Sacred Heart University (SHU)

Sacred Heart University (SHU), the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its main campus in Fairfield, Conn., and satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. Over 9,0000 students attend the University's six colleges: Arts & Sciences; Health Professions; Dr. Susan L. Davis, RN, & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; the AACSB-accredited Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; St. Vincent?s College and the Isabelle Farrington College of Education.

Distinguished by the personal attention it provides its students, 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, CT, 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 six colleges and School of Computer Science & Engineering, School of Social Work and School of Communication, Media & the Arts, students in all majors engage in hands-on education both in and outside of the classroom. Cutting-edge technology in West Campus allows students to apply their skills in real world settings such as the finance lab and trading floor, the iHub, IDEA Lab, incubator space and AI lab. The 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; in joint research projects; in advising sessions and through many academic clubs, organizations and activities. Faculty lead students on study trips across the globe. 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 99.2 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 100 student organizations, including Greek life; leadership programs, media organizations such as the TV 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 more than 25 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.

At Sacred Heart, "Everyone here welcomes you like family!" This sentiment stems from a variety of students who attribute it to a close-knit "community of peers" and a willingness to be "very accepting...even if there are differences." They also chalk it up to an overall outgoing demeanor and suggest that the school's medium size might actually drive students to participate in order to have "a big campus community" because when you "get involved and meet people [it makes] it seem bigger." Other words frequently used to describe the student body include its "positive attitude" and good manners-"We are a door-holding campus"-and motivation to get involved in "loving and helpful" ways. As one student describes it, "I believe that no institution has students that love their school more than we do," a sentiment that's seemingly only grown in response to the pandemic. "Students have been even more kind and understanding of each other. It is a great community!"

Students at Sacred Heart continually mention opportunity, whether that's being active in recreational or intramural sports, getting involved in the mentorship of younger students and high-schoolers through programs like Best Buddies or buildOn, or pursuing additional academic interests like the new neuroscience club or SHU Innovate, which helps students discover technology and its social and ethical implications. It's rare to find a program that students aren't enthusiastic about, no matter how specific: "I am on the Irish Dance Ensemble, one of the greatest teams I've been a part of." And of course, there's a strong ministry outreach, described by some as "the soul and heart of campus," which "makes every single person feel welcome." In short, "SHU is fun. Class, work, fraternity. I love it here."