Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Admission to Hood

Admission to Hood College is competitive and is offered to students who have outstanding academic credentials and personal characteristics indicating they will contribute to the diversity and richness of the campus. Applicants are selected on the strength of their academic record, character and leadership potential and co-curricular activities.

Undergraduate Admission Options

Hood offers four different avenues for undergraduate admission:

First-year admission —intended for students who are in secondary school, or who have graduated recently from high school and have never enrolled at another college;

Transfer admission —intended for students who have graduated from secondary school and have matriculated at another college or university;

International admission —intended for students who are not citizens of the United States and have graduated from secondary school or are looking to transfer from another college or university;

Dual Enrollment —a program for exceptional high school juniors and seniors that allows them to take college courses for credit while in high school.

Campus Visits

Campus visits are encouraged for all prospective students. The undergraduate Admission Office schedules appointments for interviews and campus tours, and also hosts numerous campus visit programs throughout the year. Campus visits may be arranged online or by contacting the Office of Admission.

hood.edu/visit

Toll-free: 800-922-1599

Telephone: 301-696-3400

Fax: 301-696-3819

Email:

admission@hood.edu

First-year students—Applying for Admission

Hood College requires the following items as part of the first-year application process:

• A completed application for admission. The application is available online at hood.edu/apply or commonapp.org.

• Official high school transcript, sent directly from the high school to the Office of Admission.  

• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.

In some cases, the Office of Admission may request additional supporting information in order to reach a final admission decision.

All applicants for first-year student admission are expected to have completed a full college preparatory curriculum, including the following:

• 4 credits of English

• 3 credits of mathematics, 4 credits preferred (including at least Algebra I and II and geometry)

• 3 credits of laboratory or natural science

• 3 credits of social science

• 2 credits of the same foreign language

• one academic elective

For information regarding International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, credit by examination and transfer credit policies, please see Undergraduate Academic Policies.

Home-schooled Students—Applying for Admission

Hood College recognizes that a growing number of students and families may choose a home-schooling alternative in place of a traditional secondary school experience. In order to accurately assess a home-schooled applicant’s likelihood of success at Hood, we may require several forms of documentation in addition to the usual application materials.

Applicants for admission to Hood College who have completed some or all of their secondary education in a home-schooling environment will be required to submit the following:

• A transcript of all high school-level work, evaluated, signed and approved by a certifying home school agency or evaluator.

If the student does not have a high school diploma or has not completed high school, we will require the results of an official GED examination. The College must be able to certify that all degree-seeking students hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, or have proven the ability to benefit from a college education.

Transfer with Ease

Hood welcomes transfer students at every stage of their academic and professional lives. Our transfer agreements with other colleges help ease the admission process and guide students in their efforts to take appropriate courses prior to transferring to Hood. Students transferring to Hood from a community college are encouraged to enroll in classes that meet requirements for an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree.

Community college students are urged to consult their transfer counselor concerning transfer agreement and course equivalencies, or contact the Office of Admission.

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework after the point of admission for applicability to degree requirements at Hood College. Credit is generally awarded for courses that are clearly applicable to a baccalaureate degree and for which the student earned a grade of C- or above. Courses that are clearly vocational or occupational in nature will not be accepted as credit toward the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 62 credits may be awarded for freshman and sophomore level work completed elsewhere. Although there is no limit for junior and senior level coursework, students will be awarded no more than a total of 94 credits for all college-level work completed.

For detailed information on transfer credit policies, see Undergraduate Academic Policies, Transfer Policy.

Transfer Students—Applying for Admission

Students who have an enrollment record at any college after their graduation from high school are considered transfer students and should use the transfer application. Any student with a college GPA and more than 23 transferable credits at the time of application will be evaluated primarily on the basis of their prior college record. Transfer students should submit the following materials for consideration:

• A completed Hood College transfer application. The application can be found at www.hood.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org.
• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.
• Official college transcript(s), sent directly from the college or university registrar to the Office of Admission.
• If you have been placed on probation, suspended, received disciplinary action or been dismissed from a college or university, you may be required to submit the College/University Report for Transfer Students, completed by the academic adviser, registrar or dean of students at your most recently-attended institution.

Completed College Credits	Type of Application	Required Materials
24+	Transfer	Official transcripts from all colleges attended
0-23	Transfer	Official transcripts from all colleges attended, official high school transcript

International Students—Applying for Admission

Application deadlines for all international students: Fall – June 15, Spring – November 15

International students, whether in the United States or abroad, may apply for admission as a first-year student or transfer student. International applicants are encouraged to submit their applications online. Applicants should note that all documents submitted as part of the admission process become the property of Hood College and will not be returned.

International first-year student applicants must have completed their secondary education or plan to complete it by the semester prior to enrollment. Applications that include all of the materials listed below will be reviewed for admission:

• A completed Hood College application (hood.edu/apply or commonapp.org). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• A writing sample, completed through the Common Application. This can be an essay on a topic of your choice or a previously graded paper.  
• Official secondary school (high school) transcript. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course- by-course evaluation. Please visit World Education Services, Inc. (wes.org/) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies.
• Official test scores from one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT. TOEFL minimum score of 79-80 internet based/550 paper based/213 computer based or IELTS minimum score of 6.5. TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply.
• Financial Information:
  • If applying for an F-1 visa, you must complete the Hood College Undergraduate International Application and provide the requested financial information.
  • If applying as a student under an immigration status other than permanent resident, please contact the Admission Office for details about which materials you may be required to submit.
  • A student may choose to use the College Board International Student Financial Aid Application and International Student Certification of Finances form to explain their financial situation, as long as they also submit supporting documents such as bank statements.

Optional information:

• While not required, an additional essay on a topic of your choice and recommendation(s) from academic instructor(s) about your performance and ability will facilitate the admission decision.

International Transfer applicants

Applications that include all of the materials listed below will be reviewed for admission:

• A completed Hood College application (www.hood.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• A writing sample, submitted through the Common Application. This can be an essay on a topic of your choice or a previously graded paper.
• Official copies of all college/university transcripts. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation. Please visit Please visit World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html) for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies

The following documents are required if you have fewer than 24 transferable college credits:

• Official secondary school (high school) transcript and secondary school report form. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation. Please visit World Education Services, Inc (www.wes.org) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html) for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies.
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT. TOEFL minimum score of 79-80 Internet based/550 paper based/213 computer based or IELTS minimum score of 6.5. TOEFL or IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply.

Financial Information:

• If applying for an F-1 visa, you must complete the Hood College Undergraduate International Application and provide the requested financial information.
• If applying as a student under an immigration status other than permanent resident, please contact the Admission Office for details about which materials you may be required to submit.
• A student may choose to use the College Board International Student Financial Aid Application and International Student Certification of Finances form to explain their financial situation, as long as they also submit supporting documents such as bank statements.

Optional information:

• While not required, an additional essay on a topic of your choice and recommendation(s) from academic instructor(s) about your performance and ability will facilitate the admission decision.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment program allows exceptional high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on the college academic experience, earning college credits while in high school. The program is designed to help students become familiar with academic work at the college level and have the opportunity to interact with College faculty. Depending on their high school schedule, students typically take 1-3 classes per semester. A maximum of 18 credits may be earned through the program. Dual Enrollment students may not exceed 11 credits in any given semester. Enrollment is on a space available basis.

Students may enroll in the fall, spring or summer semesters and have the opportunity to discuss academic goals and post-secondary options with a Hood College academic adviser. Most classes at the 100- and 200-level are open to Dual Enrollment students; they may enroll in 300-level courses when the prerequisites have been met or with permission of the instructor. Dual Enrollment students pay a reduced tuition rate of $175 per credit and are responsible for additional fees (lab, music practice rooms, parking permit), required course material and books.

Dual Enrollment Admission Requirements:

• Currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior.
• Have a cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.50 or greater in a college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate curriculum.

Dual Enrollment applicants will be required to:

• Complete a Dual Enrollment application form.
• Submit an official high school transcript.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from high school counselor or principal.
• Submit a letter of approval to participate from parent or guardian.
• Submit official PARCC score report. 

Students interested in the Dual Enrollment program must apply through the Admission Office; for information contact 301-696-3400, admission@hood.edu or hood.edu

Complete and submit the application by: Fall semester – August 1, Spring semester – December 15

Application Deadlines and Reply Dates

Hood College reviews applications on a rolling basis, typically releasing decisions within two weeks of receipt of a completed application file. There are some differences noted below based on the type of student making application.

First-Year Students
• The first round of fall admission decisions will be mailed the first week of October.
• Rolling admission until priority deadline of March 1.
• Rolling admission after March 1 on a space available basis.

Nursing program applicants:
• Round one - deadline is December 1. Notification is December 15. Applicants not offered admission to the nursing program during round one will automatically be considered during round two.
• Round two - deadline is March 1. Notification is March 15.

Transfer Students
• Spring semester deadline is November 1. Rolling admission will continue until classes begin in January.
• Fall semester deadline is April 1. Rolling admission will continue until classes begin in August.

International Students
• Spring semester deadline is November 15 (classes begin in January).
• Fall semester deadline is June 15 (classes begin in August).

Enrollment Deposit

To confirm enrollment at Hood, all new undergraduate students are required to pay a one-time enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is $350. 100% of the deposit is applied to tuition, housing and fees. The enrollment deposit is not refundable.

Equal Access for Students with Disabilities

Hood College actively supports the rights of students with disabilities to have equal access to education. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Hood makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

In order to receive appropriate advice and accommodations, students who have a disability must notify The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention (CAAR) as soon as possible. Early notification prevents delay in initiation of services and ensures the student full access to educational activities. The disability services coordinator and/or the medical staff, in consultation with the student, prepares a plan for services and forwards authorization for specified services (such as note-taking, interpreting, special housing) to the appropriate offices on campus.

Undergraduate Tuition and Financial Aid

Costs

Tuition, Fees and Other Charges for the 2018-2019 Academic Year

Costs

Refer to Tuition and Fees at http://www.hood.edu/accounting for future pricing information.

All fees listed are per semester.

FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE	RESIDENT	COMMUTER
Tuition - 12 to 18.5 credit hours	$ 19,445	$ 19,445
Room - Shared	$ 3,300
Room - Single	$ 3,815
Board - All access meal plan	$ 3,050
Board - 10-meal plan	$ 2,735
Board - Commuter & off-campus resident meal plan		$842
Comprehensive Fee	$ 291	$291
PART-TIME UNDERGRADUATE
Tuition per credit hour	$ 1,134
Audit Fee per credit hour	$ 562
Comprehensive fee per semester- Fall, Spring	$ 188
Comprehensive fee per term - Summer I, Summer II	$ 120
Dual Enrollment	$ 175 per credit
Renewal Not Retirement (RNR) - per class	$ 100

Payment of tuition, fees and other charges is due by August 15 for the fall semester and by January 15 for the spring semester and by the first day of class for the summer terms. Students registering after the deadline must make payment at the time of registration. Students may pay their tuition using the Monthly Payment Plan. Information on this option can be found at www.hood.edu/paymentplan or by calling the Accounting Office at 301-696-3609 or by sending an email to accounting@hood.edu

Referral to Collection Agency

By registering for classes, the student agrees that in the event the student becomes delinquent or defaults in paying charges due to Hood College, the student agrees to reimburse Hood College the fees of any collection agency, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 33 1/3% of the debt, and all cost and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, Hood College incurs in such collection efforts.

Withdrawal from the College and Refund Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters

Students who withdraw from Hood will have their fall and spring semester charges adjusted according to the schedule below:

If a student withdraws from the College:	Tuition	Board
Prior to beginning of the semester	100 percent	100 percent
Within the 14 calendar days from the first day of the semester	80 percent	pro rata weekly

(See the current College calendar for the actual dates.)

There are no refunds of the room fee after the first day of classes. There are no refunds of tuition after the end of the drop-add period. Refunds of the board fee are continued on a pro rata weekly basis throughout the semester. There are no refunds of any fees (comprehensive, academic records, course audit or student teaching) once the semester has begun. This refund policy applies to students who withdraw from the College and to those who take a leave-of-absence during the semester.

Withdrawal refunds are determined by the effective date noted on the Change of Status or Leave of Absence Form filed with the Registrar’s Office for undergraduate students and the written withdrawal files with the Graduate Office for graduate students.

The Office of Financial Aid is required to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw. Up through 60 percent of the semester, a pro rata schedule is used to determine how much federal aid a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. The portion of unearned aid must be returned to the federal programs. When unearned aid is returned, a student may owe the College additional funds.

Summer Terms

One-week and two-week terms	Tuition
Prior to first meeting of class	100 percent
Within the first 2 days from the first day of the term	80 percent
3rd day and thereafter	no refund
Three-week and four-week terms
Prior to first meeting of class	100 percent
Within the first 4 days from the first day of the term	80 percent
5th day and thereafter	no refund
Five-week and six-week terms
Prior to first meeting of class	100 percent
Within the first 7 calendar days from the first day of the term	80 percent
8th calendar day and thereafter	no refund

The Need-based Financial Aid System

The Office of Financial Aid, located on the third floor of the Joseph Henry Apple Academic Resource Center, administers both need-based and non-need-based financial awards and offers personalized assistance in obtaining other educational resources from outside sources

Hood College determines the type and amount of aid students may receive by evaluating the student’s financial need and availability of funds. Eligible students receive awards on a first-come, first-served basis.

Financial Need

To determine a student’s financial need, the student must complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:

Cost of Attendance (COA) Less Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Equals Financial Need

To determine the EFC, the calculation formula used is the Federal Need Analysis set by the U.S. Department of Education. Factors that are taken into consideration include: family size, number of students in college, income and assets of both the student and parents and the age of the oldest parent.

Typically available by October 1 for the following academic year, students must complete the FAFSA fully and carefully to avoid delays in processing. FAFSA forms should be submitted online no later than March 1 to receive full consideration for all types of need-based aid. For Hood College to receive FAFSA results, list Hood’s school code, 002076, on the application.

Financial Award Package

After financial need is determined, the Office of Financial Aid can begin to put together a financial award “package.” Each student’s financial situation is different, so each package is unique. An award package will include one or more types of financial aid. The most common types include: scholarships, grants, loans and work-study.

All need-based awards are made in accordance with three criteria: enrollment in a degree-granting program at Hood College, demonstrated financial need and the student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. For many of the need-based financial aid programs, students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester. In addition, for a student to be eligible for any federal financial aid, the student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States; have a high school diploma or equivalent; not be in default on a Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan; and be registered with Selective Service (if required).

Students who qualify for financial aid are notified in the form of a financial award letter.

Typically, this award letter is sent to accepted students in their admission packet. Continuing students will receive their award letters beginning in April prior to the fall semester upon receipt of their renewal application for financial aid and any other required documents.

All financial aid forms are located on the Financial Aid page of the Hood website.

Financial Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grants

Awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Prorated awards may be made to eligible part-time students. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Awarded to undergraduate students with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Hood Grants

Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Work Study Program

This federally-funded need-based employment program enables eligible undergraduate students to earn money for miscellaneous expenses while gaining practical experience in on- and off-campus jobs.

Campus Employment

Awarded to students who are not eligible for federal work-study. Funded and administered by Hood College. Limited number of positions are available.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

A need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rate is fixed. No interest accrues and generally no payments are due while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Repayment generally begins six months after the student’s enrollment status drops below half-time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Direct Loan

A non-need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate students. The interest rate is fixed. The six-month deferment applies only to repayment on the principal. Interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. Students are mailed quarterly interest statements at which time they may elect to pay the interest.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Parents may borrow up to the cost of education, minus any financial aid received, for each dependent undergraduate student. The interest rate is fixed. Repayment on principle and interest begins when the loan is disbursed, however deferment options are available.

Maryland State Scholarship Program

The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers several need-based scholarships and grants for Maryland residents. The scholarships and grants most frequently awarded to Hood students include, but are not limited to, the Educational Assistance Grant, the Guaranteed Access Grant, Senatorial Scholarship and Delegate Scholarship. In order to be considered for a Maryland State Scholarship, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Some state scholarships may have additional application requirements. Please check with the Maryland Higher Education Commission-Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or www.mhec.state.md.us.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

Hood College serves as a liaison/informational resource to veterans by providing Veterans Administration forms and certifying military students for benefits. To initiate or continue benefits, veterans must contact the Office of Financial Aid, 301-696-3411, at the beginning of each semester to complete the required paperwork, in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the Office of Financial Aid and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Information and application forms may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid (SAP)

Process Overview and Responsibilities 

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Financial Aid at Hood College monitors undergraduate and graduate students after the spring semester each academic year for successful completion of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards. For financial aid eligibility, terms are defined as fall, spring and summer. All students are measured on qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time-based) standards. Students who fail to meet SAP standards are not eligible for any financial aid unless an appeal is granted. Students who fail to meet SAP standards can only appeal one time and change their major one time. 

Programs affected by the SAP standards include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal Plus Loans, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, state grants and scholarships, and institutional scholarships.

Qualitative Standards (Grade-based)

Qualitative standards measure a student’s quality of performance in terms of GPA, including basic skills courses (reading, writing, mathematics). 

Each semester a student must meet the following cumulative GPA standard:

Total Hours Attempted	Minimum GPA Requirement
1-25	1.50 GPA
26-38	1.60 GPA
39-50	1.70 GPA
51-63	1.90 GPA
64-124	2.00 GPA

In order to graduate, a student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. If a student fails to meet the above GPA requirements, he/she will be suspended from financial aid but will have the opportunity to submit an appeal. 

Quantitative Standards (time-based also referred to as PACE)

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, the U.S. Department of Education requires a student to successfully complete 67% of the credits for which he/she attempted as shown in the example below:

Hood College Office of Financial Aid calculates the pace at which you are progressing in your SAP academic plan by dividing the cumulative number of credits you have successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits you have attempted. All periods of enrollment count when assessing quantitative standards, even periods in which the student did not receive financial aid. 

Pace=Cumulative number of credits that you have successfully completed

  Cumulative number of credits that you have attempted

Unsatisfactory grades of F, INC, AU, F, S and U do not count as completed courses but will count as attempted credits. In addition, repeated coursework is counted as attempted hours for financial aid eligibility. Students can only receive financial aid for a passed course one additional time. If the student registers for a previously passed course the third time, the course is ineligible for financial aid. Students are eligible up to 30 attempted hours for basic skills courses (reading, writing, mathematics) which are not counted in the quantitative standards. If a student exceeds 30 attempted hours without successful completion, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid and must pay for those courses prior to continuing at Hood College. 

Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current program count as attempted and completed for financial aid eligibility. 

Quantitative Standards (maximum timeframe)

Students must be making progress toward a degree. To quantify academic progress, Hood College must set a maximum timeframe in which you are expected to finish a program. A student must complete his/her program of study within 150% of the length of the program. If a student needs additional time to complete the degree, the student may submit an appeal for financial aid. Students at Hood College are expected to complete 124 credit hours to earn an undergraduate degree. Students are eligible to receive financial aid up to 186 attempted hours at Hood College (not including 30 credit hours for basic skills courses). If additional time is needed, students can submit an appeal to the Director of Financial Aid.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students are placed on financial aid suspension if they do not meet one or both of the SAP standards.  Hood College monitors SAP annually at the end of spring semester and students are notified accordingly.  Students are not given a warning period since the process is monitored once per academic year.  Students have the option to appeal for financial aid once they are on suspension.  

Appeals Process

Students on financial aid suspension may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid.  Appeals must be submitted by July 1 in order to review for the upcoming fall semester.  Students must provide in writing the extenuating circumstance(s) why SAP was not made and submit any supporting documentation.  The student must state how the situation has changed and what action will be taken in order to meet SAP standards at the next evaluation period (end of spring semester).  If the appeal is for maximum timeframe, the Director of Financial Aid may request the student to submit an academic plan signed by his/her advisor.  The Director of Financial Aid will notify the student if such documentation is needed for the appeal. 

The Director of Financial Aid will review the appeal and notify the student in writing within ten business days of the decision.  All decisions made by the Director of Financial Aid are final. 

If the appeal is granted, students will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester and are expected to improve their SAP status by the end of the semester probation is granted.  If, at that time, the student does not meet SAP standards, the student will be suspended from financial aid with no opportunity to appeal.  If the student is successful, the student will be removed from probation and placed in good standing for financial aid eligibility.  In order to be successful, the student must meet cumulative GPA standards and maintain a 67% cumulative passing rate.  If the student is placed on academic plan and is following the plan, the student shall remain on probation until program completion and will be eligible for financial aid.

Merit Scholarships

Hood College has developed an extensive merit scholarship program that recognizes outstanding achievement and/or demonstrated talent and accomplishment in leadership, research, community service or writing. Students admitted to Hood are considered for merit scholarships at the time of admission. Some scholarships, however, are awarded through an interview process involving our Faculty Scholarship Committee.

Each year, Hood College awards more than $5 million in merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships range from $2,000 to full-tuition.

From time to time, an individual student-applicant may qualify for consideration in more than one scholarship category. In such a case, the highest scholarship amount will take precedence in Hood’s awarding process. All are limited up to eight semesters.

Students are notified of yearly renewal criteria, including minimum grade point average, upon receipt of their financial aid award letter.

• Founders Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students who have the highest academic profiles and have shown leadership in school and community activities.
• Hodson -Gilliam Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students from ethnic backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Applicants must have demonstrated high academic achievement.
• Teacher Academy of Maryland Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time first-year education majors who have successfully fulfilled required criteria for TAM program completion. In addition to the monetary scholarship, three (3) credits will be awarded to fulfill EDUC 204, a prerequisite education course.
• Trailblazer Scholarship —awarded to incoming first-year students with strong records of academic performance and extracurricular involvement. These students show the potential to contribute to classroom activities and the Hood College community.
• Recognition Award —awarded to incoming full-time first-year students who have the potential to succeed academically and have demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service and/or demonstrated talent.
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members and have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree. Must be a Phi Theta Kappa member at the time of admission.
• Leader's Transfer Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
• Trailblazer Transfer Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who have demonstrated academic achievement..
• Recognition Transfer Scholarship —awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who have demonstrated academic achievement..
• Legacy Scholarship —awarded to full-time, first year and first time transfer students whose parents earned a graduate degree from Hood College. 

Scholarships and Awards

Endowed and annual scholarships are awarded according to the criteria of each scholarship.

Endowed Undergraduate Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid evaluates students on an annual basis for these scholarships. Students are evaluated based upon academic interest and academic progress. In order to be considered for an endowed scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Allegheny Power Scholarship

The Carol Lumb Allen ’59 and Caroline Finkenbinder Lumb ’30 Scholarship

The Martha Shortiss Allen ’59 Scholarship Fund

The W.A. Lantz and the Bertha McCall, Class of 1906, Alumnae Scholarship 

The Anderson Family Social Work Scholarship*

The Marycatherine Anthony ’74 Scholarship

The Sheila Seigal Asher ’53 Scholarship*

The Alice McCusker Barnard ’23 Scholarship

The Mary Hendershot Bastian ’50 Scholarship

The Mariana Main Beachley ’36 Scholarship

The Sue and Ross Benitez Scholarship

The Mary Louise Hester Bennett ’30 and Elizabeth Bennett Wiegand ’60 Scholarship Fund

The Nettie C. Bentley ’28 Music Scholarship

The Muriel Binder ’33 and Mildred K. Binder ’40 Scholarship

The Christine Moyer Bloom ’22 Scholarship

The Board of Associates 50th Anniversary Endowed Fund for Student Scholarships

The Betty Bruce Borgerding ’35 Scholarship Fund

The Frances Good Crilly Bowers ’27 Music Scholarship Fund

The Olive L. Bowlin ’19 Endowed Scholarship

The William H. Browning, Jr. Community Scholarship

The Chug Scholarship

The Martha E. Church H’95 Scholarship Fund for International Students

The Walter and Eleanor Church Endowed Scholarship

The Rhea Robinson Claggett ’36 and Mariamne Claggett Vickery ’80 Scholarship

The Class of 1932 Scholarship

The Class of 1948 Endowed Scholarship

The Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship

The Class of 1967 Memorial Scholarship

The Class of 1968 Diversity Scholarship*

The Class of 1969 Scholarship

The Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship

The Class of 1977 Scholarship

The Class of 1978 Scholarship

The Class of 1979 Scholarship

The Class of 1980 Scholarship

The Class of 1982 Scholarship

The Class of 1984 Endowed Scholarship

The Class of 1985 Scholarship

The M. Virginia Coblentz ’33 Scholarship

The Ann Holler Cone ’38 and Frances L. Fuller ’39 Scholarship

The Edison H. and Daphne B. Cramer Scholarship

The Father Alphonse Crispo Scholarship

The Virginia M. Crist Scholarship

The Katharine E. Cutshall ’24 Scholarship

The Laura and Theodore Deforest Scholarship Fund

The Delaplaine Foundation Inc. Scholarship Fund

The Judge Edward S. Delaplaine Scholarship

The Robert E. and Ruth M. Delaplaine Scholarship

The William T. and Janie Quynn Delaplaine Scholarship

The Dona Ditty Memorial Scholarship

The Carolyn Embree Drake '66 Scholarship*

The J. William and Sarah Thomas Drenning ’49 Scholarship*

The Nancy Hill Drew ’58 Scholarship*

The Dyer Work Award

The Elfin-Kawecki Scholarship Fund*

The F. Virginia Ellis ’39 Scholarship Fund

The Helen Kirk Deputy Ellis ’27 and Mary Ellen Deputy Fowler ’33 Foreign Language Scholarship Fund

The Esselen Family Scholarship Fund

The Evangelical and Reformed Church Scholarships

The Sally Conrad Fauntleroy Scholarship (In Expression)

The Karen Louise Fisher ’77 Scholarship

The Stella Elizabeth Ziegler Foley ’28 and Marylouise Hermann Foley '64 Scholarship Fund

The Jennifer Frantz ’97 Scholarship Fund

The Frederick Female Seminary Scholarship

The Margaret R. Geiser Memorial Scholarship Fund

The General Endowed Scholarship

The Giles Scholarship

The M. Fredrica Godshalk, M.D. ’65 Scholarship Fund*

The Griesemer Scholarship

The Gloria M. Grossnickle Scholarship Fund

The Ann Coulter Hancock ’40 Scholarship Fund

The Julia Etchison Hanna ’19 Scholarship

The Anne Keet Hanson ’34 Scholarship

The Virginia Shaver Harshman ’41 Scholarship Fund

The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship

The Lizzie S. Heckle Scholarship

The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Scholarship in recognition of President Ronald J. Volpe

