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Performance-Based Admission (PBA)

You may be eligible for Loyola's Performance-Based Admission (PBA) program if you’re ready to pursue a college degree but do not meet traditional admission requirements. This opportunity is designed for individuals who:

  • Have at least three years of relevant work or professional experience as an undergraduate applicant and five years as a graduate applicant.
  • Have graduated from high school or earned a G.E.D.
  • May have attended college in the past for undergraduate applicants. Graduate applicants are required to hold a conferred Bachelor’s degree.

Performance-Based Admission offers a valuable opportunity to begin again and demonstrate your potential, especially if past academic challenges have stood in your way. It offers a supportive environment where you can demonstrate your potential and begin your journey toward a college degree.

Are you a PBA student?

Whether you’ve served in the military, built professional experience, or taken time to explore your path, you are welcomed at Loyola Online. As a PBA student, your experience brings valuable insights and strengthens our community, rooted in the values of a Jesuit education—reflection, service, and the pursuit of justice. We look forward to the unique perspective you’ll bring, the relationships you’ll form, and the meaningful steps you’ll take as you embark on this next phase of your educational and professional journey.

How does the PBA program work?

Through the PBA program, undergraduate students will take 12 credits, typically over two 8-week sessions, in our fully online Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts in Ministry & Theology, or Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree programs. After completing these 12 credits and earning a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher, PBA students will be fully matriculated into the program. Students are eligible to apply for financial aid as an undergraduate PBA student.

Graduate students will take 6 credits, over 8-week or 16-week sessions, typically in one of two semesters in our fully online Master of Science in Marketing in Communication (8-week classes), Master of Pastoral Studies (16-week classes), or Master of Religious Education (16-week classes) degree programs. For graduate students, after completing these 6 credits and earning a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, PBA students will be fully matriculated into the program. Students are eligible to apply for financial aid as a graduate PBA student.

Loyola Online Application Process:

  • Submitted no-cost admissions application
  • Official or unofficial high school or G.E.D. transcript for undergraduate applicants, if under 12 college level credits completed successfully. Graduate applicants are required to hold a conferred Bachelor’s degree**.
  • If applicable, transcripts** from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of whether you desire or expect to receive credit for such work. Electronic transcripts should be emailed to: online@loyno.edu.
  • Resume or LinkedIn profile outlining at least three years of relative work or professional experience for undergraduate applicants and five years for graduate applicants.

** Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for decision making purposes. However, official transcripts are required for high school/GED (as applicable) and/or each institution a student attended. These are due before classes begin.

Online Student Success Support

The Online Success Office aims to empower our online students and help them develop goals, study habits, and strategies in order to successfully navigate the online learning environment. We partner with students, faculty, and staff to ensure online undergraduate and graduate students have access to resources and support mechanisms that enhance their success.