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. Applicants should note that all documents submitted as part of the admission process become property of Hood College and will not be returned.

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 and received their high school diploma and have never enrolled at another college, and for students enrolled in early college or other college courses prior to receiving a diploma;

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 Hood 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 in-person and virtual campus tours. The Admission Office also hosts numerous campus visit programs and events throughout the year. Campus visits may be arranged online or by contacting the Office of Admission.

hood.edu/visit

Telephone: 301-696-3400

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.

• High school transcript, sent directly from the high school to the Office of Admission. An unofficial transcript may be used to award conditional admission, but official transcript must be provided before the student can begin taking classes.

• 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, 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, Dual Enrollment 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 or proof of school completion by the state's Department of Education or local school district. Specifically include an official document that attests that the home-schooled education meets the equivalency to what is taught in the high school district. This documentation may be provided by the state Department of Education (if provided by that state), the home-school liaison within the student's school district, or from a school official in the high school district. 

The home-school transcript should include:

• Student and school information
• Courses completed (including course title, final grade, and credit earned)
• Academic summary (including total credits and cumulative grade point average)
• The graduation date
• A grading scale
• Self-certification, signature, and date completed by authorized administrator, home-school instructor, parent, or guardian.

Our home-school review process is designed to recognize the unique experience of a home education while ensuring preparation for academic success at Hood College. Because we recognize that some home-school programs may not follow a traditional high school curriculum, we individually evaluate each of our applicants and offer several opportunities to provide information. As such, we recommend a personal interview with an admission counselor for best consideration.

Many admitted home-schooled students have taken advanced classes outside the home-school environment such as dual enrollment courses at a local college. If college courses have been completed or are in progress, the college transcript should be sent to us along with the home-school high school transcript.

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.

Transfer with Ease

Hood welcomes transfer students at every stage of their academic and professional lives. Our transfer articulation 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. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are encouraged to declare a pre-health major for their associate degree.

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

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework after the point of enrollment 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 post-secondary institution 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.
• 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 advisor, 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 Semester- June 15, Spring Semester- 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.

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). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.
• 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  https://www.hood.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-international-students/undergraduate-international-admission for more information.
• Official test scores from one of the following:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - minimum score of 79 (internet based)/550 (paper-based)/213 (computer-based)

  IELTS  (International English Language Testing System) - minimum score of 6.5

  PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) -minimum score of 53

  DET (Duolingo English Test)- minimum score of 100

TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply, but will need to demonstrate appropriate mastery of the English language. Language test requirement waived for students whose high school language of instruction was English.

• Financial Information:
  • If applying for an F-1 visa, you must provide certification of financial support including the Affidavit of Support form.
  • 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).
• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.
• 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 World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the Undergraduate International Admission website for more information.

The following documents are required if you have fewer than 24 transferable college credits or if the language of instruction for all courses is in a language other than English:

• 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 the Undergraduate International Admission website for more information.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - minimum score of 79 (internet based)/550 (paper-based)/213 (computer-based)

•   IELTS  (International English Language Testing System) - minimum score of 6.5

•   PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) -minimum score of 53

•   DET (Duolingo English Test)- minimum score of 100

TOEFL or IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply. Language test requirement waived for students whose high school and/or college language of instruction was English. 

 

Financial Information:

• If applying for an F-1 visa, provide certification of financial support including the Affidavit of Support form. 
• 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. 

Students interested in the dual enrollment program must apply through the admission office; for information contact 301-696-3400 or email admission@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 no less than three weeks after 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 mid-October.
• Rolling admission until priority deadline of March 1.
• Rolling admission after March 1 on a space available basis.

First-Year Nursing Program Applicants:

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

 First-Year Public Health Program Applicants:

• Round one - deadline is December 1. Notification is December 15. Applicants not offered admission to the public health program during round one may 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.

Transfer Nursing Program Applicants

• Spring semester deadline is September 15. Notification is October 15. Spring entry into the Nursing Program is only available for students who meet the criteria for the two-year program. Eligible students must have an associate degree in pre-health, or Maryland state equivalent, with a 2.75 minimum composite GPA, not have more than two repeated nursing required courses, complete the HESI A2 by the application deadline date (score of 70 or higher recommended), and have completed the following pre-requisite courses with a grade of C or higher:

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 percent 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 Student Success Center as soon as possible. Early notification prevents delay in initiation of services and ensures the student full access to educational activities. The director of accessibility services, 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 2021-22 Academic Year

Costs

Refer to Tuition and Fees at www.hood.edu/offices-services/accounting-services for future pricing information.