The Carol Schulthess Hires ’68 Scholarship

The M. Beth Costello Hobby '67 Scholarship

The Hodson Foundation Scholarship

The Hodson Trust Academic Excellence Scholarship

The Hodson-Gilliam Scholarship

The Nettie McCardell Hoffmeier Scholarship

The H.G. and Lula K. Hoke 1906 Scholarship

The Arlene Utz Hollinger ’37 Scholarship

The Carolyn Tillou Holran ’60 Scholarship

The Hood College Fathers’ Club Scholarship

The J. Harold Hooper Scholarship

The Sharon I. Hooper ’58 Scholarship

The Nancy Hoskins Houston ’51 Scholarship

The Richard Hudnut Scholarship

The Josephine Thompson Hunger ’40 Scholarship

The Huttle Scholarship

The Janice R. Hylen ’78 Memorial Scholarship

The Dorothy Richardson Jones ’31 Scholarship Fund

The Dean Mary Frear Keeler Scholarship

The Miriam W. Kelly ’34 Scholarship

The Joan Kempthorne ’54 Scholarship

The Carrie M. Kerschner Memorial Scholarship

The John N. Land Scholarship Fund

The Elizabeth Ruth Langert ’38 Scholarship

The Louis A. Langie Jr. and Sally Weaver Langie ’51 Scholarship

The Latrobe-Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Scholarship

The Charles A. and Helen Titzel Lauffer Scholarship

The Lillian Zeigler Lavetan ’18 Scholarships

The Adele Edmunds Levering ’14 Scholarship

The Frederick Weir Levering Scholarship

The Margaret Loudon Lewis Scholarship

The Bert S. and Mary H. Lewis Memorial Scholarship

The Charles J. Little Scholarship

The Arthur H. Long, Sr. and Lois Long Harley ’45 Family Scholarship

The Lonza Bioscience Scholarship

The Janet B. Loudon Scholarship Fund

The Mary and Daniel Loughran Scholarship

The Lowe-Bitler Scholarship

The Evelyn Barrick Mahoney ’34 Scholarship

The William Markow Music Scholarship Fund at Hood College

The Esther Taylor Marshall ’35 Scholarship Fund

The Timothy S. May Scholarship

The Susan McAlpine ’47 and Margaret McAlpine ’46 Scholarship

The William A. McCarty, Jr. and Elinor F. Herndon McCarty ’60 Scholarship

The McCullagh McCutcheon Scholarship Fund

The McCurdy Scholarship

The Paul F. Mehl Memorial Scholarship

The John D. Meyer Scholarship

The Middendorf Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Nursing

The Nettie Morton Miller Scholarship*

The Lorie Harris Morrell ’84 Scholarship

The Morrow Scholarship Endowment

The Margaret J. and John C. Motter Scholarship

The Mullison Scholarship Fund

The Kathleen A. and Charles F. Murphy Scholarship

The Margaret S. Neely Hood Scholarship

The Wayne C. Neely Hood Scholarship

The Eleanor MacMillan Nelson ’32 Scholarship

The Elisabeth Farber Neubauer ’45 Scholarship

The New York Times Scholarship

The Charles and Kathryn Nicodemus Scholarship Fund

The Kathryn Zimmerman Nicodemus H’05 Music Scholarship

The Stephanie Lundy Normann ’56 Scholarship

The Ines M. Oertel ’96 and Carsten Oertel Scholarship*

The J. Edward and Jessie Spielman Omwake Scholarship

The George W. and Edith Osmun ’18 Scholarship

The J. Elyse Pade ’54 Scholarship

The Elizabeth Walton Paiste ’32 and Ethel Hobson Auf Der Heyde ’32 Scholarship Fund

The Audrey Field Parrott Endowment for the Language Arts*

The Benjamine Cawley Parrott Endowment for the Sciences*

The Nancy Freeman Patterson ’53 Scholarship Fund

The Elizabeth Peters - Barbara Michaels Scholarship Fund

The Shirley D. Peterson Scholarship Fund

The Beryl Pfizer ’49 Scholarship Fund for Theatre Minors

The Margaret Jones Pollack ’49 Scholarship

The Sylvia F. Porter H’58 Scholarship

The Octavia M. Power ’30 Endowed Scholarship

The Dorothy E. Pugh ’58 Scholarship

The James B. Ranck Memorial Scholarship

The Philip S. Renaud II M.S. '83 Scholarship*

The Nora Roberts Foundation Scholarship

The Andy Rooney Scholarship in Writing

The Harry A. Rosenfeld Scholarship

The Charlotte Snyder Rupner ’18 Scholarship

The Margaret Russell ’42 Scholarship

The Gretchen Howe Russo ’63 Scholarship*

The Patricia Feiser Sanner ’38 Science Scholarship Fund

The Myrtle Annis Scott Scholarship

The Kimberly Ann Servedio ’99 Memorial Scholarship

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Education Scholarship

The Helen Burton Shelton ’40 Scholarship

The Kozo and Martha Hearn Shimano ’86 Scholarship Fund

The Lori A. G. Shipley ’97 Endowed Scholarship Fund*

The Alfred P. and Patricia A. Shockley Scholarship

The Alice Smith ’33 Scholarship

The M.E. Smith Scholarship

The Ruth Yost Snyder ’36 and Lehman J. Snyder Scholarship

The Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Solosko Scholarship

The John G. and Beulah Munshower Sommer ’44 Computer Scholarship

The William H. Sprigg Applied Music Scholarship

The Henry I. Stahr Scholarship

The Glenna May and John Hedges Staley Scholarship

The Eleanor C. Stanley and Kenneth N. Stanley Scholarship Fund

The Frances Steckel Music Scholarship

The Virginia Geddert Stone ’40 Scholarship

The Louise Kling Tefft ’37 Scholarship Fund

The Helen Kelly Terwilliger ’27 and Edith M. Kelly Terwilliger Scholarship

The Clyde E. and Julia E. Thomas ’14 Scholarship

The G. Frank Thomas Foundation Scholarship

The Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. Thomas and Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Mullen Scholarship

The Dr. William H. Thomas and Bradley Barrick Thomas ’41 Scholarship

The Mary Frances Gaver Trunk ’64 and Charles F. Trunk III Endowed Scholarship Fund*

The Andrew G. Truxal Scholarship in Sociology Fund

The Van Wert Scholarship Fund

The Mr. and Mrs. William H. Vanderford Scholarship

The L. Marie VanHise ’49 Scholarship

The Pearl Walker ’32 Scholarship in Mathematics

The Oliver C. and Carrie E. Warehime and the Alexander D. and Dorothy Warehime Lewis ’17 Scholarship

The Louise A. Weagly ’30 Scholarship Fund

The Wehler Family Scholarship

The Sarah Patton Weinberger ’32 Scholarship

The Philip and Janis Miller Wertheimer ’29 Scholarship Fund

The Dr. Olivia G. White Scholarship Fund

The Olive Wagner Wilt ’26 Memorial Scholarship

The Women’s Guild Scholarship

The Nora E. Yost ’17 Scholarship

The Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Scholarship

The W. Meredith and Helen Brown Young ’35 Scholarship

* Not currently available for award

Annual Undergraduate Scholarships

The H.K. Alwine Scholarship

The Barnes & Noble Textbook Scholarship

The Dr. Regena C. Beck ’17 Scholarship                                          

The Board of Associates Leadership Fund

The Chair of the Board Scholarship for Academic Excellence

The Alden E. and Harriet K. Fisher Scholarship

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Applied Music Scholarship

The Hood College Ring Scholarship

The Roy Jorgensen Associates, Inc. Annual Scholarship

The Hilda C. Landers Scholarship

The Loats Foundation Scholarships

The Stephen T. Mahaffey ’15 and Naomi Parker Ballard ’49 Scholarship*

The McCardell Family Scholarship Fund

The William Edward and Mary Cockram Morse ’64 Scholarship

The Presidential Leadership Scholarships

The Vincent and Alice Riordan Scholarship

The Nora Roberts Foundation Scholarship in Nursing

The Fred Schenkel Scholarship Fund

The George L. Shields Foundation, Inc. Scholarship for Nursing

The F. Lawrence and Shirley J. Silbernagel Scholarship

The Hood College Waltersdorf Henson Scholarship

The Ruth Whitaker Holmes ’55 and Portia Whitaker Shumaker ’55 Science Scholarship

The Raymond R. and Margaret M. Zimmerman ’22 Music Scholarship

* Not currently available for award

Other Prizes, Awards, Funds, Chairs and Professorships

The following lists include other established named prizes, awards, funds and chairs/professorships that are not offered by Financial Aid but are administered by the College in support of students, faculty, and campus facilities.

Undergraduate Prizes and Awards

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Leadership Award

The Leah B. Allen Award in Astronomy

The Alumni Award for Social Work Excellence

The American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award

The Elizabeth Yourtee Anderson ’82 History Prize

The ArachnidWorks Integrated Marketing Communication Award

The Art Department Alumnae Award

The Art Department Faculty Award

The Association for Women in Mathematics Book Prize

The Award in Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Studies

The Beta Beta Beta Award

The Biology Faculty Award

The Blue and Grey Editorial Award

The James R. Boston Prize

The Elizabeth B. Bower Prize

The Robert W. Boyle Outstanding Achievement in Statistics Award in Psychology

The Dr. Martha M. Briney ’35, H’78 Honor Scholarship

The Bromer Peace Award

The Grace N. Brown ’25 Prize in Mathematics

The Patricia Bucheimer Piano Prize

The Dana Cable Community Service Award in Psychology

The Larry T. Campbell Memorial Prize

The Julia Holzapfel Carhart ’30 Prizes in Mathematics

The Catherine Filene Shouse Center for Career Development and Experiential Education Distinguished Intern Award

The Chemistry Achievement Award

The Class of 1988 Volunteer Behind the Scenes Award

The Janice E. Cole Scholarship

The Janice E. Cole Writing Prize

The Computer Science Undergraduate Achievement Award

The Computer Science Faculty Prize

The Computer Science Chair’s Fund Prize

The Frances C. Cutujian Prize

The Joseph E. Dahms Community Service Award

The Emily Myers Davis ’43 Prize

The Department of Chemistry and Physics Faculty Award

The Department of Economics and Business Administration Book Prize

The Department of Economics and Business Administration Leadership Prize

The Eric Devan Outstanding Accounting Student Award

The Johanna Chait Essex ’53 Prize in Early Childhood Education

The Exceptional Achievement Award in Psychology

The Margaret P. Ford Honor Scholarship

The Norm Gary Award

The Elaine Adrienne Gates Memorial Prize in Studio Art

The German Embassy Prize

The Bernard Gerrard Prize for “Mature” Students

The Raymond L. and Louise K. Gillard Prize

The Godman Prize in French*

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Music Scholar Prize

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Musical Talent Prize

The Suzanne Gottert ’68 Prize in Art

The Dr. Ruth Esther Griffith Biology Award

The “Grit” Award in Psychology

The Edenia Guillermo Award

The Kathryn E. Hale '04, M.S. '13 History Teaching Prize

The Shirley Conner Hardinge ’44 Prize

The Maureen Kelly Hess ’81 Prize

The Hood College Choir Award

The Hood College Prize in Ethics

The Hood College Retailing Club Prize

The C. May Hudson Prize

The Francis G. Hugo Prize in Psychology

The Hypatia Mathematics/Science Education Prize

The Dr. Robert Kaufmann German Prize

The Mary Ann Kerins Humanitarian Award

The George G. Kleinspehn Honor Scholarship

The Margaret Louise Kleist Prize

The Dr. Leonard Latkovski Memorial Prize in History

The Dr. Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Student Award

The Law and Criminal Justice Prize

The E. Louise Leonard Prize

The Virginia E. Lewis Best Paper Award

The Virginia E. Lewis Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Political Science

The Logic Prize

The Marion MacPhail Prize

The Marie A. Markow Excellence in Music Prize

The Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society Prize

The Jane D. McCarrell Prize

The Helen McCullagh McCutcheon ’14 Prize

The Dr. Christine McHenry ’73 Corde et Mente et Manu Award

The Charlotte A. Moran ’57 Prize

The Wayne C. Neely Prize

The Kathryn Zimmerman Nicodemus H’05 Music Award

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 Award for Best Elementary Arabic Student

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 Award for Best Intermediate Arabic Student

The Jack and Janet Spaulding Nunn ’61 French Prize

The Vesta Hoffman Osler ’30 Chemistry Award

The Outstanding Research Contribution Award in Psychology

The Josephine Panarella Law and Criminal Justice Award

The Park-Dorff Award

The Florence A. Pastore Memorial Prize

The George C. Pearson Prize

The Pi Mu Epsilon Book Prize

The Hildegarde Pilgram ’31 Prize

The Political Engagement Award

The James B. Ranck Book Prize in American History

The Mary Ellen Randolph Prize

The Anna Louise Remsen ’33 Prize in Art

The Mary Margaret Rose Award

The Rouse Graduate Scholarship

The Linda Scott Outstanding Mentorship Award in Psychology

The SGA Student Leader of the Year Award

The Esther E. Shaw Award

The Sidney Silverman Award

The Linda Mae Snapp Memorial Award in Nursing

The William Sprigg Prize

The Margaret Condron Sterner ’39 Scholarship

The Charles E. Tressler Outstanding Student Award

The Aldan T. Weinberg ’75 Communication Arts Prize

The Alyce T. Weinberg Honor Scholarship

The White Blazer Award

The Elizabeth Leiby Wood ’38 Prize

The Linda Wyatt ’68 and Marleen Spriggs ’69 Award in African American Studies

*Not currently available for award

Other Prizes and Awards

The Adviser of the Year Award

The Martha E. Church H’95 Prize for Leadership and Service

The Excellence in Teaching Award

The Hood College Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award

The Hood College Graduate School Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award

