Chestnut Hill College

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From the College

Chestnut Hill College is a four-year, coeducational, Catholic liberal arts college. Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, it is situated on a 75-acre campus overlooking the Wissahickon Creek. Enrolling more than 2,000 students, Chestnut Hill College is a diverse community of learners. Working adults are enrolled in the accelerated evening and weekend undergraduate program (School of Continuing and Professional Studies). In addition to its undergraduate degrees, Chestnut Hill awards the M.Ed., M.A., and M.S. (School of Graduate Studies) in seven fields, including administration of human services, clinical and counseling psychology, education, holistic spirituality, holistic spirituality and health care, holistic spirituality and spiritual direction, and instructional technology. The College also awards a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (Psy.D.).

When it comes to student activities, students enthusiastically engage in the many clubs and organizations available and participate in everything from aerobics and horseback riding to golf and archery. The College is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in baseball (men), basketball (men and women), cross-country (men and women), golf (men and women), lacrosse (men and women), soccer (men and women), softball (women), tennis (men and women), and volleyball (women). A swimming pool, a gymnasium, a fitness room, and outdoor basketball and tennis courts provide excellent athletic facilities for Chestnut Hill’s students.

Chestnut Hill College is situated in a beautiful historical area at the northwestern edge of Philadelphia. The College is bounded by the wooded hills of Fairmount Park, yet it is only a 30-minute ride by train or car to downtown Philadelphia where students can enjoy a wide variety of dining, cultural, and sporting events. Among the many attractions are the museums that grace Philadelphia, from its landmark Art Museum to the Rodin Museum, the Living History Museum, the Franklin Institute, and numerous others. The city’s history is reflected throughout but is most prominent in the areas surrounding Independence Hall, Society Hill, and Penn’s Landing. In addition, more than seventy colleges, universities, and medical schools in the area offer opportunities for socialization and an extensive range of activities.

One mile beyond Chestnut Hill College on Germantown Avenue is the well-known area of Philadelphia also called Chestnut Hill. Reminiscent of a colonial village, this section of Philadelphia provides convenient opportunities for shopping, cultural experiences, and transportation to downtown Philadelphia. Chestnut Hill is a school in a suburban setting with all the advantages of a cosmopolitan experience–located where the northwest corner of the city meets the suburbs.

The Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music degrees are offered with majors in accounting; biochemistry; biology; business administration; chemistry; communications; computer and information science; computer and information technology; criminal justice; early childhood education (with an option of Montessori certification); early childhood and elementary education; elementary education; English literature; English literature and communications; environmental science; forensic sciences; French; history; human services; international business, language, and culture; marketing; mathematics; mathematical and computer science; molecular biology; music; music education; political science; psychology; secondary education certification in various disciplines; sociology (with a professional option in criminal justice); and Spanish.

Dual degrees (B.S./M.S.) are offered in education, human services, psychology, and technology.

The academic year consists of two 15-week semesters. There are also two 6-week summer sessions.

As a liberal arts college, Chestnut Hill offers courses of study that provide the student with a broad background in the fine arts and humanities, a knowledge of science, and a keen awareness of the social problems of the day, as well as intensive, in-depth study in a major field.

Chestnut Hill College confers a B.S., B.M., or B.A. degree to students who earn 120 semester hours of credit and satisfy specific requirements set by the faculty. Core seminars are interdisciplinary and provide opportunities for experiential learning. In addition, students must take 6 semester hours of religious studies, 6 hours beyond the elementary level in a classical or modern foreign language, and 3 hours in a writing course (unless exempted by the English department). Focused on six perspectives (historical, literary, artistic, scientific, behavior, and problem solving and analysis), the Ways of Knowing component of the core curriculum is designed to introduce students to different learning methodologies and strategies.

A student with the ability and proper motivation may be permitted to major in two departments. The student must consult with the chair of each department to determine the feasibility of the proposal and then submit it to the dean of the college for approval. It is understood that the student will satisfy the requirements of both departments.

Each year, selected first-year students and sophomores are invited into an interdepartmental honors program that challenges intellectual initiative and provides the opportunity for independent study and seminar discussion. The completion of the four honors courses and an honors paper satisfies all distributional requirements. Students may apply for admission at the beginning of their first year or sophomore year.

Sophomores of high scholastic standing are invited by their major departments to engage in a program of independent study during their junior and senior years. This opportunity for independent study and original research culminates in an honors thesis, which is a prerequisite for the conferring of honors at graduation.

