Please visit our Mission and Accreditation page.

Please visit our Privacy Policy and our FERPA Policy.

For HJI data at a glance visit our Fact Sheet.

Information on Student Diversity can be found on our Fact Sheet.

Please visit our Facilities and Resources page.

Please visit our Due Process/Grievances Procedures for academic and general grievances.

Following is a list of agencies with whom students may address complaints:

NYSED (New York State Education Department)

The Office of College and University Evaluation handles only those complaints that concern educational programs or practices of degree-granting institutions subject to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Please see details at http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/complaints

New York State Education Department
Office of College and University Evaluation
89 Washington Ave, Room 960 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 474-1551

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Student complaints concerning alleged failures by HJI to comply with the requirements of FERPA can be filed with the U.S. Department of Education. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202.

MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education)

Complaints to MSCHE are a means of providing information and evidence regarding an institution’s compliance with the Commission’s standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, and policies and procedures outside of a scheduled accreditation review. For more information please visit https://www.msche.org/complaints MSCHE’s address is:

Complaints
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
1007 North Orange Street
4 th Floor, MB#166
Wilmington, DE 19801

SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) Procedure

For the graduate programs please visit our Academic Programs page.

HJI maintains a memorandum of understanding with the International Peace Leadership College (IPLC) in Antipolo City, Philippines. The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate graduates of the IPLC who wish to earn a Master of Religious Education, Master of Arts in Religious Studies or a Master of Divinity degree.

See our academic policies page concerning Transfer Credit policies.

Please visit the Course Schedule page to download Required Textbook Information for current course offerings.

You can find information on our faculty on the Fact Sheet, the Catalog, and the Faculty page

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment of student learning is a critical aspect of the mission of HJ International. Assessment assures the quality of our academic programs, supports the faculty in their efforts to improve the quality of courses, and assures you, the students, that the programs at HJI are delivering a tested, quality product.

Assessment of student learning, which is conducted using reliable and valid measures, can demonstrate whether students are in fact learning what a HJI program claims they should be learning. If an assessment result uncovers a deficit, it alerts the faculty that improvements are needed. Then our committed faculty can make the needed adjustments.

The Year-End Assessment Report includes the Assessment Plan, Program Learning Outcomes, and the results each year. The Reports for the past three years are available from the links below.

2023 – 2024

2022 – 2023

2021 – 2022

The federal government requires only institutions with first-time, full-time undergraduate students to report retention and graduation rates. HJI is a professional, exclusively graduate institution of higher education, and therefore this data is not available.

Time to Completion

For its graduate degree programs, the following chart depicts the time to completion for the most recent three academic years:

  (2021/22 – 2023/24)

Please visit our Financial Information page concerning tuition, fees, cost of attendance and refund policies.

Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information

Dr. Frank LaGrotteria:  f.lagrotteria@hji.edu
212-563-6647 ext. 115

Institutional scholarships are available, please visit the Financial Aid page for more information.

HJI will provide reasonable accommodation in the form of auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities. These accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case and course-by-course basis when the need exists based on documentation, and may include test accommodations, assistive technology, tutoring services, and similar types of services. The Associate Provost administers and coordinates services for those graduate students with special needs.

HJI Graduate Student Council regularly coordinates student programs and social events and assists with various extra-curricular activities. These may include weekly Chapel Service, musical gatherings, and holiday celebrations for students, faculty, and staff. Student clubs may organize cultural and recreational outings to New York City locations, museums, and other sites of cultural and historical significance. Supported by HJI faculty, students tour places of worship such as Christian Churches, Jewish synagogues, Muslim mosques, Buddhist, and Hindu temples. In addition, student-led service projects are organized to serve and support the members of these and other communities. If a club does not exist in their area of interest, students may take the necessary steps to create one through the Graduate Student Council and the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Life.

(See: Student Handbook.)

Please visit our Student Handbook.

