Sacred Heart University

Where personal attention leads to personal achievement

Distinguished by the personal attention it provides its students, Sacred Heart University (SHU) is known for its commitment to academic excellence, Division I athletics, cutting-edge technology, and community service. With over 9,000 students enrolled in more than 80 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs, this dynamic University is an innovative presence within Catholic higher education.

Location
SHU’s location in Fairfield County, Connecticut, means 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,” along with a central location between New York City and Boston.

Campus life
The SHU student body thrives on involvement outside the classroom, including 32 NCAA Division I sports; 29 club sports; a vibrant performing arts program with band and orchestra, dance, theatre, and choir; Greek life in 14 organizations with more than 1,800 students; media groups; and more than 90 clubs and organizations. 

Internships and job placement
Many majors at SHU require an internship for graduation, and SHU’s extensive network of recruitment partners allows for students in all majors to gain experience through internships, field placements, and practicums. Students also intern in New York City throughout the school year and in their home states during summer breaks. Approximately 98% of our graduating seniors are attending top graduate and professional schools nationwide or are employed in full-time positions within the first year following graduation.    

The Catholic tradition
As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, SHU provides students with an education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. The spiritual heart of the campus is the stunning Chapel of the Holy Spirit, which provides a place of celebration and gathering for people of all faiths.

Accelerated graduate degrees
Recognizing the value of a graduate degree in today’s marketplace, SHU offers an array of accelerated bachelor’s-master’s degree programs in each of our Colleges, which allow students to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five to six years. 

Buildings and facilities
On the heels of opening the Center for Healthcare Education, two new residence halls, and an on-campus diner, the Bobby Valentine Health & Recreation Center opened in August 2019, two additional residence halls will open in January 2020, and SHU has begun three more residence halls and dining areas. An engineering makerspace and an artificial intelligence lab were completed in fall 2019.

The freshman academic experience at SHU
At the heart of the freshman academic experience are the connections freshmen form with faculty members as soon as they arrive on campus. In the First Year Seminar program, freshmen explore fascinating topics in an intimate weekly seminar led by a professor. Freshmen also work with an academic advisor in the SHU College they are interested in who guides their advisees on curriculum planning and other academic issues. Below are just a few other hallmarks of the SHU freshman academic experience.

Major in success
Students undecided on a major or career path find personalized guidance from professional career coaches and peer mentors in a unique, structured program that helps students choose a major that fits them or verify a choice they’ve already made.

Freshmen study abroad
In addition to short-term and semester-long programs around the globe for upperclassmen, SHU offers incoming freshmen the opportunity to attend a two-week program at our campus in Ireland during January or May.

First Year Experience (FYE) course
FYE is an eight-week, non-credit course that supports students in their transition to SHU and teaches skills, behaviors, and attitudes that contribute to resilience, success, and satisfaction. The FYE instructor and peer mentor serve as valuable campus resources, beginning with initial contacts during the summer and Welcome Weekend. The small class size helps facilitate connections and meaningful dialogue between students.

Academic Support
The Student Success Center offers learning strategies to meet individual students’ needs in the form of tutoring, workshops, Learning Labs, writing support, and group study sessions. The Office of Student Accessibility offers additional services to students with documented learning disabilities.