Undergraduate Policies

Purpose

This policy specifies the minimum number of credits that must be earned at Thomas Jefferson University by an undergraduate student in an academic program on East Falls campus to be eligible for degree from the University. Additionally, this policy identifies minimum credit requirements in specific components of undergraduate curriculum.

Definitions

Fundamental Courses: Some students precede the Hallmarks Core sequence with appropriate preparatory courses in reading, writing and mathematics (determined by placement testing).  Courses at the 100-level (WRIT 100 Introduction to Academic Writing, WRIT 100G Introduction to Academic Writing: Global, and TXIS 100 Textual Analysis for International Students) carry academic credits that apply towards graduation.  Courses at the 099-level (MATH 099 Fundamentals of College Mathematics) carry credits that do not apply towards graduation.

General Elective: Encourages students to be integrative thinkers who build connections across disciplinary boundaries and within a wide range of knowledge. Through immersion in complex, real-world issues and studies in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and the natural and physical sciences, Jefferson prepares graduates who are well-read, well-spoken, worldly, flexible and adaptable—individuals who never stop learning and making connections in everything they do.

Hallmarks Core courses: Overseen primarily by the College of Humanities and Sciences, Hallmarks Core courses are Jefferson’s customized approach to general education. This curriculum provides the scaffolding for undergraduate learning and organizes the Pennsylvania requirements to match the needs and interests of our pre-professional students, bringing all of the East Falls students together to share a common educational experience and to learn from each other’s differing perspectives.

In-residence, or Residency:  Pertaining to credits earned at Thomas Jefferson University, either on the East Falls campus, hybrid or online.

Policy

Undergraduate degree programs on the East Falls Campus specify a minimum number of credits that must be earned in-residence to earn a degree from the University. These credit requirements in-residence are: Bachelor degree programs require 60 credits in-residence of which 6 credits must be in Hallmarks and 12 credits in the major; Associate degree programs require 20 credits in-residence; CPS bachelor’s degree programs require 33 credits in-residence. (30 credits for students entering Fall 2024-25 forward).

Scope

This policy is applicable to undergraduate degree program programs offered on the East Falls campus and include hybrid and online programs originating from the East Falls campus.

Components

• Hallmarks Core courses must include at least six (6) credits in-residence, including PHIL 499 Philosophies of the Good Life and one additional 3-credit Hallmarks Core course. 
• Associate Degree programs must include a minimum of 20 credits in-residence at the University.
• Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) bachelor’s degree programs require a minimum of 33 credits in-residence at the University. (30 credits for students entering Fall 2024-25 forward).
• Students who transfer from one program to another must meet the residency requirement of the program in the degree which they will graduate.
• Students pursing a double major, must earn an additional 12 credits in-residence in the second major to be eligible for degree.
• Fundamental courses do not count toward residency requirement.
• Academic credits earned through “Challenge Exam” and “Study Away” are applied toward residency requirement 
• Students must be in-residence during the semester immediately preceding the awarding of degree.