Undergraduate admission
If you are ready to join the Blue Jay flock, a vibrant community where immersive experiences, community engagement, and academic rigor empower career-ready leaders, it’s time to apply to the University of Saint Joseph.
Applicants who have been officially admitted by the Office of Admissions for an undergraduate degree program are considered degree-seeking, matriculated students. Students seeking to register for courses at the University on a non-matriculated basis should see non-matriculated students.
Candidates for admission should complete a four-year course of study in a state- accredited secondary school. The program should include a minimum of 16 academic units in college preparatory courses distributed among the areas of English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Studies, and Foreign Languages. Special consideration may be given to selected applicants whose preparation varies from the recommended pattern (such as those graduating from a technical high school), but whose record gives evidence of genuine intellectual ability and interest.
Application procedure
The University of Saint Joseph offers both early action admission and rolling admission. The early action admission deadline is November 1. For an application to be considered complete, these items must be submitted:
- An admission application which can be completed online at usj.edu/apply or through the Common Application
- An essay or personal statement
- An official high school transcript or GED
- One academic letter of recommendation
USJ is committed to a holistic, comprehensive admissions process for all applicants to the University. When reviewing applications, the Office of Admissions considers an applicant’s academic record, accomplishments and activities in both school and the community, essay, and all academic letters of recommendation received. USJ is test-optional for all academic programs and scholarships.
*Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.
Notification
First-year students are notified of admission on a rolling basis, beginning with the students who apply through the early admission option. A candidate’s admission is contingent upon the successful completion of high school. To accept the offer of admission, an applicant must submit the enrollment confirmation form and deposit by May 1. This deposit is non-refundable.
How to defer enrollment after making a deposit
Admitted students may defer enrollment for up to one year by submitting a written request. Any applicable scholarship(s) will remain with the student, as long as the student does not attend another institution during the deferment period. If the admitted student attends another college or university during this time, the application and updated transcript will be reevaluated for admission and scholarship(s). The tuition deposit will be retained and credited to their account upon return for the following semester.
International admission
An international student’s application will be reviewed when the following items have been submitted to Admissions:
- An admission application which can be completed online at usj.edu/apply or through the Common Application
- An essay or personal statement written in English
- An official international transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization (www.naces.org). USJ recommends World Education Services (www.wes.org)
- Proof of English proficiency. If English is not primary language, USJ requires an overall score of 79 or higher on TOEFL iBT®, band score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS (Academic Version), 105 on the Duolingo English Test, or an overall score of 53 on the Pearson PTE Academic Language Test. Successful completion of ELS 112 is also accepted.
- One academic letter of recommendation
USJ is committed to a holistic, comprehensive admissions process for all applicants to the University. When reviewing applications, the Office of Admissions considers an applicant’s academic record, accomplishments and activities in both school and the community, essay, and all academic letters of recommendation received. USJ is test-optional for all academic programs and scholarships.
*Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.
Visas
The University of Saint Joseph is permitted by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to admit non-immigrant students. The I-20 form, which is required to acquire an F-1 visa is granted at the discretion of the Designated School Official (DSO). Upon admission to a degree program, the student is issued an I-20 A/B, which is used to pursue a student visa through the American Embassy or Consulate in the student’s home country. This must be current at all times. Before an immigration form is issued, the following must be submitted to the University:
- A copy of a valid passport (and current visa, if applicable)
- Official Certification of Finances with supporting documentation showing funding for at least one academic year, including tuition, fees, living expenses, personal expenses, and textbooks (if funding is coming from sources other than the student, a letter of sponsorship must be written by the sponsor and sent directly to the Office of Admissions)
- I-20 Request form
- Any documentation required for additional, dependent visas
International students wishing to pursue a degree in an online program are not eligible for an F-1 visa. Since the degree is completed online, the student does not need to travel to campus to attend class; therefore, according to federal regulations, an F-1 visa is not granted to students completing online degree programs.
Notification
International students are notified of admission on a rolling basis, beginning with the students who apply through the early admission option. To accept the offer of admission, the applicant must submit the enrollment confirmation form and deposit. This deposit is non-refundable and must be paid by May 1. Please note that I-20 forms are issued to students after they pay a deposit for full-time study and submit verification of sufficient funding.
Transfer admission
The University of Saint Joseph considers qualified students for transfer from accredited colleges and universities.
