Academic Regulations and Policies

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, integrity and honesty are integral components of Loyola's core values. This commitment to integrity and honesty is manifested in an atmosphere of open, civil discourse and careful, respectful listening where freedom of thought and expression are valued and protected. The University also supports honesty and integrity by striving in various ways to foster respect for oneself and one's own work, as well as respect for others, their work, and their basic human rights.

Loyola University Maryland is dedicated not only to learning and the advancement of knowledge, but also to the development of ethically sensitive, socially responsible persons. The University seeks to accomplish these goals through a sound educational program and encourages maturity, independence, and appropriate conduct among students and faculty within the University community. Students are responsible for civil classroom behavior as communicated by their course instructor, including in-class use of technology. It is the responsibility of faculty and students alike to maintain the academic integrity of the University in all respects.

This section outlines the academic integrity and standards of conduct expected of graduate students at Loyola; student classifications; course enrollment; the grading system; withdrawal and transfer information; academic standards and dismissal, including information on the appeal process; graduation information; and the Buckley Amendment/FERPA.

Academic Integrity

Students at Loyola are citizens of an academic community that conducts itself according to an academic code of honor, following the Jesuit ideals of cura personalis and keeping within the school motto, "Strong Truths Well Lived." All students of the Loyola community have been equally entrusted by their peers to conduct themselves honestly on all academic assignments. The University's goal is to foster a trusting atmosphere that is ideal for learning. In order to achieve this goal, every student must be actively committed to this pursuit and its responsibilities. Thus, all students have the right, as well as the duty, to expect honest work from their colleagues. From this, students will benefit and learn from the caring relationships that the Loyola community trustfully embodies.

All registered students of Loyola University Maryland are bound to uphold the principles of academic integrity, and students are expected to understand the meaning and standards of academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity at Loyola include, but are not limited to, the following offenses as defined below: cheating, stealing, lying, forgery, and plagiarism. Ignorance of any of these offenses is not a valid reason for committing an act of academic dishonesty.

Cheating: The use of unauthorized assistance or material or the giving of unauthorized assistance or material in the carrying out of an academic assignment. An academic assignment includes all homework and projects assigned by the instructor. Students are expected to follow the rules set by a course instructor as presented on a written syllabus. The submission of papers or other assignments produced by another individual or furnished by a service (whether a fee is paid or not and whether the student utilizes some or all of the paper or other assignments) is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Faculty members should be explicit as to what is appropriate and inappropriate assistance on academic assignments. This guidance should make it clear to students what the faculty member allows with regard to proofreading, editing, etc. Ordinarily, consultation with faculty, library staff, tutors, and the like is appropriate unless the instructor has imposed stricter limits on the assignment or the course. For assignments involving multiple students, such as team projects, faculty should provide explicit guidance regarding their expectation with regard to collaboration and expectation on all aspects of the assignment.

Stealing: To take or appropriate another's property, ideas, etc. (related to an academic matter) without permission.

Lying: A false statement or representation (in an academic matter) made with the conscious intent to mislead others. The falsification may be verbal or in another form, as in the case of falsification of data.

Forgery: The intent to mislead others by falsifying a signature in an academic matter.

Plagiarism: "The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts, or passages of another's writing, of the ideas, or the language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one's own mind" (Black's Law Dictionary, 5th Edition). Students are expected to cite properly any material from a published or unpublished source, including material available on the Internet. Although academic disciplines may differ in the manner in which sources are cited, some principles apply across disciplines. In general, any ideas, words, or phrases that appear in another source must be acknowledged at the point at which they are utilized in a student's work. Some program handbooks and course syllabi provide additional information or requirements.

Duplicate Submission: The submission of work (in whole or in part) that has been submitted in a prior or concurrent class without advance consent of the professor(s) assigning the work.

Violations of Academic Integrity

Violations of Academic Integrity can be reported by both instructors and fellow students. This section outlines the procedures to be followed by both instructors and students in regard to reporting such violations.

Instructor Reported Violations

If the instructor believes that a student has committed a violation of academic integrity, the instructor shall meet with the student to review the evidence and the facts of the case. Whenever possible, this meeting should occur within 10 business days after the instructor becomes aware of a possible violation. The instructor considers any information provided by the student and determines whether a violation has occurred. If the instructor determines that a violation has occurred, the instructor determines the sanction and informs the student in writing of the decision and penalty, as appropriate. Normally, this notification occurs no later than 10 business days after the instructor meets with the student. The range of sanctions for an academic integrity violation includes resubmission of the assignment, a lower grade on the assignment, failure on the assignment, failure in the course, or a recommendation of suspension or dismissal from the program. If the course grade is F, then the student is automatically dismissed from the program.

If the student does not accept the decision of the instructor, the student asks the instructor, in writing, to prepare a written charge with the essential facts (the Charge).  The student must make this request no later than 10 business days after being informed of the instructor's decision that a violation has occurred. The instructor must submit the Charge to the chair or director, with a copy to the student, no later than 10 business days from receiving the request. The Charge should contain all relevant information pertaining to the case, including the applicable academic sanction(s). For students enrolled in the Data Science, Forensic Pattern Analysis, Biological Forensics, or MBA programs, the instructor submits the Charge to the appropriate academic program director. For students in all other programs, the instructor submits the Charge to the appropriate department chair. In all cases, the instructor also provides the student with a copy of the Charge.

A graduate student accused of committing an academic integrity violation (as documented in "the Charge" prepared by the instructor and submitted to department chair or program director) may appeal the Charge to the Graduate Academic Standards Committee. To do so, the student must indicate their intention to appeal, in writing, to the department chair or academic program director within 10 business days of receiving a copy of the Charge.  The student may also submit information related to the Charge, in writing, to the chair or director with their request to appeal.

Within 10 business days of receiving the student's request to appeal the Charge, the department chair or director contacts the chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee, which is the body that reviews and makes decisions regarding graduate student appeals of program dismissal or charges regarding violations of academic integrity. The chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee contacts the student to schedule a hearing for the appeal within 10 business days of receiving the student's appeal request. The student is expected to respond with their availability for an appeal hearing within 5 business days, and the appeal hearing is ordinarily scheduled to occur within 10 business days from the student's response. A three-person Review Panel selected from the membership of the committee is convened by the chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee for the appeal hearing. The Panel is created according to established Graduate Academic Standards Committee procedures to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.  The Panel reviews materials related to the case and meets with the student, chair or academic program director, and others whom the Panel deems to have relevant information. Third parties (such as lawyers, advisors, and family members) are not permitted to attend Panel meetings, which are recorded. In the event that a student does not attend the hearing as scheduled, the Panel will consider the submitted information to render a decision. Once the Panel makes a decision regarding whether or not a violation of academic integrity occurred, it will communicate that decision to the chair or director, the instructor, and the student no later than 10 business days after the Panel's last meeting.

If the Panel finds that a violation of academic integrity did occur, then the appropriate sanction(s) as listed in the Charge will be applied. If the student feels the academic sanction(s) is (are) disproportionate to the academic integrity offense, the student may appeal the sanction(s) through the process outlined below (see Process of Appeal for Academic Sanctions). Appeals of academic sanctions should be submitted only upon resolution of any appeal of the Panel's decisions (see Process for Appeal of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee Panel Decision).

