Director of Admissions
Cardinal Stritch University
6801 North Yates Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414-410-4040
800-347-8822 (toll-free)
COSTS:
Tuition:
$21,480
Room and Board:
$7,430
Fees, books, misc.:
$900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Overview
Cardinal Stritch University is a comprehensive, coeducational institution rooted in the liberal arts and established in the Catholic tradition. Since its founding in 1937 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Stritch has emerged as the largest Franciscan institution of higher education in North America and the second-largest private university in Wisconsin.
With a total population of more than 7,600 students on two campuses and at numerous off-site locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Stritch’s size can be deceiving. While Stritch provides all of the resources associated with large universities, it still offers the benefits of personal attention and one-on-one instruction associated with smaller institutions. The University keeps current with technological trends yet remains committed to maintaining the high-quality, value-centered education that has defined Stritch’s history and continues to attract its diverse student body. At Stritch, a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 allows students easy access to faculty members, who give students the personal attention needed to realize their full potential. A selection of more than sixty fields of study means students can choose from a wide variety of majors to prepare themselves for future endeavors. For students who seek to continue their education after earning their undergraduate degree, the University offers seventeen master’s degrees in a variety of specialty areas, including art, business, education, history, nursing, psychology, and religious studies. Stritch was among the first institutions of higher learning in the state to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees geared to meet the needs of working adults. These nontraditional programs meet once a week and are taught at an accelerated pace, with students taking one class at a time and progressing through their programs as a group. The University also offers a doctorate in leadership for the advancement of learning and service in an accelerated weekend/evening format.
A growing international student population and exchange programs with several universities abroad give students the opportunities to meet people from other cultures, develop a more global perspective of current events, and travel overseas to pursue studies.
The main campus houses a three-story residence hall, which is connected to several academic buildings and allows residents easy and climate-controlled access to many of the University’s facilities. The student union, field house, bookstore, and auditorium are anchored by the Alfred S. Kliebhan Great Hall, where students study, visit with friends, or simply relax. Serra Dining Hall provides buffet-style meals with numerous menu selections. The chapel facilitates group worship at regular services and opportunities for personal reflection and individual prayer.
Location and Community
Cardinal Stritch University’s 40-acre, parklike main campus is situated in a quiet suburban neighborhood just north of Milwaukee. Downtown Milwaukee is a 15-minute drive from the campus, while access to Lake Michigan is available within several blocks. The campus is conveniently accessible from Interstate 43, which offers a direct route to Mitchell International Airport, the downtown Amtrak train station, and the Greyhound bus depot. The Milwaukee County Transit System provides students with a public transportation option when they are involved in off-campus pursuits. Interstate 43 also is a link to downtown Milwaukee, which is home to numerous ethnic and American restaurants, specialty retailers, a downtown mall, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Public Museum, several conference and performance centers, and cultural and sports entertainment.
Academic Life
The University strives to help students develop skills needed for a successful career as well as a personal code of ethics by which to live. Each degree program is based upon a foundation of liberal arts courses combined with a concentration in a major area of study. Courses in the general areas of communication, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, and the natural sciences are common to all of the programs. The Associate of Arts degree is granted upon completion of 64 credits. The Associate of Science degree in nursing is granted upon completion of 70 credits, and the Associate of Science degree in business requires completion of 64 credits. The Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science degrees in business administration and management, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree all require 128 credits.
Cardinal Stritch University faculty members play an active role in every student’s life. Faculty members teach their own classes, so students can benefit directly from their knowledge, expertise, and open-door policy. As a result of the small class sizes, students can benefit from the personal attention of individual faculty members, can take advantage of opportunities to participate fully in class discussions, and are challenged to interact with and learn from their peers.
Through their research, writing, and presentations, faculty members keep abreast of the most current trends and continually update the subject matter and teaching techniques of the courses. Many keep connected to the community and expand their areas of expertise through professional partnerships with local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies.
A dual-advising system for the undergraduate degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences helps to ensure that students graduate in four years. Students work closely with a faculty adviser from the start of their Stritch education to determine required courses and electives. Advisers in the Academic Advising Center help students select liberal arts core and elective courses.
Opportunities to study abroad and participate in international service projects are available. Stritch students have studied in or traveled to such countries as England, India, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, and Spain as well as the continents of Africa and Australia.
Majors Offered:
Cardinal Stritch University offers a wide variety of undergraduate degrees and encourages students to personalize their experience by creating a unique double major or minor to fit their specific career and educational goals. Personal advisers lead students through the process of choosing a major by answering questions and providing individual guidance. The College of Arts and Sciences offers Associate of Arts degrees in art, general studies, and women’s studies and bachelor’s degree programs in accounting, art (studio), art education, biology, business, chemistry, communication, computer science, English, environmental chemistry, graphic design, history, integrated marketing communications, international business, jazz studies, management information systems, mathematics, music composition, music education, music performance, photography, political science, preprofessional programs, psychology, religious studies, social studies, sociology, Spanish, sports management, theater, and writing.
