This orientation provides an overview of resources and expectations for graduate students at Saint Joseph's University. It outlines the purpose of a master's degree, how to select courses, register for classes, expectations for class formats and assignments. It discusses where to find peer-reviewed articles, the library resources, Blackboard, and IT support. It also covers how to get a student ID, parking pass, purchase books, and addresses what to do if a student is having trouble in a course. The goal is to help students navigate life as a graduate student and enhance their educational experience.

1. Graduate
Student
Orientation
All you ever wanted to know about life as a
Saint Joseph’s University
Graduate Student

2. Purpose
• To provide an overview of what is expected of you as a
graduate student at SJU
• To point out the variety of resources available to you
that will assist and enhance your educational experience
• To allow time for you to ask any question that comes to
mind
• To “Meet and Greet” some of your instructors

3. What is a Master’s
 A Master’s degree from the Health Services Department is not an end in itself, but a
means to an end.
 It is a degree designed to give you the ability to develop your career to its fullest potential.
 Don’t think of your St. Joseph’s Master’s degree as a collection of credits but rather the
gathering of skills you need to create a new world vision, to lead, to educate in the field of
your interest. It gives you the confidence to see managing, teaching and research as
complementary rather than exclusionary elements.
 A Master’s degree should supply three main value propositions: Skills, Networks, and
Reputation.
 The Master’s degree program at Saint Joseph’s offers access to a network of great students, alumni, faculty,
and community leaders in health and business.
 This network can be very useful when beginning a job search, developing a career path,
building relationships in your current career, or pursuing expertise outside your current
field.
 A St. Joseph’s Master’s gives you the tools to make the world a better place for everyone.

4. Getting Started:
Class Selection
• How do I select appropriate courses?
• Students are encouraged to review the program requirements in the current issue
of the Graduate Course Catalog.
• The catalog outlines the course requirements for your program of study, includes
descriptions of courses, and notes and prerequisite required for a course (there are very few
prerequisites)
• NOTE: The Department has created an Advising Sheet – you should have received an
email.
• Where do I go for advising?
• Generally, Nakia Henderson, the Program’s Director, will be able to assist you
with your advising needs.
• Simple questions might be forwarded to the department’s administrative
support.
• Admistrative Assistant
• Graduate Assistant Ankit Patel, Denise Fenlon, at 610-660-2951 or email her at
fenlon@sju.edu

5. Registering for Class
• How do I register for classes?
• Visit the Registrar site for complete instructions on how to register.
Generally, registration can be completed via a student’s MYSJU
website in a very short amount of time.
• Contact the registrar for holds on your account.

6. Graduate Course Expectations
• In a graduate course, you are expected to:
• Take initiative in finding your own answers
• Choose topics to research based on your
interests
• Participate, Participate, Participate
• Make presentations to the class
(Powerpoint), consider joining SJU
Toastmaster’s (see handout
• If you miss a class, it is up to you to make
up or acquire any information that you
missed.

7. Class Formats
• Courses are offered in the following formats:
Type of Course Descriptions
Traditional Evening courses Classes are held usually one night per week (in
the summer, it is usually 2 times per week) For
about 3 hours per session.
Online Courses Course instruction, discussion and assignments
are completed entirely online.
Hybrid Courses A combination of online and in class instruction.
Generally, these classes will meet on three days
(usually weekends) per semester, and the rest of
the course content will be completed online.
Weekend Courses Courses are held on weekends, usually 5 or 6
Saturdays and/or Sundays.

8. Where and When
are classes offered…
• Classes are offered in four semesters – Fall (late Aug.-
mid Dec.), Spring (mid Jan.-mid May), Summer I (Mid
May-late June), Summer II (late June-early Aug.)
• Classes are held at Main Campus in Philadelphia, and
some spots are available in our courses online 10 days
before the class begins.

9. A Typical Class Session
• There is usually some good old fashioned lecture.
• Collaborative learning, from instructors, peers and self.
• Small group activities.
• Guest speakers, videos, etc.
• Participation is required

10. Sample Course
Requirements:
Grading Scale
• Although courses vary in the quantity of work and hours required per work, you can
expect to see something like the following for your individual course requirements:
Grading Scale
(University’s)
A = 95-100
A- = 91-94
B+ = 88-90
B = 85-87
B- = 84-84
C+ = 78-80
C = 75-77
Grading Procedure (Health Care Organization)
Assignment 1( Article Sharing) – 10%
Weekly, brief presentations of current articles pertaining to class.
Assignment 2(Research Paper) – 40%
A 12-15 page research paper inn APA format with at least 15 peer-reviewed
sources.
Assignment 3 (Group Paper and Presentation) – 40%
45 minute presentation on assigned topic as a group and group research paper
10-12 pages with at least 15 peer-reviewed resources.
Assignment 4 (Attendance and Participation) -10%

11. Course Evaluation:
Grading
• We take plagiarism very seriously, review the tutorial through the
campus library to avoid it at any cost.
• Also we use Turn IT IN .com to determine if a paper has been
used before.
• Grading scales are decided by each individual professor for each
class, but some basic tenets apply.
• There are no C- or D.
• You must get a C or better in a course to pass.
• If you receive 2 C’s, you may be asked to leave the program.

