Mar 19, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admission to the University


 

Undergraduate Admission

Loyola Marymount University welcomes applications from students who subscribe to the goals of the University and who are qualified to undertake its programs. The University makes selective and individual decisions, and the academic record is the primary consideration. Writing ability; accomplishments in academic, artistic, athletic, co-curricular, or work- or service-related endeavors; recommendations; national test scores; and relationship to the University are also given significant consideration. Each application is individually evaluated.

Candidates are considered for admission to either the Fall or Spring semester, provided ALL required documents have been received before the priority dates. The Fall priority date for freshman applicants is January 15; transfer applications are due March 15; the Spring priority date for all applicants is October 15. An Early Action program is also offered to freshman and transfer applicants for the Fall semester. The Early Action application deadline for freshman is November 1. The Early Action deadline for transfer is February 1. Full consideration cannot be assured to applicants failing to meet these priority dates. A personal interview is not required, but individual Admission counseling appointments are encouraged. Personal appointments and campus tours can be arranged through the Office of Admission. Please visit http://admission.lmu.edu or call 310.338.2750. The fax number is 310.338.2797, and the e-mail address is admissions@lmu.edu.

High School Subjects Recommended for Admission

The following high school course of study is recommended for admission into the University.

  English 4 years  
  Foreign Language 3 years  
  Mathematics 3 years  
  Laboratory Science 2 years  
  Social Sciences 3 years  
  Academic Electives 1 year  

Business students must complete a unit in each of the following: elementary algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra/trigonometry, and precalculus. Engineering, computer science, mathematics, and science majors should complete four units of mathematics and one unit each of biology, chemistry, and physics.

Admission Procedure

Loyola Marymount University is a member of the Common Application. All applicants should file the Common Application by the appropriate deadline and submit a $60 nonrefundable application fee. Students preferring not to use the Common Application may use the alternate online application, which may be found at admission.lmu.edu/apply.

The following procedures apply to all candidates. Transfer and international applicants should be sure to note specific additional requirements as stated below. Candidates seeking admission to Loyola Marymount University should:

  1. File the Common Application and the LMU Writing Supplement by the appropriate deadline and submit a $60 nonrefundable application fee or an appropriate fee waiver. The Common Application form is available online at admission.lmu.edu/apply.
  2. Request official transcripts to be sent from the last high school attended and from each college attended. Advanced Placement students must submit official AP test score results in order to receive college credit. International Baccalaureate students must submit official result of IB Higher Level examinations to receive college credit.
  3. Arrange for SAT I or ACT scores to be sent to the Director of Admission. Information about SAT I may be obtained from the College Board: P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08541-6200 or at http://www.collegeboard.org. Information about ACT may be obtained from the American College Testing Program: ACT Records, P.O. Box 451, Iowa City, IA 52243 or at http://www.actstudent.org.
  4. Before school begins, all entering students are required to submit an official final high school transcript certifying the completion of secondary requirements and showing the high school graduation date. Transfer students are also required to submit official transcripts for any courses completed since the application for admission was filed. Students failing to submit required transcripts will be prevented from registering for subsequent semesters until this requirement is satisfied.

Notification of Acceptance

Candidates will be evaluated for admission after all of the required steps in the application process have been completed, according to the following calendar:

  • Fall freshman applicants (Early Action): Decisions for candidates applying under the Early Action program whose applications are complete by November 1 will be announced before December 20. Early Action applications may be accepted, denied, or deferred for further consideration during the regular decision process. Loyola Marymount’s Early Action program is non-binding.
  • Fall freshman applicants (Regular Decision): Decisions for candidates considered under the Regular Decision program (applications submitted after November 1 and before January 15) will be sent on a rolling basis, and no later than April 1.
  • Fall semester transfer applicants (Early Action): Decisions will be announced no later than March 15.
  • Fall semester regular decision transfer applicants and all Spring semester candidates: Notification of acceptance will be sent on a rolling basis.

A final transcript is required as verification that all work in progress has been completed with a GPA equal to or greater than the student’s overall grade point average at the time of acceptance. In the event that the final semester of work does not meet required criteria, acceptance may be rescinded.

Academic Scholarships

Each year the Loyola Marymount Scholarship Committee offers academic scholarships to the most accomplished candidates for freshman admission. These scholarships are renewable for four years and are not based on financial need.

The Arrupe Scholarship, named for Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), carries a minimum value of $12,500 per year. Selection is based on outstanding GPA and SAT I/ACT scores, with supplemental consideration to leadership potential and school or community service and involvement.

From among the Arrupe Scholars, the Scholarship Committee further selects a very limited number of students for additional scholarship consideration. These students - no more than 10% of all Arrupe Scholars - will be invited to participate in Presidential Preview Weekend in late February, which offers a special opportunity to see the campus and to interview for the Presidential and Trustee Scholarships (see the Financial Aid  section of the Bulletin for more information on these scholarships).

