Academics

General Information

Academic Divisions

There are two academic schools at Mount Aloysius College: the School of Nursing and Health Sciences & the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences.

Dean’s List Requirements

The Dean’s List is issued each semester and honors the student who is:

• enrolled in 12 or more semester hours and has achieved a 3.50 GPA; or
• enrolled in 9-11 semester hours and has achieved a 3.70 GPA; or
• enrolled in 6-8 semester hours and has achieved a 3.90 GPA.

Academic Support Services

Academic Advising

Academic advising is important and available to every student, including incoming students who have been accepted and paid their deposits. Each new student will meet with a professional Academic Advisor. During this meeting, students schedule their planned course work and are assigned an advisor, typically within their specific discipline. Schedules in semesters subsequent to the first semester will be completed in conjunction with the assigned academic advisor. Each student’s relationship with his or her academic advisor is important, and it is the student’s responsibility to meet with the advisor. Through discussion with an academic advisor and the use of services provided by the Offices of Student Success a student is better able to: clarify academic, life, and career goals; understand the nature and purpose of higher education; gain information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures; plan a program of study consistent with interests and abilities; select and schedule appropriate courses; and understand College resources that might provide assistance for academic success. While advisors are available to guide and support academic endeavors, each student is responsible for understanding and meeting their graduation requirements.

Career Development

The Office of Career Development’s mission is to proactively assist students with career planning initiatives from matriculation to beyond graduation. Educational opportunities range from personality and interest inventories to determine career direction, to preparation of professional materials and skills related to the job, internship and graduate school search process. Opportunities include:

• Individual career planning appointments
• Interest inventories and personality assessments
• Resumé & cover letter assistance
• Job & internship search assistance
• Career events and workshops
• Access to area job & internship fairs
• Graduate school information
• Mock interviews
• Online Career Development Lib Guide

Mount Aloysius Academic Preparation Program (MAAPP)

MAAPP is a conditional admission program. During the week prior to fall semester classes beginning, MAAPP students participate in a residential program aimed at easing the transition from high school to college, thereby increasing a student’s chance for academic success. MAAPP includes one credit hour of Liberal Arts credit. Additionally, students are introduced to campus technology and opportunities to build connections with other students, staff and faculty. Students participating in the MAAPP program must complete the program successfully to receive permission to matriculate into the fall semester. During the year students will be full-time students and take some courses together, attend group meetings and will meet their advisors often.

Once students are accepted for college matriculation, students work closely with the MAAPP coordinator. Admission into the program is based upon criteria set by the College.

Undecided/Exploratory Advising

Students who are exploring bachelor degree programs at Mount Aloysius College may choose to begin in Undeclared/Exploratory Studies. All students in Undeclared/Exploratory Studies will complete LIBA 105 - Personal Strategic Planning , within their first year of study. Students will schedule classes to meet the College’s core requirements and meet regularly with their advisors. Students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of the first year and not later than their fourth semester of full-time college enrollment.

College Catalog

This Catalog is the official record of College academic policies. Mount Aloysius College reserves the right to make essential policy changes at any time. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the policies and programs of the College and to keep informed of changes in policy and academic requirements. Questions on Academic Policies and Procedures  should be addressed to the Registrar.

Degree: Associate - Second Associate

After completion of all requirements for an associate degree, graduates may choose to pursue a second associate degree in another field. The general core requirement credits earned during completion of the first associate degree may be applied toward the second associate degree. A maximum of six (6) major credits earned in the first degree program may be applied as general electives in the second degree program. A minimum of fifteen (15) additional unduplicated credits beyond the first associate degree must be earned by course work completed at Mount Aloysius as part of the requirements for the second associate degree. Students pursuing a second associate degree in another field of study should contact the Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions. Mount Aloysius will not award a second associate degree until at least one academic term (semester) later than the conferral of the first associate degree.

Degree: Bachelor

Mount Aloysius College provides students the opportunity to earn a bachelor degree in the traditional freshman through senior level fashion. The College also provides those graduates of regionally-accredited associate degree programs or diploma programs from approved schools of nursing the opportunity to complete their bachelor degrees. Bachelor degrees at Mount Aloysius may be obtained by: (1) enrolling as a freshman in a baccalaureate program of study, (2) building on diplomas earned at approved schools of nursing, or (3) building on associate degrees earned at Mount Aloysius or regionally-accredited colleges. Generally,  Mount Aloysius will not award a bachelor degree until at least one academic term (semester) later than the conferral of an associate degree earned at the college.

