2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Certificate Programs


Certificate Programs at the Brooklyn Campus

St. Joseph’s College, Main Campus, offers the following certificate programs, which are registered with the New York State Education Department. The certificate programs allow students to combine courses in their major field and/or in electives in order to develop knowledge and skill in a particular area oriented to a career interest.

All credits for the certificate programs must be taken at St. Joseph’s College; any exception would require departmental approval. A cumulative index of 2.0 is required for each certificate. Courses may not be taken on a PASS/NO CREDIT basis. Students who complete requirements for these  programs will receive appropriate certificates and notations on their transcripts. Applications for certificate programs are obtained from the Registrar’s Office.

Certificate Programs at the Long Island Campus

St. Joseph’s College, Long Island Campus, offers the following certificate programs, which are registered with the New York State Education Department. The certificate programs allow students to combine courses in their major field and/or in electives in order to develop knowledge and skill in a particular area oriented to a career interest.

All credits for the certificate programs must be taken at St. Joseph’s College; any exception would require departmental approval. A cumulative index of 2.0 is required for each certificate. Courses may not be taken on a PASS/NO CREDIT basis.  Students who complete requirements for these programs will receive appropriate certificates and notations on their transcripts. Applications for certificate programs are obtained from the Registrar’s Office.

Certificate Programs for Professional and Graduate Studies

Application Procedures

The certificates offered through the School of Professional and Graduate Studies have been designed to meet specific needs of adult professionals. An applicant wishing to pursue a degree or certificate program within the School of Professional and Graduate Studies must be an adult with a high school diploma or its equivalent and be deemed capable of completing the requirements for the degree or certificate. In addition to having met the general admission requirements of the School, students typically have postsecondary education and training and have acquired, through experience, the skills and knowledge appropriate to the degree or certificate. Exceptions to this are made with the approval of the Dean. Additional requirements for majors or certificate programs are indicated in the Curricular Offerings  section of this catalogue. A brief writing exercise may be required of applicants.

Conditional Acceptance

This is a special category of admission for an applicant who has satisfied the requirements to pursue a certificate but needs academic skill development. A person in this category will be required to take ENG 102 - Basic Writing Skills  or appropriate equivalent and GS 401 - Problem Solving for Professionals  in addition to the courses required for the certificate. The English and Problem Solving courses must be satisfactorily completed before registering for the third certificate course. This English course is offered only at the Brooklyn and Long Island Campuses. Conditional students must have a 2.0 average before being permitted to take more than 12 hours of coursework at the College. Conditional students must meet with an advisor who will determine the course sequence of the certificate program. (See the Admissions and Finances  section of this catalogue.)

Practicum/Internship Policies

For several of the certificate programs, a supervised practicum is required. Students wishing to participate in one of these practicums (as well as HS 466 - Internship in Human Services  or HA 466 - Internship in Health Administration  and BUS 362 - Internship in Business , which are not part of a certificate program) are required to submit an application and faculty recommendation(s) to insure that such students are at a point of academic and personal readiness. These materials will be reviewed by the Practicum Coordinator and/or the Department Chairperson. Applications for practicums are available from an academic advisor or the Registrar. Applications must be filed July 15 for Fall, December 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer.”

In order to be considered for a certificate practicum, students must, in addition, have completed all of the courses in the certificate program. Exceptions to this will require approval by the Practicum Coordinator and/or the Department Chairperson in consultation with the Dean. Students who, as a result of the application and recommendation process, are denied permission to participate in a practicum will not meet the requirements of the certificate program. The decision to deny participation will be made by the Practicum Coordinator and/or the Department Chairperson in consultation with the faculty member(s) who wrote the recommendation(s). When this is one and the same person, that person will consult with an additional faculty member appropriate to the certificate.

Students denied placement in a practicum may appeal this decision to the Dean. The Dean will endeavor to resolve the matter informally, and may consult with additional faculty members regarding the appropriateness of the decision. If the student is not satisfied with the decision rendered by the Dean, the student may submit a written request for a hearing. The hearing will be held within ten school days of receipt of the request. The decision rendered after the hearing will be final.

The College will make every effort to place qualified students to insure successful learning experiences. The College, however, will not be held responsible for problems which result from students who fail to cooperate in arranging satisfactory practicums or from students who do not perform up to the standards of the participating agency or of the College.

Students who are unable to work out satisfactory placements may have the situation reviewed by the Dean. Students who are asked to withdraw from the practicum may appeal the decision to the Dean. If that decision is not satisfactory, the student may request a hearing as noted above.

Depending upon the certificate and requirements of the agency/facility, students may be required to be covered by malpractice insurance or to sign a waiver, holding harmless both St. Joseph’s College and the agency/ facility hosting the practicum. Students who do not satisfy this requirement will not be admitted to the practicum. The College reserves the right to require malpractice insurance (as opposed to the waiver) when the nature of the practicum so warrants.

Certificates within B.S. Degrees

Students who are pursuing a certificate as part of their degree program are encouraged to plan ahead to insure that the certificate coursework is taken in advance of completion of the degree requirements. Inasmuch as not all courses are offered every semester, at times convenient to students’ schedules, and/or courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment, the College cannot be held responsible for guaranteeing certificate courses to graduating seniors. It is the responsibility of students to plan their programs carefully and take required coursework when it is offered. Students are reminded that satisfying the requirements for the major and degree is of greater importance than completing a certificate program. In instances where graduating seniors need a course(s) for a certificate, they may return after graduation and complete the coursework at that time.

Grades

Courses for certificates may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis. A cumulative index of a 2.0 with a grade of B or better in the practicum is required for certificates. Students who earn less than a grade of B will not typically be permitted to retake a practicum and will, therefore, not satisfy the requirements for the certificate. Exceptions to this will require approval by the Practicum Coordinator and/or the Department Chairperson in consultation with the Dean. Students who earn below a B in HS 470 - Practicum in Alcoholism & Addictions Counseling I  may not register for HS 471 - Practicum in Alcoholism & Addictions Counseling II , or HS 472 - Practicum in Alcoholism & Addictions Counseling III .

Official Records/Fees

Certificates will not be issued until all official records have been received by the College. There is a certificate fee of $10 due for each certificate completed. (See the Tuition and Fees  section of this catalogue.)