Curriculum and Policies

Curriculum

The curriculum at Loyola University Maryland requires a minimum of 40, three-, four-, or five-credit courses and at least 120 credits for an undergraduate degree. Some majors may require additional courses/credits. The residency requirement is the satisfactory completion of at least 20 of these courses at Loyola (see Residency Requirement under Policies). Ordinarily a student takes five, three-, four-, or five-credit courses in the fall and spring terms for four years. One- and two-credit courses do not count as courses/credits completed toward the minimum 40-course degree requirement.

The curriculum is comprised of three areas: the core, the major, and the electives.

The Core

A liberal arts education requires that students take courses in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and mathematics. These core courses, required of all students regardless of major, introduce students to these areas of study. Students in the Honors Program fulfill the University core requirements through an alternative core curriculum. Specific core requirements for individual programs can be found in each department's chapter. The University core requirements are as follows:

Composition: Effective Writing (WR 100 ).

Ethics: One course from PL 300-PL 319 or one course from TH 300-TH 319.

Fine Arts: One fine arts course is chosen from designated possibilities in art history (AH 111 ), music (MU 201 , MU 203 ), photography (PT 270 ), studio arts (SA 224 ), or theatre (DR 250 , DR 251 ).

History: One HS 100-level course and one HS300-level course.

Language: One course at the 104- or 200-level in a modern foreign language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese [last offered in fall 2016], or Spanish) or one course in Greek or Latin at the 104 or 300-level, normally to be completed at Loyola. All students must fulfill the foreign language core requirement.

Literature: Understanding Literature (EN 101 ) and one other English course at the 200-level.

Mathematics: One MA/ST course (excluding MA 004 , MA 103 , MA 104 , and MA 109 ).

Natural Sciences: One course in a natural science. One additional course in computer science, engineering science (EG 101 , EG 103 ), mathematics/statistics (excluding MA 004  and MA 109 ), or a natural science.

Philosophy: Foundations of Philosophy (PL 201 ) and one 200-level Philosophical Perspectives course. The two, 200-level courses are regarded as a single, year-long sequence.

Social Sciences: Any combination of two survey courses from economics, political science, psychology, or sociology. These are typically at the 100-level (200-level for psychology).

Theology: Introduction to Theology (TH 201 ) and one course from TH 202-299.

Diversity Core Requirement

The core values statement of Loyola University Maryland calls upon the curriculum to prepare students to dedicate themselves to diversity that values the richness of human society as a divine gift and to pursue justice by making an action-oriented response to the needs of the world. Therefore, as part of their core curriculum, students are required to successfully complete one designated diversity core, major, or elective course that will also count as one of their overall graduation requirements. A designated diversity course may not be taken as an independent or a private study. Transfer courses, including those taken through study abroad, do not fulfill this requirement.

A designated diversity core course includes substantial focus on issues in one of the following areas:

Global awareness concentrates on cultures that fall outside of the boundaries of a liberal arts education in the Western intellectual tradition, including, but not limited to, those in Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa, Central/Latin America, and Australia/New Zealand. Global awareness courses may also address the interaction between these cultures and Western cultures.

Justice awareness fosters the ability to think in a sophisticated manner about the distinctive life and thought of those subject to injustice, and/or addresses issues of injustice through the examination of oppression, discrimination, prejudice, stigmatization, and privilege.

Domestic diversity awareness considers the political, cultural, economic, and social significance of class, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, age, or race, or ethnicity, and explores the process by which distinctive American cultures have been created and either are or are not sustained.

Course sections that meet the diversity core requirement are designated with a D in WebAdvisor.

The Major

The "major" part of the curriculum offers a program of courses that enables students to pursue their specialized areas of study in depth. The major normally consists of two introductory courses, eight to 10 upperdivision courses, and two to four other courses in allied disciplines.

The accounting and business administration majors within the Sellinger School of Business and Management include six introductory courses and seven upper-division business core courses. In addition, the accounting major requires seven upper-division courses in accounting. Within the business administration major, a student must select a concentration area and complete six upper-division courses in that discipline.

The Electives

Elective courses are those courses remaining in Loyola's minimum 40-course curriculum after core and major courses have been fulfilled. Electives are of two types-nondepartmental or free.

Nondepartmental electives are courses which are not required by the core or the major but which must be taken as part of the graduation requirement outside the department of the major. All students have three nondepartmental electives in their programs except for students who major in Engineering.

Free electives are courses required for graduation that are not covered by the core, major, or nondepartmental electives. Free electives may be taken in any department. The number of free electives each student must take is determined by the major.

Service-Learning

At Loyola University Maryland, service-learning refers to experiential learning within academic courses that is gained through structured reflection on community-based service. In most courses, service-learning is combined with more traditional modes of teaching and learning. Essential components of service-learning include: learning and service which enhance one another, reciprocal partnership with the community, and meaningful, structured reflection. Service-learning courses intentionally contribute to those undergraduate educational aims which promote justice, diversity, leadership, and social responsibility. These values are central to the Jesuit educational mission of Loyola and of all Jesuit colleges and universities.

Service-learning may be optional or required of all students in a course, depending on the preferences and needs of the instructor, department, and community partners involved. Designated service-learning courses typically require a minimum of 20 hours of community-based service. Service-learning offers students the exciting opportunity to learn about almost any subject in the arts, business, the humanities, and the social and natural sciences by engaging in service as part of their normal coursework. It challenges students to learn firsthand about community, democracy, diversity, justice, civil society, social responsibility, leadership, and critical thinking. Service-learning also offers students opportunities for personal growth, faith development, improved social and communication skills, job training, and exposure to an array of diverse perspectives that exist beyond the confines of campus life. Through service-learning, students learn about themselves and the world around them at the same time.

Engaging in service as part of a course contributes to learning about course content just as reading texts, watching films, conducting experiments in the lab, or going on field trips do. In a service-learning course, service is part of the homework students undertake to learn about their subject matter. In other words, the service becomes a "text" that students "read," reflect upon, and learn. Learning occurs through an array of structured reflection assignments that help students connect their service experiences in the course with the central ideas, hypotheses, theories, and methods they are studying. For example, students learning a second language improve their oral comprehension and speaking skills by serving as tutors or teachers in schools or tutoring programs in the community. They also gain valuable insight into the relationship between language and culture. Conversely, course content enhances the civic education that occurs at the service site. For example, writing students serving with a neighborhood association learn processes of creating community change; writing skills allow them to co-author a grant with the neighborhood. Other examples of service-learning include students in chemistry courses who help communities identify lead contamination in housing and soils; accounting students who assist low-income families with their income taxes; or students in education and communication who gain personal knowledge of illiteracy among adults by serving in one of the many literacy programs in the community.

Service-learning courses are not traditional courses with a service component attached to them. Effective service-learning occurs when the service is directly linked to specific learning objectives of a course, and both the service and learning are fully integrated into the course and syllabus. In addition, since reciprocity is an essential component of service-learning, the service must meet authentic community needs identified by community partners and constituencies. In service-learning, community partners become co-educators with faculty: they play a significant role in the learning Loyola students do through the community service integrated into these courses.

Designated service-learning courses are offered each semester in a variety of disciplines. Courses are identified on WebAdvisor (select service-learning or service optional under course types) and the service-learning website, http://www.loyola.edu/service-learning. Students interested in service-learning courses in their majors are also encouraged to contact their professors, department chairs, or the Assistant Director of Service-Learning (410‑617‑2909). The service-learning program is housed within the Center for Community Service and Justice, located in the Humanities Center.

Messina

Messina is a unique first-year program committed to liberal arts learning and the Jesuit tradition. It is designed to help undergraduates adjust quickly to college-level work and forge a clear path to success in college and in their lives and careers afterward. Messina is named for the city in Sicily, Italy, where the Jesuits established their first college to welcome lay students. The college at Messina set the tone for how Jesuit education has evolved throughout its nearly 500-year history-through a commitment to academic excellence attained across a range of disciplines and the development of the whole person. Loyola's Messina offers a similarly distinctive beginning-an opportunity to explore learning in different disciplines, appreciate their interconnectedness, and take to heart the importance of learning to one's personal and intellectual growth.

In Messina, students take engaging interdisciplinary seminars designed and taught by Loyola's leading faculty. The Messina experience includes the following features:

• Students take two linked, first-year seminar courses (one fall, one spring) connected by one of four themes: The Good LIfe, Self and Other, Stories We Tell, or The Visionary. Each seminar is specifically designed for first-year students and most satisfy core requirements. Some courses also fulfill Loyola's diversity core requirement.
• One of the two seminar faculty members will be the Messina core advisor, thus ensuring that the faculty advisor and advisee know one another well.
• Students participate in out-of-class experiences, events and performances, and excursions designed to extend classroom learning; build stronger communities around learning; and establish deeper relationships with Loyola faculty, administrators, and fellow students.
• Students live in proximity to (but not necessarily in the same room or on the same floor with) students in their seminar courses and themed communities.

Messina enables students to form strong bonds with professors and peers and participate in stimulating conversations in and out of class, enhancing their interest in new subjects and improving their critical thinking, creativity, and global knowledge. For more information on Messina, visit www.loyola.edu/messina.

Special Course Options

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. 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. A 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 faculty director is only able to give a general direction and guidance to the work.

Core courses may not be taken through independent study, and independent study courses may not be taken through distance learning of any kind. The number of independent study courses a student may apply toward degree requirements is determined by the department chair and the appropriate Dean. Normally, that number should not exceed two; however, exceptions can be made by the department chairs with the approval of the respective Dean.

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 course plan with the instructor who will direct the independent study and obtain the instructor's signature on the completed Specialized Study Form.
2. Obtain the signature of the department chair for approval of the course.
3. Obtain the signature of the Academic Advising and Support Center to verify the number of independent study courses on the student's record for the department chair's review.

