Academic Life (Professional and Graduate Studies)

Degree Programs

St. Joseph’s College offers the following degree programs, which are registered with the New York State Education Department.

School of Professional and Graduate Studies

The College provides the following opportunities for adults with diversified professional and personal experiences to pursue college degree programs. These programs are administered by the School of Professional and Graduate Studies.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

DUAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Accounting and MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Accounting. This 152-credit program stresses both the study of graduate accounting topics and the development of managerial effectiveness. It satisfies the 2009 education requirements for C.P.A. licensure and is registered with the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Human Services and also in Health Administration. Students applying for the B.S. in Human Services or the B.S. in Health Administration must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

DUAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Health Administration and MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Health Care Management. This 152 credit accelerated curriculum fosters the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world health care issues.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Computer Information Technology. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Criminal Justice. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Marketing. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Nursing. Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the program is designed specifically for registered nurses. The curriculum consists of 128 credits which includes lower-division course requirements and upper-division courses. At least 60 credits must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Organizational Management. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts. Also available in the online format—see Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management Online Program (OMOP) . 

DUAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Organizational Management and MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. This 152 credit accelerated curriculum fosters the application of theoretical knowledge to promote organizational effectiveness.

DUAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Organizational Management and MASTER OF SCIENCE in Management with a concentration in Human Resources Management. This 152 credit accelerated curriculum fosters the application of theoretical knowledge in support of developing organization’s human resources.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in General Studies. This program provides an opportunity for students with non-traditional academic backgrounds as well as those who have an Associate degree to pursue a flexible course of study. Of the 128 credits required for the degree, at least 60 must be in the liberal arts.

Personalized advisement is the key to this approach. With the assistance and guidance of a trained advisor, students design a program around their strengths, experiences, and aspirations, drawing from the various courses of the College.

For all undergraduate degrees, a cumulative index of 2.0 is required, as well as an index of 2.0 in the major.

EXECUTIVE MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. This 36-credit program allows students with acceptable work experience to apply graduatelevel management and financial theory to workplace issues and problems.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Accounting. This 36-credit program stresses both the study of graduate accounting topics and the development of managerial effectiveness.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Health Care Management. This 36-credit program is designed to provide health care professionals with a comprehensive management education that focuses on current issues in the health field.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION in Health Care Management with a Concentration in Health Information Systems. This 36-credit program is designed to develop students’ expertise in the planning, development, and implementation of health information systems. The concentration focuses on how Health Information Systems can improve the delivery of health care with the latest methods and technologies for the collection, organization, use, and evaluation of health care information.

MASTER OF SCIENCE in Human Services Leadership. This 30-credit program provides professionals with a comprehensive experiential learning education that focuses on developing leadership competencies relevant to the human services field.

MASTER OF SCIENCE in Management. This 36-credit curriculum is designed for students who desire a concentration in a specialized area of study. It consists of a 24-credit business core plus a 12-credit concentration in Organizational Management, or Health Care Management, or Human Resources Management.

MASTER OF SCIENCE with a Major in Nursing. This is a part-time, cohort-based program that can be completed in seven semesters of study. The program offers a choice of two concentrations: Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health (38 credits) or Nursing Education (37 credits). All students will also be required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination with a grade of B or higher to graduate. The program is registered with the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

Graduate Advanced Certificates

The following advanced certificates are registered with New York State Education Department and are offered by the Office of Graduate Management Studies:

• Health Care Management (15 credits)
• Human Resources Management (15 credits)
• Management of Health Information Systems (15 credits)

For all graduate degrees, a cumulative index of 3.0 is required.

Certificate Programs

St. Joseph’s College, through its School of Professional and Graduate Studies, offers the following undergraduate certificate programs, which are registered with New York State Education Department: Alcoholism and Addictions Counseling (29 credits), Care Management (12 credits), Counseling (12 credits), Criminology/Criminal Justice (24 credits), Gerontology (12 credits), Health Care Management (15 credits), Health Instruction (12 credits), Home Care Administration (18 credits), Hospice (15 credits), Human Resources (15 credits), Information Technology Applications (12 credits), Leadership and Supervision (12 credits), Management (28 credits), Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations (12 credits), and Training and Staff Development (12 credits).

