Fairfield University: A Comprehensive Overview of Academic Programs and Opportunities
Fairfield University, a private Jesuit university situated in Fairfield, Connecticut, offers a wide array of academic programs across its five schools and colleges. Founded in 1942, the university has grown into a comprehensive institution with a strong emphasis on Jesuit values, academic excellence, and community engagement. This article provides an in-depth look at the degrees offered, campus life, and notable aspects of Fairfield University.
A Foundation in History and Jesuit Values
Fairfield University's origins trace back to 1941 when James H. Dolan, Provincial for the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, sought permission to establish a Jesuit high school and college in southwestern Connecticut. Officially founded in 1942, the university acquired the estates of the Brewster Jennings and Walter Lashar families. John J. McEleney was appointed as the first president of the Fairfield University of St. Robert Bellarmine. In 1945, the State of Connecticut authorized Fairfield University to grant degrees. The College of Arts and Sciences welcomed its first class of 303 male students in 1947, and in 1970, the university became co-educational.
A significant legal precedent was set by the 1971 Supreme Court case Tilton vs. Richardson, which concerned the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and government financial assistance to religious-based colleges and universities. This case questioned the legality of Fairfield and three other Connecticut religious-based institutions receiving federal construction grants under the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963.
Key figures in Fairfield University's history include Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., who served as the school's seventh president for 25 years, overseeing a period of significant growth, and Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., who launched the "Our Promise: The Campaign for Fairfield University," raising $137.9 million for construction, renovations, and academic chairs. In 2017, Mark R. Nemec became the first lay president in the university's history.
Academic Divisions and Degree Programs
Fairfield University comprises five schools and colleges:
Read also: Fairfield University Student Body Profile
- John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences
- Charles F. Dolan School of Business
- School of Engineering and Computing
- Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
- School of Education and Human Development
The university offers 43 majors and 19 minors for undergraduate students, along with 41 different graduate programs. In 2016-17, the university awarded 930 bachelor's degrees, 367 master's degrees, and 36 doctoral degrees.
John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences
The John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences provides students with critical skills applicable to both professional and personal life. Students have opportunities for civic engagement, study abroad, and hands-on research across various disciplines, including the arts and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences.
Undergraduate Programs:
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (BA)
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (Minor)
- Rhetoric and Professional Writing (Minor)
- Actuarial Science (Minor)
- Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Graduate Programs:
- Communication, MA
- Personnel Psychology (Certificate)
- Organizational Psychology (Certificate)
The Meditz College of Arts and Sciences also offers accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs, allowing qualified undergraduate students to earn both degrees in as few as five years.
Charles F. Dolan School of Business
The Dolan School of Business, established in 1978, offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs focused on business and management.
Undergraduate Programs:
- Sports Business (BS)
- Accounting Analytics (Minor)
- International Business (Minor)
- Dual major in Finance and Computer Science (BS)
- Integrated Business and Engineering (BS)
Graduate Programs:
- Financial Technology (MS)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Minor)
School of Engineering and Computing
The School of Engineering and Computing, formed after the acquisition of Bridgeport Engineering Institute in 1994, offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Read also: Fairfield Career Guide
Undergraduate Programs:
- Dual major in Computer Science and Finance (BS)
- Mechatronics Engineering (BS)
- Web and Mobile Application Development (Minor)
Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies focuses on preparing students for careers in healthcare and related fields.
Graduate Programs:
- Public Health (MPH)
School of Education and Human Development
The School of Education and Human Development offers programs for students interested in pursuing careers in education and related fields.
Undergraduate Programs:
- Curriculum and Instruction (Bachelors)
Graduate Programs:
- Queer and Transgender Mental Health (Certificate)
- Psychological and Educational Consultation (Minor)
- Family Therapy and Social Work
Popular Majors
Among undergraduates, the most popular majors, ranked in order of popularity, include:
- Nursing
- Finance
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Communication
- Psychology
- Biology
- English
Campus Life and Student Activities
Fairfield University is located in a coastal town along Long Island Sound, less than 60 miles from New York City. The 200-acre campus consists of 35 buildings, including Bellarmine Hall, McAuliffe Hall, and David J. Dolan House. Bellarmine Hall serves as the main administration building.
The campus is also home to Fairfield College Preparatory School (Fairfield Prep), an all-male preparatory high school aligned with the college since its founding in 1942.
Read also: Your Guide to Fairfield University Orientation
Community Engagement
A central tenet of Jesuit education is "men and women for others," and Fairfield students are actively involved in community service. Students participate in international service trips during spring and winter breaks, traveling to countries like Ecuador, Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, and Haiti.
Student Organizations
The Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) is the official student association for full-time undergraduate students. FUSA represents student issues and concerns to the faculty and administration and sponsors a variety of student programs and activities. The association is organized into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
Social Justice Initiatives
Fairfield University promotes the values of peace and social justice. Students have organized events such as "Cardboard City" and "Homeless Village" to raise awareness of homelessness. They have also protested against companies with anti-union practices.
Arts and Culture
The Center for Arts & Minds, founded in 2024, is the university's organizational body for arts and culture on campus. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts hosts events such as music, dance, theatre, and programs for young audiences. The center includes the Kelley Theatre, the Lawrence A. Wien Experimental Theatre, and the Thomas J. Walsh Jr. Art Gallery.
Theatre Fairfield is the resident production company of the Theatre Program, offering professionally directed and designed productions and student-written plays. The PepsiCo Theatre is the home to Theatre Fairfield.
The Fairfield University Art Museum features four galleries with about 2,700 square feet of space.
Rankings and Admissions
Fairfield University is considered a "More Selective" university by U.S. News & World Report. The school accepts the Common Application for admission. In the Fall of 2010, the school moved to a "test optional" admissions policy but recommended scheduling an interview for students who do not submit standardized test scores. Approximately 90% of students receive some type of financial assistance.
In the fall of 2017, the faculty to student ratio was 12:1. The average class size was 22 students, and 80% of classes had under 30 students in them. There were 270 full-time and 319 part-time faculty members. The average freshman retention rate is 90%.
Notable Alumni
Fairfield University boasts a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields:
- Academia and Education: Rebecca Cunningham (President of the University of Minnesota), J. Kevin Dorsey (President of the Southern Illinois University), Katherine Lapp (Executive Vice President of Harvard University), David J. McCarthy Jr. (Dean Emeritus of the Georgetown University Law Center), Thomas Poon (President of Loyola Marymount University), Mark Reed (President of Loyola University of Chicago).
- Business and Finance: Donatella Arpaia, E. Gerald Corrigan (President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York), William P. Egan, John L. Flannery III (Chairman and CEO of General Electric).
- Law and Government: John A. Danaher III (United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut), Raymond J. Dearie (Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court), Joseph P. Flynn and William J. Lavery (Chief Judges of the Connecticut Appellate Court), Martin Looney (Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore).
- Medicine and Science: James Lewis Abbruzzese (Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Duke Cancer Institute), Tatiana Foroud, John T. Sinnott (Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of South Florida).
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