I've had a lot of questions about this over the last few days, so hopefully everyone else who is wondering about this but haven't asked yet will have your questions answered here.

Currently, the SA has only 2 phases. Upon a member's completion of the second phase, he/she is promoted to Novice and can join a House and Clan.

From that point on, all promotions must be gained through activity within your House and Clan. The SA only has the power to promote to Novice. All other courses offered by the Shadow Academy are for your own personal enrichment, but have no direct affect on gaining rank.

Krath Pontifex Arion Sunrider
Headmaster of the Shadow Academy