Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1889, Slippery Rock University is a Carnegie Master-L, four-year, public, coeducational, comprehensive University offering a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,800 students.
The University, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, provides students with a superior learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with applied learning opportunities that will help them succeed in an increasingly complex world.
SRU is committed to serving a diverse student body and empowering anyone regionally, nationally and internationally who can benefit from its programs and lifelong learning opportunities.
Get to know Slippery Rock University
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Jazz band
- Literary magazine
- Marching band
- Model UN
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Radio station
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Student-run film society
- Symphony orchestra
- Television station
- Yearbook
College Highlights
FIRST-YEAR COMMUNITY
Community-building and student leadership development are hallmarks of an SRU education. The University is recognized for several first-year initiatives. The FYRST program places freshmen into close-knit peer groups and pairs them with faculty mentors who work one-on-one to provide individualized introductions to the school. First-year courses also help to integrate students into Slippery Rock by helping them develop community-building skills while finding their own individual strengths. These courses are designed especially to enhance the academic, social and personal integration of new students by focusing on transition topics including: time management; active learning strategies; study skills; test preparation; use of campus technology; academic advising; majors and career exploration; diversity and relationship issues; and healthy choices.
STUDY ABROAD
SRU students are encouraged to participate in international study, research and travel programs. SRU has been nationally ranked among master’s-degree granting institutions for the number of students participating in short-term study abroad programs by the Institute for International Education. International study is a chance to learn more about the world around you in a safe, structured environment. The Office for Global Engagement can help you choose a destination and program that best fits your personal and academic interests. The office staff can also provide resources for financial aid, passports, and answer any questions you have. Recent study opportunities have taken students to Poland, China, the Bahamas, Ireland, Greece, Egypt, Ghana, the Netherlands, Russia, England, and elsewhere.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Through SRU’s Office for Student Engagement and Leadership and Office for Community-Engaged Learning, students participate in programs that give them the chance to make a difference in the lives of people both at home and around the world, practicing academic skills and earning certifications for their competence in leadership.
The Office for Student Engagement and Leadership is a resource for students to learn about and explore opportunities to connect with peers and engage in co-curricular and leadership experiences at SRU.
The Office for Community-Engaged Learning is a resource that connects students with community service programming and supports students and faculty with their service-learning programs and courses. The office also supports the University’s ability to effect change and serve the common good through civic engagement and community-engaged scholarship, where academic knowledge is applied in collaboration with the expertise of community partners.
Results from the National Survey of Student Engagement show that SRU students consistently rate their experience at SRU higher than those attending peer institutions.
CORE LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the time a student graduates from SRU, they are engaged in the following core-learning outcomes:
- Engaged citizenship
- Community service
- Social justice
- Career planning
- Ethical approaches to business, relationships, problem solving and conflict
- Practical leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Critical thinking
- Evaluating sources of information
- Informed decision making
- Working in teams and groups
- Conflict resolution
- Cultural competency and cross-cultural understanding
- Civility and tolerance
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 32 | 10-19: 163 | 20-29: 376
30-39: 235 | 40-49: 122 | 50-99: 71 | 100+: 23
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 67
Hispanic/Latino: 197
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 351
White, non-Hispanic: 6,368
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 16
Asian, non-Hispanic: 70
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 5
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 305
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 78
Total Enrollment: 7,457
Great teaching starts in the classroom at Slippery Rock University and extends across campus and around the world. While wh attending SRU, students’ classrooms are just as likely to be the Roman ruins or a jungle in Peru as they are to be a room on campus. One thing is certain, though: no matter where they learn, they are sure to study with faculty members who have a strong, inspired passion for teaching.
CREDENTIALED FACULTY
Only fully credentialed faculty teach at SRU. The University does not allow graduate assistants or research fellows to teach classes. At SRU, faculty members’ first priority is on helping students learn.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the tremendous opportunities the faculty provide for undergraduate students to collaborate with them on high-quality research. These practical, cutting-edge research projects provide a pathway for students to make intellectual or creative contributions to their discipline, build self-confidence, gain experience to enhance their career opportunities, and improve their communication and presentation skills.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
At SRU, the spirit of discovery and the challenge of tackling real problems underpin the undergraduate research experience. Slippery Rock University professors help students find their passions and then challenge and work with them to put those passions into action. As part of their faculty-directed undergraduate research projects:
- A biology major studied the cell functions of soybeans, observing “endoreduplication,” where the cell’s DNA is replicated but the cell does not divide. Endoreduplication has been associated with crop production and drought tolerance, but also pest and pathogen growth.
- Several exercise science majors and two professors conducted an elaborate study of how a difference in blood pressure readings in a person’s left and right arms could be a marker of health risks. SRU is the only institution using exercise as part of its study.
- Two chemistry majors are attempting to find ways to isolate amino acids to prevent the forming of amyloids, which are proteins that, when folded on the human brain, lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
- A group of social work majors conducted animal-assisted intervention at local prisons, helping inmates deal with mental afflictions and prevent recidivism.
- With subjects using an electronic push-up mat, a health and physical education major compared upper-body muscular endurance and upper-body muscular power to better prepare athletes performing specialized activities using the upper body.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exchange student program (domestic)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
At Slippery Rock University, faculty recognize that learning takes place wherever students have the opportunity to discuss, think, and practice the process of gaining new knowledge or solving a problem. The University describes this as “providing students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that will help them succeed in their lives, in their professional careers, and in being engaged citizens.”
SRU provides a dynamic and diverse array of extracurricular and co-curricular activities that promote healthy minds and bodies, student interaction, leadership and community service.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
SRU offers more than 160 registered student organizations empowering students to explore a wide variety of involvement opportunities revolving around advocacy, governance, media, marketing culture, religion, service, arts, sports and more. There are many opportunities to meet new people, hone leadership skills, explore personal interests, and become more entwined in the SRU community.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Living Learning Communities (LLC) at Slippery Rock University provide students with an out of class learning experience within the residence halls. By choosing an LLC, students benefit from living with a group of peers that share a similar interest, while also taking advantage of an on-campus residence hall. Students can choose from academic LLCs or special interest LLCs.
Current LLCs include: Business; Civic Engagement and Social Justice; Creating Connections; Education; Environmental Studies; Exploratory; Gender Studies; Health, Environment and Science; Honors; Leadership; Liberal Arts; Military and Emergency Services; Sophomore Year Experience; Transfers; Rock Life; and Rock Recovery on Campus.
KALEIDOSCOPE
For two weeks each spring, the entire northwest region of Pennsylvania is alive with the sights and sounds of SRU’s annual Kaleidoscope Arts Festival. The festival is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and features student work, guest artists, community events, and more. The community-campus celebration brings free and low-cost arts to an underserved region.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND UNIVERSITY PROGRAM BOARD
The SRU Student Government Association, Inc. is an independent corporation funded through a student general service fee. The SRSGA owns and operates the University Bookstore, Child Care Center and campus shuttle service, known as “The Happy Bus.” It also helps fund recognized student organizations and athletics and serves as the advocate for student interests and concerns. The SGA is responsible for allocating more than $2 million in student fees annually.
The University Program Board, comprised entirely of students, offers activities featuring local, national and international entertainers in areas such as performing arts, concerts, films, lectures and travel. UPB is responsible for all aspects of the program, including budgeting, scheduling, marketing, sales and event management. Students involved in UPB annually manage funds in excess of $350,000.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Slippery Rock University is located in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, less than an hour north of Pittsburgh, 90 minutes south of Erie and 45 minutes east of Youngstown, Ohio, in the borough of Slippery Rock in Butler County, Pennsylvania, a safe and friendly community of approximately 3,000 people. Two major highways, Interstate 79 and Interstate 80, intersect seven miles from the University, conveniently linking it to the entire Commonwealth.
ATHLETICS
- Division II
- Member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
- SRU sponsors 17 intercollegiate sports
- Men’s sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Indoor track, Outdoor track
- Women’s sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Indoor track, Lacrosse, Outdoor track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
- Competitive Club sports: Equestrian, Golf, Ice Hockey, In-line Hockey, Men’s Lacrosse, Rugby, Men’s Volleyball, Water Polo
- Mascot: The Rock
- Colors: Green and White
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 93%
Undergraduates: 36%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Living-Learning Communities
A DEGREE OF DIFFERENCE
The focus of a Slippery Rock University education goes beyond its diplomas. Its aim is to develop people capable of making positive differences in the lives of others. SRU challenges its graduates to understand the problems of the global society and address them throughout their lives with the confidence and skills gained at the University.
Academic and cocurricular activities are intentionally designed to help students mature into competent, civil and caring citizens who make their communities and the surrounding world a better place for all people to live and work.
Slippery Rock University offers students a variety of opportunities to participate in community service that addresses critical needs in local, national and global communities. Service engages students to learn about social issues, implement collaborative problem-solving to address community needs and leverage community assets to create positive social change.
Service opportunities can be on-going, short term, through alternative breaks, along with student service organizations, or in service-learning courses.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Class rank | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores
Considered
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Talent/ability
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 510 | 75th Percentile: 590
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 580
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT English
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 24
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $7,718
Tuition (out-of-state): $11,576
Fees: $2,780
Room & Board: $10,530
Room Only: $6,880
Board Only: $3,650
Aid
PREMIER FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIPS
SRU Merit Scholarship
- Requirements: Scholarships are offered to a number of the highest-ranking applicants for admission to SRU. Consideration is given to first-time freshmen who have attained at least a 3.5 high school GPA, and who have achieved at least a 1220 SAT or 25 ACT score. Students with the highest scores of this group will be selected to receive scholarships.
- Amount: Up to $2,000 and renewable
- Scholarship Application Process: Must apply for admission to SRU (no other application necessary.) Students should apply by December 1 of their senior year in high school.
Board of Governor’s Scholarship
- Requirements: This scholarship program is designed to fulfill the needs and best interests of the University with regard to minority students, academically talented students, those with demonstrated leadership qualities and those in the performing arts, math, science, technology and other fields identified by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. These scholarships are designated for Pennsylvania residents.
- Amount: Up to full cost of in-state tuition, renewable
- Scholarship Application Process: Must apply for admission to SRU (no other application necessary). Must file FAFSA.
Honors College Scholarship
- Requirements: The Honors College at SRU provides outstanding opportunities to academically talented and motivated students including travel, smaller classes, participation in honors conferences and independent research. Incoming freshmen that have either a 3.8 grade point average and a combined Reading and Math SAT score of 1290 may qualify for the Honors College at SRU. Students participating in the Honors Program are eligible to be considered for a renewable Honors Scholarship.
- Amount: Up to $1,500 and renewable
- Scholarship Application Process: Must apply for admission to SRU. Interested students should contact the SRU Honors College at 724.738.4003, or honorsprogram@sru.edu for an application and essay requirements.
Contact Slippery Rock University
Contact Admissions
www.sru.edu/admissions
(724) 738-2015
asktherock@sru.edu
Campus Location
1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(800) 778-9111