Loyola University Undergraduate Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
Loyola University offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in their chosen fields. Rooted in a Jesuit tradition that emphasizes intellectual, social, and moral development, Loyola provides an accessible, impactful, and holistic education. This article explores the various undergraduate programs available at Loyola University, highlighting their unique features and career opportunities.
Academic Excellence and Accreditation
Loyola University Chicago is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ensuring that its programs meet rigorous standards of academic quality. This accreditation underscores Loyola’s commitment to providing a valuable and credible education to its students.
Transfer Credit Policies
Loyola SCPS (School of Continuing and Professional Studies) accepts transfer credit earned from regionally accredited institutions. Students can transfer up to 64 credit hours from two-year institutions (community colleges) and an unlimited number of credit hours from four-year universities. Students who have completed an A.A., A.S., or General Education Core Curriculum will have met Loyola's Core Curriculum requirements, with the exception of mission-specific courses. Half of a student's major requirements can be satisfied with transfer credit. Adult students often have college-level learning gained through professional and personal accomplishments that they can use to earn non-traditional credit toward select SCPS programs. At SCPS, students may apply up to 36 non-traditional credit hours (CLEP, DSST, ACE) to the completion of their undergraduate degree.
Illinois Articulation Initiative
Loyola is a receiving institution in the Illinois Articulation Initiative program for awarding transfer credit. Students who have completed 30 or more transfer credits may follow either the Illinois General Education curriculum or the Loyola CORE requirements to satisfy general education requirements. Students with less than 30 will follow the CORE.
Free Transfer Credit Evaluation
Prospective students can determine how their transfer credit applies to a Loyola degree and their timeline to completion by requesting a Free Transfer Credit Evaluation.
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Undergraduate Programs Overview
Loyola University offers a wide array of undergraduate programs across various disciplines, including business, arts and sciences, communication, education, and more. These programs are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in their chosen field, as well as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Business Programs
Loyola’s Sellinger School of Business and Management offers nationally ranked undergraduate business programs that prepare students to lead and innovate in the business world. The school is AACSB-accredited, ensuring high standards of quality and relevance.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Students may pursue a BBA in various specializations:
- Accounting: The BBA in Accounting prepares students for careers in public accounting, business, and government. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and communication skills. Coursework includes financial accounting, taxation, cost accounting, and auditing, with opportunities to tailor studies to career goals.
- Business Economics: The BBA in Business Economics combines core economic theory with a strong foundation in business, preparing students for success in the private sector. The program explores microeconomics, macroeconomics, business strategy, and finance-while also providing opportunities to develop analytics skills through a Quantitative Economics concentration.
- International Business: The major combines courses in international accounting, marketing, economics, finance, management, supply chain management, some international political science choices and cultural anthropology choices with foreign-language study.
- Information Systems and Data Analytics: This program focuses on information technology and its application in data analysis and business settings. Students learn to manage the systems and networks that power today's organizations.
- Management: This program is designed to provide students with the skills needed to lead and manage people in various organizational settings.
- Marketing: This program focuses on how businesses communicate with people to sell their products or services.
- Sustainability Management: This program focuses on addressing environmental problems requires understanding the scientific aspects of sustainability. Environmental issues are complex and multifaceted, involving many different factors from scientific processes to social behaviors and economic systems. Economic activities affect our planet, and we need to make changes to protect it while still growing economically. Public policies influence air and water quality, land use, biodiversity, and public health and shape crucial efforts to fight climate change.
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students may pursue a BS in:
- Finance: Finance deals with the creation, management, and study of money, banking, credit, investments, assets, and liabilities.
- Financial Risk Management and Insurance: This program focuses on the principles and practices of managing financial risks and insurance.
- Real Estate: This program focuses on the principles and practices of real estate investment, development, and management.
Communication and Media Programs
Loyola’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media provides an interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students for success in today’s dynamic media landscape. Through courses in media theory, research, and hands-on production, students develop critical thinking, writing, and technical skills.