All fees listed are per semester.

FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE	RESIDENT	COMMUTER
Tuition - 12 to 18.5 credit hours	$ 21,255	$ 21,255
Room - Shared	$ 3,300
Room - Single	$ 3,815
Room - Semi Suite	$ 4,200
Room - Suite	$ 4,500
Board - All access meal plan with $100 flex dollars	$ 3,300
Board - 10-meal plan	$ 2,960
Board - commuter meal plan with $400 flex dollars		$ 910
Comprehensive Fee	$ 315	$ 315
PART-TIME UNDERGRADUATE
Tuition per credit hour	$ 1,240
Audit Fee per credit hour	$ 585
Comprehensive fee per semester- Fall, Spring	$ 205
Dual Enrollment	$185 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 percent 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

General Information on Financial Aid Programs

The Office of Financial Aid, located on the third floor of the Joseph Henry Apple Academic Resource Center, administers federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Our office understands financing higher education is an important part of the college experience. We offer personalized assistance to students and families to complete the necessary steps to apply for financial aid. 

Hood College offers the following types of assistance: scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment (work-study).

• Scholarships are gift aid and no repayment is required
• Grants are gift aid and typically no repayment is required
• Loans are funds that are borrowed and must be repaid
• Work-study is a paycheck based on hours worked

The Office of Financial Aid determines the types and amount of aid students may receive by evaluating the student's financial need and availability of funds. Awards may be made on a first come, first-served basis to eligible students. Our office highly recommends filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as it is required for most types of aid. By not filing the FAFSA, students are ineligible for need-based aid, federal loans, federal work-study, and most types of state aid. 

Financial Award Package

The Office of Financial Aid creates financial award packages for eligible students. 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. 

Students who qualify for financial aid will be sent an award notification by mail or email. New students are sent an award notification after acceptance to the college. Continuing students will receive their award notifications by email beginning in June prior to the fall semester. To prevent delays in awarding of financial aid, submit all required documentation as requested by the Office of Financial Aid in a timely manner. Check Self-Service for any requested information from our office. All financial aid forms are located on the Financial Aid page of the Hood College website as well as in the office. 

Financial Need

All need-based awards require the student to be degree-seeking, demonstrate financial need and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The number of credit hours enrolled also affects the types and amount of need-based aid awarded. 

To determine a student's financial need, the student must complete the FAFSA. Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:

  COA - EFC = Need

COA (Cost of Attendance) is the total price of attending college. The COA consists of direct charges and indirect costs. Direct charges are what is paid directly to the college (such as tuition and fees; as well as room and meals if living on-campus). Indirect costs are expenses not paid directly to the college (such as books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses). 

The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is a formula calculated by the U.S. Department of Education upon completion of the FAFSA. Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to family size, number of students in college, income, and assets. For more information, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

Students may begin filing the FAFSA October 1 for the following academic year, this may be completed online or through the myStudentAid app. Students should list Hood College (school code 002076) on the FAFSA. The FAFSA must be submitted by our priority date of March 1 to be considered for all types of need-based aid. 

Institutional Aid

Institutional aid (scholarships, grants, and awards) helps bridge the gap between a student's (family) resources and the direct charges assessed by Hood College. Institutional funds are available due to the generosity of alumni, foundations, individuals and other organizations. There are limited resources and Hood College reserves the right to make adjustments at any time.

Institutional aid is only awarded to students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester), unless specified by the donor that funds may be awarded to a part-time student(s). Institutional aid may not be used for summer or winter courses. The maximum timeframe to receive institutional aid is eight semesters for first-year students and determined on a case-by-case basis for transfer students. To receive financial assistance beyond the maximum timeframe, an appeal must be approved by the Office of Financial Aid.

Merit Scholarships

Hood College has developed an extensive merit scholarship program that recognizes the achievement, talent and potential of students. Awards are based upon the student's achievement in the classroom, ability to think analytically, talent and creativity within areas of interest and the potential to be successful at Hood College.

