Goucher College 2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
    Nov 09, 2024  
Goucher College 2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalogue PLEASE NOTE: This is an archived catalog. Programs are subject to change each academic year.

General Academic Information


 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

One hundred twenty (120) credit hours are required for the degree. A student must achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum grade of C- in each course that is counted toward fulfilling the requirements of the major. Credit hours at Goucher are defined on a semester basis, as distinct from a trimester or quarter basis. Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Goucher College.

Residency Requirement

Twelve of the last 24 credit hours must be completed at Goucher unless granted an exception with the approval of the Center director of the major and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies. Exceptions may be granted for approved summer courses and study-abroad programs or other programs. These approved non-Goucher credits shall ordinarily be completed within two semesters following the petition date to avoid withdrawal from the college. Credits taken out of residency, should follow the Transfer Credit Policy at https://www.goucher.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credit-policy. Contact the Registrar’s Office for approval of specific non-Goucher courses.

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Goucher Commons Requirements (GCR)

Like other colleges and universities, Goucher expects all of its students to pursue a common set of learning experiences. These experiences are not based on a core curriculum or checklist of requirements, and students have great freedom to determine and then follow their own interests. In this pursuit, students enter into a space of inquiry - the Goucher Commons - with other students and the faculty.

All GCR’s are satisfied with a grade of “D-” or “P” (or better). Students should be aware that for the foreign language and culture sequence a grade of “C-” or better must be received in the 110- and 120-levels in order to advance to the next course level (120, 130, 132, or 133). A grade of “D-” or “P” (or better) in the terminal course in the foreign language and culture sequence satisfies the foreign language GCR.

 

1. First Year Seminar  

2. Complex Problem Exploration Courses  

3. Proficiency Areas:

4. Common Inquiry Areas:

5. Capstone Experience/Signature Project  

 

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Other Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

  1. One hundred twenty (120) credit hours are required for the degree. A student must achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a minimum grade of C- in each course that is counted toward fulfilling the requirements of the major. Credit hours at Goucher are defined on a semester basis, as distinct from a trimester or quarter basis. Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Goucher College.
  2. At least 3 credits in each of the following areas as designated by the Registrar: Arts , Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies , Social and Behavioral Sciences , and Biological and Physical Sciences . These disciplinary requirements can be fulfilled by courses in a major or minor, courses that fulfill other Goucher Commons requirements, and/or additional designated courses throughout the curriculum.
  3. First Year Experience, FYE 134, a required course for all new first-year students (not required for transfer students), continues the orientation process and connects the learning that occurs for students both inside and outside of the classroom.  New students discuss the concept of being active learners and participants in the Goucher community and explore its implications for physical, social, and emotional well-being. As members of this learning community, students will be exposed to a variety of perspectives in order to develop a sense of respect for differing viewpoints, to learn the value of individual responsibility, and to understand the importance of personal accountability. Students will have the opportunity to build community, develop relationships with peers, and discover their sense of place at Goucher.  Successful completion of the course is a graduation requirement for all students except Goucher II students, who are exempt from this requirement

  4. Goucher students, including those who transfer to the college, are required to complete one physical education activity course by the end of the junior year. Students who successfully complete a season on a varsity team, a dance performance through the Dance Department, some (but not all) dance courses, or a riding course may use that experience to satisfy the requirement. Goucher does not recognize audits or unsupervised activity as a substitute for course work in physical education. Students with a gap of five years or more in their continuous education, or those over the age of 25, are exempt from the physical education requirements but are encouraged to enroll in or audit any physical education course. Goucher Prison Education Partnership students are also exempt from this requirement. A list of approved courses can be found at the following link: Physical Education Activity . ***UPDATE 1 - The PE Activity requirement will be waived for students graduating in May 2021 or August 2021 as of October 22, 2020. UPDATE 2 - The PE Activity requirement is waived for all students effective 11/25/2020.***

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College Writing Proficiency

and Goucher’s 4-Year Vertical Writing Curriculum

College Writing Proficiency (CWP) is a requirement for graduation from Goucher College. The achievement of CWP signifies that students can craft a sophisticated argument, conduct modern scholarly research, and write clearly and gracefully. Students must earn CWP at the general college level through a series of courses taught and overseen by the Writing Program. Their writing is then assessed by the Writing Program faculty.  Students must apply for CWP by submitting a portfolio during the designated portfolio review periods. 

CWP is part of Goucher’s 4-Year Vertical Writing Curriculum.  Students develop as writers throughout their four years at Goucher. 

Earning CWP:  The 3 Basic Steps for all Incoming Students

(Transfer students may apply earlier, in some cases. Please see the note below.)

1. All incoming students must take WRT 181  or WRT 181H  during their first year.

2. After passing WRT 181  or WRT 181H , students will take a WEC course (Writing Enriched Curriculum) in any discipline. 

a. Please note that while we strongly encourage students to take their WEC course in their second year, they can choose to wait until their third year.  Some advanced students, with input from their advisors, may take their WEC course during the second semester of their first year.  

3. A student is eligible to submit a portfolio for CWP after passing WRT 181  or WRT 181H , and if they have taken or are currently enrolled in a WEC course. Submissions are ready in December (seniors only) and in May.

Applying for CWP

Email notices will be sent to all undergraduate students and all advisors every semester with reminders about the CWP portfolio process. The deadline for the May submission will be announced at the beginning of the academic year. Students will be given the deadlines for the review period, the guidelines for earning CWP (which can also be found on our website), directions for applications, as well as a link to the submission forms.  Students will submit two academic papers for a total of approximately 10 pages of academic writing and a cover letter that discusses their writing in detail, according to the specific instructions and guidelines.  Students are notified during the summer, before the start of the fall semester.  Students who do not earn CWP are provided with individualized plans for the future, including course and workshop recommendations and/or independent revision strategies. 

Starting Out: The Writing Placement Essay

All incoming first-year students must submit a placement essay according to the directions on the first-year portal. Students who need or want additional writing support should take WRT 181  in the fall, together with a 1-credit studio, WRT 101 . Students may repeat the 1-credit studio, WRT 101 , for credit. 

Students who place into the Honors level may enroll in WRT 181H . These 4-credit courses are offered in the both the Spring and Fall.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have taken a college writing course at another institution and who would like to modify their writing sequence, may submit a portfolio of academic writing to the Director of the Writing Program, who will offer individual guidance.  These portfolios should be submitted during the summer before (or the semester before) the student enters Goucher. 

Please submit two academic papers, for a total of ten pages of academic writing, according to the detailed instructions on the Writing Program website.

Please contact Phaye Poliakoff-Chen, directly (phaye.poliakoff-chen@goucher.edu) if you have any questions. Thank you.

Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC) Courses:  Part of the CWP Process

WEC courses use writing intentionally and creatively to enhance students’ learning. Not all courses that require a lot of writing are WEC courses.  The designated WEC courses cover specific aspects of the writing, research, and analytic processes. For example, students in WEC courses learn strategies that help them transfer their writing knowledge and skills from one genre to another and from one discipline to another. Students further develop the habits of mind that were introduced in their first-year writing courses. 

Students who entered Goucher College in FA15 or later must take and pass a WEC course in any discipline.

Ideally, students will take this course during their second year at Goucher.  However, we recognize that some students may need to delay taking their WEC course until their junior year.  We strongly recommend that students take their WEC course and apply for CWP by the end of their junior year at the very latest. We also recognize that some students prefer to take their WEC course early. Advanced students, (for example, those who earn an A or an A- in the honors hybrid course WRT 181H /FYS 100W ), are allowed to take a WEC course during their second semester of their first year at Goucher. Students should confer with their advisors and the Writing Program faculty. 

If you have questions, please contact Charlee Sterling (charlee.sterling@goucher.edu), the Director of the Center for Contemporary and Creative Writing. 

WEC Courses

Please note that we will continue to add WEC courses to this list.  The Writing Program maintains a list of the most current WEC and WID classes. You can also check the catalog updates and addendums. 

BIO 224 - Techniques in Genetics and Molecular Biology (1 Cr.)  

COM 232 - Writing for the Media (4 Cr.)  

DAN 318 - Reimagining Heritage USA Dan Concert  

DAN 351 - Dancing in the Past and Present: Romanticism and Beyond (4 Cr.)   

HIS 204 - Tumultuous Centuries: Modern Japan (4 Cr.)  

HIS 213 - Survey: Becoming East Asia (4 Cr.)  

HIS 235 - American Revolution (4 Cr.)  ONLY IF TAKEN SPRING 2022 OR AFTER

LIT 232 - Shakespeare (4 Cr.)  

LIT 265 - The English Novel, from Austen to Woolf (4 Cr.)   prior to Fall 2021

LIT 266 - Special Topics in the 19th Century British Novel (4 Cr.)  

PHL 218 - Philosophy of Time (4 Cr.)   

PSC 245 - Organized Advocacy in American Politics (4 Cr.)  

SOA 200 - Development of Social Thought (4 Cr.)  

SOA 238 - Cultures of Contemporary Europe (4 Cr.)  

SP 322 - Survey of Latin-American and Peninsular Literature and Culture (4 Cr.)  -

THE 213 - The World’s a Stage (4 Cr.)  

WRT 203 - Feature Writing for Newspaper and Magazines (4 Cr.)  

WRT 206 - Professional Communication (4 Cr.)  

WRT 208 - Journalism Workshop (4 Cr.)  - ONLY IF TAKEN IN SPRING 2021 OR AFTER THAT

WRT 219 - Linguistics (4 Cr.)  

WRT 221H - Theories and Practice in Composing, Tutoring, and Teaching - Honors. (4 Cr.)  

WRT 226 - Creative Nonfiction I (4 Cr.)  

WRT 281 - Writing Studies II: Special Topics (4 Cr.)  including Writing and Community Engagement and The Medical Narrative

WRT 282 - Comics, Composition and Creativity (4 Cr.)  

WRT 283 - Writing Harry (4 Cr.)  

WRT 284 - The Rhetoric of Islamophobia (4 Cr.)  

WRT 285 - Analyzing Linguistic Data (4 Cr.)  (also fulfills the DA-AC requirement)

 

WID: The 4th Step in the 4-Year Vertical Writing Curriculum

Students must also achieve writing proficiency in the major through WID (Writing in the Disciplines) courses designated by individual disciplines. These courses ensure that students have mastered the particular genres, analytical methods, and styles of their majors. Consult with your major advisor for information about your particular discipline’s WID course. The list of WID courses follows, and the list continues to be updated. If your discipline’s WID is not listed, please consult with the director of your particular major.

WID (Writing in the Disciplines) Courses

Please note that we will continue to add WID courses to this list.  The Writing Program maintains a list of the most current WEC and WID classes. You can also check the catalog updates and addendums.

Art History

ARH 362 - Nature into Art: The Cultural Dimensions of Landscape (4 Cr.)  

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

BIO 224 - Techniques in Genetics and Molecular Biology (1 Cr.)  

