About the University - Undergraduate
The Mission of Saint Peter's University
Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
Accreditation
Saint Peter’s University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is recognized by the New Jersey State Department of Education as an approved teacher-training University. Saint Peter’s University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Saint Peter’s University is working toward accreditation of its educator preparation programs under AAQEP standards with an anticipated quality assurance review in spring 2023. The University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The business program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. The University has registered its programs with the Veterans Administration.
Historical Notes
Saint Peter’s University, New Jersey’s Jesuit University, was founded in 1872 as an independent liberal arts college. One of 28 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Society of Jesus, Saint Peter’s University has become Alma Mater to more than 25,000 graduates and has met the educational needs of many other students. Saint Peter’s University began as a men’s college. Women were admitted to the evening school for the first time during the 1930’s. The College became fully coeducational in 1966 when women were admitted to the day session. In 1979 the College introduced its first graduate program in education. In 2012, Saint Peter’s College was recognized by the State of New Jersey as Saint Peter’s University.
Today approximately 3,200 full-time and part-time students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at the main campus in Jersey City.
Profile of the Campus
The main campus of Saint Peter’s University has long been a landmark on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City. The University’s atmosphere, architecture, and activity reflect a dynamic, vital, urban institution offering important intellectual resources to the community. In recent years Jersey City has developed its waterfront area into an impressive hub for business, finance, and new residential opportunities. The New York City skyline, visible from Jersey City, is a constant reminder of the University’s proximity to one of the country’s major centers of business and culture.
The Jersey City Campus serves students in five schools: the College of Arts and Sciences for traditional age students and graduate programs; and the School of Business Administration for traditional age students and graduate programs; the School of Nursing which houses the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs; the School of Education, which houses the undergraduate and graduate education programs; and the School of Professional Studies (SPS) which provides courses and programs on a part-time basis for students who work during the day and need the convenience of classes on weeknights and Saturdays.
Traditional day students may choose to either commute to campus or reside in one of the University’s residence halls. Graduates of many New Jersey and New York high schools regularly commute to the University by car or by public transportation. The Jersey City campus is conveniently located near the Journal Square PATH Station, a major transportation center connecting to Newark, Hoboken and New York City.
Graduate Programs
The mission of the graduate programs emanates from and extends the mission of Saint Peter’s University. The graduate programs build on the University’s strengths and are responsive to the educational needs of adults who wish to acquire graduate degrees to remain competitive in their chosen careers or to embark upon career changes. Saint Peter’s University currently offers seventeen degree programs: Master of Arts in Education, Education Specialist, Master of Arts in Communication and Public Relations, Master of Arts/Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Accountancy, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Science in Cyber Security, Master of Science in Data Science, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Marketing Science, Master of Science in Health Sciences, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctorate in Educational Leadership (K-12), Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Higher Education), and Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Graduate programs may be offered on either campus, at corporate sites, or at selected school districts.
Master of Arts in Education offers concentrations in Educational Leadership, ESL, Higher Education, Pre-School-3, School Counseling, Reading, Teaching, and Special Education. The Master of Arts in Education also offers a program of teacher preparation leading to certification as a K-6 elementary teacher, 6-8 middle school teacher, or 9-12 secondary teacher for individuals who hold a baccalaureate or master’s degree, but who have not yet pursued a program in teacher education. In addition, a qualified teacher can pursue certification as a Principal, Supervisor, School Business Administrator, or Reading Specialist.
Master of Arts in Communication and Public Relations prepares students for positions in public relations, public relations management, advertising, and corporate communication. Students will gain the knowledge needed to advance their careers within corporations and non-profit agencies, and gain insight into evolving social media technology’s impact on corporate communications.
Master of Business Administration offers concentrations in Cyber Security, Finance, Health Care Administrator, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Risk Management. Each program provides an education at the graduate level which meets industry’s changing mission to internationalize its market and to utilize traditional as well as high-tech concepts in decision making.
Master of Public Administration prepares graduates for roles in a variety of positions to serve the public trust. The program draws upon the University’s expertise in public policy and its unique relationship to the United Nations to help its graduate students better navigate and serve both urban and global communities.
