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Requirements for Graduation

The Bachelor’s Degree

The bachelor’s degree is awarded to students meeting the following requirements (or their equivalent in transferred credits in the case of transfer students):

• Complete all course requirements with a grade point average of 2.0.
• Earn a minimum of 120 credits by completing the following:
• All Liberal Arts Core requirements including a minimum of 6 credits in open electives
• All general education requirements imposed by the School in which the student is enrolled and which are different from Liberal Arts Core requirements
• All major requirements

The Associate Degree

The associate degree in arts or applied science is awarded to students who do the following:

• Submit to the Office of the Registrar a request for an associate degree one full semester prior to the anticipated conferral of the degree.
• Fulfill all course requirements as specified in each degree area. The associate in arts degree (A.A.) is offered with a Liberal Studies emphasis. The degree requirements are listed in the Liberal Studies program description. The associate degree in applied science is offered in Nursing (A.A.S.). The degree requirements are listed in the School of Health Professions program descriptions.
• Earn a minimum of 64 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  

General

Residency requirements: In order to participate in graduation ceremonies, a student must be receiving a degree. For the bachelor’s and associate degrees, students must complete a minimum of 36 credits as a student at Marymount. Graduate students may transfer only 12 credits. Note: The total number of credits required to earn a degree varies by program. Please consult individual program sections in this catalog.

All master’s degree students must complete at least 24 graduate credits at Marymount University. In programs with credit requirements greater than 36, master’s degree candidates must complete at least two-thirds of the total number of program credits at Marymount. (The total number of credits required for each degree is stated in the degree requirements section for each program.)

Completion requirement: All coursework for an undergraduate degree from Marymount University must be completed within 10 years of the date of matriculation. All coursework for a graduate degree or a certificate program from Marymount University must be completed within 5 years of the date of matriculation.

Minimum grade point average (GPA):
A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better must be obtained for the awarding of any undergraduate degree or certificate. This cumulative GPA applies to Marymount University coursework and to all coursework transferred onto a Marymount transcript before September 1996.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better must be obtained for the awarding of any graduate degree or post-baccalaureate or graduate certificate.

Course requirements:
Marymount University requires successful completion of all general education and major coursework associated with a student’s degree program. The requirements to be met are stated in the University catalog current at the time of the student’s initial matriculation. Transfer students must complete all courses noted on their transfer evaluation and program of study. This includes attaining minimum grades for courses as stipulated in other sections of this catalog.

Documentation: All final documentation must be received by the Office of
the Registrar prior to the deadline for submitting grades. Documentation includes such items as official transcripts, test scores, completion of incompletes, and grade changes. A graduation petition must be received by the Office of the Registrar by the deadline posted in the course
schedule.

Financial obligation: All financial obligations must be met prior to the University Commencement. Financial obligations include parking fines, credit holds, tuition, etc.

Academic certification: Certification for graduation by a student’s dean and the registrar must be obtained prior to the University Commencement.

Continuous Registration

Candidates for a degree must maintain continuous registration until all degree requirements are satisfied. By failing to register for one semester or more (not including summer semester), a student breaks registration and must reapply. Continuous registration may be maintained for a maximum of two consecutive semesters, not including summer semester.

A nondegree student who breaks registration for one semester or more must reapply for admission to the University.

A readmitted student must satisfy curriculum requirements existing at the time of readmission. Any student wishing to maintain continuous registration in absentia will be charged a fee of $30 per semester payable at regularly scheduled registration dates. Continuous registration requires the student’s signature and may be conducted via the U.S. mail or by fax.

Graduation and Diploma

Degrees are conferred in May, August, and December. There is one formal Commencement ceremony in May.

A student must file a graduation petition form (available at registration or in the Registrar’s Office) when registering for the final semester. Note: The completion of a graduation petition does not guarantee that a student will graduate. A student’s degree audit will be completed by the School in which the student is matriculated once a student petitions to graduate. The degree audit will determine if a student is eligible to graduate.

Diplomas are issued during the Commencement ceremonies provided the graduation petition has been submitted to the registrar by the deadline posted in the course schedule. Diplomas for August and December graduates are mailed by the Registrar’s Office at the close of summer and fall semester provided the graduation petition has been submitted in a timely manner. A $35 diploma fee is payable at submission of the graduation petition. A petition submitted after the deadline carries a $70 fee. Graduation petitions submitted after the posted deadline will be processed at the discretion of the University.

Students who submit the petition after the published deadline will not receive their diplomas at the close of the semester, may not graduate until the next graduation date, and in the spring semester, may not be listed in the Commencement program. A student who submits a late petition may not be eligible to participate in Commencement exercises if a full audit of the student’s record cannot be processed to confirm eligibility.

Diplomas are mailed within the United States at no charge and outside the United States for an additional fee of $10. Diplomas are withheld from students who have unsettled obligations to the University.

A student who does not meet graduation requirements at the end of the semester in which a graduation petition was filed must file a new petition, pay a $10 renewal fee, and indicate the new anticipated graduation date.

Students who participate in the Commencement with a projected date of completion in the summer following will not receive the diploma at Commencement; the diploma will be awarded only after all program requirements are completed.

Students who need to earn six credits or less during the summer semester to complete their degree requirements may participate in the May Commencement exercises if they meet both of the following conditions:

1. complete a petition for graduation by the time designated in the course schedule; and

2. complete and have signed by their dean a Course Completion Plan which specifies what work remains to finish their course of studies and in which prescribed term or terms in the summer sessions immediately following Commencement they intend to complete the work. The Course Completion Plan must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the graduation petition deadline.

No exceptions or exemptions to these two conditions will be made or given.

Commencement

Marymount conducts formal Commencement exercises each academic year in May.

Subject to the conditions set forth on for students completing degree requirements in the summer, students graduating at the completion of any other term are welcome and encouraged to participate in the subsequent Commencement exercise and must contact the Registrar’s Office for instructions.

Required Proficiency

The University requires competence in basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Any faculty member may refer a student judged to be unsatisfactory in these skills to the Learning Resource Center for evaluation. At the discretion of the vice president for Academic Affairs, such a student may be required to undertake and successfully complete developmental study provided by the University in the skill area in which the student is deficient.

Minimum Credits Requirement

A minimum of 36 semester credits including at least 15 credits in the emphasis area must be completed at Marymount University for any associate or bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 24 semester credits must be completed at Marymount for any master’s degree. Graduate programs that require more than 36 semester credits, such as the M.B.A. program, have higher minimum requirements for coursework completed at Marymount. Consult the individual program listings in this catalog. The work immediately preceding graduation must be completed at Marymount University. Consortium credits do not apply to the minimum credits requirement.

Transcripts

Official transcripts of courses and credits will be forwarded by the Office of the Registrar to other educational institutions, agencies, or firms upon written request by the student. Transcripts are $3 per copy, payable in advance. Same-day service is available for $7 per copy, payable in advance. Requests for transcripts will be processed usually within five working days; however, during registration and immediately following the end of a semester there may be a delay up to two weeks. In the event of unsettled obligations to the University, transcripts will be withheld.

Transferring Credit After Entry

Prior written approval is required if a current Marymount University student wishes to enroll in college or university courses offered elsewhere and receive transfer credit from Marymount. Forms for this purpose are available in each School office and in the Registrar’s Office. Approved work at institutions other than Marymount University must be completed with a grade of C or better to be accepted. An official transcript must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. No more than two courses may be accepted from another college after matriculation at Marymount.

Withdrawal from the University

Any student contemplating withdrawal from the University must consult with the vice president for Student Services and obtain an official withdrawal form. A written statement of withdrawal with authorization may be required from a parent or guardian if the student is financially dependent on same. A student withdrawing from the University before semester completion forfeits credit for work done that semester. Students may not withdraw after the date published in the Academic Calendar.

Nondegree Enrollment

Students enrolled on a nondegree basis in undergraduate courses are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and are subject to review each semester by the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee. No more than 30 credit hours of undergraduate courses earned as a nondegree student at Marymount University are applicable to undergraduate degree requirements or electives. Courses completed with a grade below C may be unacceptable dependent upon specific requirements within the student’s program of study.

Students enrolled on a nondegree basis in graduate courses are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and are subject to review each semester by the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee.