If the Panel finds that a violation of academic integrity did not occur, the department chair or academic program director should encourage the instructor to follow the decision of the Panel and to impose no sanction on the student.

If an instructor remains convinced that an academic integrity violation occurred, despite the decision of the Panel, the instructor may persist in imposing the academic sanction originally proposed in the Charge. The instructor will inform the department chair or academic program director, in writing, with a copy to the chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee and the student, whether or not an academic sanction will be imposed (and what that sanction will be) no later than two business days after receiving notification from the Panel of the outcome of the hearing.

If an instructor imposes an academic sanction after the Panel has determined that no academic integrity violation has occurred, the student can appeal the instructor's action according to the procedures outlined below (see Process of Appeal for Academic Sanctions).

If the academic sanction(s) determined by the instructor involves a recommendation for dismissal, the department chair or academic program director follows departmental policy to determine whether a student should be dismissed.  If the chair or director makes the decision to dismiss the student, the chair or director shall inform the student in writing that they have been dismissed no later than 10 business days after the chair or director receives the instructor's recommendation. If the student is dismissed from the program for an academic integrity violation, the student may appeal the dismissal to the appropriate academic Dean on procedural grounds only.

Student Reported Violations

If a student brings evidence or expresses concern about the academic integrity of a fellow student to the instructor, the instructor meets with the reporting student to determine if there is sufficient evidence to explore the matter further. If the instructor, after examining the evidence and speaking with the appropriate parties, determines that a violation has likely occurred, then the instructor follows the steps above.

If a student brings evidence or expresses concern to the chair or director about the academic integrity of a fellow student in a particular course, the chair or director meets with the reporting student to determine if there is sufficient evidence to explore the matter further. If there seems to be such evidence, the chair or director meets with the appropriate instructor. If the instructor determines there is sufficient information for further investigation, then the instructor follows the steps above.

If a student brings evidence or expresses concern to the chair or director about the academic integrity of a fellow student beyond a particular course, such as comprehensive examinations, the chair or director meets with the reporting student to determine if there is sufficient evidence to explore the matter further. If the department chair or academic program director determines there is sufficient information for further investigation, then the director follows the steps above, taking the place of the instructor.

At the discretion of the chair or the director, the above timeline may be extended.

Process for an Appeal of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee Panel Decision

A graduate student who is found responsible for a violation of academic integrity by a Graduate Academic Standards Committee Panel may appeal that decision to the committee chair only on one or more of the following procedural grounds:

1. The student's right to a fair hearing (sometimes referred to as "due process") has been violated.
2. Absence of sufficient evidence to support the decision.
3. Discovery of new evidence.

If the committee chair determines that the appeal is appropriate, a new Panel will be convened to review the Charge and other documentation from the initial appeal, and to meet with the student, department chair or program director, and others as needed.  The panel is created according to established Graduate Academic Standards Committee procedures to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Third parties (such as lawyers, advisors, and family members) are not permitted to attend Panel meetings, which are recorded. The decision of the second panel regarding whether a violation of academic integrity occurred will be considered final. 

Process of Appeal for Academic Sanctions

Appeals of academic sanctions should be submitted only upon resolution of any appeal of Review Panel decisions.

If the Panel has found that a student is responsible for a violation of academic integrity, the student can appeal the academic sanction imposed by the instructor to the appropriate Dean on the following grounds:

1. The academic sanction imposed is not the sanction listed in the Charge prepared by the instructor.
2. The academic sanction imposed does not conform to any stated academic integrity violation policy on the course syllabus, or the sanction imposed does not conform to any departmental academic integrity violation policy on file with the appropriate Dean.

The appeal must be submitted in writing and received by the appropriate Dean no later than four (4) business days from the receipt of the notification from the instructor about the academic sanction to be imposed. (The appropriate Dean is the Dean of the school of the University in which the course of the contested grade is housed.) The written appeal must clearly state the grounds for the appeal. The Dean will review appeals for appropriate submittal (i.e., the appeal is timely and specifies the grounds for the appeal). Appeals rejected as untimely may not be resubmitted.

If the appeal is appropriately submitted, the Dean will consider whether the academic sanction imposed by the instructor conforms to information contained in items 1 and 2 above. If the sanction does conform to those instruments, the Dean will uphold the sanction. If the sanction does not conform to those instruments, the Dean will make the appropriate adjustments, including changing the final grade if deemed appropriate.

The Dean will make a decision no later than 20 business days from receipt of an appropriately submitted appeal. The Dean will communicate the decision, in writing, to the faculty member and the student, including the reasons for the decision. The decision of the Dean is final. There is no further appeal by either the faculty member or the student.

If the Panel has found that a student did not violate the academic integrity policy, but the faculty member in question continues to impose an academic sanction, the student may appeal this action to the appropriate academic Dean. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the appropriate Dean no later than four (4) business days from the receipt of the notification from the instructor that the instructor intends to impose an academic sanction. (The appropriate Dean is the Dean of the school of the University in which the course of the contested grade is housed.) The written appeal must include a copy of the notification from the Panel indicating that it did not find that the student violated the academic integrity policy and a copy of the notification from the instructor that the instructor intends to impose an academic sanction. Appeals that do not include this documentation will be rejected as incomplete and may not be resubmitted. Appeals rejected as untimely may not be resubmitted.

If an appeal is properly submitted, the Dean will consider the case on its merits after consulting appropriate materials and persons related to the Review Panel proceedings. The Dean should confer with the student and the instructor, individually, and may confer with additional appropriate persons related to the hearing. Other parties, including parents or attorneys, are not permitted to attend these conferences. Ordinarily, the Dean will communicate the decision to the student, the faculty member, and the Graduate Academic Standards Committee no later than 20 business days after receipt of the student's appeal. This notification must include a brief rationale for the finding. If the Dean determines that an academic integrity offense occurred, the Dean will uphold the original academic sanction. If the Dean determines that an academic integrity offense did not occur, no academic sanction may be imposed, and the Dean will make the appropriate adjustments, including changing the final grade if appropriate. The decision of the Dean is final. There is no further appeal for either the faculty member or the student.

Standards of Conduct

As a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, Loyola strives to nurture the formation of "men and women for others" and to provide an atmosphere of cura personalis, care for the whole person, so that each individual can realize their full potential. This includes the intellectual, ethical, social, and spiritual development and growth of all members of the Loyola community. In addition, all members of the Loyola community have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect. In this spirit, Loyola espouses the highest ethical standards and expects students, faculty, administrators, and staff to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds these principles. There are several general areas in which these Standards of Conduct apply: official University-wide policies, legal regulations, specialized professional codes of ethics, and generally acceptable standards of personal conduct. In addition, faculty members are responsible for presenting syllabi with information about all coursework, including grading practices, projects, examinations, and assignments, and should remind students of the standards of behavior and conduct to which students are expected to adhere. The instructor of record reserves the right to exclude a student from the classroom or from participation in one or more specific course activities, including trips, for good cause. In such exceptional cases, the student will be provided appropriate alternatives for completing the course. The student may appeal such a decision to the Chair and the Dean, provided that the instructor's decision will take effect and remain in effect unless or until it is overturned on appeal.

