Overview
Core Curriculum and Experiential Learning Combine with Small Class Sizes to Form Loyola University Education
Loyola University Maryland is a liberal arts university in the Jesuit scholastic tradition, and is fully committed to undergraduate educational excellence. The faculty members are intimately involved with students, made possible by a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. All academic programs have been designed to balance academic pursuits with experiential learning opportunities, creating a supportive campus community. The first two years of every student's Loyola education are focused on a comprehensive range of liberal arts topics--the core curriculum--so that when it comes time to choose a major, experienced academic advisers can assist students in making the right decision.
Loyola University is a mid-sized institution with an undergraduate enrollment of some 3,500 students. Students reap the benefits of a larger institution without losing the advantages of a small school. In addition to the powerful core curriculum, Loyola University offers a wide range of majors and programs while maintaining small class sizes. Students also enjoy superior course selection within majors, plus a variety of experiential learning opportunities, research work, and internships.
A student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 enables students to connect with professors in a more personal way, and small class sizes (an average of 25 students) encourage valuable interactions. Some core curriculum offerings and introductory courses in some fields involve lectures, but Loyola does not have large lecture halls. Even freshman students are encouraged to take at least one seminar course with 25 or fewer students. The combination of small class sizes and experiential learning at Loyola allows students to take on the challenge of meaningful, in-depth scholarly discussion.
To learn more about applying to Loyola, visit http://www.loyola.edu/admission.
Ethics and Values Are Core Parts of Loyola's Jesuit Education, Combining Rigorous Academics with Faith and Spirituality
Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, Catholic university whose mission statement makes clear its commitment to both the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus. Seeking always to be a good example of the ideals of liberal education and believing that such education should serve the development of the whole person, Loyola University affirms its crucial mission to inspire students first to learn, then to lead and serve both society and other people in this diverse, ever-changing world. The core values of a Jesuit education include academic excellence, the "whole person" focus, and the living example of life-affirming ethics and values.
The university actively promotes the Jesuit education traditions of openness, and its Catholic heritage is evidenced by the marriage of the intellect to faith and spirituality. The Loyola community is committed to educating the whole person, with the measure of success being the number of students striving for physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual well-being. Loyola provides innovative teaching as well as a grounding in faith and spirituality that welcomes Catholic, ecumenical, and interfaith modes of prayer and meditation.
A Jesuit education is typified by an environment of open discourse, which first requires thoughtful and respectful listening from all. Freedom of thought and expression is a core part of the university's ethics and values. The Honor Code is but one expression of the desire to imbue the academic atmosphere with faith and spirituality, and Loyola expects students to adhere to the strictest personal and professional standards, which is why ethics is included in the core curriculum.
Loyola's "Evergreen Campus" Is a Natural Wonder in the Midst of North Baltimore City, a Beautiful Setting for Learning
The "Evergreen Campus" of Loyola University is located among a number of pleasant residential neighborhoods in the North Baltimore city region. In fact, right next to the campus is an historic mansion, the Evergreen House, home to T. Harrison Garrett, son of the president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. John Garrett, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, later sold a portion of his inherited estate to Loyola University, whence comes the name "Evergreen Campus." Evergreen House is presently an attractive museum housing a rare book collection, works from John Audubon, and a post-impressionist art gallery.
South of the campus, students find the Guilford area, considered among the most beautiful districts in the North Baltimore city area, if not the entire state of Maryland. A 6.25-acre park, Sherwood Gardens, is located in the center of Guilford, attracting visitors from all over Maryland, especially as the more than 80,000 tulips begin blooming in the spring. Stately mansions, rambling tree-lined streets, and the blessings of nature make a walk through Guilford a true delight. It's also a popular location for Loyola joggers and bicyclists.
Students can go down Charles Street to Loyola and they will find the Cathedral of Mary our Queen, not quite a mile from the main campus entrance. A beautiful and imposing edifice, the Cathedral of Mary our Queen is the ultimate in Maryland cathedrals and among the finest in the U.S. Although contemporary in design, it shows its roots in the European Gothic architecture. The cathedral presents a renowned annual concert series and is an active parish home to 2,000 North Baltimore city families.
