Philadelphia University

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From the College

Founded in 1884, Philadelphia University is a private institution of higher learning for students with high motivation and academic ability. Philadelphia University is professionally oriented and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the areas of architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, general sciences, health sciences, and textile engineering technology. The University’s enrollment of approximately 2,500 undergraduates represents a diverse and talented group of students from forty states and twenty-five countries. With an average class size of 18 and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive the personal attention so important to social and professional growth.

Through a unique blend of liberal and specialized education with an interdisciplinary focus, the University prepares students for today’s complex, global workplace. Recognized as a premier professional university, Philadelphia University has established a phenomenal record of career success for its graduates. The University is committed to a technologically advanced approach to career planning, and students have full access to the Career Services Center’s CareerLink, an Internet-based resume and job-listing management system that electronically stores resumes, job listings, and employer information. Nearly 2,000 job titles were posted in 2007. Students have access to job-search resources, including ReferenceUSA, a database of 1.5 million companies nationwide. Prospective employers gain access to students through the various career fairs and industry spotlights hosted by the center annually. The University’s innovative academic programs that meet emerging needs in the marketplace, extensive networking with prospective employers (connecting students with 150 employers on campus and 1,200 employers electronically last year), and extensive career and professional development opportunities for students all add up to a nearly 90 percent placement rate within just a few months of graduation.

Philadelphia University believes the college experience of every student should extend well beyond the classroom. The Student Life Programs at Philadelphia University build bridges between the classroom and out-of-class experiences to create a dynamic learning community for students. Sixteen varsity teams compose the intercollegiate athletics program. Men participate in baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, soccer, and tennis. Women’s teams include basketball, cross-country, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. An extensive intramural sports program is available to all students. Students are actively engaged in campus life, whether through one of the nationally ranked athletic teams, events sponsored by Student Government, a wide array of community service opportunities, an extensive intramural program, or participation in the more than thirty student clubs and organizations.

More than 1,200 students live on campus in residence halls, apartments, and townhouses. Professional and paraprofessional staff members live within each residential area to assist students with daily concerns and program activities to enhance residential living.

The University holds accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the American Chemical Society (ACS), Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Inc., as well as certification from the International College Reading and Learning Center Association.

The University’s sprawling, 100-acre campus is adjacent to Fairmount Park, the largest urban park system in the country. Students enjoy the best of both worlds–a beautiful campus with tree-lined walkways, spacious lawns, and classical architecture, and easy access to Philadelphia (just minutes away) for entertainment, cultural events, great night spots, and more than 300 years of American history.

Philadelphia also serves as a “living lab” where students frequently interact with area professionals for class projects, internships, and off-campus jobs.

Philadelphia University offers the Bachelor of Science in more than thirty areas, including accounting, architectural engineering, architectural studies, architecture, biochemistry, biology, biopsychology, chemistry, digital animation, digital design, engineering (with minor tracks in architectural, environmental, industrial, mechanical, and textile), environmental and conservation biology, environmental sustainability, fashion design, fashion industry management, fashion merchandising, finance, financial information systems, graphic design communication, health sciences, industrial and systems engineering, industrial design, interior design, international business, landscape architecture, law and society, management, management information systems, marketing, mechanical engineering, physician assistant studies, premedical studies, professional communication, psychology, public health, science and business, textile design, and textile engineering technology.

The University also offers several five-year B.S./M.B.A. joint-degree programs and a five-year B.S./M.S. physician assistant studies program. The five-year architecture program leads to a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), and the five-year landscape architecture program leads to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.). For students wishing to keep their choices open, an undeclared option offers an introduction to college courses in preparation for entering a specific major in the sophomore year.

Philadelphia University’s commitment to quality professional education is realized in curricula that combine a solid foundation in liberal studies with career preparation. These curricula are designed to enhance students’ ability and desire to learn; to ensure them an understanding of the ideas, traditions, and values of their own and other cultures; and to prepare them to apply the concepts and techniques of both general and specialized learning to their lives as citizens with productive careers. Degree requirements include successful completion of 121 to 138 credits (depending upon the major chosen), successful completion of both major and general education programs, and the satisfactory completion of at least 60 credits in residence at the University. All students have the option to participate in the University’s Internship Program, through which they earn both academic credit and a salary.

As a rule, the University grants credit to students who obtain satisfactory grades in subject examinations developed by the Advanced Placement Program, the College-Level Examination Program, and the Proficiency Examination Program. Students may, by invitation, participate in the honors program, which offers a number of courses expressly for honors students.

