Academic Year
It begins in September (the fall semester) and continues through
the spring semester ending in May. Summer is not considered part of
the academic year.
Academic
Service-Learning
An academic program that requires some form of community
service as a means of understanding the course concepts.
Add/drop
This is the period when changes to an original schedule can be made
by either dropping a course for which you are registered and/or
adding a new one.
Advisement
The process by which students are assisted in the careful
consideration of their classes, majors, and careers.
Adjunct Professor
See Professor
Advisor
An individual available to assist with all academic and programming
concerns.
Associates Degree
See Degrees
Bachelors Degree
See Degrees
Bulletin
A catalog that includes all University majors, their requirements,
and course descriptions, as well as the University’s policies.
Bulletins are updated every three years, however a student is only
subject to the bulletin which was current when he/she first entered
St. John’s (whether or not the bulletin has been updated). The
bulletin can be found on the internet at www.stjohns.edu/bulletins.
Chair
A professor responsible for the administrative operations of an
academic department.
Chapel
Our Lady of Lourdes located on the Queens Campus. For
information on mass and other related activities and programs
contact the Campus Ministry Office at (718) 990-6255 or visit the
main office in Marillac Terrace.
Commencement
Commencement is a public celebration recognizing either a
graduation or entrance into a college/university.
Concentration
This is not a minor. A concentration is designed to permit the
development of a secondary area of study, which will complement a
student’s major. For example, a student who is an education major
may concentrate in english to prepare him/her to be a english
teacher.
Convocation
When members of a college/university assemble for a ceremony e.g.
the opening of school.
Co-requisite
Two or more classes that must be taken together during the same
semester.
See Pre-Requisite
Core Curriculum
Specific courses which must be taken to complete a degree
regardless of major.
Course Offerings
A detailed listing of the courses offered in a particular
semester and the days and times that they are offered. This
can be found on the St. John's website.
Course Outline
See Syllabus
See Pre-Requisite
Credit
A unit assigned to a course (it is usually the number of hours
spent in that course per week).
Some courses are worth three credits, while others four and five
credits.
Cumulative GPA
The numerical average of all grades received from a
university.
Dean
An administrative officer responsible for a college, faculty or
division in a university.
Dean’s Office
Location of the Dean, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans in each
college of a university.
Dean’s List
A list of students who achieve a preset GPA at the end of an
academic year.
Degrees
Arts - A non-scientific branch of learning.
Science - Subjects which use observation, identification,
description, of experimental investigation and theoretical
explanation of a phenomena.
A.A/A.S - Associate of Arts or Sciences. This is a two year
degree.
B.A/B.S - Bachelor of Arts or Sciences. This is a four-year
degree.
M.A/M.S - Master of Arts or Sciences. On average this is a two year
degree.
P.D. - Professional Diploma. On average this is thirty credits
above a Masters degree.
Doctorate - The highest academic degree awarded by a college or
university in a specified discipline.
Doctorate
The highest academic degree awarded by a college or
university in a specified discipline.
D.A - Doctorate of Arts
Ed.D. - Doctorate in Education Administration
J.D. - Jurist Doctorate (a law degree)
M.D - Medical Doctor
Ph.D - Doctorate of Philosophy (in various fields)
Pharm.D - Doctorate of Pharmacy
Distance Learning
Course work that is completed outside of a formal class setting.
This could be done through correspondence or the internet.
Distributed Core
Required courses unique to a particular college within a
university.
Elective
A course a student chooses to take in addition to completing
his/her major requirements.
Faculty
The teachers and instructors within a division or comprehensive
branches of learning at a college or university.
Freshman
Any student below twenty-four credits. A first year student is not
necessarily a freshman.
Freshman Center
Academic advisement center for all first year students at the
University. The Freshman Center is located in St. Augustine
Hall R104.
Freshman Year Initiative
Series
A series of workshops designed to inform first year students about
different resources on campus.
Global Studies
The opportunity to go to school in a different country. The student
experiences a different culture, and their perspective is broadened
through their daily interaction within a new
environment. Visit the Office of Global Studies
in Marillac Terrace for details on the Queen’s Campus or
the University Freshman Center on the Staten Island Campus for
Staten Island students.
Graduate School
This is usually part of a university/college where students
can pursue a degree above a Bachelor’s degree (e.g. a Master’s
degree).
Graduation
Graduation occurs when a college determines that a student has
successfully completed all the requirements for a degree.
Graduate Entrance Exams
DAT - Dental Aptitude Test - Dental School
GMAT - Graduate Management Admissions Test - Masters in
Business
GRE - General Records Examination - Masters in Liberal Arts
including Psychology
MCAT - Medical College Admissions Test - Medical School
LSAT - Law School Admissions Test - Law School
Grade Point Average
The cumulative grade received for a semester and/or academic
year(s). This is calculated by the sum of quality points for each
course, divided by the amount of courses taken.
Honor Society
An organization to which students are admitted in recognition of
their academic achievement and/or their school involvement. For
example:
- Phi Eta Sigma - Freshman National Honor Society. Students who
achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the Fall or Spring semester of
their freshman year are invited to apply.
- President’s Society - The highest honor society at St. John’s
University. These elite students are members of the President’s
staff and attend all of his functions.
Independent Study
A learning experience available if a student wishes to extend their
education beyond the standard course structure of classroom
activity as described in the College Bulletin. There is no
classroom in this type of course, however a student is required to
have contact with an advisor to guide him through the course
material.