Application procedure
Admission to the University of Saint Joseph is based on a rolling admissions system, which means that an offer of admission can be made shortly after the application is complete. For an application to be considered complete, these items must be submitted:
- An admission application which can be completed online at usj.edu/apply or through the Common Application
- Official transcripts from all colleges and post -secondary institutions previously attended, including evidence of degrees earned or status at point of withdrawal
- An official copy of the final high school transcript or GED
USJ is committed to a holistic, comprehensive admissions process for all applicants to the University. When reviewing applications, the Office of Admissions considers an applicant’s academic record, accomplishments and activities in both school and the community, essay, and all academic letters of recommendation received. USJ is test-optional for all academic programs and scholarships.
*The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.
Notification
Notification of admission for transfer students is made on a rolling basis. A candidate’s acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of any academic work currently in progress.
To accept the offer of admission, an applicant submits the enrollment confirmation form and deposit. This deposit is non-refundable.
How to defer enrollment after making a deposit
Admitted students may defer enrollment for up to one year by submitting a written request. Any applicable scholarship(s) will remain with the student, as long as the student does not attend another institution during the deferment period. If the admitted student attends another college or university during this time, the application and updated transcript will be reevaluated for admission and scholarship(s). The tuition deposit will be retained and credited to the student’s account upon return for the following semester.
Second bachelor’s degree program admission
Students who have already received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may enroll in select majors at the University of Saint Joseph to pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Students seeking admission must submit a completed application online at usj.edu/apply and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
Please contact the Office of Admissions for details pertaining specifically to the Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing program.
*Please note that second-degree applicants are not eligible for undergraduate scholarships.
Notification
Notification of admission for second-degree students is made on a rolling basis. A candidate’s admission is contingent upon the successful completion of any academic work currently in progress.
To accept the offer of admission, an applicant submits the enrollment confirmation form and deposit. This deposit is non-refundable.
How to defer enrollment after making a deposit
By submitting a written request, enrollment may be deferred for one year. If candidates attend another college or university during this time, the application and updated transcript will be reevaluated for admission and scholarship. The tuition deposit will be retained and credited to their account upon return for the following semester.
Undergraduate readmission
Former, degree-seeking USJ undergraduate students must initiate contact with the University in order to request readmission to the University of Saint Joseph. Students who have not attended USJ for one academic year (2 or more semesters, excluding summer) need to complete an application for readmission, which will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions.
Students who have been in attendance within the last academic year will need to contact the Office of the Registrar.
Students who wish to return to the University of Saint Joseph after voluntarily withdrawing or being separated from the University for academic or disciplinary reasons and have not been enrolled in at least one credit-bearing course in the last academic year may apply to return to USJ upon formal completion of an application for readmission and may return with approval from the Office of Admissions. Readmitted students are subject to University requirements and policies in effect at the date of their readmission.
If readmitted, official transcripts of academic work taken since leaving the University must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to the beginning of classes in the semester in which the student wishes to register. Depending on the academic program intended and the nature of the academic standing at the time of last enrollment, the student may need to provide evidence of successful completion for any coursework taken in the interim. Please note that any changes to your academic program and/or enrollment status may impact your time to degree completion.
Readmission to the University by the Office of Admissions does not guarantee on-campus housing or renewal of financial aid. Students applying for readmission to the University will be reviewed for merit-based scholarships at the time of reapplication. Readmitted students requesting on-campus housing or financial assistance must contact the appropriate offices for information.
Notification
Notification of readmission is made on a rolling basis. A candidate’s admission is contingent upon the successful completion of any academic work currently in progress. To accept the offer of admission, an applicant must submit an enrollment confirmation form and make a tuition deposit
Non-matriculated undergraduates
Any student who wishes to take classes without first enrolling in a degree program is considered to be a non-matriculated student. Non-matriculated students may enroll in courses for credit or audit. Complete the non-matriculated student application online at apply.usj.edu/register/nonmatric
Except for those students involved in the University of Saint Joseph Challenge Program, all students must have graduated from high school or have acquired a GED to be eligible for enrollment. Although no previous college work is necessary to be a non-matriculated student, certain courses may have prerequisites or be restricted to upper-level degree candidates. Because degree-seeking students of the University have priority for space in all classes, non-matriculated students are admitted to classes on a space-available basis.
A maximum of 15 credits may be taken as a non-matriculated student at the University of Saint Joseph. Eligibility for enrollment at the completion of or prior to 15 credits must be determined in consultation with the Office of Admissions.
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