Master of Science in Accountancy deals with the growing complexity of the business world and the resulting demands upon accounting professionals. The program provides the additional tools needed to enhance a practicing accountant’s professional skills. Together with an undergraduate degree in accountancy, the M.S. in Accountancy satisfies the 150 credit hour requirement under N.J. law.
Master of Science in Business Analytics is program designed for working managers and professionals who seek to deepen their industry credentials, data analysis skills and ability to leverage and monetize data in managerial processes and decision making to meet market needs.
Master of Science in Cyber Security provides students with the technical knowledge and skills needed to investigate data breaches, implement security architecture, strategies and recovery plans, and use cyber security and digital forensics software/tool-kits to protect an organization from cyber-attacks. The program prepares students for jobs in the cyber security field including positions as an information security analyst, network architect, systems manager, information assurance analyst/auditor, and detective or criminal investigator.
Master of Science in Data Science integrates courses in analytics and computer science with business and prepares graduates for careers as predictive modelers or analysts in data-driven industries such as marketing, finance, banking, and health care.
Master of Science in Health Sciences prepares future leaders in healthcare to think critically and lead ethically, grounded in the Jesuit values and traditions. To respond to critical needs in various healthcare settings, particularly in our ever-changing, urban and global environment, the MSHS program will prepare graduates to apply leadership skills to meet the challenges facing health care and the healthcare industry, to work collaboratively to care for the whole person, cura personalis, for and with the well- being of others.
Master of Science in Finance is a program designed for working professional and full-time and part-time students who wish to gain the expertise to succeed in today's globalized financial world. The Master of Science in Finance degree will provide students with the knowledge and practice knowledge on a host of topics and are well-prepared to pass leading financial certification exams.
Master of Science in Marketing Science is a STEM program designed for students from diverse backgrounds in Business, Marketing, Data, IT and more. Students will enter the marketplace with the ability to understand critical inquiry through different methods and approaches to evaluating strategies. They will examine the roles of mathematics, analytics, modeling, and psychology in analyzing and interpreting consumer data.
Master of Science in Nursing offers one specialization: Primary Care Adult-Gerontology (Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner) with a functional concentration in Nursing Administration. A Post-Master’s Certificate Program is also offered to prepare nurses, who already possess a master’s degree in nursing, as adult-gerontology nurse practitioners.
Master of Arts/Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology is a program designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths in academic, organizational, and consulting settings. Consistent with the model of I/O psychologists as both scientists and practitioners, our program places a heavy emphasis on developing students’ research and analytical skills as well as the core skills and knowledge of I/O psychology. The program will prepare students for ethical research and ethical leadership.
Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree is considered a highly specialized and advanced graduate degree. It is designed for professionals who would like to achieve advanced knowledge and theory; acquire skills in interpreting and using educational research, but do not want to pursue their doctorate.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) (K-12) is designed to prepare students on a multitude of levels for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in education. The program seeks to enable graduates to facilitate the development, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the entire school community. Moreover, as leaders, they will be able to advocate, nurture and sustain a school culture that is conducive to maximized student learning and staff professional growth. All the while, the effective management of the organization will be ensured. Graduates will be prepared to ensure that essential and needed operations and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment are in place via the program’s core values.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) (Higher Education) prepares students for careers in higher education administration and leadership. The primary aim of the program is to prepare current administrators, educational leaders, and faculty to take on senior post-secondary leadership roles in community colleges, liberal arts colleges, as well as teaching and research universities. This concentration promotes the development of leadership skills through systematized practice, examination, and research.
Doctorate in Nursing Practice prepares those who are already advanced practice nurses or in administrative roles to build upon a foundation.
The Jesuit Nature of Saint Peter's University
As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Saint Peter’s has a long and venerable commitment to academic excellence, to spiritual and moral values, and to the individual personal development of its students. The 450-year-old tradition of Jesuit education is manifested through the University’s strong core curriculum, through cura personalis (personal care) for its students, and through the cooperation of Jesuits and lay persons in the educational mission of the University.