All students applying for admission will be considered for merit scholarships. No special application is required. Students will be informed of their eligibility upon acceptance to Hood College.

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 award notification.

Founders Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year and new transfer students who have the highest academic profiles and have shown leadership in school and community activities. The amount is 50 percent of tuition.

Trailblazer Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year and new transfer students with strong records of academic performance and extracurricular involvement. The amount is 33 percent of tuition.

Recognition Award - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year and new transfer students who have the potential to succeed academically and have demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service and/or demonstrated talent. The amount is 25 percent of tuition.

 

Chair of the Board Scholarship

This highly prestigious scholarship provides four new full-tuition awards to academically superior students in each entering class (full-time, first-year students). To be considered for this scholarship, candidates will be invited to attend Scholars' Day, which will include a scholarship interview.

Hodson Beneficial Financial Grant

Children of former Beneficial employees with two or more years of full-time service with Beneficial Corporation and its subsidiaries are potential candidates for these full-tuition scholarships (must be enrolled full-time). 

 

Stackable Awards

BOA Leadership - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students who demonstrate outstanding leadership. Amount varies. 

Family Discount - awarded when two or more members of the same family are enrolled. The award amount is $2,000 and awarded to the second member of the family (must be an undergraduate student). Family is defined as parent, dependent child, and/or dependent child's sibling. Both members of the family must be enrolled full-time. 

Hodson- Gilliam Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students and new transfer students from ethnic backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Applicants must have demonstrated high academic achievement. Amount varies.

Honors - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students and new transfer students who have been admitted to the Honors Program. Amount is $2,000.

Legacy- awarded to full-time, first-year and new transfer students whose parent, sibling or grandparent received a Hood bachelor's or master's degree. Amount is $1,000.

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. Amount is $2,000. 

Teacher Academy of Maryland Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students majoring in education 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. Amount is $3,000.

 

Hood Grants

Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. Hood Grants may be replaced with named funds. See "Endowed and Annual Funds" for a list of named funds. 

Financial Aid Programs

Campus Employment

This institutionally funded employment program enables eligible undergraduate students (who are not eligible for federal work-study) to earn money for miscellaneous expenses while gaining practical experience. Limited number of positions are available. 

Employee Educational Benefits

Tuition remission benefit. Please see staff manual for policy details and program rules. 

Federal Aid

To be eligible for federal aid programs students must be citizens, nationals of the United States, or permanent residents and have a valid FAFSA on file. All eligibility criteria are available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/. Funding depends on federal approval and subject to change.

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 and be a Pell Grant recipient. Limited funding available.

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. Limited funding available.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

A need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate 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. For more details, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized 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 sent quarterly interest statements by their Loan Servicer and may elect to pay the interest. For more details, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Parents may borrow a loan (if approved based on credit check) up to the cost of education, minus any financial aid received. The interest rate is fixed. Repayment of principal and interest begins when the loan is disbursed, however deferment options are available. For more details, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
 

Maryland State Scholarship Program

The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers several need-based grants, scholarships, and loan repayment programs for Maryland residents. The scholarships and grants most frequently awarded to Hood students include, but are not limited to, the Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant, the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant, Senatorial Scholarships, and Delegate Scholarships. In order to be considered for Maryland State aid, students must file the FAFSA by March 1. In addition, some state scholarships may require a separate application. For more information regarding the State aid programs, please contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission-Office of Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or https://.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.  Hood College Office of Financial Aid provides services to veterans and dependents of veterans eligible for education 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 or via the Hood College Financial Aid web page, under forms.  Educational benefit programs include:

-          Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill

-          Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation

-          Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill [Forever GI Bill]

-          Chapter 35, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance

-          Chapter 1606, Selected Reserve

 

Hood College participates in the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Participating students remain in the Yellow Ribbon program throughout their enrollment at Hood College and remain eligible for Yellow Ribbon program scholarship as long as each of the following applies: Hood College continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the students remain in good academic standing, and the students have remaining VA Educational Benefits entitlement.

For information on each of these programs, current payment rates, availability of benefits or approvals call the local Regional VA Office at 1-888-442-4551.

