Academic and Professional Life

The academic and professional life of the University constitutes the main emphasis to which all other activities are secondary and contributory. It centers on the courses of instruction offered in the various departments of the University. The major part of this catalog is concerned with the factual details of the various graduate curricula. 

HONOR SYSTEM FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS 

The concept of an honor system is one of the oldest traditions at Longwood University. The following procedures apply to students involved in the graduate program and to students enrolled in courses for graduate credit offered either on or off campus.

The honor system requires that the student not only be responsible for his/her own behavior, but that he/she report any infraction of the Honor Code observed. It is an Honor Code offense to lie, to cheat (including plagiarism) and to steal, in connection with class activities and other course requirements established by the instructor. All work so specified by the instructor should include the following pledge: "I have neither given nor received help on this work nor am I aware of any infraction of the Honor Code."   (signed)    

Any person who has knowledge of a suspected violation of the Standards of Conduct should contact the Director of Honor & Judicial Programs with relevant details of the incident. The Director of Honor & Judicial Programs will make arrangements for the adjudication of the complaint. Additional information about the University’s adjudication procedures is available in the Handbook.

If a graduate student is convicted of an honor code violation, the minimum penalty shall be one year (12 months) of suspension. The student may apply for readmission after serving the suspension period and will be subject to all admission standards and degree requirements at the time of reapplication.   

HONOR SOCIETIES 

Longwood University sponsors chapters in several national honor societies. In addition to those described below, the English department offers Lit; and the Sociology department offers Alpha Kappa Delta. Please contact the individual departments for more specific information.

Beta Gamma Sigma

Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International. Beta Gamma Sigma has established 430 collegiate chapters in all 50 U.S. states and 11 countries at schools accredited by AACSB International. Additionally, 18 alumni chapters serve the needs of alumni members in major metropolitan areas. To qualify for membership, graduate students in business must be in the top 10 percent of their class.

Chi Sigma Iota 

Chi Sigma Iota is the international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators established at Ohio University in 1985. The mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling. Membership in the Longwood Phi chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, as specified in the Bylaws, is open to both students and graduates of counselor education programs. Students must have completed at least one semester of full-time graduate coursework in a counseling program, have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 system, and be recommended by the chapter. Faculty, alumni, and professionals are eligible for membership if they have met all of the above requirements. The primary identity of these persons shall be as professional counselors including evidence of a state or national credential as a professional counselor.

Delta Phi Alpha 

The Longwood chapter of the National German Honor society, Delta Phi Alpha, was established in January 1986. Founded in 1927, the Society seeks to recognize excellence in the study of German and to provide an incentive for higher scholarship.  The Society aims to promote the study of the German language, literature, and civilization and endeavors to emphasize those aspects of German life and culture, which are of universal value.

Kappa Delta Pi 

Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society in Education. It is open to graduate students who have at least a 3.70 overall graduate GPA and undergraduate students who have at least a 3.25 overall GPA and who meet the ideals of the society. Prospective members must also have a written recommendation from a professional educator.

Phi Delta Kappa 

Phi Delta Kappa is an honorary organization for educators. Its purpose is to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. To be considered for membership, a candidate must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, have completed at least 15 semester hours of work in an accredited graduate program, and have a minimum of three years of professional education experience. For more information, contact the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services.

Phi Kappa Phi 

The Longwood chapter of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was established at Longwood in February of 1972. Founded in 1897, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary honor society. It promotes the pursuit of academic excellence in all fields of higher education and recognizes outstanding achievement by students, faculty and others through election to membership and through various awards for distinguished achievement. Its motto is “Let the love of learning rule humanity,” and its mission statement emphasizes the community of scholars in service to others.  Graduate students are eligible to be invited for induction with a minimum of 18 hours completed and a GPA of 3.75.  Longwood holds its initiation ceremony annually in the spring semester.

Pi Delta Phi 

The National French Honor Society is Pi Delta Phi, which was founded as a departmental honor society at the University of California at Berkeley in 1906.  After twenty years as a local chapter, Pi Delta Phi declared itself the National French Honor Society and chartered the Beta Chapter at the University of Southern California in 1925.  The Society was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967. The purpose of Pi Delta Phi is three-fold:  to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literature; to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world; and to stimulate and encourage French cultural activities. 

Pinnacle 

Pinnacle is a national honor society for juniors, seniors and graduate students of non-traditional age. This organization recognizes both academic performance and out-of-class accomplishments. Those chosen for membership have distinguished themselves as outstanding students, campus and/or community leaders, and role models committed to the betterment of society. Nationally, Pinnacle was officially begun in April of 1989. The Longwood chapter received its charter in March 1994.

Sigma Delta Pi 

Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was founded on November 14, 1919,  at the University of California, Berkeley. The Society encourages scholastic excellence in the study of the Spanish language and Hispanic literatures and cultures.  Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have attained at least a 3.0 GPA in all Spanish courses taken, as well as at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA, and who have completed at least 3 semester hours of a course in Hispanic literature or culture and civilization.