The Dr. Henry P. and Page Laughlin Distinguished Administrative Achievement Award

The Dr. Henry P. and Page Laughlin Faculty Professional Achievement Award

The Rose Award

The Lynda R. Sowbel Social Work Field Instructor of the Year Award

The Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award

Lecture and Performance Funds

The Dana G. Cable Memorial Thanatology Lecture Series Fund

The Homer W. Carhart H’07 and Noel K. Lester Guest Pianist Fund

The Ceramic Arts Visiting Artist Fund

The John C. and Janet Hobbs Cotton ’59 Cybersecurity Lecture Series

The James M. Etchison Summer Chamber Music Trust

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Concert Fund

The William J. and Wilma M. Haines Lecture Fund in Biomedical Ethics at Hood College

The Hanson Lecture Series

The Jean Royer Kohr ’62 Memorial Lectureship

The La Fleur Management Lecture Series

The Miss Grace Lippy Endowed Science Lecture Fund

The Charlotte Moran ’57 Foreign Language Visiting Scholar and Lecturer Fund

The Pade Lectureship and Performance Fund

The Randall Family Endowed Chamber Music Concert Series Fund

The Nora Roberts Foundation Writer-in-Residence Program

The Silverman Young Artists Concert Fund

The Hadley Tremaine Lecture Fund

Research and Support Funds

The Barrett Advertising Child Development Center Scholarship Fund

The Chemistry Travel Fund

The Martha E. Church H’95 Center for Leadership and Service Endowed Fund

The Class of 1957 Endowment

The Class of 1983 Child Development Lab Fund

The Class of 1986 Endowed Fund

The Class of 1987 Endowed Fund

The Class of 1991 Film Series

The Computer Science Enhancement Fund

The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business*

The Anne Derbes Art Outreach Fund*

The Nancy Salzman Ebert ’57 Education Technical Learning Laboratory

The First Generation Student Center

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Capital Projects Fund

The Shirley Conner Hardinge ’44 Center for Global Studies

The Hodson Faculty Fellowships

The Hoffberger Endowed Honors Program

The Huntsinger Art History Travel Fund

The Marguerite Jaar Preparatory Music Fund

The E. Louise Leonard Language Lab Fund

The McCardell Professional Development Grants Endowed Fund

The McHenry Chaplain Fund

The Miller Greenhouse Endowment

The Nancy Miller Moorhouse ’55 Memorial Fund for the Care & Upkeep of the College Grounds

The Grace Lampe Morrison ’25 Endowment

The National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge

The Betsy Radey Pancelli ’49 Memorial Research Fund

The Beryl Pfizer ’49 Endowed Theatre Production and Programming Fund

The Onica Prall Child Development Lab School 75th Anniversary Fund

The Second Century Foundation Student Grants

The Mary Hansbrough Sneckenberger ’64 International Travel Award*

The John M. Stadlbauer Chemistry Department Instrument Fund

The Summer Research Institute Grants

The Tambor Bay School Fund

The Tidball Center Endowment Fund

The Tischer Endowed Funds

The Ronald J. Volpe Scholars

Susan L. Whaley ’74 Study and Travel Abroad Fund*

The Williams Observatory Fund

The Helen G. and Alfred G. Zimmerman Hood College Campus Ground Beautification Fund

The Phebe Zimmerman Endowment Fund

* Not currently available for award

Chairs and Professorships

The Beneficial Chair in Economics

The Giles Chair in Early Childhood Education

The Hodson Trust Professorship in Nursing

The Hodson/Maryland Endowed Chair in Advanced Bioproducts Research and Education

The KBE Head Tennis Coach Fund

The Mildred Brown Lefferts Endowed Chair Fund

The Virginia E. Lewis Chair in Political Science

The Sophia M. Libman National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Professorship

The McHenry Dean of the Chapel

The Eleanor S. Pearson Professor Fund

The Hildegarde Pilgram Chair in History

The Andrew G. Truxal Chair of Economics and Sociology

The Whitaker Chair in Chemistry

Reduced Tuition Opportunities

Hood offers several opportunities for reduced tuition, including programs for older citizens and Hood alumnae and alumni.

Encore Program

The Encore Program enables Hood alumnae and alumni who hold a B.A. or B.S. from Hood to take undergraduate courses at one-half tuition.

Family Tuition Plan

When two or more members of the same family are enrolled at Hood College, the Family Tuition Plan provides an annual grant of $2,000 (to be divided equally between the fall and spring semesters) to the second member of the family.  A family is defined as a parent, dependent child and/or dependent child’s sibling.  Under the Family Tuition Plan, both members of the family must be enrolled as full-time traditional undergraduate students.

All students admitted under the Family Tuition Plan must meet the regular admissions standards of the College, as appropriate.  The Family Tuition Plan applies to tuition only and does not apply to the board or other fees.

Renewal Not Retirement

Hood’s Renewal Not Retirement (RNR) program offers persons 60 years of age or older the opportunity to audit undergraduate courses. Studio and lab courses, practicums and self-directed study courses are not available for audit. The cost is $100 per course.

Undergraduate Special Academic Opportunities

Center for Computer Security and Information Assurance

The Center for Computer Security and Information Assurance, housed within the Department of Computer Science, coordinates and promotes inter-disciplinary research, education, and service projects in computer security and information assurance. Center activities bring together faculty, students, researchers, government and industry computer security experts, and law enforcement practitioners to share information and develop new ways to protect users, information systems, and information infrastructures. The Center currently offers a graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity. The Center’s web site is located at: ccsia.hood.edu.

5-Year Accelerated Degree Programs

A number of five-year B.A./M.B.A. programs are available to students who complete the recommended coursework have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree with just one additional year of study. For more information see the 5-Year Accelerated Degree Program - B.A./M.B.A

Hood College students from all majors are eligible to participate in the 5-year program that allows for an accelerated master's degree in Information Technology within a year after the completion of their undergraduate program.  For more information see 5-Year Accelerated Degree Program-B.A. or B.S./M.S. Information Technology.

5-Year Dual Degree Programs

The Department of Biology offers a 5-year, dual-degree (B.A./M.S.) in Environmental Science for motivated, academically talented students.   For more information, see the Department of Biology.

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers a 5-year, dual degree (B.A./M.S.) in Psychology and Counseling. For more information, see the Department of Psychology and Counseling.

Coastal Studies Semester

See Coastal Studies Semester for more information.

Departmental Honors Paper

The Departmental Honors Paper is a senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects in close coordination with faculty advisers. The course number 499 designates this type of study. Students writing Departmental Honors Papers are designated Christine P. Tischer Scholars.

See About Course Offerings for more information.

Military Science/ROTC

Hood College offers the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Program (ROTC) in association with the Military Science Department of McDaniel College. See Course Offerings for more information.

Study Abroad Programs

Hood students may study abroad in approved programs in virtually every part of the world. All students intending overseas study should make application at least one year in advance of the proposed study. Students should consult with the Hood College Study Abroad Coordinator located in the Catherine Filene Shouse Center for Career Development and Experiential Education as soon as they determine they wish to study abroad.

The College encourages students to study abroad during the junior year. Some sophomores study abroad because of compelling program or personal reasons, and in rare instances the College permits seniors to study abroad in the fall semester.

The College requires language majors to study abroad unless they reside for two years in one of the language houses. Language students ordinarily enroll in programs abroad that offer instruction in the local language. Hood has formal associations with several established overseas programs, including those offered by Junior Year France (Paris), Dickinson College (Toulouse), University of Seville, Seoul Women’s University and the University of Mainz, among others.

Students may also study abroad in short-term summer programs, such as the Bahrom International Program in Seoul, Korea.

Grades received through Hood-affiliated semester or year abroad programs are calculated in the Hood gpa. Students participating in non-Hood affiliated semester or year abroad programs will earn transfer credit only for all courses completed with a grade of C- or above.

The Hood College Honors Program

A limited number of academically exceptional students are accepted into the Hood College Honors Program. Combining classroom instruction and co-curricular activities, the Honors Program offers a challenging academic experience and encourages both independent and collaborative learning. The program requirements are discussed in Majors and Courses of Study.

Off-Campus Programs and Courses

PLEN

Hood College encourages our female students to participate in the Public Leadership Education Network. PLEN offers exciting programs that allow Hood students to gain firsthand experience shaping public policy in communities, the nation and the world. Students who enroll in PLEN’s Women and Public Policy Internship Program learn about policy, research or social advocacy by working alongside women leaders in the Congress, courts, executive agencies and nongovernmental advocacy groups. Students may earn from 3 to 15 Hood College credits for participation in PLEN’s internship programs. Those who wish to complete a PLEN internship must also meet Hood’s requirements for internship eligibility. PLEN also offers three-day to three-week seminars on topics such as Women and Congress; Women in Science and Technology; Women and International Policy; and Women, Law and Public Policy.

For more information about any of PLEN’s programs, contact the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education.

The Washington Center

Hood College partners with The Washington Center, which is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The Washington Center offers two types of programs: Internships and academic seminars. Internships are semester- or summer-long integrated academic and work experiences in government, corporate and nonprofit organizations. Each internship is tailored to provide meaningful work experiences that will enhance students’ resumes and help launch their careers. This is a “study away” opportunity where students may live in The Washington Center residence apartments. Additionally, students take academic courses and attend special programming during their time at The Washington Center. Academic seminars serve as intensive learning experiences with focus on specific topics, such as National Security, the Presidency, and the Middle East Peace Process. Past seminars have included visits to such locations as Capitol Hill, CNN, the Newseum, embassies and many others. Seminar events have featured such respected speakers as Ted Koppel, Andrea Mitchell, Howard Dean, and others. Students pay Hood tuition and receive Hood financial aid for The Washington Center Program. Credits and grades earned are calculated in the Hood gpa.

For more information and to begin the application process, contact the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education.

Washington Semester Program

Hood College cooperates with American University’s Washington Semester Program, an arrangement that provides priority access to Hood students who join 300 to 400 other students from across the country. Students may enroll in any of the units of the program: American National Politics Semester, Foreign Policy Semester, Justice Semester, Public Law Semester, Economic Policy Semester, Peace and Conflict Resolution Semester, Journalism Semester, Museum Studies and the Arts Semester, International Business and Trade Semester and International Environment and Development Semester. The director and academic advisers of each unit help students plan their programs, including a seminar, an independent research project and either an internship or a course at American University. Entrance requirements include a Grade Point Average of 2.5, second-semester sophomore status, a recommendation from the Hood faculty adviser to the program and selection by the director at American University. Credits (but not quality points) are transferable to Hood. Because financial arrangements for room, board and tuition differ from those at Hood, students are urged to consult with the Hood financial aid officer well in advance. Hood students need not file a petition with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies to participate in the Washington Semester.

Community College Exchange

Full-time Hood students may take one course each semester at Carroll Community College (CCC) or Hagerstown Community College (HCC) without charge, provided that the course chosen is not offered at Hood during the academic year. See Academic Policies (p. 41) for more information on this program.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Degrees

Hood offers three undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Candidates for these degrees must complete requirements as outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to be sure that all degree and major requirements are fulfilled by graduation.

General Requirements

• Demonstration of the ability to write and speak standard English (included in the grade evaluation for every course at Hood College).
• Compliance with all general regulations of the College and of the Student Government Association.

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of at least 124 credits in courses numbered 100 or above.
• Achievement of a 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average.
• Enrollment in the final 30 credits on the Hood campus as a degree candidate.
• Completion of the College Core Curriculum.
• Completion of all major requirements. 

Major Requirements

• A 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average in courses in the major discipline must be maintained.
• A minimum of 12 credits of course work in the major discipline must be completed at Hood.
• A minimum of 15 credits of course work in the major discipline must be completed at the 300-level or above. 

The Second Degree

Students who wish to earn any two degrees (B.A. and B.S.) concurrently must accumulate 154 semester hours of credit and fulfill Core Curriculum requirements for both degrees and the requirements for both majors.

Students already holding a bachelor’s degree who wish to earn a second bachelor’s degree, must accumulate at least 30 credits as a degree candidate at Hood and meet all degree and major requirements. Some departments require more than two semesters of full-time enrollment. Determination of how many credits must be earned at Hood for the second degree is made by the registrar, based on evaluation of the transcript from the original degree-granting institution.

A second bachelor’s degree is offered through the Encore Program to Hood alumnae and alumni who hold a B.A. or B.S. from Hood. (This program is not available to alumnae and alumni who have only attended Hood’s Graduate School.) The same provisions apply as above, but at one-half tuition. Hood graduates apply for reinstatement as degree candidates through the Registrar’s Office.

The Hood College Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is required of all students. All students admitted as a first-year student must fulfill the Foundation and Methods of Inquiry areas of the core. Transfer students with an A.A., A.A.T. or A.S. degree from an accredited institution in the State of Maryland are exempt from the Foundation and Methods of Inquiry areas of the Core with the exception of the Global Perspectives requirement which may be fulfilled with appropriate transfer courses. Students without the associate degrees mentioned, but transferring with at least 56 credits, and transfer students pursuing the B.S. in Computer Science or B.S. in Computational Science should refer to the core requirements information listed at the end of this section. Students pursuing the B.S. in Nursing, admitted with the A.S. are exempt from the Foundations and Methods of Inquiry areas, but must complete the Global Perspectives area of the Core.