VETERAN ENROLLMENT

Per Public Law 115-407 (Section 103), veterans who have submitted and been approved for education benefits may enroll in, attend, and participate in courses while payment for those courses is still pending.  

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 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, winter, 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 approved. Students are not limited to one appeal.

Programs affected by the SAP standards include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loans, Federal SEOG, Federal Work-Study, state aid, and institutional aid, and outside/private financial assistance.

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, the student 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 percent of the credits attempted as shown in the example below:

Hood College Office of Financial Aid calculates the pace at which a student is progressing by dividing the cumulative number of credits successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits 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 successfully completed

               Cumulative number of credits attempted

Grades of W, F, INC, and U do not count as completed courses and are not included in the GPA but will count as attempted credits. A satisfactory grade (S) grade is treated as attempted credits earned but is not included in the GPA calculation. An audit (AU) grade is not considered attempted coursework, is not included in the GPA calculation or pace and not counted in enrollment status for financial aid eligibility.

Repeated courses are counted as attempted hours for financial aid eligibility. The highest grade received will be included in the GPA calculation. Students can only receive financial aid for a repeated, previously 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 (but are counted qualitatively). 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. Transfer credits are not included in the GPA calculation.

Due to flexibility provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), attempted courses will be excluded from the qualitative component if the credits not completed was a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.

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 their 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 Office of Financial Aid. Appeals must be submitted by August 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 Office of Financial Aid may request the student to submit an academic plan signed by the student's academic advisor. The Office of Financial Aid will notify the student if such documentation is needed for the appeal.

The Office of Financial Aid will review the appeal and notify the student in writing within ten business days. All decisions made by the Office 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 meet SAP standards by the end of the semester. If, at that time, the student does not meet SAP standards, the student will be suspended from financial aid and may appeal based on extenuating circumstances. 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 an academic plan as a condition of the appeal and is following the plan, the student shall remain on probation until program completion and will be eligible for financial aid.

Scholarships and Awards

Endowed and annual scholarships are awarded according to the criteria of each scholarship. These funds may replace previously awarded Hood institutional aid.

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 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
Laura Eaton Butler ’47 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 1957 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 Ann Marie Roulette Downey ’77 Early Childhood Education 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 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 Judith M. Howe and Jane B. Olsen Scholarship*
The Richard Hudnut Scholarship
The Josephine Thompson Hunger ’40 Scholarship
The Huttle Scholarship
The Janice R. Hylen ’78 Memorial Scholarship
The Mary Rife James ’70 English Scholarship*
The Mary Rife James ’70 Nursing Scholarship*
The Lynne Reagan Johnson ’65 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 Marion Young and Roland "Bill" Klisch Scholarship*

The Drs. Klisch and Simonsen Scholarship

The Kurbyweit Scholarship

The Christine Lundt Lambertus ’69 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 Merrick/Vosti Scholarship*
The John D. Meyer Scholarship

The Joyce Michaud Endowed Scholarship

The Middendorf Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
The Nettie Morton Miller Scholarship
The Lorie Harris Morrell ’84 Scholarship
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 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 Tom Samet H'00 Memorial 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 Jewel K. Smith '96 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 Lorene Myers Southworth ’48 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 Honorable John H. and Donna Tisdale Scholarship for Nursing
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 Boyd Foundation Scholarship
The Chair of the Board Scholarships
The Alden E. and Harriet K. Fisher Scholarship
The Stuart A. Freudberg Scholarship

The Jamey E. George Memorial Scholarship

The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Applied Music Scholarship
The Hood College Ring Scholarship

The Karin Ninesling Infuso '70 Scholarship Fund
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 Maryland Society for Disabled Children and Adults Scholarship
The McCardell Family Scholarship Fund
The William Edward and Mary Cockram Morse ’64 Scholarship
The Col. Jim and Sarah Olson Sustainability Scholarship

