Sacred Heart University

Characterized by the personal attention it provides its students, Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, Connecticut is an independent, comprehensive liberal arts university in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. With more than 45 academic programs for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students in the arts, sciences, business, education, and health professions, Sacred Heart is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge technology, championship Division I athletic teams, and award-winning community service program. Fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), SHU is the second-largest Catholic university in New England and the first in America to be led and staffed by lay people. A vibrant residential University with 3,500 full-time undergraduates and more than 6,000 total undergraduate and graduate students, undergraduate academic programs are housed in five distinctive colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, AACSB-accredited John F. Welch College of Business, NCATE-accredited Isabelle Farrington College of Education, the College of Health Professions and University College. Sacred Heart is dedicated to the holistic development of its students through active, engaged learning that educates the whole person. Hands-on learning through research, internships, clinical placements, service learning and study abroad programs encourages students to apply their skills and knowledge outside the classroom, contributing to an exemplary 96% job and graduate school placement rate for graduating seniors. The University's campus location offers the best of both worlds: a safe, suburban campus located on 71 acres in beautiful Fairfield, Connecticut and a central location between the urban centers of New York City (55 miles) and Boston, MA (150 miles). With guaranteed housing for four years and over 93% of first-year students residing on campus, the atmosphere at SHU is an intimate residential campus with easily accessible academic and student life facilities. Among the largest Division I intercollegiate athletics programs in the country, the Pioneers compete in more than 30 varsity sports. Along with 24 intercollegiate club sports and an array of intramural offerings, SHU's rich student life program features performing arts groups (band, chorale, and theatre arts), media groups, spirit groups, national Greek letter organizations, community service organizations, ministry groups, leadership programs, student governance groups, multicultural organizations, and academic honor societies. Serving those in need is an integral part of the University mission, and SHU students, faculty, and staff contribute over 46,000 hours of volunteer service to the local, national, and international communities each year. Several special programs enhance the undergraduate learning experience. The unique Major in Success program offered through the Career Development and Placement Center provides individual and group career counseling to help students identify and match their talents, interests, and values with research on corresponding majors and careers. Undergraudate students in the John F. Welch College of Business participate in The Welch Experience, an integrated professional and academic program which includes experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad, career planning, advising and mentoring programs, and research opportunities. Thomas More Honors Program students enjoy a student-directed learning experience featuring experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond the customary classroom environment while earning an 18-credit minor in Honors. In addition, the University has international campuses in Luxembourg and Ireland which demonstrate a commitment to global education, and along with dozens of other University-approved sites, provide students with seamless opportunities to study abroad year-round and worldwide.