Internships

Internship courses provide opportunities for earning academic credit for practical experience in a particular discipline. All credit-bearing internships are arranged through an academic department and involve a student working in a regular business or professional environment under the guidance of an on-site supervisor and a faculty supervisor. In many departments, internship courses include class time with other interns each week in addition to the time on-site. Individual departmental policy determines whether or not paid internships may be taken for academic credit.

Internships courses carry academic credit, and the grades are determined by the faculty as in regular courses. One hundred fifty hours of on-site work, distributed evenly across the semester (10 hours/week), are required in order to earn three academic credits. Internships require the approval of the faculty supervisor, the department chair, and the Academic Advising and Support Center. Student interns must have either junior or senior status. Internships may not be used to satisfy core requirements, and only one internship (3 credits) may count toward graduation requirements.

Registration for an internship requires the submission of the Specialized Study Form no later than the end of the scheduled add/drop period. Policies and procedures governing internships are available from academic departments and from the Academic Advising and Support Center.

Noncredit internships may be arranged between a student and an employer. No retroactive credit will be granted for such work experience.

Private Study

Private study courses are regular courses that are not available in the course schedule and that the student has not been able to schedule in the regular sequence. 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.

Core courses may not be taken through private study, and private study courses may not be taken through distance learning of any kind. In addition, scheduling conflicts may not be resolved by registering for a course as private study.

Private study courses must be taken for a regular grade. Registration for these courses requires submission of the Specialized Study Form no later than the end of the scheduled add/drop period.

Study Abroad

Information on opportunities available to Loyola students for a junior semester, summer, or year abroad can be found in the chapter on International Programs. A number of programs are offered through the University and through other institutions. For details, visit the Office of International Programs or www.loyola.edu/department/internationalprograms.

Degrees, Majors, and Minors

Degrees/Majors

Loyola University offers programs of instruction in the following disciplines:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Art History
Classics
Classical Civilization
Communication
Comparative Culture and Literary Studies
Computer Science
Economics
Elementary Education
English
Fine Arts
French
German
Global Studies
History
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Theology
Visual Arts
Writing

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics
Physics
Statistics

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.)

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
Accounting
Business Administration

The business administration major requires a concentration in one of the following areas: business economics, finance, information systems, international business, management, or marketing.

Double Majors

Students may earn majors in more than one department, but they must complete all of the requirements for each major. Students majoring in related disciplines (e.g., mathematics and computer science) must receive permission from each department chair for specific courses to be applied toward requirements in both majors. The student's official record indicates the major as, for example, Mathematics and Computer Science. Students who complete the requirements for a double major only receive one degree.

Interdisciplinary Majors

Interdisciplinary majors may be arranged between some of the majors listed above. Interdisciplinary majors must be planned ahead as a coherent program and must have the written approval of both department chairs. Introductory level courses in each major and one-half of the upper-division program in each major (as specified by the departments) must be completed. The student's official record indicates the major as, for example, biology/chemistry. This option is not available to accounting, business administration, comparative cultures and litererary studies, education, global studies, or speech-language-hearing sciences majors.

Minors

While minors are not a required part of the curriculum at Loyola University, they are available in most academic departments. The number of courses needed varies across departments. See the listings for each department to determine the requirements. The student's official record indicates the minor field of study.

African and African American Studies (Interdisciplinary)
American Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Art History
Asian Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Biology
Biomedical Physics
Business
Business Economics
Catholic Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Chemistry
Chinese
Classical Civilization
Communication
Comparative Culture and Literary Studies
Computer Science
Economics
Engineering
English
Entrepreneurship
Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Film Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Forensic Studies (Interdisciplinary)
French
Gender Studies (Interdisciplinary)
German
History
Information Systems
International Business
Italian Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Latin American and Latino Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Marketing
Mathematics
Medieval Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Music
Natural Sciences
Philosophy
Photography
Physics
Political Science
Secondary Education
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education
Statistics
Studio Arts
Theatre
Theology
Urban Education
Writing

Departmental Major/Minor

Declaration of Major

Upon admission to the University, most students express an interest in a specific major. During the entire first year and the first semester of the sophomore year, the student is considered officially undeclared and works with a Messina advisor to select or confirm a major in an area of interest and demonstrated ability. The student has the option to formally declare a major as early as the end of the second semester but may remain undeclared until the end of the third semester. Upon the declaration of a major, the Academic Advising and Support Center will assign the student to a faculty member from the department of the major who will serve as the student's academic advisor.

Change of Major

The advisor and relevant department chair may permit a student to transfer from one major to another provided that:

• the student meets the requirements of the school and department where admission is being sought;
• the proposed change will better suit the student's aptitudes, interests, and abilities;
• the student understands that all course requirements for the new major must be completed;
• the faculty advisor, the chair of the department to which the student wishes to change, and the chair of the department the student intends to leave have been consulted by the student;
• the student has properly completed and returned the Request for Change of Major/Minor Form to the Academic Advising and Support Center.

