Policies Regarding College of Brigantia Classes

Class Fees

As of October 2007, the fee for any single Brigantia class taught by a Brigantian instructor is $5. An additional materials fee may be charged for "hands on" classes. Classes by an outside instructor may require a higher fee, but we endeavor always to keep class prices as low as possible. Brigantia teachers contribute one student fee per class to a fund used to reimburse non-Brigantia teachers, purchase supplies, and provide for a small number of need-based scholarship fund for qualified students. A class longer than four hours or held over more than one day may be considered to be more than one class, at the discretion of the instructor and with the approval of the Order Head. Teachers receive credit for a class the first time they teach it, and do not pay for that credit. Non-credit or non-degree classes sponsored by Brigantia may be free at the discretion of the instructor.

Brigantia classes taught during free Asphodel events are free. Brigantian Orders may host weekend retreats where multiple classes are taught for one fee, not to exceed $25. Organizers of such events may allow individuals who are not staying for the weekend to pay per-class.

Class Admission

Brigantia classes for the Basic certificates must be open to the general public, with the exception of individuals who are not presently welcome at Asphodel events due to disciplinary or behavioral issues. Master's level classes may be screened or restricted at the discretion of the Head of that teaching Order. Teachers of such classes may require a Basic certificate in that Order to take certain Master's level classes, or some other form of qualification, at their discretion, but the criteria for admission must be made plain to the Head of the Order, and applied fairly to all applicants.

A small number of Asphodel events are screened, restricted, or invitation-only. Brigantia classes for the Basic certificates may not be taught for credit at such events. Master's level classes may be taught for credit at such events, so long as the event's theme and the nature of its restricted admission policy has relevance to the standards of the teaching Order, and appropriately qualified Master's students are permitted to attend.

Degree Candidacy

Students interested in Basic Certification or Magical Arts Degree are not required to officially enroll, but any student may contact the and request they be added to the Brigantia student roster. Certificates are issued to enrolled students upon completion of the required classes. Attendance records are maintained for all students, to the best of the ability of the Brigantia staff, and all classes taken prior to enrollment will be added to the student's transcript.

In order to be an official candidate for a Master's degree, the student must have earned three Basic certificates, including the certificate for the relevant Order, be actively working towards a basic Magical Arts degree, and be officially accepted as a Master's candidate by the Head of that Order. Any student may take non-restricted Master's classes, but they are not considered a candidate for the degree until they apply and have been accepted. The Head of the Order will meet with applicants to discuss their experience in the area of study as well as their aptitude, to determine if they are an appropriate candidate for that Master's program.

Students interested in any Master's degree are encouraged to discuss their intentions with the relevant Order Head while taking the Basic courses in the subject. This allows the Order Head or an appointed advisor to monitor the student's progress through the Basic coursework, direct the student to resources for further study, and suggest preliminary work on topics covered in the Master's program. Master's degrees are awarded after the completion of required classes/activities, and a demonstration to the Head of the Order and/or the student's advisor of mastery over the material involved.

Ministry students may apply after receiving any three Certificates, and must be approved by the entirety of the Brigantia administration. Acquiring a Ministry degree does not guarantee that the student will be ordained a Minister of the First Kingdom Church of Asphodel, only that they have completed the Ministry degree program. In special circumstances, the Brigantian Council may permit a student who is not pursuing ordination to apply for a Ministry Degree. Official Ministry candidates will work with Asphodel clergy and the Church Council, who will determine their fitness to be ordained. Candidates pursuing ordination must be members of Asphodel who show sincere commitment to the people of Asphodel and the beliefs expressed in the Charter of Faith.

Student Transcripts

A record is maintained of the attendance for each Brigantia class. Any student who would like their progress towards a degree or certification monitored may ask to be added to the student roster, and students who attend classes regularly tend to be added to the roster automatically. Students who would like to see their transcript should contact the .

As of July 2007, Brigantia student transcripts are maintained in a database accessible to the Brigantia administrators and the Clerk of the Church. Records of classes taken prior to this time are somewhat incomplete, but all available records have been added to the database. If students have any concerns related to whether classes taken are on their transcript, they should contact the .

Classes Outside Brigantia

If a student has studied the material of a particular subject elsewhere, they may apply to the Head of that Order to test out of the class. The testing may be done by the Head of that Order, or by the usual teacher of that class at the discretion of the Head of the Order. The testing should be thorough and significant. If the student is found to be deficient only in a small area, and the teacher is willing, that information can be taught at the time of testing in order to pass the student. The fee for testing out is $5 per class. If it is a multiple-class course, they must pay what would normally be the entire fee. If they are particularly knowledgeable about the area, their testing fees may be waived on the agreement that they teach a certain number of classes through Brigantia.

If a student has taken a class with a reputable organization which covers the same material as a Brigantia class, they may be able to transfer credit, with the approval of the Head of the Order. There is no fee for transferring credit.

Brigantia teachers may offer the same classes and/or material that they teach in Brigantia as private lessons, in a non-Asphodel venue, or at Cauldron Farm during an non-Asphodel event, without informing Brigantia administration. These lessons or classes do not count for Brigantia credit; however, the students of those classes may be given the opportunity to test out of the relevant Brigantia classes at a later date, if they so desire. In order for a class taught at a foreign venue to count for Brigantia credit, it must A) be the exact same class taught by the same teacher as the Brigantia class; B) be posted on an official Asphodel announcement list; and C) the Head of that teaching Order must be informed beforehand as to when it is occurring.

Qualifications for Head of Order

For a teacher to be chosen as Head of a particular Order, they must have a master's degree in that Order, and be acclaimed unanimously by the Brigantia administration. When there is no one with a master's degree who is willing to take on the position, or where the curricula of the Master's degree is not yet set, the Brigantia administration may decide to choose an Order Head whom they feel is qualified in equivalent ways. During their tenure, they must be actively working towards earning the relevant degree. If no appropriate candidate is available, an Acting Head may be appointed to coordinate classes in that Order until such time as an appropriate candidate is available.