Siena Heights University

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Degrees Available at Siena Heights

Siena Heights University appears in our ranking of the 25 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Online Degrees. Siena Heights University has seven academic divisions. Retention is 72 percent retention. The University offers undergrads 10 associate and 48 bachelor’s degrees. For example, the BBA in Marketing has a 120-credit curriculum teaching purposeful business communication in Adrian or online. The CAEP-accredited B.A. in Montessori Education studies child development from Birth-8. It has 320 practicum hours. The 125-credit BFA in Art History examines our past visual culture before a senior exhibition. The B.A.S. in Health Care Management partners with ProMedica Bixby Hospital for 21-60 credits of flexible adult education. Other offerings include:
  •  A.A. in Psychology
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
  • B.A. in Religious Studies
  • BFA in Musical Theatre
  • A.A. in Accounting
  • B.S. in Environmental Science
  • B.A. in Corrections
The Graduate College reports a $189,000 20-year net Return on Investment OI on PayScale for its 11 master’s programs.  For instance, the 36-credit M.A. in Higher Education Leadership  trains post-secondary administrators. The M.A. in Reading Specialist builds LiveText portfolios with courses like Differentiated Instruction and Emergent Literacy. The 60-credit M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling takes three-year cohorts to LPC licensing. The Online MBA spans 36 credits of eight-week courses like Project Management with an optional Health Administration Specialization. Graduates also choose:
  • M.A. in Special Education: Cognitive Impairment
  • M.A. in Organizational Leadership
  • M.A. in Early Childhood Education

About Siena Heights University

Siena Heights University began in 1919 as St. Joseph’s College by the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary. Twenty years later it was renamed to honor St. Catherine of Siena who was canonized in 1461 by Pope Pius II. By 1969, the women’s college adopted a coeducational policy for private, purposeful Catholic education. In 2014, a $40 million renovation project began at Siena Heights’ 17-building Adrian campus. Enrollment is Serving 2,650 students. SHU also reaches eight Michigan satellites from Lansing to Benton Harbor and the internet via Canvas. It has nearly 12,000 alumni. Siena Heights alumni include:
  • Darrell Issa
  • Alice Robie Resnick
  • Tom Cochran
  • Leslie Love, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Siena Heights the 118th best Midwest college with the 23rd best online bachelor’s degrees nationally.  Niche ranked SHU:
  • 233rd most conservative students
  • 476th best athletics
  • 924th top value
College Factual ranked Siena Heights:
  • 123rd best public relations
  • 215th top engineering technology
  • 40th best health professions programs
Washington Monthly ranked SHU :
  • 113th best Federal Work-Study funds
  • 346th highest research expenditures
PayScale placed Siena Heights University 1173rd overall for a mid-career median salary of $71,000. Value Colleges named SHU the 10th best online buy in Michigan too.

Siena Heights University Accreditation Details

Siena Heights University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA).This 19-state regional accrediting body is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education (DoED) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Certain Siena Heights programs also have discipline-specific accreditations from the following:
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD)
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Siena Heights University Application Requirements

Siena Heights University is considered “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 72 percent of the 1,800 applications in Fall 2016 were accepted. First-year students should have finished the Michigan Merit high school curriculum or another state’s equivalent. Prerequisites are four units of English and three units of Math. Earning the GED with a minimum 2250 score is also satisfactory. Freshmen must meet a cumulative 2.5 GPA, but the average is currently 3.2. Though admission is test-optional, undergrads present a mean 22 ACT mark. Transfers can have 12-90 credits graded “C” or greater from regionally accredited colleges evaluated. Articulation agreements exist with:
  • Albion College
  • Northwood University
  • Gogebic Community College
  • Davenport University, and many more
Every master’s program requires a baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 GPA without GRE scores. Siena Heights University has rolling admission until final deadlines of:
  • August 1st for Fall
  • December 1st for Spring
  • April 1st for Summer
Interested students submit the online application anytime. Paper copies are also mailed to the Office of Admissions at 1247 East Siena Heights Drive in Adrian, MI 49221. Contact (517) 264-7180 or admissions@sienaheights.edu with any further questions. The application checklists include these:
  • $25 application fee ($50 for graduate)
  • Official transcripts or GED certificate
  • Self-reported copies of SAT/ACT scores
  • Criminal Conviction Disclosure form
  • Three recommendations on letterhead
  • Original admission essay of 300-600 words
  • Current teacher certification if applicable

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2017-18, Siena Heights University billed full-time undergrads $12,195 per semester or $24,390 annually. Studying part-time is $700 per credit. The College of Arts & Sciences charged a $100 student service fee and $366 technology fee annually. Living at the Adrian campus’ dorms  added $10,040 for room and board. Annual bachelor’s attendance equaled $34,896 full-time. The College of Professional Studies discounted adult courses for $300 to $495 per credit. Graduate programs were priced at $595 per credit for an average yearly cost of $10,800 with $543 in fees. According to the NCES College Navigator, 72 percent of full-time SHU students have median annual financial aid offers worth $10,922. University funds include:
  • the Trustee Scholarship
  • Dean’s Scholarship
  • Campus Ministry Scholars Award
  • Athletic Grant
  • Arts Scholarship
  • Legacy Grant
  • Opportunity Grant
The Transfer Scholarship awards up to $8,000 for cumulative GPAs above 2.75. Completing the FAFSA form with code 002316 could provide Federal Pell, SEOG, TEACH, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant money. Water Wonderland natives can apply for:
  • the Michigan Tuition Incentive Grant
  • Gear Up Scholarship
  • Fostering Futures Scholarship
  • Dual Enrollment Grant
Human Resources pays at least $9.25/hour for Work-Study positions in Adrian. College Factual reports that Siena Heights students also take out an average $7,042 yearly from:
  • Perkins
  • Direct
  • Plus
  • alternative loans
Learn more about the top-tier Catholic academics at the Siena Heights University website.

Related Resources:

5 Things to Look for in an Online Bachelor’s in Engineering Degree Program

Top 10 Best Majors for Indecisive Students

Top 20 Degrees for the Future

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