Degree: Bachelor - Double Major

Students at Mount Aloysius College may complete a double major in bachelor degree programs. Students should select their second major no later than the end of their first year of study in a four-year program. They will be required to complete all requirements of both majors and meet all College-wide core requirements. Students should be advised that this might take longer than eight (8) semesters and will limit the number of electives. Students must review their intent to double major with the Registrar and will be required to submit a form declaring a double major.

If both majors require the same capstone course, for example LIBA 402 , then the students would complete LIBA 402  for their primary major and take an advisor approved 300/400 Level course in the secondary major. A substitution form would be completed.

If both majors require different capstone courses, then the student must take both capstone courses. However, if the Department Chair and Academic Advisor of the secondary major deem the primary capstone to suffice for the requirement within the secondary major, then the student would take an advisor approved 300/400 Level course in the secondary major. A substitution form would be completed.

Degree: Second Bachelor

A student who has earned one bachelor degree at Mount Aloysius and wishes to pursue a second bachelor degree at Mount Aloysius must complete a minimum of thirty (30) unduplicated credits earned at Mount Aloysius and fulfill all graduation requirements of the College. Students pursuing a second bachelor degree in another field of study should contact the Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.) These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the Mount Aloysius College receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional  information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the Mount Aloysius College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the Mount Aloysius College who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the Mount Aloysius College.
4. The right to request that Mount Aloysius College not release directory information including student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, degrees, and honors. Requests to withhold directory information should be made in writing to the Registrar’s Office.
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the [School] 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

Students may request a paper copy of the College’s FERPA policy by making a request in person at the Registrar’s Office. Additionally, the FERPA policy is available within the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

Directory Information

The law provides students the right to expect that information in their educational records will be kept confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law. One such provision allows the release of “Directory Information” without the student’s permission. Directory information is a type of information that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released.

At Mount Aloysius College, directory information includes name, address, telephone listing, e-mail address, photographs, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status (undergraduate or graduate; part-time or full-time), participation in officially recognized activities, degrees, honors, awards, most recent educational institution attended and weight and height for athletes.

This information that the College has identified as directory information and that it routinely releases without a student’s explicit permission can also be made confidential at a student’s request. For students to do so, they must place their request in writing at the Registrar’s Office. Additionally, the College can refuse to release such information if a request seems improper, e.g., for commercial exploitation. The College considers a student’s FERPA rights to begin when a student attends his or her first course at the College, whether the course is on campus, online, or through dual enrollment.

FERPA and Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, §99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student -

• To other school officials, including teachers, within the Mount Aloysius College whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1))
• To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2))
• To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further  disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4))
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student  aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§99.31(a)(6))
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7))
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8))
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9))
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10))
• Information the school has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11))
• To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§99.31(a)(13))
• To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§99.31(a)(14))
• To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15))

Foundation Courses and Capstone - Mount Aloysius College

The two foundation courses and the capstone provide Mount Aloysius College students with opportunities to experience interdisciplinary instruction, familiarize themselves with the College and our Mercy Values, improve their critical thinking and writing skills, and explore and reflect upon the implicit and explicit values of self and the contemporary world.

LIBA 150  is a 1 credit course intended to “integrate first-year students into the community of thinkers and learners.”  It is an inquiry into the academic expectations, resources, and traditions of Mount Aloysius College. Students are challenged to enhance their intellectual potential, understand their academic and moral responsibilities, and appreciate diversity in a framework that develops the critical thinking, learning, and communication skills necessary to contribute successfully to the college’s intellectual life. To encourage the development of that community, the LIBA program’s policy is to reserve online sections of LIBA 150  for the community of online-only students. Non-GCE students are required to enroll in traditional, in-class sections of LIBA 150 . The only exceptions that will be granted are in rare cases in which the Registrar concludes (in consultation with the LIBA 150  Director and Department Chairperson) that a student’s course of study is so restrictive that the online version of LIBA 150  is the only option for keeping the student’s progress toward a degree on track.

A baccalaureate student will complete a capstone course within their discipline. The capstone course represents the completion of a student’s coursework leading to the culmination of their program with a degree in their chosen field of study. It is an opportunity for a student to demonstrate their cumulative knowledge within the discipline and fosters and develops a student’s critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.  The discipline-specific capstone consists of a relevant project with an oral and written component. It could include primary and secondary research, reflection on practicum and internship experiences, or the production of original creative work.  Baccalaureate students to speak to the program’s department chair to learn more about the specifics of the capstone course within the discipline of study. The capstone course is typically completed in one’s senior year. 

