UNIVERSIDAD DEL SAGRADO CORAZÓN
SANTURCE, PUERTO RICO

 

LOCATION

The Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is a Catholic, private, non-profit, coeducational institution located in Santurce, the commercial and cultural district of the City of San Juan.  Santurce is home to the Centro de Bellas Artes,  one of the island’s most important center for the performing arts.  Also, is home to two extraordinary museums, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo.

HISTORY

Originally founded in 1880 as an elementary and secondary boarding school for girls by the Catholic religious Order of the Society of the Sacred Heart, in 1935 they established the College of the Sacred Heart, a four-year liberal arts college for women.  Since 1950, the Institution has been accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools and locally by the Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education.  In 1972, it became coeducational, serving 797 students with 12 undergraduate majors and in 1976, was officially authorized to use the name Universidad del Sagrado Corazón.  By 1986, the Institution served 8,274 students with 30 majors and 3 masters programs.  During the period of l986-88 a new vision was defined to promote a more personalized education  rightsizing the undergraduate enrollment to 4,753 by 1992, which has remained constant since then.  

UNIVERSITY MISSION

To educate individuals in intellectual liberty and moral conscience, who are able to participate in the construction of a more authentically Christian society: a community united in justice and peace.

VISION STATEMENT

Sagrado has defined its vision as:  “the offering of a unique academic project, an innovative educational experience where the classroom is the world, in an environment characterized by the quality of community life in which the individual and the Christian values are centered”.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The University offers 28 majors leading to undergraduate degrees in six departments:

Business Administration, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Communication, Education, and Humanities.  It also offers a bachelor in Multidisciplinary Studies.; an Associate degree in Nursing; a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Medical Technology and in Script Writing; and Master degrees in Arts, Business Administration, Education, Communication and Science.

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is the only University in the Caribbean to offer master’s degrees in Public Relations; Management of Non-Profit Organizations; Occupational Nursing and Taxes.  Also, the Institution has a sophisticated television production initiative, Telesagrado, a student-staffed cable TV project in alliance with the Island cable companies for the development of educational programming.  Sagrado on Line is another technological infrastructure based on the WEB for educational purposes. Other facilities include:  the Emilio S. Belaval Theater, which serves the artistic, cultural and academic activities; 2 art galleries; the Puerto Rico’s Radio Museum and a french-gothic style chapel.

COMMUNITY

An aerial view of the Institution shows a 33- acre green pocket with early XX century buildings in the heart of the San Juan Metropolitan Area.  The University is close to the historic district of Old San Juan where you can visit 16th century forts, buildings, and also find interesting art galleries, arts and craft shops, restaurants, and cafes.  The University is also close to long stretches of beach, ideal for bathers, joggers and sun lovers.

TRANSPORTATION AND CURRENCY

Students can move around on public transportation in the Metropolitan Area.  Local and Island-wide bus transportation services are available daily from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM.  Taxis are metered and readily available throughout the city.  An urban train system serving the Metropolitan Area has recently begun operations.  Cars, tour buses, and públicos (state-regulated private minibus service with preestablished routes) round the Metropolitan Area’s transportation offerings.

As a commonwealth of the United States of America, Puerto Rico uses the dollar, often referred to as peso.

ARRIVAL IN PUERTO RICO

Students should fly directly to San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.  If notice of arrival is provided in advance, the coordinator of the Exchange Program will pick him/her up.  Otherwise, a taxi service from the airport to the University is available for approximately $20.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken everywhere.  Basically, all courses are taught in Spanish but written work in English are accepted in some courses. Tutoring is available upon request.

HOUSING AND MEALS

            -On-campus housing

The University has two modern and attractive residence halls for male and female students that house more than 550 students.  The residence halls include furnished double occupancy rooms and common area lounges.  Bathroom, kitchen and living room facilities are shared among students living on the same floor.  Students may prepare their own meals or eat at the cafeteria which is open Monday to Saturday.  Laundry and computer rooms and snack machines are also available.  The residence halls have 24-hour security.

            -Off-campus housing

For students who choose to live off-campus, the University will provide a list of possible housing facilities.  Rooms, studios, or apartments are available for rent at walking distance from Sagrado.

DRESS

The University does not have a dress code but, appropriate attire is expected.

CLIMATE

The island of Puerto Rico enjoys a tropical marine climate with an average temperature of 82ºF (28ºC) from November to May.  The average beach temperatures are 90ºF during the summer and 76ºF in the winter.  The relative humidity is high throughout the year.

REGISTRATION

The Exchange Program coordinator will be able to reserve courses for those students who return the registration ballot on time.  The whole registration process will be completed by the student upon arrival at Sagrado.

FOREIGN STUDENTS

Students from foreign countries should contact the Admission or the Registrar Office for information regarding the documents required to obtain a student visa before coming to San Juan.