College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) provides all students with a foundation in knowledge through teaching and scholarship within and across the liberal arts and sciences. The College educates students to lead meaningful lives with and for others; to appreciate and contribute to global cultures; to think critically and make decisions for the common good; and to have a commitment to the Jesuit tradition of a life of justice, service, and intellectual engagement. 

Contact information can be found on the website for the Office of the Dean, Faculty and Staff.

Overview

Use the links below to navigate College of Arts & Sciences programs and important policies:

Academic Departments

All CAS academic programs are governed by faculty in academic departments, and a student's major academic advisor will be a faculty member from this department. Department information includes details on academic programs and academic minors, as well as courses offered by the department. 

Humanities

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Interdisciplinary Programs

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Academic Programs

An academic program is a student's degree, major, and often a more specialized major concentration within the major. Each academic program listed in the University Bulletin outlines what courses requirements students need for successful completion of the program. 

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Exploratory Studies Program

Students who enter the College of Arts & Sciences undecided about the field of study they would like to pursue can participate in the Exploratory Studies Program. The Exploratory Studies Program gives students an opportunity to take courses in a variety of disciplines in order to identify their intellectual strengths and interests, while advancing their overall, non-major requirements.

During their first semester, students are assigned a Exploratory Studies advisor who will continue as their advisor until a major is declared. Exploratory Studies advisors are knowledgeable about all the degree programs in the college, and help guide students in determining a major that best suits their interests. Courses taken in this exploration process will be applied to requirements for the major, adjunct, or general electives as appropriate once the student selects a major.

Students may remain in the Exploratory Studies Program until they have 55 earned credits. Since the University does not grant a degree in Exploratory Studies, students must officially declare a major no later than the end of their sophomore year.

Online Programs 

Teacher Education Tracks

Teacher Education is a track available to specific programs at Loyola, where students take additional coursework in preparation for the Louisiana Teacher Certification examination. The additional coursework satisfies Louisiana undergraduate requirements to participate. Eligible CAS programs include: 

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CAS Regulations on Degree Completion

The College of Arts & Sciences complies with all Loyola University Academic Regulations set forth in this University Bulletin, and adheres to the following college-wide regulations regarding degree completion. To complete an academic program offered by the College of Arts & Sciences, a student must adhere to the following conditions. Compliance with university and college regulations is part of the the certification of degree completion finalized by the CAS Dean's Office.

  • Successful completion of an approved degree program within the College.
  • At least a 2.0 Loyola cumulative, major and minor grade point average (if a minor is pursued or required).
  • Completion of the Loyola Core requirements itemized by the program.
  • Completion of all course requirements specified by major department.
  • Completion of at least 30 total credits of major coursework (some departments require more).
  • Completion of any comprehensive and/or exit examination if required by the department. Such departments establish and publish in advance the nature of the comprehensive examination and the standard for acceptable performance.
  • The CAS follows Loyola University residency rules. At least 25% of the semester credit hours required for a Loyola undergraduate degree must be earned through instruction offered by Loyola. At least 50% of the credit hours in the major courses must be earned through instruction offered by Loyola. The last 30 credit hours must be completed at Loyola, unless special permission is granted by the dean or designee for the student to pursue coursework elsewhere.
  • Students who pursue an academic minor through CAS must complete 9 credits at Loyola.

Several academic departments offer students an opportunity complete their degree programs with departmental honors. Students should ask their departmental chairperson for these requirements. Please note this is different than completing a degree as part of the University Honors program. 

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CAS Regulations on Transfer Credit

The College of Arts & Sciences complies with all Loyola University Academic Regulations set forth in this University Bulletin, and adheres to the following college-wide regulations regarding credit applied to a degree, especially as transfer credit. 

  • The Dean’s Office will determine the applicability of a student’s transfer credit/s to CAS degree programs once credit is accepted by the Office of Admissions and evaluated by the Office of Student Records.
  • Developmental or non-college level coursework completed at either Loyola or other institutions will not be applied to CAS degree program requirements.
  • Students may not receive credit for lower-level coursework in which they have already successfully completed a more advanced course.
  • No more than 20 credits may be taken in any one semester without the authorization of the Associate Dean. No more than six credits may be taken in any one summer term without authorization of the Associate Dean.
  • CAS students must obtain prior written permission from their advisor and/or Department Chair and the Associate Dean in order to take courses at another university (summer school, study abroad, etc.). Students must be in good standing with no academic, disciplinary, or financial holds.
  • Intensive Weekend and Intersession courses are not accepted by CAS.
  • Courses in physical education will not apply to the degree programs in CAS.

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Curriculum Design

Loyola University New Orleans' undergraduate curriculum in CAS provides students in-depth preparation and knowledge in their chosen major. The curriculum includes the Loyola Core which is a series of multidisciplinary courses designed to be intellectually engaging and promote personal growth and reflection in the Jesuit tradition. In these courses, students examine their current convictions, beliefs, and commitments in an atmosphere of study and discernment. Together, the major and the Loyola Core cultivate students' intellectual, personal, social, and spiritual transformations in the pursuit of happy, productive, and purposeful lives with and for others.   

The curriculum is divided into four parts:

Part One–Loyola Core

The Loyola Core complements the major and adjunct courses by embracing an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to learning that focuses on the development of the whole person.  The Loyola Core is comprised of Foundation and Knowledge-Values courses. 

Part Two–Major

The major is a series of courses that lead to a student's mastery of knowledge in a specific academic discipline. Each major requires between 30 and 40 credits hours of coursework. 

Part Three–Adjunct Courses

Adjunct Courses are a series of courses in areas that complement the major.  Some of these courses are specifically named under degree programs; others are selected in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor or departmental chairperson.

Part Four-General Electives

General Elective requirements can be satisfied by any non-developmental undergraduate course not already being used in the Loyola Core or major. Students may use their general elective credits to pursue a minor or a double-major or to take courses that will prepare them for graduate studies or professional development.  Students may also decide to use their general elective credits to take a variety of courses that are of interest to them. The number of general elective credits required for degree completion depends on a student's major.

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