Connie Spadafore Semel '74

St. Joseph's College of Nursing in Syracuse, New York, is one of ahandful of U.S. hospitals that has been recognized for nursing excellenceby a leading nursing organization. St. Joseph’s has various degrees andscheduling options so that students of different backgrounds and withdifferent scheduling needs may find a program that’s right forthem.St. Joseph’s main program is the two-year RN degree. Within this degreeprogram, students may choose a weekday or weekend schedule. There is alsoa dual degree, which allows students to earn their associate’s at St.Joseph’s while simultaneously obtaining a bachelor’s from LeMoyneCollege.All of St. Joseph’s programs include clinical assignments, which allowthem to apply classroom concepts to work with patients.Since St. Joseph is one of only a few schools that are recognized as aMagnet School for Nursing Excellence, students in all degree programs geta quality education.Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or GED, possessionof a CPR certificate and a passing score in such classes as: * Biology * Chemistry * MathematicsThe majority of admitted students are within the top half of theirgraduating high school class. LPN applicants should have a minimum gradepoint average of 85%, a professional recommendation and suchpre-requisite classes as Medication Administration or Pharmacology.However, St. Joseph’s is also flexible, offering conditional admissionsto applicants who don’t meet these requirements.Financial aid sources include federal Pell grants, state grants andloans, which are awarded based on financial need. There are alsospecialized grants, such as those for Native Americans. In addition, St.Joseph’s participates in veteran’s benefits and in scholarship programssponsored by charitable organizations.