DeSales University
Center Valley, Pennsylvania
DeSales University believes that big results come from small actions. Rooted in the Catholic Salesian mission and liberal arts tradition, its inspiring learning community just north of Philadelphia expands the minds, the talents, and the hearts of curious students to construct new ideas and lead lives of impact.
DeSales energizes transformative learning through the liberal arts and professional studies as it introduces students to various ways of thinking and communicating, discipline-specific knowledge, and critical inquiry in fields complementing and reinforcing study in their selected majors.
Every moment on campus strengthens the transferable skills relative to all disciplines while cultivating habits for lifelong learning. Students gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Salesian mission and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students grow into their communities with appropriate confidence and fortitude, enabled and empowered to interact effectively with the world around them.
Get to know DeSales University
College Highlights
A STRONG START
Character U, DeSales University’s first-year experience, facilitates the “adjustment, development, and success of first-year students through the acquisition of Salesian character traits: gentleness, humility, patience, and love of knowledge.”
Beginning in the summer before their first semester, each first-year student is assigned an upperclassman mentor who will support them on Opening Day. These mentors meet with students on a weekly basis to check in and build a strong community of support.
All first-year students join their mentors in a service project so that they may understand the importance of community engagement at DeSales. After their first semester at DeSales University, the first-year students can apply to become mentors for the new incoming class, allowing them to impart their knowledge and wisdom on the new students and keep the program fresh and exciting, year after year.
EVENTS YEAR-ROUND
Through the year, Character U immerses first-year students in the campus community with various social, cultural, wellness, physical, civic, and academic events as well as riveting monthly keynotes.
Each monthly keynote of Character U is designated from the Golden Counsels of St. Francis de Sales. The keynote speakers address the first-year students to examine the way that each topic has impacted their lives. These keynote speakers are nationally recognized and will resonate deeply with freshmen through inspiring talks.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 139 | 10-19: 163 | 20-29: 152
30-39: 70 | 40-49: 21 | 50-99: 10 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 0%
Hispanic/Latinx: 12%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 5%
White, non-Hispanic: 72%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 4%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 3%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 4%
GENERAL EDUCATION
DeSales University provides students with a general education rooted in the Catholic Salesian mission and liberal arts tradition. As a learning community that expands the minds, the talents, and the hearts of curious students, Desales inspires all to construct new ideas and lead lives of impact. Every general education course works to energize transformative learning through the liberal arts and professional studies.
A key feature of the DeSales University general education learning experience is an introduction to various ways of thinking and communicating, discipline-specific knowledge, and critical inquiry in fields that complement and reinforce each major. Then, in capstone experiences, students draw together knowledge, skills, and habits to address complex problems applying while interdisciplinary perspectives.
At DeSales University, students build transferable skills relative to all disciplines while cultivating habits for lifelong learning. They are enabled to grow into their communities with fortitude so that they may engage effectively with the world around them.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
DeSales prepares students to communicate effectively through a variety of modes and media. This is a critical skill needed to advance dignity and serve the common good as an engaged professional and citizen. Writing skills are first addressed in two Composition and Rhetoric courses to lay a sturdy foundation in effective composition and argumentation. and rhetoric that will be developed further in the general education curriculum and within individual majors.
From there, curricular objectives in each major include the continuing development of communication skills relative to a particular field or discipline. No matter their area of focus, students enhance their ability to communicate and listen effectively in a range of contexts, to critically evaluate orally presented information and arguments, and to consider specific techniques for using language as a communication tool.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Exchange student program (domestic)
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Weekend college
Certificate programs in select academic areas
Advanced degrees in selected academic areas
SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Through the Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ), students serve the local, national, and international communities through a number of projects. It’s through these experiences that the mission of DeSales and the philosophy of Christian humanism are combined.
CSSJ offers short-term, global service experiences for students led by a Student Affairs professional and faculty members. Students can work with Feed the Children in Central America, volunteer with the Diocese of Keimoes in South Africa, or serve within the Missionaries of Charity in India.
Students also have the opportunity to engage in fall, winter, and spring break service experiences through such diverse trips as Habitat for Humanity, rural experiences in Appalachia, environmental service with the American Hiking Society, urban education at Nativity Prep Middle School, poverty/homelessness education with the National Coalition for the Homeless.
SERVICE-LEARNING
Meaningful service takes place within majors, too! For example, the Business department’s senior capstone may include the planning of the Fall 5k, which hosts over 500 runners, or the involvement in the 50-person committee in the Special Olympics Eastern Fall Sectionals PA, which hosts 700+ athletes in seven sports.
DSU students can also mentor grade school students within the Allentown School District (ASD), helping them in reading, writing, math skills, and positive behaviors. Education majors may take part as work-study experience or internship.
Students can also intern through the DeSales Attendance Ambassador program, providing support to ASD students and families as they help them improve their school attendance.
ATHLETICS
DeSales University’s 19 sports teams compete in the NCAA Division III, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), the Freedom Conference, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Men’s: Baseball, Field Hockey, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Women’s: Softball, Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, Volleyball
Intramural sports teams are also available.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 74%
Undergraduates: 46%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms (separated wings)
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Special housing for students with disabilities
Theme housing
DESALES CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The Career Development Center services all students and alumni with a dedicated staff who are committed to the ongoing success of the DeSales community. The professional staff are also aided by student career ambassadors who mentor their peers on topics from résumé and cover letter writing to preparing for an interview.
Specific opportunities to help bridge the gap between students’ academic and professional careers include:
- An accredited internship program open to all students and majors. The Career Development Center is the go-to resource for managing, searching for, and securing internships.
- An externship (job shadow) program through which current students connect with DeSales alumni for job shadowing and informational interview opportunities. This DSU Mentor program creates a solid link among the entire DeSales community, helping everyone build their network and explore the professional world.
- One-on-one career coaching on all career-related topics, from deciding on a major and applying to grad school to the job search and interview preparation.
- A wealth of print and online resources. A comprehensive Career Planning Guide is revised annually to give students a set of accurate and valuable career information. Just a few examples of the print and online resources available cover sample résumés, how to use social media in a job search, and networking tips. In addition to the resources available in the Career Development Center, DeSales has helpful modules to search for jobs and conduct self-assessments.
- A robust schedule of events each academic year, both in the fall and spring. DeSales hosts career and graduate school fairs, alumni networking events, financial wellness seminars, LinkedIn events with headshots, “Dress for Success” workshops, a Career Wardrobe with interview-friendly attire, and an annual Etiquette Dinner sponsored by local employers. New and improved programs are developed every year in response to student requests and feedback. Most recently, upperclassmen have gained the chance to explore and network in different cities on the university’s Presidential Alumni Tours.
- Strong employer relations, in which employers engage with the professional staff through a quarterly advisory committee. These employers come to campus to meet with students through information sessions, sponsored career events, on-campus interviews, and guest speaker events. The Center also invites students to go on site visits and learn about the local companies in the surrounding community.
- A 3-credit elective: Career Development and Planning. Led by the Center’s executive director, this course is open to any student during any part of their college career.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA | Character/personal qualities
Important
Class rank | Standardized test scores | Application Essay
Recommendation(s) | Interview | Level of applicant’s interest
Considered
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability | First generation
Volunteer work | Work experience
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 1100 | 75th Percentile: 1258
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 550 | 75th Percentile: 640
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 530 | 75th Percentile: 620
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 23 | 75th Percentile: 29
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 22 | 75th Percentile: 31
ACT English
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 27
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $41,100
Fees: $1,500
Room & Board: $13,500
Contact DeSales University
Contact Admissions
desales.edu/admissions-financial-aid
(610) 282-1100
admiss@desales.edu
Campus Location
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034