The purpose of the Core Curriculum is to provide students with the basic skills needed to pursue a liberal arts education, to expose them to a variety of modes of inquiry in different disciplines, and to promote critical reflection about global perspectives.

Two parts comprise the Core Curriculum: Foundation and Methods of Inquiry.

Core Requirements - Bachelor of Science Degree, Computer Science and Computational Science Majors

Students entering Hood as a first-year student who plan to pursue the B.S. degree in Computer Science or the B.S. in Computational Science must complete the Foundation and Methods of Inquiry sections of the Hood College Core Curriculum.

Transfer students planning to pursue the B.S. degree in Computer Science or Computational Science who have not earned an A.A., A.A.T. or A.S. degree from an accredited institution in the State of Maryland must complete a minimum of 40 credits in liberal arts and sciences courses at Hood College or another institution, including the following:

•  English Composition (3 credits)
• Oral Communication (3 credits) (It is recommended that this course emphasize the practice, rather than just theory.)
• Arts and Humanities (9 credits)
• Mathematics (3 credits) (at the pre-calculus level or higher)
• Biological and Physical Sciences (3 credits)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
• Physical Education or Health (2 credits)

Core Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree/A.A. Equivalence

Transfer students who have not earned an A.A., A.A.T. or A.S. degree from an accredited institution in the State of Maryland may still be eligible for an exemption of Hood’s Foundation and Methods of Inquiry core requirements. Upon evaluation of transcripts of all prior college level work, students determined to have completed at least 56 transferable credits and the appropriate General Education distribution as listed below will be granted A.A. equivalency.

• English Composition (3 credits) (completed with a grade of C- or better)
• Arts and Humanities (6 credits) (may be from the same discipline)
• Mathematics (3 credits) (100-level)
• Science (7-8 credits) (two courses; one must be a lab course)
• Social and Behavioral Science (6 credits) (may be from same discipline)

Transfer students whose only deficiency in meeting the A.A. equivalency requirements as listed above is in either the math or English composition requirement, will be given the opportunity to complete an appropriate math or English composition course at Hood College in their first semester of course work. Upon completion of the English composition or math course at Hood, A.A. equivalency will be awarded.­­

All students must satisfy the Global Perspectives category of the Core. Appropriate transfer courses may fulfill this requirement.

Undergraduate Academic Policies

Appeals to academic policy may be made to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

Academic Honor Code

All Hood undergraduates affirm on each class assignment that they “have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid.” Cheating or plagiarism—any unacknowledged use of another person’s language or ideas—is thus both an affront to the general standards of conduct on which an intellectual community depends and a specific violation of the Honor Code. As such, these offenses are treated seriously and may lead to severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from the College. For a full description of the policies and procedures of the Honor Code, contact the dean of students.

Students wishing advice on the proper use and acknowledgement of scholarly materials should consult their individual instructors, the library staff and any of the several reliable guides to scholarly writing that these sources may recommend.

Copyright Statement

Hood College affirms the obligation of its faculty, staff, and students to comply with all Federal copyright laws (Title 17, United States Code). Copyright law gives copyright holders (writers, publishers, artists, etc.) exclusive rights to distribute, copy, perform, or publicly display, their own original works. The College recognizes its obligation to promote the rights and responsibilities granted under this law. Hood College assumes that any questions regarding copyright, as they apply to materials for instructional or other College use, will be resolved prior to the use of those materials on College-owned equipment or in College-sanctioned activities.

As members of an institution with an established Honor System emphasizing intellectual integrity, the Hood College community should recognize their responsibility to follow the law and to model it for others. All members of the College community are responsible for complying with College guidelines regarding the legal use of copyrighted materials, regardless of their format or the purpose for which they are used, and for complying with the requirements of copyright law, including obtaining required permissions to use copyrighted materials. Members of the Hood community who willfully disregard copyright law do so at their own risk and assume any liability, which may include criminal, and/or civil penalties. In addition, disciplinary action may be taken as outlined a) for students, in the Bylaws of the Student Government Association (Judicial System), b) for faculty, in the Faculty Code (Termination or Sanctions for Cause), and c) for staff, in the Staff Handbook (Section 405.3).

Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

Uploading or downloading works protected by copyright without the permission of the copyright owner is an infringement of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights of reproduction and/or distribution. Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven, liability may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. An infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney’s fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights. The files distributed over peer-to-peer networks are primarily copyrighted works, and there is a risk of liability for downloading material from these networks. There are currently many “authorized” services on the Internet that allow consumers to purchase copyrighted works online, whether they be music, e-books, or motion pictures. By purchasing works through authorized services, consumers can avoid the risks of infringement liability.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act

The DMCA is a response to concerns regarding the pirating and distribution of digital materials, and it helps to clarify how copyright relates to those materials. The DMCA criminalizes the development of technologies intended to circumvent devices (such as passwords or encryption) that limit access to copyrighted material, and it also criminalizes the act of circumvention itself. Institutions of higher education that act as Internet Service Providers (such as Hood College) are granted limited liability for copyright infringement involving the use of their networks if they take steps to designate a local agent to receive notices regarding instances of infringement over the local network and for effecting a “take-down” of the infringing material. The Library Director will provide contact information for Hood’s Take-Down Officer.

Academic Honors

Commencement Honors

Commencement Honors are awarded to graduating seniors who have achieved the following composite average at the time of graduation (see The Hood College Grade Point Average and The Composite Average located under Grades):

• Summa Cum Laude: 3.95–4.00
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.85–3.94
• Cum Laude: 3.70–3.84

Convocation Honors

Convocation Honors are awarded to current sophomores, juniors or seniors who achieved a 3.6 or above G.P.A. for the preceding year. The College bases this G.P.A. on at least 12 credit hours of Hood work (or approved study away) on a letter-grade basis, or an alternate recognized full-time status (as verified by the Center for Academic Achievement and Retention) based on letter-graded coursework. Students who have outstanding incomplete grades for the year are not eligible.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List recognizes degree-seeking students who completed at least 6 semester hours of Hood work (or who have received permission to study abroad or away for a semester) and achieved a 3.5 or above semester G.P.A. Students who have outstanding incomplete grades for the semester are not eligible.

Hood College Scholar

A Hood College Scholar, named at the beginning of the junior or senior year, is the student who received Convocation Honors for at least two consecutive years (may include approved study away). A student who has graduated from the College is not eligible to become a Hood College Scholar.

Academic Standing and Classification

Classification

• Freshman: fewer than 25 credits earned.
• Sophomore: 25-55 credits earned.
• Junior: 56-86 credits earned.
• Senior: 87 or more credits earned.

Academic Standing

Students are in good academic standing when both the semester and cumulative Grade Point Averages are at least 2.0. Hood makes every effort to assist students to maintain this academic standard. It is the student’s responsibility to take advantage of the College’s academic, health and psychological counseling services as a means of overcoming problems impeding progress.

At the end of each semester, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies considers the records of those students who have earned a semester or cumulative average below 2.00, and examines the records of students previously placed on academic warning or probation. Academic action by the Committee is based not only on the academic record, but includes input from the offices of Residence Life, Disability Services, Student Affairs and the student’s instructors and adviser, regarding issues such as attendance and completion of assigned coursework, and issues from outside the classroom that may have affected a student’s academic success. Based on all the information, students will be placed on academic warning, academic probation, required leave of absence or be dismissed from the College.

Academic Warning

A student will be placed on academic warning if his or her semester Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) falls below 2.0.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if his or her cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) falls below 2.0. Academic probation means that a student is in danger of being dismissed from the College for academic reasons. Students on academic probation must make satisfactory progress the following semester or risk being dismissed.

Students on academic probation may not register for more than 14 credits or 4 courses without permission from the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Students who are placed on Academic Probation will be required to sign a copy of the probation letter, indicating they have agreed to assume responsibility for their academic status by attending classes regularly, completing assignments on time, using course, mathematics and composition tutoring services and/or doing whatever is appropriate to resolve their specific academic problems.

Academic Dismissal

The College, upon recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, may at any time dismiss a student who is experiencing academic difficulty. This policy applies to all students. Although all cases are decided individually, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will use the following guidelines when reviewing academic records:

1. Students whose cumulative Grade Point Averages (G.P.A.) fall below the following levels will be dismissed:

Total Semester Hours Attempted*	Minimum Cumulative Hood G.P.A.
Less than 30 credits	1.75
30 or more credits	2.00

*Credits attempted include all transfer credits accepted by Hood. However, grade point averages listed in this table are based on Hood work only.

2. Students with three consecutive semester averages below 2.0 will be dismissed.

3. The College reserves the right to dismiss at any time any students who fail to meet minimal standards of academic responsibility or who are deemed to be a detriment to themselves or to others, as determined by the vice presidents of academic affairs or student life. Such grounds for dismissal could include but are not limited to ceasing to attend classes, disrupting the life and work of the College community or completing any semester with a term grade point average below 1.0. This policy applies to all students, including first–semester first-year students.

4. Students who are dismissed from the College may not enroll in classes as a nondegree-seeking student.

Exceptions:

1. Students with more than two consecutive semesters on probation may be permitted to remain at the College only if the student has earned a G.P.A. above 2.0 in the most recent regular (fall or spring) semester and in the opinion of the Academic Standards and Policies Committee is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements.

2. The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies Committee may make exceptions to the above-mentioned guidelines based on input about unique circumstances from the Offices of Residence Life, The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention, Student Affairs and/or the student’s instructors and adviser.

Appeals for exemption from dismissal may be granted by the provost and dean of the faculty in unusual circumstances and following consultation with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, the student’s instructors and adviser and other relevant offices. Appeals for reinstatement following fall semester dismissal must be received one week prior to the first day of the spring classes and appeals following spring semester must be no later than the last working day of June. Students whose appeals are granted will be readmitted to the College for one semester on a provisional basis. Failure to comply with the conditions specified in the letter allowing them to return to the College will result in their dismissal at the end of the provisional semester, if their minimum G.P.A. for retention is not attained.

Dismissal and Reinstatement

Students who are dismissed for academic reasons may petition for reinstatement after completing a minimum of one full-time semester at another accredited institution and receiving no grade below a C.

The following is the procedure for possible reinstatement:

• The student writes to the registrar to request permission to return to Hood.
• The student provides transcripts of work attempted elsewhere or other pertinent information.
• The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies reviews the request and makes a decision regarding reinstatement.

A student who is reinstated will be placed on academic probation. Reinstatement does not automatically reinstate financial aid. The student must notify the Office of Financial Aid.

If a student is dismissed for nonacademic reasons, the student must request in writing to the dean of students permission to return to Hood. The dean of students decides if the student may be reinstated.

Financial Aid Implications

Financial aid recipients are required to be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward degree requirements. Please refer to the financial aid section of the catalog for financial implications.

Attendance and Absence

The College does not set a maximum number of absences permissible in any course. Individual faculty members have the prerogative to establish a maximum number of absences at the beginning of the semester, and are encouraged to include a written statement of their attendance policy on the course syllabus. Students accept full responsibility for seeing that work does not suffer from excessive absence.

The College recognizes that there are other justifiable reasons for class absence: observance of religious holidays or participation as a representative of the College in athletic contests or cultural performances. Such absences are acceptable only if previous absences are not excessive and if the student has made arrangements with the instructor, prior to the day of the absence, for the work missed.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Students must attend the first class meeting of each of their courses or notify the instructor or the Registrar’s Office of their absence, or risk being withdrawn from the class with a grade of WX.
• Enrollment in a course constitutes an informal contract with the instructor, and a student who violates an instructor’s attendance policy risks dismissal from the course. Instructors may have a student withdrawn from a class and a grade of WX recorded up until the deadline for course withdrawal. After the course withdrawal deadline has passed, the student receives a grade of F.
• A student who is dismissed from a course for excessive absences or who is withdrawn from the class for failing to appear at the first class meeting may be reinstated only by the joint consent of the course instructor and the registrar.
• Classes are held up to the date and hour preceding vacations and they resume promptly after the recess in accordance with the academic calendar. Students are expected to attend classes meeting just prior to and immediately following holiday periods.
• Students are fully responsible for making up work missed due to class absence. When students are absent, they are responsible for obtaining lecture notes from reliable sources. Assignments and projects are to be delivered to the instructor on the assigned date, even when the student does not attend class. All exams are to be taken at the scheduled time. Having another exam scheduled on the same day is not considered sufficient justification for rescheduling the exam.

The College requires instructors to inform the director of The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention of students who demonstrate erratic attendance patterns. This is not done to penalize the student but rather to ensure that College officials can assist students in making consistent progress toward the degree.

Audit

With instructor permission, a student may enroll in most lecture courses as an auditor. As the term implies, auditors listen rather than engage in class discussions and projects. Auditors attend class regularly but do not write papers or take exams or quizzes.

