The Religious Studies Program is central to the Marywood experience. Every student takes several courses in religious studies as part of Marywood's liberal arts core curriculum. An accurate understanding of religion prepares one to be a responsible citizen in this diverse and interdependent world.
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Philosophy and Religious Studies
Extend Your Understanding of Religion and Culture Through The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
The Philosophy and Religious Studies department prepares students to carry out Marywood's goal for all students: learning to live responsibly in an interdependent world. Religious Studies majors experience a comprehensive overview of the religious beliefs, practices, and values of Christianity and Judaism, as well as other religious traditions. Special attention is given to the Catholic tradition, but course offerings are broad enough to benefit students of all traditions. Philosophy majors take an exciting intellectual journey with the greatest minds that have ever lived and receive excellent preparation for a professional career in law, medicine, business, education, government, or further graduate study. The department offers different tracks for both majors and minors. In the Bioethics Certificate Program, students learn how to think through complex ethical issues
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Accreditations
Institutional:
Middles States Commission on Higher Education
About The Philosophy and Religious Studies Department
The Philosophy Program promotes the development of the person as an individual and as a meaningful contributor to society. The primary goal of philosophy courses is to address some of life's ultimate questions, to enable to students to lead a more substantive and meaningful life. Philosophical reflection on the ultimate questions should lead to reasoned foundations conducive to support for human values; to an awareness of a duty to work for justice, compassion, and peace; and to the integrated and rich human life worth living, thus providing students the abilities and opportunities to be more responsible for the interdependent world in which they find themselves.
Philosophy and Religious Studies Faculty
Our faculty members have diverse backgrounds and experiences and are sensitive to your needs and goals. We're eager to help you answer Marywood's call to live responsibly in an interdependent world.
Religious Studies Resources:
Theology Library
Provides a comprehensive treatment of various aspects of theology.
www.shc.edu/theolibrary
America Magazine
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.americamagazine.org
National Catholic Reporter
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.natcath.org
US Catholic
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.uscatholic.org
Documents of Popes, Bishops, and Councils About Justice and Peace
Contains a wealth of documents related to Catholic social justice teachings.
www.justpeace.org
Network: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Provides a voice within the Catholic community calling for peace and economic justice.
www.networklobby.org
Bread for the World
Bread for the World seeks justice and the end to hunger.
www.bread.org
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The USCCB is an assembly of Catholic Church bishops who work together to unify, coordinate, promote and carry on the work of the Catholic Church in the U.S.
www.usccb.org
Vatican: The Holy See
Official Web Site of the Vatican.
www.vatican.va
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
http://pluralism.org
Biblical Archeology Review
Provides biblical and archeological news and select articles online.
www.bib-arch.org
Catholic News Service
Major source of Catholic news.
https://catholicnews.com/
We offer the following as places to begin a search for material about a philosopher, a philosophical work, ideas, theories, or principles. By no means do the following websites begin to cover the vast number of web sites available in Philosophy.
General Philosophy Websites:
Philosophy Pages provides some excellent introductory material to Philosophy. The site contains a dictionary of philosophical terms, a one-page overview of over thirty philosophers, a section on logic, a guide to the history of Western philosophy, and a timeline for Western philosophers. There are web links virtually everywhere throughout the site, so it is relatively easy to follow through on any specific philosophical quest.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy contains excellent entries on many philosophers and branches of philosophy.
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy contains good overviews of philosophers' ideas.
Bartleby defines itself as follows: "The preeminent Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse providing students, researchers and the intellectually curious with unlimited access to books and information on the web, free of charge." Check it out.
Bioethics:
Religious Tolerance offers a general view of the controversy concerning physician-assisted suicide as well as statistics.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is the main advocate for global action on HIV and AIDS.
The National Transplant Society provides current statistics and background information on the allocation of transplantable organs in the United States.
The United Network for Organ Sharing offers information on and explanation of organ sharing with "quick links" to data and resources.
The President's Council on Bioethics contains government information on numerous ethical issues in biomedical science and technology.
Human Genome Project Information provides, obviously, information on the human genome project.
Philosophy of Religion:
Judaism 101 gives an account of thirteen principles of Jewish Faith, G-d's attributes, human nature, the Messiah and the three categories of Jews.
General Information on Islam contains a summary of Islamic belief in God, angels, the Koran and the prophets. A brief piece on Muhammed's life, the five pillars of Islam, terrorism and the jihad are also included.
Hinduism: The World's Oldest Religion provides a general introduction to Hinduism followed by a treatment of the Hindu Trinity, puja (daily prayer), the Bhagavad Gita, Hindu classes and castes, the four periods of Hindu life, karma, the major schools about the relationship between humans and Truth.
Buddhist Information and Education Network recounts the life of the Buddha, the basic tenets of Buddhism, the four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the five precepts, the three jewels of Buddhism, and the various groups of Buddhists.
Critical Thinking/Logic:
Logic contains very good general background information on logic in general and formal and informal reasoning in particular; as one might "deduce," this is the logic section from Philosophy Pages.
Logic and Fallacies (from "The Atheism Web") contains an introduction to logic and, like the previous site, a formidable list of informal fallacies, also with definition and example; yes, even atheists must be logical.
Students, staff, faculty and visitors meet monthly in the Learning Commons for lively discussions on wide-ranging topics. Typically, the assembled group proposes topics and then decides democratically which will be the focus of the session's discussions; thereafter the topic is addressed from all angles, with everyone getting their fair say.
Abide: Women's Ministry
Food Recovery Network
Students Organized to Uphold Life (SOUL)
Theta Alpha Kappa Honor Society
Commencement Medals
Czachor Medal for Academic Excellence in Religious Studies
The Czachor Medal for Academic Excellence in Religious Studies was founded by the Czachor family of Archbald, PA, and was first awarded in 1975. To be eligible, a student must be a graduating senior with a major or minor in Religious Studies. Minors must have completed 15 credits in religious studies.
Evaluation Criteria
- Up to four (4) points will be awarded to each student for his/her overall Q.P.A.
- Up to four (4) points will be awarded to each student for his/her Q.P.A. in religious studies. In order to be eligible, a student must have a minimum Q.P.A. of 3.0 in religious studies.
- The student with the highest combined number of points will receive the medal.
- The student with the second highest number of combined points will receive Honorable Mention.
- If a tie occurs, the following considerations will be weighed in order to determine the winner: 1) total number of religious studies courses completed and 2) service to the department.
Mary Pace Medal for Excellence in Philosophy
The Mary Pace Medal was founded by Reverend William Pace in memory of his mother, Mary Pace, to honor a graduating senior who has demonstrated, according to the criteria stated below, an understanding of and appreciation for philosophical inquiry. Students do not need to major or minor in Philosophy in order to qualify for this prestigious award. All graduating seniors are invited to submit papers for consideration in the competition for the Pace Medal.
To compete, three things must be done. One, complete three courses in philosophy by the end of the Fall semester in the year you are to graduate. Course work counts 10%. Students seeking the Gold Medal must maintain a 3.25 QPA overall as well as in Philosophy.
Two, write an essay of approximately four to eight pages. Essays count 50%. Use proper format, e.g. essay must be typed, double-spaced, title page with name, local address and phone number, and so on. Essays must be submitted to a faculty member of the philosophy program no later than February 1 of graduating year. A submitted essay may be a formal research paper or an informal creative essay, but it must present an argument supporting the student’s opinion on a significant philosophical subject. And it may be a paper that was submitted for a course and revised for the competition or one especially written for the competition. Essays must meet the objectives of the department as stated in the catalog, i.e., you should write a philosophical essay that is a clear, coherent exposition of a concept, problem or theory, which demonstrates the ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize the matter discussed.
Three, participate as a finalist. To be eligible for an interview as a finalist, a student’s paper must receive an overall assessment as being above average by a majority of the philosophy faculty. Such participation involves an approximately 20 minute informal student-faculty discussion based on your essay and certain specific questions.
- What is philosophy? In the course of your answer be prepared to discuss at least two major areas of philosophy of your choosing (epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, etc.).
- What is the value of philosophy to you personally, and what role will philosophy have in your future?
- From your course work in philosophy, whom do you consider a great philosopher and why?
- What is a significant philosophical position you are convinced is correct? Come ready to explain and defend your conviction.
- Informal discussion, which counts 40%, will be conducted in a relaxed atmosphere. You will be notified regarding specific time and place.
Questions on the competition are available from Dr. Aaron Simmons at asimmons@marywood.edu.
Undergraduate
Philosophy and Religion Events
Holy Thursday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Open
Mar 28 Academic Dates Thu, Mar 28, 12:00AM - Fri, Mar 29, 12:00AMHoly Thursday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Open
Date/Time: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
No Classes. All Administrative Offices Open.
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Easter Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Mar 29 Academic Dates Fri, Mar 29, 12:00AM - Sat, Mar 30, 12:00AMEaster Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Friday, March 29, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Easter Holiday 03/29/24 - 04/01/24. No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.
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Easter Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Mar 30 Academic Dates Sat, Mar 30, 12:00AM - Sun, Mar 31, 12:00AMEaster Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Saturday, March 30, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Easter Holiday 03/29/24 - 04/01/24. No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.
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Easter Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Mar 31 Academic Dates Sun, Mar 31, 12:00AM - Mon, Apr 1, 12:00AMEaster Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Sunday, March 31, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Easter Holiday 03/29/24 - 04/01/24. No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.
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Easter Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Apr 01 Academic Dates Mon, Apr 1, 12:00AM - Tue, Apr 2, 12:00AMEaster Holiday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Monday, April 1, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Easter Holiday 03/29/24 - 04/01/24. No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Apr 01 Academic Dates Mon, Apr 1, 12:00AM - Tue, Apr 2, 12:00AMSexual Assault Awareness Month
Date/Time: Monday, April 1, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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Spring Semester Classes Resume
Apr 02 Academic Dates Tue, Apr 2, 12:00AM - Wed, Apr 3, 12:00AMSpring Semester Classes Resume
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
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Administrative Offices Open.
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Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Courses
Apr 03 Academic Dates Wed, Apr 3, 12:00AM - Thu, Apr 4, 12:00AMLast Day to Withdraw from Spring Courses
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 3, 2024
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Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Courses
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General Recital
Apr 05 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Fri, Apr 5, 7:00PM - Fri, Apr 5, 8:30PMGeneral Recital
Date/Time: Friday, April 5, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm EDT
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel
General Recital
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Registration Begins for Fall Courses
Apr 08 Academic Dates Mon, Apr 8, 12:00AM - Tue, Apr 9, 12:00AMRegistration Begins for Fall Courses
Date/Time: Monday, April 8, 2024
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Tutti Concert
Apr 14 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Sun, Apr 14, 2:00PM - Sun, Apr 14, 3:00PMTutti Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 14, 2024, 2 – 3pm EDT
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)
Tutti Concert
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Wind Symphony Concert
Apr 14 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Sun, Apr 14, 4:00PM - Sun, Apr 14, 6:00PMWind Symphony Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 14, 2024, 4 – 6pm EDT
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)
Wind Symphony Concert
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Monday Classes Meet
Apr 17 Academic Dates Wed, Apr 17, 12:00AM - Thu, Apr 18, 12:00AMMonday Classes Meet
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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Monday Classes Meet
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Leadership Symposium
Apr 17 Regina Hall Liguori Main Wed, Apr 17, 12:00PM - Wed, Apr 17, 10:00PMLeadership Symposium
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 12 – 10pm EDT
Location: Regina Hall Liguori Main
Time: 3:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Liguori Center
Business School Global Innovation Symposium
Theme: It Starts With You
SCHEDULE:
3 p.m.-Introduction: Dr. Chris Speicher, Executive Director of the School of Business and Global Innovation
3:05 p.m.-Poster Session/Networking
4 p.m.-Keynote Address: Christi Lukasiak-Entrepreneur and Reality TV Personality
5 - 8 p.m.-Entrepreneur Panel
For more information email Gabby Troch (gltroch@m.marywood.edu)
Door Prize! (All attendees will recieve a ticket. The winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the event.)
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Voice General Recital
Apr 17 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Wed, Apr 17, 8:00PM - Wed, Apr 17, 9:30PMVoice General Recital
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 8 – 9:30pm EDT
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel
Voice General Recital
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Research Day
Apr 23 Academic Dates Tue, Apr 23, 8:00AM - Tue, Apr 23, 8:00PMResearch Day
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 8am – 8pm EDT
Location: Academic Dates
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Jazz Ambassadors Concert
Apr 27 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Sat, Apr 27, 7:00PM - Sat, Apr 27, 8:30PMJazz Ambassadors Concert
Date/Time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm EDT
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel
Jazz Ambassadors Concert
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Chamber Singers Concert
Apr 28 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Sun, Apr 28, 2:00PM - Sun, Apr 28, 3:30PMChamber Singers Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 2 – 3:30pm EDT
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel
Chamber Singers Concert
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General Recital
Apr 29 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Mon, Apr 29, 8:00PM - Mon, Apr 29, 9:30PMGeneral Recital
Date/Time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 8 – 9:30pm EDT
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel
General Recital
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Concert Choir Performance
May 04 Liberal Arts Center Rotunda Sat, May 4, 7:30PM - Sat, May 4, 10:00PMConcert Choir Performance
Date/Time: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 7:30 – 10pm EDT
Location: Liberal Arts Center Rotunda
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Concert Choir Performance
May 05 Liberal Arts Center Rotunda Sun, May 5, 2:00PM - Sun, May 5, 4:30PMConcert Choir Performance
Date/Time: Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2 – 4:30pm EDT
Location: Liberal Arts Center Rotunda
Concert Choir Performance
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Spring Semester Ends
May 11 Academic Dates Sat, May 11, 12:00AM - Sun, May 12, 12:00AMSpring Semester Ends
Date/Time: Saturday, May 11, 2024
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Spring Semester Ends January 16th-May 11th 2024
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Final Grades Due by Noon
May 14 Academic Dates Tue, May 14, 12:00AM - Wed, May 15, 12:00AMFinal Grades Due by Noon
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
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PA White Coat and Pinning Ceremonies
May 16 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Thu, May 16, 9:00AM - Thu, May 16, 3:00PMPA White Coat and Pinning Ceremonies
Date/Time: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 9am – 3pm EDT
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)
White Coat and Pinning Ceremonies
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Hooding Ceremonies
May 17 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Fri, May 17, 7:00AM - Fri, May 17, 7:00PMHooding Ceremonies
Date/Time: Friday, May 17, 2024, 7am – 7pm EDT
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)
Marywood University 106th Hooding Ceremonies
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106th Annual Commencement Ceremony
May 18 Academic Dates Sat, May 18, 12:00AM - Sun, May 19, 12:00AM106th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Date/Time: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Commencement
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Memorial Day: No Classes. Administrative Offices Closed.
May 27 Academic Dates Mon, May 27, 12:00AM - Tue, May 28, 12:00AMMemorial Day: No Classes. Administrative Offices Closed.
Date/Time: Monday, May 27, 2024
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Summer I & III Classes Resume
May 28 Academic Dates Tue, May 28, 12:00AM - Wed, May 29, 12:00AMSummer I & III Classes Resume
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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Summer I & III Classes Resume: All Administrative Offices Open
May 28 Academic Dates Tue, May 28, 12:00AM - Wed, May 29, 12:00AMSummer I & III Classes Resume: All Administrative Offices Open
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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Summer I& III Classses Resume..All Administrative Offices Open
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Juneteenth: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Jun 19 Academic Dates Wed, Jun 19, 12:00AM - Thu, Jun 20, 12:00AMJuneteenth: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
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Offices Closed
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Summer Session I & III Classes Resume
Jun 20 Academic Dates Thu, Jun 20, 12:00AM - Fri, Jun 21, 12:00AMSummer Session I & III Classes Resume
Date/Time: Thursday, June 20, 2024
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Design Your Future Camp 2024
Jun 22 Center for Architectural Studies 105 Sat, Jun 22, 2:00PM - Sat, Jun 29, 5:00PMDesign Your Future Camp 2024
Date/Time: Saturday, June 22, 2pm – Saturday, June 29, 2024, 5pm EDT
Location: Center for Architectural Studies 105
From June 22nd until June 29th 2024, junior and senior high school students enrolled in the Design your Future Program will be actively participating in the eight – days combination of fun design projects and competitions organized and guided by our school’s experienced faculty. Students will be exposed to a number of practical and theoretical questions presented as part of guest lecture and workshop series, and will have the opportunity to converse with a number of practicing architects and designers.
Design your Future Program 2024 will be housed in the Center for Architectural Studies at Marywood University. Students will be assigned individual desks and will have the opportunity of using the same spaces as our undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore, students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity of seeing in action various laboratories and shops (wood / metal / 3D printing / CNC router / laser cutting / etc.). Design your Future Program 2024 is designed with the desire of an immersive experience, engaging students in a number of demonstrations anchored to the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Construction Management Programs. The program’s principal goal is to reach out to a wide group of high school students. The program considers diversity and inclusivity to be important factors in the establishing of an affordable participation fee of $1,150 (including room & board, program supplies, and day trip bus & venue entrance fares). The program will also offer a number of need-based scholarships.
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Summer Session I Grades Due by Noon
Jul 02 Academic Dates Tue, Jul 2, 12:00AM - Wed, Jul 3, 12:00AMSummer Session I Grades Due by Noon
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
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Summer Session I Grades Due by Noon
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Independence Day: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Jul 04 Academic Dates Thu, Jul 4, 12:00AM - Fri, Jul 5, 12:00AMIndependence Day: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Thursday, July 4, 2024
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No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Jul 05 Academic Dates Fri, Jul 5, 12:00AM - Sat, Jul 6, 12:00AMNo Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed
Date/Time: Friday, July 5, 2024
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Summer Session III Classes Resume
Jul 08 Academic Dates Mon, Jul 8, 12:00AM - Tue, Jul 9, 12:00AMSummer Session III Classes Resume
Date/Time: Monday, July 8, 2024
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Summer Session III Classes End
Aug 17 Academic Dates Sat, Aug 17, 12:00AM - Sun, Aug 18, 12:00AMSummer Session III Classes End
Date/Time: Saturday, August 17, 2024
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Summer Session II Classes End
Aug 18 Academic Dates Sun, Aug 18, 12:00AM - Mon, Aug 19, 12:00AMSummer Session II Classes End
Date/Time: Sunday, August 18, 2024
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Summer Session II & III Grades Due by Noon
Aug 20 Academic Dates Tue, Aug 20, 12:00AM - Wed, Aug 21, 12:00AMSummer Session II & III Grades Due by Noon
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 20, 2024
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Summer Session II&III Grades Due by Noon
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Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions
Aug 25 Academic Dates Sun, Aug 25, 12:00AM - Mon, Aug 26, 12:00AMOfficial Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions
Date/Time: Sunday, August 25, 2024
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Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions
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Fall Semester Begins
Aug 26 Academic Dates Mon, Aug 26, 12:00AM - Tue, Aug 27, 12:00AMFall Semester Begins
Date/Time: Monday, August 26, 2024
Location: Academic Dates
Fall Semester 08/26/24 - 12/16/24
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