The University’s academic calendar consists of two semesters and two summer sessions.

Internships are available, and the University’s Internship Office has affiliations with a wide variety of organizations, such as L. L. Bean, Isdaner & Company, the Hillier Group, Citizens Bank, Burlington Industries, J. Crew, and Federated Department Stores.

Study abroad at Philadelphia University prepares students for successful participation and competition in an increasingly interdependent world and to perform with distinction in the international and multicultural contexts that are increasingly shaping professional life. Students at Philadelphia University may study abroad and receive credit for courses that apply directly to their challenging, professions-oriented curricula. Opportunities are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters. The University has its own programs in Rome and Milan, Italy, and affiliations with more than twenty-five programs all over the world and in most majors.

In fall 2006, the University opened the Kanbar Campus Center, a 72,000-square-foot building with an open design, featuring walls of windows to optimize the spectacular natural setting. In addition, the University opened The Gallagher Athletic, Recreation, and Convocation Center.

The Tuttleman Center at Philadelphia University, a 31,500-square-foot academic building, provides students and faculty members with access to the most sophisticated technologies for teaching and learning.

Many major labs and studios enable students to gain practical experience in engineering, design, textiles, apparel manufacturing, foreign languages, the sciences, computer technologies, and physician assistant studies. The University’s Paul J. Gutman Library is a state-of-the-art information center. Through the contemporary information system, students can search the library’s collections, as well as major indexes and full-text journals, from on or off campus. An international computer network links Philadelphia University to the resources of more than 14,000 libraries worldwide. With more than 400 study spaces and nine group study rooms, the library provides an ideal environment for reading and research. The Architecture and Design Center houses studio space, a photo lab, and computer-aided design labs. The Design Center at Philadelphia University houses an extensive collection of textile artifacts and hosts changing exhibits in its galleries.

General-purpose and departmental computing labs are updated using a multiyear migration strategy as changes in technology dictate. The labs are currently equipped with Pentium PCs and Macintoshes running at speeds from 1.0 to 1.8 MHz. The University operates a switched, 100-megabit network with building-to-building gigabit (1000-megabit) connections in high-traffic areas. The network provides students with access to the Internet, e-mail service, network storage (300 MB per student), digital library resources, online databases, and the Blackboard course management system.

The University’s 2008–09 cost for regular tuition was $26,630. Room was $4408 and board was $4506.

In 2008–09, Philadelphia University’s total financial aid program amounted to more than $65 million; about $22.8 million came from the University itself and the remainder came from federal, state, and private sources. While 96 percent of the University’s full-time day students receive direct institutional scholarship assistance, 97 percent receive some form of aid each year (e.g., other scholarships, loans, and job opportunities). Candidates for aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 15. The University offers a wide range of institutional scholarships and grants to incoming students each year. Award amounts vary according to the quality of each student’s academic record. The University’s scholarship program is available to all prospective students (freshmen and transfer students). Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to call the admissions or financial aid offices for further information.

Primarily a teaching institution, the University encourages close connections between the faculty and students. Classes intentionally are kept small, and faculty members make a practice of being available to students outside the classroom. Often, students can partner with faculty members to pursue joint research interests and gain career experience. The University’s faculty is composed of a diverse group of professionals who not only hold strong academic credentials but also frequently possess impressive work experience. They are often sought out as consultants in their fields.

The Student Government Association (SGA) is an independent, self-governing student group. In addition to the basic responsibility of protecting students’ rights, SGA recommends students to University-wide committees, addresses student grievances, and sponsors campuswide events. The Campus Activities Board is the major programming organization on campus. Its primary responsibility is to provide a wide variety of cultural, scholastic, social, educational, and recreational programs.

The University evaluates applicants on the basis of their high school record (including GPA and quality of courses taken), scores on either the SAT or the ACT, and extracurricular activities. Normally, 15 units of secondary school preparation are required for admission. Three units of mathematics (including algebra II and geometry) are required for admission. Students who wish to enter a science curriculum are strongly encouraged to take 4 units of mathematics and 4 units of science. The University actively recruits qualified transfer students, who represent approximately one fifth of the incoming class each fall. The University also has a large international student population. These students must score at least 170 (computer-based) on the TOEFL in order to be considered for admission.

The University maintains a rolling admission plan. Applications are reviewed and decisions are made soon after an application, academic credentials, and standardized test scores are received. Students are encouraged to submit applications early in the senior year; applications received after March 1 are considered on a space-available basis. All applicants are encouraged to come to the campus for an interview with a member of the professional admission staff.