Seminarians who are eligible to enroll in an academic program of studies are assigned to an academic advisor at the start of their pre-theologate and theologate programs. The academic advisor, in cooperation with the seminarian's other formators, works closely with each student to plan his academic program.

There is one registration procedure for all seminarians. Official registration prior to the start of each term is required, and students may not attend classes without completing the formal registration process. Once an Official Registration Form has been approved and submitted to the Office of the Registrar, no registration changes may be initiated without the written approval of the Academic Dean, the formation mentor, and the academic advisor. The last day to add or drop a class during an academic term is published in the academic calendar.

Transfer Credits and Advanced Class Standing

If a candidate has earned academic credit at an accredited college, university or seminary, he may apply to the Academic Dean for advanced class standing in his seminary program. In order for transfer credits to be evaluated and credit awarded, a student must have an "official transcript" sent directly from the previous institution to the Office of the Registrar at the Seminary. To be considered "official," a transcript must be sent in a sealed envelope, signed, and mailed by the granting institution. No photocopies will be accepted.

In order to be accepted for transfer credit, the course must be similar in scope and credits to a course offered at the seminary. A course syllabus may be required to adequately assess the transferability of credit for a given class. Approved credits earned at appropriately accredited institutions may be applied toward degree programs at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Normally, a grade of "C" or higher must have been earned in undergraduate courses in order to be considered for transfer credit. A grade of "B" or higher must have been earned in graduate level courses in order to be considered for transfer credit. Normally, no more than fifty percent of required coursework may be transferred into a degree program at the Seminary. The Academic Dean will determine the applicability of credits earned at other institutions toward a degree at the Seminary.

Student Classifications

The Seminary Statutes recognize three distinct categories of students:

• An "Ordinary" student holds an earned baccalaureate (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university and follows a complete program of study to earn a degree.
• An "Extraordinary" student has not obtained a college degree or its equivalent from his country of origin, and is thus not qualified for the reception of the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology granted by the Pontifical Lateran University. Nor is an extraordinary student eligible for the M.Div. Degree program. Upon the completion of three full years of theological studies in the Program of Studies, the Administrative Council may accept an extraordinary student as an ordinary student upon the demonstration of capacity by the student for intensive theological studies.
• An "Auditor" may attend classes upon the written permission of the Academic Dean. In addition to these three kinds of students, provision is also made for E.S.L. students to take a limited number of theology or pre-theology courses until sufficient mastery of the English language is demonstrated. Finally, pre-theology students may request permission from the Academic Dean to take theology cycle courses. Permission is conditionally granted on the basis of g.p.a., fulltime student course load requirements, and demonstrated student commitment to completing pre-theology requirements.