All students are expected to conform to all policies and regulations of the University. These include officially adopted policies such as the Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedures, Employee Grievance Policy and Hearings Procedures, Policy on Consensual Relationships, Loyola University Maryland Alcohol Policies and Procedures, Section D of the Loyola University Maryland Community Standards: Student Conduct Process, and Ethical Use of Technology Policy, as well as policies on academic integrity and regulations concerning parking and the use of the Loyola-Notre Dame Library. Copies of these documents are accessible online, https://www.loyola.edu/department/student-conduct. Many of these policies specify procedures for handling alleged violations.

Some graduate programs require students to participate in an international field study or other study abroad experience. When involved in international programs, students should remember that each country has distinct laws, regulations, and acceptable standards of conduct. Loyola's graduate students, as representatives of the University, are expected to abide by local standards for conduct, dress, speech, and social behavior. Graduate students should not violate local standards or laws and should not engage in behaviors that damage the reputation of international study programs or Loyola University Maryland.

Students must abide by federal, state, and local laws. A student who is accused of a crime may be required by the appropriate Dean to take a leave of absence until the matter is resolved. Upon resolution of the matter by federal, state, or local authorities, the appropriate Dean will forward the case to the appropriate body for determination of the student's status, which may include dismissal from the University.

Some graduate programs may include professional comportment as a requirement for students, in addition to academic performance and integrity. These departments have a departmental committee and established processes that allow for assessment of professional behavior and recommendation of remedial interventions. Such remedial recommendations or requirements may include personal counseling, additional supervision, additional coursework, or other assignments deemed useful for professional development. On occasion, students are unable to meet standards following remedial efforts or refuse to accept recommendations for remediation. In these cases, the departmental committee may recommend dismissal from the program. In addition, if the departmental committee finds substantial evidence of personal or professional difficulties, the Committee may recommend suspension (during which time the student may not take academic courses, clinical placement, or research work, or be in any other way connected with the University) with a required program of remediation or dismissal from the program. A student has the right to appeal any suspension or dismissal to the Graduate Academic Standards Committee (see Academic Standards and Dismissal).

Violations of Standards of Conduct

Violations of Standards of Conduct can be reported by both instructors and fellow students. This section outlines the procedures to be followed by both instructors and students in regard to reporting such violations.

Any member of the Loyola community who observes a violation of the standards of conduct for graduate students should bring it to the attention of the appropriate Dean, or their designee. Upon receiving information about a possible violation, the Dean, or their designee, investigates whether there is sufficient evidence to explore the matter further. If there seems to be such evidence, the Dean, or their designee, notifies the student in writing of the alleged misconduct. The student may submit written information related to the allegation to the Dean, or their designee, and may also request a meeting with the Dean, or their designee. If the Dean, or their designee, determines that a violation of the standards of conduct for graduate students has likely occurred, the Dean, or their designee, forwards the file to the appropriate body for further consideration. For alleged violations of University-wide policies, such as harassment, the Dean, or their designee, follows the procedures as specified in the particular policy document. If the allegation concerns misconduct related to clinical work, the Dean, or their designee, refers the matter to the appropriate department chair who follows the procedures set forth in the appropriate program handbook. In all other cases, the Dean, or their designee, refers the matter to the University Student Conduct Process.

If the matter is referred to the University Student Conduct Process, the Director of Student Conduct, or their designee, determines the appropriate student conduct response.  Additional information about the student conduct process is found in the Community Standards. A copy of the Community Standards is available online at https://www.loyola.edu/department/student-conduct.

Warnings, suspensions, and dismissals are possible penalties for violations of University regulations and standards of personal conduct. Suspension and dismissal are normally the only actions that are recorded on the student's permanent record.

Separation from the University

A student may be separated from the University if it is determined that the student engages in, threatens to engage in, or is likely to engage in behavior that poses a danger to self or others; behavior that directly and substantially interferes with the lawful activities of others; behavior that results in the student's inability to pursue academic work; or if the student refuses to cooperate with efforts necessary to determine whether the student's behavior falls within one or more of the above criteria. For specific information on this policy and its implementation, refer to Section G of the Loyola University Maryland Community Standards: Separation for Medical Reasons.

Background Checks

Background checks may be required for participation in some programs. Where applicable, further information can be found in the program description within the department chapter of this catalogue.

Classification of Students

Degree Students

Applicants who meet the entrance standards of the program for which they are applying may be admitted as degree candidates; however, students with provisional or probationary status have certain administrative conditions attached to their acceptances. All specified requirements must be met before final acceptance as a degree candidate is granted. Students with provisional or probationary status who do not comply with the conditions of their acceptance will not be permitted to register for subsequent terms and may be dismissed from the program.

Nondegree Students

Nondegree students are those who have at least a bachelor's degree and wish to enroll in graduate courses without pursuing a graduate degree or certificate at Loyola. Applicants may take no more than eleven credits as nondegree students. Nondegree students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students not enrolled in a course for more than three consecutive semesters will need to reapply to the program of interest. Individuals who wish to continue beyond the eleven credit nondegree limit must formally apply for admission to a degree, postbaccalaureate, or postmaster's program. Students may not continue to enroll beyond the eleven credits until they have been admitted into the degree program of choice. To avoid program interruption, students should apply after their third course; otherwise, there may be a break or semester lost in the continuity of the program.

Not all programs offer the nondegree option. Applicants must consult individual departments for courses available to nondegree students and to ensure that they meet eligibility requirements. To become a nondegree student, an individual must submit an application and all other materials to meet university and program graduate admission standards.

Visiting Students

Graduate students who take courses at the University which count toward a graduate degree at another institution are visiting students. These students must submit an application along with an authorization letter from the dean of the degree-granting institution indicating that the student is in good academic standing and outlining the specific courses to be taken at Loyola. Current tuition rates are charged each semester. Visiting students are ineligible for financial aid or a degree from Loyola University Maryland.

Visiting students in the Sellinger School of Business and Management must meet the same admission and prerequisite requirements as degree-seeking students. They must submit an application, an official transcript from their MBA program, and the authorization letter with course approvals. Students should contact their Loyola or home institution program director to review the options available.

Visiting students from another Jesuit MBA school may transfer credits from one program to another through the MBA Jesuit Transfer Agreement (JEBNET, http://jesuitmba.org). Visiting JEBNET students must submit an application; an official transcript from their MBA program; the authorization letter with course approvals; and the Jesuit MBA exchange form, completed by their MBA program director.

Postbaccalaureate Students

Postbaccalaureate students are those who have a bachelor's degree and wish to enroll in graduate or undergraduate foundation courses without pursuing a graduate degree at Loyola. Admission requirements for postbaccalaureate status can be found under Admission .

Postmaster's Students

Individuals with a master's degree may be admitted to Loyola College for the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS), a 30-credit minimum program beyond a master's degree in the area or related areas in which the master's degree was received.

Individuals with a master's degree may be admitted to the School of Education for the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Education, a 30-credit minimum program beyond a master's degree in the area or related areas in which the master's degree was received. CAS programs are offered in educational leadership and school counseling.

Individuals with a qualifying master's degree from Loyola or another accredited institution may take specific courses in school counseling in order to fulfill prelicensure requirements or to prepare for examination leading to the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential offered by the Maryland Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

Individuals with a master's degree in business from Loyola or an AACSB-accredited school may take individual courses under the Master's Plus, which do not lead to a degree.

Student Status

A full-time graduate student registers for at least 9 credits during the fall semester, 9 credits during the spring semester, and at least 6 credits during the summer sessions. Since instructors' assignments presume an average of 18 hours of study per course week in fall and spring and 24 in the summer, full-time students normally should not be employed for more than 16 hours a week.

Three-quarter-time students register for at least 6.75 and less than 9 credits in the fall and spring semesters. They register for at least 4.5 and less than 6 credits during the summer.

Half-time students register for at least 6 credits and less than 6.75 during the fall semester, at least 6 credits and less than 6.75 during the spring semester, and at least 3 and less than 4.5 during the summer sessions.

International Students

Admission

In addition to the standard graduate application process, international applicants may be required to submit English language test scores, international academic records evaluations, and other documents necessary for admission and issuance of a student visa.  For more information, visit www.loyola.edu/graduate/international.

Obtaining the Form I-20

Loyola University Maryland is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students who are citizens of countries other than the United States. International applicants to Loyola's graduate programs who are seeking an F-1 student visa status are required to submit supplemental documentation in addition to the academic credentials necessary for admission committee review. In order to be eligible to apply for an F-1 student visa, applicants will need to be issued a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) by the University's Office of International Student Services (OISS). The following are required and all must be adequately completed and received before a Form I-20 can be issued:

• Request for a Loyola Form I-20: OISS will email information on how to login and create a profile in the OISS electronic portal, which is required to request a Loyola Form I-20.
• Affidavit of Financial Support affirming that all expenses will be met during the student's period of enrollment at Loyola. Expenses include tuition, fees, books, housing, medical, and all other expenses.
• Official Bank Statement and Declaration of Finances Form must be accompanied by a current, official, original bank letter (in U.S. dollars) verifying that funds are available to support the student's estimated cost of expenses while studying at Loyola. The original, official, bank letter must be on bank stationary, signed by a bank official, and include the bank's contact information. This original bank letter must be mailed to Loyola's Office of International Student Services. To obtain the Declaration of Finances Form, visit www.loyola.edu/graduate/international.
• A copy of the biographical page of the student's valid passport.
• If applicable, copies of the student's U.S. visa and most current U.S. entry stamp. If applicable, submit copies of the principal visa holder's biographical page of the passport, U.S. visa, and most current U.S. entry stamp.
• Loyola University Maryland requires all full-time international graduate students to be enrolled in U.S.-based health insurance while studying at Loyola. Admitted international graduate students are required to enroll online in the Loyola-sponsored Student Health Insurance plan or submit an online request to waive coverage. More information on the Loyola-sponsored health insurance plan as well as criteria requirements to request a waiver can be found at: https://www.loyola.edu/department/student-health/health-insurance/graduate-info.
• Tuition payment for the first semester or the first nine credits.  

Once all international student requirements are received, the information is reviewed and, if approved, Loyola will issue a Form I-20 to the student. The Form I-20 (along with immigration and visa information) will be mailed to the student. Upon receiving the Form I-20 package from Loyola, the student must pay a $350 USD SEVIS processing fee directly to the Department of Homeland Security. Information on the SEVIS fee will be mailed with the Form I-20. Students must present a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt at the time of application for the F-1 student visa, as well as at the U.S. port-of-entry.

International students seeking F-1 status must apply as full-time, degree-seeking students. In order to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant student status, international graduate students must enroll in and successfully maintain full-time student status, which is typically nine or more graduate credits each fall and spring semester. Students must complete the courses with a grade of B (3.000) or better in order to remain in good standing at Loyola, which is necessary to maintain legal F-1 nonimmigrant student status.

Obtaining the F-1 Student Visa

Students must schedule an appointment for an F-1 student visa interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Since visa procedures may differ from one embassy or consulate to another, students should check for specific requirements prior to their interview. To obtain detailed information on the embassy or consulate in your area, visit the Department of State website, travel.state.gov. The consular officer interviews the student and decides whether or not to issue the visa based on the interview, validity of the passport, and the other required documents presented during the interview.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt from applying for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, however, are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee at least three business days prior to their arrival to the U.S. as well as be granted F-1 student status upon admission to the U.S.

Entering the United States

International students with a valid form I-20 may not seek admission to the United States more than 30 days prior to the report date indicated on their Form I-20. Upon arrival to a U.S. port-of-entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will examine the student's Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, F-1 visa (if applicable), and passport for admissibility to the U.S.

Maintaining Legal F-1 Status

All international students in F-1 student status are required to attend Loyola's New International Student Orientation, which occurs the week prior to the first day of classes. During the Orientation program, students will need to present their immigration documents. Copies of the student's passport, Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, and most recent U.S. entry stamp will be processed. Questions regarding International Student Orientation and arrival should be directed to the Office of International Student Services (OISS) by calling 410‑617‑5245.

Continuing students are required to check-in with the international student advisor in OISS within the first five (5) days of each semester. The Office of International Student Services verifies information in the U.S. SEVIS immigration system and makes updates accordingly. Each student's F-1 immigration status must be validated through SEVIS registration every semester they are enrolled at Loyola.  To schedule an appointment with OISS, call 410‑617‑5245 or email oiss@loyola.edu.

In order to maintain legal F-1 student status, graduate students are required to enroll in and successfully maintain a minimum of nine (9) credits of graduate coursework each fall and spring semester. Students must also remain in good academic standing to maintain their F-1 status. Questions regarding immigration should be directed to the international student advisor.

Under F-1 student visa regulations, international students must report any change of address or contact information to the international student advisor within ten (10) days of the change. This information will then be reported to SEVIS. Students must also notify the Office of the Registrar to have their contact information updated in the University's database.

Grades

A student's performance in a course will be reported by the instructor in accordance with the following grading system:

Additional suffixes of (+) and (-) may be attached to passing grades to more sharply define the academic achievement of a student. In calculating a student's quality point average (QPA) on a per credit basis, A = 4.000; A- = 3.670; B+ = 3.330; B = 3.000; B- = 2.670; C+ = 2.330; C = 2.000; and F = 0.000. The QPA is computed by multiplying the grade points for each course times the number of credits for that course, summing these points and dividing by total credits taken. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to graduate unless the QPA is 3.000 or higher. Honors are not awarded in graduate programs.

Courses considered in calculating the QPA are those taken at Loyola after admission into the program. Courses for which advanced standing or waivers were given are not included. Students may not retake courses for credit, unless approved by the department. Some departments have additional grade restrictions listed under the Degree Requirements section of each department.

Grade Reports

Students can generate official grade reports online using Loyola Self-Service. Online access requires a valid user ID and password (same as Loyola email). No grades are given in person or over the telephone.

Incomplete Grade

At the discretion of the course instructor, a temporary grade of I (Incomplete) may be given to a student who is passing a course but for reasons beyond the student's control (illness, injury, or other nonacademic circumstance), is unable to complete the required coursework during the semester. A grade of I should not be issued to allow the student additional time to complete academic requirements of the course (except as noted above), repeat the course, complete extra work, or because of excessive absenteeism or the student's unexcused absence from the final exam.

Arrangements for the grade of I must be made prior to the final examination, or if the course has no final examination, prior to the last class meeting. The responsibility for completing all coursework within the agreed upon time rests with the student.

If the completion date is more than two weeks after the end of the semester, the appropriate Dean's signature will be required. The grade of I may remain on the record no longer than the time period agreed to by the instructor and the student and may not exceed one semester. If the I is not resolved satisfactorily within the agreed upon time period, a grade of F (0.000) will be recorded by the Office of the Registrar as the final grade and the student will be dismissed from the program in accordance with the Academic Standards and Dismissal policy. Students may not graduate with a grade of I in any course on their record.

Appeal of a Final Grade

For any grade review or grade appeal related in whole or in part to an alleged violation of the academic integrity policy, follow the appeal policy under Appeal of Academic Sanctions. For all other appeals of final course grades or changes of grade, follow the processes outlined below. If a dismissal involves a grade appeal, then both the grade appeal and the dismissal appeal must be filed no later than 30 days after the close of the semester.

Grade Review

Any student who has reason to question the accuracy of a final course grade should request in writing a grade review with the instructor, stating the grounds upon which the review is being sought. The student must request a review of the grade no later than 10 business days after the beginning of the subsequent fall semester for summer courses or spring semester for fall courses, and no later than 10 business days after final grades are due for spring semester courses. The instructor reports to the student and department chair (or program director), in writing, the result of the grade review (whether the grade is changed or not), ordinarily no later than 10 business days after the receipt of the student's request. The report must include an explanation of the reasoning behind the result. (If the instructor is the department chair or program director, the report is submitted to the appropriate Dean. The appropriate Dean is the Dean of the school of the University in which the course of the contested grade is housed.)

If a grade change is made by the instructor, the instructor submits a Change of Grade Form stating the reason for the grade change, along with a copy of the student's written request, to the department chair or program director for approval. (In the case where the department chair is also the instructor, the instructor will submit the materials to the appropriate Dean who will appoint a senior member of the department to review the grade.)

In reviewing a grade change, if the chair or program director (or senior member) is satisfied that established procedures were followed and that the grade was not changed in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for inappropriate reasons, the chair or program director (or senior member) communicates this to the faculty member and the student in writing and submits the Change of Grade Form to the Office of the Registrar. If, however, the chair or program director (or senior member) is not satisfied that established procedures were followed, or believes the grade was changed in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for other inappropriate reasons, the chair or program director (or senior member) communicates this in writing to the faculty member and the student and no change of grade occurs. If either the student or instructor is not satisfied with the outcome of the department chair's or program director's grade review, a grade appeal may be filed.

Grade Appeal

A grade appeal may not be filed until a grade review has been completed. No grades may be appealed after a student graduates.

If the instructor or chair or program director (or senior member) does not change a grade, and the student is not satisfied with the grade review, the student may file a grade appeal. This grade appeal must include an explanation of why the student thinks the result of the grade review is in error. The grade appeal must be submitted in writing to the department chair no later than 10 business days after the instructor submits the written grade review to the student and department chair. (In the case where the department chair or program director is also the instructor, a senior member of the department or program chosen by the appropriate dean will review the grade appeal.) No grades may be appealed after a student graduates.

In considering a grade appeal, the department chair or program director (or senior department member) should ensure that established procedures were followed and that the grade was not determined in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for inappropriate reasons. The chair or program director (or senior member) should confer with the student and instructor, individually. Other parties, including parents, spouses, or attorneys are not permitted to attend the grade appeal conference. The chair or program director (or senior member) should report the result of this review, in writing, to the instructor, the student, and the appropriate dean, ordinarily no later than 10 business days after receiving the appeal. This report must include an explanation for the reasoning behind the decision. If the chair or program director (or senior member) determines that established procedures were not followed or that a grade was given in an arbitrary or capricious manner or based on inappropriate reasons, the chair or program director (or senior member) fills out a Change of Grade Form and submits it to the Office of the Registrar.

If either the student and/or instructor is not satisfied with the outcome of the department chair's or program director's (or senior department member's) review of a grade appeal, the student and/or the instructor may appeal to the appropriate dean by submitting all pertinent documents for further review. The grade appeal must be submitted by the student and/or instructor in writing to the dean no later than 10 business days after the student and/or instructor receives the written grade review from the department chair. The dean or the dean's designee will review the record and confer with the chair or program director (or senior member) and the student and instructor. Other parties, including parents, spouses, and attorneys, are not permitted to attend this conference.

The dean reports the outcome of the grade appeal review to the instructor, student, chair or program director, and Office of the Registrar, normally no later than 20 business days after the receipt of the grade appeal. The dean's review of all grade changes and grade appeals is final.

If a dismissal involves a grade appeal, then both the appeal of the dismissal and the grade appeal must be filed no later than 30 days after the close of the semester. Students are allowed to remain enrolled in current (e.g. accelerated courses or 1-2 credit courses) courses while appealing grades that will result in dismissal; however, they will not be allowed to enroll for subsequent semesters until the appeal is resolved. If a student's registration for a subsequent semester was processed prior to filing an academic dismissal appeal, the registration will be cancelled, financial aid awards designated for that semester will be cancelled, and tuition paid for that semester will be refunded. Students dismissed from an academic program may not reapply to the same program.

A W cannot be the result of a grade appeal. A W on an academic transcript indicates that a student has successfully withdrawn from a course(s), following the approved course withdrawal process (described below), including published deadlines.

Audit Policy

Audit status indicates that a student has registered as a listener for the course. Auditing students must meet the requirements for admission to a degree program. An auditing student must meet the same prerequisites and pay the same tuition and fees as a credit student, but attendance and completion of the course assignments are at the option of the student unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Students not completing the requirements stipulated by the instructor will be issued a grade of AW. Enrollment for audit in those courses in which auditing is permitted is on a space-available basis. Not all programs offer the audit option; therefore, applicants should check with their program of interest to ensure that they are eligible for consideration.

A student may change from audit to credit and from credit to audit until the end of the late registration period, with permission of the instructor. After late registration ends, change from audit to credit is not permitted. Once a student has audited a course, that course cannot be retaken for credit.

Withdrawals

A student may withdraw from a course no later than the date reflected in the academic calendar and receive a grade of W. Failure to comply with the official withdrawal procedure will result in a permanent grade of F (0.000). The receipt of one F (0.000) will result in dismissal from the program (See Academic Standards and Dismissal).

To withdraw, a student must submit a Change of Registration Form to the Office of the Registrar or to the appropriate department office. A withdrawal from a graduate course is not official until the form has been properly approved and has the appropriate signatures. The student's permanent record will show a grade of W for a withdrawal. The record of any student who has received two or more W grades will be reviewed prior to the student's continuance in the program.

Academic Standards and Dismissal

It is the student's responsibility to make certain that the minimum QPA requirement of 3.000, which is a B average, is maintained. Students who fall below this level of achievement will be placed on academic probation for one semester (for full-time students) or its equivalent in graded (not Pass/Fail) credits (for part-time students). Failure to raise the cumulative QPA to 3.000 by the end of the probation period will result in dismissal from the program. The receipt of one F (0.000) will result in dismissal from the program.

