Courses carry a prefix designating a particular academic discipline, and a three-digit number. The digits and numerals represent the following:
| First digit | 1 = Freshman level 2 = Sophomore and capable Freshman level 3 = Junior and capable Sophomore level 4 = Senior and capable Junior level |
| Second digit | 0-9 = specific areas within the discipline; perhaps, but not necessarily reflecting the comparative difficulty or sophistication |
| Third digit | 0= single semester course, not repeatable for additional credit 1 = first course of a sequence, not repeatable for additional credit 2 = second course of a sequence, not repeatable for additional credit 3 = course that may be repeated for additional (though limited) credit 4-8 = single semester course not repeatable for additional credit 9 = reserved for recording approved transfer credit from another institution; or for approved credit awarded for other prior learning |
| These three-digit numbers are reserved as indicated: | |
| 195, 295, 395, 495 | Special topic |
| 496 | Independent Study |
| 497 | Culminating Study/Project/Experience (e.g.: Senior Exhibition, Senior Research Project, Senior Seminar, Student Teaching, etc.) |
| 498 | Internship |
When the course numbers for a sequence appear on the same line, separated by a hyphen (-), that signals the first course of the sequence is prerequisite to the second. Otherwise, the first course is not prerequisite to the second.
Special Topic, Independent Study, and Directed Study
These course numbers and titles do not appear among the course descriptions that follow, but are available under each prefix: 195, 295, 395, 495 - Special Topic 496- Independent Study
A Special Topic course may be designed and offered by a member of the faculty. A syllabus of the Special Topic course must be approved by the chair of the appropriate academic department prior to the course offering. An Independent Study course may be designed by a student in conjunction with a supervising faculty member. A completed Independent Study Request Contract form, detailing the study requirements, materials, and evaluation procedures, must be approved by the faculty member, the chair of the academic department offering the course, and finally by the Dean of the applicable school prior to registration for the course. Special Topic and Independent Study courses are intended to enrich the regular course offerings and expand formal learning experiences for the student. A Directed Study course is available in a limited number of subject areas. A directed study is a regular LMU course offering taught to a student on an individual faculty/student basis, which must be approved by the faculty member, the chair of the academic department offering the course, and the Dean of the applicable school. In a directed study, the directing faculty member sets forth the objectives, requirements and guidelines for earning credit in a course. A directed study syllabus for each course stating established meeting times with a faculty member, examination, readings and a general outline of what is to be learned is provided. A directed study course may be denied if the course is available that same semester. Directed Study and Independent Study courses combined are limited to a maximum total of 15 semester credit hours.