Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (SUP, SU, Shipensburg, Shippenburg) Introduction and History

Introduction

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (SU) is a comprehensive university that offers 75 undergraduate programs and more than 15 master’s programs in a variety of disciplines. The school also offers three doctoral or post-master’s programs. SU serves over 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus has been updated to reflect its modern curriculum and student body: there is a child-care center and a library, extensive on-campus technology assistance, and high-speed internet access in all residence halls.

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Information Summary

Ranks 74th in Pennsylvania and 821st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$29,086
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	23 / 1170
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	72% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,381

History

SU opened in 1873 as the Cumberland Valley State Normal school with a class of 217 students. It received accreditation to award bachelor’s degrees in education in 1926 and became the first normal school in Pennsylvania to graduate to a state teachers college in 1927. SU’s master of education degree was approved in 1959, and business administration and arts and sciences degrees were added in following years. The school received its current name, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, in 1983.

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Academics

SU offers 75 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s programs, and 3 post-master’s programs. Classes are divided amongst three undergraduate colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, the John L. Grove College of Business, and the College of Education and Human Services – and a graduate school for graduate courses.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers programs in English, economics, journalism, biology, mathematics, and more. Students can take classes across 17 departments and more than 70 majors, minors, and certificate programs. The College of Arts and Sciences also offers internship programs to students in almost every major track, letting students gain hands-on experience in practical job applications.

College of Business

The John L. Grove College of Business, one of only 620 schools worldwide to be accredited by AACSB International, has been ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the best colleges for undergraduate business study in the north region. It offers majors in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and more, along with a three-year BSBA program and a five-year BSBA and MBA program. The business school’s graduate program offers MBAs and business certificates. The Advanced Studies in Business Certificate Program can be taken online and is designed specifically for professionals who are not necessarily qualified for an MBA program. Additionally, the business school offers an extensive minors program for students of other disciplines who would like to include the study of business in their diploma.

College of Education and Human Services

The College of Education and Human Services offers degrees leading to jobs in counseling, education, criminal justice, and more. Undergraduates can study military science, exercise science, and social work in addition to education and criminal justice. Graduate students can study these topics as well as counseling and special education. Like the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services offers internships and professional experiences in most of its major programs. These experiences are highly recommended, as they give students a chance to experience their chosen career path in an active and hands-on environment. Teacher education students are required to do an internship program to gain field experience.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Admissions

Students applying for admission to SU can access the application online through the admissions page of the SU website. There is an application form which must be submitted online or in person as well as an application fee. Students must also submit a secondary school transcript or GED results and SAT scores. If desired, students can also submit SAT II scores, which will assist in subject placement. Students may also wish to arrange an interview, which is not required but often helps the application process.

Students

Though most of SU’s students are from Pennsylvania, the student body draws from 20 states and 15 countries worldwide. Many students also choose to study abroad or do internships in foreign countries. This adds international diversity to the campus, which strengthens students’ appreciation for an increasingly global workplace.

Over 2,500 students at SU choose to live on campus in one of the nine residence halls and apartment complexes. Living on campus makes it easy to get involved with school events, activities, and clubs without walking far from the room. On-campus students also have easy access to the campus library, classrooms, dining halls, and more.

Clubs and student organizations are a great way for every student to get involved in the SU community. There are over 200 groups on campus, so regardless of your interests it’s easy to find a group that you can really fit in with. Clubs can be social, academic, honorary, religious, service-oriented, and more. If you can’t find one that you like, don’t worry – it’s easy to start a new club.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

SU offers a variety of club and intramural sports that make it easy for students to get involved in athletic events and activities. The club sports program lets students travel and compete with other schools in sports like rugby, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, tennis, and more. Students must try out for club sports teams, so this is a great opportunity for athletes to let their skills shine.

For people who want to get involved in sports but may not have a lot of experience, the intramural sports program is a fun way to join a team and compete on-campus with other classmates, faculty, and friends. The intramural sports are softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, street hockey, and ultimate frisbee. At the end of each season, intramural teams compete in a championship round, and the winning teams get their pictures featured on the intramural website.

For students who don’t want to participate in a sport but still want to be active, the Recreation Center offers basketball and volleyball courts, cardiovascular equipment, a running track, a group fitness studio, and racquetball courts. Classes are offered on a daily basis, so even beginners can get started with something new.

Faculty

SU has over 300 full-time faculty members with specific expertise in their respective fields. Nearly 90 percent of all full-time faculty has earned a Ph.D. or other terminal degree. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, which means that classes are small and students have the opportunity to interact with their professors. Additionally, every class is taught by a professor rather than a graduate assistant or a teaching assistant, so students are guaranteed to learn from an actual faculty member regardless of their academic year or subject of study.

Bibliography

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Application for Admission for International Undergraduate Students. Print.

Shippensburg University. Web. 23 Sept. 2011.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania