create undergraduate program category page

St. John Fisher College is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of over 1,300 institutions pledged to be reasonable in working with servicemembers and veterans trying to earn degrees even while pursuing demanding, transient careers. As an SOC member, St. John Fisher College is committed to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and crediting learning from appropriate military training and work experiences. SOC is sponsored by 15 national higher education associations, with the military services, the National Guard Bureau, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense serving as cooperating agencies.

For further information, contact:

Office of Admissions
St. John Fisher College
3690 East Avenue
Rochester, New York 14618
Phone: (585) 385-8064

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) was created in 1969 by the New York State Legislature to help New York residents gain access to the State’s private colleges and universities. The program is designed for students who have the potential for, and are interested in, pursuing a college degree but who do not meet the regular admission requirements of a particular college.

HEOP at St. John Fisher College is funded by New York State and the College. HEOP offers educational opportunities to students by providing them with academic and financial assistance based on students’ needs, along with a variety of academic support services to assist them in completing a college education.

More information on applying and program requirements can be found at https://www.sjfc.edu/services/academic-opportunity-programs-office/heop/.

A student may not receive credit for the successful completion of any examination if he or she has taken and passed the same course (or its equivalent) or a course in the same subject area at a higher level.

Note: Students may not register for a course for which they have received equivalent college credit through CLEP, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other proficiency examination, unless the student requests that the examination credit be waived. Such requests should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Only students enrolled in a degree program at St. John Fisher College will have AP, CLEP, ECE, IB, and/or other credit-by-examination credits applied to their academic records.

Advanced Placement (AP)

St. John Fisher College recognizes the Advanced Placement program and will grant standing and college credit for courses in harmony with the College curriculum to students who complete the Advanced Placement Test with a grade of 3 or higher for most exams, and a score of 4 or higher for some exams. A chart of tests and required scores can be found www.sjfc.edu/admissions-aid/freshman-admissions/applying-to-fisher/credit-by-examination/.

College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP)

St. John Fisher College participates in the College-Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. The College accepts subject tests, which measure mastery of college level, and introductory course content in a range of disciplines. Through CLEP subject tests, individuals can earn credit and advanced academic standing in areas that conform to the curriculum of the College if they earn a minimum score of 50. Credit is not awarded for the CLEP General Exams.

Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)

St. John Fisher College is a participating member of the Excelsior College Examinations program, sponsored and administered by the New York State Education Department and the American College Testing Program. Applicants who successfully complete examinations approved by the College with the recommended score or higher will be granted college credit and advanced standing in the academic areas in which they have demonstrated proficiency and that conform to the curriculum of St. John Fisher College.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

St. John Fisher College recognizes the International Baccalaureate organization. Equivalent college credit, in harmony with the College curriculum, will be granted to those students who complete the International Baccalaureate high school curriculum and exams, according to policies (including scores) developed by individual St. John Fisher College departments. A chart of tests and required scores can be found at www.sjfc.edu/admissions-aid/freshman-admissions/applying-to-fisher/credit-by-examination/.

Credit by St. John Fisher College Examination

In specific courses or academic disciplines in which standardized examinations are not available, students may obtain credit for the St. John Fisher College course by satisfactorily completing a testing procedure developed by the appropriate department of the College. Faculty may accommodate students with a specific need for this type of testing but are under no obligation to do so. Examinations are written tests but may also involve oral examination, laboratory demonstration, or the satisfactory completion of a major essay.

These are not placement examinations but are designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge gained outside of the traditional classroom environment. This program is not meant to alter the traditional educational orientation of the College. Therefore:

  • Only matriculated students who have earned 30 credits in residence may apply for credit by a St. John Fisher College examination.
  • Credit for the examination will count toward meeting the residence requirement. The examination grade will appear on the transcript at the end of the semester in which the examination is taken.
  • An unsuccessful attempt will be recorded as an “F” grade and will be calculated into the GPA until the examination is repeated and passed or the course is taken. If unsuccessful, the examination may be repeated once, after a six-month waiting period.
  • The fee for the examination for one three-to-four-credit-hour course will be the equivalent of the current charge for one undergraduate credit and must be paid prior to taking the examination.

Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Credit by St. John Fisher College Examination is required at least two weeks before the exam may be taken. The form requires verification by the Registrar; documentation of fee payment; and approval of the examiner, the chair of the department in which the examination will be taken and the appropriate school dean.

A student may not receive credit for successful completion of an examination if he or she has taken and passed the same examination or course (or its equivalent) or a higher-level course in the same subject area or has ever audited or enrolled in the course at St. John Fisher College. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the chair of the department in which the exam is to be taken.

Credit for a maximum of two courses may be earned by St. John Fisher College examination. Exceptions to this limit require approval of the provost or the provost’s designee.

Note: Students who have studied successfully in a school where primary instruction was conducted in a language other than English will not receive credit by examination in that language at the 101/102 level. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.

The summer semester at St. John Fisher College offers a variety of courses to meet the needs of students. A number of programs offer courses during the summer to provide majors with additional options, as well as the opportunity for making timely progress through the program. Students may consult with their academic advisors for information about summer offerings. The summer schedule is usually available in early March, with registration beginning in late March.

Although a personal interview is not required for admission, prospective students are strongly encouraged to visit the campus. Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on designated Saturdays. For an appointment, please please visit our website at: https://www.sjfc.edu/admissions-aid/freshman-admissions/visit-opportunities/ or call us at (585) 385-8064. For transfer admission information, please visit our website at: https://www.sjfc.edu/admissions-aid/transfer-admissions/visit-opportunities/.

The decision of the Office of Freshman Admissions to admit an applicant to St. John Fisher College is based primarily on the following areas of consideration: the high school record, scores on standardized tests (SAT/ACT), extracurricular activities, personal statement/essay, and the high school evaluation of the candidate.

A candidate for admission to the freshman class must be a graduate of an approved secondary school and should present a minimum of 16 units of college preparatory coursework in English, foreign languages, mathematics, and natural and social sciences. An applicant should present a secondary school average of 85 percent or above in these academic subjects. Those students who do not meet this qualification may apply if they are above the college recommending level of the secondary school and can demonstrate the potential to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree.

St. John Fisher College subscribes to the “Candidates Reply Date Agreement” of May 1. Admitted students are expected to submit a $300 enrollment deposit by May 1. Early Decision candidates by March 15.

Required Forms

Seniors/high school graduates must submit the following items:

  • Applicants seeking the Early-Decision Plan must submit these items by December 1.
  • A high school transcript, a personal statement/essay, and counselor/teacher recommendation.
  • Scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or the American College Test (ACT).
  • After acceptance, a final transcript must be submitted at the completion of graduation requirements.
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 but before our priority filing deadline of February 15.
  • Students who apply to St. John Fisher College with a prior criminal conviction and/or disciplinary dismissal or suspension from another institution must provide additional information prior to having their application for admission reviewed. Please contact the Office of Freshman Admissions for details regarding this policy.
  • Students must have proof of health insurance.

Note: St. John Fisher College subscribes to a single-choice Early-Decision Plan. This plan assumes that St. John Fisher College is a student’s first choice of college and, if accepted, will withdraw applications that have been initiated with any other colleges. Students may be released from this agreement if they find that a Fisher education is unaffordable after our offer of financial aid.

Juniors seeking early admission at the end of grade 11 submit the same credentials as the seniors/graduates and, in addition:

  • Provide a statement of parental permission.
  • Have an interview with a College admissions representative.

An application is considered complete when all of the steps listed above have been fulfilled. An admission decision is generally based on these factors.

Students who complete their senior year at the end of the junior year will be admitted as regular senior high school graduates.