Spring Hill College
Mobile, Alabama
Spring Hill College is Alabama’s first institution of higher learning, the third-oldest Jesuit college, and the fifth-oldest Catholic college in the United States.
Across the liberal arts and sciences, the College’s faculty and staff are committed to the Jesuit tradition of “cura personalis,” a care for the spiritual, social, and intellectual growth of each person. Spring Hill offers a multidimensional education that provides students from all faiths and backgrounds a foundation for a life of continuous learning and service. The core curriculum includes studies in English literature, history, philosophy, theology, foreign language, social science, mathematics, computer science, laboratory science, and fine arts.
Get to know Spring Hill College
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- Jazz band
- Literary magazine
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Yearbook
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Common Intellectual Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practicums
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Campus Ministry
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Student Success Initiative
- Counseling
College Highlights
THE JESUIT TRADITION
Spring Hill College draws from an impressive heritage of Jesuit, Catholic education. Throughout the world, Jesuits have been inspired in excellence, teaching with a commitment to caring for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. These principles reflect the Jesuit philosophy that reason, justice, and faith are linked inextricably. And, almost five centuries after its origin, this tradition continues with every new class at Spring Hill College.
SERVICE-LEARNING
Through the Foley Community Service Center, the volunteer opportunities are endless. Students perform thousands of hours of service to the elderly, people with special needs, immigrants, and children from poor neighborhoods. The center is named in honor of the Rev. Albert S. Foley, S.J., who played a dominant role in the struggle for civil rights and wanted to create equal relationships between all people living in the Mobile area.
The Foley Center partners with three local high schools, two middle schools, and nine elementary schools. It also coordinates with other programs like area nursing homes, hospitals, Catholic Social Services, Legal Services of Alabama, English as a Second Language, the Boys & Girls Club, the Amachi Program, United Cerebral Palsy, and L’Arche. Additionally, the center is involved in eight environmental programs that involve maintaining Alabama’s coastal resources.
Through the partnerships with these various organizations, service-learning courses are easily and noticeably an intrinsic part of SHC’s academic curriculum. Accounting students help local residents file their income taxes. Communication arts students develop complete marketing campaigns for local nonprofit agencies. Nursing and teacher education students devote entire semesters to clinical groups or internships. Students have the opportunity to explore the work they love, gain practical work experience, and provide a critical service to the community.
STUDY ABROAD
At the Spring Hill College Italy Center in Bologna, students live and study like locals in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. With a core mission of academic excellence and a commitment to faith, SHC Italy Center challenges students to travel with purpose, enriching themselves in a globally focused set of classes. Its curriculum comprises of a set of liberal arts and business courses, and students from all disciplines may experience a summer, semester, or year abroad.
As they travel, students learn about complex global issues that not only impact Italy, but the world at large. Their participation in social justice initiatives encourage them to reflect upon and develop their sense of how they can use their skills to enact positive change.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 5%
Hispanic/Latinx: 6%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 14%
White, non-Hispanic: 65%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 2%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 5%
MORE THAN A DIPLOMA
One of the goals of a Jesuit education is to open the mind. Being Jesuit means asking questions, figuring out what one believes, and then using what they have learned to make informed decisions and take sound action. Faculty members help every student, one-on-one, to acquire depth and judgment. As students make connections between subjects, they develop the intellectual agility and adaptability necessary to succeed in a time of complex, unscripted problems.
THE LEAP PROGRAM
The LEAP Program (which stands for Leadership, Engagement and Awareness, and Personal Growth) connects academic learning to the larger world through course-related events and activities. Freshmen sign up for one introductory core course and continue to take LEAP courses that are based around a common theme. An accompanying one-hour LEAP lab helps further prepare students for academic success in areas of the Jesuit mission. With this group of fellow freshmen, faculty, and peer mentors, students experience a sense of community as they learn together and engage with the world outside the classroom.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
At the culmination of the spring semester, Spring Hill hosts the Undergraduate Research Symposium to provide students across all disciplines the opportunity to present their research, internship, and classroom projects to a larger audience. It also provides a space for students, faculty, and the community to grasp the value of engaged inquiry in the pursuit of groundbreaking discovery. Student attendees who are not yet involved in research especially benefit from the symposium, as they are inspired to brainstorm their future projects and begin to understand the broad range of opportunities available at Spring Hill College.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Dual degree engineering program with Auburn University, University of Alabama Birmingham, Marquette University, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University
Marine biology courses at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in conjunction with the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
With more than 70 clubs and organizations looking for new members each fall, Spring Hill has something for everyone. Students can get involved in Greek life, the Campus Programming Board, Student Government Association, the student newspaper, service groups, academic and honorary societies, intramural sports, and so much more.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
All faiths are welcome at Spring Hill. Two daily liturgies give the Spring Hill community the opportunity to join in prayer, and the Praise and Worship group rocks St. Joseph Chapel every week. The academic year opens with a Mass of the Holy Spirit each fall, and an Ecumenical Prayer Service is held at the beginning of each spring semester.
