Undergraduate Program Policies and Procedures

http://www.sjcme.edu/gps/undergraduate-degrees.php

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In keeping with its Mission, Saint Joseph’s College is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for traditional and nontraditional students with diverse academic needs Saint Joseph’s College offers the adult learner an opportunity to integrate formal education in the liberal arts tradition with professional experience. The Online Division provides academic programs in a variety of disciplines leading to undergraduate certificates, associate and baccalaureate degrees. Each option is designed to reflect the special nature of Saint Joseph’s commitment to its students.

Saint Joseph’s College is committed to the development of all its students into lifelong learners through its educational programs. The College thus in all of its programs pursues the following teaching and learning goals:

• Pursue knowledge and understanding of the arts and sciences through disciplined learning and discourse in the search for permanent truths;
• Develop a sense of self and a capacity for independent action, based on universal human values;
• Promote an understanding of individual, social, civic and environmental responsibilities;
• Develop critical thinking by focusing on organization, synthesis and analysis, maintaining intellectual independence and an attitude of healthy criticism;
• Develop interactive oral and written communication skills.

All undergraduate students in SJC’s online division who are enrolling in a degree program and meet criteria (described below) will take a brief writing assessment. The writing placement process is designed so that individuals can enroll in a writing course or sequence of writing courses that match students’ skills and help them reach their potential. It is important to know that students cannot fail this assessment. The placement scores reflect the writing course(s) in which students will have the most successful experiences.

Students will take the writing placement assessment if they meet any of the following criteria:

• They have not completed a college-level writing course (equivalent to English Composition I);
• They have taken a college writing course but earned below a C grade;
• Their GPA is under 2.0.

If students are required to take the placement assessment, they must do so before enrolling in online courses at SJC.  The placement assessment has three parts - (1) grammar, usage, mechanics, and effectiveness of expression; (2) reading comprehension, and (3) essay writing.  Students should be notified of their placement status wihtin 3-5 business days after completion.

Independent study places significant emphasis on written communications. All baccalaureate and associate degree candidates in the Online Division are required to complete six semester-hour credits of English Composition. For most students, these six semester-hour credits will be Composition I and II (EH 106/107). Credit for these two courses may be granted to entrants who have previously taken equivalent courses of six semester-hour credits, with a grade of “C” or better. Credit may also be awarded in lieu of EH 106/107 for the CLEP College Composition. A student must achieve a minimum score of 50 on the General Exam for waiver of EH 106/107.

Those students who have partially fulfilled the English requirement may complete the necessary credits in one of the following ways:

• with the CLEP College Composition;
• by providing acceptable transfer credit for English Composition from an accredited college or university;
• by completing EH 107, English Composition.

Those who do not transfer credit must complete the English requirement no later than the third enrollment. A satisfactory TOEFL score submitted by applicants from non-English-speaking nations does NOT fulfill the English requirement.

Baccalaureate and associate degree candidates within the Online Division must maintain a cumulative quality-point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (2.0 = C, 4.0 = A), and an average of at least 2.0 or higher in their specialization, major, and minor to qualify for graduation. All required courses must be passed. Otherwise, the course must be taken again. When students have a choice of several courses within a requirement area (e.g., must take two courses from a list of six), and fails one of those courses, they may choose another course from the list of applicable courses instead of repeating the one previously failed.

If students fail a course at SJC, successfully retake the course at another accredited institution and transfer in the credit, the initial course grade appears on the transcript but the grade is not calculated into the quality-point average.

Students enrolled in a certificate program must maintain at least a 2.0 (2.0 = C) cumulative quality-point average to receive a certificate of completion.

Students who do not maintain at least a 2.0 (2.0 = C) quality-point average incur academic probation, which is both a warning and an opportunity to improve. Students on probation are encouraged to work closely with their Academic Advisor to improve their standing. The probationary period will extend for the duration of one additional course enrollment, and students’ status will be re-evaluated upon its completion. Separation from the College may occur if students still do not attain a cumulative quality-point average of 2.0, or show no sign of improvement.

Online undergraduate degree candidates achieve matriculation status upon successful completion of two courses with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. 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.

In keeping with its liberal arts tradition, Saint Joseph’s College requires its students to complete foundation courses through a general education component. Minimum requirements vary slightly according to program and are listed under the specific program requirements.

The general education requirement provides the student with exposure to the humanities, including art, music, history, literature, philosophy and theology; the social sciences, including psychology and sociology; and the natural sciences. Refer to the particular program of studies for the general education requirements specific to that degree.

A total of 128 semester-hour credits is required for completion of all Baccalaureate degrees. Each student must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements at Saint Joseph’s College in order to meet degree requirements. Eighteen (18) or Twenty-Four (24) semester-hour credits within the major/specialization must be earned through Saint Joseph’s College. See specific programs for additional requirements.

A total of 66 semester-hour credits is required for completion of the Associate of Science degree. Each student must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements at Saint Joseph’s College in order to meet degree requirements .Fifteen (15) semester-hour credits within the major must be earned through Saint Joseph’s College.

A total of 18 semester-hour credits is required for completion of a certificate program. Those credits are earned by taking a combination of required core courses and student-selected electives. Each student must earn a minimum of 12 semester-hour credits through Saint Joseph’s College. There are no general education requirements in the certificate programs.