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St. Francis College is a private, independent, co-educational, urban college located in Brooklyn Heights, New York – minutes away from Manhattan. The school was established by a group of Franciscan Brothers who first came to Brooklyn in 1858 and established St. Francis Academy in 1859. The first private school to be founded in the diocese of Brooklyn, the Academy the school was formed for the original purpose of educating the boys of the diocese. Eventually, the trustees of the school received permission from the state legislator to establish a Literary College and in 1885 St. Francis College conferred its first Bachelor of Arts degree. Today, St. Francis College describes itself as “The Small College of Big Dreams” and has been named a top regional college in the North by the US News & World Report.
Academic Programs
The Franciscan and Catholic traditions of St. Francis College underpins the institution’s commitment to “to academic excellence, spiritual and moral values, physical fitness, social responsibility, and life-long learning.” The College’s mission is to “educate the whole person for a full, relational life, developing the students’ talents and abilities to form confident alumni well prepared for graduate study, for meaningful, fulfilling careers, as well as for collaborative, service-oriented leadership.”More than 70 major and minor programs are offered, ranging from classic liberal arts to in-demand professional programs. St. Francis College’s core curriculum is designed to ground students in a solid liberal arts foundation, which then allows them to pursue any number of comprehensive programs. It is not uncommon for students to strive towards a double major, and the St. Francis Honors Program offers a series of small, intensive seminars, trips and other activities which aid students in completing their senior thesis. In addition, St. Francis College also offers three graduate-level programs in Accounting, Project Management, and Psychology.
Student Life
More than 2,600 students are currently enrolled at St. Francis College. The majority of students come from Brooklyn and other boroughs of New York City, though the student body is nonetheless diverse, representing some 80 countries. St. Francis College is closely connected to the local community, serving as a gateway to all of New York City. A stunning view of Manhattan can be seen from St. Francis College and the campus is just a short walk away from the ever-growing Brooklyn Bridge Park as well as some of the best cultural institutions, shopping and dining that Brooklyn has to offer.St. Francis College’s residence hall is located in the heart of Brooklyn Heights – an area that was named one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in America, – with off-campus housing located at 55 Clark Street, just five minutes away. A wide variety of student-led clubs and organizations exist on St. Francis College’s campus and students also have access to the range of events that the Brooklyn Bridge Park offers, including free movies, athletic events, walking or running pathway along the piers overlooking the East River.
