Graduation & Honors

Dean’s List

SJC Online undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program will be placed on the Dean’s List if they meet the following criteria: 

• Attained an average of 3.5 semester GPA or better 

• Completed all registered courses with no grade less than a B-

• Enrolled in at least 12 credits in the semester

Online Undergraduate & Graduate Programs Conferral Dates

• Degrees are conferred three times a year in September, December, and May.
• Eligible students must fill out the graduation application, complete all program requirements and finish their program requirements based on the deadlines listed below:

*Students with a September 1 conferral are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony in the May prior to their conferral, not the following May. Please see the application or contact your Academic Advisor for more information.

• Please note that certain internships and practicums may delay your conferral. Please speak with your Academic Advisor regarding the timeline of your degree completion.

• Successfully complete all degree program course requirements and credits, as outlined in the catalog, by the deadline dates listed above.
• Complete and submit a graduation application by the dates listed above.
• Settle any outstanding financial obligations with the college.

Online Undergraduate GPA Requirement:

• Degree program cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  • RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing students are required to obtain a minimum program cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Bachelor of Science in Social Work students are required to obtain a minimum program cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

• Degree major and/or minor cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  • RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing students are required to obtain a minimum letter grade of C+ (78) in all Nursing core requirements.

Online Graduate GPA Requirement

• Degree program cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Satisfactorily complete all degree program requirements with a minimum letter grade of C  in each course.
  • Master of Science in Nursing students must satisfactorily complete all degree program requirements with a minimum letter grade of B in each course.

The Saint Joseph’s College commencement ceremony is held annually each year on the second Saturday of May.  The 2025-2026 ceremony will be held on May 9, 2026 on the campus of Saint Joseph’s College . All students who meet the above requirements are eligible to attend the May 2026 commencement.  Students are encouraged to attend the commencement exercises on campus in the spring, and will receive details about obtaining their diploma, activities and events, upon successful completion of all degree requirements. Please visit our Commencement page for more detailed information about the graduation ceremony events.

Graduating seniors are cited for graduation honors on their transcripts and diplomas. Undergraduate degree students with at least 63 credit hours earned at Saint Joseph’s College who have achieved a cumulative index of 3.90-4.0 graduate summa cum laude; those with a cumulative index of 3.70-3.89 graduate magna cum laude; and those with a cumulative index of 3.50-3.69 graduate cum laude. Undergraduate degree students who have earned between 54 and 62 credit hours at Saint Joseph’s College and who have achieved a cumulative index of at least 3.50 graduate cum laude. The cumulative index for the purpose of graduation with distinction is based on the student’s records at Saint Joseph’s College.

Delta Epsilon Sigma

Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national scholastic honor society for students of Catholic colleges and universities, has been represented at Saint Joseph’s College since 1950 by the Beta Omicron Chapter. Membership in Delta Epsilon Sigma is based on leadership, service, superior achievement in the student’s academic program 3.5 average or better based on a minimum of 63 semester-hour credits of Saint Joseph’s College courses only, and the student’s indications of future creditable use of that achievement in bringing the principles of a sound Christian philosophy to bear effectively upon the problems of a modern, free society.

Sigma Theta Tau International

Sigma Theta Tau International honor society for nursing students has been represented at Saint Joseph’s College since 1987. Saint Joseph’s College Department of Nursing is one of three colleges forming the local chapter Kappa Zeta Chapter at Large. The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Membership in Sigma Theta Tau International is by invitation only. Invitations are extended each spring based upon leadership, service, and superior achievement in the student’s academic nursing program. Online undergraduate students must have no more than 16 credits remaining in their program and must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0. Online graduate students must have no more than 20 credits remaining in their program and must hold a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Theta Alpha Kappa

Theta Alpha Kappa is the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in religious studies and theology for undergraduate and graduate students.  Since its inception, this organization has chartered more than 350 chapters throughout the United States. They range from small religiously affiliated colleges and seminaries to large public research institutions. Its Greek letters pay homage to God (Theos = Theta), humanity (Anthropos = Alpha), and the dynamic relationship, or fellowship (Koinonia = Kappa), between them.  Membership is by invitation only; such invitations are sent out each spring. 

At a minimum, undergraduate students must have:

1. Completed at least 36 credits of their coursework at SJC,
2. Completed at least 12 credits of their Theology coursework,
3. Attained a GPA of at least 3.5 in such courses, and
4. Been ranked in the upper 35% of their class. 

Graduate students must have:

1. Completed at least 18 credits of their coursework at SJC,
2. Attained a GPA of at least 3.5 in such courses, and
3. Been ranked in the top 35% of their class.

Visit the Transcript Request page for information on how to obtain an official Saint Joseph’s College transcript.