CHE 442 - Techniques in Biochemistry (2 Cr.)  

Biological Sciences

BIO 224 - Techniques in Genetics and Molecular Biology (1 Cr.)  

BIO 340 - Ecology and Evolution (4 Cr.)  

Communication

COM 262 - Research Methods in Media Studies (4 Cr.)  

Computer Science

CS 205 - Software Development (4 Cr.)  

Dance

DAN 351 - Dancing in the Past and Present: Romanticism and Beyond (4 Cr.)  

Economics

EC 497 - Capstone in Economics (4 Cr.)  

Elementary Education

ED 207 - Educational Psychology (4 Cr.)  

English Major (for both Literature and Creative Writing Concentrations)

LIT 200 - Close Reading, Critical Writing (2 Cr.)  

Environmental Studies

ES 230 - Feminist Political Ecology: Culture, Politics, Environmental Change (4 Cr.)  

History

HIS 415 - Tutorial in Historical Research (4 Cr.)  

Mathematics

MA 304 - Proof Writing Seminar (1.0 Cr.)  

Peace Studies

PCE 205 - course now inactive

Philosophy

PHL 206 - Writing Practicum in Philosophy (2 Cr.)  

Psychology

PSY 302 - Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology (4 Cr.)  

PSY 305 - Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology (4 Cr.)  

Religion

Religion majors may choose between the following two options:

  • RLG 495 Senior Thesis (course now inactive) 

OR

  • RLG 499 - Capstone Independent Work (4 Cr.)  along with RLG 497 - Religion Major Capstone (2 Cr.)  

Sociology/Anthropology

SOA 201 - Writing and Interpreting Social Life (4 Cr.)  

Spanish

In the Center for Hispanic and Latinx Studies, the Writing in the Disciplines (WID) courses will be any of the 400-level courses:

Special Education

ED 207 - Educational Psychology (4 Cr.)  

 

Study Abroad

Students may study abroad on Goucher ICAs (intensive courses abroad), or non-Goucher short-term programs at any time during their undergraduate experience, provided that they obtain approval from their advisors and the Office of Global Education. Students pursuing semester or yearlong study abroad programs must have spent at least three semesters in residence at an accredited college or university. All coursework abroad must be taken for a letter grade. Pass/No Pass coursework abroad, while potentially allowed by certain study abroad programs, is not allowed by Goucher College. Students may fulfill the study abroad requirement by pursuing an international internship for at least three credits. Students choosing to fulfill the requirement with an internship must work with the CEO, their advisors, and the Office of Global Education. All semester students enroll in the 1-credit Study Abroad Immersion Course (IDS 201) while abroad. The Immersion course is a required complement to the Study Abroad GCR and students must pass IDS 201 (or have the Immersion component embedded in a study abroad course) in order to complete the Study Abroad GCR. Goucher Prison Education Partnership students are exempt from the study abroad requirement.

Students entering Goucher in Fall 2017 and beyond must complete the study abroad requirement by the end of their sixth semester (for semester programs) and the end of the summer after their sixth semester for short term programs.

As with all college-level work completed elsewhere, final approval of credits for study abroad work completed before enrollment at Goucher must be confirmed by the Registrar after a review of a final, official transcript. The Registrar will also confirm whether the work approved for credit at Goucher satisfies any academic requirements, including the study abroad requirement.

Generally, students can carry their institutional financial aid abroad on Goucher semester programs for only one semester, except in the cases of the Goucher Oxford Program. Students cannot carry their institutional financial aid on any non-Goucher semester-abroad programs but can carry any federal aid such as Pell Grants or Stafford Loans.

All students are expected to make a good faith effort to complete the study abroad requirement. Students who cannot complete the study abroad requirement may petition the director of Global Education for an exemption. Students who are granted an exemption will be required to substitute a three-credit off-campus internship to satisfy this requirement. All transfer students who have studied abroad (for which at least three credits are accepted by Goucher) will have satisfied the study abroad requirement upon enrollment.

*Effective 10/13/2020 the IDS 305 and IDS 310 courses if taken in the spring 2021 semester will satisfy the GCR Study Abroad requirement. This only applies if the courses are taken in the spring and fall 2021 semesters.

Study-Abroad Policy for International Students

All students are expected to make a good-faith effort to complete the study abroad requirement. However, students who are citizens of a country other than the United States, whose primary residence is in that country, and who completed their high school degree outside the U.S. may petition for an exemption from the requirement. Students who are granted an exemption will be required to substitute a minimum three-credit off-campus academic experience in lieu of the study abroad requirement.

Financial Aid for International Study

Federal financial aid does not apply to summer or January term study abroad programs.

Scholarships for International Study

Scholarships for study abroad are available through the Office of International Studies. These include:

The Constance R. Caplan ‘57 Scholarship Fund

The Michele and Marty Cohen P ‘10 Scholarship Fund

The Rosa and Herman Cohen Scholarship

The Suzanne Fineman Cohen ‘56 International Scholars Fund

The Klara Farkas P ‘66 and Georgette Farkas Balance ‘66 Scholarship Fund

The Josephine Levy Kohn ‘36 Scholarship Fund

The Hajime Mitarai Memorial Fund

The Leslie Savage Nelson Mahoney 1912 Scholarship

The Katherine Manning-Munce 1919 Scholarship Fund

The Phyllis Koller Schreter ‘43 Fund for Study Abroad

The Selz Foundation Scholarship Fund

The Louise Scholl Tuttle ‘36 Scholarship Fund for Foreign Language Study

The Ungar Family Endowed Study-Abroad Fund

The Carol Fain Walters ‘57 Scholarship

The David and Marilyn Southard Warshawsky ‘68 Scholarship

The Margaret Messler Winslow ‘69 Fund for International Education

Scholarships for summer international internships are available from the Career Education Office (CEO).

 

Study-Abroad Deposits

Students participating in ICAs must pay a non-refundable $100 application fee at time of application and a $500 program deposit to confirm participation if accepted. Specific program deadlines are set each semester by the Office of International Studies. Students planning to undertake a non-Goucher short term course must pay a $100 administrative fee at time of application.

Refunds

If for any reason, a student withdraws from a Goucher semester or short-term program after the deposit deadline (or, the deadline of our partner institutions), he or she will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid to Goucher, including program deposit, tuition fees, travel fees, program fees, or any other fees incurred in connection with the program. If, due to any unforeseen circumstances or other circumstances beyond the control of the college, a semester or short-term Goucher program is cancelled, either prior to departure or during the course of the program, the student will not be guaranteed a refund of any fees paid to Goucher, including program deposit, tuition fees, travel fees, program fees, or any other fees incurred in connection with the program. In most cases, the college forwards program fees to vendors in foreign countries, making it very difficult to recover such fees due to a program cancellation. In such cases, the college will make a good-faith effort to recover such fees and to return any portion of fees that it may recover that may be attributable to a student’s participation in the program. However, the college makes no guarantees regarding the recovery of fees and is not liable for any fees that it is unable to recover.

Physical Education Requirements

***EFFECTIVE 11/25/2020 The Physical Edudation activity requirement has been removed as a degree requirement for all students.***

Goucher students, including those who transfer to the college, are required to complete a physical education activity course by the end of the junior year. Students who successfully complete a season on a varsity team, a dance performance through the Dance Department, some (but not all) dance courses, or a riding course may use that experience to satisfy the activity component. Goucher does not recognize audits, participation experiences outside of college class instruction, or unsupervised activity as a substitute for course work in physical education. Students with physical education or health science transfer credits on an official transcript from another college may be able to satisfy all or part of Goucher’s physical education requirement. These students should submit course syllabus, catalogue description, or certification document for consideration. Students with a gap of five years or more in their continuous education, or those over the age of 25, are exempt from the physical education requirements but are encouraged to enroll in or audit any physical education course. Goucher Prison Education Partnership students are also exempt from this requirement.

The PE and Dance (DAN) courses approved for this requirement can be found at the following link:

Physical Education Activity  

First Year Experience (FYE 134)

FYE 134, a required course for all new students, continues the orientation process and connects the learning that occurs for students both inside and outside of the classroom.  New students discuss the concept of being active learners and participants in the Goucher community and explore its implications for physical, social, and emotional well-being. As members of this learning community, students will be exposed to a variety of perspectives in order to develop a sense of respect for differing viewpoints, to learn the value of individual responsibility, and to understand the importance of personal accountability. Students will have the opportunity to build community, develop relationships with peers, and discover their sense of place at Goucher.  Successful completion of the course is a graduation requirement for all students except Goucher II students, who are exempt from this requirement.

The Major

Completion of a major is a requirement for the degree. Students are required to declare a major in the second semester of the sophomore year and may choose a major earlier if they are certain of their academic focus. The major enables students to study one or more disciplines in depth. No course may be counted toward requirements for the major unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the major unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only.

Students must complete a writing requirement in the major and fulfill the requirements for the major, minor, or concentration that are in effect at the time they declare.

A student’s major may be designated in any of the following patterns:

Program Major

The student follows a program with at least 30 credit hours of which at least 15 credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level.

Double Major

The student fulfills all the requirements for the major in two programs. 

The Minor

Students may select a program minor or interdisciplinary minor in addition to the major. The program minor shall require at least 18 credits of which as least 4 credits are at the 300- or 400-level. Programs are encouraged to list a core for the minor; at least 50 percent of the courses should be core. No course may be counted toward the requirements for a minor unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the minor unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only. Students must complete the requirements for the minor that are in effect at the time when they declare.

The Concentration

Students may select a program or interdisciplinary concentration in addition to the major and must meet all the criteria for the concentration. Concentrations are not available in all programs or disciplines. As with the major and minor, no course may be counted toward the requirements for a concentration unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the concentration unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only.

Other Academic Opportunities

Independent Work

With the permission of the instructor and the center director or program coordinator involved, a degree candidate may pursue independent study beginning with the second semester of the first year. Ordinarily, a student may not register for more than two independent studies per semester. No more than 16 credits of independent study may be applied toward the 120 credits required for graduation. Also, the Senior Thesis is considered as independent work and therefore is counted as part of the 16 credit maximum applied to the 120 credits required for graduation. The independent work form is the same as the course change (add/drop) form.

