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Degree Requirements
The Colleges offer two undergraduate degrees, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. The degree awarded is determined by the student’s major field. The ordinary Degree requirements for either degree include the completion of the number of courses specified by the major with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, along with the satisfaction of the General Education Requirement and the approved requirements for the major field.
From the several hundred courses offered in the day, students, in consultation with their faculty advisors, select those which best serve their educational need and meet the requirements for the degree. A repeated course, even when the student receives a passing grade on both occasions for the course, counts as only one course of those required for graduation. The student is responsible for planning a program of courses that satisfies all degree requirements.
General Education Requirement (GER)
The General Education Requirement (GER) includes the GER Common Courses requirement, the GER University Distribution requirement, and GER free electives. Depending on the academic discipline, there may also be a GER Divisional Distribution requirement.
GER COMMON COURSES
To enable students to share a widened range of reference, an experience in critical thinking, and skill in
effective and reflective communication, certain courses are established as common to all curricula. The
common course component includes six courses, distributed as follows:
ENG 1011 The Craft of Language
ENG 1021 Texts and Contexts
PHL 1011 The Human Person
PHL 1031 Moral Philosophy
HIS 1011-1021 Historical Introduction to Western Civilization
GER UNIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION
The GER University Distribution requirement includes fourteen courses, exclusive of free electives,
distributed as follows:
Foreign Language (two courses at intermediate level)
The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by two courses in a modern or classical foreign
language at the intermediate (1211-1221) level or higher. Students who have insufficient preparation
for language study at this level may satisfy the requirement through an intensive three-semester,
twelve-credit sequence (SPA 1011, 1021, 1031 or SPA 1051, 1061, 1071) which is designed to result
in a comparable level of proficiency. The initial course (1011) would then be used to fulfill a free
elective requirement. Students whose primary language is not English may request permission to satisfy
the language requirement by completing comparable courses in English. Click here for more information.
Art/Literature (one course from either field)
The art/literature requirement may be satisfied by one of the courses listed in the GER section of the
departmental listing for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. This requirement may also be
satisfied by a course in Fine and Performing Arts, courses in English, a modern foreign language, a
classical language, or a course in classical literature in translation. The various departments list courses
that satisfy this requirement in their departmental sections of this catalog. In addition to satisfying the
art/literature requirement described above, humanities majors must also take a course in Fine and
Performing Arts. That divisional requirement may be satisfied by completing any course in the
Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
Mathematics (two courses)
Unless particular courses are specified by the major department, students may fulfill the mathematics
requirement by completing any two mathematics courses (normally both semesters of a two-course
sequence) for which they qualify.
Natural Sciences (two courses)
Students majoring in the natural sciences must meet the requirement as specified by their departments.
Other students may satisfy the natural science requirement by completing any two of the introductory
courses in biology, chemistry, or physics for which they qualify; or by completing any two of the special
one-semester science courses designed for non-science majors.
Philosophy (one course)
In addition to the two philosophy courses specified under the GER common courses, all students are
required to complete a course chosen from those listed under the heading Knowledge and Reality under
Philosophy in this Catalog. PHL 1011 is prerequisite to all other courses offered in the department.
Social/Behavioral Sciences (three courses)
The social/behavioral sciences requirement requires three courses from economics, political science,
psychology, or sociology, with no more than two courses from one area.
Economics—ECN 1011 and ECN 1021 may be taken independently; each course is prerequisite to a specified group of upper division courses.
Political Science—POL 1011 and POL 1031 may be taken independently. All upper division political science courses are open to non-majors.
Psychology—All psychology courses numbered 1001 to 1781 are specifically designed to satisfy the social/behavioral sciences requirement, as well as to serve as electives in the psychology major. Courses at the 2000 level or above may be taken to satisfy the requirement if the student has successfully completed PSY 1001.
Sociology—SOC 1011 and SOC 1021 may be taken independently, and either course serves as prerequisite for upper division courses in sociology which can satisfy the GER requirement.
