Admissions

Undergraduate Admission

University of Saint Joseph accepts applications from interested students of every race, age, and religious affiliation who want the challenge of an excellent academic program while pursuing the interests and goals that will shape their future lives. 

A student’s application is evaluated based on sufficient ability and potential in the academic record, standardized test scores, an essay, and letters of recommendation.

Applicants who have been officially accepted by Admissions 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.

First-Year Admission

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 Sciences, and Foreign Languages.

Special consideration may be given to selected applicants whose preparation varies from the recommended pattern, but whose record gives evidence of genuine intellectual ability and interest.

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:

• A completed admission application with a non-refundable fee of $50; the fee is waived if the application is completed online
• Personal Essay
• An official copy of the high school transcript or GED
• Official SAT or ACT scores. Applicants should have the results of these tests sent directly to the Office of Admissions. The code number for the University of Saint Joseph is 3754 for SAT reporting and 0588 for ACT reporting. Test scores that are posted on the official high school transcript are also accepted as official.
• A school counselor’s or teacher’s letter of recommendation
• If the Common Application is used, a University of Saint Joseph supplement is also required

Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.

Home-Schooled Students

Students who have been home-schooled must submit:

• A completed application with a non-refundable fee of $50; the fee is waived if the application is completed online.
• Personal Essay
• Official Home School Transcript required and copy of the home school curriculum with course descriptions may be requested
• Official SAT or ACT scores. Applicants should have the results of these tests sent directly to the Office of Admissions. The code number for the University of Saint Joseph is 3754 for SAT reporting and 0588 for ACT reporting.
• An academic letter of recommendation
• An interview with an admissions counselor. The applicant is encouraged to have all records sent to the Office of Admissions prior to the appointment.
• If the Common Application is used, a University of Saint Joseph supplement is also required

Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.

Notification

Notification of admission for first-year students is made on a rolling basis. A candidate’s acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of high school. To accept the offer of admission, an applicant submits the enrollment confirmation form and deposit. This deposit is non-refundable and due May 1.

How to Defer Enrollment After Making a Deposit

By submitting a written request, a student may defer enrollment and scholarships up to one year. Students may not attend another college during this time. The tuition deposit will be retained and credited to the student’s account upon return within one year.

International Admission

An international student’s application will be reviewed when the following items have been submitted to the Office of Admissions:

• A completed application and an International supplement
• Personal Essay
• Evaluation of official secondary school record, and all college, university or other post-secondary work. It must be evaluated by an approved agency. Please visit www.NACES.org for a list of approved agencies.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Academic IELTS, or equivalent test of English Language Proficiency is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. SAT or ACT scores may be submitted, but are not required of international applicants. Other exams specific to a country may be required.
• An official Certification of Finances form translated into U.S. dollars and certified by a bank official

Visas

The University of Saint Joseph is permitted by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to admit non-immigrant students. F-1 visas are granted at the discretion of the Primary Designated School Officer. 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)
• Declaration and Certification of Finances form, with supporting documentation
• I-20 Request form

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

Notification of admission of international students is made on a rolling basis. To accept the offer of admission, the applicant submits 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 and Second Bachelor Degree Admission

The University of Saint Joseph considers qualified students for transfer from accredited colleges and universities.

Application Procedure

An applicant’s file will be reviewed when the following items have been submitted to the Office of Admissions:

1. A completed application with a non-refundable fee of $50; the fee is waived if the application is completed online

2. Official transcript(s) from all college(s) and post secondary institutions previously attended, including evidence of degrees earned and/or status at point of separation

3. Letters of recommendations and a personal statement about academic or personal goals are not required, but strongly recommended

4. An official high school or GED transcript is required for transfer applicants

5. Letters of recommendation and a personal essay are not required, but strongly recommended

6. An interview with an admissions counselor is highly recommended

Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.

Admission to a Second Bachelor’s Degree Program

Students who have already received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may enroll in selected majors at the University of Saint Joseph to pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Students seeking admission must submit a completed application and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Upon receipt of these items, they will be forwarded to the appropriate department for review and decision by the faculty. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details pertaining specifically to the second-degree Nursing program.

Notification

Notification of admission for transfer and second degree students is made on a rolling basis except those applying for the Nursing program. 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.

Deferring Enrollment for Students Who Have Made a Deposit

By submitting a written request, a student may defer enrollment and scholarships up to one year. Students may not attend another college during this time. The tuition deposit will be retained and credited to the student’s account upon return within one year.

Undergraduate Readmission

If you are a former, degree-seeking USJ undergraduate who has not been in attendance for three or more consecutive semesters, excluding summer, you must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions and follow the degree requirements associated with the term of your readmission to the University. (Former Non-degree students may be readmitted as Non-degree only.)

Please note that to be considered in attendance for any term, you must have been enrolled in at least one credit-bearing course, received a grade, and paid all tuition and fees for that term or have had arrangements for such payments approved by the Office of the Bursar or the Office of Financial Aid.

Students who were not in good academic standing at the time they left USJ will have their applications referred to the Academic Records and Review Committee for evaluation, and will be required to provide evidence of improved ability to assume responsibility for college work.

If you have taken courses at another college or university since you last attended USJ, you are required to submit official transcripts from those institutions as part of your readmission application and to receive transfer credit for those courses. 

If you do not meet the above criteria for readmission, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission to learn more about the admission process.

Adult Learners Admission

The Program for Adult Learners is designed for women and men with the maturity, commitment, and preparation to succeed in an intensive undergraduate professional degree program. Applicants should have 12 or more credits from a regionally accredited college or university and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (preferred) or 2.0 (required). Applicants with fewer than 45 credits must have completed high school at least four years before applying (this time requirement is waived for veterans).    

Applicants with fewer than 12 credits may be admitted conditionally and will need to complete six credits of general education course work in the first semester. Contacts: Cindy Dodge, assistant director of Academic Advising, cdodge@usj.edu, 860.231.5344 or Raymie Wayne, Ph.D., associate dean, Graduate and Professional Studies, rwayne@usj.edu, 860.231.5541.

Application Procedure

An applicant’s file will be reviewed on a rolling basis when the following items have been submitted to the Office of Admissions:

• An application with a non-refundable fee of $50; the fee is waived if the application is completed online
• Official transcript(s) from all college(s) and post-secondary institutions previously attended, including evidence of degrees earned or status at point of separation
• An official high school or GED transcript (waived for students who have earned an Associate’s degree)
• A personal essay about your educational or professional goals (recommended, but not required)

Admissions reserves the right to request additional information.

Guaranteed Admission Program

RN to B.S. in Nursing: Students enrolled in good standing in the Connecticut Community College Nursing Program (CT-CCNP) may apply for dual admission into the RN to B.S. in Nursing program in the University of Saint Joseph Program for Adult Learners. Applications may be submitted during any spring semester of the student’s enrollment in the CT-CCNP. In addition to a completed application, an Academic Standing Verification form signed by a CT-CCNP Nursing faculty advisor is required. Students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut prior to beginning the RN to B.S. in Nursing program. For more details, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Other Academic Programs: Students enrolled in good standing at a Connecticut community college may apply for dual admission into the University of Saint Joseph Program for Adult Learners to study Accounting, Management, Psychology, or Social Work. Applications may be submitted at any point in the student’s community college program. In addition to a completed application, a current community college transcript is required. For more details, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Notification

Notification of admission for the Program for Adult Learners is made on a rolling basis. A candidate’s acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of any academic work in progress. To accept the offer of admission, an applicant submits the enrollment confirmation form and deposit. This deposit is non-refundable.

Deferring Acceptance

By submitting a written request, enrollment and scholarship may be deferred for one year changed from semester. Should 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.

Readmission

If you are a former, degree-seeking USJ Adult Learner who has not been in attendance for three or more consecutive semesters, excluding summer, you must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions and follow the degree requirements associated with the term of your readmission to the University. (Former Non-degree students may be readmitted as Non-degree only.)

Please note that to be considered in attendance for any term, you must have been enrolled in at least one credit-bearing course, received a grade, and paid all tuition and fees for that term or have had arrangements for such payments approved by the Office of the Bursar or the Office of Financial Aid.

Students who were not in good academic standing at the time they left USJ will have their applications referred to the Academic Records and Review Committee for evaluation, and will be required to provide evidence of improved ability to assume responsibility for college work.

If you have taken courses at another college or university since you last attended USJ, you are required to submit official transcripts from those institutions as part of your re-admission application and to receive transfer credit for those courses. 

If you do not meet the above criteria for re-admission, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission to learn more about the admission process or go to the Adult Learner Admissions website and complete an Adult Learner Admissions application.

Notification

Notification of re-admission 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 must submit an enrollment confirmation form and make a tuition deposit. This deposit is refundable if requested in writing at least four months prior to the start of the admission term.

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 on an audit basis.

If a student applied for admission to the University of Saint Joseph as a matriculated student and was denied admission by the Committee on Admissions, that student must wait a minimum of 12 months (one year) from the date of denial before enrolling in any courses at the University, including enrollment as a non-matriculated student.

Except for those students involved in the University of Saint Joseph High School 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 an academic advisor.