Sacred Heart University

With Five Colleges and Over Forty-Five Majors, Sacred Heart Has Something For Everyone

Sacred Heart University was founded nearly 50 years ago by members of the Catholic clergy, and the campus of this coeducational private university is situated on approximately 69 acres of suburban land. The undergraduate student body of 4,200 students is roughly 60 percent female and 40 percent male. There is a great population of college students in the area as a whole, as there are 6 other campuses nearby in the greater Connecticut area, including those in Stamford, Trumbull, and Griswold.

There are currently over 45 major areas of concentration for students to pursue at Sacred Heart, with several colleges within the system, including the College of Health Professions, NCATE Accredited Isabelle Farrington School of Education, AACSB Accredited John F. Welch College of Business, and the College of Arts & Sciences. It is the mission of the university to support every undergraduate student in a concerted effort to achieve academic and professional success. Therefore, the school holds a strong belief in providing intimate attention to everyone who attends.

Majors at Sacred Heart range from computer science, to foreign languages and cultures, to religious studies, and include many more. The most popular fields of study are business, education, human movement and sport science, communications and media studies, psychology, physical therapy, and nursing. Also, many professional programs are offered as well, such as pre-veterinary, pre-medical, and pre-law, among others. Sacred Heart University's physical therapy program is ranked number one in Connecticut, and in the top-5 in New England.

A Great Student-to-Faculty Member Ratio Ensures Rigorous Support for Learning

The university maintains a remarkable student-to-faculty member ratio of 13:1, one of the lowest in the country, and an average class size of 21 students. This enables significant and direct interaction, teaching, and support between faculty members and the students.

Additional learning support is found through a laptop computer, which every student has the opportunity to purchase through Sacred Heart. Laptops purchased in this way will be fully supported by the university. The entire campus grounds have been enabled with WiFi to allow all students and other computer users to remain wirelessly and actively connected to the university computer networks and the Internet.

There are several notable alumni who have attended and graduated from Sacred Heart, including long-time regular "Saturday Night Live" cast member Kevin Nealon, the double primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor John Ratzenberger from the hit TV series "Cheers," and NFL player Jon Corto.

Work-Study Programs and Financial Aid Enable Many Students to Reduce their Tuition Fees

SHU offers a traditional work-study program for those students who need to earn extra income on campus while they study. This financial aid is provided by the federal government, similar to other forms of aid. There are several internship opportunities for undergraduate students who attend Sacred Heart, ranging from working with the Boston Red Sox to captive wildlife study at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium. Many of these enable students to earn full course credit while studying and participating on professional levels in their chosen fields.

Applying Online to Sacred Heart Can Save Time

Students can apply directly to Sacred Heart University online through the common application. By creating an online account, prospective students are able to fill out their entire applications and provide supplemental information, such as long form essay files, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and other pertinent information. Financial aid applications are to be filled out separately online through the financial aid department.

There Are Sports for Everyone at Sacred Heart University

There are 31 Division-I sports, 28 club sports, and intramurals based on campus. Over a thousand students participate in one of these sports programs throughout the year.

There is an Endless Variety of Things to Do Near Sacred Heart's Campus in Neighboring Stamford and Metropolitan NYC

Sacred Heart University is located in the suburban town of Fairfield along Connecticut's northeast coast. Fairfield has been hailed by Money Magazine as one of the finest places to live in the United States, and it has one of the lowest crime rates and highest per capita incomes in the country.

With a rich history dating back over 350 years, Fairfield has seen a tremendous amount of growth and history. There are many things to do for enrolled students and their guests, both off campus and in neighboring towns. Down the road is an excellent exhibition on Native American baseball players at the Stamford Museum. In Bridgeport, a hands-on exhibition about modern technology called the "Robot Carnival features almost a dozen interactive stations for visitors. In addition, there is a sculptural exhibition entitled "life, Celebrating Renewal in Changing Times" running in New Fairfield.