 Limits/Restrictions:

• The student receives neither credit, grade nor grade points for an audit; however, the audit does appear on the transcript.
• There is no limit on the number of courses that a student may audit during a semester. If the audited course or courses cause a student to exceed 18.5 credits, the excess credits will be billed by the undergraduate per-credit-hour fee.
• It is not possible to audit courses such as creative writing, painting, drawing, labs and other courses where the nature of the activity requires the participation of the student. Students may enroll on a noncredit basis in such courses by paying the current per-credit-hour fee.
• No changes to or from the audit option may be made after the end of drop/add period.
• A student may take for credit, at a later time, a course that was previously audited.
• Part-time students pay a reduced audit fee to audit a course. See Tuition, Fees and Other Charges 

Credits

Following the guidelines of the United States Department of Education and using the Carnegie unit of measure for assigning credits to its undergraduate and graduate courses, Hood defines a credit hour as representing one 50-minute hour of class work and at least two to three hours of student preparation in a given subject per week throughout the semester.

Credits	Faculty instruction	Class Minutes/Hours per Semester	Student Preparation
1	50 minutes	750 minutes (12.5 hours)	120 minutes
2	100 minutes	1,500 minutes (25 hours)	240 minutes
3	150 minutes	2,250 minutes (37.50 hours)	360 minutes
4	200 minutes	3,000 minutes (50 hours)	480 minutes

One credit of supervised laboratory or studio classes require a minimum of 30 hours, of 50 minutes each.

Double-Numbered Courses and Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Certain courses have been designated as appropriate for both graduate students and undergraduates. These “double-numbered courses” are identified by numbers in both the 400 and 500 range. Undergraduate students enroll in the 400-level course and receive undergraduate credit. Graduate students enroll in the 500-level course and receive graduate credit. Syllabi for such courses will clearly outline different expectations for graduate and undergraduate students.  Students who took a double-numbered class at the 400 level as an undergraduate student may not take the same class at the 500 level as a graduate student for credit.

Undergraduate students must meet different performance standards from the graduate students. These differences may relate to the quality and/or quantity of work required, and may also involve measures of grading.

To be eligible to take a 400/500-level course, undergraduate students must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better and have earned at least 56 credits, including 12 credits or more at the 200 level or above in the course discipline.

To be eligible to take a 500-level graduate course and receive u n dergraduate credit, Hood undergraduate students must have earned senior status (87 credits) including 12 credits or more at the 200 level or above in the course discipline; have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better; have a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better in the major area of study; and complete a petition, verified by the registrar and approved by the Graduate School, the adviser and the instructor. Credit will count only toward the undergraduate degree.

To be eligible to take a 500-level graduate course and receive gra d uate credit, Hood undergraduate students must have earned a minimum of 109 credits and meet the requirements indicated above. Credit will not apply toward the 124 credits required for the undergraduate degree.

Final Examinations

Instructors give final examinations in all courses except those in which special assignments are more appropriate. Instructors inform students of final examination policy at the beginning of the term. Final exam dates are listed in the official Academic Calendar, and students’ travel plans must take the dates of scheduled exams into account. No student may reschedule a final examination in order to leave or travel early. In accordance with the Hood College Honor Code, the student may not discuss any final examination in any way with anyone during the final examination period. Final examinations may not be given prior to the start of the designated examination period.

No student will be required to complete three exams in one day. Students will be directed to the department in which the third exam is scheduled to arrange for an alternate day and time. Arrangements must be made prior to the beginning of exam week.

Financial Obligations

Grades, transcripts, future registrations and diplomas will be withheld until the student has paid all tuition, fees and other bills incurred at the College, and has returned all library books.

Grades

Grading Criteria

Hood’s faculty uses the following general criteria in determining grades. Demonstration of the ability to write and speak standard English is included in the grade evaluation of every course. The criteria upon which students will be evaluated is included on every course syllabus.

A, A- (90–100) indicates general excellence; the student displays initiative, independence and often originality in the course.

B+, B, B- (80–89) indicates an unquestioned grasp of the subject’s fundamental facts and principles, an understanding of their significance and an ability to use them effectively; work is logically organized and technically correct; the student often shows initiative and independent work.

C+, C, C- (70–79) indicates the student has a fairly accurate knowledge of the subject’s fundamental facts and principles and is able to apply them reasonably well; work is fairly logical in organization and technique but it is incomplete; there is evidence of growth in handling the coursework.

D+, D, D- (60–69) indicates work is of inferior quality yet deserving of credit; there is some acquaintance with basic facts and principles but work is poorly organized and technically faulty; the student frequently fails to complete assignments.

F (0–59) indicates work shows no grasp of basic facts and principles and is not deserving of credit; it is poorly organized and technically faulty; the student frequently fails to complete assignments.

S indicates satisfactory completion of work done on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis; performance is at a C- level or better.

U indicates unsatisfactory completion of work done on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis and not deserving of credit; performance is at a D+ level or lower.

INC indicates incomplete work in a course because of illness or serious emergency beyond the student’s control; students must arrange to finish assignments in accordance with the College’s incomplete grade policy.

Grade Appeal

Grade appeals of the final course grade must be filed in a timely manner. Students must contact the faculty member involved no later than the end of the first week of the semester following the filing of the disputed grade. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the department chair must be contacted within 30 days of the beginning of the semester. Appeals to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies must be initiated by the last day prior to midsemester recess of the semester following the filing of the disputed grade. A Final Grade Appeal, available in the Registrar’s Office, must be completed and submitted with all required documents before the Committee considers the petition. A delay in the filing of a grade appeal constitutes sufficient reason for denial of the appeal by the Committee.

The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will screen out frivolous or unsubstantiated appeals and will consider legitimate appeals that fall into the following categories:

• Miscalculation of a grade; or,
• Assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more exacting requirements than were applied to other students in the same course.
• Assignment of a grade on some basis other than performance in the course.

All parties to the grade appeal (student, instructor, chairperson, registrar, committee members) are to maintain strict confidentiality until the matter is resolved.

Grade Changes

Instructors have the right to change a grade if they have made an error in computing or recording a student’s grade. Instructors must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing of the error within three weeks after the grades have been issued. Grade changes due to a computational or recording error discovered after the deadline, and requests for grade changes for any other reasons, must be submitted by the instructor in writing to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Final and Midterm Grades

Hood releases final and midterm grades electronically to the student and the student’s adviser through Self-Service. Final and midterm grades will be forwarded to parents/guardians of first-year students who have signed a release form sent to them the summer before they enter Hood.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade Plan

Hood provides an alternate grade plan as a means of encouraging intellectual curiosity. Under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option, students receive a grade of “S” and credit for work of “C-” caliber or better or a grade of “U” and no credit for work of “D+” or lower quality. Neither grade is computed in the cumulative grade point average.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Students may not choose the S/U option for any course used to satisfy the Core, in the major field, the minor field or an independent study. If a course is only offered for S/U credit, this policy does not apply.
• Students may choose the S/U option for a maximum of 12 satisfactory/unsatisfactory credits within the total 124 credits Hood requires for graduation. Students spending three years at Hood may choose the S/U option for only 9 satisfactory/unsatisfactory credits to meet graduation requirements; two years, 6 credits; one year, 3 credits. Courses only offered for S/U credit are not counted in these totals.
• At registration, students indicate their intent to take a course on the satisfactory/unsatisfactory plan on the course and schedule card. Change from one grading plan to another must have the adviser’s approval and must occur before the end of the drop/add period. No changes to or from the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system may be made after the drop/add period.
• Students are cautioned that some graduate and professional schools and employers look negatively at satisfactory/unsatisfactory on transcripts because actual performance or mastery of the subject has not been demonstrated.

Grade Point Averages (GPA)

The average that appears on all transcripts and grade reports is the average of all grades earned at Hood or through Hood affiliated semester or year abroad programs. Accepted transfer credit is included in the earned credit total and is applied toward the 124-credit degree requirement, but the quality hours and quality points earned at another institution are not calculated in the Hood average. Students participating in a non-Hood affiliated semester or year abroad/away will earn transfer credit for all courses completed with a grade of C- or above.

Each grade received at Hood on the A-F grading scale has a corresponding grade point: A=4.00; A-=3.67; B+=3.33; B=3.00; B-=2.67; C+=2.33; C=2.00; C-=1.67; D+=1.33; D=1.00; D-=0.67 and F=0.00.

Grades with no quality points include: AU, S, U, INC, Z, TR, W

By computing the quality points received for each letter grade, students can ascertain their average or grade point average. For example, a grade of “C” in a 3-credit course earns 6 qual­ity points. Add the number of quality points earned in each course to learn the quality point total. Divide the quality point total by the total number of credits (in courses which have letter grades) and the result is the Grade Point Average (G.P.A.).

The Composite Grade Point Average

The composite Grade Point Average is the average of all college work attempted. All grades earned at Hood and those completed at other institutions are calculated, regardless of whether the course credit was accepted for transfer. The composite average is used to determine eligibility for various honor societies as well as determining Commencement honors.

The Major Average

An academic department may refuse to accept as a major a student whose G.P.A. falls under 2.0 in the discipline. The department may require a student who has declared a major to drop the major if the student’s G.P.A. falls below 2.0.

Graduation and Commencement Participation

Graduation

The Self-Service Degree Progress Report provides all students and advisers with an accurate list of core and major requirements required for the degree.  The Registrar’s Office begins monitoring degree progress in the spring of the student’s junior year.  Student must meet with their faculty advisers on a regular basis to review degree requirements and plan senior year registrations.  Seniors must complete the Application for Graduation in the fall of the senior year.  Bachelor degrees are awarded in January, May and September.

Commencement Participation

Students who have completed all degree requirements by the date grades are due for the second semester may participate in the May commencement.

Students graduating in January participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students completing degree requirements in September participate in the May ceremony the following year.

Students may not participate in commencement unless all degree requirements and all financial obligations to the College have been met.

Incomplete Grade Policy

When serious illness or emergency prevents a student from completing the work for a course, instructors may allow additional time to finish assignments. Incompletes are not substitutes for failure to attend classes or to complete assigned work.

Limits/Restrictions:

1. The student must file an application for an incomplete grade with the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day of classes.

2. An incomplete may not be granted unless a student has completed at least half the work of the course.

3. The student’s progress in the course must be passing (D- or above) at the time the incomplete is requested.

4. The registrar must approve a notation of incomplete and record an INC on the student’s permanent record. After the instructor assigns a grade, an “I” remains permanently on the record with the final grade earned beside it.

5. The date agreed upon for completion of all assignments may not be later than March 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring or summer semester. Any request for extension of an incomplete grade must be submitted by the student to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

6. Work not completed by the deadlines stated above will convert to a grade of zero unless an extension is approved by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

7. Students who register for a subsequent semester with more than three credits of incomplete outstanding will have their schedules reviewed and their enrollment registration potentially restricted by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. As a result of this review, the Committee may limit the course load that a student is permitted to undertake in the subsequent semester.

Independent Study and X-Credit

Independent study includes directed readings; conferences with a supervising instructor; and papers, reports and/or exams. Two kinds of independent study are available at Hood: regular (designated by the course number 375) and X-credit.

Regular independent study consists of a project designed by a student and approved by a faculty adviser with whom the student will work closely during the semester. The number of credits may vary from 1 to 3 according to departmental policies and the design of the independent study. The subject chosen may not duplicate any course offered during the period of the student’s enrollment at Hood. Registration procedures and deadlines for regular independent study are the same as for all departmental courses.

X-credit independent study also is designed by the student and approved by a faculty adviser. However, the subject matter must be related to a class in which the student is enrolled. X-credit independent study is, therefore, added to the student’s schedule after the beginning of the semester (but no later than the sixth week) and is limited to one credit. The grade for the X-credit is independent of the grade for the course to which it is related.

Before registering for regular or X-credit independent study, students should refer to the statement on credit limits for self-directed study in Self-directed Study and Teaching Assistantships.

One credit of independent study requires approximately two hours of work per week plus periodic conferences with the advising faculty.

Internship Program

Requirements for 3- to 9-credit Internship

• Enrollment at Hood as a degree candidate (nondegree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and 2.5 G.P.A. in the internship discipline.
• Completion of a minimum of 45 college-level credits prior to the beginning of the internship.
• Completion of at least 9 credits or three courses at the 200 level or above at Hood in the internship discipline. (See additional department requirements.)

Requirements for 12- to 15-credit Internship

• Enrollment at Hood as a degree candidate (nondegree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and 2.5 G.P.A. in the internship discipline.
• Completion of 75 college-level credits prior to the beginning of the internship.
• Students may enroll for 15 credits during the spring or fall only. Students may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits of internship during the summer term. The number of credits available also varies by department.

Note: Students may take a maximum of 15 internship credits throughout their academic career.

Applying for an Internship

Students considering an internship should visit the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education to explore internship options and pick up appropriate paperwork, including an Application, Learning Agreement, and Student Wavier Form. Each of these documents will need appropriate signatures which includes a Career Development staff member, faculty advisor and internship site supervisor. Upon completion of the paperwork, the student must turn in all documents to the Center for Career Development and attend an orientation meeting with a Career Development staff member.

Internship Responsibilities  

All parties have specific responsibilities for ensuring the integrity and success of the internship experience. Please refer to the Internship Handbook available on the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education website (www.hood.edu/careercenter) for additional details.

Supplemental Expenses and Time

In fulfilling the expectations of the internship, the intern may incur expenses in addition to the usual tuition and fees. Students who enroll in an internship must plan to provide their own transportation or use public transportation.

Due to the time requirements of an internship, students may need to work during breaks and holidays. Campus housing is available when the College is not in session.

Placement is not Guaranteed

Interns are not placed in sites and it is the student’s responsibility to find a site. The Center for Career Development and Experiential Education and departmental offices provide many resources to the student to assist in locating a suitable internship.