The college’s Campus Ministry programs integrate learning, faith, justice, and service. Each year, throughout either spring break or Mardi Gras break, a number of students immerse themselves in other cultures while helping others in international service trips. For example, students have built houses for poverty-stricken families in Belize and Nicaragua. In El Salvador, they have lived in solidarity with people still suffering from the effects of the country’s civil war.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Mobile is a winner of the All-America City Award. It’s one of the five politest cities in the country, ranking well among best-places-to-live ratings. It has the charm of a small town with the economic advantages of a big city. The Port City is situated on Mobile Bay, close to the sandy-white shores of the Gulf Coast.
In addition to being home of the original Mardi Gras, Mobile hosts several other national events annually, including the GMAC Bowl and Senior Bowl (January), the Azalea Trail Run and Festival of Flowers (March), BayFest (October), GreekFest (November), and Magic Christmas in Lights (December).
ATHLETICS
Spring Hill College is a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) of the NAIA and awards scholarships in baseball, basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, and volleyball. In the last decade, Spring Hill has also added competitive cheerleading and bowling to its varsity sports roster. The college’s 18-hole golf course, the oldest public course in Mobile, is also accessible to students.
Mascot: Badger
Colors: Purple and White
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 71%
Undergraduates: 71%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Theme housing
Spring Hill College is a residential campus, with more 85% of students living in one of eight residence halls. Residents are automatically part of a close-knit, active community.
The residential experience is enhanced by learning communities, which allow students with common interests and pursuits to live together and support one another through planned learning activities and informal interactions. These communities are organized around such themes as fitness and recreation, the great outdoors, healthy living, cultural immersion, service, and the fine arts.
Spring Hill College has eight residence halls and guarantees undergraduate student housing for four years.*
Each room has Internet access and a full cable package. Residential living at Spring Hill ranges from traditional residence halls to “pod living” configurations to apartments. All of the residence halls are fun, comfortable, and convenient to the rest of the campus.
*All full-time, undergraduate, traditional students not residing locally with parents or legal guardians are required to live in the College residence halls for four years. Exceptions are made for extenuating circumstances.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 83%
Undergraduates: 71%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Theme housing
Spring Hill’s Jesuit liberal arts curriculum prepares all students for their lives after graduation whether they choose to enter the working world, pursue higher education in graduate or professional school, or commit to service with volunteer programs.
ACADEMIC AND CAREER SERVICES
Students who have not yet declared their major can explore areas of study through personality and interest inventories. Upperclassmen can enroll in credit courses that will empower them to find the right graduate or professional school, write effective cover letters and résumés, and hone their interview skills to land their first job. The career services office gives students the chance to develop their interview skills and gain insightful feedback about their projected career path through on-campus interviews with local and regional business leaders.
ALUMNI MENTORING PROGRAM
Experienced Spring Hill alumni in a variety of professional areas have partnered with the College to be mentors to students.
E-PORTFOLIO
As part of the LEAP program, students create an e-portfolio to integrate and reflect on their undergraduate experience. They can then use this portfolio to market themselves to potential employers.
DONNELLY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Established in 2008 to serve first-generation college students at Spring Hill College, the Donnelly Scholar Program was named in honor of the Rev. W. Patrick Donnelly, S.J, the 31st president of the college, who served from 1946 to 1952. Second-generation college students usually have an advantage over first-generation students in that their parents have knowledge about how to maneuver through the college system. The Donnelly Scholars program, however, aims to close the gap on that advantage so that all graduates may be equipped to become successful alumni.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Spring Hill students have the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through internships in Mobile, home of the 2nd largest job growth market on the Gulf Coast. Nationally, students have interned with Yankee Stadium, Harper’s Bazaar magazine, and Walt Disney World.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores
Important
Class rank | Recommendation(s) | Interview
Considered
Application Essay | Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities | Alumni/ae relation | Volunteer work
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 590
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 510 | 75th Percentile: 560
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT English
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 27
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $39,336
Fees: $2,532
Room: $7,322
Board: $6,740
Contact Spring Hill College
Contact Admissions
shc.edu/admissions
(251) 380-3030
admit@shc.edu
Campus Location
4000 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 380-4000