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Specializations
- Advertising/Public Relations: The Advertising/Public Relations specialization focuses on strategic communication, campaign development, and branding. Students learn to craft compelling messages, manage public perceptions, and leverage both traditional and digital media to achieve organizational goals.
- Digital Media and Design: The Digital Media and Design specialization explores the rapidly evolving landscape of digital communication, including content creation, social media, and multimedia storytelling. Students develop technical skills in video editing, web design, and digital analytics while critically analyzing the cultural, social, and ethical implications of digital media.
Science Programs
Loyola offers a variety of science programs designed to provide students with a strong foundation in scientific principles and research methodologies.
Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Biochemistry: The BS in Biochemistry bridges chemistry and biology to explore the molecular mechanisms of life. Students gain a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, and molecular science through laboratory research and practical applications in health sciences and biotechnology. Coursework includes enzymology, molecular genetics, and structural biochemistry.
- Biohealth: The BS in Biohealth is an interdisciplinary program that offers a strong foundation in biological sciences, chemistry, and health technology. The program provides experiential learning opportunities, including internships, research, and industry collaborations. It combines expertise in health sciences, technology, and business to prepare for versatile career opportunities.
- Biology: The BS in Biology prepares students for careers in research, health care, environmental science, and biotechnology. The program emphasizes critical thinking, lab work, and scientific inquiry. Students gain hands-on experience through labs, internships, and field research, tailoring studies to specific career goals.
- Chemistry: The BS in Chemistry provides a strong foundation in analytical, organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry, emphasizing practical skills in chemical analysis and research. Students engage in laboratory work using advanced instrumentation, gaining hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
- Computer Science: The BS in Computer Science is an ABET-accredited program focusing on math and science. Students develop technical expertise in software development, data structures, algorithms, and systems while gaining critical communication and problem-solving skills.
- Data Science: The BS in Data Science provides a comprehensive understanding of data analysis, statistics, and computational methods and emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Students explore the relationship between data science and fields such as business, health care, and social sciences.
Other Science Programs
- Actuarial Science (BS in Statistics): The Actuarial Science concentration within the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Statistics prepares students for careers in risk analysis, financial modeling, and insurance mathematics. The curriculum integrates probability, statistics, finance, and business analytics, equipping students with the skills necessary for actuarial exams and industry success. With a strong liberal arts foundation, students develop critical thinking and communication skills essential for professional roles.
- Biomedical Physics: Biomedical Physics at Loyola integrates physics with biological systems and medical applications. Designed to complement a wide range of academic majors, this minor prepares students to explore the fundamental principles behind technologies like medical imaging, diagnostic equipment, and radiation therapy. Students learn how physics is applied to biology and medicine, equipping them with the knowledge needed for biomedical research, health care, or biomedical engineering careers.
Arts and Humanities Programs
Loyola offers a rich selection of programs in the arts and humanities, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- African and African American Studies: Loyola’s African and African American Studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the histories, cultures, and experiences of people of African descent. Through coursework in history, literature, political science, sociology, and the arts, students examine the forces that have shaped Africa and its diaspora, including Black experiences in the United States and around the globe.
- American Studies: Loyola’s American Studies program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the history, culture, literature, and political landscape of the United States. Students examine key themes such as race, identity, social justice, and public policy through courses in history, political science, literature, sociology, and media studies.
- Art History: Loyola’s Art History concentration within the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual Arts provides an in-depth exploration of Western and non-Western art, including ancient, classical, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern works. Students gain real-world experience through internships at world-renowned venues in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metro area. Excursions to exhibitions and architecture sites further enhance classroom learning.
- Asian Studies: Asian Studies provides an interdisciplinary exploration of the histories, cultures, philosophies, and societies of Asia. Students engage with diverse perspectives from disciplines such as history, political science, literature, religion, and economics to examine the complexities of East, South, and Southeast Asia.
