Undergraduate Adult Policies

Degree and Certificate Requirements

Students must complete the required number of credits listed in the various curricula (see Curricula section) to be eligible for a degree or certificate. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits for a Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 60 credits for an Associate Degree. Students may not graduate with more than one certificate or degree in the same field. Three credits represent a total of 42 instructional hours over the course of a semester.

Students will consult with their faculty advisors to select the courses that best serve their educational needs, and meet the requirements for their degree. A repeated course, even when the student receives a passing grade on both occasions for the course, will be counted once for graduation requirments. The student is responsible for planning a program of courses that satisfies all degree requirements.

Second Degree Candidates

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a program that required a minimum of 120 credits from a previous college or university may pursue a second undergraduate degree through the PLS or HDC Adult Learner Program. These students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits at Saint Joseph’s University, including any general education requirements not yet satisfied and a minimum of 12 upper division credits in their major, unless specifically waived by the appropriate Department Chairperson or Program Director.

Second Major

Students may request permission to pursue a second major offered through PLS or HDC for sound academic reasons. Such a request requires the approval of the PLS or HDC Advising Office and Department Chairperson or Program Director for the major. The student must meet all the prerequisites and other requirements for both majors. The final transcript, not the diploma, will record the completion of the second major. The degree granted will be the degree appropriate to the primary major. Two separate degrees will not be awarded to students who complete a second major.

A Student whose primary major is Business Administration is not permitted to declare a secondary major in another business discipline. Likewise, a student whose primary major is in a business discipline other than Business Administration is not permitted to declare a secondary major in Business Administration.

Minors

Bachelor’s degree students may pursue a minor or multiple minors. Approval from the Department Chairperson or Program Director for the minor is required. At least one-half of the courses required for the minor(s) must be completed at Saint Joseph’s University. More information about minor options and requirements can be found under the Undergraduate Day Programs section of the catalog.

A Student whose major is Business Administration is not permitted to declare a minor in another business discipline. Likewise, a student whose major is in a business discipline other than Business Administration is not permitted to declare a minor in Business Administration.

Course Overload

Students are permitted to take a maximum of 16 credits per semester. Approval for a course overload is considered only in cases when a student’s previous academic performance at Saint Joseph’s University shows evidence of probable success with the additional course registration.  

Withdrawal from a Course/Courses

A student who wishes to withdraw from a course must submit a request to withdraw from the course no later than the withdrawal deadline. Withdrawal deadlines are listed on the Saint Joseph's University academic calendar. Students are encouraged to discuss withdrawing from a course with their instructor prior to submitting the withdrawal form through their Advising Office. Withdrawal from any course without completing the required form will result in an grade of "F" and will be calculated into a student’s grade point average. Students are permitted to withdraw from an individual course or from all courses. All withdrawn courses will be noted with a grade of “W” on the official transcript, and are not included in the grade point average calculation. Grading and refund regulations apply only to the courses a student has officially withdrawn from.

Withdrawal from a course after the last day of the published withdrawal deadline requires documentation of an extraordinary and unusual reason. Students must submit an Extraordinary Withdrawal form and documentation to support the withdrawal request through their Advising Office for final approval by the appropriate Associate Dean. Medical documentation must be submitted directly to the Office of Student Disability Services. The avoidance of undesirable grades is not a sufficient reason for an extraordinary withdrawal. Extraordinary withdrawals are not permitted after the last day of classes for the semester.

The University reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student. Withdrawals are not permitted for the purpose of avoiding penalties imposed through the Saint Joseph's University Academic Honesty Policy.

Class Standing

Advancement through the first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior levels is predicated on the number of hours earned toward completion of the degree program. Class standing at Saint Joseph’s University is based on the following scale for candidates in the PLS and HDC undergraduate programs.  

Graduation Honors 

Honors at graduation will be awarded for grade point averages in all subjects as follows:

Averages for honors will be computed on the basis of work completed at Saint Joseph’s University in the PLS/HDC program only. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in the PLS/HDC Program to be eligible for honors at graduation.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is published at the completion of each semester. PLS and HDC students working toward a bachelor’s degree are eligible for this honor.

A student must complete at least 30 credits through the Saint Joseph’s University PLS/HDC program before becoming eligible. A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 is required to achieve and to remain on the Dean’s List. A minimum of six credits must be completed during the semester to be eligible for Dean’s List. A failing semester grade in the current semester disqualifies a student from achieving Dean's List. 

Academic Honor Societies

Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International.