The Senior Thesis

The senior thesis is the product of scholarly or scientific research or artistic work of high academic quality. The character of the work leading to the senior thesis is expected to be more advanced than normal course work and should involve an unusually high level of initiative, independence, organization, and effort. It is used by many programs as one criterion for selecting students who are awarded honors in the major. The thesis is also part of the scholarly record of the college. Senior thesis work carries eight credits and ordinarily involves two sequential courses of four semester credit hours each, directed by a faculty advisor selected by the student. The advisor and the thesis subject are ordinarily in the student’s major field. Students must present a proposal for a senior thesis during their junior year. They will qualify to register for senior thesis work after completion of a minimum of 87 semester hours of college credit. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major field(s) and 3.25 overall. They should also be making normal progress toward completion of all requirements in the major(s). When a student is double majoring and both programs require a thesis for honors, it is up to each program whether one thesis will be allowed to count toward both honors. Also, the Senior Thesis is considered as independent work and therefore is counted as part of the 16 credit maximum applied to the 120 credits required for graduation. The complete guidelines and appropriate forms can be found at the following website: www.goucher.edu/x1893.xml

Academic Internships

Earning Credit

Earning credit for internships is an important and valuable learning opportunity for all students and is required for some majors. Students who wish to complete an internship for academic credit must complete the following:

  • Submit a completed Internship Learning Agreement (ILA) to the Career Education Office (CEO) for approval by the established deadline. Deadlines and a link to the form can be found on the CEO website at www.goucher.edu/ceo.
  • Develop learning objectives at the beginning of their internship in collaboration with their faculty internship sponsor
  • Reflect on their learning through journals, papers, and other academic work with guidance from their faculty internship sponsor
  • Complete a reflection document about their experience at the end of the semester and submit to the CEO

 

Each department has established internship courses with distinct prerequisites and academic requirements. All internships must adhere to the policies outlined by the college. Credit will not be awarded for previously completed internship experiences.

Internship courses will be available for variable credit. Programs can elect to offer courses between 0-4 credits based on the following hours:

0 credits 30 hours
1 credit 45 hours
2 credits 90 hours
3 credits 135 hours
4 credits 180 hours

Please see the descriptions in the academic catalogue to determine the credit options for each course.

Students can register for an internship course for zero-credits, which will be recorded on the academic transcript. Please note that a zero-credits internship course does not satisfy any major/minor or study abroad requirements.

Students must take an active role in arranging their internship and are encouraged to utilize the resources provided by the CEO.  The CEO supports students by helping them locate opportunities, research organizations, develop their resume and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and negotiate offers with employers.

Internship Policies

The following policies have been established to clarify how students are awarded credit and to address issues relating to registration for internship credit. These guidelines have been developed to provide a framework for the internship process and to clearly delineate the roles and expectations for all involved in the internship program:

1.   Students must work 45 hours at the internship for every one academic credit.

2.   Students may earn a total of eight (8) internship credits toward graduation. Students participating in more than eight internship credits will not be able to apply additional credits towards graduation.

3.   Credit can be awarded only when the internship experience coincides with the semester that the student registers for such credit.

4.   Students may complete only one (1) internship per semester (up to four credits), including summer.

5.   Students may complete more than one internship at a site, but the responsibilities and academic work involved in the internship must be different in order for additional credit to be earned.

6.   Students may take an academic internship course for zero-credits.

7.   Students must complete a reflection document about their internship experience at the end of each semester and return it to the CEO by the deadline.

8.   A student’s internship site supervisor and faculty internship sponsor must be different people.

9.   The faculty internship sponsor must be from the academic department in which the internship credit will be awarded.

International Internships

Students may expand their knowledge and understanding of unique cultures and people by completing an international internship. There are three options for international academic internships:

1.   Academic internships embedded in approved Goucher semester study abroad programs (see the Office of Global Education for more information on such sponsored programs). Students will not need to submit an ILA or involve the CEO.

2.   Academic internships embedded in summer or winter non-Goucher study abroad programs (see the Office of Global Education for more information on summer or winter non-Goucher programs). Students will not need to submit an ILA or involve the CEO.

3.   Independent international academic internships. Students must contact the offices of Global Education and Career Education (CEO) once they have identified a possible international internship. The Office of Global Education helps students understand the logistics and process of international travel and the CEO works with students to understand the process of receiving academic credit. To participate in an independent international internship, students must:

  • Speak with a member of the Office of Global Education to discuss the process of taking an internship abroad.
  • Submit the Internship Learning Agreement (ILA), comply with all policies governing internship credit and secure the appropriate approvals.
  • Complete an internship information questionnaire via abroad.goucher.edu.

Goucher Intern Fellowship

The CEO manages the Goucher Intern Fellowship program which provides financial support to students completing unpaid internships. The purpose of the fellowships is to encourage students to participate in academic internships for credit by supplementing their expenses. Students must submit an application for the fellowships to the Career Education Office following the posted process. For more information about the application process, visit the CEO website at www.goucher.edu/ceo.

Endowed Internships

The following funds are part of the Goucher Intern Fellowship program which provide support to students completing summer internships. Students must submit an application for the fellowships to the Career Education Office by the deadline posted on the CEO website.

The Betty McLeod Ariosa Internship Award is awarded to students who are pursuing internships in the public and private business sectors.

The Elizabeth Statuta Baker ‘70 and Edward Keefer Baker Internship Fund was established to support internship experiences for one or more students at Goucher College.  Preference will be given to students who intern with a nonprofit organization and/or are pursuing a career in public service. 

The Bank of Baltimore Internship Award is awarded to students who are pursuing internships in any field. 

The Jeanne V. Beekhuis Student Internship Fund was established to develop programs and services dedicated to channeling the talents and experience of Goucher alumnae/i into valuable career resources for Goucher students, and to help offset the expenses of students pursuing internships.

The Lucile Vanden Brink Internship is awarded to students who are pursuing an internship opportunity in visual, graphic, literary or performance arts with a preference for those students pursuing work in the medium of pottery.

The Class of ‘77 Goucher Intern Fellowship was established to support internship experiences for students enrolled in the undergraduate program at Goucher College.

The Marjorie Cook Foundation Internship Fund was established to support domestic internship experiences for one or more students at Goucher College. The internships shall be with organizations that work to further the Foundation’s mission, which is to expand the equality of women under the law.

The Brownlee Corrin Internship Award is awarded to students pursuing internships during the summer or winter, with special consideration to students majoring in political science, international relations and communication.

The Mary Ross Flowers Internship Fund is awarded to students doing internships in the general areas of conservation of natural resources including flora and fauna.

The Judith Miller Kosloff Class of 1939 Internship Award is given to a student interning with a non-profit organization.

The Elaine G. Messer Memorial Internship Award is awarded to students engaged in business or corporate internships.

The Sally J. Michel ‘60 Fund for Internships in Community Service is awarded to a student, from any major field of study, who has proposed a meaningful internship experience with an existing organization or through a student-initiated program that is dedicated to responding to the unmet needs in the community through direct service or social action.

The Judy Jolley Mohraz Fund for Internships in Community Service was established to be the college’s foremost award for student excellence in community service.  To be eligible, students must propose to engage in an internship experience with an organization that provides, coordinates or encourages community activism and service.

The Leona Sarah Morris ‘35 Endowed Internship Fund is awarded to Goucher students who are enrolled in the college’s undergraduate program and are pursuing internships.  Preference will be given to students with strong academic standing who are actively pursuing internships in nonprofit or for-profit organizations with a preference given to internships in media relations, communications, journalism, and/or public affairs.

The Earl L. and Christine Bikle Mummert ‘67 Award Fund is awarded to one or more Goucher undergraduates to provide funding for an internship with a non-profit organization.  Preference will be given to internships with organizations whose mission is to promote world peace.

The Naidoff Internship Award in Politics and Public Policy is awarded to junior and senior students who intend to pursue a career in government, politics, public policy, public interest, law or related fields. Preference is given to students who have formally declared their intention to major in politics and public policy.

The Professor Mary Carman Rose Endowed Internship Fund is awarded to students who are pursuing an internship during the summer months while an undergraduate at Goucher College. Students will be selected through a competitive process with preference for students involved in the pursuit of research, knowledge, and/or professional experience within the humanities, arts, and natural sciences.

The Jean Flah Silber ‘54 Fund for Internships in Government and Public Policy is awarded to junior or senior students who engage in internships within the United States in the subject area of government and public policy.

The Helen Fisher Solomon ‘44 Internship Fund is awarded to students who are pursuing an internship in the non-profit sector

The Carol Weinberg Endowed Internship Fund in Community is awarded to students with strong academic standing who are actively pursuing internships in nonprofit organizations with a preference given to those students who plan to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector.

The Robert S. Welch Endowed Internship Fund in Environmental Sustainability is awarded to students who plan to pursue careers focusing on ecology and/or support for the environment.  Applicants must be actively pursuing internships that focus on ecology and/or support for the environment, with preference given for internships in nonprofit organizations. 

The Zuckerberg Internship Award is awarded to support for one or more students at Goucher College who perform an internship during their course of study.

Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP) and Writing Workshops at the Baltimore County Detention Center 

The Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP) is an extension of Goucher College. Our primary goal is to offer an excellent college education to men and women incarcerated in Maryland. We operate two on-site higher education programs in state prisons.  While we are a division of Goucher College, all courses at the prisons are funded individual donations and a few private grants. We rely heavily on volunteers from the campus and the surrounding community.

Courses are taught by Goucher faculty and, occasionally, by faculty from surrounding colleges. Goucher faculty and upperclassmen serve as tutors for the Goucher students incarcerated at the prisons. Students from the main campus also engage with the project as research assistants (serving as a bridge between the academic library on the main campus and the students at the prison), program assistants (assisting with programmatic projects and clerical work), teaching assistants, or as peers in co-enrolled courses taught at the prison but serving both incarcerated Goucher students and students from the main campus.

Graduate Credits

4+1 Bachelor of Arts/Masters Degree Programs

The Welch Center offers accelerated 4+1 degree programs in which student can earn both the Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters in just five years in Cultural Sustainability, Digital Arts, Education, Environmental Studies, and Management.

Through these programs, students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average and who have attained junior status may take up to 12 graduate credits while they are still undergraduate students. These 12 graduate credits apply to the 120 credits required for the bachelor’s degree, as well as to the credits required for the master’s degree. The 4+1 programs typically require two to three summers of coursework. Information on the programs is available at the relevant program website at: http://www.goucher.edu/graduate-programs

Baltimore Student Exchange Program/Interinstitutional Programs

Participation in the Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP) that includes the Community College of Baltimore County, Coppin State University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, Maryland Institute College of Art, Morgan State University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Peabody Institute, Towson University, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Stevenson University is open to full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Courses in the day programs of the neighboring institutions are part of the reciprocal arrangement. Ordinarily, a Goucher student may take only two courses per year at the other institutions. Courses not duplicated at Goucher are open to election, although visiting students may not displace a student of the host institution in courses where places are limited. Independent work and special tutorial courses may not be taken at another institution. Interinstitutional courses are not open to pass/no pass election. Class schedules of participating colleges are available on the respective colleges’ websites. Complete regulations and registration procedures may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or on the web at: http://www.goucher.edu/registrar/baltimore-student-exchange-program. Goucher students who participate in the interinstitutional program pay Goucher tuition fees. Any exceptional charges are paid by the student directly to the host college. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from other colleges. There is limited shuttle service to some of the interinstitutional colleges and universities.

