Dark Side Degrees

Dark Side Degrees are a method of rewarding those who put forth extended time and effort at the Shadow Academy. Originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, the system of degrees was expanded upon under the reigns of Headmasters following.

Degree Levels and Types

There were four levels of Dark Side Degrees when originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, and an additional fifth level was adopted to fit the Journeyman Hall system. The levels of degrees, with college level equivalents where applicable, are as follows:

• Dark Pundit (Certificate)
  • The entry level, these degrees typically require only passing Journeyman Hall courses.
  • A minimum of 3-4 courses will be required for a Dark Pundit Degree to be created.
• Dark Maven (Bachelors)
  • The basic level, these degrees typically require only passing certain exams with certain scores. Some practical portions may be included.
  • A minimum of 3-4 courses will be required for a Dark Maven Degree to be created. If only 3 courses are used, then some type of practical portion to the exam will be implemented.
• Dark Savant (Masters)
  • Somewhat harder, these degrees require two Dark Maven degrees (specific to each subject area), plus a certain number of electives, and they may also include a practical portion.
• Dark Sage (PhD)
  • The highest level most members can obtain, Dark Sage degrees denote great skill and hard work that goes above and beyond typical Shadow Academy work.
• Master of Dark Lore
  • Awarded only to current and former Headmasters at the order of the Grand Master.

With the exception of Master of Dark Lore, the degrees are open to the general membership and the only thing preventing a member from obtaining a degree will be the member.

General Rules

For all academic degrees, the following rules apply:

• An exam grade of 85% or higher is required for the course to count toward the degree.
  • If an exam grade is below 85%, the member will be given one chance to retake the exam and score a grade of 85% or higher.
    • If a member fails to achieve a grade of 85% or higher after retaking the exam, they will be ineligible for that degree for three months, after which they may retake the exam again, and so on and so forth.
• Once all the requirements for a degree have been completed, the member is to email the Headmaster and Praetor to the Headmaster requesting the degree. The member must include the relevant exam scores and their PIN.
  • The Headmaster and Praetor will verify all scores.
    • Under no circumstances will copies of previous course submissions be provided to members.
• Once the request for the degree has been sent, members should wait at least one week before emailing the Headmaster again to verify that the request was received.
• For Service degrees, you must be a member of the Shadow Academy staff.

Revocation

At any point deemed necessary by the Headmaster, a member's degree may be revoked and removed from his/her dossier. Cheating on any Shadow Academy exam is automatic grounds for revoking of degrees, as is any Chamber of Justice conviction. Revoking degrees is handled on a case-by-case basis by the Headmaster, however, and it is entirely up to the Headmaster rather or not to remove the degree. If a Dark Maven is removed, however, then the Dark Savant that follows, is obtained, will also be removed.

Adding/Removing Degrees and Electives

As more courses open in the Shadow Academy, more degrees may be added to the available options. However, extra “filler” courses will not be created simply to allow the creation of a degree, even if it means that a certain subject area must remain without a degree. All courses must meet certain quality standards.

As the Shadow Academy is constantly changing and adapting, there is a possibility that a course will be removed, thus negating a degree. In this event, the previously awarded degrees will still stand, and a list of no longer existing degrees will be maintained.

Any course (except Brotherhood Basics) that is not established as part of a degree will be considered an elective course. Once a course becomes part of a degree, it will no longer be considered an elective, but those who used it as such will not have to take a new course.

SA Degree Requirements

Dark Pundit

Dark Pundit degrees are an entry level degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a national certificate or diploma. They require Journeyman Hall course to be passed.

Dark Pundit
Degree	Requirements
Essentials (DPE)	Essentials 1: History Essentials 2: Departments Essentials 3: Paths & Orders Essentials 4: Ranks Essentials 5: Organization Essentials 6: Medals

Dark Maven

Dark Maven degrees are the most basic degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. They require basic courses to be passed, although some also have practical requirements.