The Patsy Rice Memorial Scholarship
The Fred Schenkel Scholarship Fund
The George L. Shields Foundation, Inc. Scholarship for Nursing
The Dr. Nancy E. Taylor ’62 Scholarship
The Hood College Waltersdorf Henson 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 the Office of 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
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 and Archaeology Department Alumnae Award
The Art and Archaeology 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 Chair's Prize
The Computer Science Faculty Prize
The Computer Science Undergraduate Achievement Award
The Frances C. Cutujian Prize
The Joseph E. Dahms Community Service Award
The Emily Myers Davis ’43 Prize
The Delaplaine School of Business Book Prize
The Delaplaine School of Business Leadership Prize
The Department of Chemistry and Physics Faculty Award
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 James N. Khoury '15 Memorial Prize in English
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 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 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 Wanda Ruffin Treasured Wisdom Award in Psychology
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 Social Work Program Award for Social Work Excellence
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 Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award
The Hood College Graduate School 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 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

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 1983 Child Development Lab Fund
The Class of 1986 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 Stella Elizabeth Ziegler Foley '28 and Marylouise Herrmann Foley '64 International Travel Fund
The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Capital Projects Fund
The Ardine and Phyllis Gorden Preparatory Music Program Fund
The Virginia Munson Hammell ’67 Historic Preservation and Campus Maintenance Fund
The Virginia Munson Hammell ’67 Trading Room Fund
The Shirley Conner Hardinge ’44 Center for Global Studies
The Hodson Faculty Fellowships
The Hoffberger Endowed Honors Program
The Edith Howard Hogan ’59 Fund for Nutrition
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 Margaret R. Motter '13 Fund for Future Teachers*
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

The Susan Whaley ’74 Faculty Development Endowed Fund
The Susan Whaley ’74 Study and Travel Abroad Fund
The Jeanne LeRoy Williams ’69 Endowed Fund for Art History*
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 Aramark/Maryland Endowed Chair in Sustainability Studies

The Beneficial Chair in Economics

The Delaplaine/Maryland Endowed Chair in Project Management
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.

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.

4Plus - Undergraduate/Graduate Dual Degree Programs

The 4Plus undergraduate/graduate dual degree programs allow students in most cases to complete both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in an accelerated format.

The MBA degree is available to students from any undergraduate major who complete the recommended coursework (typically foundation courses) during the final 2-3 semesters of their undergraduate degree, often allowing the MBA to be earned with just one additional year of study. 

Some master’s degree programs allow undergraduate students to complete master’s degrees in a shortened time by permitting up to nine (9) credits of graduate coursework to be applied towards both degrees (bachelor’s and master’s). A minimum grade of B in graduate coursework is required for transfer to a graduate program. Current programs available for this option are:

• • B.A./M.S. in Environmental Science/Environmental Biology
  • B.A./M.S. in Biology or Biochemistry/Biomedical Science
  • B.A./M.S. in Psychology/Counseling
  • B.A./M.S. in Art Therapy/Counseling
  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science/Information Technology
  • B.A./M.S. in any major/Information Technology
  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science/Cybersecurity
  • B.A./M.S. in any major/Cybersecurity

Students should consult with their academic advisor and the graduate program director by their sophomore year for more information and accurate schedule planning. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for consideration into the 4Plus program path.

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 advisors. 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 Dr. Scott Pincikowski 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 a number of established overseas programs, including those offered by CIEE, CAPA, CCIS, CIS, and the University of Mainz, among others.

Students may also study abroad in short-term summer programs organized by Hood faculty.

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 Transfer Policy and Attending Other Institutions 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. Note: GPA requirements may vary by major.
  
• 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. Note: GPA requirements may vary by major.
• 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 Office of the Registrar.

The Hood College Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is required of all students and consists of Foundations and Methods of Inquiry areas. Students entering with an A.A., AAT 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 entering with at least 56 credits may be eligible for the A.A. equivalency noted later in this section. Any students transferring fewer than 56 credits or those students with A.A., AAT, or A.S. degrees will follow the regular requirements for the core and should refer to the requirements listed for their major.

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 Arts Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree/ A.A. Equivalence

Entering students who have not earned an A.A., AAT 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)

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

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 Academic Honor Code. As such, these offenses are treated seriously and may lead to severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from the College. For the full description of the policies and procedures of the Academic Honor Code, refer to Appendix B of the Student Handbook, and contact the dean of faculty, Chair of Academic Judicial Council with questions or concerns.