Loyola University Maryland gives no assurance that students who change majors will be able to fulfill degree requirements within four years. Students are responsible for making certain that all degree requirements have been completed.

Declaration/Change of Minor

In order to declare or change a minor, students must complete and submit a Change of Major/Minor Form, signed by their advisor, to the Records Office.

Grades

In undergraduate courses, letter grades measure how well a student has mastered course content, developed critical thinking skills, learned discipline-specific concepts and methodology, and improved creative and critical expression, both oral and written. Evidence for grades varies by discipline, and by instructor, and might include few or many measures-formal examinations, portfolios of writing, term papers, book reports, lab reports, case studies, field experiences, quizzes, participating in or leading class discussion, library research, and oral interviews. The instructor cultivates work ethic and enthusiasm, but bases the course grade primarily on academic achievement.

All faculty and departments are accountable for clear grading practices. A written explanation of the instructor's grading protocol in relation to the course objectives is distributed as part of the syllabus in the first week of the semester; the instructor lists the items to be included in the determination of the final grade and the relative importance of each item. Shortly after the middle of the semester, instructors electronically submit midterm grades to the Records Office. At the end of the semester, each instructor electronically submits letter grades that indicate each student's achievement in the course.

Grading Scale

The grade of C rewards a successful academic performance. Grades of C+, B-, B, B+, A- and A may also be given to measure additional gradations of accomplishment.

The following grades describe substandard performance:

The following grades may also be employed:

In calculating a student's quality point average (QPA) on a per credit basis, the following values are used: A = 4.000; A- = 3.670; B+ = 3.330; B = 3.000; B- = 2.670; C+ = 2.330; C = 2.000; C- = 1.670; D+ = 1.330; D = 1.000; and F = 0.000. Note that a C- (1.670) is an unsatisfactory grade since a 2.000 average is required for graduation. A course with a grade below C will not be accepted in transfer from another institution. Grades brought in from the packaged, exchange, or cooperative programs are calculated using Loyola's quality point system.

Midterm Grades

Shortly after the middle of the semester instructors electronically submit midterm grades to the Records Office. All first-year students receive a grade for each course; other students receive grades only for courses in which unsatisfactory work is being performed at midterm; i.e., C-, D+, D, or F. Midterm grades are available to students and faculty advisors via WebAdvisor. Faculty advisors are encouraged to consult with students regarding any academic performance issues.

Final Grades

At the end of the semester, each instructor electronically submits a letter grade to the Records Office indicating each student's achievement in the course. This grade is based on the written explanation of the grading system for the course distributed as part of the syllabus in the first week of the semester. Final grades are available to students via WebAdvisor.

Appeal of a Final Grade

For any grade change or grade appeal related in whole or in part to an alleged Honor Code violation, follow the Process of Appeal for Academic Sanctions in the undergraduate Honor Code. For all other appeals of final course grades or changes of grade, follow the processes outlined below.

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 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, 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, 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 states the reason for the grade change on the Change of Grade Form and submits the Change of Grade Form, along with a copy of the student's written request, to the department chair for approval. (If 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 department chair (or senior department 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 senior member) communicates this in writing to the faculty member and the student and submits the Change of Grade Form to the Records Office. If, however, the chair (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 senior member) communicates this in writing to the faculty member and the student and no change of grade occurs. In the case where the chair (or senior member) does not have confidence in the grade or adherence to the procedures, see the paragraph on considering a grade appeal below.

If the instructor does not change a grade, and the student is not satisfied with the instructor's grade review, the student may file a grade appeal. This student grade appeal must include an explanation of why the student thinks the result of the faculty review of the grade 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. (If the department chair is also the instructor, a senior member of the department chosen by the appropriate Dean will review the grade appeal.) If a student is studying abroad at the time that the instructor submits the written grade review, the student may request that the chair (or senior member) grant an extension until 10 business days after the start of the semester in which the student returns to Loyola to submit a grade appeal. No grades may be appealed after a student graduates.

In considering a grade appeal, the department chair (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 senior member) should confer with the student and the instructor, individually. Other parties, including parents or attorneys are not permitted to attend the grade appeal conference. The chair (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 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 senior member) fills out a Change of Grade Form and submits it to the Records Office.

If either the student or the instructor is not satisfied with the outcome of the department chair's (or senior department member's) review of a change of grade or 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 Dean is expected to review the record and confer with the chair (or senior member) and the student and instructor. Other parties, including parents and attorneys, are not permitted to attend this conference. If the Dean is unavailable to adjudicate the appeal, the appropriate associate dean will do so on the Dean's behalf.

The Dean reports the outcome of the grade appeal review to the instructor, student, chair, and the Records Office, normally no later than 10 business days after receiving the information from the department chair. 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 courses while appealing grades that will result in dismissal; however, they will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters until the appeal is resolved. Students already registered for the next semester will be removed from enrollment if, when the appeal is resolved, the dismissal stands. Students who have been academically dismissed and who are in the process of a grade appeal may not register for future semesters until the appeal is resolved.

