Undergraduate Catalog: Degree Information

Candidacy Requirements || Academic Support || Graduation Requirements || General Requirements || Major Programs || Additional Ways of Earning Credit || Individual Options

Marywood University grants the following degrees 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
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture

Marywood University awards a number of master’s degrees, certificates, the Ed.S., Ph.D. and Psy.D. See the graduate catalog for details.

Candidacy Requirements

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.

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 fulltime 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 aswell as school and department requirements. Each semester, faculty advisors meet with students to develop schedules of courses prior to registration for the upcoming sessions. Academic advisors also play an important role in providing direction, support and referrals for specialized assistance, if necessary.

International students and students with disabilities 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 46 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, a second major or a minor.

General Requirements for All Students

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.	First Year Experience
	UNIV 100	1 credit
	ENGL 160	3 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	3 credits
IV.	The Human Condition in Relation to Self and the Social Structure
	Social Science*	3 credits
V.	The Human Condition in its Cultural Context
	Literature	6 credits
	Foreign Language**	6 credits
	Fine Arts	3 credits
VI.	The Human Condition in its Historical Context
	History	6 credits
	SUBTOTAL	46 credits

 

*(e.g. Psychology 211, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Criminol­ogy or any other social science course.)
**If a student has completed 4 years of the same foreign language in high school, that student can choose to take just one, three-­credit course to satisfy the foreign language requirement. That course must be above the 212 level.

Some Science courses have a required one credit laboratory component. Students pursuing these courses will earn three credits for the lecture. They will earn one credit for the lab which is graded independently. It is important to note that some majors require Science courses which include a lab.

Departmental Component – Major Program

Check department listings for specific requirements for major program.

Additional Ways of Earning University Credit

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 assess 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 placeout exams. Students may be able to present a portfolio to show that they have acquired college-level learning for particular courses.

None of these means of earning credit are included in the minimum number of credits which must be earned at Marywood University in order to receive a degree.

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 these 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.

Portfolio credits are based on prior learning. They are not applicable toward the minimum number of credits which must be earned at Marywood in order to receive a degree (i.e., 60 credits in the case of the baccalaureate degree).

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 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 credits 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 a  formal Consortium agreement such as that 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 on­line.

Challenge and Place-out Exams

Several departments allow students to challenge lower level courses and receive advanced placement with or without credit if successful. Some place­out examina­tions are to be completed prior to the accumulation of 90 credits. 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

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, please check the program listing in the index.

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 an ad hoc proposal 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 appropriate dean. 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 in 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:

1. request a form at the appropriate Dean’s Office.
2. have a minimum overall QPA of 3.00;
3. obtain permission of a member of the faculty and the department chairperson involved;
4. 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 undergraduate 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. Information, assistance, and registration forms are available at 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 Office of International Affairs, located in the Liberal Arts Center, Room 220, can help you find a program. The process of applying for overseas studies starts whenever you’re ready.

Checklist for Study Abroad

• Visit the Office of International Affairs, Liberal Arts Center, Room 220 or call 570-961-4581 to schedule an appointment with Study Abroad Director.
• 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 the Study Abroad Director.
• Complete all necessary forms and applications and return them to the International Affairs office.

The Intensive English Program at Marywood

The Intensive English Program 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 or the Office of International Affairs at 570-961-4581 for requirements for registration.

Other College Credit Opportunities

Credit for Professional, Personal Enrichment, or Transfer
Students interested in taking credit classes for the purpose of upgrading professional skills, for personal enrichment, or for transfer to another institution of higher education without the intent of pursuing a degree at Marywood University may enroll through the Registrar’s Office. Contact the Registrar’s Office at 570-348-6280.