Students wishing advice on the proper use and acknowledgement of scholarly materials should consult their individual instructors, Writing Center, 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

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 GPA 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 (GPAs) are at least 2.00. 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 examines 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, Accessibility Services, Student Life, the Center for Academic Achievement and Retention (CAAR) and students' instructors and advisers, regarding issues such as attendance and completion of assigned coursework and matters from outside the classroom that may have affected students' academic success. Based on all the information, students will be placed on academic warning, academic probation, or be dismissed from the College. (Note: While the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies examines students' semester and cumulative grade point averages, individual academic departments also review the grade point averages of students in their majors at the end of each semester. Based on their review, departments may take action concerning students' standing within their majors if students do not meet the academic standards set for each major. Departmental reviews of students' standing in their majors operate independently from the end-of-semester records reviews conducted by the Committee of Academic Standards and Policies.)

Academic Warning

Students will be placed on academic warning if their semester Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 2.00 and/or the end-of-semester review of students' records by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies raises concern about students' overall academic progress. Students placed on warning will be informed of their status in a letter copied to their academic adviser. If they are placed on academic warning, students are encouraged to meet with their advisers immediately to consider how best to improve their future academic performance. Possible steps to take may include, but are not limited to, adjusting students' future schedules to ensure a manageable workload, contacting the Center for Academic Achievement and Retention (CAAR) to identify helpful resources, developing better time-management and study strategies, and/or speaking with individual instructors about ways to succeed. Students whose Grade Point Average remains below 2.00 for more than one semester may be required to complete the Academic Success Program through the office of student success located in CAAR and/or enroll in GNST 101 as determined by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. Students will be informed of such additional requirements in a letter copied to their academic adviser. 

At the end of each semester, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will review the records of students on academic warning. On the basis of this review, the committee may recommend an end to the warning period, continued warning, or academic probation. 

Academic Probation

Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 2.00 and/or the end-of-semester review of students' records by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies raises concerns about students' overall academic progress. Academic probation means that a student is in danger of being dismissed from the College for academic reasons. Students placed on academic probation must make satisfactory progress, as defined in the probation letter sent to students, during the following semester or risk being dismissed from the College.

Students on academic probation will be required to demonstrate significant academic improvement and to earn a semester Grade Point Average high enough to allow for a cumulative G.P.A. above a 2.00 within two semesters. Progress toward this goal will be reviewed by the committee at the end of each probationary semester. Students must also complete the Academic Success Program through the Student Success Center and enroll in GNST 101 (if they have not already completed this course). Additionally, students on probation should register for 12-14 credits. Twelve credits are required for full-time status; no more than 14 credits are permitted 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 that they understand the probation terms and that they agree 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. 

At the end of each semester, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will review the records of students on probation to determine if students have met the probationary requirements and, on the basis of this review, may recommend an end to the probationary period, continued probation, or dismissal from the College. 

Academic Dismissal

Upon recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, the College may at any time dismiss a student who is not making satisfactory academic progress as defined below. This policy applies to all students. In addition to the above-stated information considered by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies in its academic reviews of students' records, the Committee will also use the following guidelines when considering whether to dismiss students from the College:

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

Total Semester Hours Attempted*	Minimum Cumulative Hood GPA
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. The College reserves the right to dismiss at any time any students who fail to meet minimal standards required to make satisfactory academic progress. Examples of failure to meet these standards may 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 1.00. This policy applies to all students, including first-semester first-year students.

All students dismissed from the College will receive a dismissal letter which includes a description of the appeals process and deadlines. 

3. Students who are dismissed from the College may not enroll in classes as a non-degree seeking student.

Dismissal Appeals

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 dismissal must be received within one week of electronic notification of dismissal. Typical grounds for an appeal are: 1) That an error has been made in the calculation of a student's grade; 2) That at the time of considering a student's record the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies did not have knowledge of significant information bearing on a student's academic performance, such as a family or medical issue. The Committee will not question professors' judgment as to the quality of students' work or the standards that professors set for academic performance. All appeals must include discussion of specific steps that students will take to achieve academic success in the future. Hood College is committed to the success of all students; the challenges of extenuating personal circumstances will be factored into every decision on dismissal and appeal. 

Students whose appeals are granted will be readmitted to the College for one semester on a probationary basis. Failure to comply with the conditions specified in the letter allowing students to return to the College will result in their dismissal at the end of the probationary semester. 