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

Listener status denotes that the student is auditing the course. To receive a grade of L on the transcript, the student must satisfy the attendance and other course requirements set by the instructor for an official audit. Students who do not meet these requirements will receive a final grade of AW.

Students may audit a course if they are officially registered and have the prior written approval of the instructor. Permission must be granted prior to the beginning of the semester in question and enrollment for audit will always be on a space-available basis; the normal tuition policy applies. After the end of add/drop period, students registered for audit may not change their registration and take the course for credit; nor may students who registered for credit change their registration to audit. Courses taken on an audit basis cannot count toward the requirements for a degree.

Incomplete Grade

At the discretion of the course instructor, a temporary grade of I 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. A grade of I may be assigned to graduating seniors only with the written approval of the academic Dean of the student's college, and only if the Incomplete Form is submitted no later than the final day grades are due in the Records Office. In all other cases, the Records Office will assign a grade of NR.

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. The completion dates for courses for which a grade of I is issued are:

If an extension to the above deadlines is necessary, the signature of the Dean of the appropriate school is 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 Records Office as the final grade. Students may not graduate with a grade of I in any course on their record. Therefore, the signature of the Dean of the appropriate school is required on the Incomplete Form for all second semester seniors.

Students who have been granted an I for a course and are placed on probation or suspended from the University for any reason after the close of the semester in which the I was given must complete the coursework under the terms set forth on the Incomplete Report. If those terms are not met, the grade will change to F (0.000).

Academic Standing

Quality Point Average (QPA)

The QPA is an average of the student's grades that gives proportionate weight to individual courses on the basis of the credit value assigned to them. While most courses have a three-credit value, a few courses have a five-, four-, two-, or one-credit value. The QPA is computed in the following manner: A = 4.000 grade points; A- = 3.670; B+ = 3.330; B = 3.000; B- = 2.670; C+ = 2.330; C = 2.000; C- = 1.670; D+ = 1.330; D = 1.000; and F = 0.000.

The grade points are multiplied by the credit value for the course to give the number of quality points. The sum of quality points for the courses taken is divided by the sum of the credit values of the courses taken to arrive at the QPA. Grades brought in from the Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP) or the packaged or exchange programs are calculated using Loyola's quality point system.

Dean's List Honors

At the end of each semester, recognition on the Dean's List of students for distinguished academic achievement is awarded to students who achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that, in the term they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits (five, three- or more credit courses) applicable to a degree (excluding pass/fail courses and courses assigned a grade of W). If the recommended course load for a particular term falls below the required 15 credits, an elective should be added for students to meet the credit requirement for consideration for Dean's List. These same requirements apply to students participating in the Loyola study abroad programs, affiliations, and exchange programs in which the grades are transferred to Loyola University Maryland.

Loyola students at year-long programs, exchanges, or affiliations abroad must achieve a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.500 for the year and they must have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 30 credits applicable to a degree (excluding pass/fail courses and courses assigned a grade of W). Students at semester-long programs, exchanges, or affiliations abroad must earn at least a 3.500 cumulative QPA and complete 15 or more credits applicable to a degree.

Good Academic Standing

In order to be in good academic standing at Loyola, first-year students are required to have a cumulative QPA of at least 1.800 at the end of their first and second semesters of study. By the end of the first semester of sophomore year and each semester thereafter, students must maintain a cumulative QPA of at least 2.000.

Academic Probation

Students whose QPA is at least 1.400 but below 1.800 at the end of the first semester of first year will be placed on academic probation. These students will be required to review their performance with a probation board composed of faculty members from the Academic Standards Committee, meet throughout the semester with a staff member in the Academic Advising and Support Center, and meet other requirements of probation during their second semester.

Students with a QPA of at least 1.800 but below 2.000 after the first semester of the sophomore year may be placed on academic probation or dismissed, depending upon their academic history up until that point.

Academic Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at the end of their first semester if their cumulative QPA is below 1.400. Students whose QPA is below 1.800 at the end of the first year may be dismissed from the University, depending on their academic record up until that point. Students with a cumulative QPA of less than 2.000 after the third semester or any semester thereafter will be dismissed from the University.

Academic Appeal Process

Students dismissed from Loyola due to academic deficiency may appeal their dismissal by calling the Academic Advising and Support Center at 410-617-5050 to schedule an appeal hearing with members of the Academic Standards Committee.

Students who request an appeal normally will be required to attend an interview with a hearing board of the Academic Standards Committee. Interviews take place early in January for dismissals at the end of the fall semester and in early June for dismissals at the end of the spring semester. After considering the letter of appeal and any additional information presented by the student during the interview, the Academic Standards Committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Each student is sent a letter regarding the final decision of the Dean. This decision is not subject to further appeal except in cases where students believe their right to a fair hearing (sometimes referred to as due process) has been violated.