The Dark Maven Degree

Dark Maven
Degree	Requirements
Leadership (MVL)	Leadership Studies Leadership Fundamentals Serve in a leadership position (AED or higher) for at least four months. Leadership in multiple positions counts, but only if held consecutively.
Writing (MVW)	Grammar Studies Poetry Studies Run-On Studies Writing Studies
Philosophy (MVPH)	Sith Core Krath Core Obelisk Core Force Philosophy I
General History (MVH)	Pre-Republic History Old Republic History History of the Sith Empire I History of the Sith Empire II History of the Sith Empire III
Flight (MVF)	Freighters/Transports Capital Starship Studies Starfighter Studies Astronomy
Combat (MVC)	Lightsaber Studies Combat Tactics I Advanced Lightsaber Studies Hand to Hand Combat
Service (MVS)	Serve as a member of the Shadow Academy Staff for at least five months
Programming (MVPR)	Complete CS101: Introduction to Computer Science through Udacity Email your Certificate of Completion and a screenshot of your Udacity transcript page to the Headmaster with your request for this degree.

Dark Savant

Dark Savant degrees are the third tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy. In general, they require one or more Dark Maven degrees (specific to each Dark Savant degree) and electives. Certain practical tests may be included.

The Dark Savant Degree

Dark Savant
Degree	Requirements
Service (SVS)	Serve the Shadow Academy for an extended period of time Approximately eight months or more Working on special SA projects will count towards overall time and may be “banked” for up to one year. Hold a position of Professor or higher. All positions require excellent service. The immediate superior shall determine the awarding.
Leadership and Communication (SVLC)	Dark Maven: Leadership IRC Basics IRC Channel Operators Chamber of Justice I One Elective Serve in a leadership position (AED or higher) for at least six months. Leadership in multiple positions may count, but only if held consecutively
Tactics and Combat (SVTC)	Dark Maven: Flight Dark Maven: Combat Combat Tactics II Test of Power General Warfare 250 Clusters of Fire *OR* 25 Clusters of Ice
Writing and Philosophy (SVWP)	Dark Maven: Writing Dark Maven: Philosophy Test of Wisdom Philosophy II: Cults
Programming (SVP)	Dark Maven: Programming Complete CS262: Programming Languages through Udacity Email your Certificate of Completion and a screenshot of your Udacity transcript page to the Headmaster with your request for this degree.

Dark Sage

Dark Sage degrees are the fourth tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy. Dark Sage degrees require great effort and are not offered very often.

The Dark Sage Degree

Dark Sage
Degree	Requirements
Writing (SGW)	This highly specialized course is offered once or twice a year through the Shadow Academy. One must sign up for the class and can only do so at certain times as announced by the Headmaster. You must successfully pass the course as outlined by the instructor to earn the degree.
Service (SGS)	Provide long term, superior service to the Academy while holding a position of no lower than Magistrate. This includes writing multiple exams, being involved in multiple projects, and maintaining constant activity at the Academy. This will be very rare, but specific members may be worthy of this. The minimum time to even begin being considered for this degree is one year, but many times it will be even longer.
Law (SGL)	Dark Savant: Leadership and Communication Chamber of Justice II Debate I: Argumentation Debate II: Refutation Practical: Serve as Justicar or a Hand of Justice for a full term
Programming (SGP)	Provide long term, superior service to the Office of the Seneschal while holding a position of no lower than Magistrate. This degree is awarded at the discretion of the sitting Seneschal. Generally, the minimum time to even begin being considered for this degree is six month, but substantial applied efforts may warrant a shorter time frame.
Gaming (SGG)	Dark Savant: Tactics and Combat TOR Basics TOR Advanced GMRG History 1500 Clusters of Fire OR 150 Clusters of Ice. Practical: Serve as M:FIST or higher for 3+ Months, or Lieutenant/Officer in the DJB ToR Guild for 3+ months, or have a total of 2000 Clusters of Fire or 200 Clusters of Ice.

Electives

Electives are used as extra courses in degrees. While the 85% passing rule still applies, the person applying for the degree chooses which courses he or she would like to use as electives. In the email applying for the degree, the courses being used must be listed. The courses available as electives are:

• ACC Basics
• Alchemy Studies
• Arcona History
• DB Basics
• DB History I
• DB History II
• Galactic Languages
• HTML Primer
• Mandalorian Studies
• Naga Sadow History
• Odan-Urr History
• Plagueis History
• Planets and Stars
• Races & Species
• Scholae Palatinae History
• Tarentum History
• Wiki Basics
• Wiki Editing

Disclaimer, Conclusion, and Credits

The Headmaster reserves the right to alter degree requirements at any time, so long as they are applied equally across the Brotherhood.

The system described above resulted largely from the ideas of Dacien "BubbaX" Victae, though they were inspired by the original degree system created by Kaiann, which was further refined by Spears, Anshar Kahn Tarentae, and Aabsdu.