Theology (three courses)
Theology, taught as an academic discipline not necessarily implying a faith commitment, is considered
an essential element in the Jesuit tradition of a liberal arts education. For this reason, all students must
fulfill the theology requirement. All students select a first course in theology from the courses
numbered THE 1111 through THE 1141; this course is prerequisite to all other courses offered in the
department. All students select a second course from the courses numbered THE 1511 through THE
1591 and a third course from the courses numbered THE 2111 through THE 2891. Click here for more information.
GER DIVISIONAL DISTRIBUTION
The disciplinary divisions may also establish divisional distribution requirements for their own majors.
Where such requirements have been established, they are listed for the various majors in the departmental
section of this Catalog. In the Haub School of Business, the GER divisional distribution requirement has
been designated as the Business Foundation.
GER FREE ELECTIVES
Electives in the General Education Requirement are chosen by the student with no departmental
restrictions other than the ordinary prerequisites.
Major requirements: For requirements by major, click here then choose a particular department
Typical programs (by major) Student Services has a pamphlet that describes "typical" programs by major, which you can pick up in 121 Barbelin. You can select a major by clicking here.
Interdisciplinary programs (certificate and minors) For more information on particular programs, click here.
Declaring a major
While some students enter the university with a declared major, many do not. We encourage students to declare a major by March of their freshman year. This decision should be made in consultation with the student's advisor. We also encourage students to talk to the chair and/or other faculty in the prospective department.
To declare a major officially, students must fill out a "selection of major" form, which requires a meeting with the freshman advisor (and signature), then a meeting with the prospective department chair (and a signature). The chair will usually discuss the major requirements and assign the student a departmental advisor, effective sophomore year or immediately if the student is not a freshman. The student then must take the form to the associate dean's office, B/L 115, for final approval. To download the form, click here.
Students who do not declare a major as a freshman remain as "undeclared," and register as such. To the extent possible, they remain with their freshmen advisor until they declare a major.
Double Major
Some students are able to complete two majors. They usually, but not always, have some connection and sometimes a particular course can satisfy requirements in both departments. To download the form, click here.
Declaring a minor
Students may have a minor listed on their permanent records in areas where the department has approved one. For a minor, at least 18 credits in the specified area must be obtained. Permission forms for minors are available in the Dean’s office. Students choosing a minor must seek the approval of the chair in the department of the minor no later than the last day of the add/drop period of their seventh semester. Students should also be aware that their choice of a minor may be restricted based on their major or primary area of study.
To declare a minor officially, students must fill out an "approval for a minor" form, which requires a meeting with the prospective department chair (or the faculty member in charge of approving minors) and a signature. Students must bring a current copy of their transcript to this meeting (or access it online at the meeting). The chair then sends a copy of the form to the Registrar's office so that the minor can be recorded officially. Students should complete this procedure as soon as they decide to pursue a minor but no later than first semester senior year. To download the form, click here.
Changing a major
It is not uncommon for students to make a change in their major. To change a major officially, students must fill out a "change of major" form, which requires a meeting with the present department chair (and a signature) and then a meeting with the prospective department chair (and a signature). The prospective chair will usually discuss the major requirements and assign the student a departmental advisor, effective immediately. The form then goes to the associate dean's office, B/L 115, for a signature. To download the form, click here.
Study Abroad
Qualified students who have completed four regular semesters at Saint Joseph’s may be granted permission
to spend all or part of their junior year in study at a university abroad. Degree credit is granted upon
successful completion of an approved program of foreign study. Permission to study abroad in the fall or
spring semester must be obtained from the Director of the Center for International Programs (CIP) in the
preceding semester. Students should plan early and review their plans with their academic advisor and the
Center for International Programs.
Various scholarships that are funded by the University may be applied in full to the cost of studying abroad
in the semester programs listed below that are conducted by or affiliated with Saint Joseph’s. Typical of such
scholarships are the Board of Trustees, Presidential, University, Assistance Grants, Jesuit scholarships, and
employee family scholarships. In some cases, athletic grants may be applied. Please consult with the Center
for International Programs and the Financial Assistance office for more details.
Students who are interested in Study Abroad should contact Mr. Thomas Kesaris, Director of the Center for International Programs (C.I.P.), Barry Annex, x1836, cip@sju.edu or click here.