For these certificates, a cumulative index of 2.0 is required.

Weekend College Trimester Program

Offered through the School of Professional and Graduate Studies on the Long Island Campus, accelerated Weekend College is intended for mature individuals with career and family responsibilities who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree or certificate but find it difficult to attend day or evening classes.

With classes offered approximately every other weekend in the trimester format, the accelerated Weekend College aims to provide adult students with an opportunity for personal and career development. Student achievement is fostered in an environment that encourages self-directed learning supported by a structure of relationships and on-going advisement.

Applicants wishing to pursue a degree or certificate program in the accelerated Weekend College must satisfy the admission requirements for the degree or certificate program, as well as possess the maturity and background to undertake this challenging academic format. Students may supplement their trimester credit with credit by examination, prior experiential learning assessment credit, video course credit, or by enrolling in additional evening courses. The following programs are offered: B.S. degrees in Community Health and Human Services, Health Administration and Organizational Management as well as Certificates in Counseling, Gerontology, Health Care Management, Home Care Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology Applications, Leadership and Supervision, Management, and Training and Staff Development.

School of Arts and Sciences

BACHELOR OF ARTS in Biology, Chemistry (only in Brooklyn), Child Study, Criminal Justice, English, History, Human Relations, Mathematics, Philosophy and Religious Studies (only in L.I.), Psychology, Social Science, Spanish, and Speech. Students applying for the B.A. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 90 of which must be in the liberal arts. Those who wish to teach on the elementary or secondary level will also follow the programs approved for teacher certification.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Biology, Chemistry (only in Brooklyn), Mathematics, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, and Medical Technology (only in Brooklyn). Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts. Those who wish to teach on the secondary level will also follow the programs approved for teacher certification.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Business Administration. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Marketing. Students applying for the B.S. must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts.

DUAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Accounting and MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Accounting. This 152-credit program stresses both the study of graduate accounting topics and the development of managerial effectiveness. It satisfies the 2009 education requirements for C.P.A. licensure and is registered with the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Recreation. Students applying for the B.S. in Recreation must satisfy the requirements of the core curriculum and major, and elect additional courses for a total of 128 credits, at least 60 of which must be in the liberal arts

For all bachelor’s degrees, a cumulative index of 2.0 is required, as well as an index of 2.0 in the major (higher, if so indicated by the major department.)

MASTER OF ARTS in Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Special Education. The program is designed for those interested in obtaining a Master of Arts degree with certification in Early Childhood Special Education. The graduate program consists of 36 credits. Students must complete the 36 credits, which includes one semester or summer session in a full time fieldwork placement, and a Master’s thesis.

MASTER OF ARTS in Literacy and Cognition (B-6, Grades 5-12, and B- 12). The Master of Arts in Literacy and Cognition addresses the literacy challenges of students in the Birth through Grade Six, as well as secondary students in the Grades 5 through 12. For those graduate students who want to understand the full range of literacy challenges, a Birth through Grade 12 certification is also available. The B-6 and Grades 5-12 programs consist of 36 credits, 12 credits of core courses and 24 credits that link literacy instruction to the New York State Learning Standards. The Birth through Grade 12 is composed of 45 credits. These part-time programs lead to three New York State certifications (B-6, Grade 5-12, and B-12).

MASTER OF ARTS in Childhood or Adolescent Special Education with an Annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities (Birth to age 21). was designed to fulfill the need for highly qualified New York State teachers. The program consists of 36 credits, divided into 4 leadership core courses and 8 courses in special education. By the program’s end, the candidate will be eligible for the following certifications, depending up on your initial certification: Childhood Special Education, the New Adolescence Generalist in Special Education with extensions available in Biology, Earth Science, English, Math, Social Studies and/or Spanish.