Transfer Work after Student has begun at Goucher

Students who wish to obtain credit for work taken at another institution after the student has started at Goucher must have their course elections approved by their advisors and the College Registrar, acting on behalf of the Provost. They must fill out a Transfer Course Approval form prior to taking a course elsewhere. The form can be found at this link: https://www.goucher.edu/registrar/documents/Transfer-Course-Approval-Form.pdf. If the course requested is from a program other than that of the advisor, and the course is not similar in context to a listed Goucher course the approval of that program is required. Only 15 transfer credit hours from summer or January intersession work will count towards the 120 credits required for the B.A. degree. Only courses with grades of C- or higher will be accepted.

Air Force ROTC

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is available to Goucher students through a (cross-town agreement) agreement with the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). AFROTC courses are scheduled so students from Goucher may complete all AFROTC requirements during one morning (Thursday) per week at the College Park campus. In addition, students are eligible to compete for all AFROTC scholarship programs. The three-year and two year scholarships pay tuition, books, and a monthly stipend while in school. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate in the program and a 2.5 GPA if on ROTC scholarship. You must have at least 5 semesters of college remaining and must be under age 31 when you commission. After graduation and successful completion of AFROTC requirements, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force. Students interested in AFROTC should visit the detachment website: (http://www.afrotc.umd.edu/), call at 301-314-3242, or visit in person at:

AFROTC Detachment 330
University of Maryland
Cole Field House
2126 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20742-4321

Army ROTC

Goucher accepts Army ROTC Scholarships as part of the college’s association with the Army ROTC program at Loyola College. Interested students should contact the Loyola College ROTC program at https://www.loyola.edu/academics/rotc.

Academic Procedures

Academic Responsibilities

 

In fulfilling their academic responsibilities, students are granted a degree of autonomy commensurate with their obligations to Goucher’s social and academic communities. Students’ academic obligations and responsibilities include regular class attendance and systematic preparation in all phases of their work.

Any student who must be absent from class for a disproportionate amount of time due to a personal reason (illness, injury, life-threatening illness or death in the immediate family, etc.) may be advised to withdraw from class and the college. Please refer to Goucher´s leave of absence and withdrawal policies (https://www.goucher.edu/registrar/leave-of-absence-withdrawal-from-the-college/), particularly the Medical/Compassionate Leave Policy, for the procedure to follow in these cases.  The Office of the Registrar receives and processes requests for withdrawal and leave under these policies. However, students who are considering a leave of absence or withdrawal are strongly recommended to meet with their advisor and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies prior to formally applying for leave of absences or withdrawal, and with the Associate Director of Student Support and Outreach, if they are considering a medical or compassionate withdrawal. In some cases, students may also be involuntarily withdrawn from the college for medical reasons, if necessary. See the college’s policy on Involuntary Medical Withdrawals.

If a student is involved in a conduct case, the student should refer to Goucher´s Administrative Action procedure (https://www.goucher.edu/legal-counsel/policies-and-procedures/administrative-action), which permits the President, the Provost, or the Dean of Students to require the student to leave the campus pending the outcome of the proceeding, or (if no proceeding is pending or anticipated) during such period as the President, Provost, or Dean of Students may determine.  A student who is required to leave campus should contact the Associate Dean of Students for Student Conduct.

Academic Honor Code

The cornerstone of Goucher’s academic community is the Academic Honor Code. Adopted in the first decade of the 20th century, the code emphasizes the importance of personal honor and moral integrity that reflect the honor and integrity of the Goucher community. As the primary authority to regulate student conduct in matters pertaining to the Academic Honor Code, the Student Government Association provides for the Academic Honor Board. Both the Academic Honor Code and Student Judicial Code may be found in the Campus Handbook. The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies may be consulted for information about the Academic Honor Board process.

Academic Progress Toward a Degree

(*Note this may be different than the Financial Aid Regulations regarding academic progress.)

Students are expected to continue to make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree each term. Full-time students are expected to achieve this through the cumulative GPA requirements and Successful Credit Load. Both are described below.

GPA Standards:

At the end of each semester, the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies reviews the records of all students. The table below sets the minimum GPA standards set by the Academic Policies Committee. Credits attempted include all transfer credits accepted by Goucher. GPAs listed in the table are based on Goucher work only.

Credits Attempted

0-27

28-57

over 57

Minimum GPA to remain in good standing

2.0*

2.0

2.0

Minimum GPA to remain at Goucher

1.6

1.7

1.8

       

*For first-semester first-year students only, the GPA to remain in good standing is 1.8.

As part of the continuing guidance offered to each Goucher student, the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies, in consultation with the Academic Policies Committee, reviews and acts on the record of any student who does not meet the standards outlined above or who meets the standards but whose work shows a marked negative trend. This includes, but is not limited to, students earning one or more “F/FW” grades, one or more “NP” grades, or any combination of two or more “D”, “I”, or “W” grades in a single semester.  The review includes an assessment of each student’s academic achievement and an evaluation of extenuating circumstances and of the student’s potential for substantial academic improvement. This review determines the student’s academic standing.

The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies may place a student on academic warning, probation, or suspension, or may dismiss the student from the college. The college reserves the right to suspend or dismiss students who do not pass any courses in their first semester. A student may appeal an action by the Associate Provost to the Academic Policies Committee. The appeal should be directed to the Academic Policies Committee in care of the Associate Provost’s Office.

All students placed on academic probation are required to attend a two-day retreat to develop an Academic Success Contract and Plan containing both required academic activities and personalized academic goals.

Probationary students who meet the terms of their contract and achieve minimum GPA standards as agreed to in the Academic Contract for College Success will be placed on academic warning. Probationary students who meet the requirements and make progress towards the goals of their academic contract, but who still fall below the requirements for good academic standing, are placed on probation for one additional semester. Normally, students who fail to regain good academic standing after two consecutive probationary semesters will face dismissal.

A student who is placed on academic probation may not hold any elected or appointed office in any college organization, participate in any varsity sport (with the exception of supervised on-campus training and practice sessions), or register for more than 16 credit hours in a semester. A student who has been suspended may apply for reinstatement following the completion of a minimum 12 credit hours, excluding summer and winter school, at an accredited academic institution with no grade lower than a C-, or one year of successful work experience with a letter from the employer stating the dates of employment. A student who has been dismissed may not return to the college.

Students are cautioned that they should be averaging 15 credits a semester if they plan on reaching the 120 credit minimum required for the BA degree in 4 years (i.e. 8 semesters x 15 credits = 120 credits).

Successful Credit Load Standards

Once a student has completed two full terms at Goucher College their academic record will be reviewed with emphasis toward successful completion. The table below sets the minimum standards set by the academic policies committee. Credits attempted include all transfer credits accepted by Goucher.

After 2 terms a full-time student must have successfully completed 24 credits at Goucher.

After 4 terms a full-time student must have successfully completed 54 credits at Goucher.

After 6 terms a full-time student must have successfully completed 87 credits at Goucher.

Note that attempted credits are not credits successfully completed. All courses that have NP, W or F/FW are considered as attempted credits.

On the basis of this review, the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies may suspend the student from the college. Students may write an appeal to the Academic Policy Committee for this suspension and must present an academic plan for the remaining semesters at Goucher. The decision of the committee will be final. If it is agreed that the plan is feasible, the student will be required to adhere to the plan for all remaining semesters. A student who has been suspended may apply for reinstatement following the completion of a minimum 12 credit hours, excluding summer school, at an accredited academic institution with no grade lower than a C-, or one year of successful work experience with a letter from the employer stating the dates of employment.

Students are cautioned that they should be averaging 15 credits a semester if they plan on reaching the 120 credit minimum required for the BA degree in 4 years (i.e. 8 semesters x 15 credits = 120 credits).

Academic Forgiveness Policy

In recognition of the challenges that may occur in a student’s transition from high school to college, the following opportunity will be extended by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies to first-year students. Such students may request to eliminate from their GPA calculation up to three courses in which an F grade was earned during their first or second semester at Goucher College. To facilitate the recalculation, the F grade will be converted to a No-Pass (NP) grade.

Students who want to take advantage of the Academic Forgiveness Policy may apply for it when they begin their third semester at Goucher. They will have three weeks to meet with their academic advisor or an academic coach in ACE and develop an Academic Contract for Student Success. They will also complete an Academic Forgiveness Request Form (PDF). Students will then make an appointment with the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies to submit both forms.

Only students who meet the terms of their contract and achieve minimum GPA standards as agreed to in the Academic Contract for Student Success will be granted Academic Forgiveness for eligible courses in their first year. Students will get a notification from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies by the end of their third semester at Goucher.

HOW DOES THE ACADEMIC FORGIVENESS PROCESS WORK?

Step 1: At the beginning of their third semester at Goucher, the student will meet with their advisor to discuss the policy to complete an Academic Forgiveness Request Form (PDF). They will also develop an Academic Contract for Success. Contracts will include a commitment for a semester GPA of at least 2.0.

Step 2: Students will submit the Academic Forgiveness Request Form (PDF) and a copy of the Academic Contract for Student Success to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies.

Step 3: If students meet ALL the terms of the Academic Contract for Student Success, including earning a semester GPA of at least 2.0, they will receive a notification at the end of their third semester at Goucher granting them Academic Forgiveness for the requested course(s).

Academic Advising

Curricular guidance in a student’s first and second years is offered by an academic advisor who works with the student to develop an academic plan of study. When students declare majors/minors, they choose faculty advisors in their major/minor programs. The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies coordinates the advising process. All the information pertaining to the fulfillment of requirements for graduation is found in this catalogue. Ultimately, it is the students’ responsibility to monitor their progress toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. Students can track completion of their Goucher Commons Requirements (GCRs) by viewing their DegreeWorks report in their MyGoucher account.

Academic Center for Excellence

The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) is the academic support service designed to assist all Goucher students in developing those study and learning skills necessary for college success. ACE supports the college’s mission by providing individual academic coaching sessions, academic workshops, content-based supplemental instruction sessions and content-specific peer tutoring. The center is staffed by professional Academic Coaches and a trained graduate intern. Academic accommodations are implemented at the academic center for students with documented learning differences.

Career Education Office

The Career Education Office (CEO) helps students discover and pursue careers that combine their interests, skills, and values.  The CEO offer programs and services to help students at all stages of the career planning process and encourages students to visit the office early and often during their time at Goucher. The CEO assists students with major and career exploration, student employment, internships, full-time employment, and graduate and professional school preparation.  Students can connect with the CEO through individual appointments, drop-in advising, or email (career@goucher.edu.) Additional information about the CEO services can be found online at www.goucher.edu/ceo.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held once a year in May. In order to participate, a student must have completed all academic requirements for the appropriate degree and have settled all college accounts and all student disciplinary matters. A student who is in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of at least 2.0) and is within four credits of completing graduation requirements may participate in commencement exercises only if documentation demonstrates that the remaining credits will be completed by the August degree date of that year. Exceptions to the commencement policy can only be made by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies and are expected to be rare. Petitions for exceptions are only accepted from students who have been enrolled in the spring for all remaining courses needed for participation in commencement exercises, and for whom unforeseen and unpreventable forces at the end of the semester are the cause of the failure to complete those courses. Permission for students finishing in the summer to participate in the May Commencement must be granted by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies. Students must submit their requests, with documentation, to the Associate Provost at least three weeks prior to Commencement.

The college reserves the right to not permit the release of a cap and gown to any student who has not been cleared for graduation. Students completing graduation requirements in the summer will be awarded their degree in late August, and students completing requirements in the Fall will be awarded their degree in December.

Course Load

A full-time student may take between 12.0 and 18.0 credit hours in any semester, however, students should average 15.0 credits per semester, in order to reach the 120.0 credits required for graduation within eight semesters. Students who elect fewer than 12.0 credit hours in a semester are considered to be part-time unless granted reduced course load status pursuant to Goucher’s Reduced Course Load Policy. 

  • Students who, due to extraordinary circumstances, are in need of a heavier course load than the aforementioned academic credit limit policy may petition the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies.
  • Students taking more than 18.0 credits per semester will be charged the part-time tuition rate for additional credits.
  • Goucher credits taken over the summer and/or winter terms will not count toward the semester credit limits. Students will be charged summer and/or winter term rates for credits taken during these terms.
  • Withdrawn courses count towards course load and tuition charges.

Audits

A full-time student may audit one or more courses a semester without additional charge. Election of the audit option must be done at the point of registration for the course or within the add/drop deadline for adding a course. Permission to audit must be obtained in writing from the instructor of each course. Successful completion of audits will result in an AU on the transcript. There will be no notation on the transcript in the case of unsuccessful completion or withdrawal from an audited course. Students may withdraw from an audit through the last day of classes. College policy prohibits changing an audit to credit or vice versa after the add/drop deadline. No petitions will be granted. Faculty may request a student’s withdrawal from an audit if the audit requirements were not met.

Withdrawals from Courses

A student may drop a semester course without a withdrawal appearing on the transcript until the tenth day of class. If a student withdraws from a class after this time, the student will receive a grade of W. The last day to withdraw from a semester course with a W is the end of the 10th week. *Policy updated 8/10/2020 for fall 2020 semester only. Deadline will be the last day of classes, November 18, 2020. Update 2 - deadline in spring 2021 will be last day of classes, May 7, 2021*

The last day to drop a 7-week course is the end of the 15th day of the 7-week term.

Withdrawn courses count towards course load and tuition charges. A W will have no effect on a student’s grade point average.

Students should consult the Important Dates for Students calendar for exact dates.

Add/Drop Deadlines for Courses

Students may add or drop any full semester course using the online registration system (“myGoucher”) during the open add/drop period, which ends on the fifth business day of the semester. Between the fifth and tenth business days of the semester, students may add or drop courses by submitting a course change form to the Office of the Registrar, but may add a course only with the permission of the instructor.  (Permission to add a course during this period is granted at the instructor’s discretion and is not automatic, as joining a class late can put a student at a significant disadvantage.) To add a course, the form must be signed by both the instructor and the student’s advisor; to drop a course, only the advisor’s signature is needed. Students may not add a full semester course after the tenth business day. 

A student may withdraw from a full semester course after the tenth business day of the semester and before the course withdrawal deadline (week 10); in that case the student will receive a grade of “W” for the course. This action does not change the enrollment status of a student, that is, a full time student continues to be full time. *Update 8/10/2020 - for the fall 2020 semester only the deadline will be the last day of classes, November 18, 2020. Update 2 - the deadline in spring 2021 will be the last day of classes, May 7, 2021.*

A 7-week course may be added through the first 3 days of the 7-week term without instructor permission. On days 4 and 5 of the 7-week term the instructor must give permission for the student to add the course. To add a course after day 5 of the 7-week term the student will need to petition for a late add, with the approval of the instructor, to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies. A student may drop a 7-week course through the end of the 5th day of the 7-week term.

See the Important Dates for Students calendar for the actual dates in each term.

 

Pass/No Pass

*Policy adjusted on 8/10/2020 for the fall 2020 semester only. Deadline will be last day of classes, November 18, 2020 for a student to decide upon the pass/no pass grade option. Update 2 - for spring 2021 the deadline will be the las day of classes, May 7, 2021.*

Students may choose to take two courses per academic year on a pass/no pass basis. In the regular semester, the pass/no pass option must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the tenth week of classes; in half semester courses by the end of the third week. Pass is equivalent to any grade from A through C- as normally interpreted at Goucher College. A grade of P or NP will have no effect on a student’s grade point average. Students who wish to switch from pass/no pass to graded status may do so up until week 10 of the semester (week three of seven-week courses.) After that the choice is irrevocable.

BSEP courses and summer courses taken elsewhere are not ordinarily open to pass/no pass election. Center Directors may specify that an off-campus experience can be taken only on a pass/no pass basis; such a requirement is not part of the student’s pass/no pass quota.

Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements in the major or minor (unless such courses are required to be so graded). If a major requirement is taken pass/no pass the department must require that the course be re-taken for a regular grade or identify an appropriate substitute.

Final Experiences/Examinations

Final experiences/examinations are given at the end of each semester. Unexcused absence from a final experience/examination is counted as a failure on the experience/examination. The semester officially ends at the close of the final experience/examination period. No course work is accepted after this time unless an incomplete has been authorized. Students are responsible for submitting examinations and other assigned work to the instructor when they are due.

Course Reflections

A comprehensive system of student reflections on course construction, student engagement, faculty instruction and support, and student learning is considered vital to the academic community. At the end of each course, students are expected to complete and return course reflections distributed by the Committee on Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure.

Determination of Rank

First-year, sophomore, junior, or senior rank is determined at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Rank is based on credits achieved as follows:

First-year: 0-26.99 credit hours
Sophomore: 27-56.99 credit hours
Junior: 57-86.99 credit hours
Senior: 87 or more credit hours

Grading System

The grading system at Goucher is as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, poor; F, failing; FW, failed and didn’t withdraw; P, pass; NP, no pass; I, incomplete; AU, audit. The letter grades may be modified by plus or minus as follows: A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+, and D-. The incomplete is deleted from the student’s record when the grade for the course is submitted. PW and NW refer to college writing proficiency grades. PW refers to passing college writing proficiency, and NW refers to not passing college writing proficiency. W is defined under withdrawals. AU is defined under audits.

Students may choose to take two courses per academic year on a pass/no pass basis. In the regular semester, the pass/ no pass option must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in Student Administrative Services by the end of the tenth week of classes; in half-semester courses, by the end of the third week. Pass is equivalent to any grade from A through C- as normally interpreted at Goucher College. Students who wish to switch from pass/no pass to graded status may do so up until week 10 of the semester (week three of seven-week courses). After that the choice is irrevocable.

Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the major or minor unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only. A grade of P or NP will have no effect on a student’s grade point average.

Interinstitutional/BSEP courses and summer courses taken elsewhere are not ordinarily open to pass/no pass election. Department chairs may specify that an off-campus experience can be taken only on a pass/no pass basis; such a requirement is not part of the student’s pass/no pass quota. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements in the major or minor (unless such courses are required to be so graded). If a major requirement is taken pass/no pass, the department must require that the course be re-taken for a regular grade or identify an appropriate substitute.

The deadline for any grade changes is 12 months past the semester in which the grade was originally received.

Grade Appeal

The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a consistent procedure by which students may seek review of final grades assigned in undergraduate courses at Goucher College. Grades other than final course grades may not be appealed. The policy recognizes the right and responsibility of faculty members to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating academic performance and the right of students to have their academic performance judged in a fair and impartial manner.

Grounds for Appeal

The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a consistent procedure by which students may seek review of final grades assigned in undergraduate courses at Goucher College. Grades other than final course grades may not be appealed. The policy recognizes the right and responsibility of faculty members to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating academic performance and the right of students to have their academic performance judged in a fair and impartial manner.

A student may appeal a final course grade only on the grounds that

  1. the grade was assigned based on a miscalculation or clerical error;
  2. the grading standards for the course were not clearly articulated by the instructor, or the grade was assigned in a manner inconsistent with articulated standards;
  3. the grade was assigned on some basis other than performance in the course; or
  4. the grade was assigned in a manner other than that used for other students in the course. At all levels of review, the burden of demonstrating that a grade should be changed rests with the students.

The deadline for any grade changes is 12 months past the semester in which the grade was originally received.

A copy of the procedures for appeals can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies.

Incompletes

A semester officially ends at the close of the examination period. No course work will be accepted by a faculty member after this time unless an incomplete grade request has been agreed upon and documented in writing by the instructor and the student. The student is responsible for filing the signed incomplete form with Office of the Registrar.

Incompletes at Goucher College are given only for reasons beyond the student’s control, namely medical reasons or death in family. In all instances, the student must initiate application for an incomplete with the instructor and the form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by 5:00pm on the last day of classes of the session in which the course was taught. Incompletes are intended to apply to cases where the student has completed at least three-quarters (75%) of the work of the session. The instructor has the right to deny an application for an incomplete.

Students applying for an incomplete after the deadline due to an emergency situation must submit the request for an incomplete, along with a petition for an exception to college policy, to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies, prior to the submission of a grade. The Associate Provost will determine, in conversation with the instructor of the class, the eligibility of the application. All requests will be reviewed but may not be granted.

Resolution of Incompletes

The resolution of an incomplete is the responsibility of the student and the instructor. The student should have all work completed as soon as possible but no later than five weeks from the last day of the final experience in the Spring semester or Winter/Summer session and no later than the fourth week in the fall semester. The student should submit papers, projects, and examinations directly to the instructor. If the work has been completed by the deadline, then the instructor shall award a grade. Instructors will indicate in the Incomplete form the student´s current grade if no work is submitted by the deadline. Incompletes in Goucher Study Abroad programs/courses follow the same procedure/deadlines described above.

Repeated Courses

If a student repeats a course, all course iterations and grades will be listed on the transcript but only the grade and credits from the most recent iteration will count towards the student’s GPA and total credits towards graduation.

Academic programs decide if a student must repeat a course in the major if the grade was below C-, or if they will permit the student to substitute another course for the major. Any Academic Program may set a policy that majors may not retake more than two courses required for the major for which they received a less than satisfactory grade. Ordinarily, no student may register for the same course more than twice, with the exception of special topics courses with different content. Approval must be obtained from the appropriate program director if a student wishes to repeat a course beyond this limit.  The struck out content for the repeat policy is rescinded as of 11/21/2021.

This policy does not apply to withdrawals and does not include courses that may be repeated for credit as listed in this catalogue. (Note that a student who earns an F in the second iteration of a repeated course, under this policy, will lose any prior credits earned via a previous iteration.)

Students repeating a letter-graded course must take the course for a letter grade any subsequent time the course is taken to take advantage of the repeat grade policy. If the student originally took the course on a pass/no-pass basis, the course must be taken again on a pass/no-pass basis to take advantage of the repeat grade policy.

Topics courses are an exception, and are repeatable when offered for a different topic.

