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JCPH Onboarding

As part of the onboarding process for newly admitted students, there are a number of University, College, and program requirements to complete. Below details the onboarding requirements & expectations for JCPH (Part I) and the student's specific program (Part II).

    Before proceeding, students should address any outstanding University onboarding requirements by signing into the MyJefferson portal, or reviewing University communications. Registration and/or access to important sites may be restricted until complete.

Part I - College Requirements & Expectations (All Programs)

  • JCPH Canvas Onboarding: Located in Canvas, this required training helps students acclimate to using Canvas, our course management site. Whether our courses are delivered online, virtually, hybrid, or in-person, they all feature online learning components provided on Canvas. Students may not have access until registered for a course and within 6 weeks of the start of the trimester.
  • Student Jefferson Email: Students are required to communicate with the College and University via their student Jefferson email ([email protected]). They are responsible for all emails that go to this account, and it is the primary way we communicate with students. 
  • Part I Onboarding is the last communication students will receive from the University to a non-student Jefferson email address.
  • We cannot guarantee a response to a student email that is sent from any address other than @students.jefferson.edu.
  • Here is a resource for setting up email on a phone and here is one on email forwarding. Note that forwarding is not always consistent, and we recommend if forwarding is set up, occasionally checking the email account directly.
  • Canvas Messaging is not a substitute for using and checking your student Jefferson email though it can be a helpful communication tool during an active course.
  • Jefferson employees have two email addresses: a student email and an employee email. Jefferson employees are still responsible for regularly checking and using their student Jefferson email as the primary email for student-related communications.
  • Virtual Welcome Event: New Fall and Spring Students are required to attend a virtual Welcome event. At this event, you will meet key administrators in the College, receive more information about campus services, and review College expectations. There may also be a Program-specific orientation for you to attend. Details on date and time are sent in the Part I Onboarding Communication.

Resources while a student

  • Student Resources: This is a valuable site to review and bookmark as it contains access to Handbooks and Forms, Academic Calendars, Course Schedules, program pathways and requirements, financial opportunities, and much more. The FAQ may be particularly helpful to get started.
  • JCPH Student Community: Active students will have access to this community on Canvas. This contains valuable resources related to your specific program, the University, Capstone, writing, and more.
  • The Student Portal is another resource to rely on and connects many of these sites.
  • If you are eligible for Jefferson Tuition Assistance, visit MyTuition.jefferson.edu.

Part II - Program Requirements & Expectations

Please find your program below to review Program Requirements & Expectations.

  • Confirm Full or Part Time Status: There are 3 trimesters in an academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each has two 7-week terms. Online students will inform us whether they plan to be Full Time (one course per each 7-week term—6 per year), or Part Time (one course per trimester—3 per year). Academic Calendars, found on the Student Resources page, can provide start/end dates for terms.
  • Course Registration: Registration is done via Banner. Viewing the “Anatomy of a Course Name” on our Course Schedules page will help you understand the breakdown of our course names, course subjects, and section numbers for registration purposes. Utilize current and yearly Course Schedules to see when courses are expected to be offered. Courses that students in online MS & certificate programs take typically have section numbers that begin with "1." QIPS students take courses with section numbers beginning with "7."

    Recommended     Pathways: If no courses have previously been taken at JCPH, students will follow a recommended pathway for course progression which can be found on the Student Resources page. Once on the Pathways site, in order to review a specific recommended pathway, locate program, then track (if relevant), then Fall or Spring admission, and then Full or Part time. 

    When a recommended pathway varies:     If courses have been previously taken at JCPH, or any courses were approved for transfer or waiver, students may not be able to follow a recommended pathway completely. Those conditions may not speed up time-to-degree as a term may potentially need to be skipped. However, students can utilize our current and yearly Course Schedules located on the Student Resources page to assist with schedule planning. Be sure to note any pre-requisites for courses. 
  • Swag Survey: Please refer to the Part II Onboarding communication for a link to fill out so we can send Jefferson swag.
  • Contact your Program Director with any questions by referring to your Part II Onboarding email for more information. 

  • Course Registration: Registration is done via Banner. Viewing the “Anatomy of a Course Name” on our Course Schedules page will help you understand the breakdown of our course names, course subjects, and section numbers for registration purposes. Utilize current and yearly Course Schedules to see when courses are expected to be offered. All DHSc courses have section numbers that begin with “9.”

