Shenandoah University (SU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

With the goal to create a “Yes, You Can” environment for students to build their future; Shenandoah University or SU came into being in 1875. It was originally founded as Shenandoah Seminary by Dr. Abraham Funkhouser and Professor Jay Fries in Dayton, Virginia. After a few name and status changes, it finally received the University status on January 1, 1991. Today, Shenandoah University is a private University of higher education located in Winchester, Virginia. Shenandoah promotes the welfare of each individual by fostering an environment in which students learn, grow and flourish.

Information Summary

Ranks 14th in Virginia and 337th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	89.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$47,000
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	26 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	11 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	83% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,817

Academics

Shenandoah University offers more than 85 programs of study leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Shenandoah University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. At SU, students can personalize their major by taking a minor in something that interests them or supplements their major. Students can also get a double major. The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) offers self paced learning programs for the adults in diverse areas such as Sustainable Energy and Going Green, Healthcare and Fitness, Hospitality and Gaming, and Media and Design.

Shenandoah University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The University also holds discipline-based accreditations from accrediting agencies such as Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education; American Music Therapy Association; State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; and Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Schools and Colleges:

The University offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees and over 25 graduate degrees through the following academic schools and colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business; Shenandoah Conservatory; School of Health Professions; Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy; and School of Education & Human Development Programs of Study.

SU Online:

Shenandoah also offers online certificate courses for students who are unable to attend regular college due to full time job commitments or other responsibilities. These online programs are designed to provide students with the workforce skills required to gain professional positions for several in-demand jobs. As an online learner, students can take the opportunity to advance their career or get a certificate in business, technical construction, allied-health care, internet design, Microsoft training and more.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Each year, Shenandoah University boasts an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students from over 45 states across the nation and more than 70 countries worldwide. The student body is equally divided between undergraduate and graduate students. Admission to Shenandoah University is competitive, so applicants are requested to decide their academic and career goals. Students seeking admission to SU must send their official academic transcripts, ACT or SAT scores and letters of recommendation.

Transfer students must send all the official transcripts from any colleges or universities previously attended. International students must meet the University’s ESL requirement and send their TOEFL score. SU offers several support services for international students such as the International and Cross-Cultural Center, the Writing Center, and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

Financial Aid

Each year, nearly 85% of the students apply for financial aid at Shenandoah University. The institution strives to help students meet their educational expenses through various mediums. All students seeking financial aid must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarships offered at the University include Presidential Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, Promise Scholarship, Arts & Sciences Scholarships, Business Scholarships, Conservatory Talent Award, Nursing Scholarships, Virginia Conference United Methodist Scholarship, Virginia Conference Ministerial Grant, and Tuition Exchange Scholarships.

Shenandoah offers a variety of federal and state grants which include Shenandoah University Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant, and Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG).

Loans are borrowed funds that need to be returned with interest. Some of the loans offered at SU are Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, Alternative/Private Loan Programs, and Federal Loan Consolidation.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1173rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Virginia.

Students

Student life at Shenandoah boasts a close-knit, caring community offering plentiful opportunities for leadership, service, and fun. The Student Government Association (SGA) is an on-campus organization that acts like the voice of the student body. It initiates and organizes a variety of events and activities to enrich the University experience of the students. There are several on-campus clubs and organizations such as Political Science Society, Psychology Club, Colleges Against Cancer, Black Student Union, and International Students Association (ISA). There are also several honorary societies on the campus such as Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Chi, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Phi Lambda Sigma, Phi Theta Epsilon, and Pho Chi.

The Office of Student Activities is committed to providing a variety of quality programs and activities to boost the SU experience. They provide educational, recreational, and social programs to help students become lifelong learners. The office serves all types of students: commuter and residential, undergraduate and graduate, part-time as well as full-time.

Media and Publications:

The SUN is the award-wining campus newspaper, published weekly since 1994. The newspaper covers all aspects of campus news and student life. The student writers contributing for the newspaper have been honored with several journalism awards from the Virginia Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Society for Collegiate Journalists, and the American Scholastic Press Association.

Campus Facilities:

The Shenandoah University Libraries comprise of the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library, which is the main library facility for the University. There is a Media Center located on the third floor of the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library. The branch Health Sciences Library is housed in the Health Professions Building of the Winchester Medical Center. The campus also includes a Career Development Center and a Wilkins Wellness Center that provides health and counseling services.

Shenandoah University offers decent housing facilities for the students. The residence life is enriched with a variety of support services, activities and recreational programs to promote the overall development of the students. The residence halls are well-furnished and equipped with modern amenities. Some of the residence halls at SU include Funkhouser Hall, Gore Hall, Parker Hall, Racey Hall, Edwards Residential Village, and Romine Living Center.

Shenandoah also present lip smacking dining options for the students, faculty members and staff. The eateries are common places for students to hangout between classes or grab a quick bite. Some of the popular dining locations within the campus are Allen Dining Hall Marketplace, Jazzman’s Café, 155 Grill, Simply to Go, and the Health Professions Building (HPB) Café.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Shenandoah’s athletics department sponsors men’s and women’s teams that compete in intercollegiate sports such as baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, softball, cross country, volleyball, and track & field. The sports teams are nicknamed the Hornets. Their colors are Red and Blue. The Hornets compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III. SU is a member of the USA South Athletic Conference; Colonial States Athletic Conference (men’s lacrosse); and Middle Atlantic Corporation.

Additional School Information

The U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges and Universities list (2011 issue) placed Shenandoah University at 32nd (Tier 1) in the Regional Universities (South) category.

Bibliography

Shenandoah University. 2011.

Mellott, Jack. Shenandoah University. Harmony House Publishers, 2000. Print.

Shenandoah University