FAQs

• Are Peter J. Tobin College of Business (Tobin) students assigned to a particular dean/advisor?
• What is an undergraduate major?
• What majors are offered at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business?
• May a student double major?
• What is a combined degree?
• What is a minor?
• If a student is undeclared, undecided, or is contemplating a change of major, how long can they remain within the College without making a decision about what they wish to study?
• How may a student declare or change a major? Within Tobin?
• Outside of Tobin?
• Are there any electives in a student's degree program?
• What counts as a business elective?
• Are Tobin students able to study abroad?
• How many credits are required for graduation?
• What is a Student Advisement Report?
• How many credits can a student take per semester?
• What is considered Good Academic Standing?
• What is a Major Field Index (MFI)?
• How many credits must a student take each semester in order to graduate in four years?
• What is St. John's University/s policy regarding summer/winter study at different college?
• Can students pass/fail a course?
• How can a student add/drop a course?
• How can a student drop/withdraw from a course?
• How does a student completely withdraw from St. John's University?
• What happens if a student gets an "F" in a course?
• What is the grade "ABF"?
• What should a student do if they've missed a final exam?
• Is tutoring available? For credit?
• For pay?
• What is a Senior Specialty Program?
• Are there any Honor Societies within Tobin?
• What is AACSB International?

Are Peter J. Tobin College of Business (Tobin) students assigned to a particular dean/advisor?
 As new freshmen, students are assigned to an advisor within the University Freshmen Center (UFC).  Beginning with sophomore year, students may see any dean in their respective Dean’s Office or Advisement Office.

What is an undergraduate major?
 An undergraduate major is a concentration of courses in a particular academic discipline.  Depending on the major that a student chooses, the number of required major field courses can change accordingly.  Please consult a dean or advisor for information specific to your chosen degree path.

What majors are offered at Peter J. Tobin College of Business?
 There are eight undergraduate majors: Accounting (ACC), Actuarial Science (ACT), Economics (ECO), Finance (FIN), Management (MGT), Management Information Systems (MIS), Marketing (MKT), and Risk Management and Insurance (RMI).

May a student double major?
 Double majors are available in Management Information Systems (MIS) or Finance (FIN) coupled with Accounting (ACC).  Upon the completion of all required course work, the graduate receives one Bachelor of Science degree with two undergraduate majors.

Students may choose to select a second major from another college within St. John’s University.  The credits required to earn a second major are typically completed in addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirements within Tobin. Please review the list of available majors in the University’s Undergraduate Bulletin. (Please insert hyperlink)  A dean or advisor can answer specific questions regarding double majors and combined degrees.

What is a combined degree?
 The combined B.S. degree and M.S./M.B.A. degree in Public Accounting or B.S. degree and M.S. degree in Taxation provide students with a background for advanced professional placement and satisfies the educational requirements for certification as a C.P.A. in the State of New York. 

Students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher, and have an interest in the accounting profession, are encouraged to consider a combined degree in the undergraduate business major of their choice, coupled to a master’s degree in accounting.  Enrollment in such a program allows the student to lessen graduate study by one year, taking graduate level courses in their senior year as an undergraduate to fulfill requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  In order to qualify for any combined degree program, the student must sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) no later than the summer following their junior year, having completed approximately ninety credits.  They must also submit a formal application to the Dean’s Office.  It is imperative that any student interested in a combined degree program complete certain key courses during their sophomore and junior years.  For more information, please consult your dean, academic advisor, or the accounting department chair. 

What is a minor?
 A minor is a secondary sequence of courses outside of the major field (typically eighteen to twenty four credits) that adds breadth to your degree.  Although not required, some students feel that a minor will help them secure employment in a particular field of interest.  Minors are offered through St. John’s College (SJC) and the College of Professional Studies (CPS).  The credits required to complete a minor sequence are most often completed in addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirements within Tobin. Please review the list of available minors in the University’s Undergraduate Bulletin. (Please insert hyperlink)

If a student is undeclared, undecided, or is contemplating a change of major, how long can they remain in the Peter J. Tobin College of Business without making a decision about what they wish study?

