Loras

LORAS COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM
ADMISSION INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

Recieving Graduate Credit
A student wishing to receive graduate credit from Loras College must be admitted to the Graduate Program as either a degree-seeking student or as a graduate special student. The admission process is to be completed prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to take the first graduate course. Only admitted students are allowed to receive graduate credit. A degree-seeking student who is unable to complete the paperwork prior to the start of classes may be admitted as a graduate special student.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO DEGREE STUDY
See Individual Programs for Specific Application Procedures and Application Deadlines

Students desiring admission to the Graduate Program as a degree-seeking student must submit the following materials to the Admissions Office prior to enrollment:

To be eligible for admission to study as a degree seeking student the applicant must meet the following requirements:

Admission to study in the Graduate Program is not the equivalent of being accepted as a candidate for an advanced degree. Admission to candidacy must be earned through preliminary coursework successfully completed in the Loras Graduate Program (see requirements for Admission to Candidacy).

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO STUDY AS A SPECIAL STUDENT

A person with a baccalaureate degree who wishes to earn graduate credit, but not a graduate degree or who does not meet the requirements for admission to degree study may be accepted for admission to study as a graduate special student. Credits earned as a graduate special student with a grade of “B” or above may be applied to a graduate degree at Loras College only with the approval of both the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director and the Provost.

Specific Requirements for Admission to Study as a Special Student in the Areas of Applied Psychology, Ministry or Theology

A graduate special student may complete a maximum of 18 credits in the areas of Applied Psychology, Ministry or Theology. To be admitted as a special student the following materials must be submitted to the Admissions Office by May 15 for summer courses; by August 15 for fall courses; and by December 22 for spring courses:

Specific Requirements for Admission to Study as a Special Student in the Area of Educational Leadership

A graduate special student may only complete L.ADM 510, 520, 530 and 540 (12 credits) in the area of Educational Leadership. To be admitted as a special student the following materials must be submitted to the Admissions Office by the last day of May for summer courses and by August 10 for fall courses. The LSACEL program does not offer a spring start date:

Specific Requirements for Admission to Study as a Special Student Seeking the Special Education Endorsement

Students seeking only the Special Education Endorsement (approximately 24 credits) complete the entire endorsement as a graduate special student. To be admitted as a special student the following materials must be submitted to the Admissions Office by the last day of May for summer courses; by August 10 for fall courses; and by January 10 for spring courses. The preferable start date for the Special Education Endorsement is fall semester:

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY

Formal application for admission to candidacy must be made by the graduate student after the completion of 12, but not more than 18 credits. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required to be eligible for candidacy. Application forms are available in the Registrar’s Office (Room 135 Keane Hall) or online on the IQ main page.

A degree seeking graduate student who has completed 18 credits and who has not filed the candidacy form with the Registrar’s Office will not be allowed to register for additional credits until the form is submitted.

Application Procedures for Admission to Candidacy

Appeal of Decision

In situations where the applicant has been denied candidacy and wishes to appeal the decision, the applicant may request a meeting with the Provost. The Provost will review the decision only if one of the following criteria are met:

Student appeals must take place within one month of the date the notification letter was sent from the Registrar’s Office communicating the Graduate Council’s decision to the student. The decision of the Provost is final and not subject to additional appeal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

To be eligible for the Master of Arts degree at Loras College, the graduate student must satisfactorily achieve the following:

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

A graduate student requests permission to take the comprehensive examination from the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director at least one month prior to the examination (see program sections for specific restrictions). The comprehensive examination will be scheduled by the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director. If a graduate student fails the comprehensive examination, only one (1) retake examination will be permitted. An additional period of study is required before the re-examination. The comprehensive examination must be completed by the end of the semester in which a student plans to graduate.

COURSE LOAD

An enrollment of nine (9) graduate credits during a semester is considered full-time. Three (3) credits during a summer session is considered full-time.

ADVISEMENT

At the time of admission, each graduate student is assigned an advisor. The advisor acts as a resource for the student and assists the student with selection and registering of classes.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

No more than nine (9) transfer credits in a program of 30+ credits will be accepted. No grade below “B” (3.00) will be accepted. The institution from which the credit is transferred must be authorized to grant graduate degree by its regional accrediting agency. The credits must be applicable to the specific graduate program in which the student is enrolled. For Education Programs, correspondence courses are not accepted for degree credit nor are those courses offered through the area education agencies or other educational organizations. For graduate programs other than Education no more than three (3) hours of correspondence credit will be accepted. Transfer and correspondence credit taken eight (8) years or more prior to admission to the study will not be accepted. Decisions concerning the transfer of credit are made by the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director. (Students in the Education and Educational Leadership Master’s programs should consult individual program sections for additional details.)

An admitted graduate student who wishes to take graduate credits at another institution for transfer to Loras College must have the prior written approval of the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director. Requests for acceptance of transfer credit must be made in writing to the Graduate Coordinator, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Requests should include the course title(s), and the course description(s) of the requested transfer credits. Only transfer credits which have been approved by the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director are posted on the Loras College graduate transcript.

GRADES

Graduate courses are graded as follows (including + and -):

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

The grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits for which quality points are given. Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C- and F respectively earn 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, 3.0, 2.7, 2.3, 2.0, 1.7 and 0.0 quality points per credit.

GRADE APPEALS

A graduate student appeals a grade first to the instructor. If a student cannot resolve his/her problem directly with the instructor, then the student meets with the chair of the academic division that houses the graduate program. If a student cannot resolve problems with the division chair, he/she may appeal to the Provost.

ACADEMIC STANDING/PROBATION

Graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation and the student will have two consecutive semesters to remove that status. If the student fails to earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0 within that time, the student will be dismissed from the program.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

An incomplete grade is a temporary mark indicating that the student has been doing passing work, but must still meet certain requirements before the grade can be determined. The incomplete grade will be a failing (F) grade if the work is not completed within six (6) months of the close of the semester or summer session unless the Registrar approves an extension.

REPEATING COURSES

With the approval of the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director and the Graduate Council a student may repeat a graduate course once. A maximum of two different courses in a student’s degree program may be repeated. Both the original course and the repeated course remain on the transcript. The cumulative grade point average will include only the second grade.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent study courses at Loras College provide graduate students an opportunity to work with faculty on research and directed readings related to a specific topic. In some cases, students may take a graduate independent study course to fulfill a requirement in an area of study; empirical research, directed readings, and arranged courses.

An independent study is offered at the discretion of the faculty member. To register for an independent study the student:

Any one of these individuals may deny the request for independent study. Once the independent study is approved the form is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for registration. A copy of the approved independent study form is sent to the student, director of the independent study, and the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director. The student is cautioned to not begin an independent study until the independent study has been approved.

Each graduate program determines the number of independent study credits that can be used to satisfy degree requirements.

CREDIT BY COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT

At the discretion of the Provost and Graduate Coordinator or Program Director, a qualified graduate student may demonstrate competency in a particular area without taking specific coursework. If a student successfully demonstrates competency the college either (a) waives a requirement or (b) grants credit for a specific course.

Waiver of Credits

A waiver does not change the total number of credits a student must complete, although a waiver may reduce the number of credits required in a specific area. In order for a student to be eligible for a waiver the student must demonstrate that he/she has received direction and has been successful in the area that is relevant to the waiver.

Granting Credit

If a student is granted credit through the competency assessment process the student pays tuition for each credit granted. The fee is one-fifth the current tuition rate. Competency assessment credit is recorded on a student’s graduate transcript. The number of credits that a student may earn through competency assessment varies by program, but the total number of credits may not exceed six (6) credits in a 30+ credit program.

FEES

The tuition and technology fees are found on the Loras College website. Since unforeseen economic changes occur, the College reserves the right to alter charges. All fees are billed by the semester and become an obligation at the time of registration. Students whose accounts are delinquent are not permitted to register for additional courses and no transcripts will be issued until the account is paid in full.

CLASS WITHDRAWAL

A graduate student who withdraws from a course must notify the Registrar’s Office in person (Room 135 Keane Hall); by email (registrar@loras.edu); or by fax (563.588.4962). The date of the withdrawal is the day on which the student officially notifies the Registrar’s Office. Refunds of adjustments are made according to a schedule published by the Business Office.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance requirements in graduate courses are established by programs and individual instructors. Attendance policies are stated in each course syllabus.

GRADUATION

Graduate students may apply for graduation during the semester in which they complete all degree requirements. An Application for Graduation form is available from the Graduate Coordinator or Program Director or the Registrar’s Office. This form must be filed by all graduating students. The Application for Graduation form needs to be signed for the following:

May graduates are invited to participate in the spring baccalaureate and commencement exercises. Students who graduate in the summer or in December are invited to take place in the December commencement ceremony. Students must have completed ALL degree requirements, including the comprehensive examination, capstone or thesis, before they can graduate or participate in commencement.

Students not wishing to have their names printed in the graduation program or in a news release must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of graduation.

AUDIT

Graduate students registered in a course may change from credit to audit with permission of the instructor. To change a course from credit to audit the student must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing by the end of the second week of class during the fall and spring semesters or after specific dates in the summer session.

POLICY ON ADMISSION OF UNDERGRADUATES

Seniors who meet the following criteria may take courses numbered 500 to 699 for graduate credit:

Credits earned as a graduate student under this policy may not be used to fulfill any undergraduate requirements. Undergraduate students admitted to graduate study under this policy may earn a maximum of 15 graduate credits. Graduate credits earned under this policy may be applied to a graduate program only with the approval of the appropriate Graduate Coordinator or Program Director.

THE GRADUATE COUNCIL

The Graduate Council is responsible for the organization, supervision, and administration of the Graduate Program. It is composed of the Provost; the Registrar or designee; the chair or representative of each of the divisions offering graduate degrees; and two (2) members of the teaching faculty appointed by the Faculty Senate. The Council formulates policy for the Graduate Program. It determines the credit value for courses, approves new courses, new programs and laboratory experiences, and approves candidates for candidacy. The Council formulates policy concerning grading, the comprehensive examination, the thesis, and admission requirements. The Council approves the Graduate Bulletin. The Graduate Council also acts on the petitions of graduate students to depart from the listed requirements and regulations.

STUDENT RECORDS

Transcripts of Academic Records

A student may request up to five (5) transcripts at one time at no charge. Requests for more than five transcripts will be honored at the rate of $5 per transcript for each additional transcript over five. Transcripts will not be issued to anyone who has an outstanding balance with Loras College.

To request a transcript Loras College requires that a written request be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The request should include the following information: Full name (including maiden name); current address; social security number; date of birth; day telephone number where you may be reached if there are questions regarding the request; dates attended Loras College; type of transcript being requested – undergraduate, graduate or both; address where the transcript is being sent; student’s signature. Requests can be submitted in person, by fax (563.588.4962) or by mail (Registrar’s Office, Mail #1, Loras College, 1450 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, IA 52001). Transcript requests are generally processed within one business day of receipt.

INSURANCE

Loras College does not carry insurance on personal property of faculty members, students, or workers, and it is not responsible for the loss or damage of such property.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES: Race, Disability, Gender

Loras College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Loras College does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of qualified disability or gender in its admission or access to, or treatment of, or employment in its educational programs or activities. Loras College is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and by the Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 not to discriminate in such a manner.

Inquiries concerning the application of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to Loras College may be referred to Loras College’s Human and Organizational Development Office or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Loras College is in compliance with the Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity laws as required by the state of Iowa and the federal government. Loras College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, age, national, ethnic origin or handicapping condition in the educational programs which its operates or in its employment policies, practice and procedures. Inquiries regarding Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity may be addressed to Loras College’s Human and Organizational Development Office.

STUDENT RIGHT-TO-KNOW AND CAMPUS SECURITY

Loras College is in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Federal Law 101-542/State House File 2028). A written policy addressing the areas of counseling, campus security, education, and the accurate and prompt reporting as relating to sexual abuse has been formulated and distributed as required. Copies of the policy may be obtained by contacting the Department of Campus Safety or the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Development.

POLICY AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Loras College is committed to having a positive learning and working environment for its students and employees and will not tolerate sexual discrimination or sexual harassment. This principle is consistent with the mission of the College that “recognizes the human dignity of each individual and challenges men and women to grow with purpose and direction.” Sexual Harassment is demeaning, degrading, and can have a negative impact on a person’s performance at work or in class. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Disciplinary sanctions will be taken up to and including discharge for College employees and expulsion of students. Academic presentations of the Catholic Church’s moral teaching regarding sexuality are very appropriate and consistent with the College’s mission, and may not be claimed as violations of this policy.

FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 (BUCKLEY AMENDMENT)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students and parents, under certain circumstances, specific rights with respect to education records. They are:

Further, notice is hereby given that Loras College may release “directory information” without the prior consent of the student unless the student formally and timely requests that such information be kept confidential. Written requests not to release directory information must be filed with the Vice President for Student Development during the first two weeks of fall semester and must be renewed each fall. Such requests must apply to all of the following categories; a student may not specify that only some of the categories not be released. Directory information consists of the following information and is subject to change provided the change is effective only in the subsequent year (i.e., fall term) and provided the change(s) is/are appropriately publicized.

• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Religious Studies