Termination of Internship

Under unusual circumstances, any party involved in the internship may terminate the agreement. Because the internship is essentially a professional commitment, Hood strongly encourages students to fulfill their obligations to complete the full term of service at the site. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, the intern or the faculty internship adviser may determine that the internship site is not an appropriate learning experience, or the internship site may determine that the intern is not a good fit for their internship. In either case, any of the parties may decide to terminate the internship. If this occurs, notify the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education immediately. Please note: If an internship is terminated for any reason, the student is responsible for following all procedures regarding adding/dropping credits and is responsible for all tuition, fees and penalties associated with credit coursework. Please refer to the Internship Handbook available on the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education website (www.hood.edu/careercenter) for additional details.

Time Requirements

A student must work a minimum of 40 hours at the internship site for each credit earned.  

Leave of Absence

Students who need to be away from the College for one or two semesters, but who wish to maintain ties to the College and to resume their studies at a later time, may take a leave of absence instead of withdrawing. Students who do not return from a leave of absence after two semesters will be withdrawn. Students may not request a leave of absence for the remainder of the currently enrolled semester without the written permission of the dean of students. Leave of absence forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

Students do not file a leave of absence form in order to study abroad or at another institution in the U.S. Instead, they must file a petition with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies for approval for study elsewhere.

Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA)

A student may be granted an Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA) for a period not to exceed two consecutive weeks within an academic semester. A request for an emergency leave of absence must be supported with appropriate documentation which is required before the leave is approved. Requests for an emergency leave of absence will be reviewed and approved by the Dean of Students and communicated to the Registrar’s Office for a specified period of time.

An emergency leave of absence applies to students who must be absent for mental or physical health reasons, military commitments, international travel/documentation or any other personal or family emergency.

Students who require an emergency leave of absence beyond the two week period will be withdrawn from the semester. Failure to attend classes by the return date specified on the emergency leave of absence form will result in an automatic administrative withdrawal from the College.

Students are asked to consult with appropriate offices/personnel in processing an emergency leave of absence. Such consultations may include conversations with the Financial Aid Office, Residence Life Office, Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Programs, Dining Services, ROTC, and the academic adviser.

An Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA) Form may only be obtained from the Dean of Students Office.

Registration, Drop/Add and Course Withdrawal

Advising and registration for degree candidates occurs in April for the fall semester and November for the spring semester. Matriculated students are required to meet with their advisers to select courses and review degree progress. The adviser authorizes the student for registration and, on the day indicated on the Academic Calendar, the student registers for classes via Self-Service.

Cancellation of Courses

A fall or spring semester course is subject to cancellation when fewer than eight students are enrolled. Summer term classes are subject to cancellation when fewer than five students are enrolled.

The College reserves the right to cancel the course as late as the first day of classes each semester. Every effort will be made to work with students regarding program planning and placement in alternate courses that would be compatible with the cancelled course.

Course Schedules

A credit hour usually represents one hour of class work and at least two to three hours of preparation in a given subject per week throughout the semester.

Classes usually meet on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Monday-Friday afternoon or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. Except for lab sessions, 3-credit Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes generally convene for 50 minutes and Tuesday-Thursday classes for 75 minutes. Four-credit classes meet for a total of 200 minutes per week. Most evening classes meet once a week for 2-1/2 hours or twice a week for 75-minute periods. 

Hood also has blocked courses, which are courses that meet for double periods during a portion of the semester. Blocked courses are primarily studio art and education courses in the teaching internship semester.

Course Repeat Policy

A student may repeat a course under the following circumstances:

• Failure (F, U) in the course previously.
• Enrollment in a course on a credit basis after previously auditing the course.
• Course description states that a course may be repeated (e.g., MATH 335).
• Grade of “C-” or below has been initially earned in a 100- or 200-level course. Course may be repeated once.
• Failure to meet minimum grade required in a prerequisite course.
• All grades earned for a given course will remain on the academic record and, effective Fall 2017, the highest grade earned at Hood will be computed in the Grade Point Average. Credit will be awarded only once.
• Students may not repeat a course at Hood for which transfer credit has been awarded.

Course Load Full-time and Part-time Status

Full-time status requires 12 credit hours or more per semester. A typical semester program consists of 15 or 16 credits except in the first year when it may be 12-15 credits.

Part-time status is accorded students taking 11.5 credit hours or fewer per semester.

Students are normally limited to 12 credits completed during the summer. Exceptions to this credit limit require permission of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Enrollment in more than 18.5 credits in one semester requires a 3.0 cumulative average and permission from the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. Enrollment in credits beyond 18.5 requires additional tuition for each hour or fraction above that number.
• A student may not enroll in two courses which meet at the same hour.

Drop/Add Period

Students may drop or add courses without academic penalty from the time of registration through the end of the drop/add period. See the Academic Calendar for dates.

During this period students may also change to or from the SU (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grading option, change to or from enrollment on an audit basis, or alter the number of credits in courses carrying variable credit.

Course Withdrawal After Drop/Add

If a student withdraws from a course after the end of the drop/add period and before the end of the eleventh week of the semester a W (indicating withdrawal) will be noted on the transcript. This notation will not be computed in a student’s grade point average.

A student may not withdraw from a class during the last four weeks of classes.

Self-directed Study and Teaching Assistantships

Hood defines self-directed study as: 1) regular and X-credit independent study; and 2) internships, field work and other courses similar to internships in that they do not have a classroom component.

• Students may take a maximum of 27 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the total 124-credit program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship or 12 credits of independent study.
• Students may take a maximum of 18 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the major program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship, 12 credits of independent study or more than 1/4 of the major program (whichever is less).
• Students may not add independent study credits to internships to fill a complete semester program. An exception to this rule is independent study that students take at the Washington Center for Learning Alternatives or through a similarly structured program.
• Independent study topics may not duplicate any course offered during the period of the student’s enrollment at Hood.
• Independent studies are granted to nondegree students under only exceptional circumstances.

Teaching Assistantships

Many departments offer students the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants, for which academic credit is awarded. Serving as a teaching assistant affords a student the opportunity to understand the materials of a course or of a laboratory from the perspective of the teacher. The course number 335 designates this type of study.

Limits/Restrictions:

• A total of 4 credits of Teaching Assistantship may be counted toward the degree. The course may be taken for 1-3 credits and may be repeated at the discretion of the department. Departments have the right to limit the number of credits granted per semester and may or may not allow students to repeat the course.
• As a general guideline, a student should work at least three hours per week for each credit granted in the assistantship. Grading is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.

Student Information, Records and Transcripts

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An "eligible student" under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:

1.  The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the Hood College receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
   If Hood College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before Hood discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Hood College discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is typically includes a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the College who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records - including your Social Security Number, grades, or other private information - may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.

Disclosure of Directory Information
Hood College may disclose any information deemed as Directory Information without prior consent unless notified in writing to the contrary. The following items are considered Directory Information and will be released in response to any inquiry, unless the student notifies the Registrar in writing that she/he does not wish this information released:

• Name
• Class level
• Enrollment status
• Date of birth
• Major
• Dates of attendance
• Name and dates of attendance at other institutions
• Degrees and dates awarded
• Honors and awards received

Students should carefully consider the consequences of withholding Directory Information as this hold would prevent the verification of attendance or degree awarded to all inquiries, including potential employers.

Transcripts

No transcript will be released if the student has not satisfied all financial obligations to the College.

Hood College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcript ordering. This service provides 24 hour access, seven days a week; secure transactions; secure electronic transcript delivery worldwide; on-demand order tracking and updates emailed to the student; enables additional documents to be delivered with the transcript; and the ability to order multiple transcripts for multiple recipients in one order.
Current students may place transcript requests through Self-Service. Alumnae and former students may access the Clearinghouse through www.getmytranscript.com Normal requests are processed within 3-5 working days upon receipt of request. Rush transcripts are processed in 24 hours of the next working day at a charge.

Transfer Policy and Attending Other Institutions

Transfer Policy

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework and credit earned through alternative methods for applicability to degree requirements at Hood College. Credit is generally awarded for courses that are clearly applicable to a baccalaureate degree and for which the student earned a grade of C- or above. Courses that are clearly vocational or occupational in nature will not be accepted as credit towards the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 62 credits may be awarded for freshman/sophomore level work completed elsewhere. Although there is no limit for junior/senior level coursework, students will be awarded no more than a total of 94 credits for all college-level work completed.

Courses taken on a quarter credit system will be converted to semester hours of credit by multiplying the number of quarter hours by 0.67 to determine the semester hour equivalent.

The transferability of credits from an institution that is not accredited by a regional accreditation agency may be considered upon receipt of documentation that demonstrates equivalency regarding course information, equivalencies and learning outcomes. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this documentation.

The final 30 hours of the degree must be taken on the Hood campus (see Undergraduate Degree Requirements ). In addition, the College requires transfer students to take a minimum of 12 credits of classroom instruction in the major discipline at Hood, regardless of the number accepted in transfer. Transfer students must submit their transcripts to the registrar prior to enrollment. All transfer documents must be filed within the first semester of enrollment. The registrar may refuse to award credit if students fail to meet this deadline.

All grades earned at Hood and those completed at other institutions are calculated in the composite grade point average, regardless of whether the course credit was accepted for transfer. The composite average is used to determine eligibility for various honor societies as well as determining Commencement honors.

Frederick County Public Schools High School Articulation Agreement

Hood College has agreed to grant college credits to students completing certain courses at a Frederick County high school.  To be eligible, students must be admitted to Hood, have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the course, and have submitted an official high school transcript.  The student must initiate the request for credit within two years of graduation from high school. 

Transfer Articulation Agreements

Hood participates in the ARTSYS articulation program, which allows students and advisors to determine the transferability of each community college course. The ARTSYS program also outlines the recommended transfer courses for specific programs of study. In addition, Hood recognizes the associate of arts, associate of arts in teaching, and associate of science degrees of every community college in Maryland. 

Degree Students Attending Other Institutions 

Students may receive credit for coursework completed with a grade of C- or above at another accredited institution during the academic year or the summer with prior approval of the department and the registrar. Students must petition to take a course from another college during any semester or session. The course may not be offered at Hood during that semester/session. Petitions are available in the Registrar’s Office. The maximum number of credits that can be taken during the summer is one credit more than the number of weeks in the session for a maximum of 12 credits.

Community College Exchange

Full-time Hood students may take one course each semester at Carroll Community College (CCC) or Hagerstown Community College (HCC) without charge, provided that the course chosen is not offered at Hood during the academic year. CCC also offers the exchange to Hood students during their summer sessions. To register, students obtain the consent of their advisers and the Hood registrar. The registrar will provide a statement of enrollment for registration at CCC or HCC.

Transfer of Non-Traditional Credit

Hood awards up to 30 credits for prior learning through Advanced Placement exams (AP), College-Level Examination Program  exams (CLEP), Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) exams, departmental challenge exams,  International Baccalaureate, GCE/General Certificate of Education A-Level and AS exams,  and military training and non-collegiate programs approved by the American Council on Education. These alternative modes of learning are evaluated separately from transcripts of traditional transfer credit from other accredited schools.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Credit for prior learning is awarded only to students admitted as degree candidates.
• A maximum of 30 hours of credit may be earned through any combination of prior learning credits and Hood courses elected on the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
• Students may not receive credit by examination for any course that they have previously audited, failed, received credit or from which they have withdrawn.
• Credit through examination may not be attempted during the final 15 hours of credit.
• Credit through examination may not count in the minimum of 30 Hood credits required for the degree.
• The requirement of 12 credits of coursework at Hood in the major cannot be fulfilled through credit by examination.

Advanced Placement

Unless otherwise noted, Hood College awards credit upon receipt of the official AP Grade Report for AP scores of 4 or 5 for the following tests:

Art:

Art History, 3 credits for ART 220 and exemption for ART 221

Studio Art-Drawing, 3 credits for ARTS 123 (score of 3 is acceptable)

Studio Art-2D or 3D, 3 credits for ARTS 101 (score of 3 is acceptable) 

Biology:

Biology, 4 credits for BIOL 110-139 with a score of 4 or 5

Chemistry:

Chemistry, 4 credits for CHEM 101 with a score of 4; 8 credits for CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 with a score of 5.

Computer Science :

Computer Science Test A, 3 credits for CS 201

Computer Science Test AB, 3 credits for CS 202

Computer Science Principles, 3 credits, no Hood equivalent

Economics:

Macroeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 205

Microeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 206

English:

English Language/Composition, 3 credits for ENGL 101

English Literature/Composition, 3 credits for ENGL 221

Environmental Science and Policy :

Environmental Science, 3 credits for ENSP 101 for score of 5

Foreign Languages:

Chinese Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

French Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

German Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Italian Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Japanese Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Latin, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Spanish Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Geography:

Human Geography, 3 credits for GEOG 101

History:

European History, 3 credits, no Hood equivalent

United States History, 3 credits for HIST 218

World History, 3 credits for HIST 266

Mathematics:

Calculus AB, 3 credits for MATH 201

Calculus BC, 3 credits each for MATH 201, MATH 202

Calculus BC/AB Subscore of 4 or 5, 3 credits for MATH 201

Statistics, 3 credits for MATH 213

Music:

Music Theory, 3 credits for MUSC 101

Physics:

Physics 1, 4 credits for PHYS 101 with score of 4

Physics 2, 4 credits for PHYS 102 with a score of 4

Physics C-Mechanics, 4 credits for PHYS 203 with a score of 4

Physics C-Electricity/Magnetism, 4 credits for PHYS 204 with a score of 4

Political Science :

Comparative Government, 3 credits for PSCI 210

United States Government, 3 credits for PSCI 203

Psychology:

Psychology, 3 credits for PSY 101

CLEP

Unless otherwise noted, Hood College awards credit for scores of 50 on the following CLEP examinations:

Biology:

Biology, 4 credits for BIOL 110-139 for score of 52

Business Administration:

Principles of Management, 3 credits for MGMT 205

Principles of Accounting, 6 credits for MGMT 281, MGMT 284

Economics:

Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 205

Principles of Microeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 206

Education:

Human Growth and Development, 3 credits for EDUC 223 for score of 52. Students who transfer credit for a similar human growth and development course must take the departmental test to qualify for courses for which EDUC 223 is a prerequisite. No additional credit is earned for this test.

