The University of New Haven specializes in quality educational opportunities and preparation for both traditional and returning students for successful careers and self-reliant, productive services in a global society.

At the University of New Haven, we are dedicated to the professional future of our students and caringly committed to their achievement. We provide the people, the programs and the places that enable our students to prepare for personal success — in their careers and in life. With faculty that hold either doctoral or terminal degrees in their respective fields we provide world-class preparation in all of our programs. The University of New Haven is committed to educational innovation, to continuous improvement in career-focused and professional education, and to support for scholarship and professional development.

The University of New Haven is a coeducational, nonsectarian, independent institution of higher learning, chartered by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut. 

The University is fully accredited by the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE, formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).  Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the New England Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process.  An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.  Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the New England Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole.  As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates.  Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to the students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding accreditation status by the New England Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution.  Individuals may also contact:

New England Commission for Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA  01803-4514
(781) 425-7785
info@neche.org  

Specific colleges and programs hold various forms of professional accreditation, certification, or endorsement.  These additional credentials are listed on the relevant college and program pages.

Become a Lifelong Learner

The University of New Haven’s robust core curriculum was designed to foster interdisciplinary interactions that enable students to develop as educated individuals who better understand and relate to diverse people, succeed in their chosen careers, and become lifelong learners.

What makes the Core Curriculum so valuable and meaningful? It was developed around the central goal of instilling in students the key attributes that employers value – communication, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, the ability to analyze data, and intercultural awareness, among the primary ones – that are essential to success in any career path and to being an engaged citizen.

Introduction to the University Core Curriculum

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a global society by providing the highest-quality education through experiential, collaborative, and discovery-based learning. 

An educated person at the University of New Haven demonstrates a balance of liberal arts, professional, and experiential education. General education is addressed through the University Core Curriculum (as outlined below) and discipline education is addressed through the major requirements within each program. The University of New Haven experience also includes two additional core skills that fully round out the general education program: experiential learning and writing across the curriculum.

Experiential Education

All University of New Haven undergraduates complete at least one of the four pillars of experiential education: academic service-learning, study abroad, an internship, or faculty-mentored research prior to graduation. Academic programs may specify the particular experiential education pillar(s) required for successful completion. Students are encouraged, however, to pursue as many experiential education opportunities as they desire.

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)

“W” designated courses indicate a writing-intensive course. Every University of New Haven undergraduate must take at least one “W” course, whether as part of the Core or through a major’s requirements and electives prior to graduation. This requirement applies to all bachelor and associate degrees.

University Core Curriculum Overview

The Core encourages interdisciplinary interaction; establishes competency-based outcomes throughout the institution; provides flexibility in achieving those outcomes; and allows for a standardized campus-wide assessment of the general education requirements. The University of New Haven’s Core Curriculum strives to develop nine basic competencies among its undergraduate students so they may better understand and relate to diverse people, succeed in their chosen careers, and pursue lifelong learning after completing their education. 

The design of the core is inspired greatly by the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ “LEAP Model”—Liberal Education for America’s Promise. The LEAP initiative seeks to make excellence inclusive by providing essential learning outcomes, high-impact educational practices, and authentic assessments. This LEAP model was adapted to create a University Core that fits with the unique mission, purposes, and identity of the University of New Haven. 

The University Core aims to graduate students who:

• communicate effectively, both in writing and orally,
• apply quantitative techniques to derive useful information from data,
• think critically and solve real world problems,
• appreciate scientific exploration of the natural world,
• realize their role and responsibilities within a larger society,
• embrace the diversity of cultural differences,
• participate effectively as citizens of their own country and the world, and
• appreciate the aesthetic value of artistic works.

Each of the nine competency categories possesses two tiers of expectations. Tier 1 provides breadth through a fundamental set of outcomes that every student will complete, where as Tier 2 provides depth through higher-level learning outcomes related to more focused content. Tier 2 courses can be selected by the student if not prescribed by the student’s major program. In consultation with a faculty adviser, and based on degree requirements, each student will select core courses from the nine categories.

Incomplete and Withdrawal Grades

Writing Proficiency Assessment

Experiential Education Degree Requirement

Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Catalogs

University policies provide guidelines that ensure a positive student experience at the University of New Haven.

The following academic policies and procedures can be found in the undergraduate or graduate catalogs, which are the official sources of information about formal academic policies at the University.  You can access the catalogs online at catalog.newhaven.edu.

Many of these same policies can also be found in the online Student Handbook.

• Academic Advising 
• Academic Integrity Policy (PDF) 
• Academic Dismissal
• Academic Probation
• Adding & Dropping Classes 
• Attendance Regulations 
• Catalog and Worksheet Requirements 
• Change of Major 
• Change of Student Status
• Coursework Expectations
• Dean’s List
• Full-time and Part-time Status
• Grading Systems  
• Graduation Criteria
• Grievance Procedure
• Honors  
• Leave of Absence
• Make-up Policy
• Matriculation 
• Minors
• Quality Point Ratio (Grade Point Average)
• Repetition of Work
• Residency Requirement
• Satisfactory Progress
• Transfer Credit Policy
• University e-mail Accounts (in Student Handbook)
• Ways of Earning Credit 
• Withdrawal from the University
• Writing Proficiency Examination
• Year of Study