At the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, lives change. New possibilities emerge. New knowledge is formed. New skills are gained. We exist to serve adult learners and to help our students write energizing new chapters in their personal and professional lives.

For more than a century, Loyola University Chicago has been transforming the trajectory of student lives, driving professional and personal pursuits with high-quality academic offerings and lively learning environments. A forward-thinking, responsive institution, we have designed accredited academic programs to meet market needs and introduced novel online coursework to deliver the flexibility students need. We have emerged a national leader in online education and created spirited learning environments where students develop tangible skills they can apply in the contemporary workplace.

SCPS offers undergraduate programs to propel your career, enrich your life, and power social mobility. 

Whether you’re interested in a career in the digital revolution, IT, business, law, or psychology, SCPS undergraduate programs will develop and enhance your skills in:

• Effective communication techniques
• Leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving
• Information Technologies and digital market trends
• Faith, civic, and global engagement as well as intercultural dialogue
• Ethical reasoning, teamwork, and collaboration

With fully online classes and flexible 8-week schedules, you will be able to balance your degree pursuits with your life’s other responsibilities. And with courses led by scholars and active practitioners in their respective fields, you can be assured you will gain the relevant knowledge and practical skills to advance in your career.

Our Mission

Loyola University Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies empowers adult learners through an accessible, impactful and holistic education that positions them for success.

Our applicable programs and flexible formats enable students to advance careers and fulfill personal goals. Guided by Loyola’s Jesuit tradition, SCPS creates a supportive environment that fosters social justice, ethics, and service to others.

For more information, see:

• Loyola's Mission & Identity
• Transformative Education in the Jesuit Tradition (PDF)

Undergraduate Programs

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Policies

Transfer Credit

Loyola SCPS accepts transfer credit earned from regionally accredited institutions. We can accept up to 64 credit hours across all two-year institutions (community colleges), and an unlimited number of credit hours from four-year universities.

Students who have completed either an A.A., A.S., or General Education Core Curriculum will have met Loyola's Core Curriculum requirements, with the exception of mission-specific courses.

Request a Free Transfer Credit Evaluation

Determine how your transfer credit applies to a Loyola degree and your timeline to completion by requesting a Free Transfer Credit Evaluation. The transcript evaluation is an unofficial document, and an error will not exempt you from a requirement.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)

Loyola is a receiving institution in the Illinois Articulation Initiative program for awarding transfer credit. Students who have completed 30 or more transfer credits may follow either the Illinois General Education curriculum or the Loyola CORE requirements to satisfy general education requirements. Students with less than 30 will follow the CORE. We’ll advise you how to choose the most effective path for you. Just submit your transcripts. For more information, see itransfer.org.

Transferology

Transferology allows student to create an account and track how their classes from prior institutions will transfer to Loyola. Learn more here: https://www.transferology.com/index.htm.

Non-Traditional Credit

Adult students, in particular, often have a reservoir of college-level learning gained through professional and personal accomplishments that they can use to earn non-traditional credit toward select SCPS programs.

• Students may apply up to 36 non-traditional credit hours to the completion of their undergraduate degree.
• Non-traditional credit may not be applied toward mission-specific requirements (THEO or PHIL)  or school (CPST 200, 201, 397) requirements

Credit by Examination (CLEP/DSST)

Students may take CLEP and/or DSST examinations only if they:

• have not previously completed, failed, or received credit from Loyola University Chicago (transfer or otherwise) in a comparable or more advanced course in the specific examination area
• will not receive comparable credit in the CLEP examination area in the same term the examination is taken or in a subsequent term.

Students must receive a passing score on a CLEP or DSST exams approved by the University to count for college-level credit:

• CLEP Exam List
• DSST Exam List

American Council on Education (ACE)

The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates 35,000+ workplace, military and non-collegiate learning experiences and training programs for college credit. Depending on the program or experience completed and approved by ACE, students may apply those credits to major and/or general elective hours, if applicable.  

• For work already completed, students can move forward with ordering the transcript from ACE. Once submitted, your transcript will be reviewed to determine how the credit will transfer. 
• If a student is considering taking an exam or course that has been reviewed by ACE, and they haven't yet completed the work, they should work with their primary academic advisor first to determine if the credit will be accepted and how it may apply toward requirements.

Students who believe they have completed an evaluated program should review the ACE National Guide.

Year Up

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies is a partner with Year Up Chicago. Year Up courses have been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students who have completed coursework through Year Up should submit an official ACE transcript. All Year Up courses will transfer as general elective credit and go toward the 120 credit hours students need to complete their bachelor's degree with Loyola. 

Military Education

Students who have completed military training should order their military transcript (both JST And CCAF) through the American Council on Education (ACE).

Police Training

Students who have completed the education provided by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) Police Academy will be awarded 20 credit hours to be applied as general elective credits. 

Students must submit a copy of their CPD Academic certificate of completion to their academic advisor. This certificate of completion will also be cross-checked against the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board database.

Undergraduate Policies and Procedures

Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.

University Policies

Please see University Policies for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University

Applied Criminal Justice Leadership (ACJL)

Continuing Professional Studies (CPST)

Institute of Paralegal Studies (PLST)