12. Tests or Papers?
• Most Graduate level classes at SJU do not give exams – there are
exceptions, but majority of coursework is writing.
• Papers are expected to be well written and grammatically correct.
• Research papers must be in APA format. A current APA format
book is available at the SJU bookstore, or you can check out this
site: http://www.apastyle.org/
• Most term papers are expected to be between 10-15 pages, and
usually at least 15 PEER REVIEWED SOURCES are required.

13. Independent Study
• What is an independent study and is it available at SJU?
An independent study is a course (3 credits) designed by
the student. It is meant to replace a class for which
there is a LEGITIMATE conflict, making it impossible
for the student to take the course required. All
independent studies are individually evaluated and
approved by the Dean.

14. What About
Online Classes…
• Generally, a student accepted to the traditional program (i.e. all
students not enrolled in the all-online course) can expect about 2
classes per semester offered in an online format. Generally, these
classes meet once a week online to discuss course information, etc.
and complete assignments within a given time frame.
• Two classes that are often offered online are Accounting for
Healthcare Organizations and Financial Management of Health care
Organizations.
• There is a Health Administration degree available completely in an
online format, but these students are accepted for this program only
and never take in class courses. These students are generally distance
learners.

15. What is Peer Reviewed?
• Peer reviewed means that a source is considered a
scholarly journal that has been reviewed by a panel of
professionals in the field.
• This includes journals like: The Journal of The
American Medical Association, The Journal of Public
Health, Etc.
• There are literally HUNDREDS of journals available at
the SJU library.

16. Where do I find peer
reviewed articles?
• GOOGLE IS NOT ALWAYS YOUR BEST FRIEND! Although
you might be able to find some peer-reviewed articles using this
search tool, the library is your best source.
• There is a Health Services Tool Kit which directs you to some
popular sources.
• There are some useful general search engines like Proquest, Sage
Journals and Ebsco Host that allow you to search hundreds of
sources with a key word or topic. *You can filter out non peer reviewed
sources.
• Many of these sites have a function that actually creates a citation in
APA format that you can simply cut and paste.

17. The Drexel Library
• With the wonderful technology available today, you no
longer need to physically visit the library to complete your
research. Most research can be completed right online!
• If you wish to visit the library, you should know that you
are given 200 print outs per semester free of charge. Your
SJU ID keeps track of your usage with a tiny microchip.
• The SJU website has a chat/IM function where you can ask
a librarian right from your home computer for help.
• There is a librarian (Cynthia Slater) assigned specifically to
the Department of Health Services. She is available to help
whenever it is needed.

18. IT at SJU
Blackboard
• How can I access my SJU
account?
Student IT information is
generated and mailed out by the
Office of Information Technology
shortly after acceptance. If you
do not receive notification once
accepted, contact the Office of
Information Technology directly.
• What is Blackboard and how does
it help me?
Blackboard is a function on your
MYSJU that allows you to submit
assignments right online.
Additionally, it allows your
professors to post announcements,
updates, and class materials that
you can access at your convenience.
You can also communicate with your
classmates in a particular course
and research using the Drexel
Library. Online classes use
Blackboard for communication,
assignments and readings.

19. IT at SJU continued..
• What kinds of things are on
MJSJU page?
Your home page is very useful.
You can order books, add/drop
classes, register for class, receive
updates on school closures,
manager our school email, view
your weekly schedule, order a
parking decal, find important
classroom information, materials
and updates, order transcripts,
manager your account balance –
basically, almost any information
you need or anything that you
need done can be managed on this
site at the touch of a button.
• Will I have an SJU email
account?
Yes. Every SJU student is given
an email account which stays
active until 6 months after
graduation. Your user ID and
initial password will be generated
and mailed to you by the IT
Department.

20. Getting Started:
Parking, ID’s, etc.
• Where can I get a student I.D., and why do I need one?
• Students can request a picture ID from the Office of Public Safety
located in Barbelin Hall once they have receive formal acceptance into
their academic programs. The I.D. is free (a minimal replacement fee if
lost), and only takes a couple of minutes to get. The I.D. is very
important, because it allows you entry to the library, which you will use
often!
• Where can I acquire a SJU parking decal?
• Parking decals can be purchased at the Office of Public Safety, located
in Barbelin Hall for $$$$$$. From now on, parking decals must first be
ORDERED ONLINE via your MYSJU website. An additional decal
(which is currently free) must be acquired if students wish to park
across the street, at the Maguire campus. These decals allow you to
park in any student parking lot, including the parking garage. A map is
available at the Office of Public Safety and online which details what
lots you are allowed to park in.

21. Books, Monoliths, etc.
• Where do I purchase my books?
• Books are available at the SJU bookstore located at 2461
North 54th
Street. Most books are available in new and used
versions.
• Interlibrary loan
• Online – Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
• Other Students
• What is a Monolith and where can I get one?
• A monolith is an additional course material that is
published by the SJU press (located next to Human
Resources on City Line Avenue). Usually, they consist of
additional articles, PowerPoint slides, or other information
your professor wants you to have for a course.

22. Writing Resources
• The Writing Center
• The APA Format Manual (6th
edition)

23. What if I’m having
trouble with a course?
• Speak with the professor! Although you are expected to search
out answers on your own, SJU professors and adjuncts are happy
to help you if you have genuinely given something your best
effort, and still require guidance.