Calculation of the GPA 

Only courses completed at Goucher, through the interinstitutional (BSEP) cross-registration program, or through a Goucher sponsored program, are included in the GPA calculation. Each semester, the credit hour value of each course attempted for a grade is multiplied by the numerical value of the earned grade to determine the quality points earned. The total number of quality points earned in these courses is divided by the total number of graded credit hours attempted resulting in the GPA for the semester.

The cumulative GPA is the cumulative total of the quality points earned in all courses divided by the total number of graded credit hours attempted. The semester GPAs are not averaged together to create the cumulative average. The numerical value of grades is as follows: A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33 B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, D-=0.67, F/FW=0.0

The following is an example of how to calculate a GPA:

Grade Earned Numerical Value of Grade Earned   Credit Hours   Quality Points       GPA
A 4 x 3 = 12        
B 3 x 4 = 12        

      7   24 ÷ 7 = 3.43

Online Course Policy

Effective 6/19/2020, updated 8/10/2020, updated 3/22/2021, updated 01/31/2022 *Goucher and non-Goucher online courses taken the summer and fall of 2020, winter, spring, summer and fall 2021, and winter and spring of 2022, will not count towards the 12 credits maximum of online/distance-learning courses that can apply toward the 120 credit minimum required for a BA degree.*

Goucher is a residential college, consequently there is a limit on how many online/distance-learning courses a student may take to apply towards their Bachelor of Arts requirements. Students may take up to a maximum of 12 credits in total (with exceptions noted below) via online/distance-learning courses and then apply them towards the 120 credit minimum required for a B.A. degree. 

The 12 credits maximum includes both Goucher and non-Goucher courses.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree program are exempt from this credit limit policy.

If the courses are taken at another college they must be from a regionally accredited, public or private college or university.

First-year students may not take an online course during their first semester at Goucher College.

Students may not fulfill the GCR of foreign language by exclusively taking online courses.

An online course is defined by Goucher as any course that meets in person for less than 60% of the course. Senior Thesis and Independent Work are not considered as online courses and do not count towards the 12-credit online total. All transfer courses must be approved by the Registrar before credit is granted.

Online laboratory courses that are 0 or 1 credit do not count towards the 12-credit online total. 

Partial credit for courses is not allowed.

Academic Leaves of Absence

The college recognizes that many students derive educational and personal benefits from spending a period of time away from the campus to study at another institution or to pursue other appropriate educational goals. Students in good academic and financial standing may request a leave of absence for either one or two semesters. A leave generally begins at the end of a regular semester, and students are expected to return to the college at the conclusion of their leave. They will receive registration and housing information at the appropriate time in the semester preceding their return and are responsible for meeting all deadlines. The college reserves the right to postpone the date of return depending on available residential space. Students who leave Goucher without declaring a leave will be withdrawn and have to apply for reinstatement.

Students who take a leave of absence from the college to study at another institution in the United States should complete the non-Goucher course approval form available on the Registrar’s website. http://www.goucher.edu/x1893.xml.  It takes time to arrange an academic leave; therefore, students should begin discussing their plans at least a full semester in advance. To ensure academic credit, students should enroll at another institution as visiting nondegree students. They must obtain approval for the courses they have selected from their major advisor (to ensure that all major requirements will be fulfilled) and from the Registrar’s Office.

Students who wish to take a leave of absence for other reasons or wish to withdraw from the college should discuss their plans and seek approval from the Associate Director of Student Support and Outreach. Exceptions for longer leaves for military service may be granted by the Provost and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies.

Leave of absences taken during the three semesters affected by COVID-19 in which Goucher College moved to remote instruction (spring 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021) will not apply toward the two semester limit. 

 

Deadlines for Application for Leave:

The deadline for applying for leave is the add/drop deadline for the semester in which the student will be on leave.

Return from a Leave of Absence:

A student returning from a leave of absence does not need to apply for reinstatement. Students on leave are responsible for meeting regular college deadlines for filing for financial aid and for registering for housing and courses. 

Failure to return from a leave of absence: 

Students receiving Title IV financial aid who take a leave of absence are treated as having withdrawn from the college for financial aid purposes. This means that the six-month grace period for Federal Direct Loans begins the day after the last date of academic activity at the college. Thus, students who are federal loan recipients and fail to return from a leave of absence may trigger a requirement to begin repayment on student loans, if the federal period of deferral has expired. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss the consequence of this changed status on outstanding loans.

Assessment

Goucher has an ongoing program of assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the college and to ensure that it is meeting its goal of providing a high quality education. The assessment program includes opinion surveys, interviews, and testing. Students are expected to participate in assessment activities throughout their time at Goucher.

Honors and Awards

Dean’s List

At the end of each semester, students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of academic achievement for that semester are named to the Dean’s List. The minimum grade point average for Dean’s List is as follows:

First-year: 3.50
Sophomores: 3.70
Juniors: 3.75
Seniors: 3.80

Full-time students must complete at least 12 graded credits in a given semester to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least 12 graded credits within two semesters of a given academic year. Courses taken for a Pass - No Pass (P or NP) grade do not count as “graded credits” for Dean’s List purposes.

Honors at Graduation

A student may graduate having achieved one or more of two distinctions.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the major is designed to give recognition to outstanding work in the major. This designation is awarded on the recommendation of the faculty who have taught and supervised a student’s work in the major at the upper level. Requirements for honors in the major are determined by each program.

Latin Honors

Students who have taken at least 60 semester credit hours on a letter-grade basis at Goucher or as part of a Goucher sponsored study-abroad program may be awarded their degrees

Change for May and August 2021 undergraduate degree candidates only.

Students who have taken at least 56 semester credit hours on a letter-grade basis at Goucher or as part of a Goucher sponsored study-abroad program may be awarded their degrees

  • summa cum laude with a grade point average of 3.9,
  • magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.7 to 3.89, or
  • cum laude with a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.69.

Grade point averages are not rounded off for Latin honors. Transfer students may not be able to take courses pass/no pass and still qualify for Latin honors unless they take a minimum of 60 graded credits in residence excluding pass/no pass.

Change for May and August 2021 undergraduate degree candidates only.

Transfer students may not be able to take courses pass/no pass and still qualify for Latin honors unless they take a minimum of 56 graded credits in residence excluding pass/no pass.

Phi Beta Kappa

Goucher College, formerly the Woman’s College of Baltimore, was granted a charter by the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society in 1904 as the Beta of Maryland Chapter.

Students are eligible for election on the basis of academic standing and rules of eligibility established by the Senate of the Chapter. These rules stipulate a minimum grade point average of 3.5; in addition, no more than 10 percent of the credit hours completed ordinarily may be graded pass/no pass (courses that may not be taken for a grade do not count in the 10 percent). All college-level work is considered, but work done at Goucher is weighted more heavily. Achievements of these standards do not guarantee membership. Students must also demonstrate academic integrity, commitment to intellectual pursuits, and breadth within their academic program. The latter ordinarily requires a student to complete courses in each of the five divisions beyond those taken to satisfy the general education requirements.

Annual Prizes and Awards

The Action Research Prize is given to graduates whose action research study represents an exceptionally high level of achievement in research design, execution, data analysis, and writing.

The Corene Elaine Amoss ‘93 Memorial Prize is awarded to Goucher students who have established an outstanding academic record and who participated in more than one aspect of co-curricular student life at Goucher College.

The Alumni Prize for Excellence in Physics is awarded to a student who has distinguished him or herself through outstanding achievement in the field of physics, as demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major, and has displayed significant promise in independent research, as evidenced by publication in a scholarly journal or a presentation to the scientific community beyond campus borders.

The Alumnae/i Prize for Service in Physics is awarded each year to a student who has distinguished him or herself by exemplary service to the Physics program and greater community, both inside and beyond Goucher’s borders.

The Harold Anderson Fund was established to recognize researchers who specialize in cultural documentation, particularly those engaged with endangered folkways, and to support MACS students who are focusing on cultural documentation in their MACS capstones by providing funding for softward and/or equipment.

The Applestein-Sweren Book Collecting Prize is for personal collections of books and related ephemera. The competition encourages Goucher students to read for enjoyment, to develop personal libraries throughout their lives, and to appreciate the special qualities of printed or illustrated works.

The Marilyn Silverman Apter ‘41 Prize is awarded in memory of Marilyn Silverman Apter, class of 1941, to an outstanding rising senior who has achieved high academic honors, served the college, and shown outstanding leadership qualities.

The Master of Arts in Arts Administration/Jean Wilhelm Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding work to a graduate student in arts administration presenting the best major paper in a given year.

The Jean H. Baker Award in History supported by the Calvin Fund in History is presented to a graduating history major who demonstrated exceptional skill in historical analysis and thinking.

The Milly Bielaski 1903 Prize in Chemistry is presented to an outstanding junior chemistry major.

The Mary Hortop Bready ‘46 Prize for Social Service to Baltimore is awarded each year to a student that shows dedication and service to the Baltimore community.

The Dorothy E. Brody ‘35 Internship in Women’s Issues is awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior to help underwrite or offset the cost of an internship consisting of community service in an organization dedicated to improving the status and/or condition of women.

The Dorothy E. Brody ‘35 Prize for Achievement in Women’s Studies is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and/or produced outstanding scholarly work in women’s studies.

The Joan K. Burton Award in Sociology in honor of Joan K. Burton, beloved professor of Sociology who retired in 2012, recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding service to the program, and a commitment to social justice, qualities Professor Burton embodied during her tenure at Goucher.

The Calvin Prize in History is awarded to an outstanding senior history major.

The Class of 1960 Rhoda Dorsey Endowment for the Archives Award was established by the Class of ‘60 in honor of their 55th reunion to provide ongoing support for current programming and development of new initiatives that showcase Special Collections & Archives and further Goucher College’s academic mission.

The Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship supports students in their personal, professional and civic growth as the next generation of public problem solvers.

The Coaches’ Award is given annually to one or more senior athletes who have best represented Goucher throughout four years of competition.

The Clara W. Classen ‘25 Fund was established from the estate of Clara W. Claasen ‘25 and the fund supports students research in the sciences.

The Elizabeth Dean Special Education Award is given to a Masters of Arts in Teaching graduate who is earning certification in special education teaching.

The Eleanor Denoon ‘36 Poetry Prize is sponsored by the Kratz Center for Creative Writing in memory of its founding donor, Eleanor Denoon. It is given to Goucher undergraduates “for serious, sustained work in poetry.”

The Prize for Excellence in Psychology is presented to an accomplished graduating senior who demonstrates exceptionally high achievement in or out of the classroom, in research inquiry or application, by means of intellectual risk-taking and creative problem-solving. Special consideration is given to students who have shown unusual resourcefulness and imagination in the face of challenge.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award for the Master of Arts in Historic Preservation was established in 2014 and recognizes an alumna’s/alumnus’s contributions to the field of historic preservation since graduation. The recipient is nominated by Goucher M.A.H.P. faculty. The recipient also serves as a lecturer during the limited residency.

