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 Fundamentals Department. 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 courses in the Fundamentals Department.
  • 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.
• 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 whether or not to remove the degree. If a Dark Maven is removed, however, then the Dark Savant that follows, if obtained, will also be removed.

Adding/Removing Degrees

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.

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 Fundamentals Department courses to be passed.

Dark Pundit
Degree	Requirements
Essentials (DPE)	Essentials 101: History Essentials 102: Departments Essentials 103: Paths & Orders Essentials 104: Ranks Essentials 105: Organization Essentials 106: Medals Essentials 107: Primer on Member Conduct
Communications (DPCM)	Comms 101: Website Navigation Comms 102: Discord Comms 103: Discourse Comms 104: DJB Wiki (An Introduction)
Competitions (DPCP)	Competitions 101: Fiction Competitions 102: Gaming Competitions 103: Graphics Competitions 104: Vendettas

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 Reports Leadership Rewards Leadership Competitions Serve any combination of position terms mentioned in the requirements below (need not be consecutive): Serve at least 20 weeks as Battle Team Leader Serve at least 16 weeks as Aedile or Quaestor Serve at least 12 weeks as Proconsul or Consul
Writing (MVW)	Fiction Studies Grammar Studies Poetry Studies Run-On Studies Writing Studies
Philosophy (MVPH)	Any three Order CORE exams Force Philosophy I: Views of the Force Force Philosophy II: Cults
Galactic History (MVH)	Galactic History 101- The Era of the Old Republic Galactic History 102- Twilight of the Galactic Republic Galactic History 103- Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire Galactic History 104- Ascendance of the First Order
Lore (MVLO)	Alchemy Studies Galactic Languages Mandalorian Studies Races and Species
Flight (MVF)	Freighters/Transports Studies Capital Starship Studies Starfighter Studies Astronomy Studies
Combat (MVC)	Lightsaber Studies Land Vehicles Personal Armor Ranged Weaponry Studies
Legends (MVLD)	Sith Legends Krath Legends Obelisk Legends Consular Legends Sentinel Legends Guardian Legends
Historical Legends (MVHL)	Legends Galactic History 101: Formation of the Galaxy Legends Galactic History 102: Origins of the Jedi Order Legends Galactic History 103: The Ascension of the Sith Empire Legends Galactic History 104: The Great Sith War Legends Galactic History 105: Saga of Revan and Malak
Service (MVS)	Serve as a member of the Shadow Academy Staff for at least five months

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 Leadership Management Debate 101: Argumentation Debate 102: Refutation Serve any combination of position terms mentioned in the requirements below: Consul or Proconsul: 24 weeks Quaestor or Aedile: 32 weeks Battle Team Leader: 40 weeks
Warfare (SVW)	Dark Maven- Flight Dark Maven- Combat Competitions 102: Gaming Attain GMRG Rank V
Tactics (SVT)	Dark Maven- Writing Dark Maven- Combat ACC Combat Studies ACC Qualification Complete 5 ACC matches Earn 30 Clusters of Ice
Writing and Philosophy (SVWP)	Dark Maven- Writing Dark Maven- Philosophy All five Order CORE exams Test of Wisdom
History and Lore (SVHL)	Dark Maven - Galactic History Dark Maven - Lore Dark Brotherhood History I Dark Brotherhood History II Astronomy Studies Planets and Moons Regions of the Galaxy
Legends (SVL)	Dark Maven - Legends Dark Maven - Historical Legends Legends Galactic History 106: Wars of the Force Legends Galactic History 107: Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire Legends Galactic History 108: Trials of the New Republic

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
History and Lore	Dark Savant- History and Lore Dark Savant- Legends
Writing (SGW)	This degree is currently unattainable until further notice
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 & Communication Service, either: 1 day as Justicar, 140 days as Left Hand of Justice, 140 days as Right Hand of Justice, or 140 days on the Appeals Panel
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 months, but substantial applied efforts may warrant a shorter time frame.
Warfare (SGW)	Dark Savant: Warfare Advanced Warfare Attain GMRG Rank X Acquire 3620 Warfare Points Every Cluster of Earth = 1 point Every Cluster of Fire = 2 points Every Pendant of Blood = 40 points Every First Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 75 points Every Second Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 60 points Every Third Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 45 points Every First Place in a First Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 75 points Every Second Place in a First Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 60 points Every First Place in a Second Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 60 points
Tactics (SGT)	Dark Savant: Tactics Reach INQ Society Rank X Acquire 3000 Tactical Points Every Cluster of Ice = 10 points Every ACC Battle = 20 points Every ACC Win = 15 points Every First Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 75 points Every Second Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 60 points Every Third Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 45 points Every First Place in a First Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 75 points Every Second Place in a First Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 60 points Every First Place in a Second Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 60 points

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.