WHY CHOOSE USF

There are many reasons why students choose to study at the University of St. Francis. You can rest assured that USF is an institution with high quality education and a unique student experience.

PERSONAL ATTENTION IN SMALL CLASSES

Small class sizes and quality instructors ensure that each student at USF is given special, individualized attention. Vlasses usually have a ratio of 20:1 in general education courses and 15:1 in major classes. All classrooms are electronic, meaning you can access the internet, multimedia and extensive software for interactive learning.

FRIENDLY FACULTY

Faculty serve as leaders and role models for students, challenging their academic abilities and providing them with a wealth of practical experience! Faculty welcome classroom discussion and questions. They work with students one-on-one to advise them on which classes to take and direct them in their career exploration.

INTERNSHIPS

Internships provide the opportunity for USF students to integrate work and formal education, to network with experts in their major field of study, to test their chosen career path, and to be involved in activities like those of full-time employees. USF has had students intern with BP Amoco, Bank of America, Caterpillar, Chicago Merchandise Mart, EJ&E Railroad, Federal Express, Hewitt & Associates, Kraft Foods, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, U.S. Steel, and many others.

MENTORS

Alumni mentors are partnered with students whose education and career goals closely match the alumni mentor’s experience to provide direction and potential career connections.

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT › CV and cover letter review › Access job boards › Get matched with a mentor in your field › Access internship resources › Guidance with OPT, CPT and international student employment

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

You will benefit from interaction with American students and other international students during your day-today activities. There are a variety of cultural activities that you can get involved in during your time at University of St. Francis. Some groups and activities include the International Club, Black Student Association, Asian American Student Association and Unidos Vamos Alcanzar (United We Will Achieve). Throughout the year, the University of St Francis also coordinates field trips to cultural hotspots in Chicago and the surrounding area.

FACILITIES

USF’s comfortable and safe campus is in a historic area of Joliet that contains some of the most beautiful homes in the city. USF facilities offer state-of-the-art amenities such as campus Wi-Fi, SMART electronic classrooms, a nursing simulation lab, a digital audio recording studio and an online library with research collections.

ACCREDITATION

The University of St Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education. Other specialized program accreditations include: › Council on Social Work Education › Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) › Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. › Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education › Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs › National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

ATHLETICS

International students are eligible to participate in sports at University of St Francis and athletic scholarships are available. University of St Francis believes that involvement in athletics not only promotes a union of the body, mind, values and spirit, but also helps to develop the personal qualities that will enhance one's college years and endure through later life.

WHY CHOOSE USF?

KEY FACTS

The school was first established in 1920 by the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for the education of the Sisters in the congregation. On January 1, 1998, the institution achieved university status and was renamed University of St. Francis. USF has a total undergraduate enrollment of more than 1,600 students, and total overall enrollment of nearly 4,000. The university is made up of four academic schools which cover a range of subjects including business, education, nursing, and the arts and sciences, which includes biology, computer science, health sciences, mathematics, social sciences and more.

A NATIONALLY RANKED INSTITUTION

The University of St. Francis is consistently ranked among the best when it comes to quality education, affordability and accessibility. Each year it is nationally ranked by prestigious organizations such as…

U.S. News & World Report, which has placed USF on several of its annual listings, year after year, since 2008 including “Best Regional Universities,”

“Best Value Schools” and “Best Online Programs.”

The Princeton Review, which has ranked USF on its annual “Best Colleges:

Region by Region” list in the Midwestern category consistently since 2008.

USF was also included in the publication’s Guide to Green Colleges 2019 edition based on its commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Money Magazine, which included USF in its “2017 Best Colleges for Your

Money” list as the #1 private master’s institution in Illinois.

Colleges of Distinction, which has placed USF on its Illinois and Catholic lists since 2011. For the 2019-20 academic year, USF received a new ranking as one of the best schools in the nation for Career Development. › G.I. Jobs/Victory Media, which has named USF a “Military Friendly

School” for ten years.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Internships opportunities are available in most programs, and students can get assistance with job placement. USF’s career center and alumni office work handin-hand to provide resources, CV/resume reviews, and tailored advice so that our graduates leave USF ready for the working world. Our international student graduates have gone on to work at companies such as:

› Adventure Club › Bay Area Wellness Center › Enterprise Rent-A-Car › Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia Northwestern Medicine Parker and Lynch Ulta Beauty Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Accredited & Top-Ranked

JOLIET, ILLINOIS The University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois is located at the “crossroads of mid-America,” with access to the major highways of Interstate 55 (a major north-south passageway) and Interstate 80 (a major east-west passageway that connects New York to San Francisco).. Joliet is just 35 miles (or an hour drive) from Chicago. The city is a culturally diverse area that boasts extensive opportunities with parks and recreation venues, entertainment, and train service to Chicago and the rest of the United States.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Less than one hour away by car or train, students can take advantage of the educational, cultural and entertainment venues a major U.S. city like Chicago has to offer. Experience Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, Second City Theater, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, zoos and countless museums. Visit the many ethnic neighborhoods for world cuisine and shopping: China Town, Greek Town, Little Italy, or the Polish Triangle. The campus shuttle can drop you at the train station in Joliet to begin your adventure. USF Regional Map

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Des Moines, Iowa Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chicago, Illinois

University of St. Francis Joliet, Illinois

Detroit, Michigan

Cleveland, Ohio

Indianapolis, Indiana

St, Louis, Missouri

Louisville, Kentucky