Sacred Heart University is a beacon of intellectual illumination, nurturing a community where academic excellence, compassion, and creativity come together in the charming town of Fairfield, Connecticut. SHU has always been committed to providing a complete education, even outside of its beautiful campus, as seen by its modest origins and rise to prominence. Now with the class of 2027 opening their acceptances, we like to think back on some of the reasons we all fell in love with SHU in the first place.
Sacred Heart institution was the first Catholic institution in America to be run and managed entirely by laypeople. It was founded by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. It was founded with a strong foundation in Catholic intellectual traditions and the liberal arts, however it has always maintained a modern attitude. Those who aspire to both academic brilliance and personal and spiritual development find great resonance in the aim of educating the full person while equipping them to lead and serve in the contemporary world.
One of Sacred Heart University’s main selling points in terms of academics is its dedication to academic excellence. With six different colleges and two schools offering around 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and certificate programs, Sacred Heart offers a complete educational experience catered to individual interests and professional aspirations. With more than 60 study abroad programs spread across more than 30 countries, including a campus in Dingle, Ireland, Sacred Heart stands out for its global perspective. Students’ views are expanded and their academic experiences are enhanced by this global viewpoint.
The dedication of Sacred Heart University to excellence is acknowledged both nationally and locally. As evidenced by U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Sacred Heart among the best national universities and by awards it has received for its undergraduate business school, nursing program, psychology program, and computer science program, the university continuously demonstrates its commitment to offering top-notch instruction in a variety of subject areas. Furthermore, its dedication to inclusivity and accessibility is shown by its ranking as a top performer in social mobility.
In addition to academics, Sacred Heart University provides a dynamic student body that is enhanced by performing arts, sports, and a wide range of clubs and organizations. Students have plenty of opportunity to play competitive sports or support their fellow Pioneers with 33 NCAA Division I athletic teams and 39 intercollegiate club sports teams. Pioneer Village, which was constructed recently, offers comfortable and contemporary living alternatives that promote a feeling of community and belonging on campus.
The dedication to community involvement and service lies at the heart of Sacred Heart University’s culture. Sacred Heart students actively participate in improving the world via more than 100 relationships with non-profit organizations and more than 115,000 hours of community service completed worldwide. Students are empowered to bring about change and exemplify the university’s service goal, whether via worldwide service-learning opportunities in places like Greece and Colombia or local tutoring and mentoring programs.
Situated on 311 acres along Connecticut’s southwestern coast, Sacred Heart University’s Park Avenue campus offers a picturesque and conducive environment for learning and growth. With state- of-the-art facilities and a sprawling campus, students have access to over 2.5 million square feet of building space, including specialized STEM programs housed in the former General Electric world headquarters. Additionally, satellite campuses in Stamford and Griswold, Connecticut, as well as an international campus in Dingle, Ireland, further expand the university’s reach and global footprint.
With all of this to offer and more Sacred Heart University’s enduring appeal lies in its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and holistic student development. As students we will always be able to remember the first time we stepped on campus and the feeling of belonging. With the next class of 2027 enrolling in the fall lets make this transition for them the smoothest and the easiest as possible.
