University of Scranton (US) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of Scranton (Scranton) opened in 1888 under the name of Saint Thomas College. It was founded by the Most Reverend William G. O’Hara, D.D., who was Scranton’s first bishop. Scranton became a university in 1938 and moved to the care of the Society of Jesus in 1942.

Today, Scranton enrolls more than 6,000 graduate and undergraduate students and holds accreditation from 17 accrediting agencies for its various programs in business, nursing, physical therapy, counseling, and more. It focuses particularly on keeping spirituality at the root of its mission as a Jesuit, Catholic higher education institution. Some of its core tenets include a pursuit of excellence grounded in gratitude, individual attention and respect for students, and seeking God in all aspects of life. The many on-campus chapels help students pursue these goals through quiet reflection and daily mass.

Videos

Information Summary

Ranks 20th in Pennsylvania and 215th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	92.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$62,686
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	28 / 1280
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	15 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	87% / 100%
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,286

Academics

Scranton offers more than 60 majors, 40 minors, and 25 concentrations. Students have a wide variety of options when they enter the university. There are four colleges at Scranton: the College of Arts & Sciences, the Panuska College of Professional Studies, the Kania School of Management, and the College of Graduate and Continuing Education.

College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest college in the university. It offers a wide selection of more than 30 undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs in theology, software engineering, and chemistry. Academic sections include diverse tracks like theater, forensic chemistry, electronic commerce, and criminal justice. Students can further specialize their degrees with minors and concentrations. The College also offers three honors programs: one that is exclusive to arts and sciences students, one that works in conjunction with the School of Management, and one titled the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Panuska School of Professional Studies

The Panuska School of Professional Studies is designed to prepare students for successful careers in a wide range of industries. It was founded on the principle that higher education should include practice as well as theory. Students can study for degrees in community health, exercise sciences, nursing, occupational therapy, education, and more. All academic programs include community service projects that educate students about the broader impact of injustice and charity. Students are also encouraged to do research with a professor or one of Scranton’s research partner firms in the local area.

Kania School of Management

The Kania School of Management offers a multifaceted business education that stresses not only management principles and theory, but also ethics, responsibility, information technology, faculty collaboration, and mentoring programs. Business School alumni work with current faculty to design courses that truly prepare students for the modern work environment. Meanwhile, the Center for Professional Development offers students the personal skills and employment tools that will help them secure good jobs after graduating. Through the Center’s ‘Passport’ program, students will learn how to write an effective resume, ace an interview, and land useful internships and jobs.

College of Graduate and Continuing Education

The College of Graduate and Continuing Education offers a variety of graduate programs and flexible adult education programs for students who want to further their current training. Students can earn a number of graduate degrees including master’s diplomas in business, nursing, theology, and more. However, students can also use this center to enroll in associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree programs or explore the other exam preparation or pre-college programs that the College offers.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Admissions

Scranton has a competitive application procedure, which means that not every hopeful student is guaranteed a spot at the university. Students can apply online through the Scranton website or through the Common Application, which is an online application which allows students to apply to multiple schools at one time. The Common Application can make the process much easier for students who are applying to a number of schools, but applicants should be sure to follow the specific additional requirements for each of their prospective colleges.

In addition to an online application, students should submit an official high school transcript, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a list of extracurricular activities, and a current Proof of Residency card if applicable. Students must submit either SAT or ACT scores or the SAT/ACT optional, which means sending two graded essays from high school and a possible interview in lieu of standardized test scores.

Students

Students at Scranton enjoy a close knit community with strong interpersonal relationships and a great deal of on-campus programming. Over 2,000 students live on campus in the 27 residence halls and 5 university houses. Living on campus lets students have easy access to classes, dining halls, school events, and casual meetings with friends.

All students can get involved with campus life through the many school clubs and organizations. There are dozens of social, academic, honorary, and service societies for all kinds of interests and subject areas. Student groups include the business club, hip hop dance team, Habitat for Humanity, ultimate frisbee, and Se Habla Espanol.

There are a number of services and support groups for students. The career center will help job-hunters develop a professional resume and find potential employers while the counseling center provides assistance and guidance of all types to students who are facing personal or academic problems.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Scranton is an NCAA Division III school with 18 men’s and women’s varsity programs. It participates in the Landmark Conference and competes against other schools in the Mid-Atlantic region that share similar beliefs about the interplay of athletics and a faithful collegiate experience.

For students who can’t or don’t wish to play on a varsity team yet want to participate in sports, there are dozens of intramural games, leagues, and tournament events throughout the year in different sports. More than 3,000 students participate in these events each year, so even playing sports casually can be a great way to meet new friends and have fun with your classmates.

Faculty

Scranton’s faculty is chosen for their expertise in different relevant fields. Of the nearly 300 faculty members, 85% hold doctoral or other terminal degrees in their subjects of study. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1 with an average class size of 20 students, making classes more intimate and personal than those at larger universities.

Bibliography

The University of Scranton. Freshman Application for Undergraduate Admission. Print.

The University of Scranton. Web. 25 Sept. 2011.

University of Scranton