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2018 - 2019 Academic Catalog

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor Degree
A graduate of Lasell College on the undergraduate level receives the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Most degree programs at the College require 120 credits to graduate; out of these 120 credits, students must complete a minimum of 40 credits in the arts and sciences. In order to graduate, students must complete all of the requirements for their major, meet Lasell’s Core Curriculum competencies, and attain a cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 or higher. Lasell College allows a maximum of 90 transfer credits. Graduating students must complete their capstone courses at Lasell, which may include internships, and they must complete their last semester at Lasell. Specific requirements of the various degree programs are described under each major. 

Second Degree
A student can qualify for a second bachelor’s degree provided a minimum of forty-five (45) additional credits are earned at Lasell College and all requirements are completed in good standing. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are advised that financial aid is severely restricted.

Dual Degree
A student may earn two undergraduate degrees concurrently provided (a) all requirements for each degree are completed in good standing, and concurrently (b) all pertinent requirements of Lasell and the individual departments involved are completed successfully, and (c) both degrees are conferred concurrently.

Change of Major
Students wishing to change their current major to a new major must initiate this change by speaking with their advisor; 
1.   If the decision is made to change a major, the student fills out the “Change of Major” form available on MyLasell. The form must include the signature of the current academic advisor and Department Chair. 
2.   If approved, the student submits the form to the Center for Academic Advising, located in Bancroft House, which notifies the student of the change to the new major and assignment of a new advisor.  If the department chair does not approve the change of major, he/she then notifies the student and the student may request a change of major again in the next semester. 
3.   Upper-class students are assigned a new advisor after the change of major form is submitted to the Academic Advising Center.  First-year students changing majors anytime during the first year of college are not assigned a new advisor until the following academic year.

Students who have selected the undeclared option or who plan to declare a second major will follow the “Change of Major” procedure noted above with assistance from their advisor. (Please refer to the undeclared section for more information). Students wishing to declare a second major are strongly encouraged to declare one major initially and add the additional major no sooner than the second semester of the first year with the approval of the chairs from both departments.

Minor Program of Study
A Minor provides students the opportunity to deepen their understanding and expertise in an additional area of study. A 2.0 [C] average must be maintained within a Minor program of study in order to receive the Minor, with some programs having additional earned-grade requirements. A Minor consists of a minimum of 15 credits, at least 50% of which must exist outside of the courses required for the student’s Major (i.e., course “required for the Major” or “additional Major requirements) or another declared Minor. If a course is listed as an option within a student’s Major requirements (or within another declared Minor), but is not taken to fulfill those requirements, it may be counted toward the Minor as one of the non-major electives. Hence, in five or six-course Minors, three or more courses must be drawn from non-major electives, and cannot be double counted for another Minor. Additionally, at least 50% of credits in a Minor must be taken at Lasell College. After discussing the decision to declare a minor with their advisor, students may declare a Minor at any time by completing a “Declaration of Minor” form available on MyLasell, obtaining the advisor’s signature approval, and returning it to the Registrar’s Office.

Progress Toward the Degree
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress is defined both by the number of credits successfully completed and the grade point average. In general, a full-time student is expected to complete all requirements within six years for a bachelor’s degree. A student with extenuating circumstances will be evaluated individually.

Full-time Status and Credit Load
Full-time students normally carry a course load of 15-18 credits per semester; a course load of 12 credits is considered full-time. Any student wishing to enroll in more than 18 credits must have the written permission of the Department Chair for their major, who consults with the academic advisor.

Students exceeding 18 credits will be charged for additional credit hours. Excess credit fees are not reduced or refunded for schedule changes made after the Add/Drop period.

International Certificate of Eligibility

International students must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester to maintain their certificate of eligibility.

Application for Graduation
A student eligible for a degree must apply for graduation through the Office of the Registrar at least one full semester before they expect to complete all requirements for graduation. Failure to comply may result in a delay of receiving the degree by a semester.

Degrees are awarded three times a year -- in December, May, and August. Commencement exercises are held once a year in May.

Expected Degree Completion: Completed Application Filed:
December  Prior to September 1
May Prior to December 15
August  Prior to May 1

Conditional Graduation
Students classified as conditional graduates may participate in the May commencement exercises. To be considered a candidate for conditional graduation a student must have: 
a)   attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; and 
b)   be within one (1) course (maximum of 3-4 credits) of completing graduation requirements.

A student may petition to be a conditional graduate if the above requirements have been met. Approval must be granted by the Registrar and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The student must complete the Conditional Graduation Contract (available in the Office of the Registrar) agreeing to the following: 
1.   Course must be approved in advance by the Registrar 
2.   Approved course must be taken at an accredited institution 
3.   Course must be completed by the end of August following commencement with a grade of “C” or better 
4.   An official transcript must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar following course completion

Students enrolled in a major whose final semester includes a summer session may also be eligible to petition for conditional graduate status provided institutional requirements (a) and (b) above have been met and they have only the required summer courses pending, as stated in this catalog.

The Conditional Graduation Contract must be signed and returned to the Office of the Registrar by May 1. Conditional graduates are not eligible for Latin honors recognition at commencement; if they are eligible after completing all required credits for graduation, this is so noted on their record.

Please note that a student may participate in only one commencement ceremony for a specific degree. Conditional graduates are not eligible to participate in a subsequent ceremony for the same degree.