Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University, the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its main campus in Fairfield, Conn., and satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 8,500 students attend the University's five colleges: Arts & Sciences; Health Professions; Nursing; the Jack Welch College of Business; and the Isabelle Farrington College of Education.

Distinguished by the personal attention it provides its students, Sacred Heart University (SHU) is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, award-winning advisement program, cutting-edge technology, championship Division I athletic teams, and nationally recognized community service programs. Situated in Fairfield, Connecticut, the main campus is ideally located one hour north of New York City and 2.5 hours south of Boston in proximity to world-class hospitals, nationally ranked elementary and secondary schools, a high concentration of Fortune 500 corporations and access to the employers in Connecticut's creative corridor. SHU also has international campuses in Dingle, Ireland and the European business center of Luxembourg, a partner campus in Rome, and study abroad options worldwide. Students may spend their freshman fall semester abroad program or participate in short-term and semester programs throughout their four years. Within the AACSB-accredited Jack Welch College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, Isabelle Farrington College of Education, School of Computing and School of Communication and Media Arts, students in all majors engage in hands-on education both in and outside of the classroom. Cutting-edge technology in the Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center allows students to apply their skills in real world settings such as the Finance Lab & Trading Floor, full-size television studios and a motion capture lab. The new Center for Healthcare Education features the latest technology available to health professions students. Students in the sciences utilize recently renovated laboratories and state-of-the-art computer labs. A hallmark of a SHU education is the strong connection between students and faculty beginning in the freshman year. Faculty connect with students in interactive, innovative spaces in our academic buildings; through online communities such as SHUSquare for freshmen; in joint research projects; in advising sessions and through many academic clubs, organizations and activities. Faculty lead students on study trips across the globe and on excursions to locations such as Washington, D.C. for political science students and the New York Stock Exchange for finance students. The University's commitment to experiential learning incorporates concrete, real-life study for students in all majors including research, internships, clinical placements, independent study, service learning and work-study. Drawing on the rich resources in New England and New York City, students are connected with research and internship opportunities ranging from full-time internships at sought-after sites such as Madison Square Garden to research with faculty on marine life in the Long Island Sound. These opportunities help pave the way for a 95 percent placement rate for graduating seniors in full-time jobs and graduate study. SHU's experiential learning opportunities are complemented by a rich student life program offering more than 160 student organizations, including Greek life; leadership programs, media organizations such as the TV station, radio station and newspaper; academic clubs and multicultural organizations. The University has a well-respected Division I athletic program and a robust club sports program with more than 1,500 athletes who compete in 32 varsity sports and 27 competitive club sports teams. The University's strong performing arts program, led by a Tony-and-Grammy-nominated producer, includes the theatre arts program (also available as an academic major), a choir program with various ensembles, an instrumental music program including marching band, pep band and concert band among other ensembles and a dance program with a variety of ensembles. The campus has a lively atmosphere with over 90 percent of freshmen living on campus and many school spirit, cultural and social events offered throughout the year.