- Classical Civilization: The BA in Classical Civilization at Loyola offers an interdisciplinary exploration of ancient Greek and Roman cultures, focusing on their history, literature, art, and societal contributions. Students engage with classical texts and artifacts, developing critical thinking and analytical skills applicable across various fields. The curriculum includes Latin and Greek language courses, alongside classes in translation covering diverse aspects of antiquity.
- Classics: Loyola’s BA in Classics immerses students in the study of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, languages, literature, history, and culture.
- Comparative Cultures and Literary Studies: Loyola University Maryland’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Comparative Cultures and Literary Studies examines the connections between languages, cultures, and literatures across global contexts. Students explore topics such as cultural identity, global issues, and literary traditions while developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Economics: Loyola’s BA and BBA in Economics offer flexible, rigorous pathways for students interested in economics from both a social science and a business perspective. Students learn economic theory and its real-world applications in areas such as policy analysis, business economics, and finance. The BBA prepares students for management positions, while the BA offers a broader exploration of economic systems. Students may elect a concentration in Quantitative Economics in either program to deepen analytical skills.
Education Programs
Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education prepares future teachers, administrators, counselors, and education leaders to transform schools and communities through innovative, equity-focused, and student-centered practices.
Other Programs and Minors
Loyola offers a variety of minors and certificate programs to complement its undergraduate majors, providing students with opportunities to broaden their knowledge and skills.
- Business Journalism Minor: Loyola University Maryland’s Business Journalism minor bridges the worlds of media and business, equipping students with the skills to report on financial markets, corporate trends, and economic policies. The program blends coursework in journalism, business, and communication, teaching students how to analyze financial data, craft compelling news stories, and navigate the ethical landscape of media.
- Catholic Studies: Catholic Studies offers an interdisciplinary framework for exploring Catholic thought, culture, and tradition to examine the role of Catholicism in shaping societies, ethics, and global perspectives.
- Chinese Minor: Loyola University Maryland’s Chinese minor provides students with linguistic proficiency and cultural competency in one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Through immersive coursework in Mandarin language, literature, and culture, students develop strong communication skills while exploring China’s rich history, traditions, and global influence.
- Computer Engineering: The Computer Engineering concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) bridges the gap between electrical engineering and computer science, offering students expertise in both hardware and software development. The program prepares students to design and optimize computer systems, processors, and embedded devices, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in the rapidly advancing field of computing.
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program: Loyola’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program prepares students to teach and support English language learners in culturally and linguistically diverse settings. Open to students from all majors, the ESOL minor emphasizes second-language acquisition, cross-cultural communication, and effective instructional strategies for multilingual learners.
- Certificate in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): The Certificate in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) blends practical and theoretical approaches to teaching English learners. This classroom-focused program emphasizes sociolinguistics, literacy, intercultural communication, and language acquisition.
- Early Childhood Education Program: Loyola’s Early Childhood Education program provides students with a strong foundation in how young children learn and develop. Designed for students interested in early learning, teaching, or child-focused careers, the program combines coursework in child development, curriculum design, and inclusive classroom practices. Students explore the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of children from birth through age 8 and gain practical experience supporting early learners in real-world settings.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
US News & World Report ranks Loyola’s online bachelor’s degree programs in the top 25 nationally, a signal of the excellence, value, and liveliness of our programs. With fully online classes and flexible 8-week schedules, students can balance their degree pursuits with other responsibilities.
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Additional Opportunities
Loyola provides various additional opportunities for students to enhance their academic experience and prepare for their future careers.
Internships and Research
Many programs offer experiential learning opportunities, including internships, research, and industry collaborations. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and gain valuable professional skills.
Study Abroad
Earn both a USA bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and a European degree from Universidad Loyola Andalucía. As part of the program, you’ll study two semesters in Spain, one semester in Rome, and your remaining semesters in Chicago.
High-Demand Region
Loyola’s location in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region provides students with access to numerous internship and job opportunities.
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