English:

American Literature, 3 credits for ENGL 223

English Literature, 3 credits for ENGL 222

History:

History of the United States I, 3 credits for HIST 217

History of the United States II, 3 credits for HIST 218

Mathematics:

Calculus, 6 credits. No Hood equivalency

Precalculus, 3 credits for MATH 120

Political Science:

American Government, 3 credits for PSCI 203

Psychology:

Human Growth and Development, 3 credits for PSY 237

Introductory Psychology, 3 credits for PSY 101

Sociology:

Introductory Sociology, 3 credits for SOC 101 with a score of 52

DANTES

Hood awards credit for the following DANTES examinations:

Geography 101

History - No Hood course equivalency

History 234

Mathematics 112

Religion - No Hood course equivalency

Departmental Examinations

$200 per test for Hood students; administered through The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention 301-696-3569.

Departmental examinations may not be repeated. Credit is awarded for grades of A, B or C on the following departmental examinations:

CHEM 101 – 3 lecture credits; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

CHEM 102 – 3 lecture credits; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

IT 180 – 3 credits

MATH 120 – 3 credits

MATH 201 – 3 credits if Level III has been earned on the BSI

MATH 202 –3 credits (test available only to students who have earned credit for or completed MATH 201)

MATH 207 – 3 credits if Level III has been earned on the BSI

MATH 253 – 3 credits

MUSC 103 – 3 elective credits

PHIL 207 – 3 credits

PE 225 – 3 credits

PHYS 101, PHYS 102 –3 lecture credits each; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

PHYS 203, PHYS 204 –3 lecture credits each; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

Foreign Language Placement Examinations:

Additional credit in is awarded at the end of the first semester with grades of A, B or C earned for the following placements:

3 credits – Placement in and completion of a 201-level French, German, or Spanish course during first semester at Hood ; no credit for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

6 credits – Placement in and completion of 203 or civilization course in French, German or Spanish  during first semester at Hood; 3 credits for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

9 credits – Placement in and completion of 207 or a 300-level French, German or Spanish course during first semester at Hood ; 6 credits for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

GCE General Certificate of Education ALevel

Upon receipt of the official Edexcel transcript, Hood will award 6 to 8 credits for each passing score on an Advanced Level examination and 3 to 4 credits for each passing score on an Advanced Subsidiary examination. 

International Baccalaureate

Credit is awarded only upon receipt of the official IB transcript. Students who have received an IB diploma, with a score of 30 or higher and with no score less than 4 in any one of the six examination groups, may be awarded up to 30 credits toward an undergraduate degree at Hood College. Students who have not completed the full IB diploma will receive 6-8 credits for Higher Level examination results of 5, 6 or 7.

Military Experience

Hood recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. Students need to provide a copy of their DD214 and/or ACE/AARTS transcripts. One credit in physical education is awarded for military basic training. First aid certification will receive elective credit for PE 214.

Teacher Academy of Maryland

EDUC 204, 3 credits awarded to students who have successfully completed all requirements of the Teacher Academy of Maryland

Withdrawal from the College

A student may withdraw from the College at any time during the semester. See Tuition and Financial Aid for refund information. If the withdrawal occurs after the drop/add period, a grade of W will be recorded for each course.

Reinstatement after Withdrawal

Students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal and with no holds on future registration are eligible for reinstatement to the College. Reinstatement requests must be sent to the Registrar, indicating: the year and semester of return; if the student will return as a full or part-time student and as a resident or commuter. Students will be readmitted with the major active at the time of withdrawal.

Undergraduate Majors

Majors

Concentrations within a major are listed below the major.

*Secondary education certification is available in majors followed by an asterisk (*). PreK-12 education certification is available for art education, French and Spanish.

Bachelor of Arts

Accounting

Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies

Art and Archaeology

archaeology

art education (preK-12)

art history

studio arts

Biochemistry

Biology*

Business Administration

accounting

finance

human resource management

individual career interest

international economics and finance

marketing

Chemistry*

Communication Arts

digital media

Early Childhood Education

Economics

Elementary/Special Education

English*

creative writing

drama and theatre

literature

Environmental Science and Policy

coastal and watershed studies

environmental biology

environmental chemistry

environmental policy

French*

German

Global Studies

History*

public history

Integrated Marketing Communication

Latin American Studies

Law and Criminal Justice

Mathematics*

Music

music history and literature

music performance

piano pedagogy

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Religion

Social Work

Sociology

Spanish*

Bachelor of Science

Computational Science

chemistry

ecology

molecular biology

physics

Computer Science

Nursing

  pre-licensure BSN

  BSN completion 

Pre-Professional Preparation

Pre-Dental Studies

Pre-Law Studies

Pre-Medical Studies

Pre-Veterinary Studies

The Single Major

Students enrolled in one major specialize in one of the fields Hood offers. Declaration of major is made during the spring of the sophomore year. An academic department may refuse to accept as a major, or may drop as a major, a student whose Grade Point Average in the discipline falls below 2.0.

The Double Major

As a double major, the student specializes in two of the fields Hood offers. At least one of these fields must be declared during the spring of the sophomore year. Students must identify the second major in the same manner during the spring of the junior year. Students should consult the appropriate department chairperson for assignment to a second adviser in the second major.

Double majors must meet the major requirements of both departments. The courses may count for requirements in both majors, but the credits can only count toward one major.

Students must confer with both advisers prior to each registration. In programs where there is great overlapping of requirements, a student may not double major.

Students who double major in different degree areas (e.g., Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) must confer with their advisers and the registrar's office to determine which degree will be awarded. Unlike the double degree, which requires a minimum of 154 credits, students complete a minimum of 124 credits for the double major and earn one degree.

The Interdepartmental Major

The purpose of the major is to allow students with superior achievement to use the existing courses, curriculums and programs to structure an individualized program of studies with the guidance and assistance of a program advisory committee.

Working with the Program Advisory Committee, consisting of faculty members from the represented disciplines, the student submits a petition of interdepartmental major requirements no later than March 15 of the sophomore year to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies for consideration. Transfer students with first-semester junior status must submit petitions no later than October 15 or March 15 of the first semester on campus.

To graduate as an interdepartmental major with an individually designed program, a student must have at least 15 credits in one of the areas represented in the major and at least 12 credits in another field for a total of at least 30 credits, 15 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level.  A 300- or 400-level capstone course is required. Approval is necessary before the student implements the program. The individualized program is a contract and, as such, is binding.

Students may count toward the major only those courses which are included in the program outline. (Courses within the disciplines contained in the interdepartmental major, but not included in the program outline, are considered electives.)

If a student wishes to revise the approved program, the primary adviser will assist and the Program Advisory Committee must approve the amended outline by majority vote. Any amendments must be submitted to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies for approval. However, no significant changes will be permitted if the student is within 36 semester hours of graduation.

Undergraduate Minors

Minors

The following minors are offered at Hood:

Actuarial Science

African-American Studies

African Studies

American Studies

Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies

Archaeology

Art History

Biology

Business Administration

Chemistry

Classical Studies

Coastal Studies

Computer Science

Criminology and Delinquency

Economics

Environmental Studies

Ethics

Film Studies

French

German

Gerontology

Global Studies

Graphic Design

History

Journalism 

Literature

Management

Mathematics

Mathematics Education

Medieval Studies

Music History and Literature

Music Performance

Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Studies

Philosophy

Physics

Political Science

Psychology

Public History Minor

Public Relations

Religion

Renaissance Studies

Social Science Research

Social Work, Pre-Professional Practice

Sociology

Spanish

Studies in Women and Gender

Studio Art

Theater and Drama

Web Development

Writing

Students may choose from a variety of programs which the College has designated as minor fields of study. The purposes of the program of minors are as follows:

• To provide opportunities for students to pursue in a focused and integrated manner programs of study not currently available as majors;
• To use existing resources to provide distinctive and challenging curricular opportunities;
• To provide an alternative to double majors for students who wish to pursue more than one program of study;
• To integrate further the liberal arts and career preparation through opportunities to combine a liberal arts major with a career-related minor or a career-related major with a liberal arts minor; and
• To enable graduates to prepare for careers or further study in more than one area of concentrated knowledge.

The grouping of courses in a minor may be identical to a concentration. However, a concentration is elected by students within a major, while a minor is elected by students majoring in another field. The minor consists of a minimum of 15 credits of course work, forming a coherent program relating to a specific academic objective. Students are allowed to have two majors and a single minor, or a major and two minor fields. Minors are not required of students.

The following are requirements for a minor:

• A minimum of 12 credits in the minor must be taken outside the student’s major discipline and may not overlap with the major. If there is additional overlap, the credit must count in the major. The course may be used to fulfill a requirement in the minor, but the credit may count only in the major.
• If a student elects a second minor, a minimum of 12 credits must be taken outside the first minor. Courses may be used to fulfill requirements in both minors, but the credit may count only in one minor.
• Students must have a Grade Point Average of 2.0 in the minor.
• Students must have completed a minimum of 9 credits completed at Hood College for the minor to be listed on the academic record.
• A minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 21 credits may be counted in the minor.
• Courses counted in the minor may also count in the Core.
• Minors must be declared no later than the end of the junior year.
• Students may develop their own minor, with the approval of the department or departments that are teaching those classes relative to the student’s proposed minor and of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, provided they meet the minimum number of credits required of minors.

Undergraduate Certificates

Certificates in Linguistics and Cultural Competency

Intermediate Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Certificate

Advanced Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Certificate

Intermediate French and Francophone Studies Certificate

Advanced French and Francophone Studies Certificate

Intermediate German Certificate

Advanced German Certificate

Intermediate Spanish and Latin American Studies Certificate

Advanced Spanish and Latin American Studies Certificate

Certificates in Music

Music Performance Certificate

Piano Pedagogy Certificate

 

The following are the requirements for an undergraduate certificate:

• A minimum of 12 credits are required for the certificate

• Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 in the certificate coursework and complete a minimum of six credits at Hood College;

• Certificates are open to all degree-seeking Hood students.

• Courses counted in the certificate may also count in a major, minor, or core.

• Certificates are offered by academic departments or programs after approval by the Curriculum Committee and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Certificate programs must meet the minimum standards of the College policy and the Code of Maryland.

• Certificates will be awarded and noted on the academic record upon completion of all requirements.

• Students may not design their own certificates.

• Declarations to add a certificate must be made in the Registrar’s Office no later than the end of the junior year.

Intermediate Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Certificate

Advanced Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Certificate

Intermediate French and Francophone Studies Certificate

Advanced French and Francophone Studies Certificate

Intermediate German Certificate

Advanced German Certificate

Intermediate Spanish and Latin American Studies Certificate

Advanced Spanish and Latin American Studies Certificate

Music Performance Certificate

Coordinator: Wayne L. Wold

Music performance certificates are available in any area offered at Hood—voice, piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, string bass, all brass instruments, classical guitar, oboe, clarinet, flute, composition, and conducting.

Students who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in fields other than music and can demonstrate significant ability in one of the above instruments or areas may earn a professional certificate in music performance. Enrollment, as an upper division certificate student, begins with an interview with the department chair, followed by a departmental audition. If accepted into the program, students will enroll and complete the requirements within three years. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in all courses. Up to two credits of applied music may be exempted, based on the audition, as well as MUSC 101 Beginning Music Theory and Musicianship, if this course has already been taken at the collegiate level. If MUSC 103 Introduction to Music has been earned elsewhere, a higher level music history course must be taken. The Hood transcript will show only those courses earned at Hood and that the requirements of the certificate have been met.

Piano Pedagogy Certificate

Coordinator: Wayne L. Wold

Students who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in fields other than music and have demonstrable ability in piano may earn a professional certificate in piano pedagogy. Enrollment, as an upper division certificate student, begins with an interview with the department chair, followed by a departmental audition. If accepted into the program, students will enroll and complete the requirements within three years. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in all courses. Up to two credits of applied music may be exempted, based on the audition, as well as MUSC 101 Beginning Music Theory and Musicianship, if taken at the collegiate level. If MUSC 103 Introduction to Music has been earned elsewhere, a higher level music history course must be taken. The Hood transcript will show only those courses earned at Hood and that the requirements of the certificate have been met. Students who are concurrently pursuing the certificate in piano performance would need to take one semester of harpsichord and MUSC 375 Independent Study in Piano Pedagogy in order to earn the second certificate in piano pedagogy.

Undergraduate Secondary Education Certification

Hood offers preparation leading to state of Maryland secondary teaching certification (middle through high school) in eight subjects: biology, chemistry, English, French, history, mathematics or Spanish and art (preK-12). For more information, refer to both Education and the field in which you plan to major, in Undergraduate Majors.