ACADEMIC CALENDAR: A calendar that lists the date of registration, college deadline dates, college holidays and other important information.

ACADEMIC YEAR: An academic year consists of consecutive fall and spring semesters as well as an optional summer session.

ADDRESS CHANGE: You must file a change of address form with the Registrar’s Office if you have moved since the time you applied to John Jay College.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE (A.S.): The formal name for a two year degree though it may take you longer to obtain this degree.  The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 credits, with at least 30 credits earned in residence at John Jay.  John Jay offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) with three areas of specialization: Correctional Administration, Police Studies and Security Management.  Note: You may not receive an associate degree after the semester in which you complete 96 credits.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE (B.A., B.S.): The formal name for a four year college degree, though you may take longer to obtain the degree.  The bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 credits and 50 percent of their major completed at John Jay.  John Jay offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) major in the following fields: Criminology, Criminal Justice, Deviant Behavior and Social Control, Fire and Emergency Service, Fire Service Administration, Forensic Psychology, Government, Judicial Studies, and Public Administration;  Bachelor of Science (B.S.) major in the following fields: Computer Information Systems, Correctional Studies, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration and Planning, Fire Science, Forensic Science, Legal Studies, Police Studies, and Security Management.

BA/MA PROGRAM: A program that provides a way for a small number of exceptionally qualified students to work concurrently toward two degrees, the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  Students fulfill 98 undergraduates credits with a comprehensive examination or internship experience.

BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM: This program is a tuition-free program intended for students who did not pass one or more of the CUNY Proficiency Tests.  The program offers special courses in reading, writing and math that are designed to help students improve his/her skills.  Students are retested at the end of the program.  There are summer programs, Friday and Saturday programs during the semester and a January intersession program.

BOOKSTORE: More than a place that sells textbooks, the college bookstore also sells binders, pens, pencils, and a host of other items.  BE CERTAIN TO PURCHASE PROPER EDITION OF REQUIRED TEXTS.  The bookstore is located on the first floor of North Hall.  

BULLETIN: A booklet published by the college that includes information about curricula, courses and other important facts about the college.  You will receive a copy of the bulletin at orientation.  The bulletin is your contract with the college and is published every other year.

BURSAR: The title of the person and office at the college responsible for all money transactions.  The Bursar’s Office is located on the 5th floor of the 10th Avenue building.

CAFETERIA: This is the place where you can purchase breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack.  The cafeteria is located on the 2nd floor of North Hall building and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, when classes are in session.

CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS CENTER: The center provides the circuit training method to promote cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility and muscle tone through exercise.  Locker rooms and shower facilities are available.  The center is located on the 6th floor of the 10th Avenue building.

CAREER ADVISEMENT: Students want to know where the jobs are and what they need  to be eligible for them.  The Office, located in room 3135 North Hall, assists students who have questions regarding careers, as well as full-time and part-time positions.  The Office also provides pre-law counseling, resume writing workshops and mock interviews.

CAREER RESOURCE CENTER: The center provides students with ready access to information related to criminal justice careers and employment, law school admission and job preparation materials.  

CATALOGUE: Same as bulletin.

CHILDREN’S CENTER: Provides child care services for a nominal fee for youngsters of John Jay students.  The center is located on the 1st floor in the North Hall building and is open from Monday through Thursday.  Space is limited.

CLASS STANDING: John Jay links your standing to the number of credits you have earned, not the number of semesters you have attended college (ex. Upper freshman, lower sophomore).  See the bulletin for further information.

CLEP: CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program.  This is a series of tests you may take to demonstrate proficiency in various college subjects and receive equivalent college credits for these courses.  You can obtain information about the CLEP tests from the Registrar’s Office.

COMMENCEMENT: A day set aside to award degrees to graduating students.  John Jay’s commencement is generally held in the first week of June.

CORE COURSE/GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: These terms mean the same thing.  Each degree program requires that all students complete specific groups of courses.  A complete description of the core courses is described in the Bulletin.