Course Pathway: You can find your course pathway under Curriculum within the Doctor of Health Science in Population Health DHSc degree program page. Degree Programs can be found at Student Resources.

Academic Calendars: There are three 15-week trimesters in an academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each trimester includes two 7-week terms. DHSc students take courses in the 7-week terms with the exception of residencies and dissertation. Start/end dates can be found on the Online Degree Programs & DHSc Academic Calendar, located on Student Resources.

  • Swag Survey: Please refer to the Part II Onboarding communication for a link to fill out so we can send Jefferson swag.
  • Contact your Program Director with any additional questions.

  • Course Registration: Registration is done via Banner. Viewing the “Anatomy of a Course Name” on our Course Schedules page will help you understand the breakdown of our course names, course subjects, and section numbers for registration purposes. Utilize current and yearly Course Schedules to see when courses are expected to be offered. PhD students typically take courses with section numbers that begin with 1, 3, and 5.

    Degree Requirements    : Students can find degree and specialization requirements under Curriculum within the Population Health Science PhD degree program page. Degree Programs can be found at Student Resources. Current and yearly Course Schedules on the Student Resources page can be used to assist with schedule planning.

    Academic Calendars    : PhD students take courses in various programs and subjects at JCPH which follow different calendars. There are three trimesters in an academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each include a 15-week trimester for PhD-specific courses (PHS subject), a 12-week trimester for Public Health courses (PBH subject), and two 7-week terms utilized by online and doctoral programs (subjects vary). Start/end dates can be found on Academic Calendars, linked on Student Resources.
  • Swag Survey: Please refer to the Part II Onboarding communication for a link to fill out so we can send Jefferson swag.
  • Contact your Program Director with any additional questions.

  • Credit Requirements: The MPH program is 45 credits. Refer to the Part II Onboarding email for the current curriculum. Dual degree and advanced standing students must meet their advisors to discuss transfer credits and how they impact the plan of study. Students are responsible for tracking their course progression and ensuring they are meeting all program requirements. The latest MPH curriculum and concentration information can be found on our Degree Program page under Public Health Curriculum. 
  • Course Registration: The current Course Schedules can be found on the Student Resources page as well as Academic Calendars which provide start/end dates for trimesters. Utilize current and yearly course schedules to view course offerings. Viewing the Anatomy of a Course Name will help students understand the breakdown of our course names, course subjects, and section numbers for registration purposes. The FAQ on our Student Resources page can help with questions such as “how to register?” 

    As a new student, the recommendation is to register for at least one core course. If you would like to take more than one course, the recommendation is to choose no more than three additional courses. Generally, full-time students register for 3-4 courses; part-time register for 1-2 per trimester. 

    There are 3 course formats from which students can choose:

    Hybrid courses will primarily meet on campus the day and time listed in Banner; some weeks may be virtual, as needed. In-person classes have section numbers with no letter.

    Virtual, Synchronous courses will always meet via Zoom, or similar platform, on the specified day and time listed in Banner. Section numbers for these courses are designated with the letter "V."

    Asynchronous, Online courses are 100% online and do not require students to log in at specific times. The day and time will be listed as TBA in Banner. The section number for these courses are designated by the letter "L."

    For Federal Financial Aid purposes, 3 credits is considered half-time and 6 credits is considered full-time. For university purposes, 9 credits is considered full-time.
  • Canvas Communities: Students may be added to one or more Canvas Communities in preparation for future program requirements. Further information will be provided at Orientation.
  • New Student Orientation for Public Health Students: Attendance at this event is required. This orientation will provide program-specific information and provide an opportunity to meet faculty and ask questions.
  • Photo Release: Please sign a copy of the photo release form. The form and upload link are provided in the Part II Onboarding email.
  • Acknowledgment of External Activities: Please signa a copy of the acknowledgment form. The form and upload link are provided in the Part II Onboarding email.
  • Fill out the Swag Survey: We'd like to send you some Jefferson swag, but we need some more information. Please fill out the survey provided in the Part II Onboarding email.
  • Contact Dr. Rosie Frasso or Zoë Van Orsdol with any questions.
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