HDC Students are eligible for invitation to membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society. In order to receive an invitation to Beta Gamma Sigma, students must be a bachelor’s or associate’s degree-seeking student and fulfill either of the following criteria:

Tier 1: Be in the top 10% of eligible HDC students who have earned at least 105 overall credits (including transfer credits) as well as at least 30 credits in the HDC Program

Tier 2: Be in the top 7% of eligible HDC students who have earned more than 75 overall credits and fewer than 105 overall credits (including transfer credits) as well as at least 30 credits in the HDC Program

Invitations are based on cumulative Saint Joseph’s University GPAs on the HDC Program level only, and are calculated as of the end of the Intersession semester immediately preceding the invitation. Invitations are generally sent late in the spring semester. Certificate students are not eligible for membership.

Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society – Alpha Zeta Chapter

Alpha Sigma Lambda is the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students who achieve outstanding scholastic standards and demonstrate leadership while managing the responsibilities of work and family.

The membership comprises undergraduate adult students and alumni. To be considered for induction into Alpha Sigma Lambda at Saint Joseph's University, a student must:

• Be a matriculated student in a baccalaureate degree program offered through PLS or HDC 

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits through the Saint Joseph’s University Adult Undergraduate Program

• Have earned 12 or more credits in the liberal arts/sciences (this may include transfer credits)

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.20

• Be in the top 15% of the students in a bachelors program with a minimum of 30 credits earned through PLS/HDC and 12 or more credits in the liberal arts/sciences

Minimum Standards for Retention

PLS and HDC students are permitted to take courses at a rate that is appropriate and convenient for them, normally without incurring any penalties for delay in completing degree program requirements. Students pursuing Teacher Certification, however, are required to complete their certification within the time stipulated in departmental regulations.

Grades for PLS and HDC students are reviewed at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students with a Saint Joseph’s University cumulative grade point average below 2.0 will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board, which could lead to a recommendation for academic probation, suspension, or dismissal. Saint Joseph’s University grade point average is calculated by dividing quality points by GPA hours for courses completed at Saint Joseph’s University. Failures are calculated into the GPA, but withdrawals are not.

PLS and HDC students who, after attempting their first 12 credits at Saint Joseph’s University, and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.0 will be recommended for academic dismissal. They will be informed of the relevant policies, including the right to appeal their dismissal to the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board. Please see the section on Academic Dismissal for additional information.

Academic Probation

PLS and HDC students who are not achieving satisfactory academic progress according to the standards listed above (i.e., cumulative GPA < 2.0) will be placed on academic probation. Students who have a GPA above a 2.0 but below a 2.25 will be given an academic warning.  

When on academic probation, a degree seeking student may be given 1-2 semesters, maximum of 15 additional credits, to raise their GPA to the required 2.0 standard. In extraordinary cases, one additional semester of probation may be granted if the improvement during the first probationary period indicates that the student will probably reach the necessary level by the end of an additional probationary semester. If the student does not raise their GPA to the required level within this timeframe, they will be subject to dismissal.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate students who are placed on academic probation will have up to six additional credits or one semester to raise their GPA to 2.0. If the student does not raise their GPA to the required level, they will be subject to dismissal.

PLS and HDC students placed on probation are required to meet with their advisor, and in some instances, the Associate Dean at the beginning of each semester to review their academic schedule and discuss a plan for success. Students on academic probation may have a variety of conditions placed on them. These conditions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Registration may be limited to a maximum of two courses per semester, unless full time enrollment is required for financial aid or other reasons.

• Required consultation with an advisor prior to registering for courses for the following semester.

• Enrollment in the INT101 Learning Strategies course.

• Attainment of a minimum term GPA required to return to good academic standing.

• Any other appropriate remedial measures that will help ensure the student’s academic success.

Students may lose their financial aid if they do not attain the required GPA after being placed on probation. In rare instances, the loss of financial aid may be stipulated without any previous probation if the student’s academic standing is so poor that academic probation would not be in the student’s best interest. Since these judgments involve issues of academic qualifications and performance, as well as federal and state regulations concerning financial aid, decisions about the loss of financial aid will be made jointly by the Director of Student Financial Services and the appropriate Associate Dean acting on the recommendations of the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board. Please see Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid for additional information. Students on probation making inquiries must address them to the Director of Advising for PLS or HDC. For further information regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Academic Suspension

A student who is showing slow improvement in their level of performance or rate of progress during the period of probation may be subject to academic suspension by the appropriate Dean on the recommendation of the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board. While a student is usually granted at least one academic probation before suspension, the Undergraduate Adult Academic Review Board may recommend academic suspension without any probation when the student’s cumulative grade point average is so low that it is determined academic probation would not be in the student’s best interest. A student placed on suspension by the appropriate Dean may return to Saint Joseph's University only after being away for at least one semester but not more than two academic years. If a student wishes to return after two years, the student will be required to reapply for admission.