Together, the Mount Aloysius College foundation courses and Capstone Seminar will foster and develop students’ critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. The interdisciplinary approach in each will enable students to make connections between their liberal arts education, their vocation, Mount Aloysius College, and the Mercy Values.

Waiver Policy for LIBA 150

A student who has earned 30 credits from an accredited university or college with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 shall be exempt for completing LIBA 150  - College Success & the Mercy Experience.

A student may still choose to take these courses as electives to improve critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.

Honors Program

The Mount Aloysius College Honors Scholars Program is designed for students of all academic disciplines who enjoy critical and synthetic thinking and problem solving within an environment of highly interactive learning. The goal is to create a community of Honors Scholars desiring to enhance each other’s understanding of human living within our world.

Students who meet the criteria and are participants in the Honors Scholars Program will take specially designed honors courses; these courses will be designated as honors on the students’ transcripts. Honors courses will provide an in-depth, creative investigation of subject matter in a seminar format.

Incoming freshman to Mount Aloysius College do not submit an application to the Honors Scholars Program. Admission to the Honors Scholars Program is highly selective and focuses primarily on the candidate’s high school career with a particular emphasis on the academic record. The quality of the high school curriculum, students’ transcript, GPA, class rank and extra-curricular activities are the foundation of the review. Reviews continue on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. Invitations to be an Honors Scholar will be sent to students based on the strength of the application.

The Honors courses include:

Honors Program Course Requirements

Program Requirements: Students in the Honors Program must meet the following requirements:

1. Maintain an overall 3.50 GPA. A student falling below the 3.50 GPA will be placed on one (1) semester of Honors probation during which he/she may attempt to raise the GPA in order to remain in good standing.
2. Students will successfully complete a total of twelve (12) credits of honors work to graduate with Honors Scholar status.
3. Attend required convocations. Students are required to attend all events sponsored by the Honors Scholars during their years at the College.
4. Successfully complete a minimum of eleven (11) credits to graduate as an honors scholar with an associate degree and twelve (12) credits to graduate as an Honors Scholar with a bachelor’s degree.

National Membership

Mount Aloysius College is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council. The main objective of this Council is the promotion and advancement of honors and similar educational programs in American colleges and universities.

Instructional Formats 

IN-CLASSROOM ENROLLMENT - Enrollment in an approved program of study that meets the minimum 50 percent classroom instruction requirement is required. Students enrolling in programs, which, by definition, are online programs, continue to be ineligible for State Grant aid at any point. (Refer to Section C, Approved Program of Study in this Chapter). For those enrolled in approved programs, PHEAArequires verification of minimum 50 percent in-classroom instruction enrollment on term-by-term basis. By monitoring in this manner, schools should have the ability to ensure appropriate awarding.

IN-CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION - The teaching faculty and the student are together in the same physical location for time congruent with the number of credit hours for the course, e.g., three hours of instruction per week for a three-credit course. Course Management Software (CMS) may supplement in-classroom instruction.

HYBRID OR BLENDED CLASSES - The in-classroom instruction definition may also apply to selected hybrid or blended courses which combine in-classroom and online instruction. Online instruction may not exceed 50 percent of the combined online and in-classroom contact hours per enrollment period. As an example, for a four-credit course, this would mean that in classroom instructional time with the faculty member must be at least two hours per week, with two hours per week maximum online or the class meets in person for eight weeks out of a 15 week semester and for seven weeks online during the term. So that student expectations are clear, the course description for hybrid or blended courses must: 1) be published at the course registration or section level; 2) must contain the percentage of in-classroom hours and the percent of online hours.

SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING - The teaching faculty member and the students achieve face-to-face instruction in real-time delivered through two-way audio-visual technology to one or more classrooms. The physical space of the classroom(s) separates the faculty and the students. Additionally, individual student connections from home using webcam equipment may meet this definition if the participation with the instructor by the student also takes place in real time. The amount of time that the faculty and student are together over the duration of the term must be congruent with the number of credit hours for the course, e.g., three hours of instruction per week for a three-credit course. Instruction may be supplemented with Course Management Software (CMS).

Seminar for International Students - INT 101

Mount Aloysius College is committed to the academic success of its international students and seeks to provide support and services that ease their transition into academic study in the United States. A part of this support is to provide our non-native English speakers with a seminar that requires the study and practice of reading, writing, and speaking skills in English. Meeting five days a week, this immersion experience will assist students in their exploration of learning approaches unique to American higher education. It will help them acquire the study skills and learning strategies that lead to academic success. The course will also enhance students’ understanding of the expectations, resources and traditions of Mount Aloysius College.