Graduate nondegree admission, in programs which permit it, is limited to a total of 12 credits in the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services, and Health Professions, and to one semester (6 credits) in the School of Business Administration. Students who wish to continue graduate study beyond the limits for nondegree status must meet all regular admissions requirements for the degree programs. Graduate credits earned at Marymount University, while a student is enrolled through nondegree status, may be applicable to graduate degree requirements or electives. Courses completed with a grade below B may be unacceptable dependent upon specific requirements within the student’s program of study.

Selected graduate certificate programs are open to students enrolled on a certificate-seeking basis. Such certificate graduate students may enroll for more than 12 credits, but are limited to enrollment in those courses that fulfill the certificate program course requirements. All Marymount graduate certificate coursework that is applicable to a given master’s degree may be applied to that degree. No more than 18 credits of courses earned in certificate programs while admitted to nondegree status may be applied to graduate degree requirements or electives.

Graduate nondegree admission in the School of Business Administration may be permitted, at the discretion of the School, provided the following conditions are met:

• All admissions requirements for degree admission status have been met, except completion of the appropriate standardized test (GMAT, LSAT, GRE, etc.).
• Enrollment in the School of Business Administration through graduate nondegree admission status is limited to only one semester or academic term and for no more than 6 credits of coursework.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

At Marymount University, faculty strive to improve the curriculum and teaching by assessing student learning. Each academic major of the University requires senior students to demonstrate to what extent such learning has occurred. Various measures are used depending upon the nature of the program: comprehensive examinations, theses, portfolio submissions, and/or standardized professional board examinations.

The results of these measures are used by faculty to continually improve and develop the University’s programs.

The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area

Marymount University is a member of The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, www.consortium.org. Eligible students from Marymount may take approved courses at member institutions. Other members include American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, The George Washington University, Howard University, Southeastern University, Trinity College, the University of the District of Columbia, and the University of Maryland at College Park.

Eligibility and Requirements

All undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students in good academic standing are eligible. Nondegree students are not eligible.

Students must obtain a signed Consortium Registration Form that includes the signatures of the advisor, the School dean, and the consortium coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. The course must not be offered concurrently at Marymount University.

Registration in the course is acceptable as determined by the visited institution.

A maximum of 6 credits or 2 courses may be counted for credit toward Marymount degree requirements.

Consortium courses do not fulfill the minimum credits requirement for residency.

Students may not enroll in consortium classes in the semester immediately preceding their anticipated graduation.

Registration Procedures

Determine the course you wish to take. Schedules for all institutions are available in the Registrar’s Office or at www.consortium.org.

Obtain the Consortium Registration Form from the Registrar’s Office.

Obtain the signature of your School dean and academic advisor and return the form to the Registrar’s Office for the signature of the consortium coordinator and Consortium Seal.

Show the buff-colored copy of the permission slip to the professor of your class. This legitimizes your enrollment at the visited institution. Keep the form for your personal records.

Withdrawal from consortium courses must be reported at once to the consortium coordinator in the Registrar’s Office.

All consortium students are subject to the visited institution’s academic and social rules, regulations, and policies.

Tuition and Fees

nMarymount consortium students pay the Marymount tuition rate to the Marymount Student Accounts Office. Credits taken through the consortium are counted toward full-time/part-time status at Marymount for the purposes of financial aid.

Any attendant fees (lab, books, study materials) are to be paid by the student to the visited institution.

Refunds for consortium courses follow the Marymount refund schedule.

Grading and Credit

Grades for consortium courses are sent to Marymount’s registrar by the visited institution. They are recorded as Marymount University credit and calculated into the Marymount University cumulative grade point average.

Grades are recorded onto the Marymount University grade report and transcript as soon as they are received. In most cases, this will be after regular Marymount credit has been posted. In such cases, students will receive updated grade reports and transcripts.

Consortium credits are converted to Marymount University semester credits and count toward full-time/part-time status at Marymount University. Likewise, grades, if necessary, are converted to the nearest Marymount University equivalent.

Visiting Students

Consortium students visiting Marymount must check in with the consortium coordinator in the Registrar’s Office. A completed permission slip must be presented.

Visiting consortium students are not eligible for Marymount internships, clinical Nursing or Physical Therapy courses, or other specialized courses. Visiting students must call the consortium coordinator at (703) 284-1520 if they have questions about their eligibility for a course.