COUNSELING SERVICES: Counseling is provided by trained professionals.  Counselors help students successfully pursue academic, career and personal goals.  The Counseling Department is located in room 3140 in the North Hall building.  You can see a counselor of a peer counselor by appointment and also by a walk-in basis.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This description summarizes the information that is taught in a college course.  Each course is described in the College Bulletin and lists the number of credits and credit hours.

CREDITS V. CREDITS HOURS: Credits refer to credits towards a degree.  A student needs 120 credits to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and 60 credits for an Associate degree.  Credit hours reflects the students status as a full-time or part0time student.  A student must take 12 credit hours in order to be considered full-time.

C-STEP: The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program is designed for students who members of minority groups who are interested in pursuing careers in the scientific, technical and health professions.  The program provides students with testing, counseling, tutoring, and educational enrichment programs.  Contact Dr. Kobilinsky for further information: 237-8884.

CUMULATIVE INDEX (GRADE POINT AVERAGE): An average of all grades received at John Jay College.  The cumulative index is computed by multiplying the point value of each grade for each course by the number of credits; this gives the number of quality points.  The total number of quality points are then divided by the number of credits to obtain the grade point average.

CUNY: An acronym for City University of New York.  John Jay College is one of 17 colleges in City University.  CUNY also has affiliate law and medical schools.

CUNY BA PROGRAM: There is greater flexibility in required courses in this University-wide degree program.  This allows educational and career goals.  Contact the Counseling Department for further information.

DEAN: A college administrator, such as Dean of Students who is in charge of specified aspects of the college’s activities.

DEAN’S LIST: To qualify for the Dean’s List a student must have completed 18 credits in other than remedial, developmental, or pass/fail courses with no grade of INC or WU in the previous academic year, and have earned a 3.50 cumulative grade point average.  In addition, the student must also have completed 24 credits at John Jay and have passed all three CUNY Proficiency Tests.  The list is published once a year in the fall semester.

DEGREE: An academic designation given to students who have successfully completed a specific courses of study, usually the associated degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree.

DEPARTMENT: An organization unit that offers courses in a specific subject group of academic subjects.  For example, the Department of Art, Music and Philosophy.  Each Department is listed in the Schedule of Classes Booklet and in the College Bulletin.

DROP (COURSE RESIGNATION): John Jay College allows students to drop or resign from courses (withdraw from classes without academic penalty) during a specific period of time.  The last day to drop classes is posted in the academic calendar for each semester.  You should be aware that resigning from classes may have a harmful effect on the next semester’s financial aid.  See a counselor before your drop from any course.

ELECTIVE: An elective is a course you may select from an academic area that interests you.  The course will not count in your general or major requirements but is used to fulfill the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.

ESL: An acronym for English as a Second Language.  This acronym is used to distinguish specific classes in the Schedule of Classes.

ESL RESOURCE CENTER: The Center is for students whose native language is not English and who need to improve their English language speaking, reading, writing, and grammar.  The Center offers tutoring services and workshop.

FACULTY: All teachers at the college hold  faculty positions and ranks (e.g. Assistant Professor).

FEES: Costs that are required in addition to tuition.  The Bulletin lists the various fees you will have to pay and when you must pay them.  See tuition.

FINANCIAL AID: The Financial Aid Office provides information to students on grants and loans.  To determine your eligibility for any type of aid, visit the Financial Aid Office located in room 3400 North Hall.

FULL-TIME STUDENTS: A student attending classes full-time must register for 4 academic courses.

GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING: Good standing refers to the specific grade point average criteria which students must meet at specific levels of credits:

Credits Attempted    Minimum Cum GPA

  0-12                       1.50

13-24                       1.75

25-upward   2.00

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA): See cumulative index.

I.D. CARDS: Identification cards are issued during the first semester of attendance.  This card permits students access on campus, to use and take out library books, participate in student activities events and to pick up financial aid checks.  I.D. stamps are issued each semester at registration.  ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR ID ON CAMPUS.

INTERNSHIPS: Internships provide students with the opportunity to earn 3 academic credits while gaining experience working in a field placement.  Eligibility requirements for internships include completion of 30 credits and a minimum GPA of 2.50.

INCOMPLETE (INC): A grade which is given when a student is doing passing work but has not completed all course requirements.  An inc. Grade is changed to F (failing grade) if the incomplete work is not completed within a specified time.  Try to avoid taking incomplete grades.

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT CENTER: The center houses the Basic Skills Program and academic department tutoring referral services.  Workshops and computerized tutorials are designed to augment and enhance classroom instruction. 

LIBRARY: The Lloyd G. Sealy Library is one of the College’s major resources and is an essential resource to every student’s education.  Special orientations will be given during the first semester on how to use the library.  The library is located in the Tenth Avenue building.

MAJOR: Your field of specialization in college.

MATRICULATE: An admission office term that means you have applied for a degree program, and have been accepted to that program by meeting all admission requirements.

MATH & SCIENCE RESOURCE CENTER: Located in room 4300 North Hall. Provides tutoring in mathematics and science.

MICROCOMPUTER LAB: The entrance to the lab is located in room 1310 North Hall.  There are 4 computer labs, each containing 21 IBM personal computers, printers and an assortment of programs.

MINOR: A minor is a secondary field of study.  If you are interested in pursuing a minor concentration in a field you may do so under the guidance of an academic department.  Credits earned in the minor may also be applied to the degree requirements for the major.

NORTH HALL: North Hall is located at 445 West 59th Street and houses the Admissions and Registrar’s Offices, Financial Aid Office, Testing Office, Counseling, Career Advisement, Bookstore, tutoring labs, Cafeteria, and a number of academic departments.

PART-TIME STATUS: A student who registers for less than 12 credit hours is considered a part-time student.

PERIOD: A unit of time, usually 90 minutes, to indicate the time of day classes meet.  For example, 1st period meets from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

PROFICIENCY TESTS: The CUNY Proficiency Tests are mandated by City University.  These tests are used to place students in the appropriate reading, writing, and math courses.  The three tests must be passed before a student reaches 60 credits, otherwise the student will be dismissed from the college.

PROBATION: Students are placed on probation if they do not meet the minimum GPA requirement.

PROGRAMMING: Academic programming for entering and second semester freshmen takes place prior to registration.  It is during this period that students select classes and are pre-registered.

READING and STUDY SKILLS CENTER: Provides assistance in reading and comprehension.  The center is located in room 3200 North Hall.

REGISTRAR: The title of the person at the college who is responsible for registering students in courses and for maintaining their academic records and current student status.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES: This is a listing of all classes that will be offered during the coming semester, including days and times of the class, name of instructor, building and room number.  Other registration information is also listed in this booklet, including the semester calendar.  The Schedule of Classes booklet is available in the Registrar’s Office prior to the registration period.

SECTION NUMBER: A section number identifies the specific class a student is registered for in a given semester.  For example, there may be 10 English 100-level classes in the Fall semester.  A student would register for one class, English 100-02.  The section number is the two-digit number and indicates the class the student is expected to attend.

SEEK: Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge is a major four-year college program of City University for economically and educationally disadvantaged students.  It is a full-time day program which provides concentrated and specialized counseling, remedial instruction, tutoring services and a financial aid stipend for educational expenses.  The SEEK Department is located in North Hall.

SEMESTER SYSTEM: A system that divides the academic year into two parts, a fall and spring term of fifteen weeks each.  A summer session is seven weeks.

SLEP: Second Language English Placement Test used by the English Department to place ESL students in the appropriate writing courses.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES: This office provides extracurricular activities throughout the academic year, including movies, dances, trips and presentations.  The Student Activities Offices publishes a weekly calendar of campus events.

STUDENT COUNCIL: The governing body of students on campus.  Representatives from each class are selected once a year.

STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: The program’s goal is to address the academic needs of low-income and first generation and/or physically challenged college student in order to help them excel and to graduate.

SYLLABUS: An outline of class requirements, indicating assignments, readings and brief description of the course and grading procedures.