American undergraduate Degrees are four (4) year programs and Masters Degrees are two (2) year programs. The American system of higher education encourages experimentation, particularly during the first Two years of University experience. While students have a certain number of required credits, they have freedom to select the types of courses they choose to take that will fulfill those required credits.

The University's requirements are therefore divided into Three categories: General Education Requirements (GER), Core Curriculum and Major Elective Requirements (specific requirements of the major) and General Electives.

The GER courses provide students with a broad exposure to the basic discipline of liberal arts, including areas of the Humanities such as History, Literature, Philosophy, and Religion; the Natural Sciences such as Mathematics and Computer Science; and the Social Sciences such as Economics, Political Science and Psychology. In these courses, students are encouraged to explore subjects not yet familiar to them, broaden their intellectual interests, and discover previously unrecognized aptitudes and abilities. SJIU's GER put a particular emphasis on addressing environmental issues in order to increase cultural understanding and awareness. These courses are eco-centric in that they consider the eco-system to be strongly connected to our culture and human artistic, economic and historical activities.

Within each Degree program, there are specific requirements to be met by the student. These requirements include core courses, deemed by the Faculty to be essential to the discipline, and comparable to the requirements for the same Degree at other recognized and accredited colleges and universities in the American system of higher education. In addition to the core requirements, students select electives that support the core program and courses in other discipline areas of particular interest.

As an American international University, SJIU attaches special importance to skills in written and spoken English. At the beginning of their education at the University, all students are required to take a sequence of courses in English composition and literature, with the goal of developing the ability to think logically, to communicate accurately and clearly, and to appreciate the beauty and force of the English language, as reflected in its rich literary heritage. These skills will be used and reinforced throughout students' careers at the University, and in life-long learning. A Placement Examination is often required to determine the entry level for each entering student in this important sequence of courses.

Generally, courses at SJIU carry Three units of credit. The academic year is divided into two semesters of fifteen weeks each. Following the American tradition, the academic year begins in September and ends in May. It is divided into two semesters of at least 15 weeks each. SJIU also offers two 5-week summer sessions. Pre-courses must be completed during designated times. Lessons are held Monday through Friday. All lessons are held in English except for SJIU foreign language courses.