MASTER OF ARTS in Mathematics Education. This part-time program is designed for those who possess initial certification in Mathematics. The goal of this program is to instill in teaching professionals dedication to the discipline, as well as the desire and ability to become lifelong learners. The graduate program consists of 30 credits and fulfills the degree requirements for professional certification in Mathematics.

For all Graduate degrees and certificates, a cumulative index of 3.0 is required.

Academic Advisement

An integral part of providing a quality educational experience to adults is an academic advisement system that can be responsive to their individual needs. Toward that end the School requires that all students meet with an advisor to plan an academic program. Prior to this meeting, students receive a counseling worksheet that will guide them and their advisors in the preparation of their programs. Students should retain this worksheet and bring it to subsequent advisement meetings. It is recommended that students consult with an advisor once a semester.

Courseload

Full-time students may carry sixteen credits per term. Students beyond freshman year may take up to eighteen credits with the approval of an advisor. For more than six courses or eighteen credits in one semester, the permission of the Dean is required. (See Tuition Policy. )

Students taking the Experiential Portfolio Seminar may have their courseload restricted. (See Prior Experiential Learning Assessment .)

Pass/No Credit Option

To encourage exploration and experimentation in curricular areas, the faculty has provided that juniors and seniors may take one course per semester or during intersession or summer session on an index-free basis (i.e., the grade is not computed in the index). Students may not take more than a total of four courses Pass/No Credit.

Courses required either by the core curriculum or by the student’s major department or area of concentration may not be elected on this basis. Students may have the first three weeks of the term in which to indicate that they wish to take this option (or in the case of a Summer Session or Intersession Course, before the fourth class). No changes, either to Pass/No Credit or back to letter grade, may be made after that time. Grades assigned are P or NC (Pass or No Credit).

Students should be cautioned that taking courses on a Pass/No Credit basis may make them ineligible for honors. (See Honors.)

Repeated Courses

A student who receives an unsatisfactory grade in a course specifically required for the degree, for the major, or for a certificate program may request departmental approval to repeat the course. Although the grade of F is the only one for which credit is not given, departments may require a grade of C or better for satisfactory completion of certain departmental requirements. In such cases, the Chairperson may permit the student to repeat a course in order to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Both the original grade and the repeated grade will appear on the transcript. Credit will be given only once for the course, and only the most recent grade will be calculated in the index.

Auditing Courses

Matriculated students may audit courses with the consent of the instructor and the permission of the Dean. Non-matriculated students pay the regular tuition for this privilege. No credit is given for audited courses, and no records are kept.

Academic Policies

Academic Integrity

In common with all colleges and universities engaged in the search for knowledge, St. Joseph’s College is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Moreover, as a college whose motto is “Esse non videri: To be, not to seem,” St. Joseph’s has a long-standing tradition of considering integrity as a primary value.

The College expects students to observe academic integrity in all aspects of their academic life, including the conduct of their examinations, assignments, and research. All members of the college community share the responsibility for creating a climate of academic integrity, based on fairness to others and respect for oneself.

Violations of academic integrity are treated very seriously. Policies and procedures for violations of academic honesty are explained in detail in the Student Policy Handbook.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are registered. Because active participation is considered vital to the educational process, class work constitutes 60–75% of the final grade in the course. Students who must be absent for an extended period of time are urged, therefore, to contact the individual instructor or the academic advisor concerning classwork, assignments, and announced quizzes .Any student who fails to attend a single class meting in one of their registered courses will be dropped from that class by the Registrar’s Office by the third week of the term.

At the same time, the faculty recognizes that on occasion students cannot be present. Because faculty members have confidence in the maturity of the student body and recognize the personal growth which comes through responsible freedom, the faculty has vested all members of the student body with personal responsibility for their attendance.

