For Incoming Students:
Course descriptions and schedules:
Course descriptions are available in the College of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Academic Catalog [pdf]
For real-time information regarding course offerings and schedules, visit LOIS and click on "Current Course Selections." Select the desired semester and use the drop-down menus to search different subject areas.
Academic Calendar:
For up-to-date information regarding academic, residential, and other deadlines, see the Academic Calendar online.
Academic policies:
For a comprehensive description of academic policies, download the Academic Catalog [pdf].
General Education Requirements
All Students are required to complete a foundation of liberal arts courses during their undergraduate studies. This provides students with a broad exposure to various disciplines and helps them develop general skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing. These Liberal Arts requirements vary slightly for Elementary Education and Special Education majors in order to comply with Massachusetts requirements for educational licensure.
In order to graduate, all students must complete at least 120 credits of course work. This includes the Liberal Arts requirements (42 credits) and all major requirements (varies by major), as well as some elective credits. Elective credits may also be used to complete optional minors or specializations in the majors. Students should consult the Academic Catalog [pdf] and their academic advisors for further explanation of these requirements.
Declaration of Major
Students may declare a major once they have completed at least 30 credits of coursework. All students must declare a major upon completion of 60 credits of coursework. Education majors must choose a liberal arts major in addition to their Education major (for example, Elementary Education and History). Students choosing to major in Education, Art Therapy, or Counseling must declare their majors by October 15th of their sophomore year.
Field Experience
Lesley University believes that experiential learning and putting theory into practice are essential components of higher education. As a result, all students must complete at least one field experience in the major in order to graduate. This may involve classroom teaching, an internship, or research with a faculty member. These experiences provide students with the opportunity to explore fields of interest and gain valuable professional experience.
For Incoming Students
Academic Planning Guide:
Incoming students should review the 2012–2013 Academic Planning Guide [pdf] for background information on academic advising and the curriculum.
Placement information:
All incoming students are placed in English and math courses based on their standardized test scores, and any prior coursework at the college level, including AP exams. Students who feel that their English or math placements are not appropriate may opt to take a placement test during the first two weeks of the semester.
Transitions Seminar:
The Freshmen Transitions Seminar is a 1 credit program designed to assist first-year students with their transition to the Lesley University community. The Seminar assists first-year students with their transition to the Lesley Community and positions them for academic success. The course fosters the development of skills and strategies that bridge the various aspects of the college experience and helps students create an academic plan. Seminar topics include academic expectations, understanding institutional policies and procedures, goal-setting strategies, major and career options, ethical decision-making, the importance of self-care and wellness, and achieving balance among the personal, social and academic aspects of life.
The overarching theme for this seminar is citizenship. Students will reflect upon citizenship in its varied dimensions and what it means to them as emergent adults and first semester college students. Students will be asked to think about citizenship from multiple perspectives, from the micro personal level to global understanding. Through required readings, reflective writing, group projects and class discussion, students will develop perspectives of citizenship in their emerging roles as teachers, scholars, professionals and leaders in their communities.