and submitted as per the schedule prescribed in the Handbook and Calendar of the seminary. Explicit written permission is necessary from the Prefect of Studies for any delay perceived in submission of the research paper.
3.3.5. The evaluation of the research paper must be handed over to the office of the Prefect of Studies by January 31st every year.
3.3.6. In case the guide does not accept the research paper for the evaluation, the Prefect of Studies may go through the paper and give a final evaluation. If the paper is found not acceptable, the student is asked to revise and submit the paper within two months.
3.4. B.Th. Examinations:
3.4.1. Eligibility for B.Th. Degree Certificate :All the students who secure an average of 80% of marks at the completion of their III Year Theology are eligible for B.Th. degree conferred by Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. The students are requested to register their names by paying the exam fee at the University through the Seminary at the beginning of the IV year of Theology. However, only those who successfully complete the Theology 22 course and register their names at the University are eligible for the B.Th. degree certificate.
3.4.2. The Examinations : The B.Th. Degree examination consists of oral and written comprehensive examinations. They are conducted, based on the questions sent by the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, at the end of the IV year Theology. The comprehensive exams are held for the basic subjects: Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology and Canon Law. Only those students who have fulfilled all the requirements of the Seminary are eligible for the comprehensive exams. The written examination is of five to six hours duration on a theme from the given “Tesario” as prescribed by the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. The oral examination is of 45 minutes duration by a board of three professors. Those who fail in the B.Th. examination may reappear in the following year with the permission of the Rector and the Prefect of Studies.
3.5. Academic Integrity:
3.5.1. St. John's Regional Major Seminary, as a religious institute of theological and spiritual formation, presupposes a commitment to the Christian value of honesty. Therefore, plagiarism, cheating and copying will result in the immediate dismissal of the student from the seminary.