Sacred Heart University: A Comprehensive Overview of Graduate Programs

Embark on your journey to gain greater skills and knowledge with Sacred Heart University's graduate programs, designed to support you every step of the way. With the flexibility of online degree programs, earning an advanced degree while maintaining professional momentum has never been easier. Sacred Heart University offers a wide array of graduate programs, catering to diverse academic and professional aspirations. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

Diverse Graduate Programs

Sacred Heart University offers a range of graduate programs designed to meet the evolving needs of various professions. These programs emphasize practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and ethical considerations, preparing students for leadership roles and impactful contributions to their respective fields.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA

Built with CACREP standards as a foundation, the master’s in clinical mental health counseling program prepares mental health counselors to make a difference in the global community. This program emphasizes ethical practice, cultural competence, and evidence-based interventions, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to address the complex mental health needs of diverse populations.

Social Work, MSW

Learn to aid vulnerable populations with a deeper understanding of modern social work theory and practice models, all from a perspective of truth and justice. The MSW program emphasizes social justice, advocacy, and ethical practice, preparing graduates to address systemic inequalities and promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Nursing Programs (RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Master's Certificates)

Sacred Heart University offers several pathways for nurses to advance their education and careers:

RN-BSN: Develop the knowledge required for today’s nursing roles while gaining the personal touch you need to become an even better nurse for your patients. An accelerated RN-BSN option is also available.
MSN: Explore health care policy and ethics, principles of health care research, and the underlying theories of contemporary nursing.
MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: RNs with a BSN and two years of experience who are interested in advancing as psychiatric nurses can earn an online MSN at Sacred Heart. This program focuses on providing comprehensive mental health care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner: Learn to conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat common illnesses, and help patients take action to improve or maintain their personal well-being.
Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate: Prepare for certification as a family nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate: Gain the advanced clinical skills to address the mental and emotional needs of patients across their lifespan.

These nursing programs are designed to equip nurses with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in a variety of settings.

School Counseling, MA

Earn the degree and field experiences necessary to become an ethical data-driven school counselor and pursue licensure/certification in your state. The program emphasizes ethical practice, advocacy, and collaboration, preparing graduates to support the academic, social, and emotional development of all students.

Health Administration, Master (MHA)

Learn to lead and transform the healthcare industry by gaining practical skills to improve organizational efficiencies and patient care within your community. The MHA program emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and quality improvement, preparing graduates to lead and innovate in the complex healthcare landscape.

Admission Requirements

Sacred Heart University utilizes a portfolio approach when considering students for graduate study. Applicants are expected to have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher. Applicants with an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 3.0 may be provisionally accepted to certain programs if they demonstrate those qualities needed to succeed in the University’s graduate programs. Certain programs may require above a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have additional requirements of a prerequisite GPA or an interview.

Combined Undergraduate to Graduate Programs

Sacred Heart University offers combined undergraduate to graduate programs that allow students to take graduate courses during their undergraduate study sequence. The combined program courses and schedule offered vary by degree program. Once students apply for graduation, they must also file an application for the master’s degree portion of the combined program with the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applicants that meet the minimum GPA requirement for the graduate degree program are guaranteed admission into the graduate program. All other application materials and requirements may be waived at the discretion of the graduate program director. Once students are admitted, the master's matriculation will be opened for the start term immediately after the last bachelor’s degree term.

Read also: A Guide to SHU Admissions

Accreditation

Take your next step with a regionally accredited online education from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Sacred Heart University is approved by the Secretary of Education and recognized as accredited by the Connecticut State Department of Education or a Connecticut higher education institution accredited by the Connecticut Board of Governors of Higher Education. This accreditation ensures that Sacred Heart University meets rigorous standards of quality and academic excellence.

Read also: SHU Tuition and Fees

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