 It is common for students to change their major two to three times during an undergraduate career.  Because all of our degree paths are rooted in a liberal arts core with key basic business courses, students may change or declare their majors until junior year in most cases, provided they have fulfilled certain prerequisite requirements.  It is never too early or late to speak with a dean or advisor about the possibility of declaring or changing a major.  Sometimes additional courses are required to make an appropriate transition.  If a student is interested in Actuarial Science or Accounting, it is particularly important that they notify the Dean’s Office no later than the beginning of sophomore year.

How may a student declare or change a major?
 Within Tobin?
 To declare or change a major within Tobin, students must visit their Dean’s Office or Advisement Office and fill out a change of program form.

 Outside of Tobin? 
 To change a major to a non-Tobin major, students must file for an internal transfer. An application form is available through the Office of the Registrar.  This application must be completed and delivered to the Dean’s Office of the school to which the student plans to transfer.  The Dean’s Office that offers the new major must evaluate and accept the student.  

Are there any electives in a student’s degree program?
 Elective requirements vary by program.  In most cases, non-accounting majors have two business electives, and accounting majors have two to three liberal art electives and one general elective.  Students should consult their dean or academic advisor for details specific to their major. 

What counts as a business elective?
A business elective is any junior or senior level Peter J. Tobin College of Business (Tobin) course for which the student has received written permission to enroll and has completed all prerequisite coursework.

Are Tobin students able to study abroad?
 Yes! Many Peter J. Tobin College of Business (Tobin) students study abroad.  It is important the University Freshman Center (UFC) advisor and dean know early on that they may wish to study abroad.  This way, the advisor or dean may provide appropriate guidance during registration.

How many credits are required for graduation?
 Accounting majors must complete a minimum of 133 credits in order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree.  Actuarial Science majors typically need a minimum of 132 credits. Students who major in other fields need a minimum of 130 credits to graduate.  It is important to speak with a dean or advisor about requirements, because second majors, minors, transfer credit, and high school extension course work may change the total number of credits required for graduation.

What is a Student Advisement Report?
A Student Advisement Report is a valuable tool to enhance the advisement process.  Students can print this unofficial evaluation of their credits and use it to monitor progress towards graduation.  For detailed information, click this link: http://www.stjohns.edu/services/registrar/advisement/advise.sju
 Please note that even though these evaluations are accurate, no degree will be awarded based on the Student Advisement Report alone.  It is not a replacement for the essential student-advisor relationships developed over an undergraduate career.

How many credits can a student take per semester?
 To maintain full-time status, students must enroll in a minimum of twelve credits per semester.  Provided the student remains in good standing, they may enroll in a maximum of eighteen credits per semester.  Students must see their academic dean for written permission to enroll in more than eighteen credits.

What is considered Good Academic Standing?
 “Good Academic Standing” means that a student is making satisfactory academic progress.  This usually means maintaining a 2.0 cumulative index.  If a student has less than a 2.0 GPA, he or she will be placed on academic probation, or will be academically dismissed from the University.  A 2.0 cumulative index and a 2.0 major field index are requirements for graduation.

What is a Major Field Index (MFI)?
 The “Major Field Index” is the average of the grades earned (including F’s and ABF’s) for the courses specific to an individual’s major.  Students cannot graduate with less than a 2.0 MFI.

How many credits must a student take each semester in order to graduate in four years?
 Typically, students must combine fifteen credit semesters with a minimum of three semesters in which they pursue eighteen credits.  Keep in mind that additional semesters and/or summer classes may be required to pursue a second major or minor, and/or to make up courses which have been dropped or failed.

What is St. John’s University’s policy regarding summer/winter study at a different college?

 Students may submit a written request to their dean, asking permission to enroll in a class at another college or university during the summer semester if they live in excess of 50 miles from St. John’s University (STJ), or if the class is not being offered at STJ during the summer.  In order to enroll and receive transfer credit, the students must receive written permission from the Dean’s Office.
 Individuals may also request, in writing, permission to take a class elsewhere during the winter break, provided the session dates do not overlap with the enrollment dates of STJ.  As with summer classes, students must receive written permission from the Dean’s Office in order to enroll and receive credit for the class.
Decisions are made subsequent to the completion of the current semester.
  
Can students pass/fail a course?
 As a Peter J. Tobin College of Business (Tobin) student, only general electives and liberal arts electives may be “pass/failed”.  Individuals may not pass/fail liberal arts core, basic business core, or business elective requirements.  Since most students do not have many elective choices, it is important to consult a dean or academic advisor if there are any concerns surrounding academic performance in any class.

