Undergraduate students approaching graduation may need to decide whether they wish to further their education in graduate school, and if they intend to do so at Sacred Heart University.
Source: Daniel Passapera, Sacred Heart University
SHU offers many options for students to continue their academics in a variety of fields. The school features doctoral programs, education sixth-year degrees & certifications, master’s programs, residency programs and certificate programs. Students can also pursue select graduate programs entirely online. According to SHU’s Graduate Admissions website, over 3,500 students are enrolled in the university’s graduate school.
“SHU has many nationally recognized programs, geared towards all levels of work experience. From recent graduates to seasoned professionals, our programs are designed to provide the training to help excel your career, offering the forward-thinking academic instruction you need to be successful in today’s marketplace and the flexibility and support to help you accomplish your goals,” said Keith Hassell, Executive Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment.
The graduate school in its entirety is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). This includes specific programs such as the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program.
“Making those connections and then seeing right where other people were landing jobs out of grad school really got me thinking this is something that could be perfect for me,” said graduate assistant Augie Guglielmo. “The comfort factor, after doing undergrad here, also played a big part in deciding to stay.”
Although SHU’s graduate programs continue to grow, it is looking to continue its development and become more nationally recognized.
“[SHU hopes to] increase the accessibility of these programs to continue to attract quality graduate students to be able to provide an impact to students [and] work with faculty and employers to ensure our programs are meeting industry trends and needs,” said Hassell.
The deadlines to apply into graduate school admissions vary depending on the specific department or program, but students are encouraged to speak with an admissions counselor to have any questions answered. Applications require a $75 fee, although it is waived for current SHU students and SHU alumni.
The application process has similarities to undergraduate admissions, such as the requirement of recommendation letters, but is more involved.
According to SHU’s graduate admissions website, students wishing to apply must submit their online application, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA or higher, official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended and a written personal one-page statement describing their interest and qualifications for the program. They are also expected to submit a history of relevant experience, two letters of recommendation and a professional resumé.
“To get into grad school, you have to write a cover letter; you have to have letters of recommendations, so you’re held to a higher standard,” said Guglielmo. “The whole thing basically felt like a job Interview.”
All graduate students have the opportunity to apply to become graduate assistants. Those in this program work alongside faculty and staff to gain hands-on experience in their desired field.
They may also be offered compensation in a variety of ways including housing waivers, food waivers, tuition waivers or stipends.
While housing options for students looking to live near campus are limited, those who are interested should contact the Graduate Student Affairs office for more information.
“After I get my undergrad, I’m definitely going to look into coming back to Sacred Heart and applying for grad school in the college of business. I’ve heard a lot of good things and think it would put me in a position to be successful professionally,” said sophomore Fotis Amigdalos.