The faculty wish to emphasize, however, that students are equally responsible with them for creating a climate of inquiry and sharing. True education results only from active involvement in the learning process.

Students will not be permitted to register for a class after the second class session. (For a six-week or trimester course, students will not be permitted to register after the first class session.) Students may not register for nor enter writing courses after the first class session without the authorization of the Writing Coordinator.

If students have registered in advance but have missed the first two class sessions (or have missed the first class session of a six-week or trimester course), they will be encouraged to withdraw from the class. The reason for this is the compressed nature of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies scheduling configuration and the difficulty encountered by students attempting to make up missed work.

Students should understand that if they insist on staying in the class under these circumstances, they accept the responsibility of their decision. They should also understand that it will be difficult for them to make up the missed work, that the instructor is under no obligation to help them make up the missed material, and that their final grades may be affected both from the standpoint of material missed and class participation opportunities forfeited.

Change of Major

Students who wish to change their majors must submit this intent in writing to the Registrar. These requests are reviewed by the Department Chairperson or advisor. Students must then meet with an advisor to plan a new program. Change of major should be effected before the period of programming for the following term.

Where it appears that a student’s request to change majors is being initiated in order to graduate at an earlier date and where it appears that the student intends to complete another major at St. Joseph’s College, the Dean—in consultation with the appropriate department chairpersons—reserves the right to deny the request.

Double Major

A double major is the fulfillment of the requirements in two majors concurrently. To earn a degree with double majors, the student must fulfill all of the requirements of the degree program(s) of which the majors are a part. Only one degree will be awarded, but a notation recognizing the completion of the second major will be posted on the student’s permanent record. This option does not pertain between certain majors—consult the Registrar’s Office. Applications for a double major may be obtained in the Registrar’s Office.

Change of Schedule

A fee of $20 is charged for each change of schedule form starting the day each class begins. If a course is cancelled, the students affected will be notified; there is no fee for this change of schedule.

Late Registration

A fee of $25 is charged for late registration payable on the first class session. Students are not permitted to register for a course in a fourteen-week session after the second class meeting (i.e., after two meetings of three hours each), nor register for a six-week session after the first class session has met (i.e., after one session of seven and one-half hours).

Withdrawing from Courses

A student who wishes to withdraw from a course in which he or she is registered, should obtain the official form from the Registrar, and follow the procedure outlined. Ordinarily, withdrawal may take place up to the midpoint of the term or session; thereafter, it may take place only for a most unusual reason and with the approval of the Dean. A fee of $20 for each form is charged. Students are advised to investigate the implications of withdrawing from courses on their eligibility for financial aid.

A student who does not withdraw officially from a course continues on the class register and must satisfy the requirements of the course. A student who ceases to attend a course before the midpoint of the semester will be withdrawn at the end of the semester and will receive a grade of WU. A  student who ceases to attend a course after the midpoint will receive a grade of FN (Failure for non-attendance). A student who is failing a course and wishes to withdraw after the midpoint will receive a grade of WF (Withdrew failing).

Full-time students who receive permission to withdraw from a single course are not entitled to a refund unless the withdrawal involves extra credits. Once the session has begun, flat-rate students who change their programs to less than 12 credits will continue to be responsible for the flatrate tuition charge (as opposed to the per credit rate). The time of the withdrawal is considered when calculating refunds. Tuition liability is based on the date the change of program form is received by the Registrar.

Courses to be Taken at St. Joseph’s College

Students are required to take a minimum of 32 credit hours of coursework with St. Joseph’s College. The following courses will not be offered at the College’s extension sites: ENG 103 - Writing for Effective Communication ;  HS 403 - Human Services and the Liberal Arts ;  GS 404 - Administration and the Liberal Arts /HA 404 - Administration and the Liberal Arts ;  BUS 495 - Academic Writing and Research /HA 495 - Academic Writing and Research ; BUS 498 - Capstone Research In Organizational Management /HS 498 - Capstone Research in Human Services /HA 498 - Capstone Research in Health Administration . The College reserves the right to restrict other course offerings to the Main or Branch Campuses.

