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DeSales University is a private, co-educational, four year Catholic institution located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Established in 1965, DeSales University follows the Salesian mission as administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and gives priority to providing students with a broad-based, quality liberal arts and career-focused education. Students at DeSales are exposed to Catholic teachings, but given the liberty to explore within an atmosphere of intellectual freedom. DeSales University’s mission is “to provide men and women with quality higher education according to the philosophy of Christian humanism as developed by Saint Francis de Sales and his spiritual heirs.”
Academic Programs
DeSales University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been so since 1970. A wide variety of graduate and undergraduate degree programs are offered through DeSales University, including more than 30 major areas of undergraduate study. The University is made up of multiple academic divisions, including the Division of Business, Division of Healthcare, Division of Liberal and Social Sciences, Division of Performing Arts, and the Division of Science and Mathematics. In addition, DeSales University offers accelerated bachelor degree programs with classes held in the evenings, on the weekend, and in an online format with options to enroll as either a fulltime or part-time student.DeSales University is a member of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges. As a member, DeSales University’s students may enjoy the benefits of cross-registration and interlibrary loans with Cedar Crest, Lafayette, Moravian, and Muhlenberg Colleges, as well as Lehigh University.
Student Life
p>DeSales University has a total enrollment figure of more than 3,000, including nearly 2,500 undergraduate students. The student body is split with approximately 57% female and 43% male students; over 11% of DeSales University’s undergraduate students are of Hispanic descent. A variety of modern and spacious residence halls provide students housing on the school’s 400-plus acre campus in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and approximately 65% of students choose to live on campus. A wide variety of student-led clubs and organizations provide students ample opportunity to become involved on campus and each year DeSales University hosts a number of events such as Fall Fest, Winter Carnival, and “Spring Fling”, as well as concerts, lectures, sporting events, and more.DeSales University boasts nearly 20 varsity teams including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, tennis, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field, women’s volleyball, softball, field hockey and men’s baseball and golf. DeSales University’s athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level and the school is a member of both the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference (MAC) and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC).