Sacred Heart University

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR AND CRITICAL THINKING
The First-Year Seminar program is anchored by two courses that stress students’ mastery of the communications skills essential for their academic and career success. The first course, the First-Year Seminar, is a small class that can range in diverse and innovative topics. The second course emphasizes logic and critical thinking skills. Altogether, the courses are designed to provide new students with not just solid academic abilities, but also a desire to become strong and effective writers; dynamic, self-confident speakers; clearer and more creative thinkers; more engaged, self-sufficient learners; and active members of a vibrant, scholarly community.

OFF-CAMPUS STUDY
The great teaching at Sacred Heart extends far beyond the traditional classroom setting. SHU’s faculty enrich their students’ experiences through trips abroad, shared volunteer experiences and mentorships for sports teams. They also lead excursions to such locations such as Washington, D.C., and the New York Stock Exchange.

CAPSTONE PROJECTS
SHU’s capstone experience challenges seniors to conduct research or lead creative projects that exemplify their thirst for discovery as well as the knowledge they gained throughout their years in college.

“I admire the professors I had during my time as a student in SHU’s English program. They encouraged me to explore new topics and write challenging pieces. I graduated from this program a better thinker and writer. As I move into my profession as an English teacher, I take with me the teaching skills I learned through watching my English professors lead engaging classes.” — Julia F. ’19

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Weekend college

“During my college decision process, I made it known to many different admissions counselors at different schools that I wanted to do a little bit of everything. I wanted to be pushed academically in the business school, but I also wanted to perform and be on stage while at the same time work with admissions, student activities, and residential life. The majority of the schools that I looked at told me that I could only pick one. At Sacred Heart, they said challenge accepted. At SHU, we are encouraged to take advantage of each and every opportunity that is given to us. This involvement has been extremely beneficial to me, and I cannot say thank you enough to Sacred Heart University for pushing me and challenging me to take on these roles to allow me to grow into the person I am today.” – Abby B. ‘19; Dedham, MA

LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) in SHU’s residence halls bring together students with shared interests, such as business, health & wellness, gaming & technology, or community service. In addition to living together, students participate in a related, credit-bearing academic course and engage in out-of-the-classroom experiences with a faculty mentor. Additional residence hall options on campus include traditional, suite-style, and apartment-style residences, some of which include gaming labs, fitness centers, and social spaces. Approximately 92 percent of SHU freshmen live on campus.

PERFORMING ARTS & CULTURAL EVENTS
Cultural events abound on campus, including concerts, poetry nights, and the Student Affairs Lecture Series, which brings renowned guest speakers to campus. Students in Sacred Heart’s performing arts programs enrich campus life with performances in the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts and other smaller on-campus venues. Overseen by a Tony- and Grammy-nominated producer, the performing arts program includes dance (with a variety of ensembles from Irish step to hip-hop), theatre arts, instrumental music (marching band, orchestra, and an array of ensembles), and a variety of choral groups. Over 100 student organizations—including media groups, social organizations, national Greek organizations, Division I athletics, intramural and club sports, service organizations, multicultural groups, leadership programs, and academic honor societies—all contribute to a vibrant campus environment.

GREEK LIFE
Sacred Heart has a robust Greek life community whose participants engage in a unique balance of leadership, academic, philanthropy/service, and social opportunities. The entire campus benefits from events and programs organized by fraternities and sororities.

SERVICE-LEARNING & VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Through a dynamic service-learning program that integrates service into academic courses, students gain relevant experience, all while enacting the University’s dedication to civic responsibility. The SHU community’s dedication to serving others is evidenced by an award-winning community service program. Sacred Heart students, faculty, and staff contribute over 100,000 hours of community engagement locally and internationally.

SCHOOL LOCATION
Sacred Heart’s location between New York City and Boston means it is in close proximity to world-class hospitals, nationally ranked elementary and secondary schools, a high concentration of Fortune 500 corporations, and employers in Connecticut’s “creative corridor.” Satellite campuses are located throughout Connecticut in Stamford and Griswold. International campuses include Dingle, Ireland, and Luxembourg.

ATHLETICS
Sacred Heart fields 32 NCAA Division I varsity teams, one of the largest programs in the country, which contributes to school spirit on campus. With 29 intercollegiate club sports teams, including such diverse offerings as sailing, golf, gymnastics, rugby, figure skating, and eSports, non-varsity athletes have the opportunity to continue a high school sport or learn a new one. Intramural sports and fitness classes are also open to all students.

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 91%
Undergraduates: 51%

Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Theme housing
Wellness housing

With a 99 percent success rate (full-time employment and graduate school enrollment) among graduates seeking full-time positions, Sacred Heart University graduates are highly successful in their respective professional fields. They are quick to be hired by Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, school systems, non-profit agencies, and small and large businesses alike.

CENTER FOR CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Outside the classroom, undergraduates in all majors participate in internships that are facilitated through the Center for Career & Professional Development. Not only do career coaches work with students one-on-one during their internship and job searches, but students can also utilize Handshake, SHU’s online career management platform with internship and job postings as well as access to 300,000 employers. Students also have the opportunity to connect with potential employers and internships through a variety of networking events on campus, such as career fairs and on-campus interview days.

The Center also offers a range of services, programs, and resources to help students identify opportunities, connect with appropriate companies and organizations, and effectively market themselves to employers and graduate schools. These include one-on-one job search coaching, on-campus interviewing days, networking events and job fairs, résumé writing, interviewing, and social media and job search workshops.

INTERNSHIPS
Sacred Heart students fully engage in internships in all fields, including business and finance, communications, government, graphic arts, health care, information technology, sales, social services, and the sciences. The Center for Career & Professional Development makes recruiting for internships seamless, including on-campus interview opportunities, career and internship fairs, and online job postings.

MAJOR IN SUCCESS
To ensure that students are on the path to success, the University offers the opportunity to participate in the innovative “Major in Success (MIS)” program. This program is designed to assist students in making the right choices about majors and careers by increasing their understanding of how their unique talents, interests, values, and skills match with a variety of careers and corresponding academic programs. This highly effective, structured program is open to all undergraduates, particularly catering to the needs of first- and second-year students. MIS is implemented over the course of several weeks through individual and group career counseling, which also includes the use of popular career and personality assessment inventories.

GRADUATE SCHOOL PLACEMENT
Roughly 35 percent of each graduating class continues directly into graduate school upon graduation. Pre-professional programs in medicine, dentistry, law, optometry, pharmacy, osteopathy, physician’s assistant practice, and veterinary science prepare students for the rigorous application process to their respective graduate programs. In addition, all students interested in pursuing graduate studies receive advice from their academic departments and the Center for Career & Professional Development.

“SHU’s  speech-language pathology program gives graduate students the opportunities to gain hands-on experience, while working collaboratively with other health-care professionals, beginning in our first semester. The professors and clinical educators are dedicated to all their students in order to ensure success throughout the program. The small class sizes and individualized attention provides a foundation for students to develop professional relationships with the faculty. Being an alumna of Sacred Heart, I couldn’t imagine continuing my graduate studies anywhere else!” — Kayla P.  ‘21

Admissions

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA | Volunteer work
Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest

Important
Class rank | Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Interview
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities

Considered
Standardized test scores | Alumni/ae relation

TEST SCORES
Optional

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 1150 | 75th Percentile: 1280
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 580 | 75th Percentile: 650
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 560 | 75th Percentile: 650
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 24 | 75th Percentile: 30

ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Students applying to Sacred Heart University benefit from a comprehensive, holistic admissions process that takes into account students’ overall profile, including academic achievements, strength of college preparatory curriculum, leadership and community service experience, character, and extraordinary talents. Sacred Heart is a test-optional institution that does not require the SAT/ACT as part of the student’s application. A student may elect to submit SAT/ACT scores if they believe it will strengthen their application and is reflective of their individual potential as a first-year college student. 

Completion of the Common Application, a high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation are required along with a $50 application fee. An interview is strongly recommended for all candidates and is required for Early Decision applicants. SHU offers an Early Decision program (December 1 deadline), a non-binding Early Action program (December 15 deadline), as well as rolling admissions with a priority deadline of February 15.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition: $46,310
Fees: $270
Room & Board: $17,520
Room Only: $11,730
Board Only: $5,790

Aid

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is required for students seeking federal and state financial assistance. The CSS Profile is required for students to be considered for institutional grants and scholarships. Need-based and merit aid, as well as academic scholarships and loans, are available through federal, state, University, and private sources. Student employment is available on and off campus through federal and institutional work-study programs and student employment.