Overview
John Carroll University Builds Its Reputation for Excellence and Service to Others in the Jesuit Catholic Tradition
John Carroll University (JCU) is a private, coeducational, Jesuit Catholic university located in University Heights, Ohio. The university grants undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, and business and offers more than a dozen graduate degree programs and certificates of advanced study. JCU was founded by the Society of Jesus in the Jesuit educational tradition. The Jesuits have more than four centuries of educational experience, and John Carroll University benefits from its commitment to the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole student. Synthesizing and integrating knowledge and engaging in dialog are important aspects of this tradition that helps students to become responsible, ethical, contributing members of society. JCU welcomes students of all religious backgrounds and encourages tolerance and understanding in all areas of life.
Service to others is a defining element of the campus culture at John Carroll. Students have many opportunities to be "men and women for others" through service-learning placements, volunteer projects, and spring-break immersion experiences in the United States and abroad.
Culture, Recreation, and Fun Activities are Easy to Find in the Cleveland Metro Area
The John Carroll campus is located on 60 beautifully landscaped acres with twenty-six Gothic-style buildings. The campus features a wide range of facilities and amenities, including wireless Internet access, a campus fitness center, and a swimming pool. University Heights, Ohio, is a residential suburb located 10 miles east of downtown Cleveland.
This is a dynamic region on the shores of Lake Erie, and JCU students are within easy reach of all the amenities of the Cleveland metropolitan area. Cleveland is a center of art and culture - especially the nearby University Circle neighborhood with its museums, concert halls, restaurants, and nightspots - and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square theater district, and professional sports teams, to name a few attractions. Additionally, Cleveland has the largest city park system in the United States, providing many opportunities for outdoor exploration and recreation.
JCU Students Complete Degree Programs at One of the Highest-Ranked Midwestern Schools That Grants Master's Degrees
There is a wide range of programs of study available to John Carroll University students. The school offers degree programs in over forty fields of study, including majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and the John M. and Mary Jo Boler School of Business. The university is expanding its undergraduate programs to meet new interests of undergraduate students. This includes the new Dolan Center for Science and Technology, which is home to several departments in the natural sciences.
In 2009, the university renamed its Department of Communication and Theatre Arts in memory of alumnus Tim Russert and also established the Tim Russert Endowed Scholarship and a "Meet the Press" Fellowship with partner NBC.
In terms of academics, JCU has consistently received high rankings from independent college profiling organizations. In 2009, JCU was named the seventh-best among master's-granting colleges and universities in the Midwest, and the university's four-year graduation rates exceed U.S. and Ohio averages.
Through the Ohio Access Initiative, Education at JCU is Attainable For Every Family
One of John Carroll's points of distinction is its unique financial aid program called the Ohio Access Initiative. The program allows academically qualified students who are residents of Ohio and whose families have a combined annual income of $40,000 or less to attend JCU tuition-free. Ninety-one percent of the students who benefit from this program, return to JCU after the first year, indicating that John Carroll is meeting its goal of helping educate Ohio residents. In addition to the Ohio Access Initiative, the university annually grants nearly $30 million in financial aid awards, including grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment. This commitment to affordability is one indication of JCU's commitment to its students.
NCAA Division III Athletics and Many Other Athletic Options Make Life at JCU an Active Life
The athletic program at John Carroll University is another point of distinction that sets the school apart from many other institutions in the region. JCU's varsity sports teams compete at the NCAA Division III intercollegiate level. The school's teams have won over sixty-five league titles, and more than 40 varsity athletes have been named All-Americans in their respective sports. In addition to the twenty-one varsity sports teams at JCU, students have access to a number of intramural sports, club sports, and other fitness and recreational activities, including private swim lessons and a personal training program.
A Distinguished Faculty is Available to Engage One-on-One with John Carroll Students
In the classroom, John Carroll students are taught by a faculty of distinguished individuals. The university's 210 full-time and 175 part-time faculty members are experienced experts in their respective fields, with 91 percent holding terminal degrees in their fields. There are nine Fulbright Fellows on the faculty, and professors are noted for their research achievements and publications; 190 faculty members have published books or articles or received research grants within the last two years. Because JCU has a low student-faculty ratio of 15:1, all students are assured access to faculty members and the ability to get to know their professors both in and out of the classroom.