While there are no absolute criteria for Arrupe Scholarships, to be considered, students selected must generally present a GPA of at least 3.5 (unweighted) and an SAT I score of 1300 (Critical Reading and Math) or an ACT of 29 or better. All students meeting the January 15 Regular Decision deadline will be eligible for selection as an Arrupe Scholar. Superior students are encouraged to apply under the Early Action program to ensure full consideration for Presidential and Trustee Scholarships.

In addition to the Arrupe, Presidential, and Trustee Scholarships, qualified applicants may be selected to receive the LMU Scholarship or LMU Achievement Awards. Further information may be found at http://financialaid.lmu.edu/prospective/scholarships.

Commitment Deposit

Accepted students intending to enroll are required to submit a nonrefundable $250 commitment deposit to secure their seat in the class.

The commitment deposit is held by the University and is non-refundable. The commitment deposit may be applied at the discretion of the University against any delinquent and unpaid debts. This deposit is payable from the student’s own resources. It will neither be deducted from any financial aid awards nor billed as part of tuition and fees.

If the commitment deposit is not received within the stated time, the acceptance for admission may be canceled.

Housing

First-time freshmen entering in the Fall term are guaranteed University housing, provided their commitment deposit is received electronically or postmarked no later than May 1 for Fall admission.

Fall term transfer students and any student entering in the Spring term are not guaranteed housing. Instead, they are offered accommodations on a space-available basis. Their housing requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as they make their commitment deposits and return all requested Housing information.

Admission of Transfer Students

Each semester the University considers students for transfer, provided they are in good standing and not under academic or disciplinary probation or suspension from the last school attended. Please see the paragraph on Admission Procedure above for general admission requirements. The priority dates for transfer applications for fall admission are February 1 (Early Action) and March 15 (regular decision); for Spring admission, the priority date is October 15. Transfer students are considered for admission as follows:

Students who would have been acceptable for admission as freshmen to Loyola Marymount University at the time of their graduation from high school will be considered for transfer standing if they have at least a 3.00 cumulative average for all previous college work and at least a 3.00 average for the most recent college work attempted prior to admission.

Students who, for academic reasons, were not acceptable for admission as freshmen at the time of their graduation from high school will be considered for transfer standing if they have completed at least the equivalent of 30 semester hours of transferable college work with at least a 3.00 cumulative average and at least a 3.00 average for the most recent college work attempted prior to admission.

Admission of transfer students is selective and subject to available space and enrollment limitations. The minimum transfer GPA of 3.00 may not always be sufficient to secure admission. Likewise, certain majors require that some prerequisites be completed prior to transferring.

The College of Business Administration explains its transfer policy in its section of the Bulletin.

Transfer admission to Film and Television Production and Recording Arts in the School of Film and Television is limited and restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. Students with more than 60 transferable units are not eligible for admission to these programs.

Credit for work completed at institutions accredited by one of the six regional associations of the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, other than course work identified by such institutions as remedial or in other ways as being nontransferable, will be accepted toward the satisfaction of baccalaureate degree and credential requirements at the University within limitations of residence requirements. Courses with grades below C (2.0) do not transfer. A maximum of 60 semester hours from two-year colleges are transferable to the degree program of the University.

Policies regarding transfer credit for a particular degree may vary slightly among the individual colleges, depending upon degree requirements. In general, courses having comparable content and class level with those in the LMU curriculum will transfer.

Admission of International Students

International students should follow the same admission procedures and priority dates outlined above. International students are admitted as degree-seeking students only.

Further, international students are cautioned to comply with the following additional guidelines to ensure compliance with immigration authorities and avoid delay in the processing of the applications:

  1. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) given by the Educational Testing Service and arrange for scores to be sent to the Director of Admission. Information about this test may be obtained from: Test of English as a Foreign Language, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 or at http://www.ets.org/toefl. The University’s minimum standard for undergraduate admission is 550 (paper-based TOEFL), 213 (computer-based TOEFL), or 80 (Internet-based TOEFL). As an alternative to taking the TOEFL, non-native English speakers may also take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) which is jointly managed by British Counsil, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL). Information about this test may be obtained from: http://www.ielts.org. The University’s minimum standard for undergraduate admission is 6.5.
  2. Submit a statement of financial responsibility for all obligations covering the full period of time for which the student is making application.
  3. Submit official transcripts of previous academic training. Documents must be sent from the originating sources directly to the Admission Office and must cover all secondary schools attended and, if college study was attempted, all colleges and universities attended. Documents should include results of standard examinations administered by government or certifying agencies.

Photostatic copies are acceptable only if they are notarized as true copies and bear the original seal of the notarizing authority. All documents submitted for admission become property of the University and will not be returned.

The United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Form (I-20) will be sent after the $250 non-refundable Commitment Deposit has been received by the Office of Admission.

Non-Degree Students

Students wishing to take courses at the University on a non-degree basis must file an application with the Office of Admission in accordance with regularly stated deadlines. Proof of eligibility to study at the University will be required, including transcripts or other appropriate documents.

Non-degree students will be allowed to study for a period of no more than three semesters or a total of 18 semester hours, whichever occurs first.

Advanced Placement

LMU participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students may be granted credit at the time of entrance into the University for subjects in which they have completed the AP examinations with minimum score of 4. When official scores have been received from the College Board, applicants will be notified of the advanced placement and course credit in accordance with the following table.

Note that an essay is required for all examinations offering optional essays.

AP Exam Number of Semester Hours Awarded Equivalent LMU Course(s)
Art History 6 ARHS 200  and ARHS 201  
Biology 6 No specific course
Calculus AB 4 MATH 131  
Calculus BC 8 MATH 131  and MATH 132  
Chemistry 4 No specific course
Chinese Language and Culture 8 CHIN 1101  and CHIN 1102  
Comparative Government and Politics 4 POLS 1400  
Computer Science A 3 CMSI 185 
English Language and Composition 4 No specific course
English Literature and Composition 4 No specific course
Environmental Science 3 ENVS 101  
European History 4 HIST 1200  
French Language and Culture 8 FREN 1101  and FREN 1102  
German Language and Culture 8 GRMN 1101  and GRMN 1102  
Human Geography 4 GEOG 1000  
Italian Language and Culture 8 ITAL 1101  and ITAL 1102  
Japanese Language and Culture 8 JAPN 1101  and JAPN 1102  
Latin 8 CLAR 1115  and CLAR 1125  
Macroeconomics 4 ECON 1200  
Microeconomics 4 ECON 1100  
Music Theory 3 No specific course
Physics C: Mechanics 4 PHYS 101  
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 4 PHYS 201  
Physics 1: Algebra-based 4 PHYS 253  
Physics 2: Algebra-based 4 PHYS 254  
Psychology 4 No specific course
Spanish Language and Culture 8 SPAN 1101  and SPAN 2102  
Spanish Literature and Culture 8 No specific course
Statistics 3 MATH 104  
Studio Art: Drawing 6 No specific course
Studio Art: 2D Design 3 No specific course
Studio Art: 3D Design 3 No specific course
United States Government and Politics 4 POLS 1200  
United States History 4 HIST 1300  
World History 4 HIST 1050  

 

International Baccalaureate

LMU may award up to 6 semester hours (up to 8 for lab-based science courses) for higher level passes for which a student scores a 5 or above. Not all higher level examinations will yield advanced-standing credit. The IB chart that follows shows IB examinations that have been approved for transfer.

IB Exam Minimum IB Score Required Number of Semester Hours Awarded Equivalent LMU Course(s)
Biology Higher Level 5 6 BIOL 101  and BIOL 102  
Business and Management Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Chemistry Higher Level 5 6 No specific core; 8 semester hours awarded for CHEM 110 , CHEM 111 , CHEM 112 , and CHEM 113  (satisfies CHEM 111  and CHEM 114  requirement for engineering majors)
Computer Science Higher Level 5   Pending
Economics Higher Level 5 6 ECON 1100  and ECON 1200  
English A1 Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Foreign Language A1 (non-English) Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Foreign Language A2 Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Foreign Language B Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Geography Higher Level 5 4 GEOG 1000  
History 2003 exam Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2003 exam: Islamic Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2010 exam (Rt.1) Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2010 exam (Rt. 2) Africa Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2010 exam (Rt. 2) Asia and Oceania Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2010 exam (Rt. 2) Americas Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
History 2010 exam (Rt. 2) Europe and the Middle East Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Mathematics Higher Level 5 6 MATH 120  and MATH 122  
Modern Classical Language Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Philosophy Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Physics 2001 exam Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Physics 2007 exam Higher Level 5 (6-7 for engineering majors) 8*

Score of 5: No specific course

Score of 6-7: PHYS 253  and PHYS 254 

Engineering students with IB HL scores of 6-7 need to meet with the Chairperson of Physics to determine if they will receive credit for PHYS 101  and/or PHYS 201  courses.