Through personal counseling, academic advisement, career services, and a vibrant campus life, the University has exemplified its tradition of cura personalis by developing various ways of meeting student needs. The intellectual and spiritual dimensions of the Saint Peter’s University experience are manifested in many ways – but especially through the interaction of students, faculty, and administrators who work together on University committees and various programs. Incoming students enjoy this relationship immediately through the University Advisement Program. Every new student has an advisor, a member of the faculty or administration who is thoroughly familiar with the University’s academic programs and support services. Once students have selected a major, they are assigned an advisor from their major department; however, students who have not declared a major continue with an undeclared advisor.
The Educational Objectives of Saint Peter's University
Saint Peter’s University is a humanistic institution where the study of the liberal arts is considered the foundation for all educational programs. The University offers more than 50 bachelor’s programs and six associate degree programs, all of which are based on the principle that knowledge in a special field gains depth, broadness of interpretation, and an understanding of moral values only when based on the humanistic disciplines. The purpose of education is to analyze ideas, to probe mysteries, to suggest solutions to problems, to express thoughts, to understand, and to question the phenomenon of permanence amidst change. In short, education is the process of preparing personally and professionally for one’s life work.
Common to all programs at Saint Peter’s University is the core curriculum – a series of courses in selected disciplines designed to develop an awareness of the person and one’s relationship to others, to the environment, and to the historical accidents which occur. Philosophy and theology are key disciplines in the development of this awareness and are firmly rooted in the tradition of Jesuit education. Courses in history establish the trends which have characterized the responses of various civilizations to war, peace, human rights, and technological developments. Through courses in literature and the arts, an understanding of the creative impulse is developed as well as an ability to interpret symbol and myth. The natural sciences emphasize the very real relationship between society and the universe, as well as the social sciences and the changing behavioral patterns in society.
The self-awareness and values developed as a result of the Saint Peter’s experience provide a significant spiritual, intellectual, and cultural basis for specialized studies in the arts, the sciences, and pre-professional programs.
The Saint Peter's Library and Archives
Built in 1967, the Edward and Theresa O’Toole Library contains over 50,000 square feet of space and houses over 218,608 volumes on its four floors. The library subscribes to 1,000 print periodicals and over 50,000 online periodicals including 13,800 e-books. The library offers individual and group study space, computer access, WIFI connectivity to the Internet and a host of in-house and virtual library and information services for both students and faculty. These services include classes on information literacy, as well as how to best access information from around the globe, regardless of format, to meet course objectives and study needs. The library is fully automated. The catalog and links to many important resources are available on the Internet at: http://saintpeters.edu/library and available on campus as well as remotely.
Access to books or articles that are not in the University's collection can usually be obtained on inter-library loan. The University can also provide students with a referral card to other metropolitan area libraries. The University is only minutes from the Research Libraries of the New York Public Library on 42nd Street in Manhattan and its new building, the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) on 34th Street. Saint Peter’s students and faculty also have free access to state-supported university libraries in New Jersey.
The Honorable Frank J. Guarini Center for Community Memory, The Saint Peter’s University Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections hold the institutional memory of the University through its collection of documents, photographs and other ephemera as well as the congressional papers. Use of the archives and congressional collections is by appointment, which can be made by contacting the University’s archivist. Rare books and special collections can be accessed by making an appointment through the Library Director.
Computer Facilities
Saint Peter’s University offers all current students open-door access to computer facilities with over 300 computers in 17 student computer labs. In addition to such basics as Microsoft Office, Internet access, and e-mail, these computers have a variety of software for Mathematical and Statistical Analysis, Computer Programming, Graphic Arts, and other applications. Special software required for particular courses is installed in several labs. The University has migrated classroom and lab computers to the faster, secured server-based VDI system.
All computer labs and classrooms are connected to the campus LAN and to the Internet. Every student has his/her own network account. E-Mail and Blackboard, the University's online learning system, are accessed from any computer with an Internet connection.
Over 60 classrooms are equipped with computers, video projectors, and other multimedia hardware for computer-supported instruction. Both campuses have the University’s wireless network, and almost all residence halls have data connections in each student's room. Use of Saint Peter’s University facilities and network infrastructure is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy which is published on our website.
