Part-Time Admission

Start your world-class college experience, on your terms.

Sacred Heart offers semester-long and accelerated courses with multiple start dates throughout the year. Courses are available on campus and online with traditional, evening, and weekend options available. SHU’s accelerated AHEAD terms are 8 weeks long. Part-time students can take up to 11 credits per semester. 

Upcoming Terms

Academic Programs

Sacred Heart's academic excellence begins with a diverse offering of majors across disciplines. Search for your academic program of interest.

Your previous college experience counts here, too -- you can transfer up to 66 credits from two-year colleges and 90 credits from four-year colleges. Learn more about SHU’s transfer credit policy and consult our Transfer Equivalency Guide.

Online Degree Completion Programs

Part-time students have the opportunity to earn a sought-after degree fully online. Convenient for working adults with busy schedules, SHU's online degree completion programs have multiple start dates throughout the year and offer classes in accelerated, 7.5-week AHEAD terms to allow for faster completion of the degree. Learn about SHU's online degree programs:

• BS Criminal Justice
• BA/BS General Studies
• BS Health Science
• BS Psychology
• BA Strategic Communication, Public Relations & Advertising

To apply, simply choose the "Fully Online" option when selecting a major on the part-time application to Sacred Heart University.

Ready to apply? Here's how.

• Complete a part-time application
• Submit the application fee via your applicant portal
• Request official transcripts be sent to SHU

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the first day of each start term.

If you have questions throughout the application process, contact:

Stephanie Melia
Director of Transfer Admissions
203-864-5076
melias8@sacredheart.edu

A few more steps will help you complete your application to SHU:

• Contact your high school and request that your official transcript or GED be sent to SHU.
• If you have taken college courses previously, request that official transcripts be sent to SHU from all colleges and universities you have attended. You may submit unofficial transcripts for a preliminary application review and credit evaluation, but official transcripts with final grades must be submitted before credits will be transferred to SHU.
• Provide documentation of adequate immunization. While this is not an application requirement, proof of immunization is legally required in order to register for classes.
• If you wish to pursue potentially earning college credits for job and life experiences, which would be transferable to SHU if awarded, review the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program.

You may be eligible for financial assistance.

Many people are surprised to find out that virtually everyone is eligible for financial aid. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:

• Pell Grants that can range up to $4,000
• Federal Direct Student loans – federal loans that you do not pay back while you are enrolled half-time or more
• Private scholarships
• A lifetime learning credit
• A student loan interest deduction on your taxes
• Community Service Loan Forgiveness

Learn more about scholarships & financial assistance for part-time students

Non-Degree Visiting Students

If you are enrolled full-time at another institution and would like to take a class or classes at Sacred Heart, you are considered a visiting student. Learn more about studying as a visiting student at SHU.