About Arcadia University
- Founded in 1853, Arcadia is a private, co-educational, comprehensive University. Arcadia promises a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares its students to contribute and live in a diverse and dynamic world.
- U.S. News & World Report ranks Arcadia University in three categories: among the top 25 Best Master’s Universities in the North, among the best Programs to Look for in Study Abroad, and on the Great Schools, Great Prices list.
- And The Princeton Review has named Arcadia as among the select universities in the Northeast.
Arcadia University is Recognized as a Leader in Study Abroad and International Education
- International Experiences: Arcadia was honored by NAFSA: Association of International Educators with its prestigious Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization in 2006.
- Study Abroad: Arcadia ranks 2nd in the nation based on its percentage of undergraduate students studying abroad, according to Open Doors 2007. Four out of five freshmen use their passports, and half of the graduating seniors in 2007 and 2008 earned credit overseas.
- The Center for Education Abroad: Ranked one of the top study abroad programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, Arcadia has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE) for its innovative programs. Arcadia’s Center for Education Abroad is one of the oldest and the largest campus-based study abroad program in the United States, with Arcadia celebrating its 60th anniversary of study abroad in 2008. Arcadia serves more than 3,000 students from 300 colleges and universities and offers more than 100 programs around the world. Participating universities include George Washington, Northwestern, Brown, Smith, Tufts, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and numerous others. Arcadia’s Center maintains programs in Australia, China, England, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, and Wales, with staff and, in some cases facilities, in each nation. Arcadia offers programs for summer, fall or spring term or for a full year, in addition to special programs of varying duration.
- First Year Study Abroad Experience (FYSAE): Arcadia’s innovative freshman study abroad program sends first-year students to England, Ireland and Scotland for the fall or spring semester. Participants spend three days on the Glenside campus with fellow freshmen for orientation before flying abroad more orientation and special programming before starting classes overseas. Joining the students aboard for the semester are Arcadia faculty and staff.
- London, Scotland, Spain and Italy Preview Programs: Arcadia takes more than three-quarters of its freshmen in good standing to England, Scotland or Spain for a week of learning and discovery—and a Preview of study abroad—over spring break each year. Transfer students can participate in Italy Preview. Some of the Preview experiences are part of 2-credit courses. The students pay just $495 for this cultural exchange, which includes airfare, housing and programming. Preview exposes Arcadia freshmen and transfer students to the many advantages and rewards of study abroad and encourages them to study abroad again as undergraduates.
- Majors Abroad Programs (MAPS): Arcadia University offers eight new majors that require an academic year (two semesters) of study abroad. Students in a Majors Abroad Program (MAP) will usually spend their junior year abroad, returning to Arcadia's campus in Glenside, Pa., to complete an integrative senior Capstone project.
- The “outside the box” Arcadia Undergraduate Curriculum: Arcadia’s new Undergraduate Curriculum provides a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world. Arcadia’s flexible curriculum allows students to design academic paths specially tailored to their interests and enthusiasms, experience other cultures in addition to reading about them, and work with Arcadia’s acclaimed teaching faculty to become an expert in their major fields. Students make the connections—across disciplines and cultures, between theory and practical applications, between the classroom and the community—that help them to understand how the world works.
- Community service: Initiatives include a campus-wide day of service at area non-profits for first-time students during New Student Orientation each fall, the annual Empty Bowl Dinner, and alternative spring break service opportunities.
- Top-ranked Graduate Programs: Arcadia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is ranked 7th in the nation. Arcadia’s Physician Assistant program is highly selective. Arcadia’s master’s Forensic Science program is one of only seven FEPAC-accredited graduate programs in the nation. Arcadia’s M.B.A. with an International Perspective includes two one-week international experiences.
- Online Programs: Many of Arcadia’s master’s programs are available online, including Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Special Education, M.B.A., Professional Writing, and more.
- East Africa Campus: With the East African Community, Arcadia founded the Nyerere Center for Peace Research in Arusha, Tanzania. The Center is overseen by Arcadia’s program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and now includes project-based learning for other majors at Arcadia and study abroad opportunities for students from around the world.
- Christiana (Del.) Campus: Arcadia offers the Physician Assistant and Master of Public Health degree at its campus in Christiana, Del., working in close cooperation with the healthcare community in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Paris Campus: Arcadia’s affiliated campus in Paris, France, offers a master’s program in International Relations and Diplomacy and undergraduate study abroad opportunities for students from U.S. colleges and universities.
A Metropolitan Campus
- Arcadia University is located in Glenside, Pa., about 12 miles from Center City Philadelphia.
- Originally a private estate, the campus features the 110-year-old national historic landmark Grey Towers Castle and a blend of other historic and modern buildings. Construction begins in 2009 on a new University Commons.
- Major construction and renovation projects have taken place on campus in the past 12 years, including Landman Library, two state-of-the-art technology classroom buildings, new residence hall, and grand new entrance and landscaping. In 2007, Arcadia purchased Oak Summit Apartments to help house its growing student population.
- Arcadia’s Landman Library furthers the University’s global mission by offering students and faculty increased technology for collaborative education and access to learning partners on campus and around the world. The Library is named for former, long-time Arcadia President Dr. Bette E. Landman.
Student Body: Arcadia University serves a diverse student population of 3,600 students, about 55% undergraduate, 45% graduate.
Faculty: 325 members; 95% of full-time faculty have doctorate or terminal degrees.
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in more than 75 fields and concentrations. Graduate degrees include Master of Education; Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Counseling Psychology, Education, English and Humanities; Master of Business Administration; Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant); Master of Science in Genetic Counseling, Forensic Science, Health Administration, Health Education; Master of Public Health; and doctorate programs in Physical Therapy and Special Education.
Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Athletics: Arcadia University men’s and women’s teams are National Collegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA) Division III and compete in the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation and its Commonwealth and Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) and regularly advance to the playoffs.
Campus Life: Students can take part in department clubs, cultural and social events, residence hall activities, religious life, student publications, the radio and television station and more than 45 academic and special interest clubs.
Faculty Experts: Arcadia University faculty have been quoted by media outlets across the country including the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today and the Associated Press.