Campus Life and Activities
Campus life at Saint Peter’s is vibrant and inspiring, and students are encouraged to take part in all that the University offers. Academic life is enriched by many programs and services which complement classroom instruction. Among those opportunities open to students is the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, which assists students with their social, psychological, and academic adjustment to college; the Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning which offers assistance in career planning, sponsors on-campus recruiting and career fairs, and helps students search for meaningful full-time positions; a Cooperative Education and Internship Program which assists students in searching for part-time positions, internships, and/or summer positions, as well as opportunities to earn money and college credit for practical experience; a Campus Ministry Office which provides religious services, retreats, interfaith dialogue opportunities, and pastoral counseling; and an Office of Community Service, which offers opportunities for volunteer service and a co-curricular service component.
The Office of Student Life and Development sponsors annual events on campus featuring popular entertainment, guest lecturers, and social events, both on-and off-campus. Jersey City and New York City, just a short distance away, offer diverse cultural opportunities. Students make friends and master new skills in the dozens of student clubs and organizations, activities, and events that make up campus life. Student organizations include the Student Senate, Commuter Student Association, Student Entertainment Board, performing arts groups such as the Argus Eyes Drama Society, student publications such as The Saint Peter's Tribune (the student newspaper), professional and academic groups, and ethnic culture clubs. Leadership programs, such as the Emerging Leaders and Existing Leaders, offer opportunities for students to develop leadership and organizational skills.
Saint Peter’s Recreational Life Center offers facilities for tennis, swimming, basketball, volleyball, weight training, racquetball, golf, fitness, aerobics, and martial arts. Each year over 800 men and women participate in an extensive intramural program. Complimentary fitness classes are offered to all students throughout the year. Aquatics programming, including swimming lessons and a certifications course are regularly offered at the RLC pool.
Saint Peter’s University sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports and the co-ed activity of cheerleading. The NCAA Division I sports for men are: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field (indoor), and track and field (outdoor). The 10 NCAA Division I sports for women are: basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field (indoor), track and field (outdoor), and volleyball. Saint Peter’s is a member (one of the six founding members) of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
No discussion of college life would be complete without mentioning the vibrant community of on-campus residents. Saint Peter’s University can now boast having seven residence halls, both traditional and apartment style, that add to an exciting educational environment.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry at Saint Peter’s University calls upon a dedicated team of students, faculty, staff and administrators who work together to offer educational programs, retreats, liturgical celebrations, and personal support that help meet the religious, spiritual, and social needs of the campus community. In the spirit of Saint Ignatius of Loyola Saint Peter's provides a person-centered ministry which recognizes that individuals have unique and diverse concerns. Campus Ministry is committed to developing Catholic leadership for the church and world. At the same time, the University seeks to assist non-Catholic students in identifying ways they can practice within their own religious tradition. Campus Ministers are available to be of support to all members of the University community. Campus Ministry offers programs in which students are invited to enter into mutual dialogue, share their various faith traditions and spiritual perspectives, gather socially, and serve others. Campus Ministry offers opportunities for local community service as well as global outreach to other countries where students, staff, faculty, and alumni can exercise the Ignatian call to be women and men for and with others striving to make a difference and make both a local and global impact in the work of social justice and solidarity with the poor.
Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life is committed to the overall growth, development, and education of students residing within the residence halls through structuring a positive living environment, with a focus on educational, cultural, and social programming.
Since 1983 Saint Peter’s University has added residence living to the already rich educational tradition of its history. The University’s residence community is divided into two areas. The west area includes Veterans Memorial Court, Durant Hall, 140 Glenwood Avenue complex, and Murray Hall. These residences are furnished apartments housing up to six students per unit and all locations come equipped with laundry facilities. Veterans Memorial provides the common space for the west area with a computer lounge, chapel, and multipurpose room. Whelan Hall, Millennium Hall, and Saint Peter Hall are the residence halls in the east area. These traditional residence halls have a common lounge with a large screen TV, a computer room, a study lounge, and a laundry room. The residence halls are staffed with professionals and para-professionals in various capacities. Members of Campus Ministry and Athletics staff also live within the residence halls and provide various other services.