Graduate Program Policies and Procedures

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Acceptance into all graduate degree programs is provisional until 6 credits of courses in the program of study are successfully completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) and all admissions requirements have been met. At that time, a determination is made regarding advancement to matriculated status. A lower grade-point average may result in dismissal or academic probation, at the discretion of the College.

Matriculated degree candidates for all graduate programs are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as to fulfill all degree requirements as outlined in this catalog. All required courses must be passed; otherwise, the course must be taken again.

Candidates who do not maintain at least a 3.0 (“B”) incur academic probation, which is both a warning and an opportunity to improve. The probationary period will extend for the duration of enrollment in one additional course. If the student, on completion of the additional course, still does not attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student cannot enroll in further courses but is required to re-enroll in a course already completed at less than the grade of “B.” The student is permitted to select the course that is to be taken over if there is more than one course with less than a “B” grade on the student’s transcript.

Separation from the College may occur if the candidate still does not maintain a cumulative quality point average of 3.0 or shows no sign of improvement.

Some graduate degree programs at Saint Joseph’s College require students to complete the requirements within a specified time period (usually between six and ten years). This period will include leaves of absence, but it will not include periods in which students withdraw, provided that they meet all new program requirements on re-entrance in the program. Only the active time spent in the program, before and after such withdrawal, will be counted. If, at the end of the matriculation period, a student is not finished, but has demonstrated good progress through the curriculum, the student may petition for a specific and limited extension subject to the discretion of the program director. See specific program details for matriculation limits.

Students who wish to attend on a Continuing Education (CE) basis may take courses without applying to a degree program.  Minor students without a high school diploma or GED must have attained junior or senior high school status.  In some circumstances, CE students may enroll in certain courses only on a space-available basis.

Students who choose to participate in multiple Summer Programs find it extremely useful in accelerating the time to complete their studies, not to mention a rewarding on-campus learning experience. Course offerings for the Summer Program are announced each January in a special summer catalog, which also includes other choices not available through the independent study format.