Students have the advantages of two campuses and two curricula through an agreement with La Salle University, which allows students from either school to register for courses at the other institution for full credit without paying extra tuition. Public transportation is available between the two schools.

At Chestnut Hill College, a student may take advantage of the interim between semesters by coordinating travel and study. Students, with the assistance of one or more of their professors, can use their imagination and interests to develop an off-campus program. Should the program be more lengthy than the interim allows, students may schedule their travel and study for the summer. Past intersession programs have included studies of French culture in Paris, women in English literature in London, and marine biology in Florida.

Chestnut Hill College participates in a consortium arrangement with seven colleges throughout the nation, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph. As participants, students can study at any other member institution for a semester or a year, while maintaining status as full-time Chestnut Hill students.

An average of B or above and approval of the academic dean allow an upperclass student to pursue organized study in another country. The major department must approve the course of study. In recent years, Chestnut Hill College students have enrolled in institutions in London, Madrid, Rome, Salzburg, Vienna, and other European centers. Chestnut Hill College maintains agreements with Regent’s College London, the Sorbonne and the American Business School in Paris, the Centre d’Etudes Franco-Americain de Management in Lyons, and Seisen University in Japan for study abroad.

The growing interest of students in acquiring on-the-job experience while still in college has prompted the development of many departmental internship programs, which provide students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in their major while earning academic credit. Chestnut Hill has also established an office of experiential education, through which Chestnut Hill College students are assisted in finding jobs that correspond to their career interests and academic pursuits. Co-op students work and attend classes in alternate periods, earning academic credit for their practical experience.

Chestnut Hill College’s Logue Library houses a collection of approximately 139,585 volumes and 544 current periodicals, a rare book room that contains first editions and special editions, the Gruber Theater, the fine Curriculum Library for elementary education, and an Irish literature collection. Well-equipped science laboratories, a math center, a multimedia technology center, a writing enrichment center, individual practice rooms for music students, a spacious art studio, a planetarium, and an observatory are among the many other outstanding facilities on campus. Martino Hall, which opened in 2000 and was designed to maintain the architectural history of the College, provides room for a performance center, gymnasium, or convocation center. The second and third floors house “smart” classrooms. Fitzsimmons Hall opened its doors in fall 2006 offering resident students suite-style living accommodations.

General expenses for 2009–10 are tuition $27,000; and room and board between $8500 and $9500.

Financial aid is available in the form of academic scholarships, loans, work-study programs, federal grants, and Chestnut Hill College grants. Most of these are based on financial need and are awarded in financial aid packages that combine various forms of aid and are tailored to each student’s need. More than 75 percent of Chestnut Hill College students receive financial aid to meet College costs. All applicants for aid should file a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Merit-based scholarships and awards are granted for academic achievement.

Evidence of Chestnut Hill’s vitality can be seen in its faculty. While their primary interest is teaching, faculty members are also engaged in research, publication, travel, and other professional activities. More than 82 percent of the faculty members hold terminal degrees. The men and women who make up this group are deeply interested in both their subject and their students. Their qualifications include international degrees from Bangalore University (India), the University of London, and the University of Paris, and domestic degrees from Boston College, Bryn Mawr College, Catholic University of America, Columbia University, Creighton University, Duke University, Fordham University, Harvard University, Middlebury College, the New School for Social Research, New York University, Purdue University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and the Universities of Arizona, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Pennsylvania. Chestnut Hill College’s faculty-student ratio is 1:12.

A student at Chestnut Hill College has the opportunity to think independently and approach decisions creatively. Students, in conjunction with members of the faculty and administration, make judgments concerning all collegiate affairs. Several organizations provide structure for the decision-making process. Students join members of the faculty and administration on the Curriculum Committee and the College Council. The Academic, Social-Cultural, and Student Affairs Committees of the Student Organization identify, represent, and meet campus needs.

Chestnut Hill College welcomes students whose aptitudes and academic records show a desire to accept a challenge. Applications are judged by the Admissions Committee on the basis of intellectual ability, academic achievement (class rank and performance in high school, including completion of 16 academic units), and SAT or ACT results.

Students should submit a completed application, application fee, SAT or ACT scores, and a high school transcript. Letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and other supporting documentation are strongly encouraged. An interview is recommended and may be required. A student wishing to transfer to Chestnut Hill College is asked to submit a transcript from all colleges previously attended.

Applications are processed on a rolling admission system. To arrange an interview or to obtain more detailed information about the academic program, students should contact: