As far back as 1741, a Jesuit college in Philadelphia had been proposed and planned by Joseph Greaton, S.J., the first resident pastor of Old St. Joseph’s. The suppression of the Jesuits and dissension within the Philadelphia Catholic community delayed the official founding of Saint Joseph’s College until 1851.
Between 1861 and 1922, Saint Joseph’s experienced steady and strong growth, both in student enrollment and academic offerings. In 1943, an evening college was founded to serve learners with a need for more flexible classes. In the fall of 1970, the College opened its doors to women as full-time students, bringing an end to its tradition as an all-male institution.
The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized Saint Joseph’s as a university on July 24, 1978. The University added a College of Business and Administration to complement the existing College of Arts & Sciences, and added graduate programs including health administration, criminal justice, gerontology, public safety, and computer science.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Saint Joseph’s transformed from a commuter school to a residential institution, drawing a majority of its students from outside of Pennsylvania. As the University welcomed larger, more accomplished classes, the number of full-time faculty increased by nearly 80 percent.
Saint Joseph’s is now a comprehensive, internationally recognized university with students from across the country and around the world, both online and on campus. Our national rankings and AACSB accreditation in the Haub School indicate the high quality of our undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs.
A Saint Joseph's education incorporates the Ignatian credo of cura personalis, or care of the entire person. Guided by a faculty committed to both teaching and scholarship, students develop intellectually, spiritually and emotionally through a unique curriculum, lively discussions, and advanced study in a chosen discipline.
The Jesuit Tradition
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING] STEVE GARY: Rich, rigorous, and rewarding.
SABRINA DETURK: Theoretical perspectives-- the research behind any of the disciplines they're studying.
Practicality-- creating individuals who are independent thinkers.
JEANNE BRADY: Flexibility.
So St. Joseph's University programs are unique. We're a Jesuit institution that has a deep commitment to social justice and we have embedded those commitments and goals into our online programs, as well as our traditional programs. We know that the students who go through our programs will have an outstanding education experience.
SABRINA DETURK: Cura personalis-- I think it's really more relevant in the online context. What it means for students is that your faculty will really take time to figure out who you are, where you're coming from academically, and how they can best lead you to the next stage.
STEVE GARY: St. Joseph's has asked their graduate directors and their graduate instructors, take a close look. Look at some of the standards that are being promulgated in the field and apply those standards as you construct your course. And in doing that and following those kinds of guidelines, the level of content is raised and the level of learning follows along just the same.
SABRINA DETURK: So the online experience I think provides our students, number one, with flexibility.
SUBJECT 1: I have always email access to a teacher. There's that flexibility within that that if I have a question at 10:30 at night, I can email them and nine times out of 10, you get a response right away from them.
SUBJECT 2: I have the flexibility to work around my everyday normal routine.
SUBJECT 3: I found myself reaching out and saying, can I call you, What time is good for you, And then them responding with, here's my home phone, here's my office phone, whatever you need, and then spending an hour on the phone.
SABRINA DETURK: I think the online also provides students an opportunity to engage with both peers and faculty from across the country and even across the world in ways that provide different perspectives on their education.
SUBJECT 4: And I think the perspectives from across the country and internationally really made the classroom experience relevant. It makes it essentially easy for me to go to school. I could not do it on ground.
STEVE GARY: Supporting programs, faculty, and students-- what are those best practices? What are those things that can allow a student to enter into this learning environment and from the very first day that they become a part of it build new understandings?
SABRINA DETURK: St. Joseph's University offers in their online programs I think an experience that is in many ways closely linked to the traditions of the campus-based programs. I think the fact that you would be studying online but with a campus that has over 150 years of tradition gives a really unique perspective.
Many of our faculty do teach both on-campus and online and I think it allows a connection to the history of the institution that is important and probably pretty different than what you'd get at a lot of other online programs.
STEVE GARY: What is it that a person needs in order to be successful in their elected field? Our students' success is of utmost important to us and the way we bring it about is by engaging with them as frequently and often as we can. I think that's what makes St. Joseph's So unique.
It's personal involvement with our students, even at a distance. Some feel that distance learning isolates. I don't think you'll find that at St. Joseph's.As a Jesuit university, Saint Joseph's University believes each student realizes his or her fullest potential through challenging study, unique learning opportunities, and a commitment to excellence in all endeavors. The University also reinforces the individual's lifelong engagement with the wider world. Graduates of SJU attain success in their careers with the help of an extensive network of alumni who have become leading figures in business, law, medicine, education, the arts, technology, government, and public service.
A Saint Joseph's education encompasses all aspects of personal growth and development, reflecting the Ignatian credo of cura personalis, or care of the entire person. Guided by a faculty committed to both teaching and scholarship, students develop intellectually through a unique curriculum and advanced study in a chosen discipline.
If you would like more information about Saint Joseph's University online, call (215) 473-2695 to speak with an Program Manager or request more information below.