First, a few words of explanation about the Australian higher education system might be helpful. Australian universities are more vocationally-oriented than liberal arts colleges and universities in the United States. The academic and administrative structure and the grading more closely resemble the British university system than the American system.
Australian students choose a course of study (major) and, taking subjects (classes) only in their course of study, they generally graduate in three years. It is very unusual for students to take subjects outside of their course of study or course strand. Taking subjects from different departments presents several scheduling challenges.
All participants in the SLU/JCU program must take at least 12 credits (usually four subjects), as most of JCU's subjects are 3 credit points each. Each subject selected must be endorsed for transfer credit by the appropriate department chair prior to leaving campus. One subject must have significant Australia content (e.g., Anthropology in Australia and the Pacific, Archaeology of Australia, Australian Literature, Tropical Australia, A History: Aborigines and Settlers, etc.). Students may take any subject offered at James Cook University as long as the student is qualified and the subject receives prior approval by the appropriate SLU department chair and by the appropriate JCU faculty person.
It is the responsibility of individual students to check with departments about how credits will be transferred back to St. Lawrence.
Students can view the James Cook University catalog on the Web only (we are unable at this time to acquire an accurate, up-to-date copy of the catalog to keep on hand in Carnegie 108). After accessing the provided web link to the catalog, students may search under "subjects" as this is where the most up-to-date information is located. When viewing the catalog information, students must keep in mind that the semesters are 'reversed' in the southern hemisphere. That is, our fall semester is their 'Semester 2' and our spring semester is their 'Semester 1.'
Grades earned at James Cook University are converted to SLU grades using the standard Australian/US conversion system below:
| (High Distinction) | = | 4.0 | |
| (Distinction) | = | 4.0 | |
| (Credit) | = | 3.0 | |
| (Pass) | = | 2.0 |