If the dismissal is overturned following an appeal, the student is placed on academic probation. The requirements and expectations that form the terms of the probation will be specified in writing. In some cases, the probation may require a mandatory leave of absence (suspension) from the University. The student is responsible for abiding by all requirements of the probation and for taking any other steps necessary to achieve the QPA required for good standing by the end of the next semester on campus. Failure to meet the terms of probation and to achieve satisfactory academic standing will result in dismissal from the University at the end of the probationary semester. An appeal by a student on probation generally will be unsuccessful if the student's semester QPA remains below the standard for good standing.

Students who have been granted an I (Incomplete) for a course and are placed on probation or suspended from the University for any reason after the close of the semester in which the I was given must complete the coursework under the terms set forth on the Incomplete Report. If those terms are not met, the grade will change to F.

Graduation

Students are responsible for selection of courses, completion of degree requirements, and acquainting themselves with the regulations pertinent to their status. Formal commencement ceremonies are held each year in May. Only students who have completed all degree requirements-a minimum of 40, three- , four-, and five-credit courses and at least 120 credits, including the diversity core requirement-and have earned a minimum cumulative average of 2.000 in all Loyola courses are permitted to participate. Students who complete degree requirements in September and January may obtain their diplomas at that time from the Records Office. These students may also participate in the formal commencement ceremony the following May.

Application

All students are required to file an electronic Application for Graduation with the Records Office. Full-time students must submit the application to the Records Office by the start of the first semester of their senior year. Part-time students must submit the application along with any necessary fees to the Records Office by the first day of classes for each term in which the student intends to graduate.

Students who do not file their graduation applications by the due date will not receive information for ordering caps/gowns, graduation announcements, etc. Students should check the academic calendar, course schedules, and on the Records Office website for due dates. Students who file an application for a specific semester and do not complete the graduation requirements must submit a new electronic graduation application, however, no additional fee is required.

Honors

To receive honors at graduation, students must have a cumulative grade point average as follows: summa cum laude, 3.800; magna cum laude, 3.700; cum laude, 3.500.

The cumulative QPA is used for determining honors at graduation or any other academic honors. Although the grades for all courses taken at all colleges attended are included, no higher honors are awarded than those earned with grades that appear on the Loyola transcript for courses completed at Loyola or through Loyola sponsored programs (see Courses at Other Colleges). Full- and part-time students are eligible to receive honors at graduation.

Policies

Students and faculty are accountable to all formal University policies and procedures.

Excused Absence Policy

The Loyola educational experience comprises more than just private reading and the passing of examinations and tests. Mature and motivated students recognize that active and informed participation in class discussions is essential to the development of their intellectual abilities and their scholarly growth. Accordingly, the University expects its students to accept their responsibility to attend class regularly. The attendance requirements and the grading system for each course are stated in the syllabus and are explained by the instructor at the start of each term.

If, for reasons of health or other emergency, a student knows that he/she will be absent from class for several days, the student should inform the Academic Advising and Support Center (AASC) by telephone (410‑617‑5050). Documentation of the reason for the absences may be required. AASC will inform the faculty of the student's absence. With the exception of University-sanctioned absences, only instructors can excuse student absences from their classes. In cases where documented extenuating circumstances require an extended period of absence, the Director of the Academic Advising and Support Centeror the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will work with students and their professors to make appropriate accommodations in keeping with each instructor's learning aims and course policies.

Students are excused from class attendance for travel to and participation in (1) all their scheduled varsity athletic competitions and (2) special University events as designated in writing by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee. Students must notify instructors of planned excused absences at least one week in advance and make arrangements to submit assignments and take make-up tests and quizzes according to each instructor's specifications.

Students absent from class for any reason are responsible for obtaining missed lecture notes and for scheduling make-up dates with the instructor for all missed quizzes, tests, class presentations, and laboratories as permissible. Students who know in advance that they will be absent must ask the instructor's permission and must submit assignments and take scheduled tests and quizzes before the date of the absence unless advised otherwise by the instructor. Students are not entitled to make up work missed for unexcused absences.

While students may not be penalized for excused absences (assuming make-up work is completed according to the terms set by the instructor), neither may they be rewarded for attendance alone, which is a basic University expectation. Students should note that excessive absences for any reason may make it impossible for them to meet the learning aims of their courses, and that unexcused absences may adversely affect not only their learning but their participation grades as well.

Students are expected to be on time for all classes and must take semester examinations at the regularly scheduled time. Students who are absent from a semester examination for a serious reason may be permitted to take a deferred examination if they validate their absence to the satisfaction of their instructor. Students who are absent from a deferred examination automatically receive a grade of zero for the examination.

Baltimore Student Exchange Program

Loyola University Maryland participates in the Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP) with Goucher College, Johns Hopkins University, The Maryland Institute College of Art, Morgan State University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, Stevenson University, Towson University, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The program allows full-time sophomore, junior, and senior students to take one course in the fall and spring terms at one of the other institutions, at no additional charge, if the course is not available at the home institution. Effective as of November 10, 2014, Towson University will no longer accept BSEP registrations for graduating seniors in their final semester.

For courses taken through the BSEP, students must have at least a 2.000 cumulative quality point average (QPA), receive the permission of their advisor and the Academic Advising and Support Center, and the course requested must still be open. Only undergraduate courses applicable toward a degree and offered during the fall and spring semesters are considered for acceptance. Students may not enroll in more than 8 courses during their academic careers. Independent study, private study, special tutorials, etc., are excluded from the program. Courses taken at BSEP participating institutions as part of the BSEP count toward residency at Loyola. Grades for these courses appear on the Loyola transcript and are included in calculating the student's QPA using the Loyola quality point system.

Participating BSEP institutions are located 10 to 45 minutes driving time from Loyola; students must provide their own transportation. All students taking a course at a BSEP institution agree to abide by the rules and regulations, academic and otherwise, of that institution. Loyola students are subject to the disciplinary procedures established by the cooperative institutions for any violations of these policies.

Students participating in the program must complete the BSEP Registration Request Form that may be obtained at the Records Office. This form must be signed by the student's academic advisor and the Academic Advising and Support Center and returned with any other applicable course registration materials. Registration for BSEP courses requires submission of the BSEP Form no later than the host institution's add/drop period. Any registration materials related to Loyola coursework as a result of enrolling in a course through BSEP, such as an Undergraduate Change of Registration form must be received no later than the end of Loyola's scheduled add/drop or withdrawal period. If the student enrolled in a course through BSEP has applied to graduate, it is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor of the course at the host institution to complete the course requirements, including the final examination, prior to Loyola's commencement date. The final grade must be received by Loyola's BSEP coordinator in the Records Office at least two days prior to graduation. If these arrangements are not made, the student's graduation may be delayed and the student may be prevented from participating in the commencement ceremony.

Courses at Other Colleges

All transfer courses require the prior written permission of the chair of the department awarding the credit and/or the Academic Advising and Support Center. Mode of course delivery is not a factor in determining eligibility for credit. Only courses at accredited institutions will be accepted (see Residency Requirement).

Except for courses taken as part of the BSEP or approved international programs, a letter grade of C (2.000) or higher must be obtained for any course transferred to Loyola, and then only the credits are transferred. Courses with a grade of C- or below are not transferable (see Grades). The grade does not transfer and does not count in the regular Loyola QPA, except that in the determination of honors at graduation, the cumulative average is computed on the basis of all courses taken at all colleges. No higher honors will be awarded than those earned with grades that appear on the Loyola transcript for courses completed at Loyola or through Loyola sponsored programs.

Students who have been placed on disciplinary suspension by the University will not be granted transfer credit for courses taken at other institutions during the suspension period. Students who have been placed on academic suspension by the University may be granted transfer credit only with the permission of the Academic Standards Committee and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Transfer Credit from High School

Regardless of mode of course delivery, college-level work done prior to high school graduation will be reviewed for transfer credit eligibility upon receipt of the following documents:

• an official letter from the high school principal or guidance counselor stating that the courses were taught on the college campus by a member of the college faculty, open to enrollment by and graded in competition with regularly matriculated undergraduates at the college, and a regular part of the normal curriculum published in the college catalogue;
• an official, seal-bearing transcript from the college/university; and
• a course description and syllabus, if requested.

Each supporting document is to be sent to the Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Exceptions

Exceptions to university-wide academic policies must have the approval of the Academic Advising and Support Center (AASC). A student may appeal the decision of AASC, in writing, to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The appeal letter should be accompanied by a description of the facts of the case, as well as a statement of support (or non-support) from the instructor and/or the department chair, as appropriate. The Dean will provide a written decision after reviewing the case in consultation with other appropriate Deans. The Dean's decision is final. Students must submit appeals on their own behalf; appeals from a third party will not be accepted. Both the initial request and any appeal should be submitted within 14 days from the date the appeal to AASC was denied to allow for proper consideration.

Grade Reports

Students can generate official grade reports online using WebAdvisor. Online access requires a valid User ID and Password (same as Loyola e-mail). Final grade reports are also mailed to the permanent address. No grades are given in person or over the telephone. Official grades will not be released for students with outstanding financial obligations to the University; students who have not filed the immunization record with Student Health Services; or those who have borrowed and not returned equipment or supplies such as library books and athletic equipment.

Leave of Absence

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.

A medical leave of absence may be granted by the Director, Academic Advising and Support Center. Medical documentation supporting the request for a medical leave of absence is required.

Students applying for leave must complete the Leave of Absence Form and consult the Financial Aid Office to determine what effect this leave may have on financial aid available upon their return. Ordinarily, students on a leave of absence from the University will not receive transfer credit for courses taken at another institution during the period of the leave. Prior written permission must be obtained from the Director, Academic Advising and Support Center for any exceptions to this policy.

