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Undergraduate Catalog Degree Information || Candidacy Requirements || Academic Support || Graduation Requirements ||General Requirements || Marywood University grants the following degrees and certificates on the undergraduate level. Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Social Work Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bachelor of Fine Arts Bachelor of Business Administration Certificates: Certificates in several areas of study. Marywood University awards a number of master's degrees, certificates, the Ed.S., the Ph.D. and Psy.D. See the graduate catalog for details. Candidacy Requirements || Baccalaureate Degree || Second Baccalaureate Degree || Certificate Programs || Degree Completion and Commencement || Baccalaureate Degree A candidate for a baccalaureate degree must present a minimum of 126 undergraduate credits of college work that fulfill all general and departmental requirements; 60 of these credits must be earned from Marywood. Ordinarily, at least one-half of the credits required for a major must be earned at Marywood University. Individual departmental sections in this catalog should be consulted for general policies and exceptions. For graduation, the cumulative quality point average must be at least 2.00. Courses must be selected so that the requirements of at least one major program are fulfilled with a quality point average of 2.33. Some programs require higher quality point averages than the general school requirement. Consult this catalog for individual program descriptions and information about these exceptions. Second Baccalaureate Degree A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from Marywood University or another accredited school may pursue a second baccalaureate degree. Acceptable credits from the first degree will be applied to the second degree; however, in all cases, at least 60 additional credits will be required for the second degree. The second degree program must also include one complete major program. Certificate Programs Credit Certificates may be earned in several areas of study through the School of Continuing Education. Certificate programs have various requirements. Further information can be found on page 16. Consult the Office of Continuing Education for complete certificate program offerings.   Degree Completion and Commencement Degrees are granted in January, May and August. All degree requirements must be fulfilled by the published deadline for each graduation date. There is one commencement ceremony each year, and students must apply to participate. Students intending to complete degree requirements must formally register as degree candidates at the time of their final semester's registration. Academic Support  Transition to College Orientation for new students consists of a series of events designed to assist in the transition to college life. Prior to enrolling in classes, students participate in assessment activities and are introduced to the concepts of curriculum planning, course selection, and departmental and liberal arts requirements. During the summer orientation program, students meet with a faculty advisor to discuss academic goals and courses for the upcoming semester. Academic Advisors All students are assigned an academic advisor at the beginning of their studies at Marywood. In nearly all cases, advisors are full-time faculty of the department in which the student is majoring. Academic advisors have the responsibility of assisting students with programs of study which will meet student needs and capabilities as well as school and department requirements. Each semester, faculty advisors meet with students to develop schedules of courses prior to registration for the next semester's courses. Academic advisors also play an important role in providing direction, support and referrals for specialized assistance if necessary. International students, students with disabilities and non-traditional students may receive additional academic advising support. Students interested in these services should contact the appropriate office on campus for information. Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to meet all requirements for his or her major program and general requirements for all students. Marywood University is committed to helping students become active in this decision-making process. University Graduation Requirements A student must earn a minimum of 126 credits in order to graduate. Included in this number are one's major and minor program requirements, which vary from program to program, as well as up to 64 credits of general requirements (depending on possible waivers). Students in programs requiring less than 126 total credits will be expected to fulfill the remaining credits in other ways - such as with additional electives or a minor. General Requirements for All Students || Liberal Arts || Competencies || Departmental Component || Earning Credit || Individual Options||   Liberal Arts Core Two courses within the Liberal Arts Core must be interdisciplinary. Check department listings or index for specifics for Liberal Arts requirements. I. New Student Seminar 2 credits II. The Human Condition in its Ultimate Relationships Religious Studies 6 credits Philosophy 6 credits III. The Human Condition in the Context of the Physical World Mathematics 3 credits Science (including one Lab credit) 4 credits Mathematics or Science 3 credits IV. The Human Condition in Relation to Self and the Social Structure Psychology 3 credits History (one with global orientation) 6 credits Social Science 3 credits V. The Human Condition in its Cultural Context Literature 6 credits Foreign Language 6 credits Fine arts (see page 79, 114, 179 ) 3 credits   SUBTOTAL 51 credits General Electives Competencies I. General Electives 6 credits These electives may be taken from anywhere in the University's curriculum except in a student's major department.   II. Competencies Speech (see page 99, 165) 2 credits Writing Skills (see page 137, 165) 3 credits Physical Education (see page 148, 165) 2 credits SUBTOTAL 13 credits TOTAL 64 credits   A non-credit reading course will be required for some students. Students who have not declared a major program may be assigned to a non-credit career decision-making class. Departmental Component - Major Program Check department listings or index for specific requirements for major program. Additional Ways of Earning University Credit | CLEP | DANTES | Portfolios | Transfer Credits | Challenge & Place-out Exams | Advanced Placement | Marywood University adheres to the principles outlined in the "Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit" recommended by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Council on Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Academic credits, graduate or undergraduate, may be accepted in direct transfer from colleges and universities depending upon their quality, comparability, and applicability to the student's program of study. Professional staff from the Office of the Registrar will work in tandem with faculty within the specific discipline to asses the appropriateness of course content vis-a-vis the Marywood University curriculum.   Marywood University recognizes that people learn in a variety of settings and that some students approach the university experience with college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. Academic credit or waiver for other college-level learning can be awarded through a variety of programs, such as standardized testing through CLEP, DANTES and Advanced Placement (AP). Some departments allow challenge exams and place-out exams. Students may be able to present a portfolio to show that they have acquired college-level learning for particular courses. Marywood subscribes to the standards for quality assurance set forth by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. Additional information is available from the coordinator of prior learning assessment. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) The College Level Examination program (CLEP) provides people with the opportunity to gain college credit in general academic areas, as well as in a foreign language, by performing well on specific written tests. The tests measure knowledge gained through life experiences during travel, work, military service, etc. Information on CLEP exams may be obtained by contacting the coordinator of prior learning assessment at Marywood. Those who wish to be considered for advanced status through CLEP should take the CLEP examinations and request the test scores be reported directly to Marywood University (CEEB code number: 2407). Marywood University is a designated site to administer CLEP exams.   Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) Another nationally recognized testing program that affords individuals the opportunity to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom is DANTES. Those who have military experience or on-the-job experience, or have independently acquired knowledge may gain college credits by obtaining a recommended score on the DANTES subject standardized tests. Portfolios Marywood recognizes that some individuals gain college-level knowledge and competence through experiences comparable to learning outcomes of specific courses. Students who can document the significant learning experiences may be able to present a portfolio to gain credits for courses in their degree programs. A portfolio is a written, documented account of what the student has learned and how well they have learned it. Credit will be awarded only if the prior learning can be demonstrated as college-level learning. To be awarded credit, the assessor of the portfolio must determine that the student's knowledge of the subject is equal to a college-level grade of "C" or better. A portfolio must be presented for each course for which credit is being sought. To be eligible to present a portfolio, you must be a matriculating Marywood University student, in good academic standing. Students will need to attend a portfolio preparation workshop and meet with the coordinator of prior learning assessment before an application can be sent to the department for review. For additional information, contact the coordinator of prior learning assessment. Transfer Credits In order for credits to be transferred to Marywood from other accredited colleges and universities, the courses must be college-level, and a minimum grade of C is required. (A grade of C- is not transferable.) Transferable courses must be equivalent to courses offered at Marywood and appropriate to meet degree requirements in a student's major. Some course credit may transfer only as general electives. Grades do not transfer, only credits. A student's QPA (quality point average) at Marywood University depends on courses taken at Marywood or through the Consortium with the University of Scranton. Credits older than 20 years may be approved for transfer if it is determined that the course content is still relevant. College-level credits earned within 20 years of a student's acceptance to Marywood are usually transferable. Some courses (e.g., science) will not transfer if taken more than seven years previous to entry into Marywood. Credits required for the student's major will be transferred if the course content is judged suitable by the chair of the department involved. The authorization for transfer of credit forms are available on-line. Challenge and Place-out Exams Well-prepared students may place out of courses in speech and physical education. Place-out tests for speech and physical education are announced on campus in advance and are administered several times each year. These place-out tests are to be completed prior to accumulation of 90 credits. Several departments allow students to challenge lower level courses and receive advanced placement with or without credit if successful. For additional information contact the coordinator of prior learning assessment. Advanced Placement (AP) Secondary school students whose education has included work at the college level and who demonstrate a high level of achievement will be considered for advanced standing. Students who desire to apply for such placement should take the appropriate Advanced Placement Examinations (AP exams) offered in the spring by the College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Many high schools offer students opportunities for taking Advanced Placement courses and exams. A score of "3" or higher is necessary to receive advanced placement at Marywood University. For additional information contact the coordinator of prior learning assessment. Individual Options | Honors Program | Double Major | Minor | Ad Hoc Major | Graduate Courses | Pre-professional Programs | Pre-law | Independent Study | Field Experience | Cross Registration | Study Abroad | Intensive ESL Program | Certificate Programs | Honors Program Students who have achieved high grades in high school and high standardized test scores may be eligible for Honors courses. The Honors Program enhances academic opportunities for students. For more information on the Honors Program see page 54.   Double Major A student may elect to have a double major, in which the requirements of two distinct major programs are fully met within one degree program. The student arranges the program with the support of both department chairpersons. Typically, the student applies to the appropriate chairperson for entrance into the second major after the end of the first year. Application forms are available at the Academic Records Office. Some examples are Social Work and Religious Studies, English and Advertising/Public Relations.   Minor Minor programs, usually 18 credits, are available in many departments. Arrangements are made with the appropriate chairperson. See department program listings for available minor options. A minor QPA of 2.33 is required for successful completion. Some programs require higher quality point averages. Ad Hoc Major When students believe that their unique educational objectives cannot be fully attained by choosing one of the existing major programs, they may devise an ad hoc pattern of courses. A form for ad hoc should be obtained from the Deans' Offices or department chairs. The program must be approved by the participating department chairpersons and submitted to the appropriate dean for approval. Ad Hoc major programs usually require 45-60 credits. They are typically designed during the student's sophomore year. Graduate Courses Undergraduate students who have senior status (completed 90 credits or more) may be permitted to take up to 12 graduate credits with the permission of the department chair and deans. Students requesting permission must have a minimum of 3.00 grade point average. The opportunity to take graduate credits may be advantageous for students in moving through a graduate program more rapidly or for students who seek greater challenge in their senior year. Graduate credits must meet undergraduate degree requirements to be covered by financial aid. Questions about financial aid implications should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid. Pre-professional Programs Marywood offers a number of pre-professional programs. Listings are found within specific departments.   Pre-law Although no specific major or curriculum is required for admission to law school, the Department of Social Sciences offers a pre-professional major History/Political Science (Pre-law). If a student does not choose a pre-professional major or minor, advice is available by contacting the Social Science Department.   Independent Study Students have the option of independent study, which may be undertaken for variable academic credit. Independent study is not intended to duplicate or overlap existing courses, but to provide options not otherwise available. To enroll in independent study, a student must: request a form at the appropriate Dean's Office. have a minimum overall QPA of 3.00; obtain permission of a member of the faculty and the department chairperson involved; submit to the dean a proposal outlining the plan of study. Field Experience Marywood University acknowledges the necessity of integrating academic course work and practical experience in the total learning process within many major areas of study. As a result the University maintains strong and active affiliations with a number of cooperating agencies wherein students can gain these competencies, typically as upper division students. These arrangements are defined specifically at the departmental level and include titles such as: "field experience," "clinical practicum," "internship" and "student teaching." Each is designed to provide the opportunity of transferring theoretical paradigms to practical situations.   Cross Registration Degree seeking students are allowed to enroll in courses at the University of Scranton for up to six credits annually. Unlike transfer credits from other colleges, grades earned through cross registration with the University of Scranton are calculated into a student's QPA. Students participating in this program complete all registration through the Office of the Registrar at Marywood. A shuttle bus travels between the two campuses every hour to assist cross registered students. Information, assistance and registration forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.   Study Abroad Study abroad experiences can be tailored to individual comfort levels so students get exactly what they want from the experience. The amount of time spent overseas could range from a few weeks in the summer to an entire academic year. Students can choose to live with host families, among foreign students, or surrounded by other Americans. Programs are modestly priced, and scholarships and financial aid are also available. If you’re interested in finding a study abroad program that fits what you’re seeking, the Study Abroad Resource Center, located in Emmanuel Hall, Room 102, can help you find a program. The process of applying for overseas studies starts when-ever you’re ready. Checklist for Study Abroad   Visit the Study Abroad Resource Center (SARC) in the Emmanuel Hall or call 570-348-6237 to schedule an appointment with SARC Coordinator. Find a country, program, or university that interests you. Schedule an appointment with your advisor. (Verify your courses.) Schedule an appointment with financial aid. Schedule an appointment with Registrar’s Office. Review information with SARC Coordinator. Complete all necessary forms and applications and return them to the SARC. The Intensive English Program at Marywood The Intensive English at Marywood offers a special opportunity for international students who have not yet reached an adequate level of English proficiency for college work. This immersion program enables students to develop a fluency in English while adjusting to the cultural and academic requirements in the United States. For more information, call the Office of Intensive English Program at 570-340-6006. Certificate Programs The Marywood University School of Continuing Education, in conjunction with the academic departments, offers a variety of certificate programs designed for individuals who are not seeking academic degrees. A certificate program is a formally organized sequence of courses that culminates in a Credit Certificate of Completion in a particular area of study. Depending on attainment of required grades, courses earned toward a certificate may be applicable toward a degree. Students must submit a completed application along with official transcripts of all academic work, including high school to the School of Continuing Education. The same transfer policies apply to certificates as to degrees. To remain in the Certificate Program students must maintain a QPA of at least a 2.00. Marywood University School of Continuing Education offers Credit Certificate Programs in: Art (42 Credits) Studio Concentrations: Ceramics Interior Decoration Painting Printmaking Sculpture Art History (42 Credits) Comprehensive Business Skills (47 Credits) Computer Information and Telecommunications Systems (36 Credits) Hospitality Management (36 Credits) Nutrition and Dietetics (35 Credits) Professional Communication (24 Credits) Retailing/Merchandising (41 Credits) Other College Credit Opportunities The Adult Education and Distance Learning Program has a 30-year history offering distance learning and can enable you to complete undergraduate credits outside of the traditional classroom. These courses are offered online in a flexible format of directed, independent study over an eight-week session allowing you to choose your best learning moments. Credit for Professional and Personal Enrichment Students interested in taking credit classes for the purpose of upgrading professional skills or for personal enrichment without the intent of pursuing a degree may apply through the School of Continuing Education. Credit for Transfer Students interested in taking academic credit courses for the purpose of transferring these to another institution may enroll through the School of Continuing Education. Contact The School of Continuing Education for further information at 1-86-Marywood or 1-570-961-4798 or visit the website, www.marywood.edu/conted/DistanceEd.htm. Contact The School of Continuing Education for further information at 1-86-MARYWOOD or 1-570-348-6237

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Last update: February 26, 2008
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