Undergraduate Program Policies and Procedures

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

• Instill 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;
• Advance critical thinking by focusing on organization, synthesis, and analysis, maintaining intellectual independence and an attitude of healthy criticism;
• Strengthen interactive oral and written communication skills.

All SJC Online baccalaureate and associate degree candidates are required to complete six credits of English Composition, usually College Composition I and II.  Aside from completing these courses as SJC Online, credit may be granted to entrants who have completed equivalent and acceptable transfer courses with a grade of “C” or better or achieved a minimum CLEP score of 50.

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

All SJC Online undergraduate students enrolling in a degree program that meet any of the criteria below will take a brief writing assessment prior to signing up for courses:

• Have not completed a college-level writing course in their past (equivalent to English Composition I);
• Have taken a college writing course but earned below a C grade;

The writing placement is designed to enroll students in a writing course that matches their current skills and will help them reach their potential. The assessment has three parts - (1) grammar, usage, mechanics, and effectiveness of expression, (2) reading comprehension, and (3) essay writing.  

Students cannot fail this assessment and their admissions status will not change as a result of their score. Students should be notified of their placement status within 5 business days after completion.

SJC Online baccalaureate and associate degree candidates 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 fail one of those courses, they may choose another course from the list of applicable courses instead of repeating the one previously failed.

If a student fails a course at SJC, successfully retakes the course at another accredited institution, and then transfers in the credit, the initial course grade appears on the SJC 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.

**Nursing students must refer to the Nursing Student Handbook for program-specific policies.

**Social Work students must refer to the Social Work Student Handbook for program-specific policies.

See Academic Probation Policy .

**Nursing students must refer to the Nursing Student Handbook for program-specific policies.

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 may vary slightly according to the program and are listed under the specific program requirements.

The general education requirement provides students with exposure to the humanities, which may include 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 page for the general education requirements specific to that degree.

A total of 120 credits is required for completion of all Baccalaureate degrees. Each student must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements at SJC Online to meet degree requirements. Eighteen (18) or twenty-four (24) credits within the major/specialization must be earned through Saint Joseph’s College. See specific programs for additional requirements.

An Associate of Science degree requires between 60 and 66 credits for completion, depending on the major. Each student must earn a minimum of 25% of the course requirements at Saint Joseph’s College to meet degree requirements. Fifteen (15) credits within the major must be earned through Saint Joseph’s College.

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

• Accounting 
• Adult Education and Training 
• Business Administration 
• Criminal Justice 
• Health Administration  
• Human Services 
• Long Term Care Administration

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

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