Chestnut Hill College

chestnut hill college blackboard

Flexible, Faith-Based Liberal Arts Education at CHC

Chestnut Hill College appears in our ranking of the 16 Most Affordable Master’s in Addiction Studies.

Ranked the North’s 94th best choice by the U.S. News & World Report, Chestnut Hill College is a nonprofit, coed Catholic ACCU member in Philly that offers 36 bachelor’s, five graduate, and four certificate options plus the Maguire Scholars Program at an 11:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the B.S. in Biochemistry builds a 120-credit, four-year curriculum where undergrads can intern with Fox Chase Cancer Center, join Sigma Zeta, attend the Biomedical Seminar Series, and research in the Analytical Chemistry Lab. Chaired by Dr. Jennifer Cressman, the B.S. in Early & Special Education has a 120-credit, CAEP-accredited sequence for dual PreK-8 certification with opportunities to join Kappa Delta Epsilon, intern with St. Monica School, volunteer with Special Olympics, and teach abroad in Chile.

On Blackboard since Fall 2017, the M.S. in Cybersecurity has developed Philadelphia’s only 36-credit, 20-month plan chartered by the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) for eight-week online courses like Cyber Espionage and Risk Management plus an in-person October conference. Coordinated by Dr. Carol Corbett, the M.S. in Clinical & Counseling Psychology follows a 60-credit, MPCAC-accredited track toward Pennsylvania LPC certification with seven specializations, such as Trauma Studies or Co-Occurring Disorders, and 600 field practicum hours.

Other Chestnut Hill degrees include the B.A. in English Literature, B.S. in Environmental Sciences, B.A. in Global Affairs, B.M. in Music Performance, M.Ed. in Reading, and M.S. in Administration of Human Services.

About Chestnut Hill College

Chestnut Hill College originated in 1924 when the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph founded Mount Saint Joseph College for women’s baccalaureate education. In 1938, the Chestnut Hill College name was chosen based on its Philadelphia location. In 1960, CHC purchased land in Flourtown to establish a high school called Mount Saint Joseph. In 1972, Chestnut Hill opened the Continuing Education Department to serve adult women and men. Eight years later, the first graduate program was launched for a Master of Education. In 1997, Chestnut Hill College started its only doctorate for a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. In Fall 2003, CHC dropped its gender-based policy to admit male undergrads. On August 2, 2006, Chestnut Hill acquired the SugarLoaf Estate from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation. In 2007, CHC joined the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for NCAA Division II athletics.

Endowed for $9.4 million, Chestnut Hill College now employs 166 faculty teaching 1,364 undergrad and 462 post-grad Griffins from 11 countries online or on its 75-acre Northwest Philadelphia campus near Pastorius Park with 30+ organizations like Mask & Foil Club. In 2017, Chestnut Hill won an AVCA Team Academic Excellence Award. In 2018, CHC received the Neographics “Power of Print” Franklin Award of Excellence. Chestnut Hill College accepted a 2017 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant from Governor Tom Wolf too. The U.S. & World Report picked CHC 65th regionally for social mobility. On Niche, CHC boasts America’s 129th best public policy program, 252nd most diversity, and 377th safest campus. Money magazine declared Chestnut Hill College the 617th top value. College Factual placed CHC 145th for Catholic education, 130th for technology majors, and 123rd for child/family studies.

Chestnut Hill College Accreditation Details

On June 27, 2013, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees voted to extend Chestnut Hill College’s Level V accreditation status through the next 2022-23 evaluation under President Sister Carol Jean Vale, Ph.D. Located 12 miles southeast via Interstate 76 on Philadelphia’s Market Street, this superb six-state Mid-Atlantic Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Pennsylvania Office of Postsecondary Higher Education (OPHE). The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following accreditations:

  • Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
  • Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • Commission on English Language Program Accreditation

Chestnut Hill College Application Requirements

Getting into Chestnut Hill College is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s though 1,231 of the 1,286 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for high 96 percent acceptance. First-year Griffins must finish a college-prep high school curriculum or the GED equivalent. The Maguire Scholars College Program selects seniors at participating secondary schools with GPAs over 3.0. The Class of 2022 presented an average 3.22 GPA. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 420-540 for reading and 430-530 for math. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 17-21. Accelerated adult programs require transferring 45-75 accredited credits graded C or better. Foreign immigrants are welcome with at least 79 TOEFL iBT or 6.0 IELTS scores. The School of Graduate Studies strongly prefers a four-year bachelor’s completion with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Education programs require verifying PECT Exam scores for current PreK-12 certification. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology mandates 12 prerequisite credits in behavioral sciences. M.S. in Cybersecurity cohorts typically need two or more years of computing experience or relevant coursework.

Chestnut Hill College conveniently has rolling bachelor’s admission year-round. Only international students must apply by the June 1st and December 1st deadlines. Note there’s a May 1st priority date for financial aid consideration. Graduate programs generally accept candidates until July 1st, November 1st, and April 1st. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology closes on January 15th though. Accordingly, complete the brief CHC Application online for $35 ($55 if graduate). Forward sealed transcripts to 9601 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, PA 19118. Send official test results using SAT/GRE code 2082 or ACT code 3540. Attach recommended items, such as the personal statement, spiritual reference, teacher evaluation, resume or CV, and a teaching certificate. Contact (215) 248-7000 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Chestnut Hill College is charging full-time undergrads $18,475 each semester or $36,950 annually. Bachelor’s majors pay the $150 activity fee, $100 health fee, and $480 matriculation fee yearly. Studying part-time incurs $775 per credit. Summer courses are lowered to $350 per credit. Living at the Philadelphia campus’ housing like Fitzsimmons Hall adds $5,500 for semester room and board. CHC budgets $649 for textbooks each term and $5,594 for miscellaneous each year. Annual undergrad attendance averages $54,072 on-site and $43,072 at home. The School of Graduate Studies generally bills $640 per credit. Online M.S. in Cybersecurity cohorts spend $800 per credit. M.Ed. in Educational Leadership tuition is only $500 per credit. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology requires $1,025 per credit though.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office in the St. Joseph’s Hall North Wing helps 92 percent of new full-time CHC Griffins get median tuition aid of $25,293 each for $4.81 million combined. Institutional funds include the Constance Magee Griffin Scholarship, Dave Zukauskas Scholarship, Catherine Quinn Scholarship, Dr. James & Anne Gallagher Scholarship, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship, Irene Smith-Schneider Scholarship, Maguire Scholars Program, Student Leadership Award, and Athletic Department Scholarship. The SSJ Mission Scholars Tuition Grant assists full-time students with minimum 2.5 GPAs who complete at least four service hours per semester. The Church Affiliated Ministry Discount takes 20 percent off post-grad tuition for salaried Roman Catholic parish employees. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or TEACH Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003245. Pennsylvanians could also claim the State Grant, Chafee Education Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Neumann Scholarship, Kid’s Chance Scholarship, and more.

Search through three accredited schools for 40+ esteemed Catholic degrees named 492nd overall by Times Higher Education at the Chestnut Hill College website.