The Distinguished Scholar Award is awarded to sophomores who have demonstrated a very high level of academic achievement and whose commitment to experiential learning is effected in their research or special project proposal.

The Gladys M. Dorsey ‘26 Memorial Award is given annually to a senior foreign language major who has demonstrated proficiency in one or more foreign languages and has made a contribution of time and talent to Goucher College. Preference will be given to French majors.

The Rhoda M. Dorsey Award is presented to a student who represents sustained leadership, commitment, teamwork, ingenuity, and an ability to work with fellow students, staff and administration.

The George Brendan Dowell Award in Theatre is given to recognize the achievement and high standing of a graduating senior in the Theatre program.

The Gayle V. Economos ‘76 First Graduate in Communication and Media Studies Prize in honor of Dr. George and Mrs. Kassie Economos and Aspasia Kasida is awarded to a student in good standing in the undergraduate program at Goucher College and who has declared a major in the communication and media studies program.

The Mary Katherine Boone Ekin ‘40 Prize in Computer Science is awarded to a senior majoring in computer science who is considered to have an excellent grasp of both theoretical and applied aspects of the subject. The criteria for the award include high achievement in course work and the ability to interpret the concepts of computer science in creative and imaginative ways.

The Environmental Studies Prize Fund is awarded to a junior or senior environmental studies major with a 3.5 GPA or higher who has shown outstanding academic achievement.

The Neena Tolley Ewing ‘72 Memorial Award is intended to recognize the most outstanding member of Goucher’s equestrian riding program. This prize is awarded to an outstanding member of Goucher’s Equestrian Program who is judged to demonstrate the most outstanding leadership, scholarship, riding talent, and teamwork.

The Erin Felarca ‘05 Memorial Academic Achievement Award is awarded to a graduating senior from the Communication and Media Studies Program who has demonstrated excellence in academics and commitment to issues of diversity.

Lynn Toby Fisher ‘71 and John Lee Compton Prize Fund was established to provide awards to undergraduate students at Goucher College to enhance the student’s educational experience.

The Erin Felarca ‘05 Memorial Award for Travel Abroad based on both financial need and merit, is awarded to a student majoring in communication and media studies in his/her sophomore year who is planning a study abroad trip for the following (junior) academic year. The award will help finance an ICA or a semester abroad.

The Josephine E. Fiske Award is given annually to a non-senior female varsity athlete for service and leadership.

The Mary Ross Flowers ‘28 Award in Astronomy is given each year to a student of any major with the best project in astronomy.

The Friends of Goucher Dance Prize for Excellence in Track of Study is awarded to a graduating Dance major who has demonstrated excellence in his or her track of study.

The Friends of Goucher Dance Prize for Excellence in Leadership and Service is awarded to a graduating Dance major that has participated fully in program activities and has made a positive contribution to the Dance program.

The Friends of Goucher Dance Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Major is awarded to a graduating dance major who participated fully in every aspect of the program, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher in the major, pursued every opportunity for growth and development, and demonstrated professional commitment to the field of dance.

The Dr. Helen B. Funk Prize Fund is awarded to majors in the biological sciences who demonstrate achievement and potential in the fields of microbiology and/or immunology.

The Hilda Gabrilove ‘48 and Dr. Janice Gabrilove Dirzulaitis ‘73 Chemistry Prize is awarded for academic excellence in chemistry.

The Margaret Guccione Prize for Arts and Literature is a part of the Julia Rogers Research Prize that honors a paper in literature or arts and to honor Margaret’s long-standing role with the research prize.

The Dr. Helen Habermann Prize Fund is awarded to majors in the biological sciences who demonstrate achievement and potential in the field of plant research.

The Ethelmarie Apter Halpern ‘42 Memorial Community Service Prize Fund is awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated leadership in combating prejudice and fostering good relations within the community or community at large.

The Janet Harris Fund Award is presented to a graduating religion major for excellence in the Religion Program. Preference is given to students pursuing graduate school in Religious Studies or a related field.

The Evenden Daley Herman ‘37 Endowed Prize Fund is awarded to a Goucher College full-time international or immigrant student who has demonstrated leadership and service in college and/or community activities and who promotes understanding among people of different nations.

The Julia Gontrum Hill Award in Music is for the student of the piano who has demonstrated distinction in musical performance and gives evidence of creative potential.

The Max Hochschild Prize for Excellence in Economics is awarded to the student(s) who demonstrate a superior grasp of econometric theory and application as demonstrated by their final econometrics paper in EC 320.

The David Horn Prize in Organic Chemistry is awarded to a senior chemistry major for outstanding achievement in organic chemistry classes and research.

The Sarah T. Hughes 1917 Award for Academic Excellence in Politics and Public Policy is awarded to the senior who has the most outstanding record for academic achievement in politics and public policy.

The Sarah T. Hughes 1917 Award for Excellence in Intellectual Inquiry in International Relations is awarded to a senior major holding a GPA of at least 3.0 who demonstrates exceptional intellectual curiosity regarding politics and world affairs.

The Sarah T. Hughes 1917 Prize for Practical Politics is awarded to a junior or senior major for outstanding achievement in the practice of politics.

The Imani Endowed Travel Stipend Fund was established to provide a study abroad travel stipend to undergraduate students enrolled in the Maryland Scholars Program at Goucher College.

The Julie Roy Jeffrey Award in History supported by the Calvin Fund in History is given to a graduating history major who demonstrated excellence in history throughout his/her career at Goucher College.

The Dr. William S. Johnson Research Fund has been established to support student independent research projects in the areas of ecology and marine biology. It is the intent of this fund to provide resources for both laboratory and field research.

The Louise Kelley Prize in Chemistry is awarded annually to a senior major who has accomplished distinguished work in chemistry. Chemistry majors who plan to enter the field of teaching are given preference.

The Jessie L. King Prize was established by friends and former students of Jessie L. King and is awarded to a senior who has done outstanding work in any science field included in Division III, with special consideration given to the study of mammalian physiology and/or microbiology.

The Kratz Summer Writing Fellowships: Each year, the Kratz Center for Creative Writing at Goucher College offers writing fellowships for the summer. These awards are open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken a 200-level and a 300-level (or higher) writing workshop at Goucher College. The fellowships fund worthy projects falling within the following areas: (1) travel and/or research connected to and culminating in a work of creative writing; (2) a writing-related internship at (for example) a literary magazine or book publisher; or (3) attendance at a summer writing conference or workshop.

The Ann Matthews Lacy Prize in Genetics was established to honor Professor Lacy, who was the Geneticist in the Biological Sciences Department at Goucher College from 1959 until her retirement in 1998 and is awarded to a student who has excelled in the field of genetics.

The Ann M. Lacy and Myra Berman Kurtz Fund for Student Research in the Biological Sciences is awarded to underwrite or supplement the presentation expenses incurred by Goucher students engaged in academic research in the biological sciences.

The Elizabeth Deale Lawrence ‘66 and Bryan Huntington Lawrence Prize for Innovative Teaching is awarded annually to either graduating seniors, in good academic and disciplinary standing at the college, who have been accepted by and are entering service in Teach for America; or recent alumnae/i who have graduated from Goucher in good academic and disciplinary standing and are currently serving in Teach for America.

The Pearl Davis Leavitt ‘28 Prize in Mathematics is given annually to a mathematics major, other than a graduating senior, who has exhibited meritorious achievements in mathematics beyond the first-year level and who is judged to have outstanding potential for further high achievement in the discipline.

The Stephen K. F. and Katherine W. Lee Prize in Historic Preservation is awarded each year to one or more master of arts in historic preservation students who have prepared the most outstanding paper or project that addresses diversity in America’s cultural and architectural heritage.

The Gloria Levine Prize in Communication and Media Studies in honor of Brownlee Sands Corrin is awarded annually to juniors or seniors enrolled in good standing in the undergraduate program at Goucher College, who have declared a major in the communication and media studies program, and who have participated in a meaningful way in the media community of Goucher’s campus and/or the Baltimore metropolitan area. When possible, special consideration will be given to students who have demonstrated a commitment to the field of communication and show promising academic growth and performance in their particular communication and media studies discipline. 

The Robert E. Lewand “Beauty in Mathematics” Prize is awarded annually to the student(s) who provide(s) the most innovative, creative display of the beauty of mathematics as it occurs in Nature and the Universe. The display can be artistic, musical, or written, and should convey a mathematical concept or truth in a manner that can be appreciated by the entire community, and not exclusively by those whose area of study strongly intersecs mathematical sciences.

The Robert Lewand Team Academic Achievement Award is presented annually to the team whose members achieved the highest grade point average over the previous two semesters.

The Judy Lewent ‘70 Fund for Summer Research in the Sciences was established to provide financial support to the summer research program in the sciences at Goucher College, a program through which students benefit from the opportunity to conduct summer research in close collaboration with faculty members. Income is to fund student stipends, faculty stipends, purchase supplies or satisfy other needs of the program in order to guarantee and enhance the educational experience of science students working on summer research projects.

The Robert Hall Lewis Prize is awarded to one or more students for extraordinary achievement in music.

The Lee Snyder Lovett ‘33 Prize is awarded annually to a senior intending to study law.

 

 

The MACPA Outstanding Student Award is presented annually by the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants to a Management student who is outstanding in academic as well as extracurricular activities. In addition to a 3.0 overall GPA, with a minimum of 3.25 in accounting, the winner must demonstrate leadership skills and involvement in campus and community activities. They must also demonstrate their commitment to accounting by becoming a member of MACPA’s Tomorrow CPA Program.

The Jennifer Margolis Marquez ‘01 Prize in Environmental Sustainability is awarded annually to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding innovation and creativity in developing practical applications to environmental/ecological sustainability that have been implemented at Goucher College.

The Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Alumnae/i Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding first-year students as determined by the review of any paper produced during any class taken during a student’s first two semesters of enrollment in the Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Program. The submitted paper will be judged by a 3-member prize committee.

The Mathematics Writing Prize is awarded annually to the student who has demonstrated excellence in the exposition of classical mathematics.

The Hiram McCullough Award is presented each year to one or more master of arts in historic preservation students who have submitted a plan and received approval for their forthcoming thesis work.

The Merck Company Foundation Student Research Fund was established in 1997 by the Merck & Company Foundation for student research in the sciences

The Hugh Miller Award is awarded to a student within the Masters of Historic Preservation Program to attend the annual meeting of the Association for Preservation Technology

The Gairdner B. Moment Award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated superior achievement in the biological sciences, especially the field of animal development.

The Gail Davis Morris ‘53 Endowed Prize in Music in Honor of Otto Ortmann is awarded to a third- or fourth-year music major who has demonstrated exemplary artistic achievement.

The Joe Morton Award for Outstanding Achievement in Peace Studies is awarded to students who actualize their values as demonstrated by academic excellence, by commitment to and partnerships within the College and the Baltimore community, and by integrity in their personal conduct.

The Edith Snyder Moses ‘46 Prize in Chemistry is awarded to a graduating senior chemistry major enrolled in good standing in the undergraduate program at Goucher College. Chemistry majors who plan to enter medical school or graduate school in medical/scientific research will be given preference.

The Janet Sloane Muller ‘70 Award in English is given to a graduating English major with an outstanding academic record that includes substantial work in courses pertinent to a professional career in publishing and/or journalism.

The Rolf E. Muuss Prize Fund in Special Education is awarded to the most promising student in the area of special education.

The Nast-Naron Award is given annually through the Baltimore Rotary Foundation to fund a summer research project.

The Neumann Award is awarded to the student who best exemplifies the true spirit of physical education by setting an example for all to follow through his/her loyalty, dedication, and service to the ideals of physical education.

The Martha A. Nichols ‘38 Prize is given to the student who has shown outstanding service to the Goucher community.

The Elizabeth Nuss Emerging Leader Award is presented to a first- or second-year student who has contributed significantly to the Goucher community through his/her involvement in a campus organization or community service program, and who show significant potential for continued leadership and civic engagement.

The Virginia Parker ‘28 and Monroe H. Martin Fund for Study of Biological or Cultural Conservation is awarded to deserving undergraduate student(s) studying biology, history, economics or a related field, to facilitate either their study abroad or scholarship activity within the United States while not in residence on the Goucher or Johns Hopkins campus.

The Brooke and Carol Peirce Center for Undergraduate Research in Special Collections Fellowship is awarded for original research using Special Collections & Archives at the Goucher College Library.

The Phi Beta Kappa Brooke Peirce Award in Humanities and Social Sciences is presented annually by the Beta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The Brooke Peirce Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences is awarded for academic excellence as demonstrated in an outstanding piece of work completed as part of a humanities course, internship or independent work, except senior theses, during the past two semesters. The competition is open to all full-time juniors and seniors currently enrolled at Goucher College.

The Phi Beta Kappa Brooke Peirce Award in the Fine Arts is presented annually by the Beta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The Brooke Peirce Award in the Fine Arts is awarded for academic excellence as demonstrated in an outstanding piece of work completed as part of a fine arts course, internship or independent study, except senior theses, during the past two semesters. The competition is open to all full-time juniors and seniors currently enrolled at Goucher College.

The Phi Beta Kappa Nancy J. Engelhardt ‘64 Memorial Prize in the Sciences is presented by the Alumni of the Beta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for academic excellence in the sciences. The award is based on an outstanding piece of work prepared during the academic year as part of a course or independent study.

The Beverly and George Pollock Memorial Prize was established by Sanford J. Ungar, the 10th president of Goucher College, and his wife, Dr. Beth Pollock Ungar, to honor Dr. Ungar’s late parents, Beverly and George Pollock, who greatly appreciated music and believed it played a significant role in all our lives. This prize is awarded to an outstanding music major who has demonstrated academic achievement and proficiency in musical performance. 

The Richard Pringle Prize Fund is awarded to seniors majoring or minoring in psychology who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in social-justice-focused inquiries or programmatic initiatives that advance understanding, equity, empowerment or marginalized communities, or positive systemic change.

The Gertrude Sherby Rand ‘33 Prize is awarded to a senior in visual arts who has made a distinguished contribution to both curricular and extracurricular college life.

The Lizette Woodworth Reese Awards are given to junior and senior English majors for a body of work in creative writing that shows talent, excellence, and accomplishment in writing prose, poetry, and/or fiction writing.

The Julia Rogers Research Prize sponsored by the Friends of the Goucher College Library, for outstanding research by Goucher students using library resources.

The Mary Carmen Rose Prize in Philosophy supported by the Ruth A. Katz Fund is awarded annually to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding work and shows unusual promise in philosophy.

The Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg 1921 Prize in Music established in 1974 and is given to a senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of music and gives evidence of creative potential.

The Scholar-Athlete Award is presented since 1913 annually to a member of the Junior Class who has consistently demonstrated varied and admirable participation in athletics and extracurricular activities, in conjunction with maintaining high standards of academic achievement.

The Shirley C. Seagren ‘53 Prize for International Studies is awarded to a Goucher College junior who has demonstrated meritorious academic achievement in the exploration of international issues, languages, and cultures and has participated in a Goucher College sponsored study abroad program.

Senior Leadership Awards honor those seniors who have made significant contributions to campus life over a period of two or more years. They have demonstrated effectiveness in organizing campus activities, a capacity to work with peers in an advisory or mentor role, and enthusiastic support for the college’s mission and goals.

The Leah Seidman Shaffer ‘26 Prize in Microbiology is awarded each year to a student who has conducted outstanding independent study in which the concepts and methods of microbiology were used.

The Tillie Snyder Schonfield ‘36 Prize in Biology is awarded annually to a graduating senior or seniors enrolled in good standing in the undergraduate program at Goucher College who has done outstanding work in the field of biology. Biology majors who plan to enter the field of teaching will be given preference.

The Helen Carroll Shelley ‘24 Prize in Romance Languages is awarded to students majoring in Romance languages who have demonstrated proficiency in the language.

The Pearl Simon Fund was established to support personal growth and development of a student or students through activities and projects undertaken by a student(s) in the undergraduate program of Goucher College. The award is meant to provide a unique opportunity, experience, interaction or exposure to people, a program, culture/class beyond the student’s(s’) current life experience.

The Ariel Singer Prize has been established to recognize academic and intellectual excellence of a student in the International Relations program.

The Edith Ford Sollers ‘31 Memorial Award in Chemistry is an annual prize for a senior major in chemistry who exhibits a high degree of distinction in scientific study and qualities of character and leadership in campus activities.

The Stephania Maniosky Sommerman ‘34 Prize Fund is awarded to a student enrolled in the college’s music program. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and proficiency in musical performance.

The Eleanor Spencer Award is a grant to underwrite travel expenses for students doing independent study projects in art history. The award is determined by a competitive application process that assesses the merits of the research project.

The Stephanie Stanley Dance/Health Science Award is a prize given to a junior or senior at Goucher College who has an interest in and commitment to dance and the sciences and brings the study of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, and related fields to bear on the art and practice of dance. In addition to the financial award, an internship opportunity is given to work alongside Dr. Lew Schon, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital’s director of foot and ankle services in Baltimore.

 The Student Employee of the Year Award is presented annually to a student who has contributed significantly to the Goucher community through his/her employment in a campus department. The award is based on a student’s reliability, contribution, quality of work, disposition, and initiative.

The Beulah B. Tatum Award in Education is given to a senior major who is considered an outstanding and promising student in the field of education.

The Isabelle Kellogg Thomas English Prize is presented annually to the sophomore and junior who rank best in English. Written and spoken English and knowledge of American literature are determining factors.

The Ruth Baird Thompson ‘31 Award for Scholarship, Sportsmanship, and Athleticism is presented annually to one or more students who are enrolled in the college’s undergraduate or graduate programs who have demonstrated academic excellence and sportsmanship through their participation in Goucher’s sports, dance and/or equestrian programs.

The Marian M. Torrey Prize in Mathematics is awarded to a senior major in mathematics who is judged by the program to have an excellent record based on a firm grasp of subject matter, creative imagination, incisive thinking, and ability to present ideas clearly.

The Rory Turner Cultural Sustainability Prize was established in 2014 in honor of Goucher faculty member and program founder, Dr. Rory Turner. The prize recognizes leadership and vision as demonstrated through a student’s Capstone project. The Capstone represents the student’s culminating work in the program. A panel of judges selects the recipient based on originality, overall quality, significance to the field, integrity, and critical reflections, as well as contribution to community vitality and cultural equity.

The Education Prize in Honor of Eli Velder is awarded to one or more graduating seniors who have completed the requirements for certification in teaching at a secondary level and who have demonstrated exceptional performance in the field of education.

The Betty Cooper Wallerstein ‘58 Prize Fund in Sociology is awarded in honor of Mrs. Wallerstein’s parents, Adele and Joseph Cooper, and a former dean and teacher, Leona S. Morris ‘35, to one or more students majoring in sociology who demonstrate service, leadership and academic excellence. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing graduate studies in sociology, or a career in social work or other humanitarian projects.

The Welsh Science Internship Fund was given by Katherine E. Welsh. Income from the fund will be used for awarding stipends to students working with faculty on summer research projects.

The Christine White Award is given in memory of Christine Mehl White ‘00 who passed away when the plane that she and her husband were in crashed. She was a graduate from the MFA in Creative Nonfiction program. The fund was created by the Graduate Programs Department and donations to the fund are by friends and classmates of Ms. White.

The Ruth C. Wylie Prize is awarded annually to senior psychology majors who have achieved exceptional intellectual and experiential distinction and who show great professional promise in psychology.

The Judith S. Yoffie ‘43 Judaic Studies Memorial Fund was established to help advance a student’s education in Judaic Studies by providing funding for independent study projects at Goucher College.

Fellowships

Special fellowships are available to graduating seniors of Goucher College for full-time graduate work. Applications for fellowships should be made on forms secured from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies and should be returned to the Associate Provost no later than March 1. For the Class of 1905, the Eleanor Voss, and the Flora E. Langdon Fellowships, need is also a criterion. Applicants must complete the Financial Aid Form and submit it directly to Student Financial Services no later than March 1.

For Graduates of Goucher College:

The Class of 1905 Fellowships are intended to support Goucher College graduates in their pursuit of graduate study in international affairs: cultural, economic and political but may also be awarded to support other graduate work.

The Elizabeth King Ellicott Fellowships are awarded each year to graduates of Goucher College for the study of government and politics in the U.S.

The Flora E. Langdon Fellowship provides tuition assistance to Goucher College graduates in their pursuit of graduate study in the sciences.

The Io DeGraw Mears Fund in Library Science provides fellowships for Goucher graduates who pursue advanced studies in library science.

The Stimson-Duvall Fellowship is awarded to graduates who show professional promise and outstanding qualifications for graduate studies in the natural, physical, biological, and medical sciences or the related field of history of science.

The Dean Van Meter Alumnae/i Fellowships are intended to support Goucher College graduates in their pursuit of graduate or professional study, in this country or abroad.

The Eleanor Voss ‘56 Fellowship is awarded annually to a graduating senior who has achieved an outstanding academic record and who will pursue the study of law. Preference is given to students who will attend Harvard Law School. In the event there is no highly qualified student intending to study law, the fellowship may be awarded to a graduating senior in the field of international relations, economics, history, or political science who has achieved the highest academic record among the senior majors in those fields and who intends to pursue graduate work.

For Undergraduate Students of Goucher College:

The Mary Derrickson McCurdy ‘30 Fellowship is awarded to provide support for students to do research or advanced course work at a marine biology laboratory.

The Florence B. & Mabel V. Seibert Fellowship is used for fellowships or activities in the field of bio-chemistry.

The Brooke and Carol Peirce Fellowships award undergraduates in all disciplines the opportunity to conduct significant original research using materials in Special Collections & Archives at Goucher College.