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“The University is poised for greatness and I want to become part of the next phase of its transformation and growth.” – Jack Welch

Fairfield, CT

http://www.sacredheart.edu/ - enroll@sacredheart.edu

INTRODUCTION:

Immersion. Innovation. Integrity. Distinguished by the personal attention it provides its students, Sacred Heart University is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge technology, championship Division I athletic teams, and nationally-recognized community service program. Situated on 65 picturesque acres in Fairfield, Connecticut, the main campus is ideally located one hour north of New York City and two and a half hours south of Boston, with international campuses in Ireland and Luxembourg. With 3,500 full-time undergraduate students and 6,000 total undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in over 40 academic programs, this dynamic, lay-led university is an innovative presence within Catholic higher education.

4 DISTINCTIONS

ENGAGED STUDENTS

Characterized by its mission and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Sacred Heart University is dedicated to the holistic development of its students through active, engaged learning that educates the whole person – mind, body and spirit…

Hands-on education through research, internships, clinical placements, independent study, service learning, work-study, and study abroad programs enables students to apply their skills and knowledge outside the classroom. Evidence of this commitment to experiential learning lies in the newly redesigned undergraduate Core Curriculum, The Human Journey, which exemplifies distinctiveness in its co-curricular activities including collaborative, team-taught classes, capstone experiences, and cultural learning opportunities beyond the customary classroom environment.

The University’s dedication to civic responsibility and service to those in need creates an ideal atmosphere for a dynamic service learning program. SHU students coordinate service learning experiences with members of the faculty to receive academic credits for community service-optioned courses. In 2008-09, Sacred Heart University students contributed over 35,000 hours of community service to the local community in addition to service trips to El Salvador, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Mississippi, many of which were credit-bearing experiences.

All undergraduates are encouraged to participate in internships, which are facilitated through the Career Development Center. Career counselors personally connect students to employers through on-campus employer programs as well as SHU’s new “Pioneer Link” interactive career services system which contains thousands of internship and full-time employment opportunities. These internships contribute to the University’s remarkable 96% placement rate for seniors (five-year average).

GREAT TEACHING

With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of fewer than 20 students, Sacred Heart University fully embodies its motto, “Where Personal Attention Leads to Personal Achievement” inside the classroom…

While research is of importance to the widely published faculty at SHU, the University’s highly accessible, student-focused professors are committed to their primary objective and passion – teaching – allowing students across disciplines to benefit from forming close relationships with faculty. The student-faculty connection begins immediately at SHU, as each first-year student is assigned a faculty member as his/her academic advisor for course selection and registration. The relationship between student and advisor is a seamless one, as the student’s academic advisor also serves as his/her professor in a select Core Curriculum course which meets weekly.

Sacred Heart University’s consistently evolving curriculum features the aforementioned new undergraduate Core Curriculum developed by the faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences featuring an academically rigorous, multidisciplinary centerpiece known as The Common Core: The Human Journey. The innovative qualities of this new Core resulted in the University’s invitation to become a member of the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) Core Commitments Leadership Consortium. Comprised of just 23 institutions nationally, the Consortium provides leadership in making personal and social responsibility a central part of a high-quality undergraduate education for all students.

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

SHU’s academic and experiential learning opportunities are complemented by a rich student life program offering over 80 student organizations including performing arts programs, media groups, national Greek organizations, intramural and club sports, service organizations, leadership programs, and academic honor societies…

SHU’s beautiful, suburban campus houses a vibrant residential life community, two state-of-the-art fitness centers, cafés, eateries, and lounges for study and relaxation. Cultural events abound on campus, including live entertainment and poetry nights featured weekly at the Holy Grounds Café, the Student Affairs Lecture Series which brings renowned guest speakers to campus, and professional-quality theatrical, musical, and dance performances at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Drawing on the rich resources of New England and New York City (just 55 miles south of SHU), students are immersed in enriching activities including group events in NYC such as Broadway shows, and annual trips to historical Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

In addition to its aforementioned award-winning community service program, SHU’s robust school spirit is characterized by the University’s successful Division I intercollegiate athletics program with 31 varsity sports and more than 800 student-athletes. In 2008-09, Sacred Heart University had the most successful competitive season of any school in the history of the Northeast Conference (NEC), winning five league championships and taking the men’s, women’s, and overall “NEC Commissioner’s Cup” titles. In addition to varsity athletics, nearly 500 students participate on more than 20 club sport teams, competing against the junior varsity and club teams of colleges and universities across the region.

SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES

With a 96% average job placement rate, Sacred Heart University graduates are highly successful in their respective professional fields, and are quick to be hired by Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, school systems, non-profit agencies, and small and large businesses alike…

Most SHU graduates ultimately receive advanced degrees, with roughly 40% of each graduating class continuing directly on for Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, Law, and Doctoral degrees upon graduation. Pre-professional programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Optometry, Pharmacy, Osteopathy, Physician’s Assistant, and Veterinary Science prepare students for the rigorous application process to these respective graduate programs. In addition, all students interested in pursuing graduate studies receive advisement from their academic departments and the Career Development Center.

To ensure students are on the path to success, the University offers students the opportunity to participate in its innovative “Major in Success” program run by the Career Development Center. Known as “MIS,” the program is designed to assist students in making the right choices about majors and careers by increasing students’ understanding of how their unique talents, interests, values and skills match with a variety of careers and corresponding academic programs. This highly effective, structured program is open to all undergraduates, particularly catering to the needs of first- and second-year students. MIS is implemented over the course of several weeks through individual and group career counseling, which also includes the use of popular career and personality assessment inventories.

FAST FACTS

A vibrant academic and residential community in Fairfield, Connecticut, Sacred Heart University is the second-largest Catholic university in New England and the first in America to be led and staffed by lay people. An independent University in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Sacred Heart is home to 6,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education & Health Professions, and AACSB-accredited Welch College of Business.

Website: http://www.sacredheart.edu

Location: Fairfield, Connecticut (main), Stamford, Trumbull, and Griswold, CT (satellite). International campuses in Ireland and Luxembourg.

Founded: 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT

Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Institutional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Student Body: 3,500 full-time undergraduate students; 6,000 total undergraduate and graduate students. 60% female students, 68% out of state, 15% minority students, 33 states and 42 countries represented.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Average Undergraduate Class Size: < 20

Academics: Over 40 majors, minors, concentrations, certificates, and pre-professional advisement programs. For a complete list, visit http://www.sacredheart.edu/academics.cfm.

5 most popular undergraduate programs: Business, Education, Human Movement & Sports Science, Psychology, Media Studies & Digital Culture

Job Placement Rate: 96% (five-year average).

Athletics: Over 1200 student-athletes participate in 31 NCAA Division I sports and 22 intercollegiate club sports.

Campus Life: Academic groups, honor societies, national Greek organizations, media groups, performing arts groups, multicultural groups, recreational clubs, intramurals, service organizations, student governance.

Residential Life: Guaranteed housing (four years). 95% of first-year students live on campus.

Recent Public Endorsements:

 U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Universities” Tier I, Master’s North

 The Princeton Review’s “Best 371 Colleges: 2010 and Best 301 Business Schools: 2010;” AAC&U Core Commitments Leadership Consortium

 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll; Center for Student Opportunity’s College Bound Coalition.

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

Admissions Process/Requirements: Students applying to Sacred Heart University benefit from a comprehensive, holistic admissions process which takes into account students’ overall profiles including academic achievements, strength of college preparatory curricula, leadership and community service experience, character, and extraordinary talents. Sacred Heart University is a test-optional institution, and no longer requires the SAT/ACT as part of the student’s application. A student may elect to submit SAT/ACT scores the student believes it will strengthen his/her application and is reflective of the student’s potential as a first-year college student. Completion of the Common Application, high school transcript, and letter of recommendation are required, as well as a $50 application fee. An interview is strongly recommended for all candidates, and is required for Early Decision applicants. Admissions decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis within a rolling admissions process, with the exception of the Early Decision program, which has a deadline of December 1. Early Decision students will be notified of an admissions decision by December 15. The priority deadline for students applying within the rolling admissions process is January 15.

SHU Student Profile: Over 900 students comprise the Sacred Heart University Class of 2013, which achieved an average high school GPA of 3.3 and top 30% high school class rank. 104 members of the Class of 2013 achieved a perfect 4.0 high school grade point average. 61 members of the Class are in the University’s Thomas More Honors Program, and 30% are Division I student-athletes participating on one or more of the University’s 31 varsity sports teams.

Tuition and Fees: 2009-10 undergraduate tuition and fees: $30,298. Room and board: $11,684.

Financial Assistance: Completion of the CSS Profile and FAFSA required. Need-based and merit aid as well as academic scholarships and loans are available through federal, state, University, and private sources. Student employment is available on- and off-campus through federal and institutional work-study program and internships. 40% of full-time undergraduates participate in work-study. 97% of students receive financial assistance.

CONTACT

Sacred Heart University

5151 Park Avenue

Fairfield, CT 06825-1000

(203) 371-7880

enroll@sacredheart.edu