LA ROCHE COLLEGE
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The College
La Roche College invites students to experience learning that brings the world together. International in dimension, La Roche College is a growing global community of learners offering an education that enables students to reach their potential in an atmosphere of support and encouragement. Students at the College number nearly 2,000 and come from across the nation and around the globe.
Founded in 1965 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, La Roche is a Catholic, coeducational, international four-year institution and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and its programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The College holds memberships in the Council for Independent Colleges, the National Association for Independent Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). La Roche's nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Its interior design and graphic design majors are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and its interior design major is also accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER). The Center for Teacher Education is fully accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in early childhood education, elementary education, nursing education, secondary English, secondary mathematics, secondary science, Spanish (K12), and special education.
Campus clubs and organizations give students an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including athletics, social clubs, academic societies, and student chapters of professional associations. In addition to intramural sports, La Roche participates in ten NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, including men's varsity baseball and golf, women's softball and volleyball, and men's and women's basketball, cross-country, and soccer.
Students are encouraged to live on campus in one of four residence halls, where apartment-style suites promote group interaction and a sense of community. With the guidance of a residence life director, students plan a variety of programs, including guest speakers, recreational events, and social activities. All residence hall rooms are wired for the twenty-first century with Internet access. All residence halls provide students with microwave and refrigerator units and free laundry facilities.
Location
La Roche College's attractive 80-acre wooded campus is located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, just 10 minutes from the center of the city. The College was recently named one of the safest four-year private college campuses in the United States by the APBnews.com/GAP Index study. Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania and the headquarters of several of the largest corporations in the United States, including U.S. Steel and US Airways. A lively, dynamic city, Pittsburgh has outstanding facilities and attractions, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Civic Light Opera, Carnegie Music Hall and Museum, and Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts. Pittsburgh has a host of professional sports teams. The Pittsburgh Pirates make their home at PNC Park, and the Pittsburgh Steelers play in Heinz Field. Pittsburgh also has a professional hockey team, the Penguins. Proximity to a large metropolitan area offers students a number of internship and career opportunities.
Majors and Degrees
La Roche College awards the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees via two schools, with more than fifty majors. In the School of Arts and Sciences, the following majors are offered: athletic training (2-2 program); biology (liberal arts); biology (sciences); biology education; biology/forensic science; chemistry; chemistry education; chemistry/chemical engineering (3-2 program); chemistry/forensic science; chemistry/materials science engineering (3-2 program); communication, media, and technology; comprehensive chemistry; computer science; computer science/industrial engineering (3-2 program); criminal justice; English education; English studies: language and literature; English studies: professional writing; environmental chemistry/environmental management (3-2 program); film, video, and media; history; human services; international studies; liberal studies; mathematics (liberal arts); mathematics (sciences); mathematics education; mathematics/industrial engineering; occupational therapy (3-2 program); performing arts/dance; performing arts/pedagogy; physical therapy (3-3 program); physician assistant studies (3-2 program); psychology; radiography (degree completion); radiologic technology; religious education/catechetics; religious studies; respiratory therapy (degree completion); sociology; speech and language pathology (1.5:3.5); and Spanish education (K12).
In the School of the Professions, students can choose from these majors: accounting, computer information systems, early childhood education, elementary education, facility management, finance, graphic and communication design, information technology, interior design, international management, leadership and administrative development (degree completion), management, marketing, nursingaccelerated program (RN-B.S.N.), nursingtraditional program (RN-B.S.N.), professional studies (degree completion), and real estate.
Academic Programs
La Roche College offers students a blend of liberal arts studies and professional preparation. This combination allows students to develop broad perspectives and understanding while acquiring professional skills. Students can gain practical field experience through an internship in one of Pittsburgh's many businesses or corporations. Study-abroad programs are also available.
