Admissions

Associate & Bachelor’s Degree Programs:

Applicants who seek admission into a Saint Joseph’s College Online degree program, other than the RN to BSN and BSBA Completion degree, who have not obtained college credit at a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution, must submit one of the following:

• Official transcript from an accredited high school with a minimum grade point average of C.
• Official GED examination record with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official record of completion from a state-approved high school diploma home schooling program.

Applicants who seek admission into a Saint Joseph’s College Online degree program, other than the RN to BSN and BSBA Completion degree, who have completed college coursework at regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institutions, must submit the following documentation:

• Official transcripts from all regionally or nationally accredited institutions previously attended, demonstrating a cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Applicants who seek admission into the online RN to BSN undergraduate degree program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine must submit the following:

• Official transcripts from all regionally or nationally accredited institutions previously attended
• Official transcripts and documents showing the applicant holds a Diploma or Associate degree in Nursing, accredited at the time of graduation by CCNE or ACEN, and that the applicant completed the associated program with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale ​
  • Additional admissions documents are required for RN to BSN applicants beyond transcripts, including a short essay and proof of an active, unrestricted RN license – please see the RN to BSN program page for more details.​

Applicants who seek admission into the online BSBA Completion degree program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine must submit the following:

• Official transcripts from all regionally or nationally accredited institutions previously attended.
• Official transcripts and documents showing the applicant holds an Associate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation, and that the applicant completed the Associate degree with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Minors

Applicants and matriculated SJC Online students in certain programs with enough remaining general elective credits may be eligible to minor in:

• Accounting  
• Business Administration  
• Health Administration  
• Human Services  
• Long-Term Care Administration  
• Psychology  
• Theology  

Students wanting to declare a minor must consult with their admissions counselor or academic advisor. 

Undergraduate Certificate Programs:

• Applicants who seek admission into an undergraduate certificate are not required to submit official transcripts unless seeking transfer credit.

In determining accreditation, Saint Joseph’s College uses the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) and the publication Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education by the American Council on Education (ACE), published in consultation with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

Applicants who have attended a foreign post-secondary institution must have their transcripts evaluated by an authorized agency, and the coursework and/or degree completed must be deemed equivalent by the authorized agency to those received at a U.S. regionally or nationally accredited institution.  For more information on foreign transcript evaluations, please see the ‘International Students’ section below.

SJC Online values prior formal learning and may allow up to 30 semester-hour credits to be transferred through CLEP, ACT/PEP, and DANTES DSST programs. At the undergraduate level, transfer credit may also be awarded for appropriate coursework taken at hospital-based Schools of Radiologic Technology.

Transfer credit is not awarded for pre-collegiate level or remedial coursework. Undergraduate courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C to be eligible for transfer.

Associate Degrees

• 66 credits are required for successful completion of an Associate of Science degree in Radiologic Science at Saint Joseph’s College.
• Students must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements within their degree at Saint Joseph’s College. Students may transfer up to 48 credits from ACE-approved courses or from regionally or nationally accredited institutions, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance, or, if a degree was earned, at the time the degree was granted.
• Students must earn a minimum of 15 credits within their major/specialization at Saint Joseph’s College.

Bachelor’s Degrees

• 120 credits are required for successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at Saint Joseph’s College.
• Students must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements within their degree at Saint Joseph’s College. Students may transfer up to 90 credits from ACE-approved courses or from regionally or nationally accredited institutions, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance, or, if a degree was earned, at the time the degree was granted.
• Students must earn a minimum of 18 credits within their major at Saint Joseph’s College.
  • If students are taking a single minor, students are allowed to transfer a maximum of 6 credits towards that minor.  If students are completing two minors, students can transfer in up to 9 credits towards each minor.
• Course descriptions/syllabi may be requested during the transfer credit evaluation process on an individual basis.

Undergraduate Certificate Programs:

• Transfer credit is awarded from ACE-approved courses or from regionally or nationally accredited institutions, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance. 

  • Students enrolled in 18-credit certificates may transfer up to 6 credits of curriculum-related undergraduate work. 

  • Students enrolled in 15-credit certificates may transfer up to 3 credits of curriculum-related undergraduate work. 

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the transmitting institution(s).  Official transcripts and any additional admissions materials must be received in order to conduct the evaluation process.  Once all official transcripts and supporting materials have been received, a decision regarding acceptance will be made, appropriate courses will be determined, and the applicant will be notified of the admissions decision.  

State Authorization & Licensure  

Professional Licensure/Responsibility of Students

New U.S. Department of Education regulations require that all institutions of higher education that have programs preparing students for occupations requiring programmatic accreditation or State licensure meet those requirements for all new program entrants (students) starting on July 1, 2024, for each State in which the student is located if they are not enrolled in face-to-face instruction or in a State in which a student attests they intend to seek employment.  The federal regulation requires that institutions provide to students disclosures related to whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in a State.  In short, if you are not a resident of Maine, and you plan to enroll in an online course or program leading to professional licensure you must attest to your understanding of these disclosures as it may impact your enrollment  in programs at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicums/internships, as well as review any pre-qualifications for licensure (such as the need for a criminal background check).  SJC highly recommends that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that is intended to result in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum.  Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license.  Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time.  Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet education requirements for licensure.  It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements.  SJC shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.