The receipt of one grade of C+ (2.330) or lower will result in academic probation for one semester, and the receipt of two grades of C+ (2.330) or lower will result in dismissal from the program. Some departments and programs have additional and/or more stringent academic standards; these are listed in the relevant department or program section of this catalogue. As noted below, dismissal may also result from excessive withdrawals, violations of academic integrity, or other unethical or unprofessional conduct reflecting upon a student's ability to enter into the academic or professional field in which the degree is being offered.

Students who are dismissed from their graduate program for any reason may not reapply to the same program at a later date.  Students who have been dismissed are not permitted to register for the following semester until a grade appeal and/or dismissal appeal has been resolved. If a student has already registered for a future semester, the academic program administrator completes the appropriate form to withdraw the student from the course(s) and the University. Any pending financial aid is canceled. Contact the Graduate Financial Aid Director, with specific questions regarding financial aid. If you are an international student studying in F-1 visa status, you must contact the Director of the Office of International Student Services.  

A student has the right to appeal an academic dismissal. A written request for appeal, including the grounds for appeal, must be made within 30 business days after the notice of dismissal. Students enrolled in Data Science, Forensic Pattern Analysis, or a graduate business program appeal to the appropriate academic program director. Students in all other programs appeal to the appropriate department chair. If a dismissal involves a grade appeal, then both the appeal of the dismissal and the grade appeal must be filed no later than 30 days after the close of the semester. A grade review and appeal must be completed before the dismissal appeal can proceed. (See Appeal of a Final Grade Section).

Within 10 business days of receiving the student's appeal, the chair or director contacts the chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee, which is the body that reviews and makes decisions regarding graduate student appeals of program dismissal or charges regarding violations of academic integrity. The chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee contacts the student to schedule a hearing for the appeal within 10 business days of receiving the student's appeal request. The student is expected to respond with their availability for an appeal hearing within 5 business days, and the appeal hearing is ordinarily scheduled to occur within 10 business days from the student's response. A three-person Review Panel selected from the membership of the committee is convened by the chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee for the appeal hearing.  The Panel is created according to established Graduate Academic Standards Committee procedures to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.  The Panel reviews information submitted by the student and meets with the student as well as others whom the Panel deems to have relevant information. Third parties (such as lawyers, advisors, and family members) are not permitted to attend these meetings, which are recorded. In the event that a student does not attend the hearing as scheduled, the Panel will consider the submitted information to render a decision. The Chair of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee informs the student of the Panel's decision in writing, with a copy to the department chair or program director, within 10 business days from the date of the Panel's last meeting. The decision of the Graduate Academic Standards Committee is final. At the discretion of the appropriate Dean, the above timeline may be extended. In cases where the academic dismissal is upheld, students may not reapply to the same program at a later date.

Federal financial aid is a separate appeal process, subject to the federal regulations governing the federal financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy found under Financial Aid.

Time Limit

Every degree program has a time limit to completion. While continuous enrollment is not a requirement of all graduate programs, most part-time programs allow students the flexibility to pursue their degrees on a self-paced calendar based on the availability of courses. This is most true for part-time programs designed for working professionals. Those programs that operate in a cohort format, with a sequenced curriculum (mainly full-time and fast-tracked programs), require continuous enrollment in order for students to complete the program in the designed timeframe.

If a student in a part-time program fails to register for a course for three consecutive semesters (including summer), the student will be withdrawn from the program and must reapply for admission and pay a readmission fee. Readmission is not automatic; readmitted students are subject to any changes made in admission and degree requirements since the date of their first admission.

In Loyola College and the School of Education, ordinarily a time limit of five years from the semester in which graduate courses are begun is allowed for the completion of coursework unless specified differently by the department or program. Normally prerequisite courses do not count against the five-year limit. 

The Master of Arts (MA) in Emerging Media is designed to be completed in 12 months for full-time students and 44-60 months for part-time students. The Communication and Media Department allows students three years to complete the requirements for the Health Communication Graduate Certificate.

The Master of Science (MS) in Data Science allows five years for students to complete all degree requirements.

The Forensic Science Department allows students five years to complete all degree requirements for the Master of Science (MS) programs in Forensic Pattern Analysis and Biological Forensics.  The programs are designed to be completed in two years for full-time students.  

The Psychology Department allows students five years to complete all degree requirements for the 60-credit MS program. The department allows students seven years to complete all of the requirements for the PsyD program, including the dissertation and internship. This necessitates that PsyD students apply for internship no later than the fall of their sixth academic year in the program.

The speech-language pathology program has a full-time integrated schedule that is designed to be completed in two years and must be completed within five years.

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study. It is possible to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students have six (6) years to complete all of the degree requirements.  Ordinarily, one additional year is permitted for completion of the thesis in areas where a thesis is a requirement. It is expected that a student will complete the thesis within two regular semesters after the one in which presentation is made in Thesis Seminar. Refer to the department for information regarding registration for Thesis Seminar, Thesis Guidance, or Thesis Guidance Continuation. The Theology Department allows students four years (eight semesters) to complete the requirements for the Post-baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Theology and Ministry.

In the Sellinger School of Business, the Emerging Leaders MBA has a fixed, 12-month schedule and students are ordinarily expected to complete the program in that time. The Master of Accounting has a fixed, 12-month schedule and full-time students ordinarily complete the program in one year.  Part-time MAcc students have five years to complete all degree requirements. The Professional's MBA evening program requires students to complete their degrees within six years. PMBA students are expected to have completed 60 percent of their programs within the first four years.

Leave of Absence

Under special circumstances (illness, work, military service, family or financial hardship, etc.), a student may request to take a leave of absence from their graduate program.  It is strongly recommended that students wishing to take a Leave of Absence from their graduate program first seek guidance from their advisor or Graduate Program Director.  International students in F-1 status are also required to meet with their international student advisor in the Office of International Student Services (OISS) prior to submitting their request for a Leave of Absence to discuss the implications on their immigration status and SEVIS record. Students on an approved leave of absence are not permitted to engage in academic coursework (thesis, dissertation, etc.) and/or work with faculty during this period of separation.  (Note: Students receiving financial aid should contact the office of graduate financial aid at gradfinancialaid@loyola.edu or 410-617-5020.)

To request a leave of absence, the student must complete and submit the GR Leave of Absence Form, or submit a request in writing from their Loyola email address to the program director specifying the date that the Leave would begin and which courses, if any, should be withdrawn or dropped.  The GR Leave of Absence Form is available through Loyola Self-Service.  The drop date for any incomplete courses that are requested and approved to be dropped or withdrawn will be the start date indicated on the Leave of Absence form or the date the form or written request is submitted, whichever is later. Depending on the drop date for the courses and whether these courses are approved to be dropped or withdrawn, the student may receive a grade of W, F, or AW. 

In the Psychology Department, graduate students are allowed only one leave of absence during their program.  If a student wishes to request an additional leave of absence, the student must submit an appeal in writing from their Loyola email address to the program director before submitting an additional leave of absence request e-form.

Students may take a leave of absence for not more than two semesters. Students who take a leave of absence while on academic or disciplinary probation must complete the probation and satisfy its terms upon returning to Loyola. Students subject to dismissal for academic or disciplinary reasons are not eligible for a leave of absence.

Military Service Policy (Active Duty, Inactive Duty Training or State Service) 

Loyola University Maryland is committed to supporting enrolled students who are members of the Armed Forces (including reserve components).