In La Roche's highly individualized program, students work closely with faculty members who help identify and foster each student's talents and assist students in applying knowledge acquired at La Roche to the world of work. The student-faculty ratio at La Roche is 14:1. Students have faculty advisers who mentor and guide students during their time at the College.
Degree requirements in most majors include a minimum of 120 credits. Students must demonstrate competence in English, mathematics, and practical computer application and must complete a core curriculum.
Academic Facilities
The John J. Wright Library and Learning Center offers tutoring and academic support programs and a Writers' Center. The library is an official repository for government documents and participates in an interlibrary loan system that circulates materials through the ten higher education institutions in Pittsburgh.
La Roche College is positioned to prepare students for the information age and a twenty-first-century global economy. The College employs smart classroom technology in many of its classrooms, which are wired for Internet access, telecommunications, data transmission, and cable TV. Students can bring their laptop computers to class and tap into the system. The smart classroom technology acts as a perfect complement to a dynamic and engaging faculty.
La Roche has three instructional computer labs and one general-purpose lab that each house IBM and IBM-compatible personal computers for student use. For graphic design students, two computer labs provide students access to Macintosh systems that use QuarkXpress, Illustrator, and Photoshop, among others. Each student also has access to the Internet at any of La Roche's state-of-the-art computer labs and in their residence halls.
Costs
Full-time tuition for the 200506 academic year is estimated at $16,781. Room and board costs are approximately $7345. Updated figures can be obtained from La Roche's Web site.
Financial Aid
A La Roche College education is an investment that can produce a lifetime of dividends, yet the cost continues to be well below the national average for private colleges. La Roche College is committed to helping its students find ways to bridge the gap between what students can afford and what their education will cost. Aid is available through various scholarships, grants, loans, work-study awards, and special benefits made available by the federal and state governments, La Roche College, and private organizations. In addition, the College awards full and partial tuition scholarships to students who qualify on the basis of academic achievements. Financial aid counselors are available to answer questions and assist students. La Roche also offers several payment plans. Information on these options can be obtained from the College's admissions office.
All students who intend to apply for financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who live outside of Pennsylvania should also submit their own state grant form, if applicable. All students are encouraged to submit the proper forms as soon after January1 as possible so that they are processed prior to La Roche College's May1 deadline.
Faculty
At La Roche, faculty members are an acclaimed group of scholars. They work closely with students, challenging them and encouraging them. In addition, they are experts in their fields. Many have earned distinguished honors, including a graphic design professor who was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Grant and a former FBI agent with more than two decades of investigative experience.
La Roche's faculty is engaged in research, but it is a teaching faculty. These highly trained and experienced people spend time in classrooms, labs, and studios teaching students.
Student Government
The Student Government Association (SGA) is a central and vital organization at the College. It is a legislative body responsible for all areas of student life. All enrolled students are represented by the SGA, and all full-time students are eligible for election. Students are also represented on various administrative committees within the College, including the College Cabinet and the Academic Senate.
Admission Requirements
La Roche is selective in its admission process. The College seeks students who demonstrate a strong desire to fulfill their academic potential and have a clear commitment to personal growth and achievement. Because the College values a commitment to community and lifelong learning, the admission staff also considers a student's extracurricular and volunteer activities in such areas as school, church, and community. The admission committee reviews each applicant individually, assessing personal and academic strengths in light of a student's background and opportunities. Committee members carefully examine high school records (course work, grade point average, and class rank), letters of recommendation, and SAT or ACT scores. La Roche's code numbers are 2379 for the SAT and 3607 for the ACT.
Application and Information
Candidates for admission should submit a completed application, a copy of their high school transcript, and a school report completed by a guidance counselor. There is also a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Applications can also be completed online. SAT and ACT scores should be sent directly to the College. La Roche adheres to a rolling admission system by which students receive decisions once their application credentials are complete. To ensure appropriate financial aid and housing opportunities, students are encouraged to apply no later than March31 for fall semester and December31 for spring semester. For additional information regarding La Roche admission, prospective students should contact:
