Degree Requirements - Traditional Programs

Baccalaureate Degrees

Overall Structure

Each degree program consists of the following elements:

1. The College core is a series of courses required of all undergraduates, except students in the Honors Program.
2. Degree programs in business (BBA) and science (BS) have a specific set of courses required of all students in the degree program: business core or science core. The degree core for BS programs is adjusted to suit particular majors.
3. Each major program has a set of courses required of all students in the particular curriculum. The balance of each program is a number of electives chosen by students to complement their major course of study and to complete the minimum credit requirement. These electives may be used to pursue a minor and, in some instances, a second major.
4. Specific requirements for a degree and for each major are listed in the section of this catalog devoted to the school offering the degree. Unless otherwise specified, a minor in either school requires a minimum of 12 upper level credits in a given discipline beyond those mandated by the College or degree cores.
5. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a total of 90 liberal arts credits; the Bachelor of Science degree, 60 liberal arts credits; the Bachelor of Business Administration degree, 63 liberal arts credits.

The College Core Curriculum

(As of fall 2007)

The College core curriculum is the program of studies designated by the faculty as essential for providing students with the necessary resources for initiating a lifelong engagement in the study of the liberal arts. All courses are designed to help Iona students achieve those goals which derive from Iona’s educational philosophy. In particular, these courses provide students with skills and knowledge that help them to understand and live in the modern world.

Mission of the Core Curriculum

The mission and unique character of Iona College are reflected in its academic programs. As such, the core curriculum defines a set of courses and experiences considered essential for a liberal arts education. The Iona College Core:

• develops the competencies and ethics required for decision making and problem solving;
• instills the habits of mind required for lifelong learning, critical thinking, and intellectual inquiry;
• blends the rich traditions of the liberal arts with the demands of the post-college marketplace;
• provides the foundation for successful completion of academic and professional programs of study; and
• promotes the values of justice, peace, and service in the tradition of American Catholic higher education.

The College core consists of nineteen courses grouped in six areas:

1. Humanities - Eight courses (English, history, philosophy, religious studies)
2. Social Science - Two courses (economics, political science, psychology, sociology)
3. Mathematics, Science and Technology - Four courses (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, science and technological literacy)
4. Communication Skills: Two courses (written and oral communication)
5. Fine and Performing Arts: One course (art, music, dance, theater)
6. Foreign Languages: Two courses (Italian, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Latin, or Greek)

Honors Degree Core Curriculum

The Honors core is required of all students in the honors program and consists of 68 to 70 credits grouped in 6-7 areas.

1. Humanities - Eight courses (Honors sequence HON 101 , HON 102 , HON 201 , HON 202 , one 300-400 level course in each of the following disciplines - English, history, philosophy, religious studies)
2. Social Science - Two courses (economics, political science, psychology, sociology)
3. Mathematics, Science, Technology - Four courses (one mathematics, two lab sciences, one computer science)
4. Communication Skills - Two courses (Composition, Speech)
5. Fine and Performing Arts - One course
6. Honors Core - Three courses 3 credits each, One course O credits (Logic, Colloquium, Thesis preparation)
7. Modern Languages* - Two courses (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Spanish) *A&S students only

All students, with the exception of students in the Hagan School of Business, will take two courses in a foreign language. If a student has an advanced level of proficiency, the core may be waived through certified proficiency testing.

Foreign Language Substitution Courses

Students with appropriate documentation may fulfill the foreign language requirement through the completion of a sequence of substitution courses. A list of these courses is available from academic advisors and from the Office of the Dean of the School of Arts and Science.

Adjustments to the College Core

As noted above, College core requirements may, in certain instances, be waived or adjusted on the basis of testing or evaluation.

College core requirements may be satisfied through Advanced Placement Program (AP) credits or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits in accord with policies set forth in the “Registration and Academic Procedures ” section of this bulletin. Credits from high school bridge programs are accepted on a course-by-course basis. Normally a maximum of 12 credits from high school bridge courses will be accepted.

In addition, students have the option of pursuing departmental testing or evaluation in order to satisfy the requirement, or by obtaining permission to take more advanced courses in accord with policies established by the department.

All students pursuing adjustments to the College core must file an authorization form with the Office of the Dean of the School of Arts and Science. Transcripts for students will be annotated to reflect adjustments. Students who satisfy requirements through AP, CLEP, or high school bridge credits will have the course equivalent and credits earned entered. For students who qualify for advanced placement in Areas I, II and IV, eligibility for advanced study will be indicated.

First Year Experience

Iona College offers a comprehensive First Year Experience program to enable students to successfully attain their learning goals. Incoming first-year students will attend an orientation program in summer and at the beginning of the fall semester. Each student will be assigned a faculty adviser.

Designing a Program of Study

In designing a program of study with their academic advisers, students should use the following guidelines:

• The minimum full-time semester course load is 12 credits. Ordinarily, students carry 15 credits a semester to complete their degrees in four years.
• Students must complete prerequisite courses before enrolling for advanced courses.
• Student schedules should not include a set of five consecutive class meetings.
• Elective credits should be used to add breadth to the program, rather than an excessive number of credits in the major.
• In addition to the required major field of study, students may, if their degree program permits, elect to complete a second major or a minor field of concentration. “Double majors” must be approved by the academic dean.
• Ordinarily, a single course may be used to satisfy no more than one requirement. Introductory level courses may be used to satisfy the College core.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, students must:

1. Earn a minimum of 120 credits for a BA, and 126 credits for a BBA. Some BS degrees require more than 120 credits (check the major description for details);
2. Satisfactorily complete all requirements of the degree program in which they are registered, including the capstone experience which may be set by departments and schools; and
3. Maintain a minimum average of “C” (i.e., 2.0 cumulative index) computed according to the method indicated in this catalog both in their major and in their overall index. 

To participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony the following requirements must be met:

Baccalaureate Degree Students:

Must have no more than 6 outstanding credits or 2 classes at the end of the spring semester. These final credits must be completed over the summer either at Iona or, with permission from your academic dean, at another college.

Degree Candidate Form

All degree candidates must file a Degree Candidate Form with the Office of the Registrar at least six months prior to the expected date of graduation. Deadlines appear in the academic calendar. Degrees are awarded in February, June and August.

Graduation Rate

The College is required to publish the following information concerning graduation rates:

For students entering Fall 2008:

(Source: Iona College Office of Institutional Research)

Retention Rate

One Year Retention Rate