Foreword from the President

Dear Future Wildcats,

Today, Belize faces many new and diverse challenges such as increased violence, the proliferation of drugs, poverty, unemployment, corruption, environmental issues but most importantly, a growing number of students unable to access higher education. There is no doubt that in order for a growing nation such as ours to achieve its maximum potential it must be able to rely on the knowledge, skills and values of an educated populace. An educated populace driven not only towards selfish pursuits but towards the pursuit of nation building. A populace of men and women for and with others.

Unfortunately, for many of our Belizean people higher education is a costly commodity only available to a minority. The current status quo is therefore incompatible with the developing needs of our country and must be rectified if we are to fulfill our potential as a nation. I am therefore extremely pleased that 70 years after the opening of the Sixth Form Division, St. John’s College will become the first and only Catholic Jesuit institution of higher education providing affordable Bachelor’s degree programs in Belize. SJC is committed to developing affordable and quality programs that will create opportunities which will allow you to succeed and to excel not only in your personal endeavors but also as a productive contributor of the wider Belizean society.

For the past 135 years, St. John’s College has partnered with the people and country of Belize through the provision of Catholic Jesuit education at its High School Division, Extension Division and its Junior College Division. Commencing in 1887 with the establishment of the all-boys high school in Belize City, St. John’s College has sought to contribute to the greater good of Belizean society through the education and development of greater human beings. As Fr. Adolfo Nicholas, former Father General Initially, the Sixth Form Division was meant to prepare post-secondary students for Advanced Level Examinations set by Cambridge University. However, these programs of study were broadened in the mid 1960’s to provide studies leading to an Associates Degree with the objective of providing more opportunities to the students of Belize. Today, Belize faces many new and diverse challenges such as increased violence, the proliferation of drugs, poverty, unemployment, corruption, environmental issues but most importantly, a growing number of students unable to access higher education. There is no doubt that in order for a growing nation such as ours to achieve its maximum potential it must be able to rely on the knowledge, skills and values of an educated populace. An educated populace

driven not only towards selfish pursuits but towards the pursuit of nation building. A populace of men and women for and with others. Unfortunately, for many of our Belizean people higher education is a costly commodity only available to a minority. The current status quo is therefore incompatible with the developing needs of our country and must be rectified if we are to fulfill our potential as a nation. I am therefore extremely pleased that 70 years after the opening of the Sixth Form Division, St. John’s College will become the first and only Catholic Jesuit institution of higher education providing affordable Bachelor’s degree programs in Belize. SJC is committed to developing affordable and quality programs that will create opportunities which will allow you to succeed and to excel not only in your personal endeavors but also as a productive contributor of the wider Belizean society.

I invite you to become an integral member of our SJC family by applying to be a student of St. John’s College. We want you to share in our mission and our vision by becoming a member of the inaugural cohort of students that will enroll in our Bachelor’s Degree programs commencing August 2023.

Become a Wildcat Today!

God Bless.

Mirtha A. Peralta

President

Program Requirements

BA or BSc students are required to have a minimum of an Associate Degree or equivalent coursework from a recognized tertiary institution. Students who have not completed such minimum requirement will take foundation courses at the Associate Degree level to meet matriculation requirements for a baccalaureate program at St. John’s College. Students will typically complete coursework over a two-year period for a minimum of 60 credit hours that will employ multiple modalities of instructional delivery. A few specialized degree programs will require more than two years and more than 60 credit hours of coursework. All programs will consist of professional core and general core curricula that include the following:

36 credits hours (minimum) of professional core requirements
12 credit hours of humanities and liberal arts electives
6 credit hours of social science electives
3 credit hours of research methods
3 credit hours of research capstone, internship, or immersion experience

All students will also be required to complete 40 hours of community service OR participate in a 0-credit ‘Living the Mission’ course to be eligible for the SJC baccalaureate degree.