Dismissal and Reinstatement

Students who are dismissed from the College may not enroll in classes as a non-degree-seeking student. 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:

1) The student writes to the registrar to request permission to return to Hood. 

2) The student provides transcripts of work attempted elsewhere or other pertinent information.

3) The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies reviews the request and makes a decision regarding reinstatement.

4) 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 requests that instructors complete an alert for 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 undergraduate 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 and approved by the registrar, 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 graduate 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 unless approved for a designated Dual Degree program.

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 and online, 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, CR

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 (GPA).

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. Grades of AU, S, U, INC, Z, W, IP, and CR are not included in the Composite Grade Point Average.

The Major Average

An academic department may refuse to accept as a major a student whose GPA 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. Note: GPA requirements may vary by major.

Graduation and Commencement Participation

Graduation

Students must take ultimate responsibility for academic planning—of each semester, of each academic year and of degree completion. The Self-Service Degree Progress Report provides all students and advisors 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. Students must meet with their faculty advisors on a regular basis to review degree requirements and plan senior year registrations. Bachelor degrees are conferred in January, June and September.

Seniors must complete the Application for Graduation in the fall of the senior year by the established deadlines posted to the College's academic calendar to ensure they appear as candidates for the graduation date intended. The College, however, reserves the right to confer a degree on a student who has completed all of the requirements for a degree even though the student has not petitioned to graduate; such an individual would then be subject to the College's usual rules and restrictions regarding future enrollment or registration.  In such cases where the College confers a degree for a student who has not petitioned to graduate, the diploma will convey the legal name listed in the student record.

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. Forms can be found in the Office of the Registrar or online.

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 (non-degree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.5 GPA 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 (non-degree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.5 GPA 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, Student Waiver Form, and Time Sheet. 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. The completed and signed time sheet should be turned into the Center for Career Development by the last day of classes for that semester.

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. The completed and executed time sheet must be turned into the Center for Career Development by the last day of classes for that semester. Exceptions to this policy must be receive prior approval.

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 (excluding summer) but wish to maintain ties to the College and resume their studies at a later time, may take a leave of absence instead of withdrawing from the College. If your return is uncertain, or if you will be away for more than two consecutive semesters, you should submit a Withdrawal from the College form. Students who do not return from a leave of absence after two semesters will be withdrawn. Students who do not submit a leave of absence nor enroll in coursework for fall and/or spring semesters, will be withdrawn from the College. Please see Withdrawal from the College section for the procedure for readmission.

Students who wish to request a leave of absence for the remainder of the currently enrolled term must receive written permission from the dean of students prior to the withdrawal deadline as set forth by the academic calendar.

Note: A leave of absence may affect loans. Students that are on an institutionally approved leave of absence are reported as withdrawn to the National Student Clearinghouse as of the date the leave began to signify they are not currently enrolled in classes. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@hood.edu or 301-696-3411 for additional information.

Students do not file a leave of absence form in order to study abroad or at another institution in the United States. Instead, they must file a petition with the Office of the Registrar for approval to study elsewhere.

Leave of Absence Petition and Petition to Study Away or Abroad are available online: https://www.hood.edu/offices-services/registrars-office/services-requests-forms/forms and in the Office of the Registrar.

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 advisors to select courses and review degree progress. The advisor 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 55 minutes and Tuesday-Thursday classes for 85 minutes. Four-credit classes meet for a total of 220 minutes per week. Most evening classes meet once a week for 2 hours and 45 minutes or twice a week for 85-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 included in the composite GPA. Effective Fall 2017, only the highest grade earned at Hood will be computed in the cumulative 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 S/U (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 non-degree 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 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

Please note we are unable to process requests for students with a financial aid, library, and/or accounting hold placed on the transcript. Please resolve the hold with the applicable department before placing a transcript order.

Hood College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcript ordering. This service provides 24/7 access to ordering site; secure transactions; secure electronic transcript delivery worldwide; automatic order updates via mobile text alerts and email; and online order tracking.

All transcript orders may be placed via Self-Service (no log-in necessary) or www.getmytranscript.com.

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 (100-200 level) work completed elsewhere. Although there is no limit for junior/senior (300-400 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.

