Minimum academic requirements
Candidates must have earned the following to be considered for admission:
- High school diploma (or equivalent)
- Rank in the upper half of graduating class
- SAT and/ or ACT scores
- Passing grade in the following high school courses:
Biology.................................................................1 Unit/Credit
Chemistry.............................................................1 Unit/Credit
Mathematics, inc. Algebra.....................................2 Units/Credits
Social Sciences.....................................................4 Units/Credits
English, inc. English Composition...........................4 Units/Credits
(New York State Regents preferred, if applicable.)
Applicants may choose to fulfill prerequisites by successfully completing a similar high school or college-level course. Nursing ABC Non-traditional applicants who are not recent high school graduates are evaluated on the basis of the aforementioned high school courses, available standardized tests and college credit.
Application Process
The Admissions Committee does not rely on a single factor for admission but considers individuals on the basis of the total pre-entrance profile. While many applicants may meet basic entrance requirements, those candidates with the most favorable overall applications will be accepted.
Application forms and information may be obtained by contacting the College at 315.448.5040. The necessary forms are also available online at forms and publications.
Important Dates for Application Submission
Admission to St. Joseph's is very competitive, therefore, it is important to remain aware of dates for application submission.
| Program Option |
Application Submission |
Enrollment Date |
| Weekend |
March 1 |
January |
| LPN/Advance Placement(Weekend only) |
January 1 |
June |
| Weekday |
January 1 |
August |
| LPN/Advance Placement(Weekday only) |
May 1 |
January |
Early Decision (High School Applicants)
- Dec. 1 Application must be postmarked
- Dec. 15 Notification of decision
- Jan. 31 Applicants make final enrollment decision/submit enrollment fee
Enrollment Deposit Deadlines
- September 1 Weekend option
- May 1 Weekday option
Following review by the Admission Committee, selected applicants are required to interview with a faculty member.
Final enrollment is offered only after satisfactory completion of health requirements and any contingencies placed on the applicant.
Transfer credit
Transfer credit may be awarded for courses that were previously taken at an accredited institution, passed with a grade of “C” or better, and are similar in content and credit hours to those in the St. Joseph's curriculum. Science courses completed more than seven years prior to acceptance will need to be repeated or challenged.
Transferred courses are not included in the computation of the cumulative GPA, except those taken at Le Moyne College within one year prior to matriculation. A student must complete at least 28 nursing credits at St. Joseph's to receive his/her degree.
College Board - Advanced placement examinations
The College will grant advanced placement credit in English Literature & Composition and Psychology if the student has achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board.
Excelsior College examinations
The College will grant academic credit for Anatomy & Physiology and/or Microbiology courses taken more than seven years prior to acceptance through Excelsior College examinations. Credit will only be granted for challenge examinations if the student earned a grade of “C” or higher in the initial course. Information regarding this examination may be found at www.excelsior.edu.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
These exams may be taken to obtain credit for courses in English, psychology or sociology. Information regarding these exams may be found at www.collegeboard.com. Guidelines for the transfer of these credits are determined by the College of Nursing in accordance with recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE).
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) advanced placement
LPNs may be eligible for advanced placement. If qualified for admission, transfer credit may be awarded for the following first semester nursing courses: NSG 100: Pharmacology I (1 credit), NSG 101A: Fundamental Nursing Skills (3 credits) and NSG 101B: Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice (6 credits).
Eligibility requirements:
Must meet the minimum academic requirements for admission to the program as well as:
- minimum GPA of 85 percent from an accredited practical nurse program
- licensure as an LPN prior to enrollment
- successful completion of a four-credit college anatomy and physiology course taken within seven years of acceptance into the program
- satisfactory performance appraisal from Director of LPN program and Nurse Manager, if employed
- satisfactory personal interview
- successful completion of the requirement for NSG 100 (Pharmacology I) by submitting proof of one of the following:
- approved medication administration course
- approved pharmacology course
- St. Joseph’s College of Nursing self study
- successful completion of NSG 099, Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice
Nursing program transfers
Applicants who wish to transfer from another nursing program must provide:
- course descriptions/catalog, including evidence of clinical hours, from the school in which previous post-secondary coursework was completed
- letter of reference from the Dean/Director of the previous nursing program
All other admission/enrollment criteria must be met. Final acceptance and placement is determined on an individual basis.
International applicants
International applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements as well as submit the following:
- secondary school and/or college transcripts (translated to English with US grading system)
- official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report
Minimum scores:
- paper-based 550
- computer-based 213
- Internet-based 85
Essential functions/technical standards include non-academic criteria essential to successfully complete the required nursing coursework. The following is a representative list of the essential functions/technical standards required to be achieved with or without accommodation.
Communication:
Use good communication skills in interacting with peers, staff, college personnel and patients. Examples of relevant activity include, but are not limited to:
- effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- effective utilization of the English language
- recording all information accurately
Sensory Skills and Observation:
Functional use of senses. Examples of relevant activity include, but are not limited to:
- Must be able to assess patients in their environment in order to safely deliver nursing care. Examples of relevant activity include, but are not limited to:
- detect changes in skin color
- collect data from recording equipment and measuring devices
- detect fire in a client area and initiate emergency action
- draw the correct quantity of medication into a syringe
- Must be able to assess patients and their environment and to implement nursing care plans that are developed from such assessments. Examples of relevant activity include, but are not limited to:
- detect sounds related to bodily functions using a stethoscope
- detect audible alarms, e.g., monitors, fire alarms, call bell
- communicate clearly in a telephone conversation
- communicate effectively with clients and with other members of the health care team
- detect odors of bodily fluids or spoiled foods
- detect smoke from burning materials
- detect changes in skin temperature
- detect unsafe temperature levels in heat-producing devices used internally/externally with clients
- detect anatomical abnormalities such as subcutaneous crepitus, edema, infiltrated IV fluids
Manual Dexterity and Motor Skills:
Strength and mobility sufficient to perform client care activities and emergency procedures. Examples of relevant activities include, but are not limited to:
- perform cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- accurately place and maintain position of stethoscope for detecting sound functions
- manipulate small equipment and containers such as syringes, vials, amp medication packages to administer medications
- safely transfer clients in and out of bed
- lift or move clients or objects, turn and position clients as needed to prevent complications due to bed rest
- hang IV bags at the appropriate level
- accurately read the volumes in bodily fluid collection devices
Cognitive Ability:
Ability to collect, analyze, and integrate information and knowledge to make clinical judgments and management decisions to promote client outcomes. Examples of relevant activities include, but are not limited to:
- process information accurately, thoroughly and quickly to prioritize tasks, perform math computations for medication dosage calculations
- demonstrate skills of recall using both long- and short-term memory, inferential reasoning, predicting possible outcomes, applications of knowledge, and evaluation of predicted outcomes at appropriate times for point of program
- learn to use Nursing Process in a systematic way
- critical thinking in the process of delivering care and comfort to clients
Emotional Stability, Behavioral/Social Attributes:
Student is expected to have the emotional stability required to provide safe nursing care. Examples of relevant activities include, but are not limited to:
- exercise sound judgment, complete assessment and intervention activities, and develop sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients/clients/families and others responsible for health care
- demonstrate flexibility to function effectively under stress and adapt to multiple situations
- handle strong emotions
- demonstrate compassion
- establish therapeutic relationships in a caring manner
- focus and maintain attention on tasks
Testing:
All freshmen are required to take a critical thinking entrance exam prior to orientation. Information regarding this exam will be distributed to enrolled students prior to the start of classes.
