College of the Holy Cross

Academic Programs

Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges,, Holy Cross offers Bachelor’s degrees in 29 majors. As opposed to individual schools, Holy Cross has 5 ‘Disciplines:’ Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary. Specific recognition is given for their Theatre coursework, but the largest programs are in Social Sciences – Economics and Political Science. The school’s details Mission statement concludes with this paragraph: “Since 1843, Holy Cross has sought to educate students who, as leaders in business, professional, and civic life, would live by the highest intellectual and ethical standards. In service of this ideal, Holy Cross endeavors to create an environment in which integrated learning is a shared responsibility, pursued in classroom and laboratory, studio and theater, residence and chapel. Shared responsibility for the life and governance of the College should lead all its members to make the best of their own talents, to work together, to be sensitive to one another, to serve others, and to seek justice within and beyond the Holy Cross community.”

Student Life

Holy Cross has 2,800 students, 90% of whom reside on campus in one of 11 residence halls. There are more than 100 student-run clubs to meet varying interest, affinities or fields of study, along with club sports and Intramurals. Led by their mascot, Iggy the Crusader, the Crusaders (adorned in purple) compete in NCAA Division I-AA in 14 sports. Along with all the activities, there are a few traditions on (and off) campus: Tuesday night is ‘Pub Night’ with open mic and local (and other) bands at the pub; Wheeler Hall residents are known for its stickball prowess as they challenge all comers in the traditional (almost baseball) game and 100 days before Commencement, graduating seniors have a formal ball at a local banquet hall. Throughout the semester, students are taught in the Jesuit tradition and are exposed to the core values of the school including excellence in teaching, learning, and research; openness to new ideas, and patience with ambiguity and uncertainty; a combination of passion for truth with respect for the views of others; an encounter the intellectual heritage of Catholicism; a charge to form an active worshipping community and to become engaged in the life and work of the contemporary church.