Upon completion of the approved leave of absence, students may return to Loyola under the academic requirements in effect at the time of departure without completing the regular admissions process. Students on an approved leave of absence who do not return at the conclusion of that leave and who do not request an extension of the leave in writing from the Director, Academic Advising and Support Center will be withdrawn from the University at the conclusion of the first formal add/drop period, the first week of classes following the end of the leave.

Repeating or Replacing a Course

A student may choose to repeat any course. All grades for a repeated course will be included with the original grade in the computation of the cumulative QPA. Students repeating courses specifically required in the core must repeat the same course. If a course is failed in a core area, it may be repeated by another course in that area (any social science course may be taken as a repeat for any other social science course). Students repeating courses specifically required in the major must repeat the same course. Any free or nondepartmental elective is a valid repeat for any other free or nondepartmental elective. A major elective must be repeated by a course within the major elective group. In all circumstances, both the original and repeated grades count in the cumulative QPA. Students may repeat failed Loyola courses at another institution under the terms specified here. However, the original grade remains on the transcript, and the transfer grade is not computed in the Loyola cumulative QPA.

Students changing majors will find that major course requirements are significantly different from department to department. These students may be permitted to replace grades in major courses from the original major with grades in major courses from the new major. The grade for such a replacement course will replace the original grade in the computation of the cumulative QPA, however, both the old and the new grade will appear on the transcript. The replacement grade is computed in the cumulative QPA regardless of whether it is higher or lower than the original grade. The semester QPA is not affected if a grade for that semester is replaced by a later grade.

Students taking a course as a repeat or replacement must mark it on their Undergraduate Registration Form (repeat is not an option via WebAdvisor) and complete a Repeat/Replacement Form (available online or from the Records Office).

Note: Federal financial aid will pay for only one repeat of a previously passed course (D or better). For additional information, contact the Office of Financial Aid (410-617-2576).

Residency Requirement

Students must satisfactorily complete at least 20, three-, four, or five-credit courses at Loyola University Maryland. Of the last 20 courses, 15 must be taken at Loyola. Additionally, five of the last seven and at least one-half of the courses in the major and minor field of study also must be taken at Loyola. Credit awarded on the basis of any placement tests does not count toward fulfillment of the residency requirement. Approved courses taken in the University's own study abroad programs, exchange programs, or affiliations apply toward the residency requirement. Study abroad courses sponsored by non-Loyola programs do not count toward residency. (See Courses at Other Colleges for guidelines governing transfer credit.)

Sixth Course

Students may register for only five courses (excluding Military Science and one-/two-credit courses) during the official registration period. To take a sixth course, students must receive electronic permission from their academic advisor prior to registering using WebAdvisor. Students may also register by submitting a Change of Registration Form to the Records Office. The form must have the sixth course box checked and be signed by the academic advisor (if electronic permission has not been given) and Academic Services. First-year students are permitted to request a sixth course for their second semester if they earn a QPA of 3.000 or above for five, three-, four-, or five-credit courses during their first semester. Upperclassmen must be in good academic standing (having a QPA of 2.000 or above) to request a sixth course. Approval of the request is subject to successful completion of all prerequisites and course availability.

Test Materials

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

Transcripts

Student academic records are maintained in the Records Office. 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. Only unofficial transcripts are given to the student. Unofficial transcripts are printed on security paper; however, they do not bear the University seal or the signature of the director of records. Official transcripts are transmitted or mailed directly to another college or university or other official institution or agency. Official transcripts are printed 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 WebAdvisor or Loyola's secure online transcript ordering service. Due to authentication restrictions, e-mail, fax, and telephone requests are not accepted. There is a charge of five dollars ($5) per official transcript. There is no charge for unofficial transcripts.

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 or the student has an outstanding debt with the University. 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.

Withdrawal from a Course

During the first four days of the semester, a fulltime student may withdraw from a course without receiving a grade of W. A student may withdraw from a course upon the advice and approval of the instructor of the course, the faculty advisor, and an administrator in the Academic Advising and Support Center and receive a grade of W no later than four full weeks (20 class days) before the end of the semester. Intercollegiate athletes must also obtain the signature of the academic coordinator for varsity athletics. Failure to comply with the official withdrawal procedure will result in a permanent grade of F or AW (for auditors only).

Withdrawal from the University

A student who withdraws voluntarily from the University is entitled to honorable departure under the following conditions:

• The student must not be liable to dismissal on account of academic deficiency or breach of discipline.
• All financial indebtedness to the University must be settled.
• The student must complete the Student Withdrawal Form.
• Depending on the time and reasons for withdrawing, the student will receive a grade of either W, F, or AW for any incomplete courses (see Withdrawal from a Course).

Course Keys

The following abbreviations are used to identify the disciplines in which a course is offered:

Course Numbers

Students are not permitted to take a course if they have not successfully completed its prerequisites. Many of the courses listed are offered every year; others are offered on a two-year cycle.

Interdisciplinary Studies Codes

The following codes are used at end of a course description to identify the interdisciplinary program(s) toward which the course counts: