Academic Policies and Regulations

The University’s Academic majors for undergraduates are offered through three schools – the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management, and the Panuska College of Professional Studies. The schools share a common General Education program and offer associate and baccalaureate degrees in over 60 fields.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library

The 80,000-square-foot, five-story building, named for Harry and Jeanette Weinberg opened in 1992. The facility includes a variety of learning environments, including 58 computer workstations, large tables, soft seating, study carrels, group study rooms, quiet study areas, and the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, a large reading room on the fifth floor overlooking the campus. Four areas are available by card swipe 24/7:

• The Reilly Learning Commons features lecture capture facilities, podcasting space, high-end computing, 6 Macs, a 3D printer, a Writing Center Satellite, and reservable group study rooms.
• The Pro Deo Room features a computer lab, café seating, and a 46-inch touch table computer.
• The Second Floor includes a computer lab, reservable group study rooms, large tables, study carrels, Reference materials, and periodicals.
• The Third Floor includes large tables, individual study space, and group study rooms.

There are 15 laptops and 7 iPads available at the Circulation Desk for students to borrow. Throughout the building, there is wireless access to the Internet including wireless printing.

In 2022, Library holdings of 1,134,263 volumes included: 333,793 print books; 697,434 electronic books; 76,440 bound journal volumes, and 26,596 volume-equivalent microforms. The Library has 73,483 unique journal titles in print and electronic subscriptions. The Media Resources Collection, located on the third floor, holds 24,492 non-print items and provides access to 124,648 streaming media programs. The University of Scranton Archives and McHugh Family Special Collections, located on the fourth floor, houses the University’s historical records, rare books, faculty publications, and other special collections. The library’s Digital Collections are available at https://digitalservices.scranton.edu. In addition to the Library’s collection, books are available for direct borrowing through PALCI (Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration & Innovation) EZBorrow, and journal articles may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Special services for delivery of materials are available for distance learners.

159 electronic databases are accessible on the Library’s website. A proxy server provides remote access to databases and full text documents for those who are off campus. Research & Scholarly Services Librarians are available in-person on the second floor, and can also be reached by calling 570-941-4000, by emailing askalibrarian@scranton.edu, or online via the Ask a Librarian chat box located on the Library homepage. The online Ask a Librarian chat box is staffed 24/7 and is conducted live. The Library also has a robust Information Literacy Program that instructs students in information discovery, evaluation, and use. Faculty are encouraged to schedule information literacy instruction sessions for their classes by going to https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/infolit/assessment/index.shtml. 

Library hours are posted on campus and on the Library’s website. The building is staffed 88 hours per week, with extended hours during exam periods. For information about the Library, including its services and resources, see the Weinberg Memorial Library homepage at https://www.scranton.edu/library. To find out what’s new in the Library, visit https://sites.scranton.edu/library.

Academic Support Services

Advising Centers

College of Arts and Sciences

The CAS Academic Advising Center, located in St. Thomas Hall 209, serves all first year students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Staffed by professional advisors and by faculty advisors from a wide variety of disciplines, the Academic Advising Center offers a comprehensive program of academic advising for first year students. Advisors are available to students from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They provide assistance with orientation, registration, drop-add, general education course selection, declaration and change of major, and assessment of academic performance and goals.

Upon achieving sophomore status, all CAS students with declared majors are assigned a faculty advisor in the department of their major.

Panuska College of Professional Studies

The PCPS Academic Services & Advising Center, located in 111 McGurrin Hall, serves all students in the Panuska College of Professional Studies. Staff are available throughout the year, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to provide individual assistance with academic advising, registration, and assessment of academic performance and career goals. The Advising Center also works closely with other campus resources to provide comprehensive advisement opportunities. Faculty mentors are available to students within their academic departments.

Kania School of Management

Academic Advising Center

The KSOM Academic Advising Center, located in Brennan Hall, suite 206, serves all students in the Kania School of Management.  Staff advisors are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The center provides assistance with orientation, registration, drop-add, general education course selection, declaration and change of major, and assessment of academic performance and goals.

For more information about the KSOM Advising Center please call 570-941-6100 or email advising-ksom@scranton.edu.

Student Internship Office

The Kania School of Management Student Internship Office, within the Kania Center for Practical Learning, supports the Kania School by encouraging, facilitating, and coordinating the efforts to establish and maintain internship opportunities for all Kania School of Management students. Students are encouraged to secure at least one internship during their time at The University of Scranton.

For more information about the Student Internship Program please contact: Jason Schwass, Senior Director of Student Success at jason.schwass@scranton.edu or 570-941-4029.

Office of Student Support and Success/Center for Teaching Excellence

The Center of Student Support and Success/Center for Teaching Excellence (OSSS/CTE), located on the fifth floor of the Loyola Science Center, provides academic support for students and opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching and learning.

The OSSS/CTE staff works with students to enhance their learning skills in order to meet their academic and future professional goals. The OSSS/CTE offers math and reading skill evaluation and enhancement, a writing center to assist students throughout the writing process, and tutoring for academic subjects. In addition, students learn how to use instructional technology to enhance learning. Students also receive assistance in developing critical executive function skills such as time management, note taking, organization, etc. by visiting the OSSS/CTE. Students with disabilities who register with the OSSS/CTE are eligible for academic accommodations and other services.  The OSSS/CTE offers opportunities for faculty in the areas of mentoring programs, enhancement of pedagogy, and the use of technology to enrich teaching and learning.

The goal of the OSSS/CTE is to encourage and actively support a strong culture of scholarship for a diverse university community. To learn more about the OSSS/CTE’s services for students and faculty, visit Office of Student Support and Success or the Center for Teaching Excellence or call (570) 941-4038.

Office of the Registrar and Academic Services

The Office of the Registrar and Academic Services supports the educational mission of the University by connecting students to the faculty, curriculum and classroom via the course scheduling and registration processes. As the custodian of the University’s academic records, the office ensures the accuracy, integrity, and security of those records.  Furthermore, as members of the University community, the office promotes equity and fairness by supporting the development and consistent application of effective policies and processes.

The Office of the Registrar and Academic Services strives to meet the diverse service needs of students, faculty, administrative staff, alumni, and the public. The Office serves current and former students on a daily basis by answering questions, issuing transcripts, certifying enrollment status, providing degree credentials and distributing schedules. Additionally, the office promulgates the master schedule of courses for each academic year, conducts registration, processes grades, certifies degree eligibility and manages several aspects of commencement.

Located in O’Hara Hall, the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (570) 941-7721 or e-mail registrar@scranton.edu. Additional information and resources (including the academic calendar, degree audit instructions, course schedules, registration information and student grade point average calculator) are available online at scranton.edu/registrar.

Academic Policies and Regulations

Academic Code of Honesty

Students have responsibility for governing their own conduct in compliance with the Academic Code of Honesty, which addresses behavioral integrity in the academic work of the University. Conduct that violates the Code includes plagiarism, duplicate submission of the same work, collusion, providing false information, unauthorized use of computers, theft and destruction of property, and unauthorized possession of tests and other materials. Steps taken in response to suspected violations may include a discussion with the instructor, an informal meeting with the dean of the college and a hearing before the Academic Dishonesty Hearing Board. Students who are found to have violated the Code will ordinarily be assigned the grade F by the instructor and may face other sanctions. The complete Academic Code of Honesty is available in the deans’ offices, in the Student Handbook and on the web at.scranton.edu/studenthandbook.

General Regulations

All entering students – both first year students and transfer students – are held to the degree requirements listed in the catalog of the year in which they enter.

The University reserves the right to change any of the policies, rules, and regulations in this catalog. All such changes are effective at such times as the proper authorities determine and may apply not only to prospective students but also to those who are already matriculated in the University. Curricular changes, however, shall not become effective until published in the catalog unless specifically approved for an earlier implementation date by the appropriate entity.  If a change is approved for implementation prior to its publication in a catalog, the appropriate school, academic department, or program shall inform all students affected by the change. Students can appeal issues related to the application of policies, rules, and requirements, including changes thereto, to the dean of their college.

The University reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action in the case of any student who conducts himself or herself in a manner that is contrary to the standards of the University. These standards (particularly in the area of academic integrity) are given clear expression in the University’s Academic Code of Honesty published in the faculty and student handbooks of the University. The University also reserves the right to modify admissions requirements, to change tuition and fee charges, and to change the schedule of courses.

Degree Requirements

All students beginning the first term of their undergraduate degree/certificate program (matriculating) at The University of Scranton in the 2023-2024 academic year shall be governed by curricular policies stated in this catalog. Catalog requirements will change to the catalog in effect when a change in major is declared and approved. A student’s complete program of study may only be governed by one given catalog. First-year students admitted in 2023-2024 will follow the general education requirements of this catalog unless a change is subsequently promulgated.

A degree represents the successful completion of the entire undergraduate curriculum, including general education requirements, cognates, electives and major requirements. Students graduating with multiple majors are awarded a single degree and diploma. Students are solely responsible for the selection of courses and for the knowledge and completion of all degree requirements appropriate to their program of study.

In order to earn a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton students must:

• earn a minimum of 120 credits, the total number to be determined by the student’s major;
• complete all the courses and requirements prescribed in the curriculum table of the major;
• complete at least 63 credits at The University of Scranton, including the last 30 credits of their degree program;
• earn a minimum 2.00 overall grade point average; and
• record final grades in all attempted courses and remediate all failures in required courses. (See “Graduation Procedures and Commencement” for additional information.)

In the event a student does not maintain a 2.00 grade point average in required courses, his/her respective dean may take one of the following actions:

• place the student in a goal attainment semester for the purpose of raising the student’s grade point average and remaining in the major;
• place the student in an exploratory semester for the purpose of a student exploring a new major(s); or
• grant a student permission to change to a new major if the department of the new major approves the requested change.

In all cases, students must either meet the standard in the original major or change to a new major within two semesters (in the case of part-time students, within 30 credits). Students who remain in the “Goal Attainment” and/or “Exploratory” semester programs for more than two semesters will be subject to dismissal by their dean.

Credit Hour Policy

The University of Scranton complies with Federal (US DOE) and Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) regulations regarding degree and credit hour requirements. The University of Scranton undergraduate degrees require the satisfactory completion of at least 120 semester credit hours, of which at least 63 credit hours satisfy, but are not exclusive to, fulfillment of general education requirements. Associates degrees require at least 60 semester credit hours.  All master’s degrees require at least 30 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level. The number of credit hours for a degree beyond a master’s degree is determined by the faculty and reflects the recommendation of professional associations or National learned societies.

The University’s academic calendar includes an academic year divided into two semesters (fall and spring).  Each is approximately 15 weeks in length. Accelerated sessions, such as Intersession and Summer, are variable in length and comply with the established University credit policy. In addition to the nonstandard, accelerated terms of intersession and regular summer, the University has parts-of-terms” within each term during which various courses and graduate programs run. 

The University of Scranton defines a credit hour pursuant to federal guidelines.   A credit hour is: “an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for a semester or trimester hour,… or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, or other academic work leading to the award of credit hours” (34 CFR 600.2 as cited in FSA BB, Jan 2013, Vol. 3, p. 3-4; and DCL GEN-11-06).

The University also complies with the established curricular credit regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE): 22 Pa. Code Chapter 31, 31.21-31.22. One semester credit is defined as 14 hours of classroom instruction, exclusive of registration, final examinations and holidays. 

Credit Hour Standard by Instructional Method

The University of Scranton measures credit hours using the Carnegie unit; a credit hour is expected to be a reasonable approximation of a minimum amount of student work in accordance with the Carnegie unit. PDE’s curricular credit policy allows for determining activities that are the equivalent of classroom instruction. Definitions of The University of Scranton’s instructional methods appear below.  For purposes of the definitions below, 50 Carnegie minutes equals 1 hour.  

Lecture:  courses with multiple students that meet to engage in various forms of group instruction under the direct supervision of a University faculty member.  One lecture, seminar, or discussion credit hour represents 1 hour per week of scheduled class/seminar time and a minimum of 2 hours of student preparation time. Lecture courses are typically offered in accordance with the University’s standard block schedule.

Lecture Hours Per Credit

^{[1] Standard semester at The University of Scranton is 14 weeks of direct teaching plus 2 literal hours (120 minutes) of final exams.  The University considers the “one hour of direct faculty instruction” within the Carnegie unit to be 50 minutes, rather than a literal 60 minutes per hour.}

Laboratory and Studio: courses with a focus on experimental learning under the direct supervision of a University faculty member wherein the student performs substantive work in a laboratory or studio setting. One laboratory credit hour represents 1-2 hours per week of scheduled supervised laboratory work and a minimum of 2 hours of student preparation time.

Practicum: a practicum provides students with the opportunity to practice and enhance skills that they have acquired in previous coursework. Practicum coursework may include a mix of didactic, group supervision and clinical hours. One practicum hour is equivalent to approximately 3 or more hours of work per week for 14 weeks.

Education Practica: Student Teaching Practicum: supervised student teaching representing 3 lecture hours and at least 30 classroom hours each week for 14 weeks.

Internships, Clinical/field experience, Residencies, Externships: courses developed for independent learning or experience involving directed and/or self-directed and often off-site learning. The content and learning outcomes are determined by the supervising faculty and the work supervisor at the cooperating site, both of whom must judge and certify different aspects of student’s work and completion of agreed upon outcomes and assessment of those outcomes. The University requires a minimum of 14 hours of work for each credit hour earned in these types of experiences.

Accelerated Courses: courses offered in terms of length less than a traditional semester. These courses offer the same semester credit hours as traditional semester-length classes. Within the shortened time-frame, accelerated courses must meet the minimum contact hour requirements of the lecture format and the expectations of student preparation time equal that of a lecture course.

Experiential Learning: credit for experiential learning may be granted to individuals who submit evidence of learning equivalent to University level course objectives/learning outcomes. Considered evidence may include portfolios, summaries of learning experiences, letters from supervisors, CLEP, Excelsior College Examination, ACE-approved credit, portfolio credit, and PONSI credit and/or other materials that clearly illustrate achievement of each course learning outcome. Credit for experiential learning must be comparable in scope, content, academic rigor and student study time as courses offered in a lecture format.

Independent Study: courses of study in which a University faculty member regularly interacts and directs student outcomes with periodic contact. Students must illustrate achievement of the independent study course objectives/learning outcomes in order to receive credit. The student must interact with the faculty member on a regular and substantive basis to assure progress within the course.  Semester hour credit awarded must be comparable in scope, content, academic rigor and student study time as courses offered in a lecture format.

Hybrid: Hybrid courses are a combination of face-to-face and online distance learning methods. Contact time is satisfied through face-to-face instruction as well as other methods, such as, but not limited to: a) regular online instruction or interaction with a faculty member once a week for each week the course runs; b) academic engagement through interactive tutorials, group discussions moderated by faculty, virtual study/group projects, engaging with class peers, journals, web-links, discussion board exchanges, chat room activities, blogs, on-line quizzes/exams, video conference, email correspondence, conference calls, etc. c.) computer tutorials graded and reviewed by faculty. Minimum student preparation time expectations equal that of a lecture course.

Online (web-based):  courses offered entirely online without regard to face-to-face meetings. These courses have comparable learning outcomes and substantive components of a standard lecture course with alternate delivery methods. Minimum student preparation time expectations equal that of a lecture course. The University follows the definition of Distance Education/Distance Learning consistent with HEOA, PDE and Middle States standards and guidelines for all distance learning degree or certificate programs. Contact time is satisfied through several means which can include, but is not limited to, the following: a) regular online instruction or interaction with a faculty member once a week for each week the course runs; b) academic engagement through interactive tutorials, group discussions moderated by faculty, virtual study/group projects, engaging with class peers, journals, web-links, discussion board exchanges, chat room activities, blogs, on-line quizzes/exams, video conference, email correspondence, conference calls, etc. c.) computer tutorials graded and reviewed by faculty. 

Practices to Determine Amount and Level of Credit

The faculty is responsible for the curriculum. Credit values for courses are determined at the department level based upon faculty expertise, instructional method and course objectives. Upon departmental approval, the course undergoes additional evaluation as it moves through the course approval process. Faculty on the Curriculum Committees and the Faculty Senate review each new course and ensure that credit hours are in compliance before voting for approval of these new courses. The Office of the Provost reviews all new courses in order to ensure compliance with credit hours and course learning outcomes before awarding final approval of courses. Changes in curriculum are noted in the University Catalog (updated each July/August) and on the website.   

Approved courses are sent to the Registrar’s Office for inclusion in Schedule of Classes. The Office of the Registrar regularly audits scheduled course offerings to ensure compliance with credit hour requirements through its process for scheduling each semester. Discrepancies are brought to the attention of the appropriate department for correction.

Communication of Information: Statement on the Expected Student Use of The University of Scranton E-mail Account

When students are admitted to The University of Scranton, a University e-mail account is created for them. All electronic communication from the University is directed exclusively to the University’s electronic mailbox. Students are expected to access their University e-mail account on a weekly basis; however, daily access is recommended to stay abreast of important, time-sensitive information. University departments and faculty routinely will use email to communicate important campus, academic program and course information.

Information on how to access the network and e-mail is regularly distributed to new students by the Information Resources Department. For more information on how to access your University of Scranton e-mail account or if you encounter problems accessing your e-mail, contact the Technology Support Center at (570) 941-4357 or techsupport@scranton.edu.

Course Numbering System

Courses appearing in this catalog are numbered according to the system described below. The first digit of any course number indicates the level of the course; the second and third digits specify categories of courses. Levels at which courses are offered include the following:

In cases where no specific prerequisite is listed in the course description, courses at the 300 or 400 level assume junior or senior standing and appropriate background in the discipline of the course.

Categories in which courses are offered are indicated according to the following system:

Labs are indicated by an (L) following the number of the corresponding lecture courses. Courses in the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA)  are indicated by a (J) following the course number; those in the University Honors Program  are indicated by an (H) following the course number; those in the Magis Honors Program in STEM are indicated by an (S) following the course number; those in the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program  are indicated by an (K) following the course number; first-year seminars are indicated by an (X) following the course number.

Registration and Course Schedule Changes

New students are advised and registered through their specific college. Course registration for continuing students is conducted in March-April for the subsequent summer and fall, and in October-November for the subsequent spring and intersession through the University’s my.scranton.edu intranet portal. Detailed registration information is published on the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services website: www.scranton.edu/registrar.

Self Service in the my.scranton.edu portal also provides secure links to unofficial academic transcripts, student class schedules, address information, tuition accounts and financial aid information. Midterm and final grades are also available in Self Service through my.scranton.edu.

Dropping and Adding Courses

Students may add courses anytime between the initial registration period and the fifth class-day from the start of a fall or spring semester or the second class day of intersession and summer terms. Students who wish to drop one or more courses, but who plan to continue attendance in at least one other course during the term, must secure their dean’s permission. A dropped course is not reflected on a student’s transcript. The last day to drop a course is usually the thirty-first calendar day of a semester and the fourth calendar day of intersession and summer terms; specific dates are published in the official University academic calendar. A refund schedule for dropped courses applies to students paying on a per-credit basis or completely withdrawing from the University. Under this schedule, the last day for 100% tuition refund is usually the tenth calendar day from the first day of classes for a semester and the second calendar day from the first day of classes for shorter terms; the refund schedule dates are published in the official University academic calendar.

Withdrawal from a Course

After the period to drop a course concludes, students may withdraw from a course until the published withdrawal deadline.  A “W” grade is recorded on the transcript and appropriate tuition/fees are assessed. In all cases, students should first discuss the matter with the course instructor and her/his advisor.

Students who wish to withdraw from one or more courses, but who plan to continue to attend at least one course for the term, must have a Schedule Change Form signed by their instructor and dean. Students who wish to withdraw from their last course(s) must submit the Complete Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form. In either case, the forms are available online, through the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, the academic advising centers, and the academic department chairpersons’ offices. The completed forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services by the withdrawal deadline as indicated in the University academic calendar. This deadline is approximately 30 days before the last class day for the semester and a proportionate period of time for a shorter session. Failure to officially withdraw from a course will result in a F-failing grade.

Registration Policy for Web-Based Course Offered Through Online Programs

Graduate students admitted to campus-based degree programs may enroll in a maximum total of six (6) web-based credits offered in the University’s online degree programs through the Wiley Learning Management System (DLT campus). The six (6) credit limit is applicable to each student’s level of degree program sought (ex. master’s, doctorate).  Each attempted credit is applied to the limit regardless of whether or not the course is completed. Campus-based graduate students must seek approval to register in web-based courses offered in the University’s online degree programs through the DLT campus from their Chairperson/Program Director and Dean’s Office using the Approval to Enroll in Web-based Credits Offered in Online Degree Programs Form.    

Undergraduate students admitted to accelerated/combined programs that do not offer campus-based graduate coursework may enroll in a maximum total of twelve (12) web-based credits offered in the University’s online degree programs through the Wiley Learning Management System (DLT campus). Each attempted credit is applied to the limit regardless of whether or not the course is completed. Accelerated students are encouraged to read the “Online Graduate Course Policy for Undergraduate Students Accelerating into a Graduate Program” policy, below, for further information.  

Graduate students enrolled in online degree programs offered through our DLT campus may register for up to a maximum total of six (6) campus -based course credits (campus code = 1). The six (6) credit limit is applicable to each student’s level of degree program sought (ex. master’s, doctorate). Each attempted credit is applied to the six (6) limit regardless of whether or not the course is completed. Graduate students enrolled in online degree programs offered through our DLT campus must seek approval to register in campus-based courses from their Chairperson/Program Director and Dean’s Office using the Online Student Seeking Permission to Enroll in Campus-based Credits Approval Form.  

Online Graduate Course Policy for Undergraduate Students Accelerating into a Graduate Program

The following conditions apply to undergraduate students who seek to enroll in a course offered in an online graduate program when accelerating into a graduate program:

• All on-line courses taken must be consistent with the student’s previously approved academic plan specified on the Accelerated/Combined Master’s Degree Program Curriculum Approval Worksheet and distributed to the Office of the Registrar, the Financial Aid Office and the Bursar.
• If there are both campus-based and on-line versions of a graduate program, undergraduate students must have a 3.5 GPA to be eligible to enroll in on-line sections of the graduate courses. 
• Students accelerating into an on-ground graduate program are restricted to a maximum of 6 credits of online graduate coursework as an undergraduate student. Students accelerating into fully online graduate programs are limited to a maximum of 12 credits of online graduate coursework as an undergraduate student. Every registration or course attempt counts toward the on-line credit maximum.
• Students wishing to enroll in an online graduate course must submit the Approval to Enroll in a Course Offered Through Another U of S Campus form at least 24 hours before the deadline to register. Students must be registered for online graduate courses in H1 or M1 no later than 4:30 pm on the second (2nd) day of the undergraduate semester in which the student is enrolled and they must be registered for H2, M2 or M3 no later than 4:30 pm on the fifth (5th) day of the undergraduate semester.
• Undergraduate students accelerating into a graduate program are normally limited one online graduate course per fall or spring semester and two online graduate courses in the summer term. Students can take two courses in fall or spring semester with advance approval of the Dean of their undergraduate college. In summer term, one course can be taken in H1 and one course can be taken in H2 term; students cannot take two online graduate courses simultaneously.
• Students who enroll in an online graduate course and subsequently do not earn credit for the course (either drop, withdraw, or fail) may not register for another online graduate course in the same semester (fall, spring, summer). For example, in the fall and spring terms, students cannot drop an online graduate course in H1 then reenroll in the same or different online graduate course in H2.

Courses Taken as Readers and Independent Studies

The purpose of reader and independent study courses is to enable University of Scranton students in good academic and disciplinary standing to pursue a course of study that meets one of the following descriptions.

Readers are study experiences that replicate courses listed in the catalog and are offered to one or, less frequently, two students. These offerings are limited to meeting acute student programmatic need, as identified and accepted by the dean, and are not meant to be offered routinely. These courses are designated with the actual course number appearing in the undergraduate catalog.

Independent Studies, experiences provided to academically successful students, are specially designed learning experiences and are not offered in the normal course schedule. These experiences may be non-honors courses that, like honors tutorials, are based on a set of readings, discussions, and writing assignments; they may be based on experimental work; or they may involve intensive research activity. These specially designed courses are designated with numbers ending in _82 or _83.

Readers and independent studies may not ordinarily be used to fulfill general education requirements. Students may take no more than one reader or independent study per term and no more than one reader or independent study per year, on average, during the course of their degree programs. Readers and independent studies are to be taken for the same number of credits as are granted similar courses in the discipline in which the reader or independent study is offered. Readers and independent studies may not ordinarily be used to repeat failed courses. Readers and independent studies intended for the major, minor, and cognate are graded under the normal grading mode (A, A-, B+, etc.) unless excepted by the student’s dean; other readers and independent studies are graded under the Credit/No Credit grading mode (“CS: Credit Satisfactory” for grades equivalent to C or higher; “CD: Credit Deficiency” for grades equivalent to C-, D+, and D; “NC: No Credit” for grades equivalent to F). Exceptions to these policies must be approved by the dean of the student’s college and by the dean of the school offering the course, if different. The completed Reader and Independent Study forms should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services by the last day to add courses as published in the University academic calendar. A fee of $60 per credit, in addition to tuition for the course, will be charged. Readers and independent studies are not available to visiting students.

Faculty conducting independent study courses will provide the dean’s office with a copy of the syllabus, reading lists, and examinations used in the independent study. Normally, faculty are limited to mentoring no more than two students per semester in any combination of readers, independent studies, and honors tutorials. Exceptions to this limitation may be made by the Dean in response to course cancellations or programmatic need. 

Enrollment Status and Attendance Policy

To be considered a full-time student, undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credits in any given term or semester, regardless of the number of credits remaining to complete degree requirements.

Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of the courses in which they are enrolled. Students are responsible for all material presented and announcements made during any class. Attendance policies for individual courses are determined by the instructor and must be promulgated in writing in the course syllabus.

Final Examination Conflicts

When a student has three or more examinations scheduled on the same day, as represented on the examination schedule issued by the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, the student may opt to complete all three examinations on the same day or have one exam rescheduled. If the student wishes to have one of the three examinations rescheduled, the examination with the lowest priority will be rescheduled. The scheduling purposes, the order of priority is as follows: (1st) major course, (2nd) cognate course, (3rd) elective course.

If a conflict exists between two courses of the same kind (e.g., two cognates or two electives), the course taught by the professor with the longest term of service at the university will have first priority.

If a student opts to reschedule one of the examinations in conflict, he/she must advise his/her faculty member prior to the last week of class. If an appropriate resolution cannot be reached between the student and the faculty member, the student should contact his/her dean. 

Grading System

Final grades are determined by faculty for all registered students at the completion of each term and semester according to the grading scheme defined in this section. Final grades must be submitted through the official grading system as designated by the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. Final grades are recorded on each student’s official, academic transcript. Final grades are available to each student after the grade submission deadline published in the academic calendar. Students may access their grades through the my.scranton portal under the Self Service section. Students may also grant and rescind third-party access to others through their Self Service accounts.

First-year students receive mid-semester grades at the mid-point of each fall and spring semester. These grades provide feedback to students about their academic performance in current coursework. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors receive mid-semester grades only if their performance is deficient (grade of C- or less).  Mid-semester grades enable students to gauge if remedial or other actions, such as course withdrawal, are warranted. Mid-semester grades are temporary indications of academic performance and are not recorded on a student’s official academic transcript.

Primary Grades

Additional Grade Codes

Incomplete Grade

A grade of “I-Incomplete” is a temporary grade which may be assigned at the instructor’s discretion when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond a student’s control prevent completion of course requirements by the published last day of class. This grade may be awarded to a student when, in the estimation of the instructor, (1) the student to has a legitimate reason to request an Incomplete grade; (2) the student attended the course and has successfully completed at least 60% of the required course work.¹ (3) the student has a reasonable likelihood of completing the remaining course requirements. In all cases, the Incomplete grade is a privilege exercised by an instructor. It is not a right ascribed to a student.

The student is responsible for developing a work plan which itemizes outstanding coursework and expected completion date(s). The work plan must be submitted to the instructor before the published last day of class. The instructor is responsible for delineating the conditions and terms for the completion of the course. A student assigned a grade of Incomplete is required to complete outstanding course requirements by the deadline(s) established for him/her by the instructor. The final deadline for completion of all course requirements may not exceed the mid-point of the subsequent semester, which for students enrolled in a regular term is the mid-point of the subsequent regular fall, intersession, spring or summer term and for students enrolled in parts-of-terms the mid-point of the subsequent 7-week part-of-term (i.e. incomplete work from an “H1” term is due by the mid-point of the subsequent “H2” part-of-term). [See chart below and academic calendar for specific dates.] 

An Incomplete grade cannot be assigned as a substitute for non-attendance or a low or failing grade. Credits for a course in which an Incomplete grade has been issued are not considered earned for purposes of determining academic standing, academic honors, federal financial aid eligibility, athletic eligibility, or other purposes.

The student may not register for alternate coursework in future terms for the purpose of completing outstanding course requirements or re-enroll in the course for which the grade of Incomplete has been awarded. Work submitted before or at the deadline will be assessed by the course instructor, and the grade of “I” will be changed to the earned grade for the course. Failure to complete the necessary work within the stipulated time results in automatic conversion of the temporary “I - Incomplete” grade to a permanent grade of “F - Failure.” The grade of F is considered final and will be reflected in the student’s GPA and Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations.

Requests for an extension of a deadline for completion of an Incomplete grade must be made by the original Incomplete grade deadline and are subject to the approval of the instructor and the Dean (or his/her designee).  Only in the most extenuating circumstances will extensions be granted.  To make a request for an extension of a deadline for completion of an Incomplete grade, a student must complete a Petition to Extend an Incomplete Grade Form, which includes a justification for the request, a work plan that itemizes outstanding coursework with expected completion date(s) and relevant supporting documentation.  The form must be submitted to the student’s instructor and the Dean of his/her respective College. If approved, an extension of the Incomplete grade deadline may not exceed one additional academic term.

_{¹Pursuant the Higher Education Act, a school is required to monitor student enrollment to determine the earned and unearned portions of Title IV aid in the event a student ceases to attend.  Title IV aid must be returned if a student completes less than 60% of the requirements within a payment period.  A school’s grading policy must differentiate between students who complete the course but fail to achieve the course objectives and those students who do not complete the course.  HEA, Section 484B.  34 CFR 666.8.22.  DCL GEN-11-14, July 2011.}

² _{The initial incomplete deadline by which a student must complete Regular Spring course requirements may be extended from the mid-point of the Regular Summer term to the first week of the Regular Fall term with permission of the Instructor and the Dean.}

In-progress Grade

A grade of “In-progress (IP)” is a temporary grade which may be assigned by an instructor in specially designated courses that are longitudinal in nature. By design, the requirements of these courses exceed the length of one term. Examples of courses meeting this requirement include residencies, fieldwork, internships, practicums, theses and select graduate research courses.

Students assigned a grade of IP are assumed to be making satisfactory progress towards the completion of course requirements at a pace deemed acceptable to the instructor. Students assigned a grade of IP are required to complete course requirements by the deadline(s) established for him/her by the instructor. The final deadline for completion of all course requirements for which an IP grade has been assigned may not exceed one calendar year from the original start date of the course.

Credits for a course in which an IP grade has been issued are not considered earned for purposes of determining academic standing, academic honors, federal financial aid eligibility, athletic eligibility, or other purposes. Failure to complete the necessary work within the stipulated time results in automatic conversion of the temporary “IP – In-progress” grade to a permanent grade of “F - Failure.” The grade of F is considered final and will be reflected in the student’s GPA and Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations.

Audit

Entry of the audit grade (AU) on a transcript assumes satisfactory attendance. The student should consult with the instructor as to what constitutes satisfactory attendance. Election of an Audit grade must occur before the published deadline; once elected, it cannot be reversed.

Repeat of Course

Special permission is not needed to repeat a course at The University of Scranton. Recording of grades for repeated courses shall be governed by the following conditions: (1) credit for a course will be granted only once; (2) credit for the course will be lost if the course is repeated and failed; (3) the most recent credit and grade will count toward the grade point average with the exceptions that a W, I, IP, AU or NG grade cannot replace another grade; (4) each attempt to complete a course will be reflected on the student’s transcript even though the credits of the earlier attempts do not count in the cumulative grade point average. For example, a course with a grade of F will continue to appear on the transcript even after the course has been repeated with a passing grade, although the credits from the initial failed attempt will not be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA).

The earlier course attempt or attempts (with the exception of W, I, IP, AU or NG) will be denoted on the transcript by an “E – Excluded.” “E – Excluded” means that the course has been excluded from the earned hours and GPA calculations. The latest attempt (with the exception of W, I, IP, AU or NG) will be denoted on the transcript by an “I-Included.” “I-Included” means that the course has been included in the earned hours and GPA calculations.

Change of Grade

A student who believes the grade received for a course is inaccurate should first appeal the matter to the professor, whose decision is normally final. The student has the right, however, to appeal to the faculty member’s chairperson, who will make a recommendation in writing to his or her dean. The student may request the dean to review the matter. The decision of the dean is final. No grade change will be considered unless it has been reviewed by the dean’s office within one month from the time the original grade was available to the student. Changes of grade will not be reviewed or approved once a student’s degree has been conferred.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A standard used in judging a student’s performance is the grade point average (GPA). The value of each semester hour of credit earned is determined as follows: a grade of A is valued at 4 quality points; A- at 3.67 quality points; B+ at 3.33; B at 3.00; B- at 2.67; C+ at 2.33; C at 2.00; C- at 1.67; D+ at 1.33; D at 1.00. An F yields no quality points. Thus, for example, a 3-credit course with a grade of A yields 12 quality points; a B yields 9; a C yields 6.

The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total of grade point average credit hours. For example, 15 GPA credit hours, all at C grade, would earn 30 Quality Points or a 2.00 GPA (30/15).

The total number of grade point average credit hours includes those courses with final grades of F as well as A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+. C, C-, D+ and D. The grade designations of AU, CD, CR, CS, I, IP, NC, NG, S, W, TC and U do not count toward the GPA. This grade point average applies only to courses taken at The University of Scranton. Grades from other institutions are not computed into students’ grade point average with the exception of those earned at Marywood University through The University of Scranton/Marywood University cross-registration agreement.

A grade point average listing is made at the end of each semester. On the basis of his or her cumulative grade point average, a student’s rank in class and eligibility for Latin honors at graduation are determined. See “Graduation Honors.”

Grades with Distinction

Dean’s List

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, full-time students must earn 12 or more credit hours that count toward the semester GPA (credit hours of AU, CS, CD, CR, I, IP, NC, NG, S, TC, U and W grades are not counted toward this requirement). Part-time students (students registered for fewer than 12 credits) must earn at least 6 credit hours that count toward the semester GPA to be eligible for the Dean’s List. Of the eligible students, only those who have earned a 3.50 or higher semester GPA and who have no grade of D+, D, F, CD, NC, I, NG or U are named to the Dean’s List for that semester. (Note: Honors Program IP grades do not prevent eligibility for Dean’s List.) Students placed on the Dean’s List will have this distinction noted on their transcripts. A student’s GPA will be recalculated when the last temporary grade (I, NG) is replaced by a final grade. If this new GPA meets the above standard, the student will be placed on the Dean’s List. Dean’s List designations apply to fall and spring semesters only.

Grade Option: “Credit/No Credit”

The “credit/no credit” option is designed to encourage students to pursue coursework of interest outside of their areas of study. Courses used to fulfill free elective and free cognate requirements are eligible to be taken with this option. Courses taken under the “credit/no credit” option count toward the accumulated credit hours for the degree, but they are not included in the grade point average calculation.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.67 or greater who have accumulated at least 60 credits toward their degree may elect to take some courses on a “credit/no credit” basis. Students may apply for the “credit/no credit” option by seeking approval from their dean’s office and filing the completed forms with the registrar by the end of the second week of the semester (or by the second day of summer sessions and intersession). The option cannot be reversed after the fourth week of class (or the fourth day of summer sessions and intersession). Courses used to fulfill general education requirements, courses in the major and cognate, as well as courses in a minor or concentration, and those used to fulfill requirements in the Honors, SJLA, MAGIS, KSOM Honors, and Business Leadership programs may not be taken under the “credit/no credit” option. Students may take no more than a total of four courses under this option, and no more than one per semester (other than internships, practicums, or physical education courses). Students receive the following transcript notations under the “credit/no credit” option: A grade of C or higher yields a CS (credit satisfactory) notation; a passing grade less than C (C-, D, D+) yields a CD (credit deficiency) notation; a grade less than passing (F) yields an NC (no credit) notation.

Grade Difficulties: Academic Probation and Dismissal

One semester of academic probation is typically granted to a student whose GPA falls below 2.00, or who otherwise is in danger of dismissal.  A student’s dean may dismiss a student without granting probation when the student’s performance is so poor that academic probation would not be in his or her best interest.  Students who receive an F while on probation are also subject to dismissal, as are students who incur two F’s in one semester, or who accumulate three F’s that have not been successfully retaken. Probationary status may be removed through adequate achievement in the intersession or summer terms at The University of Scranton.

The student’s dean has the option to stipulate the maximum number of credits for which a student may register during the semester while on probation. This limit may be less than the maximum of 18 credits which apply under normal conditions. Students on academic probation are ineligible for participation in extra-curricular activities without the written approval of their moderator, academic advisor and dean.

Students placed on academic probation for a second semester may not participate in any extracurricular activity until such time as they are formally removed from academic probation.

University policy prohibits students dismissed from another institution or a college of the University from registering for courses in any of the colleges of the University in the semester following dismissal.

Graduation Procedures and Commencement

The University of Scranton provides the opportunity for students who have completed degree requirements to graduate at one of four points throughout the academic year: summer graduation (graduation date: August 31), fall graduation (graduation date: December 31), intersession graduation (graduation date: January 31), or spring graduation (graduation date coincides with the annual Commencement exercise). Commencement exercises are held once each academic year at the conclusion of the spring semester; the date is published in the official University academic calendar. Students who are certified to graduate in the summer, fall, intersession or spring may participate in Commencement. A student may only be presented as a degree candidate at one commencement ceremony.

Certification of graduation, receipt of a degree, and permission to participate in Commencement are not automatic. Students expecting to complete degree requirements for a spring graduation must make formal application online through their Self Service account in the University portal, my.scranton.edu by January 31st. Students who are expecting to complete degree requirements for an August graduation date must apply by June 30th; students who are expecting to complete degree requirements for a December or January graduation date must apply by October 31st.  More information can be found on the Commencement webpage at www.scranton.edu/commencement.

Walker Policy

Undergraduates who are within 6 academic credits of fulfilling all graduation requirements and are in good academic and disciplinary standing may request to “walk” at the spring Commencement ceremony.  A student seeking to participate in Commencement must present a plan that outlines his/her remaining degree requirements to his/her dean no later than 5 calendar days prior to the date of the Commencement ceremony in which the student seeks to “walk”. Outstanding coursework must be completed at The University of Scranton during the summer or fall semesters immediately following the commencement ceremony. The dean must reserve the right to approve or deny the student’s request. If approved to walk, the student may not participate in a second commencement upon completion of all degree requirements.

Graduation Honors

To be eligible for Latin honors, a baccalaureate degree student must have completed a minimum of 63 credit hours of course work at The University of Scranton. Preliminary Latin honor designations are published and announced at the annual Commencement ceremony if a student has graduated or is cleared to graduate; Latin honors are not read at Commencement if a student elects to “walk.”(See ‘Walker Policy’).

Final Latin honors designations are determined based upon a student’s final undergraduate cumulative GPA at the completion of the baccalaureate degree program and are represented on a student’s diploma. Latin honors designations are:

• Summa cum laude: 3.85 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 45 credits counting in the GPA
• Magna cum laude: 3.65 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 45 credits counting in the GPA
• Cum laude: 3.50 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 45 credits counting in the GPA

Interruptions in Attendance: Leaves of Absence and Complete Withdrawal

Leave of Absence

Students may request their dean’s approval for a leave of absence by completing and submitting the Complete Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form available in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, academic advising centers, and academic department chairperson offices. Graduation requirements in effect for a student at the time of his/her approved leave begins will remain in effect when a student returns from his/her leave under the following conditions:

• The student is in good academic and disciplinary standing at The University when their leave begins.
• The student may not take courses at another institution without first securing written approval from their dean.
• The student’s leave is limited to one semester but may be renewed for one additional semester with the written permission of their dean.
• The student must report their address and phone number to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services and promptly reports a change of address/phone number to that office.
• The student understands that this policy does not bind The University to offer their curricula or major programs, which may have been discontinued or substantially altered during their leave of absence.
• A student who interrupts their education without an approved leave of absence must apply for readmission and will be subject to the catalog requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
• A student on an approved leave of absence must apply for readmission, however, the student will retain the same catalog requirements in effect at matriculation as long as their leave does not extend beyond a year.

Military Leave Policy

Leave: If a student is called to active military duty while attending The University of Scranton, the University will abide by federal regulations in order to protect the academic and financial interest of the student within the norms of good academic judgment. Military service, for the purpose of this policy, is defined as voluntary or involuntary duty in the armed forces, including service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. The student (or an appropriate officer of the armed forces or official of the Department of Defense) must give oral or written notice of such service to the University, care of the student’s Dean’s Office, as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. No notice is required if precluded by military necessity, such as service in operations that are classified or would be compromised by such notice. The student’s Dean, after conferring with the director of financial aid, the treasurer, the student’s current faculty, and the student, will decide the most prudent course of action pursuant to federal regulations. The student is responsible for all room and board and related expenses incurred through the call to duty. Deans must confer with the Financial Aid and Treasurer’s Offices before making a final decision regarding tuition refunds. The cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from the school for military service may not exceed five years. Only the time the student spends actually performing service is counted.

Readmission: A student formerly called to active military duty must give oral or written notice of her intent to return to the University, care of the student’s Dean’s Office, within three years after the completion of the period of service. A student who is hospitalized or convalescing due to an illness or injury incurred or aggravated during the performance of service must notify the University within two years after the end of the period needed for recovery from the illness or injury. A student who fails to apply for readmission within these periods does not automatically forfeit eligibility for readmission but is subject to the University’s established leave of absence policy and general practices. Upon receiving a student’s request for readmission, the University will readmit the student with the same academic status into the same program to which the student was last admitted or, if that exact program is no longer offered, the program that is most similar to that program.  The student will be enrolled with the next class or classes in the program, unless the student requests a later enrollment date.

Complete Withdrawal from the University

Students wishing to drop or withdraw from all of their courses, thereby discontinuing their enrollment, must secure their dean’s permission to withdraw from The University. Students should also discuss any questions with their advisor or department chairperson. The form for withdrawal may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, the academic advising centers, or academic department chairpersons’ offices. University withdrawal is not official until all signatures required on the Complete Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form have been obtained and the form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services.

Any tuition refund will be determined by the official date of University withdrawal. No grades for the term will be recorded on the student’s academic record if the official University withdrawal date is on or before the last day for 25% tuition refund or the last day to drop courses according to the official University academic calendar. Grades of W will be recorded for course work if the official University withdrawal date coincides with the course withdrawal period. Final grades will be recorded for course work if the official withdrawal date is after the course withdrawal period for the term.

Readmission to the University

A student who fails to enroll for a semester without an approved leave of absence must apply for readmission and will be subject to the catalog requirements in effect at the time of readmission. A student on an approved leave of absence must apply for readmission, however, the student will retain the same catalog requirements in effect at matriculation as long as their leave does not extend beyond a year. University policy prohibits students dismissed from another institution or a college of the University from registering for courses in any of the colleges of the University in the semester following dismissal. An undergraduate student who has been dismissed from The University of Scranton and wishes to apply for readmission to the University may do so no sooner than one full semester after the semester in which the dismissal took place. Readmission is not automatic; the student will need to demonstrate that the conditions which led to the dismissal will not present a continuing problem. Readmission is not permitted if a student is dismissed a second time from the University. 

If a student seeks to return to the University within 5 years of his/her last date of attendance, the student must apply for readmission to the University through the college in which the intended program of study is housed.  The dean of that college (i.e., the readmitting dean) will confer with the student’s dean of last attendance at the University, if different from the readmitting dean. When determining eligibility for readmission, the dean may review the student’s academic transcript and record. The dean may also confer with Student Formation about any disciplinary or mental health issues that might preclude readmission, and if the student was on medical leave, may also require documentation from the health-care provider that the student may now resume their studies.

If the student is requesting readmission into a program other than the one of her/his last attendance, the readmitting dean will confer with the department chair or director of the program to which the student is requesting readmission regarding program-specific admission requirements. If the student attended another college or university subsequent to her/his last attendance at the University, the student must submit an official transcript from that institution to the readmitting dean before that dean will render a final decision on readmission.

The dean will render a final readmission decision and inform the student and Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. If the dean renders a decision to readmit the student, that official transcript will then be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services for analysis/determination of transfer credit acceptable toward the intended program of study. Pre-permission to take courses elsewhere is valid only if the student continues in the same program, and if there have been no significant curricular changes mandated by relevant certification bodies in the interim that would affect the transfer credit. Transfer courses would need to be reevaluated upon readmission if the student changes programs.

If a student’s separation from the university exceeds 5 years, the student must reapply through the Office of Admissions.

Academic Renewal Policy Upon Readmission

Students who have not attended the University for at least five calendar years may request academic renewal. At the time of readmission, students seeking academic renewal must complete an academic renewal form and may petition their Dean to have up to 16 credit hours of deficient grades removed from their grade point averages (GPA). The deficient courses and their grades will remain on the transcript, however, they be excluded from the earned hours and GPA calculations and will not count toward graduation requirements. The courses with excluded grades on the transcript will be designated with an E, and the transcript key will explain that E means the course grade has been excluded from the GPA and earned hour calculations, yielding an amended GPA. A comment also will be added to the transcript indicating that the student received academic renewal and the date.

Transferring Credits from Other Institutions Once Matriculating at The University of Scranton

Matriculating undergraduate students in good academic and disciplinary standing at The University of Scranton may transfer in a maximum of 10% of the total credits in their program. Undergraduate transfer students from another institution will be limited to a maximum of 10% of the total credits remaining in their program from the initial point of University of Scranton matriculation. All students must complete at least 63 credits at The University of Scranton, including the last 30 credits of their program of study.

University of Scranton undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore year (60 credits) are permitted to take courses at other four-year, regionally accredited institutions. Those who have not completed their sophomore year may be approved for courses at two-year or four-year regionally accredited institutions. The course(s) to be transferred to UofS must be comparable in nature, content, method of instruction, level and rigor to the equivalent course offered by UofS.  In evaluating courses for transfer equivalency, course content should be substantially similar such that the student is believed to be positioned to succeed in subsequent coursework.   Equivalency need not be a complete match.  For courses in a sequence, students need to demonstrate sufficient preparation to succeed in the next course in the sequence.

Undergraduate students must secure advance permission of their dean to take courses at another institution. Permission may not be retroactively approved. Students may not take a course at another institution if they have failed the same course at The University of Scranton.  Exceptions to this policy may be made by the student’s dean. Students may earn credit for a course only once, regardless of where the course was completed, with the exception of some special topics courses, if approved.

Undergraduate students may validate courses taken at a non-AACSB institution by successfully completing one or more advanced courses in the subject for which the course in transfer is a foundation course. Approval is granted by the Dean of the Kania School of Management. This applies only to lower-division transfer courses which the University offers at the upper-division level.

Grades below C (2.00 in a 4.00 grading system) received elsewhere are not transferable to The University of Scranton; no grades from other institutions are computed into the student’s grade point average, with the exception of those taken through the University of Scranton/Marywood University cross-registration agreement. Transfer credit will be awarded only upon receipt of an official transcript from the transfer institution.  Transfer credit is recorded as a grade of “TC” on the student’s transcript. Official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Registrar and Academic Services (ORAS) for review and processing.

Online Courses

Many courses at the University require that students have access to a computer and the Internet for assignments, research, discussion groups, etc. The University provides each student with an account number and there are computer labs on campus for student use.

In addition, a number of faculty are using Brightspace, the standard University online courseware tool, to support or to teach an entire course. Brightspace enables an instructor to supplement a course with online materials and activities, or to deliver a course solely online. Brightspace contains modules for announcements, course documents, online tests/quizzes, discussion board, chat and assignments.

When Brightspace is used to deliver courses solely online the class documents are posted on the web and the students are responsible for submitting the assignments using the provided tools in Brightspace. There are virtual office hours via the chat room when the instructor can communicate with one or several students simultaneously.

To find out more about Brightspace, the computer equipment you need, and what you need to know before taking an online course, visit The University’s Brightspace web page located at https://www.scranton.edu/academics/lms/index.shtml

Student Rights and Confidentiality of Information

The University of Scranton recognizes the privacy rights of individuals who are or who have been students, as guaranteed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. No information from educational records, files, or other data directly related to a student shall be disclosed to individuals or agencies outside The University without the express written consent of the student. Except where prescribed by law, information regarding a student’s education record may not be disclosed to a parent, guardian or spouse without the student’s written authorization on file in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, academic advising center or dean’s office, or unless the student has granted access to specific information to specific persons through the online Third Party Authorization Form in their Self Service account in the www.scranton.edu portal.

FERPA does authorize the University to disclose information without consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  Legitimate education interest means that the official has a need to know in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities on behalf of the University. Examples of people having legitimate education interest depending on their official duties and within the context of those duties include: persons or companies with whom The University has contracted, such as attorneys, auditors, collection agents, consultants and other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional functions or services; students serving on official committees, such as disciplinary or grievance committees or assisting school officials in performing their tasks; persons or organizations to whom students have applied for financial aid; persons in compliance with a lawful subpoena or court order; and persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. In January 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expanded the circumstances of release to federal, state and local authorities to evaluate federal- or state- supported education programs, to researchers performing certain types of studies, and to state authorities in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems.

The University considers the following to be public information that may be made available, at its discretion, without prior consent of the student:

• Name
• Former name(s)
• Address (local and permanent)
• Telephone number (campus/local and permanent)
• Date and place of birth
• Photograph
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• E-mail address
• Dates of attendance
• Enrollment status
• Campus employment
• Class level
• Expected/actual date of graduation
• Degrees, awards, academic honors
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams

Students who wish to prevent the public disclosure of the above information may complete and submit a request to the Student Life Office or Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. Request forms are available from any of the preceding offices.

A directory of student names, email addresses, colleges and academic years is promulgated by The University at the beginning of the fall semester. Students who do not wish to be listed in the campus directory must notify the University by the end of the first week of classes in the fall semester.

FERPA affords students the right to inspect and review their educational records within 45 days of the day The University receives such requests. Students should submit to the Registrar or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. University officials will make arrangements for access and notify requesting students of the time and place where their records may be inspected.

Students have the right to request the amendment of any educational records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record that they want changed, and specify why they believe it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the records as requested, The University will notify students of the decision and advise them of their right to appeal the decision and the process that must be undertaken to do so.

For more information regarding FERPA, please contact the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services, 2^nd Floor, O’Hara Hall. Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by The University of Scranton to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-5920.

In addition, The University of Scranton complies with the Student Right-to-Know Act by providing graduation rate information to current and prospective students upon request. Graduation rate information may be obtained by contacting the Institutional Research Office or by consulting the University’s Consumer Information webpage at http://www.scranton.edu/pir/institutional-research/HEOA/index.shtml

Policy and Procedure for Distance and/or Online Student Verification of Identity

The University of Scranton complies with the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) and United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) regulations regarding policies and procedures to ensure student identity verification in distance education. Upon their admission to the University, each University of Scranton student is assigned a unique Royal Identification number (R number), username and password to access University systems, and is responsible for using and maintaining this information securely in accordance with other University practices and policies. A photographic ID should be used to verify student’s in-person identity. Additional details regarding this and related verification, security, and confidentiality procedures, and where to go for questions or other support, are included in the University’s Policy and Procedure for Distance and/or Online Student Verification of Identity.

Degree Programs

The University offers the following degree programs for undergraduate students. Please consult departmental listings for program details.

Major

Bachelor of Arts

Advertising/Public Relations, BA  
Business Communication, BA  
Classical Studies, BA 
Communication, BA 
English, BA 
French and Francophone Cultural Studies, BA (visit World Language and Cultures Majors, BA )
German Cultural Studies, BA (visit World Language and Cultures Majors, BA )
Spanish Studies, BA (visit World Language and Cultures Majors, BA )
History, BA 
Individualized Major 
International Language-Business, BA 
Journalism & Electronic Media, BA 
Latin American and Latinx Studies, BA 
Philosophy, BA 
Social Media Strategies, BA   
Theatre, BA 
Theology/Religious Studies, BA 
Women’s and Gender Studies, BA  

Bachelor of Science

Accounting, BS  
Applied Computing, BS 
Biochemistry, BS 
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, BS 
Biology, BS 
Biophysics, BS 
Business Administration, BS 
Business Analytics, BS  
Chemistry, BS 
Chemistry-Business, BS 
Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS  
Computer Engineering, BS 
Computer Science, BS 
Counseling and Human Services, BS 
Counseling and Human Services, Rehabilitation Services Concentration, BS  
Criminal Justice, BS 
Cybercrime & Homeland Security, BS  
Economics, BS (CAS) 
Economics, BS (KSOM) 
Education, Early and Primary Teacher, BS 
Education, Middle Level Teacher, BS 
Education, Secondary, BS 
Electrical Engineering, BS 
Engineering Management, BS  
Entrepreneurship, BS 
Environmental Science, BS 
Finance, BS 
Forensic Chemistry, BS 
Health Administration, BS 
Health Administration, Long-Term Care Administration Concentration, BS  
Health Promotion, BS 
Human Resources Studies, BS 
Individualized Major 
Information Technology, BS   
International Business, BS 
International Studies, BS 
Kinesiology, BS  
Liberal Studies, BS (CAS) 
Management, BS 
Marketing, BS 
Mathematical Sciences, BS  
Mathematics, BS  
Mechanical Engineering, BS   
Medical Technology, BS 
Neuroscience, BS 
Nursing, BSN 
Occupational Therapy †
Operations Management, BS 
Physics, BS 
Physiology, BS  
Political Science, BS 
Psychology, BS 
Public Policy and Service, BS  
Sociology, BS  

Associate in Arts

Associate in Arts  

Associate in Science

Business, AS  
Computer Engineering, AS 
Counseling and Human Services, AS 
Criminal Justice, AS 
Electrical Engineering, AS 
Health Administration, AS 
Human Resources Studies, AS  
Sociology, AS  

Minors

Minors require a minimum of 15 hours and are currently available in the disciplines noted below. Courses applied towards a major may not be applied toward the first 15 credits of a minor, however, courses applied to cognate or general education requirements may be used to fulfill minor requirements.

Applied Behavior Analysis Minor  
Applied Sociology Minor  
Art History Minor 
Biochemistry Minor 
Biology Minor 
Business Analytics Minor  
Business Communication Minor  
Business Leadership Honors Program Minor 
Chemistry Minor 
Cinema Studies Minor  
Communication Minor  
Computer Science Minor 
Counseling and Human Services Minor 
Crime Analysis Minor  
Criminal Justice Minor 
Criminology Minor  
Economics Minor (CAS) 
Economics Minor (KSOM) 
Educational Studies Minor 
English Minor 
Entrepreneurship Minor 
Film Production Minor  
Finance Minor 
Forensic Accounting Minor  
General Business Minor 
Health Administration Minor 
History Minor 
Human Resources Studies Minor 
International Studies Minor 
Leadership Minor 
Management Minor 
Mathematics Minor 
Operations Management Minor 
Philosophy Minor 
Physics Minor 
Political Science Minor 
Psychology Minor   
Public Policy and Service Minor  
Social Media Strategies Minor  
Sociology Minor 
Spanish Studies Minor (visit World Languages and Cultures Minors )
Sports Communication Minor  
Theatre Minor 
Theology/Religious Studies Minor 
World Languages and Cultures Minors 
Writing Minor  

Concentrations

A concentration is a defined curricular program of study offered through the collaboration of faculty from two or more academic departments or disciplines. A concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours. Opportunities for concentrations are described in the departmental sections.

Asian Studies Concentration 
Black Studies Concentration  
Business Analytics Concentration  
Catholic Studies Program 
Coaching Concentration 
Data Science Concentration  
Environmental & Sustainability Studies Concentration  
Health Humanities Concentration  
Health Promotion Concentration 
Integrated Data Analysis Concentration  
Italian Studies Concentration 
Judaic Studies Concentration 
Latin American and Latinx Studies Concentration   
Legal Studies Concentration  
Lifespan Development Concentration  
Nutrition Studies Concentration  
Peace and Justice Studies Concentration  
Women’s and Gender Studies Concentration  

† Students entering the Occupational Therapy program will earn a B.S. in Health Sciences after completing the first four years of a five-year program and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy after completion of the fifth year.

Special Programs

Accelerated Master’s Degree and Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs

The University of Scranton offers outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree through an Accelerated Master’s Program or a Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs

These programs allow an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record to enroll in graduate courses while completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree. University policy allows accelerated students to apply up to 12 graduate credit hours toward the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. Individual programs, however, may allow fewer a number of graduate hours to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements; programs determine which undergraduate degree requirements may be fulfilled by graduate coursework.  Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with graduate study.

The student’s undergraduate advisor, in consultation with the graduate program director, will identify graduate coursework that will meet undergraduate requirements. Graduate courses may not be used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements that have been satisfied by previously completed coursework. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, and the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program.

Program advisors will develop an individualized curriculum for each student based upon opportunities for graduate courses to meet undergraduate degree requirements and space in the student’s course schedule. Students typically enroll in 3 graduate credits per term but may enroll in additional credit hours in a term with the approval of the graduate program director. Accelerated undergraduate students may register for a maximum of 15 total credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for a graduate level course unless the dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program has given his/her approval. While a student is enrolled in the accelerated program, grades earned in graduate-level coursework will be calculated in the student’s grade point average in both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs

These programs allow an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also electing graduate courses. Graduate work attempted while the student is in an undergraduate phase must satisfy undergraduate degree requirements (not to exceed a total of 12 credit hours). Students typically enroll in 3 graduate credits per term but may enroll in 3 additional graduate credit hours per term with the preapproval of the graduate program director and the dean. A Combined BS/MS student may register for a maximum of 15 total credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for both graduate and undergraduate courses. Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with graduate study. While a student is enrolled the combined program, grades earned in graduate-level coursework will be calculated in the student’s grade point average in both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Admissions Requirements for Accelerated Master’s Programs or the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program:

1. Completion of an application for Graduate Admissions
2. Completion of the Accelerated/Combined Master’s Degree Program Curriculum Approval Worksheet
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
4. A Statement of Purpose
5. Completion and submission of any program specific admission requirements.

NOTE: A student, who has earned credits elsewhere, including transfer of credit from other colleges and AP courses taken in high school, may be considered for an accelerated or combined program. The student must have earned at least 32 graded semester hours at The University of Scranton within the indicated GPA requirements.

Doctoral Programs

The University offers several doctoral programs. Further information about these programs is available in the Graduate Studies Catalog.

Double Major

Students at the end of the first semester of freshman year or thereafter may elect to pursue a second major in addition to their first major. Students must secure written permission from the appropriate dean and the two pertinent department chairs. Students pursuing a second major are required to complete all major and required cognate courses plus general education courses that are explicitly required as part of the second major program of study. The remainder of the credits in the General Education area need not be repeated. Except for double majors involving education and a content area, a second major will not be awarded for fewer than 18 credits in the second field that are not counted as part of the first major. Students completing double majors receive only one degree and diploma.

Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree

The University of Scranton’s curriculum and academic calendar allow qualified students to attain their bachelor’s degrees within three years, thus considerably reducing the overall cost of their undergraduate education and allowing the student to enter the workforce or begin advanced study a year earlier.  While Advanced Placement credits are useful in this regard, a student who has not earned these credits may still complete the degree program in most majors within three years by pursuing additional coursework during intersession and summer terms. A student interested in a three-year bachelor degree should contact their advisor and/or dean as early as possible in order to plan their schedule.  Entering freshman may opt to use the summer term immediately following high school graduation to advance their studies in the three-year program; if interested, the student should consult the Director of Admissions should be consulted.  Details on the special Scranton Preparatory/University of Scranton Seven Year (4-3) High School-College Degree Program are available from the Dean of Studies at Scranton Preparatory.

State Authorization

Programs that Lead to Professional Licensure or Certification

The University of Scranton has been approved by Pennsylvania to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

For professions such as teacher preparation, education, nursing, counseling, occupational therapy and physical therapy, each state approaches licensure and certification in its own way.  The University of Scranton’s programs are designed to meet the licensure and certification requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The University cannot confirm whether our program requirements meet the professional licensure or certification requirement of the various states. Students should determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure or certification in the state in which they are or wish to be employed. Information regarding professional licensure/certification for relevant programs can be found  on the University’s Consumer Information web page.

Faculty/Student Research Program

The Faculty/Student Research Program (FSRP) provides students an opportunity to become involved in faculty research. Students in all fields may participate. There are no fees for the FSRP; the program is open to all students in good academic standing including incoming first-year students. While students do not receive academic credit, they do receive transcript recognition upon successful completion of the research activity.

To participate in the program, students must identify a faculty sponsor with whom they choose to work. This may be done by talking to individual faculty members directly about their research interests or by consulting the FSRP Directory, which includes information on research projects and any student prerequisites. When a student and faculty member agree to work together, they complete a learning contract that outlines the nature of the research, the tasks involved and the hours to be worked. The contract must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the second week of each semester that a student participates in the FSRP.

Faculty Student Research Learning Program Contract forms are available at the Office of the Registrar, (570) 941-7721.

Student/Faculty Teaching Mentorship Program

The Student/Faculty Teaching Mentorship Program offers advanced students the opportunity to assist and be mentored by faculty in the teaching of selected courses. Together, they will craft the mentoring experiences that best fit the pedagogical requirements of the relevant course.

There is no fee assessed for this non-credit experience. While students do not receive academic credit or a grade, they do receive transcript recognition. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing.

For more information about the program, contact the Office of Student Support and Success/Center for Teaching Excellence located on the fifth floor of the Loyola Science Center, at (570) 941-4038.

Fellowship Programs

The Office of Fellowship Programs, located in IMBM 3rd floor, assists students preparing to make application for national and international awards, including, among others, the Truman, Mellon, James Madison, National Science Foundation, Goldwater, Soros, Churchill, Marshall, and Rhodes Scholarships.  For more information visit us at www.scranton.edu/academics/fellowships/index.shtml.

Fulbrights

Additional information is available online at www.scranton.edu/fulbright.

Internship Programs

The University’s commitment to internships as an integral part of the educational process is strong. Internships provide students the opportunity to reflect upon, analyze and critique their experiences in ways that demonstrate their ability to integrate what they have learned in the classroom with what they are learning in the field.

Credit-bearing internships are available to students in many majors. For specific information on such internships, students should contact their academic advisors to complete an internship application, which includes a set of clearly defined objectives, internship responsibilities and an assessment plan. Credit-bearing internships are co-supervised by a faculty member and an on-site supervisor.

To support accessibility of non-mandatory, credit-bearing internships to undergraduate students, internship tuition for summer and intersession terms will be charged at one third of the academic credit of the course.  (For example, if the internship is 3.0 academic credits, the tuition charged would be 1 credit.) For non-mandatory internships in fall or spring semesters, the tuition will be adjusted to one third of the academic credit only if the internship causes an overage to the 18 credits covered under flat tuition.

This policy does not apply to required clinical courses in any of the PCPS majors, or to internships/residencies in counseling and human services (CHS), community health education (CHED), health administration (HADM), human resources (HRS) or required internships in Kinesiology (KNES).  This policy does not apply to required internships in any program of study nor to graduate-level internships in any term.

Non–credit-bearing internships are also available. They are less structured and do not necessarily relate to specific course work. Students wishing to participate in the non–credit-bearing Career Experience Program should contact Career Development at (570) 941-7640 to schedule an appointment with a counselor.

Second Degrees

Persons with good scholastic records and baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited institutions, may apply to earn a second baccalaureate from the University of Scranton through Undergraduate Admissions.

Candidates for a second baccalaureate degree are expected to complete a minimum of 30 credits at The University of Scranton beyond the completion of the studies for the first degree, of which at least 15 credits must be in the second degree’s major. Students must complete all requirements for the second degree not covered by the first degree program for the major and cognate courses.  All prerequisites for the major and cognate courses must also be completed. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required. 

No semester hours from the first baccalaureate degree can be applied toward this 30-credit requirement.

Community Based Learning

Community-Based Learning (CBL) is an academic experience that involves students working with individuals, groups, or organizations in ways structured to meet community-defined needs. In keeping with the Jesuit, Catholic mission of The University of Scranton, community-based learning* incorporates a global perspective and understanding through integration of theory with practice, direct engagement with community members, and personal and critical academic reflection. Courses that include a community-based learning component prepare students to understand common challenges facing humanity, identify systemic problems, and develop a commitment to their communities, especially people who live and work in poverty, illness, inequality, hopelessness, and other social disparities.

Students in the Panuska College of Professional Studies complete community-based learning experiences as a requirement for graduation. The College of Arts and Sciences and Kania School of Management also offer several courses that include a community-based learning requirement.

The University as a whole received recognition of its community-based learning accomplishments with the classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Community Engagement institution.

*Community-based learning courses are designated with (SL).

Special Sessions

The University of Scranton annually offers Intersession in January and several summer sessions to allow students to accelerate their degree programs or to make up courses that may not have been completed during the regular semesters.

International Education

In fulfillment of our mission as a Catholic and Jesuit institution, The University of Scranton is committed to building a diverse international institution that serves the needs of an increasingly interdependent global community. We strive to create a welcoming and richly diverse campus with a commitment to international education and fellowship of the human family.

The University of Scranton has a solid international education record. To date, nearly 1,500 University students from nearly every major have studied in 53 countries and on every continent but Antarctica. Our faculty, administrators and staff hold degrees from 135 different universities in 26 countries on five continents. International students have been attending the University since 1946. Students from about 24 different countries have been enrolled in either the undergraduate or graduate schools.

The Office Global Education Mission Statement

The Office of Global Education promotes the University’s mission by facilitating the integration and acculturation of international students and scholars, as well as by promoting initiatives such as study abroad, scholar exchanges, international internships, and global partnerships. Reaching out to the entire campus community our services are designed to encourage and foster understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, as well as to help prepare our students for successful participation and leadership in a global society. We invite you to visit us to learn more about how we are building bridges to promote intercultural understanding, global competency and fellowship in our interconnected world.

Studying Abroad and International Fellowships

The University of Scranton provides opportunities for students to study abroad for a semester, year, January intersession, or summer session at one of our partner universities around the world.  More than 50 programs are normally available each year.  Additionally, faculty from the University of Scranton also lead short-term study abroad courses to various international locations, often during summer or intersession. The Office of Global Education staff will help students identify study abroad options, provide guidance, process applications, and sponsor a pre-departure orientation before students travel abroad.

The Office of Global Education encourages students who have an interest in gaining global experiences to explore study abroad programs early in their academic career, as many students can participate in a semester-long program during their sophomore year.  With appropriate planning, nearly all majors can study abroad for a semester and stay on track to graduate on time.  All majors are eligible to study abroad during Intersession or Summer session.  Students work carefully with their academic advisors and the Office of Global Education to identify the site, timing, and courses that are the best fit for them.  In many cases, adjusted financial aid and University of Scranton scholarships can be used when studying abroad.  

International Students and Scholars Services

International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) within the Office of Global Education ensures the smooth integration and adjustment of international students and scholars into the University community; ensures compliance with immigration regulations for the University; facilitates relocation of international students and scholars to the Scranton area; provides guidance, counseling and mentoring; and creates opportunities for international students and scholars to be engaged, thus become valued and productive members of the community.

International Programming

The Office of Global Education sponsors a variety of internationally focused activities and programs during the academic year such as International Education Week and the Global Insights program. The office makes an effort to collaborate and support other offices like the Cultural Centers, the World Languages Department and Asian Studies in their efforts to promote cultural learning on campus.

University of Scranton/Marywood University Cross-Registration

Full-time undergraduate students who are in good standing and have completed 30 credits at The University of Scranton may take two Marywood University courses (equivalent to 6 credits) during the calendar year (January to December) on a space-available basis and with the approval of their advisor and dean.