Admission to the college is determined by English language placement scores. The course is required for students scoring a 6.0 or lower on the IELTS exam (or the equivalent on the TOEFL exam). This course meets 5 days a week and students who successfully complete the course earn 1 credit for the freshman seminar (LIBA 150 ) and 5 credits in free electives. Students who are required to take INT 101  should register for no more than two additional courses. They will be advised to register for SOCI 100  and one course in their major for a total of 12 credits. The course is also available to International students who score higher on those exams but feel a need to cover the course content. *International, non-native English speakers who transfer in at least 24 credits from an accredited, U.S. college/university with a 2.5 GPA or above will be exempt from the requirement to take this course.

Service Learning Courses

Service-Learning is a method of instruction in which the students learn the content of the curriculum while actively participating in and reflecting on experiences that benefit both the community and the students.  The service-learning method is a three-step process that begins with identifying an existing community need and connecting that need to specific academic content that will be learned.  The second step in the process is to choose experiences that will make those necessary connections between the existing need and the content to be learned and then follow up with the active participation in the chosen service.  The final step is to reflect upon how the service experience has met the needs of both the community and the learner. 

Perkins Support Services (Associate Degree - Programs)

Perkins Support Services are designed to provide support and educational enrichment to those enrolled in an Associate Degree program of study. The services are funded by a federal grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Emphasis is placed on career development and academic preparation to assist students during their time of enrollment and beyond in achieving success to obtain opportunities in a demanding and emerging workforce.

Vox Nova

Vox Nova is the “new voice” at Mount Aloysius College. Vox Nova is not a music major but, rather, a performance-based opportunity for students who wish to continue their vocal success while pursuing another field of study.

Vox Nova, a selected mixed vocal ensemble and keyboard accompanist, performs repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. There are also opportunities for more individualized performance in duets, trios, madrigals, and the like from these two time periods. The ensemble performs its own series of concerts at the College, special events on campus, and guest appearances in the area and throughout the state. In addition, Vox Nova performers showcase and share their talents with high school choral singers in workshops developed for the educational purpose of exposing young students to noteworthy music performed by singers of outstanding quality.

You must be accepted into the College and your program of study in order to be accepted and participate in the ensemble. All students applying to the Vox Nova program must successfully complete an audition which you must schedule with the music director in advance. You will be tested for aural and general music skills and be asked to sing two solo vocal works of contrasting style and time period. You must schedule an on-site audition with the music director by contacting her at (814) 886-6495. If you are unable to complete an on-campus audition, you may submit either an audio (cassette) or video tape of quality sound and clarity containing your two vocal selections. An information sheet, sent with your application materials, concerning your taped audition must accompany the tape when submitted. Any final acceptance into Vox Nova will be contingent upon a final on-campus re-audition.

Vox Nova student performers in a bachelor degree program may choose to complete a choral performance minor. A student enrolled in the minor must be a member of Vox Nova for six semesters at two credits each semester. The remaining credits may be made up through any of the music courses offered at Mount Aloysius. This course of study is available to Vox Nova participants only. Please contact the music director with any questions regarding this program. For Vox Nova students not pursuing a choral performance minor, credits earned in Vox Nova may be applied to their program of study in lieu of humanities/social science  electives. This substitution will be made only at the discretion of the student’s academic advisor.

Student Classification - Undergraduate

• MATRICULATING STUDENT
  • A matriculating student has been admitted on a full or part-time basis into a curriculum leading to a Bachelor degree or an Associate degree.
• FULL-TIME STUDENT
  • Any student carrying 12 or more credits of course work per semester is a full-time student.
• PART-TIME STUDENT
  • Any student carrying fewer than 12 credits of course work per semester is a part-time student.
• FRESHMAN
  • Any student who has earned 0-29 credits.
• SOPHOMORE
  • Any student who has earned 30-59 credits.
• JUNIOR
  • Any student who has earned 60-89 credits.
• SENIOR
  • Any student who has earned 90 or more credits.

Transcript Service

Transcript service is available through the Office of the Registrar at $10 per copy. Transcripts cannot be released to any institution without the student’s written authorization. Telephone requests or email requests for transcript release cannot be honored. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have outstanding financial obligations. For an additional small fee, a transcript can be ordered online and be either mailed or sent via an encrypted electronic file. Please see the Registrar’s Office website for additional information.