Policy Guidelines for Current Students per Public Law 117-328 – Section 3691A
Loyola University Maryland must take the following actions when a member withdraws due to receiving orders for a period of service:

• Refunding all tuition and fees paid for the academic term to the appropriate party. Please note that VA's interpretation of academic term is the term as reported to your State Approving Agency and VA.
• Refunding payments made by the student (or behalf of the student) to the institution for housing. Please note that in this instance the reference to housing is not the monthly housing allowance provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill but rather housing costs such as dorm fees.

Loyola University Maryland must take the following actions when a member takes a leave of absence from a course(s) due to receiving orders for a period of service:

• Assigning a grade of incomplete (or equivalent) for the course(s) during the term, and
• Providing the opportunity to complete the term after the period of service.

Loyola University Maryland may not take the following actions when a member receives orders for a period of service:

• Assigning the member a failing grade,
• Reducing the member's grade point average,
• Characterizing any member's absence(s) as unexcused, or
• Assessing a financial penalty on a member because of a withdraw or leave of absence due to receiving orders for service.

Voluntary Withdrawal from the University

It is strongly encouraged that students wishing to withdraw from Loyola University Maryland and their graduate program of study first seek guidance from their advisor or graduate program director.  International students in F-1 status must also meet with their international student advisor in the Office of International Student Services prior to submitting their request to withdraw from the University to discuss the implications on their immigration status and SEVIS record.

A student is entitled to withdraw voluntarily from the University under the following conditions:

• The student must not meet the conditions for dismissal due to academic deficiency or breach of discipline (see Academic Standards and Dismissal).
• The student must complete and submit the GR Withdrawal from the University Form available through Loyola Self-Service.
• Depending on the timing of and reasons for the withdrawal, the student will receive a grade of W, F, or AW for any incomplete courses.  The drop date for any incomplete courses is the date the student submits the GR Withdrawal from the University Form.

A student who voluntarily withdraws from the University and wishes to resume their studies must reapply for admission to the graduate program through the formal Office of Graduate Admission application process.  Readmission is not automatic; readmitted students are subject to any changes made in admission and degree requirements since the date of their first admission.  Students who have been dismissed from an academic program may not reapply for admission to the same program.

Independent Study

Independent study courses are special courses that permit a student to study a subject or topic in considerable depth beyond the scope of a regular course. These are courses that are not ordinarily offered by a department or program and often are listed as "special topics" courses. The student works closely and directly with the instructor as a scholarly team. The format of the course may vary: laboratory research, prose or poetry writings, specialized study of a particular topic, etc. The student must expect to devote considerably more time to these courses than to a regular course. The student must use initiative, be highly motivated, and have a strong interest in the subject. Since the work is largely original on the part of the student, the instructor is only able to give a general direction and guidance to the work.

Registration for independent study courses requires submission of the Specialized Study Form no later than the end of the scheduled add/drop period. To gain approval for an independent study course, a student must:

1. Develop a syllabus, which includes readings, assignments, scheduled meeting times, etc., with the instructor who will direct the independent study and obtain the instructor's signature on the completed Specialized Study Form.
2. Present the syllabus to the department chair and obtain the chair's signature for approval of the course.

Private Study

Private study courses are regular courses (e.g., courses that appear in the catalogue and have numbers assigned to them with descriptive titles) that are not scheduled in a given semester and that the student has not been able to schedule in the regular sequence. Students are only allowed to enroll in courses as private study if they will be delayed in completing their program due to course conflicts or the department course rotation schedule. The scope, assignments, and requirements for a private study course are the same as for the regular course, and the student is required to meet with the instructor on a regular basis.

Private study courses must be taken for a regular grade. Registration for these courses requires submission of the Specialized Study Form, signed by both the instructor and department chair, no later than the end of the scheduled add/drop period. To gain approval for a private study course, a student must:

1. Develop a syllabus, which includes readings, assignments, scheduled meeting times, etc., with the instructor who will direct the independent study and obtain the instructor's signature on the completed Specialized Study Form.
2. Present the syllabus to the department chair and obtain the chair's signature for approval of the course.

Test Materials

All examinations, tests, and quizzes assigned as a part of a course are the property of Loyola University Maryland. Students may review their graded examination, test, or quiz but may not retain possession unless permitted to do so by the instructor.

Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit

Advanced standing credits applicable toward degree programs may be granted for graduate courses which have been taken at an accredited graduate school within five years of the date of admission to graduate study at Loyola. In order to have courses considered for advanced standing, students must submit a written request to the department chair or appropriate administrator as delegated at the time of admission. The department chair or appropriate administrator may ask for additional information in order to evaluate the request (e.g., course syllabus).  Loyola University Maryland will review the educational quality of the institution where the credits were earned, the comparability of credit to be transferred to Loyola, and the appropriateness and the applicability of credit in relation to the programs currently offered by Loyola, along with the student's transcript, before rendering a decision about advanced standing credit.  Courses for which a grade of "P" is assigned must be accompanied by a letter from the Registrar of the other institution verifying that the grade of "P" is the equivalent of a "B" or better.

Transfer credits may be granted for graduate courses which have been taken at accredited graduate schools while concurrently completing a Loyola graduate degree.  Transfer credits require written approval from the Department prior to the student taking the course.

The number of credits permitted to be applied as transfer or advanced standing credit are determined by each school as described below.

Exceptions to any portions of this policy require a written rationale submitted to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs or their designee who will vet the request with appropriate university personnel.

Credit for Prior Learning

Loyola College of Arts and Science

The maximum number of credits allowed for advanced standing plus transfer credit is nine (9) credits for a program of up to 48 credit hours and up to 12 credits for programs more than 48 credit hours.  Course approval of advanced standing and transfer credits is left up to the discretion of the individual programs. The student must have a grade of at least a B (3.000) in each course under consideration; however, only credits (not grades) are brought into Loyola. Once these courses are approved, they are posted on the Loyola transcript.

School of Education

The maximum number of credits allowed for advanced standing plus transfer credit is nine (9) credits for a program of up to 48 credit hours and up to 12 credits for programs more than 48 credit hours.  Course approval of advanced standing and transfer credits is left up to the discretion of the individual programs. The student must have a grade of at least a B (3.000) in each course under consideration; however, only credits (not grades) are brought into Loyola. Once these courses are approved, they are posted on the Loyola transcript.

Montessori Education

Individuals possessing a credential from a Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education (MACTE) accredited teacher education program in the areas of Infant/Toddler (0-3), Primary (3-6), Elementary (6-12) or Administrator are eligible to submit their credentials for evaluation.

Prospective students must submit their MACTE training credential during the admissions process for evaluation. Upon assessment, qualifying candidates may be granted 15 graduate credit hours towards the M.Ed. in Montessori Education. A non-refundable fee is charged at the time of admission for the evaluation of the MACTE credential and must be paid prior to entering the program.