A student who wishes to appeal transfer credit equivalencies should notify the Office of the Registrar with the request as soon as possible after initial credit has been awarded. The Office of the Registrar will work with the student and relevant department Chair(s) to re-evaluate credits, and may request course descriptions, syllabi, or additional documentation as needed.

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 should submit their transcripts to the Office of Admission or Office of the Registrar prior to enrollment. Timely submission of these documents will ensure accuracy of degree progression and remaining requirements for the Hood degree.

All grades earned at Hood and those completed at other institutions, including repeated courses, 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. Hood has established enrollment agreements with specific community and junior colleges, identifying particular benefits offered to students who transfer from those institutions. 

Degree Students Attending Other Institutions 

Students may receive credit for coursework completed at another accredited institution during the academic year or the summer with prior approval of the department and the registrar.

The following policies apply:

• Students must complete the Transfer Course Permission form to take a course from another college and receive transfer credit at Hood. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online and must be submitted prior to the start of the course. Students who do not submit permission forms in advance of taking the course are not guaranteed approval.

• Transfer credit may be awarded for courses completed with a grade of C- or above. Official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar upon completion of the course.

• The course may not be offered at Hood during the same academic semester/session.

• A maximum of 12 credits can be taken each summer.

• The final 30 credits of the degree must be taken at Hood College (see section on Undergraduate Degree Requirements).

• Petitions for exceptions to these policies must be made to the committee on Academic Standards and Policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online.

Students who take and fail, or earn less than the minimum required grade in, a course at Hood are encouraged to retake that course at Hood rather than at another institution; this allows students to benefit from the Course Repeat Policy, which states the highest grade earned at Hood will be computed in the cumulative Grade Point Average.

 

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 Course Permission forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online.

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 noncollegiate 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. If accepted, a grade of "CR" is awarded for non-traditional credit which is excluded from calculation in the composite and cumulative GPAs. 

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 239 for a score of 52. Students who transfer credit for a similar human growth and development course must take the departmental test to qualify for course for which PSY 239 is a prerequisite. No additional credit is earned for this test. 

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 Student Success Center 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 credit on a case-by-case basis 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 per guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Students must provide an official Joint Services Transcript (JST) as well as a copy of their DD214. JST is an academically accepted document approved by ACE to validate a service members military occupational experience and training along with the corresponding ACE college credit recommendations.

• All JST’s include credit evaluations by ACE. This includes a notation for the type of credit: V (vocational), L (lower-level credit), or U (upper-level credit). 
• Hood College accepts up to 30 credits of non-traditional credit.
• Hood College accepts Lower-level credits up to the credit maximum based on JST transcripts, as electives or potentially as satisfying specific requirements if approved by the appropriate Department Chair.
• Hood College also accepts Upper-level credits based on JST transcripts, as electives or potentially as satisfying specific requirements if approved by the appropriate Department Chair until the student has reached the maximum of 30 of non-traditional credits.
• Repeat credits and Vocational credits are not accepted.
• 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.

Withdrawal forms can be found in the registrar's office or online.

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. If accepted, the returning student will enter under the catalog in place at the time of readmission for their major. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online. 

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

Art Therapy

Biochemistry

Biology*

Business Administration

accounting

finance

human resource management

individual career interest

international economics and finance

marketing

Chemistry*

Communication Arts

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

Finance

French*

Global Studies

History*

public history

Integrated Marketing Communication

Law and Criminal Justice

Mathematics*

Music

music history and literature

music performance

piano pedagogy

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Public Health

Social Work

Sociology

Spanish: Iberian and Latin American Cultural Studies*

Sustainability Studies

 

Bachelor of Science

Computer Science

Nursing

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

Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies

Archaeology

Art History

Biology

Biopsychology 

Business Administration

Chemistry

Classical Studies

Coastal Studies

Computer Science

Criminology and Delinquency

Economics

Environmental Studies

Ethics

Film Studies

French

German

Global Studies

Graphic Design

History

Journalism 

Literature

Management

Mathematics

Mathematics Education

Music History and Literature

Music Performance

Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Studies

Philosophy

Physics

Political Science

Psychology

Public History

Public Relations

Religion

Social Science Research

Social Work, Pre-Professional Practice

Sociology

Spanish

Studies in Women and Gender

Studio Art

Theater and Drama

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 requirements 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.