The Office of the Dean of the College supports students' academic progress. It administers standards of academic progress. It also provides advisement in course work and oversees policies on disputed grades, leaves of absence, withdrawal from the College, and the assignment of academic notations (Withdrawal - W, Withdraw Failure - WF, Incomplete - I).

Who is my Academic Dean?

  • Freshmen: Fr. Benet Phillips, O.S.B.
  • Sophomores: Dr. Anne Harrington
  • Juniors: Dr. Christine Gustafson
  • Seniors: Dr. Mark Cronin

Withdrawal from Classes

After the add-drop period is over, during the remainder of the first half of the semester, a student may withdraw from a course without grade penalty by completing a withdrawal form with his or her academic advisor. During the second half of the semester, until two weeks prior to the end of the semester, the student may withdraw from a course by completing a withdrawal form with his or her academic advisor. The professor teaching the course from which the student is withdrawing advises the Dean of the College on whether a "W" or "WF" is appropriate. The "WF" is transcripted as a failing grade and has a negative effect on the student's GPA. A student may not withdraw from a course during the last two weeks of the semester; e.g., the last two weeks of classes. Consult the Nursing Department for nursing department regulations.

Course Overload

A student may register for no more than eighteen credits in any one semester. Sixteen credits per semester for eight semesters (a total of 128) are required for the baccalaureate degree and constitute the normal student course load. A per credit Overload Fee will be applied to all credits over eighteen credits per semester.  Approval is required for students wishing to take more than eighteen credits in a given semester.

Leave of Absence

A student may apply to the Dean of the College, the Dean of Students, or to the Registrar for a leave of absence from the College. Students receiving financial assistance must have an exit interview with the director of financial aid before making application for a leave and limit the time of leave to a single semester. A leave of absence for students not receiving financial assistance is granted for a specific period of time, usually not more than two semesters. Applicants for a leave must have no outstanding debts at the College. A student on leave may apply for an extension. To insure transferability of credits taken at other institutions during a leave of absence, students must obtain prior written approval of the courses from the Dean of the College or the Registrar. Courses undertaken without such approval are not transferable to Saint Anselm College. Provided that notification of the intention to resume studies at Saint Anselm has been received by the Dean of the College at least one month in advance of the semester of return, a student on leave may return to the College at the end of the leave without applying for readmission.

Withdrawal from the College

A student desiring to withdraw from the College should consult with both the assigned academic advisor and the appropriate Dean. Students receiving financial aid must meet with a financial aid administrator to discuss their rights and responsibilities as aid recipients. The form for withdrawal from the College is available in the Office of the Registrar or in the Office of the Dean of the College. It must be signed by the student and returned to Dean Harrington. Refund of fees or charges will be based on the date that the student last attended a clas