Part-Time Studies

Degree Programs

All degree programs are available to part-time students through the day program.

Degree Candidacy

Part-time students intending to pursue a degree program who have no prior college experience must have completed high school at least two years previously and must meet the minimum requirements for admission established for all students in the chosen program.

The College welcomes applications from students who wish to transfer from two-year and four-year institutions. A student who transfers from a regionally accredited institution will be granted credit toward a Lafayette degree for courses that are consistent with the goals of his or her academic program at Lafayette and in which a grade of at least "C" (or equivalent) has been earned. Engineering courses must be from an engineering program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Students who have earned credits from other colleges and universities must submit official transcripts and catalogs containing course descriptions from these institutions as part of the admissions procedure. Applicants who have successfully completed courses at these colleges will receive an evaluation of transfer credit. An official copy of the student's high school record or a G.E.D. (General Equivalency Diploma) is also required for all applicants. Transfer students are normally not admitted with advanced standing beyond the sophomore level. They are required to complete at least half of their degree requirements at Lafayette.

Non-matriculating Students

Non-matriculating students with special interests in particular subject areas who wish to take courses may be admitted on a semester-to-semester basis as Special Students. Evidence of course prerequisites may be required. Courses may be taken for credit or audited. The audit fee for part-time and special students is the prevailing part-time audit rate. All audits must have the approval of the instructor of the course. Courses that require a high degree of participation (e.g., laboratory courses, studio art courses, and foreign languages emphasizing conversation) normally may not be audited.

Academic Policies

Part-time students are limited to no more than two courses per semester and are charged at the prevailing part-time rate. When a part-time student reaches senior standing, however, the student may take an additional course in two of his or her last four semesters at Lafayette. The student will continue to be billed at the part-time rate. Such exceptions must be approved by the Dean of the Advising & Co-Curricular Programs or the Registrar.

The Office of Admissions coordinates academic advising for all degree students through the appropriate department in the student's major area. These advisers are assigned when the student is accepted into a degree program. Students who have not been officially accepted into a major and special students who are not seeking entrance into a degree program are advised by the Registrar.

All part-time students are expected to follow the College's policy on Statute of Limitations for Students listed under "Graduation Requirements." It is the obligation of the student to become aware of the College's policies regarding the rights and responsibilities of students.

A part-time degree candidate wishing to enroll as a full-time student must petition the Student Affairs Committee to change to full-time status. Admission on a full-time basis is restricted to those with exemplary academic records and a minimum of five courses taken at Lafayette.

Lafayette is a member of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC), which also includes Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lehigh University, Moravian University, and Muhlenberg College. LVAIC has extended to part-time degree candidates who have achieved sophomore standing the opportunity to cross-register for part-time day and evening courses. Both grades and credits earned at one of the cooperating colleges under this policy will transfer automatically to the student's home institution. Cross-registration provides the opportunity to take courses not available at the home institution and thus eases the scheduling difficulties sometimes experienced by working adults. A part-time student may enroll in a maximum of two courses through cross-registration for each year of equivalent full-time study. Fees are charged according to the policy of the host institution.