A Supportive Path for Lourdes University to Thiel College

As a Teach-Out partner for Lourdes University, Thiel College wants to make sure you have a smooth path to completing your degree.

• Explore Undergraduate Programs
• Explore Graduate Programs

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Finding your fit

Greetings from Thiel College. We are aware of the changes you are experiencing, and that this might be a confusing and overwhelming time. We want you to know that we are here to offer support, help and guidance.

Thiel is an independent, residential college located only 90 miles southeast of Cleveland, so we are familiar with the Lourdes community. As an official Teach-Out partner, we’ve created this page to help you understand the similarities between our two colleges as you look to find your fit.

If you would like to explore options within the Teach-Out agreement or as a transfer student, complete a course, or begin a graduate program, Thiel College and the entire Tomcat community is here to rally around you.

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Named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for transfer students you’ll find Thiel to be welcoming community that will nurture Lourdes University students through the transition and on to earning their degrees.

Seamless transfer: As a Teach-Out partner, Lourdes University student credits will be accepted toward an equal or comparable degree program. Thiel College will conduct credit evaluations for students who are majoring in academic programs that are not part of the Teach-Out program.

Generous financial aid packages: Thiel is known for its generous financial aid packages. Students enrolling directly from Lourdes, without enrolling at any other institution, will receive a financial aid package with the same net cost as they paid at Lourdes University for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will incur annual rate increases beginning the following school year.

Transfer vs. Teach-out: We’re looking at every student whose program does not have a formal Teach-Out agreement and evaluating their programs to transfer the most credits possible with the goal of matching pace to graduation.

Thiel offers degree programs that have been mapped toward the Teach-Out Program:

• Bachelor of Arts in Biology
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal and Social Justice
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Social Work
• Bachelor of Arts in Digital and Media Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Dual Licensure Pre K-5
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Intervention Specialist: K-12 Mild to Moderate
• Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Adolescence to Young Adult Education
• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration CBE
• Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Science in Marketing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Traditional
• Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
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• Master of Business Administration

Thinking about something else? Check out our comprehensive list of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

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Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Thiel College agrees to offer Lourdes Students admitted and enrolled at the lower of the tuition amount that they would have paid to Lourdes exclusive of any athletic scholarships or athletic-based aid awarded by Lourdes, or the tuition charged by Thiel for the student’s first year of enrollment in an academic program at Thiel.

Campus Life

We have 100+ student, teams, clubs, and organizations, and you can see a full list of our active clubs here.

Athletics

Thiel student-athletes compete at the Division III level as a member of President’s Athletic Conference (PAC)

Student Clubs and Organizations

Some of the active clubs include the Chess Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Order of Organization of Black Collegiates, Queers & Allies, Roller Coaster Club, TCTV television station, Thiel Players (theatre), Tomcat Pride Marching Band, and Women Inspiring the Next Generation

Some clubs and organizations also tie to majors, such as Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honorary Society, and the Accounting, Nursing and Psychology clubs. Dietrich Honors Institute members pursue an honors curriculum in place of Thiel’s undergraduate general education requirements. Students benefit from the time and space for self-discovery of themselves as scholars and the opportunity to dive deep into their academic interests.

Thiel also supports a robust Greek Life community with four national sororities, two national fraternities and one local fraternity.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Students at Thiel are supported in starting their own clubs.

Student Resources

Accessibility Resource Center, Campus Health & Wellness, Campus Ministry, Career Development Center, Counseling Center, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Office, International Student Affairs, On-Campus Employment, Public Safety, The Learning Commons, Title IX Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Teach-out and Transferring FAQs

What is a teach-out agreement?

When an institution plans to close, it must provide its accrediting body, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with a plan for how it will assist students in completing their degrees. These plans include what are essentially memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with other colleges and universities called “Teach-Out Agreements.”

Students experiencing a college closure have had their plans disrupted and often feel in shock. But they will have good options to finish degrees in their planned major on time and with the same or similar level of financial aid. Colleges participating in teach-out agreements are committed to helping those students continue their studies as seamlessly as possible.

What is the agreement between Lourdes University and Thiel College?

Thiel has signed a Teach-Out agreement with your institution. A Teach-Out agreement is a formal agreement that allows students to finish their degrees at another institution as smoothly as possible. Students don’t need a Teach-Out agreement to transfer from a closing college to another college, but the agreements offer credit transferability and financial aid that typically goes above and beyond what a student might receive in a typical transfer.

If there was a significant difference in the curriculum between an undergraduate major or graduate program at the closing institution and the new one, the student may still be required to take additional specific courses to earn their degree at their new college.

Teach-out agreements are approved by the closing college’s accrediting body, in this case Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). According to MSCHE teach-out agreements are “to make accommodations for and assist students as much as possible and provide clear and transparent information regarding those arrangements.”

• How will students know where they can transfer?

As part of the teach-out plan, the closing college creates a page on its website listing schools that are formal teach-out agreement partners. They sometimes include links to other institutions even if they haven’t signed a formal teach-out agreement. The closing college often hosts a transfer fair on campus for its students.

Undergraduate FAQs

How many of my credits will you accept?

A teach-out agreement will allow Thiel to accept all your Lourdes credits for any academic program covered by the agreement. The best way to get a true picture is to connect with our admission team at admissions@thiel.edu or 724-589-2345.

Does a college closure affect students differently depending on how far along they are in their program?

Yes, it can.

First-year and second-year students are likely still working through general education courses and introductory courses in their majors. Those types of courses tend to transfer most smoothly between institutions.

Third-years (typically defined as students who have completed between 61 and 90 credits) have the most complicated transfer path. Juniors should map their route to completion early with the institutions they’re considering as transfer destinations. We will help you design the smoothest possible transition path.

Fourth-years stilling needing to fulfill graduation requirements for May 2024 are best to start weighing their options now and having discussions with colleges and universities of interest to minimize possible disruption.

Student-athletes with remaining eligibility may feel more pressure to begin the transfer recruitment process if they’d like to continue their collegiate athletic careers. Student-athletes do not have to sit out for a year if they transfer.

Come and Meet Us!

Look for Thiel College at an on campus event.  We can’t wait to connect!

We invite you to campus to meet with the Thiel College Office of Admission to discuss the transition process. Bring a copy of your transcripts and financial aid or bill from Lourdes.

Check out our events and visits page for additional information sessions and visit opportunities.

Interested in learning more about Thiel? Let us know!

• Apply Now to Thiel College
• Transfer Student Application
• International Student Application

You don’t have to attend an event to find out more. We’re happy to talk with you anytime.

admissions@thiel.edu
724-589-2345