How can a student add/drop a course?
 Students may add or drop a course online through the University Information System (UIS) (insert hyperlink) during the first five days of the semester.  After this time, students must visit the Dean’s Office for assistance adding or withdrawing from a class.

How can a student drop/withdraw from a course?
 After the first five days of the semester, students must see an academic advisor or dean to file the appropriate paperwork to drop or withdraw from a course.  Before visiting the Dean’s Office, please log into UIS/St. John’s Central (insert hyperlink) and print out a Registration Change Request Form.  A dropped course does not appear on college transcripts, but a withdrawal (WD) does.  It is important to check the University Calendar (hyperlink) and to be aware of important dates.

How does a student completely withdraw from St. John’s University?
  In order to withdraw completely from the University, a student must submit a signed letter to the Dean’s Office requesting a complete withdrawal for that semester. Please consult your Dean’s Office if you plan to return the following semester, as it may be possible to request an academic leave of absence.
 
What happens if a student gets an “F” in a course?
 If a student receives an “F” as a final grade in a course, he or she must repeat the class if it is a degree requirement. Both the “F” and the new grade will average into the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).

What is the grade “ABF”?
 The grade “ABF” means that the student missed the final exam.  An “ABF” holds the same value as an “F”, unless a make-up exam is completed.  Once this exam has been graded, a change of grade will be submitted by the faculty member, and the earned grade will replace the “ABF”.

What should a student do if they've missed a final exam?
 If students miss a final exam, a formal letter, along with documentation explaining why the exam was missed, must be delivered to the Dean’s Office in order to request an alternate exam.  The request does not guarantee that permission will be granted.  Permission is only given for valid reasons.  There is a fee of $80.

Is tutoring available? 
Yes, on the Queens campus, tutoring is available through the Office of Special Programs-St. John Hall 104; Math Learning Center- St. John Hall 203; and The Writing Center- St. Augustine Hall (Library)  1st Floor. In Staten Island, tutoring is available through the Learning Resources Center - Loretto Memorial Library, Main Floor.

Are Internships available?
For credit?
Tobin offers credit bearing internships to seniors who are currently enrolled and have completed 90 credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.  They are for one semester and satisfy credit for one professional elective or a business elective. For more information, please see: Queens—Dean Renee Hughes, 718-990-5124, or Staten Island—Dean Susan Bradley, 718-390-4331.

For pay?
The Special Summer Internship Program provides qualified sophomores and above with a paid, four to eight week summer job at participating firms. Students must be currently enrolled with a minimum of 45 credits and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. For more information, please see: Queens—Dean Renee Hughes, 718-990-2154, or Staten Island—Dean Susan Bradley, 718-390-4331.
Paid internships are also available through the Career Center.

What is a Senior Specialty Program?
Senior Specialty programs are designed to give seniors the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within certain major fields of study. Students may apply for admission to these courses during the spring of their junior year. These are:
Executive-in-Residence Program (EIRP) accepts applications from seniors from any major field of study who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4.  For more information about EIRP, please contact Dr. Boone (Bent Hall, 3rd Floor in Queens) or visit http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/graduate/tobin/academics/eirp.

Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) for Finance majors. For more information, please contact the Economics/Finance Department secretary (Bent Hall 3rd Floor in Queens), or the TCB Staten Island Dean’s office (Spellman Hall, Rm 101), or visit http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/undergraduate/tobin/academics/smif.
National Advertising Competition for Marketing majors.  For more information, please contact Professor Hallberg (Bent Hall, 3rd Floor in Queens).

Are there any Honor Societies within Tobin?
Tobin has honor societies available to seniors who meet the academic criteria set by each organization.  They include: Accounting- Beta Alpha Psi, Economics and Finance- Omicron Delta Epsilon, Management- Sigma Iota Epsilon, and Risk Management and Insurance/Actuarial Science- Gamma Iota Sigma.  The Tobin College also hosts a chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the officially designated honor society of AACSB International.

What is AACSB International?
AACSB International grants accreditation for undergraduate and graduate business administration and accounting programs.
AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools, worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review.  For more information, click this link:
http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/