Hofstra University (HU) History and Academics

History

Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, New York. The nonsectarian, private institution was established as an extension to New York University. The founders, William S. Hofstra and Kate Mason, established the university on their estate. Kate Mason left the majority of the couple’s property to charity in the name of her husband. Two individuals by the name of James Barnard and Howard Brower looked at turning the site into and institution of higher learning and approached New York University with the proposal. The university started as a coeducational, community university that offered day and evening classes. The first official day of classes was September 23, 1935. Hofstra separated from New York University in 1939, and on February 16, 1940, the university was granted absolute charter.

The first four-year commencement took place in 1939. This school received recognition from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools on November 22, 1940, and in 1941, the university became a member of the American Association of Colleges. The university was privileged to host the 1950 Shakespeare Festival in The Calkins Gymnasium.

This university became the first private university on Long Island. The Board of Trustees decided to make the university barrier-free for those with disabilities with the belief that all should have access to a higher education. The university became a pioneer for this movement.

The university was granted 110 acres of land when the Mitchel Air Force Base closed in 1963. The concrete runways presently serve as parking lots.

HU began recognizing its “divisions” as “schools” during the 1960s. The university offered its first doctoral degree in 1966. The site of the 2008 Presidential debate on October 15 was held here. It has been the site of several Presidential conferences and international conferences over the years.

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Information Summary

Ranks 49th in New York and 508th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	86.5
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$63,748
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	30 / 1330
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	82% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,871

Academics

Nineteen academic areas hold full accreditation at HU, and less than 100 colleges hold this distinction. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the university. Other accreditations include The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, all accounting programs; Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., physician assistant program; Council on Rehabilitation Education, Inc., rehabilitation counseling; Engineering Accreditation Commission of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, engineering science; and Teacher Education Accreditation Council, teacher education program.

This university has 6 academic schools and colleges that include Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, HU School of Law, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, School of Communication, HU Honors College, School for University Studies, and School of Education, Health, and Human Services. A few of the academic departments at the university include Department of Health Professions and Kinesiology, Department of African Studies, Department of Economics, Department of Engineering, Department of Writing Studies and Composition, Department of Geology, and Department of Communication, Rhetoric and Performance Studies.

This school also has many centers and institutions to assist students in their respective academic areas. These centers and institutions include Center for Legal Advocacy, Institute of the Arts, HU Foundation, Center for Technological Literacy, Center for Continuing Education, Diane Linder-Goldberg Child Care Institution, Institute of Real estate, and Institute for the Development in the Advanced Sciences.

Also offered are Distance Learning degrees and courses to students. The university currently offers over 1,700 online courses and 5 fully online degree and certificate programs. The degrees and certificates include Master of Business Administration; Advanced Certificate in Educational Technology; Master of Science in Education Educational, Leadership, and Policy Studies; Master of Science in Computer Science; and Advanced Certificate Program in Gifted Education.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

First years students require the following for admission: a completed application, application fee (non-refundable), official high school transcript, official ACT or SAT scores, one letter of recommendation, completed Counselor Recommendation/High School Report Form, completed essay/personal statement, and an informational interview (contact admissions counselor). First year students must submit applications by early November for Early Action I and early December for Early Acton II. Regular decision applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Transfer students must meet the same requirements and submit a transcript from each attended college (ACT or SAT scores are only required if students have less than 24 college credits). Transfer students must submit an admissions application by early March for the fall semester and early November for the spring semester.

The requirements for admission into the School of Law include a completed application, a non-refundable application fee, personal statement, two letters of recommendation (optional), registration with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), and completion of the LSAT. J.D. Early Action applications are due in early November and regular decision applications are due in early April. Students applying for LL.M admission must submit the application by early November for spring semester and early July for fall priority.

Admission into the Medical School requires a completed application and supplemental application, an application fee and the supplemental application fee, a minimum GPA of 3.0, a 24 on the MCAT, a premedical committee report. Students may begin submitting applications in early August.

Financial Aid

Students who wish to receive financial aid must complete the FAFSA application to be considered for financial assistance. Loans, grants, Work-Study, and scholarships are available to students who qualify. This school also has additional financial aid for part-time students.

Loans that students may qualify for consist of Federal Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. Many of these loans have specific criteria in regards to repayment and loan interest so students must make sure to adhere to these specifications.

Grants are another form of financial assistance for students. Certain grants are only available to in state residents, but students should apply for as many grants as possible. A few of the grants include Federal Pell Grant, Hofstra Aid, SEO Grant, SMART Grant, TEACH Grant, NYS TAP Grant, and Academic Competitiveness Grant.

Veterans may qualify for financial assistance. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program helps veterans earn a degree. The Post-9/11 Bill helps with housing and education for those who served at least 90 days of military service on or after September 11, 2001. Veterans with service-connected disabilities who were discharged after 30 days may also receive aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Students

HU has many residential halls to choose from for residential living. The halls include The Netherlands, The High Rises, Liberty and Republic, Nassau and Suffolk , Colonial Square , and Stuyvesant. There is also the Graduate Residence Hall for graduate students. These halls have two bedroom suites, three bedroom suites, and four bedroom suites.

The university has over 35 active and inactive sororities and fraternities. These Greek organizations organized many campus and community activities that enhance the college experience. These groups also promote effective leadership at the university. A few of the sororities include Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Chi Delta, and Delta Gamma. A few of the fraternities include MALIK, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Tau, Omega Psi Phi, Pershing Rifles, Phi Iota Alpha, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, and Pi Kappa Alpha.

Students can enjoy many different activities on campus. A few of the activities include the Welcome Back Party, 9/11 Candlelight Ceremony, Hofstra Idol, Blue Leadership Program, Hofstra Celebrates the Holidays, Alcohol Awareness Week, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Possible clubs and organizations that may interest students include Hofstra Historians, Graduate Biology club, Philosophy Club, Computer Science Club, The Actuarial; Science Club, Rotaract, and Society for the Advancement of Computing.

The university has an amazing fitness center for student enjoyment. The center features an indoor track 6 basketball hoops, Cybex strength training pieces, state of the art cardio equipment, ADA certified circuit, a cycling studio, a lounge and computer station, and more.

There are other social, religious, performance, professional, multicultural, academic, and societies organizations to explore once students enroll.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division I Conference. The teams are nicknamed The Pride. These teams proudly sport the colors white, blue, and gold. The teams comprise of 17 varsity teams that include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, wrestling, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball.

This is one of the few universities with two mascots. William and Kate Pride, a lioness and lion are the school’s mascots. The mascots are named after Kate Davidson and William Hofstra, benefactors for the university.

The university has 9 athletic facilities that include Mack Sports Complex , James M. Shuart Stadium, Shuart Stadium Building , Margiotta Hall, Physical Education Building , Soccer Stadium, Field Hockey Facility, University Field, Softball Stadium, Tennis Courts, and Swim Center.

HU also offers intramural sports and sports clubs. These groups give students an opportunity to build lasting friendships and competitiveness. Students compete against each other and other institutions. A few of the sports include women’s soccer, baseball, equestrian, crew, tennis, roller hockey, wrestling, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, ice hockey, and table tennis.

Hofstra University