Sacred Heart University

Overview

Sacred Heart University is a Roman Catholic university located in suburban Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. Sacred Heart was founded in 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Sacred Heart University was the first Catholic university in the United States to be staffed by the laity. Dr. John J. Petillo is the current President of the University.

New degree programs and majors in relevant disciplines are regularly added to the curriculum. The University offers Division I athletics with 31 varsity teams. The $17.5 million William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center is available to all students and to the community at large. The University campus is a wireless environment.

The University consists of five colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, John F. Welch College of Business, College of Health Professions, Isabelle Farrington College of Education and University College. The University College is committed to the adult learner, and its evening, weekend and accelerated courses earn praise for their diversity and relevance to changing lifestyles.

Why choose Sacred Heart University?
Cultural Adjustments

The following websites provide comprehensive information on American culture, social customs, culture differences and transitioning.

eduPASS: The Smart Guide to Living in the U.S.
Social Customs and Cultural Differences

There are a lot of nuances to life in the U.S. that you can only learn by living here. This website introduces you to some of the more important cultural differences, from everything to tipping and personal space, to dining and toilets.

International Student Guide to the U.S.
Cultural Adjustment & Transitioning
This online handbook provides survival tips for the International Student.

Living in the USA
This website explains everything from the basics, such the U.S. monetary and banking system, to the intricacies of clothing sizes and national holidays. It also includes tips on how to stay safe, secure, and healthy.

Study in English

The English Language Institute offers high quality English Language instruction to non-native speakers of English. The Institute is an integral part of Sacred Heart University, where our students can participate in campus activities and events as well as meeting other students.

The ESL instructors for all programs have earned their Masters Degree and have many years of quality experience in the field of Adult ESL instruction for academic purposes.

‌These programs are designed for students who are 17 and older. All new students are required to take a placement test. We offer four 16-week semesters with an optional mid-term entry date at 8 weeks, and a short intense summer session of 5 weeks.

Strict attendance policy is enforced. Students are expected to submit homework assignments, attend language lab and participate fully in class. Classes are small in size (10 to 15 students) in order to ensure a successful educative experience for all students. Individual tutoring and conversation partners are available to all full time students.

Students will receive a conditional acceptance to our undergraduate and graduate programs while attending the English Language Institute.

How to apply

To apply for a Sacred Heart University program, you must meet or exceed all program requirements and adhere to the application deadlines. Admission is not guaranteed.

  • Students are subject to academic and disciplinary screening
  • Students that have a history of disciplinary problems or who are on academic/disciplinary probation at the time of application are not eligible for study abroad
  • No financial blocks on student account
  • Semester programs only – undergraduate students may not participate in a semester program during their first or last semester at SHU
  • Maximum of two semesters may be spent abroad
  • Please check program specific pages for additional eligibility information

*Any student found responsible for an academic or disciplinary violation may be denied final admittance to study abroad.

SHU Students – all SHU students must submit the following:

  • Online application
    • $35 non-refundable application fee
    • Personal statement
    • Unofficial transcripts

Visiting Students – all visiting students must submit the following:

  • Online application
  • $35 non-refundable application fee
    • Personal Statement
    • Non SHU study abroad approval form
    • Official transcripts- Please have official transcripts from your university Registrar sent to the following address:

Sacred Heart University
Office of Global Affairs
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825

Please note that applications are not considered complete and will not be reviewed until all materials are submitted to OSA by the specified deadline.

Campus
  • Cambridge Campus (Trumbull, CT)
  • Oakview Campus (Trumbull, CT)
  • Stamford Campus (Stamford, CT)
  • Griswold Campus (Griswold, CT)
  • Luxembourg Campus (Luxembourg)
  • Dingle, County Kerry Campus (Ireland)
Major In Success Program

The Major in Success Program is designed to assist full-time students who are either undecided about which major to select, need to confirm an earlier decision, or are interested in exploring various career options. The program involves a series of structured meetings with a First Year Career Specialist to help students focus on talents, learn more about major/career relationships, and begin to identify the career options that fit best. The program has a solid record of providing SHU students with direction and information so they can make independent, informed decisions about their educational and career planning.

The Majors

Choosing a Major is one of the most important decisions you will make while in college.  Take the time to explore the academic majors that Sacred Heart University has to offer before you make your final decision.

Core Values

What Shapes Who We Are as a University and Who We Will Become?

We believe that our purposed faith, our commitment to passionate service and our relentless pursuit and embrace of intellectual exchange are the essential elements of Sacred Heart University as an institution and as a community. At our core, we remain focused on the preservation and transmission of the liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual traditions.

These values compel us as educators and scholars to continually create more diverse and challenging programs, internships and opportunities for our students and for ourselves that are based in the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Our belief in the unlimited potential of every member of the Sacred Heart community has led us to pursue nothing less than uncompromising integrity, courageous leadership and overall excellence from our students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Our unwavering belief in the dignity and worth of every human being emboldens us to become fearless in our intellectual discovery, inquiry, understanding and tolerance of a universe of ideas, ethics, problems, differences and similarities.

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