Psychology Higher Level 5 4 PSYC 1000  
Social and Cultural Anthropology Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Theatre Higher Level 5 3 THEA 110  
Visual Arts: Option A Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
Visual Arts: Option B Higher Level 5 6 No specific course
 

Note: Students studying for the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies do not follow the regular University Core pattern.
* IB credit does not count for most graduate Health Professions and Dental schools. Students intending to pursue pre-medical studies should fulfill major requirements at LMU

Graduate Admission

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice, Master’s Degree, and Credential

Loyola Marymount University welcomes applications from students without regard to race, color, gender, creed, national origin, disability, marital status, or religion. All prospective graduate students are expected to provide evidence of suitable preparation for graduate-level work. Applicants interested in the doctoral or master’s programs must have received a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a college of university that has been accredited as a degree-granting institution recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA). The bachelor’s or master’s degree must have been awarded by the institution where final coursework was completed. School of Education applicants must also have their bachelor’s or master’s degree awarded from a regionally accredited college or university.

All applicants for a doctoral, master’s, and the California Credential programs must supply the following admission materials:

Application for admission plus the application fee ($50.00) and two official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended. Most programs require additional materials, including standardized test scores, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Further details on the admission procedure, application deadlines, and departmental prerequisites are given in the section dealing with the respective programs. A student who wishes to apply for admission to a program after the closing date for applications should contact the program director for permission to file an application.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

  1. International applicants who have completed their postsecondary education from a college or university outside of the U.S. must hold a degree from a university recognized by the Ministry of Education as a degree granting institution in the country where the institution is located. All international applicants must have their transcripts translated and evaluated by a U.S. transcript evaluation service before the application is considered for admission. For applicants to the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, School of Education, School of Film and Television, and Marital and Family Therapy program, a detailed transcript evaluation identifying GPA must be submitted with the application.
  2. All applicants (including those who received their bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university) must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless they received a high school diploma in the United States.
    Exceptions to this rule may be made on a case by case basis for students from countries where English is one of several official languages, as well as at the discretion of the program director. The minimum score for admission into most graduate programs is 100 Internet-based, except for the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, which requires a minimum score of 79. For information regarding the TOEFL, please write to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A., 08540. If after admission to a graduate program the applicant’s proficiency in English should prove inadequate, the University reserves the right to require additional proficiency in English and failure to comply will result in disqualification from the graduate program.
  3. The applicant must also file with the University a certified statement showing financial ability to cover all obligations for the full period of time for which the student is making application. This statement should be from either a United States bank or agency or an international bank. The United States Department of Immigration and Naturalization Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility will not be issued by the University until such documentation is on file in the Graduate Studies Office.
    Tuition, books, etc., plus living expenses amount to between $25,000 and $40,000 a year or more depending on the program selected.
  4. The applicant must comply with passport and visa requirements as set down by the United States Immigration Service.
    International students must be continuously enrolled during the academic year to meet visa requirements.
  5. All admission requirements should be received ninety days prior to the term for which application is being made.
  6. An international student cannot be issued an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility as a non-degree graduate student.

Non-Degree Status

Students who are not pursuing a formal graduate program but who are eligible to take graduate-level courses at LMU may apply for non-degree status. In addition to filing the Application for Non-Degree Graduate Status plus the application fee ($10.00), students should attach official copies of transcripts to verify receipt of a degree and that all prerequisites have been met. The Graduate Division reserves the right to request additional transcripts when necessary.

Reapplication Procedures for a Second Degree

A student who has completed one Master’s or credential program and wishes to enter another must file a formal application form with the Graduate Studies Office. A student who has completed a credential program at LMU and wishes to apply for a Master’s program must file a formal application form with the Graduate Studies Office. If the application is submitted within one year of completion of the master’s or credential, the normal application fee is waived.

Readmission

A student wishing to return to the University after two years in which he or she was not enrolled must reapply for admission through the Graduate Studies Office and will be evaluated on the same conditions as all other new students.

Admission Status

Students may be admitted to the Graduate Division under the following categories:

  1. Formal Admission - Formally admitted students are those who have completed the entire application process and have been reviewed and accepted by a particular program with no conditions and provisions.
  2. Provisional Admission - Provisionally admitted students are those who are missing one or more items or prerequisite courses.
  3. Controlled Admission - Students on Controlled Admission are required to achieve some specific needs of their particular program.
  4. Non-Degree Admission - Students admitted under non-degree status are not pursuing a formal graduate program but are eligible (as determined by the director of the graduate program) to take graduate-level courses at LMU.

Immunization Record for Graduate Students

New graduate students entering the University who were born after 1956 are required to return a completed Immunization Record to the Student Health Center. All new students entering the University must show results of a Tuberculin Skin Test given within the last year. ALL immunizations must be current and physician-verified. Students with incomplete forms will have their registration withheld for the following semester until the completed Immunization Record has been received by the Student Health Center.

In addition, all international students must submit their immunization records to the Student Health Center. Students with incomplete forms will have their registration withheld for the following semester until the completed form has been received by the Student Health Center.