The security station in the lobby of the 4 West 43rd Street building secures the main campus. The campus building meets local fire-safety codes, and there are regular fire inspections and fire drills. No crimes or instances of sexual harassment were reported on the New York City campus in the 2023-24 academic year.

Please review the 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for a comprehensive overview of the security and safety policies and procedures maintained by HJI in the 2023-24 academic year, as well as the most current campus crime statistics. Please note that some of these policies were updated in the 2023-24 academic year to reflect recent changes at HJI, and will be published in the 2024 Annual Security Report.

HJI is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment free from all forms of
harassment and unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
HJI does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education
program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in
admission and employment.

Any student, employee, or other individual covered by the policy who engages in unlawful sex
discrimination, including sexual harassment or retaliation, will be subject to remedial and/or
disciplinary action, up to and including termination, expulsion, and/or legal action.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to HJI’s Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX
Coordinator, and/or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Frank LaGrotteria
Title IX Coordinator
Vice President for Administration
4 West 43 rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 563-6647 ext. 115
Email: f.lagrotteria@hji.edu

Lynn Walsh
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
4 West 43 rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 563-6647 ext. 120
Email: l.walsh@hji.edu

Appropriate action will be taken to investigate and address any complaints about sex
discrimination and sexual misconduct. To report information about conduct that may constitute
sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to HJI’s
full Sexual Misconduct Policy. HJI’s full Sexual Misconduct Policy, including grievance
procedures, is available in Populi or on HJI’s Institutional Policies webpage at
https://www.hji.edu/sexual-misconduct-policy.

For complaints and reports regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment not based on sex,
please refer to HJI’s Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy. HJI’s full
Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and grievance procedures can be located in
Populi or on HJI’s Institutional Policies webpage at https://www.hji.edu/nondiscrimination-and-equal-opportunity-policy.

Complaint Form for Sexual Misconduct

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy

Responsible Executives: Vice President for Administration, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life

Responsible Office: Facilities Unit

Effective Date: 2013

Last Reviewed: 5/8/2024

Revised: 5/8/2024

POLICY STATEMENT
HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership (“HJI” or the “Institution”) is committed to fostering a productive, healthy, and safe learning and working environment that promotes the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and other members of its community. Toward this commitment, HJI has developed this Policy to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free environment in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.

SCOPE
This Policy applies to all HJI students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus and at HJI-sponsored activities off campus.

DEFINITIONS
Drug Paraphernalia: The term “drug paraphernalia” means any equipment, product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance, possession of which is unlawful under specified federal law. It includes items primarily intended or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish, hashish oil, PCP, methamphetamine, or amphetamines into the human body.

POLICY
A. Standards of Conduct

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances, illicit drugs, and alcohol by students and employees on HJI property and at HJI-sponsored activities is prohibited. This includes marijuana/cannabis, which, although decriminalized in New York State, remains prohibited for use, possession, and distribution under federal law. Under New York State Penal Law, possession or use of any drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

As a condition of enrollment, all students are expected to adhere to the terms of this Policy.

As a condition of employment, any faculty member, staff member, or student employee will also abide by the terms of this Policy and will notify the Vice President for Administration if convicted for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace and must do so no more than five (5) calendar days after the conviction.

B. Sanctions

Violators of this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution, for violations of the standards of conduct outlined above. In certain cases, disciplinary action may include satisfactory completion of a drug abuse assistance or appropriate rehabilitation program approved for these purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.

Violations of this Policy may also result in criminal penalties or other sanctions under local, state, and federal law. Examples of such sanctions are provided below.

Legal Sanctions Related to Controlled Substances and Illicit Drugs
Under federal law, severe sanctions—including fines up to millions of dollars and possible life imprisonment—may result from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances and illicit drugs. More information and specific penalties are available on the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website, in 21 USC Chapter 13, and in 18 USC §1952.