Courses at Other Colleges

Students who have reason to take courses for credit at other colleges should file the appropriate form in the Registrar’s office. The decision to allow students to take such courses is made by the Dean in consultation with the Department Chairperson or advisor. The College reserves the right to refuse permission or to limit the number of such courses. Students who transfer to St. Joseph’s as Juniors are usually expected to complete their course and credit requirements at the College. Upper level students may not take courses at junior or community colleges.

When the courses have been completed, students are responsible for having an official transcript sent to the Registrar. Although the grades are not entered on the transcript nor included in the cumulative index, no credit will be allowed for a course with a grade below C-. (For Transfer Student Policy, see Admission and Finances .)

Academic Standing

St. Joseph’s College accepts for matriculation only those students whom the College believes capable of completing the requirements for the degree. Since students may experience difficulty at some point, however, they should consult, early enough in the term for practical assistance, the class instructor and/or the Chairperson of the Department, the Director of Counseling, their Academic Advisors, or any other faculty members. Students are advised to investigate the implications of academic standing on their eligibility for financial aid.

Satisfactory Progress is ordinarily represented by an index of 2.0. Students with indexes below 2.0 are evaluated by the Academic Development Committee. Basing their judgment upon the students’ tested potential, previous academic background, and calculated estimation of improvement, the Committee may permit students to continue in the College in good standing, under the guidance of academic advisors, for a stated time, thus giving them a chance to succeed. However, this does not automatically mean that such a student is eligible for financial aid. Such students should consult the Financial Aid section of this catalogue, the Registrar, and the Director of Financial Aid to determine their continued eligibility for financial aid.

At the end of each semester the Registrar reviews the record of every student and refers to the Committee on Academic Development those who have failed to maintain an index of 2.0 and/or who have failed to complete successfully the minimum number of credits for their enrollment status (FT or PT). The faculty members, with the Dean, and the Registrar as consultants, endeavor to determine the causes of the academic difficulty and recommend adjustments in program for the following term. The faculty members of the Committee serve thereafter as special advisors to those students who have been referred to them.

Full-time students who, at the end of a semester, have not achieved an index of 2.0 or higher, and/or who have failed to complete successfully the minimum number of credits for their enrollment status, may not take more than 12 credits the following semester. Part-time students may not take more than 6 credits the following semester without special permission of the Dean. Although the Committee on Academic Development reviews each case individually, students who continue to achieve below the required index of 2.0 and/or who have failed to complete successfully the minimum number of credits for their enrollment status will be advised to withdraw. Students who have been asked to withdraw may represent to the Dean, in person or in writing, any relevant circumstances.

Reinstatement

Students asked to withdraw because of unsatisfactory progress may apply to be readmitted to the College. The procedure requires a written request, assessment of previous academic record and of potential, evidence of increased motivation, possible retesting, and approval of the Chairperson of the major department and the Dean.

Students who have been reinstated are responsible for finding out the conditions, if any, which must be satisfied in order to obtain financial aid.

Examinations

Final examinations are held at the end of each semester. Exceptions to this procedure require the approval of the Dean.

Genuine emergency such as illness is the only excuse for absence from an examination. Documentation of the emergency may be required. A student who is absent from a final examination must call the Dean’s Office on the day of the exam, giving the reason for the absence. Within one week, the student must write to the Dean, stating the reason for the absence and requesting a make-up exam. A fee of $25 dollars is required for each makeup examination. By faculty regulation, a special examination may be given no sooner than one month from the date of the originally scheduled examination. The dates for such examinations are listed on the academic calendar; the hours are specified by the Dean’s Office. Students must take the makeup exam at the time specified. A student who is absent from a make-up exam will receive a grade of zero for the exam.

Incompletes

If a faculty member believes that a student, for a serious reason, should be allowed additional time in which to complete the requirements of a course, the faculty member may file a form with the Registrar to this effect. It is the responsibility of the student for whom such exception has been made to see that the work is completed so that the faculty member may give the final grade to the Registrar NOT LATER THAN January 31 for the Fall semester, July 1 for the Spring semester, and September 1 for the Summer session. All coursework must be completed prior to the day of graduation.

Grades and Reports

Transcripts of courses and grades are posted at the end of each term. The final grade in each course is based on the class mark, weighted as 60- 75% of the total, and the final exam mark, weighted as 25-40%. Grades are interpreted as follows:

Withdrawal from the College

Students who plan to withdraw from the College should consult an advisor and then submit written notification of withdrawal. All financial obligations to the College must be fully paid before students may withdraw or graduate in good standing. In addition, students who have received a scholarship or loan must have an exit interview with the Financial Aid Officer. (See Financial Aid ). It is important for financial aid purposes that the last date of attendance be officially recorded. The Administration of the College may require the withdrawal of students whose academic record or conduct is judged unsatisfactory.

Students who have been inactive for two semesters or more should consider themselves withdrawn. If they wish to later re-enroll at the College, they will be required to be readmitted and will be subject to all the requirements and procedures in force upon their subsequent readmission. See General Limitations on Prior Learning Credit.

St. Joseph’s College is under no obligation to readmit students who have withdrawn from the College or who have been asked to withdraw.

Honors

Dean’s Honor List

At the beginning of each term, the Dean publishes the names of those full-time students (12 credits or more) who in the previous academic semester attained an index of 3.65 or higher. Part-time students who attain an index of 3.65 after 15 credits are also eligible for the Dean’s Honor List. Eligibility is automatically determined at the end of each semester. This list is posted on a special bulletin board in the main hall of the College, outside the Dean’s Office.

Senior Honors

Students who achieve a cumulative index of 3.8 for the last 30 credits taken at St. Joseph’s College will receive Senior Honors.

Distinguished Graduate Award

The Distinguished Graduate Award is given to students who achieve a cumulative index of 3.85 for the last 45 credits taken at the College. Persons receiving the Distinguished Graduate Award will not also receive Senior Honors.

Honor Societies

Delta Gamma Sigma

Membership in the School of Professional and Graduate Studies honor society, Delta Gamma Sigma, is based on academic performance as well as on significant volunteer service to the College, to the community and/or professional organizations. The name of the honor society, Delta Gamma Sigma, is derived from the first letters for the Greek words Diakonia (service), Gnosis (knowledge), and Sophia (wisdom). Candidates must be individuals who represent the ideals of St. Joseph’s College. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree within The School of Professional and Graduate Studies who have completed thirty credits or more at St. Joseph’s College with a cumulative index of 3.85 or higher are eligible for election to membership in Delta Gamma Sigma.The School of Professional and Graduate Studies Office will send academically eligible students the necessary application form. Eligible students must then return the application to a committee appointed by the Dean. The application will include evidence of significant volunteer service and an essay which reflects on this service. No more than fifteen percent of the currently enrolled Professional and Graduate Studies students with thirty credits or more may be elected to the society. Election to Delta Gamma Sigma will be permanently recorded on the transcript at the end of the semester in which the qualifying index was achieved. Recognition at Commencement will be dependent upon students’ maintaining a cumulative index commensurate with Senior Honors. Students who do not achieve initial eligibility until their last semester at the College may not, due to time constraints, have their election recognized at Commencement (although their election will subsequently be recorded on the transcript).

In computing the index for each of the above honor categories, the grades from full semesters are used, which may necessitate including more credit than the required minimum.

Nursing Honor Society

Membership in the St. Joseph’s College Nursing Honor Society is based on superior scholastic achievement, evidence of professional leadership potential and/or marked achievement in the field of Nursing. Candidates must have a grade point average of at least 3.0, have completed at least half of the Nursing Baccalaureate curriculum, and must rank in the top 35% of the graduating class. Eligibility for membership is determined by an eligibility committee.

Special Programs

Combined BA/BS+MBA Program

This accelerated program offered at St. Joseph’s College enables students to earn an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration in five years. The program is open to all, but is designed to articulate with the Mathematics Actuary Track, Computer Science or the Computer Information Systems major. In fall of junior year students must complete the application process for the MBA program. For details about this program, students should consult the Director of Graduate Management Studies.

Combined BA/BS+MS in Computer Science Program

This special program joins St. Joseph’s College with Polytechnic Institute of New York University in a new educational collaboration known as Knowledge Workers Educational Alliance (KWEA). The program is designed to produce highly qualified personnel, who in five years, will complete the Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College and the Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Polytechnic Institute of New York University. Students in any undergraduate major may enter the program and must complete a sequence of courses at St. Joseph’s with specified grades. For details, see the Mathematics Department  offerings.

Student’s Right To Privacy and Access to Records

Public Law 93-380, usually titled “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,” or more often known simply as the Buckley Amendment, prohibits release of any material in a student’s file without the written consent of the college student. This law also affords students the right to review the contents of their official academic folders, except for those documents excluded by Law 93-380, as amended.

Students who wish to inspect their folders are required to complete the REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT FILE INFORMATION. These forms are available in the Registrar’s Office and in the Office of the Academic Dean. Students who wish to challenge the contents of their folders as inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate, should follow the informal and formal proceedings outlined in the current Student Handbook.

Student Complaints

A student who has a complaint about an academic matter should follow the procedures set forth in the Student Policy Handbook under Student Grievance Procedures in Academic Matters. No adverse action will be taken against any student who files a complaint.

Bias Related Crimes

In compliance with Section 6436 of the Education Law, St. Joseph’s College adopts the following policies and procedures:

All actions against persons or property, which may be considered bias crimes are unequivocally prohibited at all times in any college owned or operated property, or at any college sponsored activities.

Bias crimes may be defined as any form of unlawful harassment or other harmful behavior such as assault which is based on an individual’s sex, race, national origin, disability, veteran status, or on any individual’s status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The penalties for committing such crimes will include reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities so that an independent investigation can be conducted. The College will also undertake an investigation of the incident, in keeping with the guidelines published in the Student Handbooks. The procedures for dealing with bias related crimes will be the same as those outlined for grievances relating to allegations of sexual harassment and all other forms of unlawful harassment and discrimination.

The office of Counseling will provide support services for victims of bias related crime, and will make appropriate referrals to outside agencies.

Bias related crime on college campuses occur when a lack of familiarity with people who are different, or who belong to groups that others are uncomfortable with, evolves into a hostile environment. In a college setting many young people come together and encounter people of different cultures and backgrounds for the first time. Because the students bring biases and attitudes from their own past experiences, the possibility of bias related crimes must be recognized and every effort must be made to provide opportunities for open and honest dialogue and sharing.

The College provides information about security procedures through a brochure that is distributed to all incoming students and new employees, as well as frequent updates in campus newsletters and publications.

Campus Safety Statistics

The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education. The US Department of Education web site address for campus crime statistics is: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/campus.html

The College has designated campus contacts who are authorized to provide campus crime statistics.

Long Island Contact Person:
Carmine Abbatiello, Director of Security, (631) 687-2692

Brooklyn Contact Person:
Michael McGrann, Director of Security, (718) 940-5741

The College shall provide a hard copy mailed to the individual within 10 days of the request and that information will include all of the statistics that the campus is required to ascertain under Title 20 of the U.S. Code Section 1092 (f).

Services for Students with Disabilities

The Executive Director of Counseling and Career Development acts as the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities. The Director provides information and counseling to qualified students and works with students and faculty to ensure that appropriate academic adjustments are provided. Students should consult the Student Policy Handbook for further information.