Honorary Degrees for Students
Degree Levels
The Royal University of Gleann Abhann offers four levels of honorary degrees. Requirements for each degree level can be found on the Royal University website. The degrees available are:
Auditor
Lector
Prior
Philosopher
Anyone taking a class in Gleann Abhann may seek an honorary degree through the Royal University. No special registration is needed – anyone who takes a class is automatically considered to be participating in RUGA.
Age Requirement
There is no minimum age for participation in the Royal University. However, all students are expected to conform to adult standards of behavior while attending RUGA classes. Children of all ages are welcome to attend as long as mature behavior is maintained. In accordance with Kingdom law, children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or adult designated by the parent.
Student Records
The RUGA administration does not keep individual records of classes taken. Students are responsible for and expected to keep up with their own records of the classes they take. The record of classes should include:
the date the class was taken;
the name of the class;
the instructor’s name;
proof that you actually took the class (instructor signature, etc.).
When attending a RUGA registered class, please fill out the evaluation form at the end of each class and put it in the box/envelope provided. The instructor will return these to the local RUGA provost for scoring and instructor credit. This provides RUGA with valuable information about the quality of our classes and teachers.
Specialty Areas
In order to graduate with a Lector, Prior or Philosopher degree, students must choose an area in which to specialize. This specialty area can be a particular College or Department, a specific subject (i.e., clothing, cooking, textiles, dance, etc.), or a specific time period or culture (i.e. 16th century, Viking, Burgundian, etc.).
Students may not change their specialty area between degree levels, but may choose to pursue more than one degree path at a time. For example, a student with a Lector degree in Costuming may go on to pursue a Prior degree in Costuming, an additional Lector degree in Woodworking, or both. However, the student may not pursue a Prior degree in Woodworking until the Lector degree in Woodworking has been completed.
Class Credit Hours
Each RUGA registered class is equal to one RUGA credit hour, regardless of the actual time spent in class. Thus, a two hour class and a half-day workshop (for example) are equal to the same amount of RUGA credit hours.
Students are not limited to taking only RUGA registered classes. Half credit will be given for all non-RUGA classes. This includes classes taken in other Kingdoms and at inter-Kingdom events.
Class Substitutions
In addition to receiving credit for non-RUGA classes taken within the SCA, students may also substitute classes taken in the mundane world (such as college or university classes). The student will receive one-half RUGA credit hour for each substituted class, regardless of the actual length of the class.
A student may only substitute classes in the student’s specialty area, and may not substitute classes taken prior to beginning the current degree program. For example, a student in the Lector degree program may not substitute a class taken prior to beginning the Lector degree program. As the graduation credit requirements for elective classes are general enough to allow the student a variety of ways to satisfy those requirements, there will be no substitutions allowed for elective classes.
Documentary proof of completion of the real world class is required in order for students to gain RUGA credit. This could be a copy of the student's transcript, a certificate of completion, or the professor's signature.
Independent Study Projects
Both the Prior and Philosopher degree levels require completion of an independent study project. Students are encouraged to complete an independent study project at the Lector level, but may take additional classes instead. Proof of completion of the project (as specified), must be submitted with the student’s graduation application. Specific Colleges may allow other projects to be substituted for this requirement. If this is the case, the allowable substitutions will be listed in the specific degree requirements for each College.
Service Hours
It is expected that students at the higher levels will begin exercising leadership through involvement in the A&S community. This involvement At the Prior level, additional electives may be substituted for service hours. Specific Colleges may allow other kinds of service to be substituted for this requirement. If this is the case, the allowable substitutions will be listed in the specific degree requirements for each College
Special Honors
Students can earn special honors by completing extra requirements for their Independent Study projects or Service Hours. Extra requirements are listed with each project or service choice. Students who earn special honors will be acknowledged at graduation.
Graduation Application
Upon completing a course of study, a student may apply for graduation. Students should submit a graduation application, along with a copy of their record book, to the RUGA Chancellor, who will review the application. Graduation applications can be found on the RUGA website.
RUGA graduation ceremonies are held annually at Kingdom A&S, and throughout the year at designated RUGA sessions.
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Honorary Degrees