Article 220 and Article 222 of the New York State Penal Law cover criminal possession, sale, use, and manufacture of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana. The operation of vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is also covered in Article 120 (120.03-04) of the New York State Penal Law and Title 10 of the New York City Administrative Code. Sanctions imposed—including fines and imprisonment—may depend on such factors as the seriousness of the offense, number of previous violations, drug type, and drug amount held or sold.

Legal Sanctions Related to Alcoholic Beverages
Under New York State’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law, and New York City law:

1. It is illegal for anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) years to possess any alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume such beverage. Penalties may include a fine of up to fifty (50) dollars and/or completion of an alcohol awareness program and/or up to thirty (30) hours of community service.

2. It is illegal for anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) years to purchase or attempt to purchase an alcoholic beverage through fraudulent means. This includes presenting any written evidence of age which is false, fraudulent, or not actually his or her own, for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase any alcoholic beverage. First time violations may result in fines of up to one hundred (100) dollars and/or an appropriate amount of community service not to exceed thirty (30) hours. Further violations may result in penalties of fines between fifty (50) and seven hundred fifty (750) dollars and/or an appropriate amount of community service up to ninety (90) hours. Violators may also be required to complete an alcohol awareness program. If a driver’s license is used as the false ID, one’s license may also be suspended.

3. It is illegal to misrepresent the age of a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the purpose of inducing the sale of any alcoholic beverage. Such an offense is punishable by a fine of up to two hundred (200) dollars and/or by imprisonment of up to five (5) days.

4. It is illegal to deliver or give away or cause or permit or procure to be sold, delivered, or given away any alcoholic beverages to: (a) any person, actually or apparently, under the age of twenty-one (21) years; (b) any visibly intoxicated person; (c) any habitual drunkard known to be such to the person authorized to dispense any alcoholic beverages. Penalties may include, but are not limited to, fines and/or imprisonment.

5. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while ability is impaired by alcohol or other drugs or while intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08 or higher. Penalties may include fines, loss of driving privileges, and possible imprisonment. Specific penalties are available on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website.

6. It is illegal to drink or consume an alcoholic beverage, or possess, with intent to drink or consume, an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in any public place except at a block party, feast, or similar function for which a permit has been obtained. Violators may face a fine of up to twenty-five (25) dollars or imprisonment of up to one (1) day.

C. Health Risks Associated with Illicit Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Numerous health risks are associated with the misuse of illicit drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse may also negatively impact an individual’s academic or work performance and may lead to violent or asocial behavior. A non-exhaustive overview of the general health risks associated with alcohol and other drug abuse follows.

Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to brain damage that affects thinking, judgement, learning, speech, coordination, memory, mood, and other behavior. Heavy drinking can also damage the heart, liver, pancreas, and immune system and lead to high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, depression, anxiety, various cancers, and possible death. Alcohol consumption while pregnant may result in stillbirth, miscarriage, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Depressants
Use of depressants, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines, can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, shallow respiration, amnesia, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, weakness, disorientation, loss of coordination, blurred vision, impaired judgement, coma, and death from overdose.

Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens—which include LSD, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, PCP, ketamine, and ecstasy, among others—can cause depression, anxiety, fear, paranoia, nausea, vomiting, impaired memory, convulsions, seizures, elevated heart rate, dilated pupils, and possible death.

Marijuana
The effects of marijuana use include fatigue, distorted perception, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations, decreased coordination, higher risk of cancer, and issues with problem-solving, learning, and memory. Marijuana use is also associated with mental health issues such as psychosis, depression, and anxiety.

Narcotics
Use of narcotics—including opium, morphine, and heroin—can result in loss of appetite, clammy skin, convulsions, dizziness, shallow and slowed breathing, weakness, drowsiness, coma, and possible death.

Stimulants
The effects of using stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines include dizziness, hallucinations, convulsions, tremors, headache, vomiting, agitation, panic, hostility, paranoia, cardiovascular collapse, increased body temperature, excessive sweating, flushed skin, high fever, restlessness, aggression, erratic behavior, and death from overdose.