Qualifying candidates will receive credit for specific courses based on their Montessori Area of Concentration:

• Birth to Three Area: MO637, MO638, MO642, MO640, MO644
• Early Childhood Area: MO631, MO632, MO633, MO634, MO636
• Elementary Area: MO646, MO649, MO651, MO652, MO653
• Professional Area: MO663, MO638, MO629, MO658, MO660

Sellinger School of Business and Management (SSBM)

Advanced standing in the Sellinger School applies to upper-level courses (GB 700-800) only. These courses are normally from AACSB-accredited institutions. Mode of course delivery is not a consideration in transfer decisions. No more than six (6) credits from advanced standing and/or transfer will be accepted from another institution toward the Loyola degree. A grade of at least a B (3.000) must be received for each course transferred to Loyola; however, only credits (not grades) are brought into Loyola. Under exceptional circumstances, and only with prior written approval of the assistant dean, may courses be transferred in after beginning degree work.

Students completing the Loyola MBA or MAcc who wish to pursue a second Loyola graduate business program may be granted as many as 12 credits of appropriate SSBM coursework to be applied from one program to the other. Courses used as transfer credit from one Loyola business program to another must be at the 700-level or above. In addition, students completing another Loyola graduate program outside the business school that contain similar content to required MBA or MAcc courses as approved by SSBM, may be granted as many as 12 credits of appropriate SSBM coursework to be applied from one graduate program to the other.  

Stackable Credits

Under certain circumstances, credits earned in approved graduate certificate programs as outlined in the Graduate Academic Catalogue may be combined with credits earned in other approved graduate certificate programs and/or additional coursework to fulfill the requirements of a degree program.  To be stackable, courses taken for the certificate program must be current required courses and/or electives in a degree program. 

Transcripts

Student academic records are maintained by the Office of the Registrar. Academic records are available for student inspection, by appointment during office hours.

The transcript is a facsimile of the student's permanent academic record at Loyola. Unofficial transcripts are available through Self-Service. Official transcripts are transmitted or mailed directly to another college or university or other official institution or agency. Official transcripts are printed or electronically produced on security paper, and they bear the seal of the University and the signature of the director of records.

Transcripts are issued only upon the written request of the student concerned or the submission of an electronic request using Loyola's secure online transcript ordering service. Due to authentication restrictions, email, fax, and telephone requests are not accepted. There is a minimum service charge of two dollars and ninety cents ($2.90) for transcripts ordered through Loyola's secure online transcript ordering service.  

Transcripts should be requested well in advance of the date desired to allow for processing time and possible mail delay. The University will not assume responsibility for transcripts that are delayed because they have not been requested in time. Transcripts will not be faxed; however, they can be delivered electronically through Loyola's online transcript ordering service.

Transcripts of work at other institutions or test scores submitted for admission or evaluation of credit cannot be copied or reissued by Loyola University Maryland. If that information is needed, the student must go directly to the issuing institution or agency.

Graduation

All academic requirements (including clinical work), comprehensive exams, thesis (if required), and any additional requirements unique to the department must be satisfactorily completed for a student to be eligible for graduation. All courses taken are considered part of the cumulative QPA, whether they apply to the program or not. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to graduate if the cumulative QPA is not exactly 3.000 or higher. Students whose QPA falls below 3.000 in the last semester will be placed on probation. These students will be given one semester (for full-time students) or its equivalent in graded (not Pass/Fail) credits (for part-time students) to raise the QPA to the required 3.000 by taking an additional course(s) above the listed requirements.

In Loyola College, Sellinger School of Business and Management, and the School of Education, the accumulation of two grades of C+ (2.333) or lower, earned at any time during the student's program of study (including the last semester), makes the student ineligible to graduate and will result in dismissal from the program. The receipt of a grade of F at any time during the student's program of study (including the last semester) makes the student ineligible to graduate and will result in dismissal.

All students are required to file an electronic application for graduation with the Office of the Registrar. Students must submit applications by the first day of class of the fall semester for January graduation, the first day of class of the spring semester for May graduation, and the first day of class of the first summer session for September graduation. Failure to comply with the graduation application deadline will delay graduation until the next semester. Refer to the Office of the Registrar website (https://www.loyola.edu/department/registrar/) for specific dates. Students who file an application for a specific semester and do not complete the graduation requirements must submit a new application. Degrees are conferred in September, January, and May.

Formal commencement exercises are held each year in May. Graduate students who have completed all degree requirements and graduate students who have completed all credit-bearing requirements but who still have outstanding non-credit bearing requirements (e.g., passing licensure exam, completion of non-credit required capstone or internship experiences) are permitted to participate in commencement exercises. 

Graduate students who have not fully met the above criteria are permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony when the following conditions are met:

1. For programs of less than 60 credits, the student has no more than 1 (3-5 credit) course remaining; OR
2. For programs of 60 credits or more, the student has no more than 2 (3-5 credit) courses remaining; AND
3. For programs requiring a thesis or dissertation, the final thesis or dissertation has been defended and submitted to the university.
4. All students must be in good academic standing in order to participate in commencement.

Students with remaining courses or non-credit bearing degree requirements are expected to complete those requirements within the 6 months following commencement (i.e., summer or fall semester).  Students who participate in the commencement ceremony with any outstanding degree requirements will not receive their degrees or diplomas until those requirements are completed and they have submitted a second application to graduate.  All degrees are conferred according to the established university calendar (annually in May, September, January).  Students who complete degree requirements in September and January may obtain their diplomas at that time from the Office of the Registrar. They may also participate in the formal commencement ceremonies the following May.

Buckley Amendment

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) is a federal law affecting all institutions that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Loyola University Maryland has a commitment to protect the confidentiality of student records. The University makes every effort to release information only to those individuals who have established a legitimate educational need for the information. Documents submitted to the University by the student or another authorized person or agency for the purpose of admission to the University become the property of Loyola University Maryland and cannot be released (originals or copies) to another party by request.

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:

The right to inspect and review the student's educational records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

The right to request the amendment of the student's educational records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility.

If non-directory information is needed to address a disaster or other health or safety emergency, school officials may disclose that information to appropriate parties, without consent, if the University determines that knowledge of that information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Loyola University Maryland to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints must be filed in writing to the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202‑5920

FERPA requires that Loyola University Maryland, with certain exceptions, obtain the student's written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the student's education records. However, the University may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless the student has advised the University to the contrary in accordance with University procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the University to include this type of information from the student's education records in certain institutional publications. Examples include the annual yearbook, Dean's List or other recognition lists, graduation programs; and directory information. Directory information is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a student's prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

Loyola University Maryland considers the following information to be directory information which can be released without the written consent of the student: name; photo; home, dorm, local, and e‑mail address; home, dorm, local phone number; voice mailbox; class year; enrollment status; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; and weight and height of members of athletic teams. Every student has the right to file a written request with the University (Office of the Registrar) to restrict the listing of directory information in the electronic address directory. If a student does not want the University to disclose directory information from the student's education records without the student's prior written consent, the student must notify the University annually, in writing, within the first week of classes: Office of the Registrar, 4501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210‑2699. Students should be aware that instructing the University not to release directory information could impact disclosures to potential employers, lending institutions, health insurance carriers, etc.

The University may disclose educational records to the parents of a dependent student, as defined in Title 26 USCSS 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Proof of dependency must be on record with the University or provided to the office responsible for maintaining records prior to disclosure of the records. Students may also sign an Authorization to Disclose Education Records to Parents, available in the Office of the Registrar (Maryland Hall 141) and online, www.loyola.edu/records.