Education Professional Licensure Disclosures  

Health Administration Professional Licensure Disclosures  

Nursing Professional Licensure Disclosures  

Social Work Professional Licensure Disclosures  

Relocation

Relocating during the course of a program to another state may impact if the student can remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements, and/or continue to receive financial aid funding.  Prior to considering relocation, please contact your academic advisor and/or program director to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.

Consumer Grievance Information

The following are links to consumer information notices and disclosures provided in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act with the reauthorized Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

• Consumer Grievance Contact Information
• Consumer Grievance Form and Release

Applicants who seek admission into an online graduate program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine must provide the college with the following:

• Official undergraduate transcript indicating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, at the time of graduation, with a minimum cumulative degree GPA of 2.5* on a 4.0 scale.
  • *Master of Science in Nursing applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791) or ACEN accredited institution at the time of graduation, with a minimum cumulative degree GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Please see program page for program specific admission criteria for the Master of Science in Nursing.
  • *Master of Divinity applicants are required to have completed their Bachelor’s with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Please see program page for program specific admission criteria for the Master of Divinity.
• Official transcripts from all regionally or nationally accredited institutions previously attended for any graduate curriculum-related coursework.
• Any additional program-specific** required admissions documents.

Undergraduate students in their final semester may apply to a graduate program at SJC. These applicants may be conditionally accepted, pending submission of their final transcript with conferral date listed for their undergraduate degree, if they meet all other admissions requirements for their desired program. In such a case, full acceptance will be granted only after proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree has been submitted by the student.

**Please see additional program specific admission requirements for the Master of Divinity , Master of Divinity, Accelerated Track , Master of Arts in Theology - Advanced Diaconal Studies , Master of Science in Nursing , Master of Business Administration  and Master of Health Administration  programs.

Graduate Certificate Programs: Applicants who seek admission into a graduate certificate program are required to submit an official undergraduate transcript indicating successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution at the time of graduation, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Post-Graduate Non-Nursing Certificate Programs: Applicants who seek admission into one of our non-nursing post-graduate certificate programs are required to submit an official graduate transcript indicating successful completion of a graduate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution at the time of graduation, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Programs: Applicants who seek admission into any of our post-graduate Nursing certificate programs are required to submit an official graduate transcript indicating successful completion of a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791) or ACEN accredited institution, at the time of graduation, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students must consult the program-specific catalog page to review all additional admissions criteria and required admissions documents.

In determining accreditation, Saint Joseph’s College uses the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) and the publication Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education by the American Council on Education (ACE) published in consultation with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Applicants who have graduated with a foreign bachelor’s degree equivalent must have their transcripts evaluated by an authorized agency, and the degree must be deemed by that agency to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree earned from a U.S. regionally or nationally accredited institution.  For more information on foreign transcript evaluations, please see the ‘International Students’ section below.

Graduate Programs:

• Transfer credit is awarded from regionally or nationally accredited institutions as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance.
• Graduate credit can not be transferred if it has already been applied to a conferred Master’s degree.
• Graduate courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B to be eligible for transfer.
  • Nursing courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B from a CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791) or ACEN accredited institution at the time of attendance.
• Course descriptions are required.  Syllabi may be requested on an individual basis.
  • Students who seek graduate nursing transfer credit must provide course descriptions and syllabi for review.
• Students are eligible to transfer up to 6 credits of curriculum-related graduate-level work from a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance.
  • Master of Divinity, Accelerated program accepts up to 18 credits of curriculum-related graduate-level work from a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance.

Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Transfer credit is awarded from regionally or nationally accredited institutions as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance.
• Graduate credit can not be transferred if it has already been applied to a conferred Master’s degree.
• Graduate courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B to be eligible for transfer.
  • Nursing courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B from a CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791) or ACEN accredited institution at the time of attendance, or, if a degree was earned, at the time the degree was granted.
• Course descriptions are required.  Syllabi may be requested on an individual basis.
  • Students who seek graduate nursing transfer credit must provide course descriptions and syllabi for review.
• Students are eligible to transfer up to 6 credits of curriculum related graduate-level work from a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of attendance.

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the transmitting institution(s).  Official transcripts and any additional admissions materials must be received in order to conduct the evaluation process.  Once all official transcripts and supporting materials have been received, a decision regarding acceptance will be made, appropriate courses will be determined, and the applicant will be notified of the admissions decision.

Graduate transfer credit will not be awarded for undergraduate coursework or for graduate courses that have been used previously to fulfill undergraduate or graduate degree requirements.

Transcripts:

International students must submit, in English, a certified, course-by-course external transcript evaluation of their post-secondary course work from an authorized agency. If no post-secondary coursework has been completed, an external transcript evaluation of their secondary school transcript is required. For a current list of authorized agencies, students should contact an admissions counselor.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores:

International applicants will be required to submit original Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if English is not their primary language.  A TOEFL score at or above the 50th percentile on the internet-based, computer-based, or paper-based exam is preferred.  An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score may be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL.

For more information on TOEFL, contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy or contact:

Phone: 1-609-771-7100
Fax: 1-609-771-7500
Mail: TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Services, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
Website: www.toefl.org

Saint Joseph’s College’s TOEFL identification number is 3764