D. Resources

HJI encourages individuals concerned about drug or alcohol abuse to seek support and assistance. Contact information for the following resources is provided:

Off Campus
Police (Emergency)                         911
Police (Non-Emergency)                311
Al-Anon (for relatives and friends of alcoholics)         (212) 941-0094
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Hotline                         1-800-522-5353
Alcoholics Anonymous                  (212) 647-1680
Alcoholism Council of New York (212) 252-7001
American Council on Alcoholism 1-800-527-5344
Cocaine Anonymous                      (212) 262-2463
Marijuana Anonymous                  (212) 459-4423
Nar-Anon (for relatives and friends of substance abusers)      1-800-477-6291
Narcotics Anonymous                   (212) 929-6262
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence            1-800-622-2255
Pills Anonymous                             (212) 874-0700
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1-800-662-4357

Responsible Executives: Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life, Director of Information Technology

Responsible Offices: Enrollment Management Unit, IT/Facilities Unit

Effective Date: 12/14/2011 Last Reviewed: 9/21/2023 Revised: 9/21/2023; 11/28/2012

POLICY STATEMENT

HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership (“HJI” or the “Institution”) is committed to fostering a safe and respectful workplace and educational environment for in- person and online communications. This Policy is designed to guide students, faculty, and staff in the acceptable use of social media, email, forums, computers, networks, and other information technology resources at HJI.

SCOPE

This Policy applies to the entire HJI community, including all students, faculty, employees, and staff.

POLICY

A. Social Media: Introduction

Social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, blogs), email and other electronic communication tools are quick, easy to use, and can have a significant impact on people and the Institution. Because they are quick and often instantaneous, you need to follow the same ethical standards and laws as you would in face-to-face communications.

Social Media: Do’s and Don’ts

• Think twice before posting

There is no privacy on social media sites. Everything that is being posted can be retrieved by others – even if you delete it immediately. Search engines can find posts years after they were originally posted, people can copy, forward, or otherwise redistribute your posts. If you don’t want something to be public – do not post it. If you are emotionally upset, wait until you have calmed down before posting.

• Be authentic

Be honest about who you are. If you are representing HJI in an official capacity, say so. If you post personal views or opinions, state that they do not reflect the views of HJI (e.g., “the post is my own and does not represent HJI’s position”). Never pretend to be someone else – even “anonymous” posts can be tracked back to the sender.

• Be accurate

Be factual in your postings, especially when representing HJI. Verify your facts, and check for grammar or spelling mistakes. If you make mistakes in content, acknowledge them and post your correction (or retraction). If you change a posting in a blog, say so. You do not want to be charged with changing evidence.

• Be respectful

You want to use the media sites to make your beliefs and opinions known, and this may lead to hot discussions. However, engage in them respectfully, without racial or ethnic slurs, personal insults, or obscenities. You are more likely to achieve your goals if you are constructive and respectful while discussing a bad experience or disagreeing with a concept or person.

• Maintain privacy and confidentiality

Do not post private or confidential information about HJI, its students, faculty, staff members, or alumni. This pertains to gossip as well as factual information, especially those that may be protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (see FERPA Policy). Please note that you may not post photos/pictures of individuals unless they have given permission to do so. HJI will seek written consent from students before their appearance in any media (see Media Consent Form).

• Respect copyright

When posting follow the same copyright rules as in writing a paper. When in doubt, direct questions to the Library Director (see Copyright Compliance Policy).

• Protect yourself

While you should be honest about yourself, do not provide personal information that can put you at risk.

• Follow the law

You are responsible for your posts, and may be open to charges of libel for content that seems obscene, fraudulent, or illegal. HJI reserves the right to delete postings on HJI maintained sites (website, blogs, forum, bulletin boards) that are considered insensitive, harassing, or illegal.

Language that is illegal, obscene, defamatory, threatening, infringing of intellectual property rights, invasive of privacy, profane, libelous, threatening, harassing abusive, hateful or embarrassing to any person or entity, or otherwise, is a violation of the Student Code.

Safety and Privacy Tips for Social Media Networking1

The internet is open to a world-wide audience. When using social media channels, ask yourself:

1. Did I set my privacy setting to help control who can look at my profile, personal information and photos? You can limit access somewhat but not completely, and you have no control over what someone else may
2. How much information do I want strangers to know about me? If I give them my cell phone number, address, email, class schedule, a list of possessions (such as my CD collection) how might they use it? With whom will they share it? Not everyone will respect your personal or physical
3. Is the image I’m projecting by my materials and photos the one I want my current and future friends to know me by? What does my profile say to potential faculty members/advisors? Future graduate school/internship interviewers? Potential employers? Neighbors? Family? Parents? Which doors am I opening and which am I closing?
4. What if I change my mind about what I post? For instance, what if I want to remove something I posted as a joke or to make a point? Have I read the social networking site’s privacy and caching statements? Removing material from network caches can be diffic Posted material can remain accessible on the internet until you’ve completed the prescribed process for removing information from the caching technology of one or multiple (potentially unknown) search engines.
5. Have I asked permission to post someone else’s image or information? Am I infringing on their privacy? Could I be hurting someone? Could I be subject to libel suits? Am I violating network use policy or FERPA privacy rules?
6. Does my equipment have spyware and virus protections installed? Some sites collect profile information to SPAM you. Others contain links that can infect your equipment with viruses that potentially can destroy data and infect others with whom you Remember to back up your work on an external source in case of destructive attacks.

B.     Technology Resources: Introduction

HJI provides students, faculty, and staff with technology resources to support the educational mission of the Institution. These resources include, but are not limited to computers, computer networks, software, and other hardware. Users are expected to use them responsibly and with consideration for the rights and needs of others.

General/Users Rights and Responsibilities/Use of Hardware or Software

HJI faculty, students, and staff may use HJI owned hardware, software, and software licenses under the following conditions:

• Computer use in the Information Commons is restricted to HJI students, faculty, and A guest user must obtain permission from the Library Director;
• Users are expected to use electronic resources This means among others that users should not be dominating resources and thereby excluding others from being able to use the resources. Users should not share their username and passwords;
• Users have to take responsibility for their own personal data, including backing up files on thumb drives, and properly logging off on public computers;
• Users should be aware of malware (viruses, Trojan horses, ) and take precautionary steps to avoid infection of public computers;
• Only authorized personnel may install programs on Information Commons computers;
• Users may not change, copy, or delete software unless authorized to do so;
• Users must follow all applicable copyright laws;
• Users who have access to confidential data are being held accountable to protecting this data, especially in regards to FERPA (see FERPA Policy);
• Computer hardware may experience mechanical problems at any time resulting in the loss of data;
• Users must use computer and other equipment with They are responsible for any damage caused by misuse;
• HJI is not responsible for loss, destruction, or damage of personal files;
• HJI periodically deletes all files stored on Information Commons computers for security

Limitations of Use

The use of the resources is a privilege that can be revoked if the user is found to:

• share username and passwords;
• attempt to circumvent security measures;
• intentionally introduce viruses and other malicious programs;
• modify system or network facilities without proper authorization;
• interfere with the ability of others to use the network;
• interfere with the work of another user;
• use the Institution’s computing resources for malicious or harassing communication;
• obtain unauthorized access to records or data maintained by HJI;
• violate copyright and other federal or state laws;
• do other illegal activities on HJI’s resources (e.g., child pornography);
• physically damage technology

[1] Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2010 the Regents of the University of Michigan.

In compliance with Article 129-A of the New York State Education Law, HJI prohibits the advertising, marketing, or merchandising of credit cards on campus to students.