Alpha Program

The Alpha Program offers interested freshman students an opportunity to weave together the heritage of the liberal arts and the Jesuit tradition in freshman seminars that cultivate four critical habits: careful reading, academic writing, scholastic conversation, and living the examined life.  Small in size, these seminars are taught by members of the Alpha faculty in a format designed to expand the intellectual horizons of students through lively discussion, academic reading and writing, extra class meetings, off-campus and interdisciplinary activities, and participation in a campus program of Alpha lectures.  The faculty teaching Alpha seminars also serve as core advisors.

Alpha sections are offered in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and business.  A limited number of sections are offered in the Spring Semester for students who wish to continue the Alpha experience through the second semester of their freshman year.

Collegium

Collegium enrolls 72 first-year students who are housed together on the eighth floor of Campion Tower.  These students are divided into three groups with the members of each group enrolled in two of their five regular freshman courses together.  Members of Collegium are also enrolled in First-Year Experience (FE 100), with the class meetings distributed over the Fall and Spring Semesters.  As part of this program, students become well-acquainted with a group of people and still have the opportunity to meet others outside of the program.  An important goal of Collegium is to create an environment that is conducive to learning, encourages academic discussions, helps students feel a sense of “belonging” at Loyola, and facilitates an enjoyable social and co-curricular life.

First-Year Experience (FE 100)

The First-Year Experience Seminar is designed to help students get the most out of their college experience and make a smooth and successful transition to college.  Informal and lively class discussions, group interactions, field trips, and presentations by instructors and guests help to introduce first-year students to the expectations of college instructors and the values inherent in the mission and core of the College; inform the students of the services available to support their academic and co-curricular experiences; and provide opportunities for critical thinking, community service and community building in an enjoyable setting.  Many of the class meetings take place outside of the classroom and include excursions into Baltimore.

Each course is team-taught by a faculty member (usually the student’s core advisor), a member of the Student Development administration and a student leader- all of whom are committed to helping first-year students get the most out of their Loyola experience.

Select Your First-Year Program