There seem to be more restaurants in the New England area than just about any place in the US. Students can enjoy waterfront views and excellent seafood at Splash, eat well while having fun at the Melting Pot fondue restaurant, or savor the multicultural dishes of Myrna's Authentic Mediterranean Bistro, amongst scores of others.

Of course, metropolitan New York City is only fifty miles south of campus, where the best shows on Broadway can be seen, the pulse of the nightlife can be felt from the Lower East Side to the Lincoln Center, and every flavor known to man can be found.

• Area and ethnic studies
• European Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Irish Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Women's Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/Managerial Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fashion Merchandising
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business, Management, and Marketing Related
  Associate Degree offered for this major. Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication technologies
• Communications Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Mass Communication/Media
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Information Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Secondary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• French
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Athletic Training
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Dentistry Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Medical Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Veterinary Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Occupational Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• International/Global Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences and Humanities Related
  Associate Degree offered for this major. Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Sport And Fitness Administration/Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Religious Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Political Science and Government Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Fashion/Apparel Design
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Graphic Design
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and Performing Arts Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied8,221
• Accepted6,272
• Acceptance Rate76%
• Enrolled4,092
• Female Applicants5,156
• Females Accepted3,977
• Female Acceptance Rate77%
• Male Applicants3,065
• Males Accepted2,295
• Male Acceptance Rate74%
• Applying
• Application Fee$70
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  
• Required for Some Interview
  interview required for Early Decision candidates
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.30
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan December 15th December 15th --
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Not Reported
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 537 500 580
• SAT Math 555 510 600
• SAT Writing 541 500 590
• ACT Composite 22 26
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$33,780
• Out-of-state tuition *$33,780
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$250.00
• Room and board *$13,230.00
• Room only *$9,380.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionMinority Students, Employees or children of employees, Adult students, Senior Citizens

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students4,092
• Male Student Percentage37%
• Female Student Percentage63%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino6.06%
• Black or African American4.4%
• White or Caucasian64.81%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.32%
• Asian1.81%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.1%
• Two or more races.15%
• Unknown21.33%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout1.03% representing 14 other countries
• Out-of-state Students59% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing , Female-only housing, Special housing for disabled, Male-only housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 51%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station Yes
• Marching band Yes
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities Yes
• Local sororities Yes
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Habitat for Humanity, Student Government, Performing Arts Program, Student Athletic Training Organization, Student Nurses Association
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Campus Emergency Plan, Personal Safety Escort Program, Security Alarm Systems, Crime Prevention Announcements, Security Surveys

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Bowling No No No
• Cheerleading No No No
• Crew No No No
• Cross-country running Yes Division 1 Yes
• Equestrian sports No No No
• Fencing No Division 1 No
• Field hockey No No No
• Football Yes Division B Yes
• Golf Yes Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics No No No
• Ice hockey Yes Division 1 Yes
• Lacrosse Yes Division 1 Yes
• Rugy Yes No No
• Sailing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 1 Yes
• Softball Yes No No
• Swimming No No No
• Tennis Yes Division 1 Yes
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes Division 1 No
• Weight Lifting No No No
• Wrestling No Division 1 Yes
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Bowling No Division 1 Yes
• Cheerleading No Division C No
• Crew No Division 1 No
• Cross-country running Yes Division 1 Yes
• Equestrian sports No Division 1 No
• Fencing No Division 1 No
• Field hockey Yes Division 1 Yes
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics Yes No No
• Ice hockey No Division 1 Yes
• Lacrosse Yes Division 1 Yes
• Rugy Yes No No
• Sailing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 1 Yes
• Softball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Swimming No Division 1 Yes
• Tennis Yes Division 1 Yes
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Weight Lifting Yes No No
• Wrestling No No No

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty634
• Full-time Percentage37%
• Part-time Percentage63%
• Female Percentage55%
• Male Percentage45%
• Student:Faculty Ratio13:1 or 4,635 students to 347 faculty