The John F. Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University offers innovative programs that emphasize an active approach to learning. These programs provide students with the opportunity to utilize their business knowledge, analytical skills, and technological competencies in a business environment. The programs also assist students in assessing career goals and provide additional preparation for entry into the business environment. Finally, participation allows students the opportunity to build a resume, to practice networking, and to develop organizational, communication, and time management skills.

Students in the John F. Welch College of Business may earn up to a maximum of 9 credits through experiential learning. This may include up to three credits counted toward requirements in the student's major and up to 6 additional credits of free electives.

Internships
Internships are available in all majors. The John F. Welch College of Business internship is unique in its focus on development and enhancement of job search, interviewing and career assessment skills as well as experience in the field. The internship experience is recorded and assessed using a portfolio approach. At the conclusion of the internship, students re-evaluate skills, career goals and career development needs in light of the experience. Students have interned at a large number of firms including: General Electric, JP Morgan Chase, Prudential Securities, Merrill Lynch, First Investors, Octagon, Enterprise Car Rental, Pitney Bowes, KPMG, PWC, IBM and Unilever.

Entrepreneurs Club
The Entrepreneurs Club offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in creating and managing new business ventures. Students participate in developing business plans, managing small businesses and learning from lecturers and mentors who are specialists in marketing, financing, managing and planning new companies and small businesses.

Business Plan Competition
Students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Class develop a business plan and submit to the Connecticut Business Plan Competition. A panel of senior business executives selects winning entries to participate in a formal competition where each plan is presented to the panel and followed with a question and answer session. SHU students have been selected as finalists and semifinalists in each of the past 3 years.  In 2007, the Welch College of Business took first plac

Investment Challenge
Each semester the  Economics and Finance Department runs an Investment Challenge where students invest $50,000 in virtual money. Awards are provided for highest return on investment and performance surpassing the Standard & Poor's 500 index.

Service Learning
Service Learning offers students the opportunity to learn about an academic subject through active participation in service experiences that are integrated into the curriculum. Service learning is offered in a number of courses in the University and in at least one finance or economics class each term. Recent projects include:

• the development of a marketing plan to enhance the downtown area for the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC)
• feasibility studies for local organizations
• financial analysis for two local not for profit organizations
• economic impact study of the proposed expansion of the Seaview Avenue Corridor
• analysis of sources and uses of funds for the Bridgeport Public Education Fund
• financial analysis of a proposed parking garage, property leases, and fare structures for the Bridgeport Port Authority
  

VITA
The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program directed by Professor Danny Pannese, CPA, provides training and the opportunity to become VITA certified by the Internal Revenue Service in income tax preparation. VITA certified students then assist members of the local community in preparing income tax returns. The program is available on a credit or non-credit basis. Each year SHU students volunteer approximately 600 hours for VITA.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
The SIFE Club (and optional one credit course) advised by Dr. Joshua Shuart, provides students with another opportunity to engage in experiential learning. Through SIFE, students design and implement business focused community service projects. During the spring, the group creates a presentation summarizing their activities and presents the results at regional and national competitions judged by business executives. Initiated SHU SIFE has already won three regional awards and one national award. SIFE projects include a feasibility study for a local firm; a marketing campaign for a beverage corporation; working with middle school students on an advertising campaign for local not-for-profits; helping local high school students with job search, resume writing and interviewing skills; and business analysis and planning for local not-for-profits.

Fed Challenge Competition
The Fed Challenge competition consists of a 20 minute presentation by college students to professionals at the NY Federal Reserve. Topics include current economic and financial conditions, a near term forecast of economic and financial conditions that affect monetary policy, identification of risks that threaten the economic well-being of the country and a recommendation as to the action the Federal Reserve should take with regard to short-term interest rates. The Department of Economics and Finance offers a one credit course on applied monetary policy that includes participation in the Fed Challenge is offered throughout the year.