Academic Dismissal

A student who fails to make sufficient improvement in their level of performance or rate of progress during the period of probation, or after returning from suspension, may be subject to academic dismissal by the appropriate Dean. While a student is usually granted at least one academic probation or suspension before dismissal, the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board may recommend academic dismissal without any probation or suspension when the student’s cumulative grade point average is so low that it is determined academic probation and/or suspension would not be in the student’s best interest.

When dismissal is recommended, the student will be informed of the relevant policies, including the right to appeal their dismissal to the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board. Students who appeal the recommendation for academic dismissal must do so in writing within ten business days of the date of their dismissal letter from the Dean. The Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board will consider extenuating circumstances that may have entered into a student’s situation and will decide whether and under what circumstances the student may be readmitted. If readmitted, the Undergraduate Adult Learner Academic Review Board may recommend the student be placed on academic probation for the next semester or serve a suspension period before returning to their studies.

A student may also be dismissed or suspended from the University under the provisions of the Academic Honesty Policy. Please see Academic Honesty Policy section.

Readmission Following Withdrawal or Dismissal

Students seeking readmission who have voluntarily withdrawn from the university are required to reapply to the university after a two-year absence, following all of the requirements for readmission into their desired program. Students who have been dismissed from either the PLS or HDC programs due to failure to meet academic standards or because of an academic integrity violation will not be reconsidered for readmission into an undergraduate program at Saint Joseph’s University.

Academic Forgiveness

Undergraduate and graduate students who return following an absence of at least one calendar year may request academic forgiveness. If academic forgiveness is granted, each grade of C- or below for undergraduate students, and B- or below for graduate students will be eligible to be replaced with a grade of “AF”. Courses with a grade of AF will no longer count for credit or be included in the GPA calculation. Additionally, the student’s transcript will have a comment added denoting that academic forgiveness was granted in the applicable semesters. To apply for academic forgiveness, the student must submit a letter to the appropriate Dean explaining how they will achieve successful degree completion. This explanation may involve addressing the reasons for their poor original performance and lessons learned during their time away. Application for Academic Forgiveness must be completed at least 4 weeks before registration for courses. Please see application form for additional details.

• Students may only receive academic forgiveness once.
• Courses that a student withdrew from are not eligible for academic forgiveness.
• Once a student has been approved for academic forgiveness, the action is irreversible and final.
• Failing grades that result from violations of the Academic Honesty Policy cannot be changed under the terms of this policy.
• Federal guidelines allow Title IV Federal Financial Aid to be applied for only one retake of a course with a passing grade. Questions related to financial aid eligibility following academic forgiveness can be directed to finaid@sju.edu.
• A student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress is not impacted by academic forgiveness as it relates to federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements. Please review the SAP policies relative to financial aid at sju.edu/sap.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

PLS/HDC students who are receiving federal, state, or University aid are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and also meet the Minimum Requirements for Retention in order to keep their financial aid eligibility.  

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is reviewed after the spring semester each academic year. Both cumulative GPA and the ratio of credits earned to credits attempted are used to determine academic progress.   Students who do not meet the criteria for satisfactory academic progress will be informed at the end of each spring semester that their current academic record disqualifies them for financial assistance. These students will be given the opportunity to file an academic plan with the Dean’s Office to be considered for financial aid for the coming academic year.

Students must maintain the following minimum cumulative GPA for satisfactory academic progress (SAP). These standards are in accordance with the PLS/HDC Academic Probation Policy. 

• 1.8 cumulative GPA up to 60 credits earned
• 1.9 cumulative GPA for 61-90 credits earned
• 2.0 cumulative GPA above 90 credits earned

In addition to maintaining the required GPA, PLS/HDC students must earn a passing grade in a minimum of 67% of overall credits attempted in order to be considered as making satisfactory academic progress. For example, if a student registers for 12 credits/four courses, the student must earn a passing grade in at least three of these courses to meet this requirement. Withdrawals are considered when calculating the ratio of credits earned to credits attempted. Although withdrawals do not impact grade point average (GPA), they do negatively impact the measure of satisfactory academic progress. 

Students not achieving satisfactory academic progress (SAP) based on the above criteria must submit an academic plan explaining the circumstances that led to the failure to meet the standards and the changes that will allow the student to be successful. The student should identify and provide documentation of any extenuating circumstances (e.g., loss of job, a major financial life event, personal illness, illness or death of family member, or other special circumstances) that may have hindered their ability to achieve satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The appropriate Associate Dean will review plan to determine if the student will be allowed to continue to receive federal financial assistance. For a student’s academic plan to be considered, it must be submitted by the first day of classes of the traditional full-term semester for which the student is requesting federal aid.