Exploring Academic Pathways: A Comprehensive Look at Loras College Degree Programs

Loras College, situated in Dubuque, Iowa, offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to foster intellectual growth, ethical development, and leadership skills. Tracing its origins back to 1839 as St. Raphael's Seminary, Loras College has evolved into a comprehensive liberal arts institution committed to preparing students for contemporary challenges. With a balance of historical roots and a forward-looking approach, Loras emphasizes both intellectual growth and community engagement. This article delves into the various degree programs, academic structure, and unique opportunities available at Loras College, providing a detailed overview for prospective students and those interested in advancing their education.

Academic Structure and Faculties

Loras College offers a diverse range of academic faculties and departments designed to cater to various student interests and career goals. The college's academic structure includes numerous departments within key faculties, such as the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and business. This structure allows students to explore various academic paths early in their college career, providing ample time to confidently choose a major and graduate in four years.

Diverse Departments

Students can pursue majors in disciplines ranging from English, history, and philosophy to biology, chemistry, and psychology. The college is committed to providing a comprehensive liberal arts education that fosters intellectual growth, ethical development, and leadership skills.

Business Faculty

In addition to the liberal arts core, Loras College features a business faculty that covers accounting, management, and marketing among its key departments. This offers students opportunities to build critical skills for the corporate world through a combination of coursework and experiential learning.

Interdisciplinary Study

Further supporting interdisciplinary study, the college encourages students to engage with multiple departments to tailor their academic experience. Loras helps students strengthen the connections between theory and practice from the very beginning. Experiential learning expands the dimensions of a Loras education by integrating knowledge, experience, and skills.

Undergraduate Programs

Loras College offers more than fifty majors, accelerated dual degrees, and pre-professional programs, delivering academic excellence inside and outside the classroom-supporting students' goals, growth, and learning needs. The college's health sciences programs provide a flexible curriculum, helping students prepare for a variety of health-related careers or entry into graduate or health professional programs.

Popular Majors

The most popular majors at Loras College include:

Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Psychology, General
Social Work
Finance, General
Sport and Fitness Administration / Management
Business Administration and Management, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Mass Communication/Media Studies
Elementary Education and Teaching
Political Science and Government, General

Combined-Degree Programs

Loras College offers several combined-degree programs in collaboration with other institutions:

BA from Loras and MSW from St. Ambrose University
BA or BS from Loras and BSN from Mercy College of Health Sciences
BA or BS from Loras and DPT from St. Ambrose University
BA or BS from Loras and JD from Drake University Law School
BA or BS from Loras and JD from University of Iowa Law School
BA or BS from Loras and MPH from St. Ambrose University
BA or BS from Loras and OTD from St. Ambrose University
BS from Loras and MSEP from St.

Honors Program

The Loras College Honors Program is a premier academic experience for high-achieving students.

Graduate Programs

For those looking to advance their current career or jumpstart a new profession, a master’s degree or doctorate degree from Loras College can help them accomplish their goals. These post-graduate degrees are designed with working professionals in mind. Loras offers master’s degrees and doctorate programs. Applying does not require a GRE score, and there is no application fee required.

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Flexible Learning

With online and on-campus (evening) classes, many graduate students at Loras can complete their coursework at their own pace, on their own time. At Loras, students can increase their professional competency by learning from devoted and well-respected faculty who are dedicated to their success. Courses are fully online or held on campus in the evenings, enabling students to work while furthering their education.

Graduate Student Life

Loras-owned housing is available for graduate and postbaccalaureate students in Smyth Hall. Smyth is an alternative residence hall located in the center of campus, comprised of single and triple rooms and is also home to the religious studies and theology faculty.

Admission Requirements

To apply for graduate courses, complete the free Loras College Special Course Application and select “Graduate Course” as the Course Registration Type. A student may be awarded a conditional admission per the discretion of the program director if they have not met all program requirements at the time of application. Students are considered full-time graduate students when enrolled in 6 credits per term. Student-athletes enrolled in one of the degree-seeking master’s programs need to have full-time status (taking at least 6 credits per term) during the semester(s) they are practicing or competing in the sport.

Special Academic Opportunities

Loras College provides various unique academic opportunities to enhance the learning experience.

May Term

May term provides an intensive three-week learning opportunity to fully engage in a single course. Students can participate in field excursions, simulations, research projects with faculty, performance or studio art, and more.

Loras Legacy Symposium

Held each spring semester, the symposium highlights scholarly and creative work produced by students, faculty, and staff.

Learning Commons

The library is central to supporting learning and academic success. Students can take advantage of the Learning Commons for academic support with the Math Lab and Writing Center. Librarians also offer individual research assistance with the extensive collection.

Creative Media Awards

Loras College Creative Media students earned 16 awards at the ICMA Conference, including Overall Video Excellence for the 17th consecutive year.

Campus Life and Environment

Dubuque is the home of Loras College. Students can take in river views on a hike, see live music downtown, or enjoy locally made goods and fresh produce at an outdoor market. Loras provides the facilities, coaching, and winning reputation to push student-athletes to their potential. Students get involved in academic clubs, student government, spiritual life, service projects, and more. Loras recognizes the dignity of persons with disabilities and challenges students to grow in a supportive environment.

Financial Aid

A significant portion of Loras students receive financial aid, making education accessible.

Location and Accessibility

Loras College is situated in Dubuque, Iowa, with the campus address at 1450 Alta Vista, Dubuque, IA 52001. For travel convenience, the nearest major airport is the Quad Cities Airport located in Illinois (MLI), providing regional access for students and visitors.

Student-Faculty Ratio and Class Size

The student-faculty ratio at Loras College is 12:1, and a significant percentage of classes have fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 80%.

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