The College of Education offers bachelor’s degrees in elementary and secondary education.
The College of Business offers undergraduate degree programs that are exclusively designed to meet the special needs of working adults at on- and off-campus locations. Certificate programs and associate and bachelor’s degrees are available.
The College of Nursing offers an associate degree in nursing for entry into nursing practice. Once completed, graduates of the program can take the exam to become a registered nurse and begin working in the field. Alternative formats for the associate degree are offered for unlicensed assistive personnel and licensed practical nurses. The bachelor’s degree in nursing is geared toward working nurses and is offered in a nontraditional format.
Campus Life
With ten athletic teams, more than twenty student clubs and organizations, and the chance to create new campus organizations to suit their own interests, students discover social, cultural, and professional opportunities beyond the classroom.
Service to the community and the world is an essential part of a Stritch education. Whether students are helping to build a house for Habitat for Humanity or leading health lessons in Tanzania, they are actively learning about themselves, developing important leadership skills, and exploring solutions to the challenges facing the world today.
Facilities and Resources
An exceptional resource, the library is easily accessible and contains a wealth of information necessary to complete in-depth research. Its holdings change daily and now include more than 122,000 items in a variety of formats, as well as 1,300 periodical titles in paper, micro, and online formats. The library offers the resources of eight college libraries through its collaborative Southeastern Wisconsin Information Technology Exchange (SWITCH) consortium and Topcat, a combined online public-access catalog. Students can access an array of electronic resources and interactive research services, which are available both on-site and from wherever learning takes place. The library’s resources also include a number of laptop computers that are available for checkout for up to seven days at a time, an Instructional Materials Center containing children’s literary materials for educators, and the Franciscan Center, which is a library of materials devoted to Franciscan studies.
The Information Technology Department gives students a competitive edge in today’s computerized society. There are open computer labs, public spaces with computers and network connections for laptops/personal computers, wireless access to the Internet in public spaces, and discipline-specific computer labs. The student computing areas are equipped with laser printers and scanners and house approximately 350 PC and Macintosh computers.
The Career Services Center provides internship and job-search services and resources to all Stritch students and alumni. Individual counseling is available, and workshops offered throughout the year include career choices, job-search techniques, resume writing, interviewing, and choosing a major.
Other academic facilities include a 400-seat teaching theater, a spacious art gallery, photo labs, a dance studio, metal and woodworking shops, a graphic arts computer laboratory, state-of-the-art biology and chemistry laboratories, and a newly renovated nursing resource laboratory.
Sports / Varsity Athletics
A member of NAIA Division II’s Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Cardinal Stritch University offers baseball, basketball, cross-country, soccer, and volleyball for men and basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, and volleyball for women. Stritch athletes have a distinguished reputation for balancing their athletic and academic skills and have represented the University at the district, regional, and national levels.
Expenses
Full-time tuition is $21,480; room and board were $7,430. Part-time tuition was $515 per credit for all undergraduate programs except nursing, which was $570 per credit.
Financial Aid
As one of the least expensive private colleges in Wisconsin, Cardinal Stritch University is quite affordable. Approximately 93 percent of Stritch students receive some type of financial aid. On average, Stritch students get half of their tuition paid by grants and scholarships. A wide range of financial aid options is available at Cardinal Stritch University, including government-subsidized loan and grant programs as well as University scholarships, on-campus employment opportunities, and off-campus internships. Eligibility for need-based grant and loan programs is determined after filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Candidates for financial aid should complete and mail the FAFSA by April 15 to receive full consideration for all University scholarships and grants.
Admission Requirements / Application
The average student at Cardinal Stritch University graduated from high school with a B average, achieved a composite score of 23 on the ACT, and ranked in the top 40 percent of his or her high school class. The University considers for acceptance those students who achieve an ACT score of 20 or above or a combined SAT score of 940 or above; rank in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class; graduate from high school with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale); and complete 16 high school academic units, broken down as follows: 4 years of English, 2 years of mathematics, 2 years of science, 2 years of social studies, and 6 units of academic electives. When applying for admission, students should send the completed application form, $25 application fee, high school transcripts, and ACT and/or SAT scores. Students are encouraged to apply online at the University’s Web site. On-campus interviews are not required but are recommended.
Transfer students who have fewer than 12 credits from another institution of higher education must submit their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores. International students are welcome to apply. In addition to the application form and $25 fee, international students should also send evaluated copies of all high school and college transcripts, verification of a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL, the International Student Financial Aid Application, and proof of financial viability. The Admissions Office at Cardinal Stritch University accepts applications on a rolling admission basis. Applicants are notified of the decision two weeks after all records are complete.