Internship
Sometimes part of a degree requirement. This is practical
experience gained through firms or organizations outside of a
university. Visit your Dean's Office for information on
credit bearing internships.
ISBN
Textbook identification number.
Learning Resource Center
This unit provides both individual and small group tutoring
to students in a wide variety of disciplines. The Learning Resource
Center is located in St. John Hall, Room 106 on the Queens campus,
and in Mobile C on the Staten Island Campus.
MWF
Appears on a student schedule as an abbreviation of Monday (M),
Wednesday (W), and Friday (F).
Major Requirements
Courses needed in order to satisfy graduation requirements.
Masters Degree
See Degrees
Math Learning Center
Located in St. Augustine Hall, R110. Here, tutoring is offered
in upper level math courses from every college at the
University.
Matriculated
A matriculated student is one who has applied for and been formally
accepted as a candidate for a degree in a specific curriculum. You
must be a matriculated student to receive financial aid. See
Non-Matriculated
Microlab
Student computer rooms are located in Marillac, Sullivan, and in
the Resident Halls on Queens Campus and in the lower level of Flynn
Hall on the Staten Island Campus. These micro labs are equipped
with computers that students use to write papers, read e-mail (on
their free e-mail account), and utilize the internet.
Midterm Grades
Received only by freshman in the fall and spring semester.
Midterm grades are not included in GPA calculations. All freshman
receive midterm grades to help them assess their progress.
Minor
A student who completes a certain number of credits (usually 18
credits) in a specified area can declare it as a minor. Not
every subject has a minor. Visit your Dean's Office to learn
about the minors offered at the University.
Non-Matriculated
A non-matriculated student is one who is taking courses to
satisfy personal needs and interests without applying for candidacy
for a degree. Students attending non-matriculated classes are not
eligible to receive financial aid. A college reserves the right to
require placement testing and/or a personal interview for anyone
wishing to register for classes. Non-matriculated students required
to take placement testing must score at a satisfactory level
according to St. John’s University in order to register. The
University also reserves the right to deny registration privileges
to any student who does not comply with this procedure.
See Matriculated
Off Campus Housing
Located adjacent to the Staten Island Campus. These are apartments
with fully equipped kitchens.
Office Hours
Time set aside by a professor to meet students in his/her office.
Full-time professors schedule office hours. Adjunct professors may
not have office hours.
Pre-Requisite
A course that must be completed before another course can be
taken.
See Co-Requisite
Priority Registration
This is the order in which students register. The earliest
registration dates are reserved for currently enrolled students
according to the number of credit hours they have accumulated. The
students with the most credit hours toward graduation register
first, followed by all other students in descending order.
Priority Number
This the six digit number given to students. It gives them access
to the database and allows them to register.
Probation
Any student below a 2.0 (2.3 in the case of Pharmacy Students) is
considered on probation and is subject to limitations deemed
appropriate by their college/division. If a student is repeatedly
on probation they risk dismissal.
Professional Diploma
See Degrees
Professor
A college or university teacher or instructor.
Program Schedule
Schedule of classes listed on the top portion of your bill. This
schedule will also inculude the buildings and room numbers for each
class you are enrolled in. These are distributed after the bill has
been satisfied. See Bill
Readmitted Student
A student who has stopped school, reapplied and been reaccepted by
a university.
Redphone
This is an automated hotline. The number is (718) 591-7337.
Students can register for classes and check grades over the
telephone. Any touch-tone phone can be used.
Registrar
Office where students can request internal transfers, withdraw from
classes and order transcripts.
Registration
The process by which classes are chosen and tuition is paid (or
specific payment arrangements have been made). One can only
register if previous balances have been settled.
Residence Halls
Located in the Resident Village on the Queens Campus. These
are living and learning facilities. For Staten Island Campus, See
Off Campus Housing
Schedule
This is a listing of a student’s class times as well as the
location of each class.
Storm Card
Serves as identification, debit card and key card for
resident halls. Students are able to add money to this Storm Card
to use in the cafeterias, library and microlabs. Visit the Office
of Student Life for more details.
Storm Front
Staten Island Campus student newspaper.
Student ID
Your “X” number. This is a nine digit idenification number unique
to each student.
Student Teaching
See Supervised Associate Teaching
Study Abroad
See Global Studies
Supervised Asssociate
Teaching
It allows students to gain valuable experience in the classrooms of
area schools by performing actual teaching duties prior to
graduation. In most programs it requires full-time attendance in a
field school. Sudents enrolled in this course must plan to take
their additional program requirements after they return from their
field schools. Applications for associate teaching must have the
approval of the director of Field Experience. Only students who are
completing an approved School of Education program or in an
Education program through St. John's College are eligible for an
assignment in supervised associate teaching.
Syllabus
Distributed by professors at the beginning of a semester. It
details what the course requires.
Torch
Queens Campus student newspaper
TR
Appears on student schedule as an abbreviation of Tuesday (T) and
Thursday (R).
Transcript
An official record of the courses taken and the grades
received.
Tenure
The status of holding one’s position on a permanent basis without
periodic contract renewals.
Tutoring
Providing special instruction in a particular area.
See - Learning Resource Center, Writing Center and Math Learning
Center.
Writing Center
Located in St. Augustine Hall. Tutors assist students with
papers by helping them identify common writing errors.