university of bridgeport accreditation

Degree Programs at the University of Bridgeport

The University of Bridgeport appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Computer Science Online.

The University of Bridgeport offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and other bachelor and associate degree programs for undergrads. It has a fashion merchandising program that prepares students for working in advertising, management, and design roles. Students take many fashion courses, including History of Costume, Merchandising Mathematics, Retail Human Resource Management, and Advanced Textiles and Product Development. In the computer science program, majors take Technical Writing for Computer Science, Discrete Structures, Computer Architecture, and Operating Systems. Other majors for undergrads include finance, graphic design, psychology, nursing, interior design, and computer engineering.

More than 30 degree programs allow graduate students to study subjects such as acupuncture and counseling. The university offers one of the state’s only Master of Science (MS) in Acupuncture. Students learn about health and anatomy before they take classes on Chinese medicine. The required courses include Anatomy I, Physiology I, TCM Safe Practices, TC Diagnosis I and II and Meridian Theory. Another unique program is in Chinese herbology. It features classes on herbal medicine, Chinese medicine, and medical therapy as well as an internship. Some of the other graduate programs available from the University of Bridgeport let students focus on global media and communication studies, health science, management, biology, biomedical engineering, counseling, nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and remedial reading and language arts.

Nine programs offered by the university allow adults and other non-traditional learners to go back to school and use their former credits and professional experiences. The most basic of those programs is an Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies. It provides students with a solid foundation that they can build on in a bachelor’s program. Three professional studies programs are available in healthcare administration, human resource administration and organizational leadership and change. Some of these are accelerated programs too such as the university’s undergraduate psychology program.

There are also 16 programs available for online students attending the University of Bridgeport. The RN to BSN program allows nurses to further their education and complete their nursing studies. Undergrads can also choose online programs in dental hygiene, criminal justice, social science, human resource administration or organizational leadership and change. Students with a degree in business administration can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) online too. It features concentrations in business intelligence, human resources, and management. Each version of the program includes seven-week classes. Students can finish the accelerated MBA in just one year. Other online programs let students major in health science, nutrition, psychology, educational leadership, dental hygiene and analytics, and systems.

About the University of Bridgeport

The University of Bridgeport is a private university named after the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, which is home to its campus. Founded in 1927, the university opened as the state’s first community or junior college. Bridgeport was one of the largest cities in the country at the time that did not have a college. Known as the Junior College of Connecticut, the college built its campus on land once owned by wealthy people from the city, including some connected to PT Barnum. It became a university in 1947 and adopted the name of the University of Bridgeport, though it also uses the nickname UB.

UB is now home to one of the best online computer science programs, according to U.S. News and World Report. USNWR also ranked the university’s online engineering program as one of the nation’s best and added UB to its list of the country’s best undergraduate online programs. Actors, business owners, politicians, athletes and musicians such as Fred DeLuca and Ellen Alemany rank among the university’s top alumni.

University of Bridgeport Accreditation Details

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accredited UB based on an extensive review of its admissions policies, faculty history, and program standards and requirements. This accreditation gives students who need financial aid the option of using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UB also has accreditation for its acupuncture, art, design, chiropractic medicine and naturopathy programs.

University of Bridgeport Application Requirements

Future UB undergrads can use different applications when they apply. The university accepts online applications and the paper version of its application as well as the Common Application. Students need to pay a $25 fee and provide UB with their high school transcripts and either an SAT or ACT score. While the dental hygiene program requires two letters of recommendation, others do not. Students have the option of sending letters of recommendation as well as writing a personal statement. The statement and letters can set students apart from the pack.

Each graduate program has the same five application requirements, including the application itself and college transcripts. UB asks for transcripts from any school where the student earned any credits. They must also provide a current resume and a personal statement. Most programs require up to three letters of recommendation too and accept both professional and academic references. UB has a final application deadline of July 15 for graduate students planning to start in the fall. Most programs encourage students to apply earlier because they have a limited number of spots.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition at UB depends on whether students are undergrads or in a graduate program. Undergrads can take up to 18 credits for $15,960 per year. They also pay fees of $1,420 each year. Part-time students pay $1,065 per credit hour. Undergrads also need to purchase health insurance from UB if they do not have coverage, which will cost them $1,710 each year. Graduate students pay $740 per credit hour in some programs, but most programs charge $750 per credit hour. They also pay fees of up to $1,000 a semester for full-time enrollment. Though the rates for online programs vary, most charge undergrads $555 per credit hour and graduate students $680 per credit hour along with some miscellaneous fees.

Both online and residential students can get financial aid from UB. The university must have a completed FAFSA before it will award any aid. Connecticut residents need to apply by February first to get state aid. UB has a priority deadline of March first for those who want institutional aid. That aid can include scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. At the University of Bridgeport, students in all degree programs can apply for financial aid.