Overview
DeSales University Is a Private School Offering a Solid Liberal Arts Education Based in Christian Humanism
From two buildings in 1964, to a campus of more than twenty buildings, including the 500-seat University Center and the new three-story Fr. Bernard F. Donahue, OSFS, Residence Hall, DeSales University's growth has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite this growth, DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, maintains a small, private, intimate environment, providing a liberal arts education that emphasizes the spirit of Christian humanism as taught by the university's patron saint, Francis de Sales.
Students who come to Center Valley to attend DeSales receive a well-rounded education as they are enriched by the university's culture and community. There are currently 2,427 students enrolled at DeSales University, including traditional students, graduate students, and ACCESS (evening) students. The ACCESS program, which began in 1976, was the first of its kind in the area and offers accelerated undergraduate programs to working adults.
DeSales University sits on a sprawling 450-acre campus in northeastern Pennsylvania. Located 15 minutes south of Bethlehem and Allentown, Pennsylvania, the university is only one hour from Philadelphia. New York City is less than two hours away, and the drive to Baltimore is three hours.
In Addition to More Than Thirty Majors, DeSales Offers Honors, Study Abroad, and Internships
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees can be earned at DeSales University. Nine academic departments (Business, Education, Humanities, Mathematics/Computer Science, Natural Science, Nursing and Health, Performing and Fine Arts, Philosophy and Theology, and Social Sciences) support the university's broad-based liberal arts program and offer career-focused specialization. Undergraduate degrees may be obtained by pursuing one of more than thirty academic majors, or students can design their own major. DeSales also offers opportunities for study abroad and honors-level work. Six master's degree programs are available for students interested in graduate work.
DeSales offers internship opportunities to students who seek a learning experience that integrates their formal academic preparation with hands-on experience for academic credit. Internships allow students to expand their understanding of the work world while improving critical skills such as communicating effectively, taking initiative, and accepting responsibility. Ninety-five percent of DeSales University students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
DeSales faculty members are involved in every aspect of campus life - from club advisers to student/staff basketball games. Seventy-four percent of the faculty members have a doctorate or the highest degree in their field, and the faculty includes published authors, prolific researchers, and accomplished business leaders from all walks of life.
Grants, Scholarships, Work-Study, and Loans Make Financial Aid Available at DeSales University
Nine out of 10 DeSales students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. About 85 percent receive grants directly from the university, and funds are also available from federal and state programs for those who qualify. DeSales also offers a variety of financial aid that ranges from the highly competitive full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to departmental scholarships and Catholic Schools grants.
Character U Helps Build Family, Community, and Service into Campus Life, Student Organizations, and Athletics at DeSales
DeSales University exudes a sense of family and community. From the day first-year students step onto its Center Valley campus, they are immersed in campus life through Character U, the first-year experience program. Character U is designed to make the transition from high school a little smoother while giving students opportunities to get to know their peers and develop their character through diverse programs, campus events, and keynote speakers.
Getting to know others at DeSales is incredibly easy. The university overflows with opportunities for involvement, including campus ministry, community service, intramurals, recreation, residence life, and student activities. There are more than thirty clubs and organizations, as well as tremendous opportunities for community involvement through the Center for Service and Social Justice, which fosters a vibrant commitment to community service through social justice activities.
Athletics at DeSales University embraces the concept of the student-athlete and recognizes participation as an integral part of the educational experience. The DeSales philosophy carries over to athletics, which emphasizes academic excellence, individual attention, a community experience, and mutual concern. The goal is to enable students to become fully human in a Christian way.
Students can compete on one of sixteen intercollegiate varsity sports teams. All the university's varsity teams are members of the NCAA Division III, the Middle Atlantic States Conferences, Freedom Conference, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Men's sports include basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track. Women's varsity teams compete in basketball, cross country, field hockey, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball.
