University of Bridgeport

• Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1927,
• Number of students: about 3590,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

The University of Bridgeport (UB) is one of the largest universities in the state of Connecticut, offering more than 60 higher education specializations at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

Founded as Connecticut Junior College in 1927, the institution quickly gained local and regional approval and recognition. Almost immediately, the college began its territorial and academic expansion to cover a large number of applicants to the programs it offers. Over the following decades, many stages were completed: a new campus was acquired, dozens of studying courses were added, the best teaching staff was selected, university status and accreditation for teaching higher education programs were obtained. Since 2021, UB has been working under the leadership of Goodwin University, maintaining its independence and cooperating with it in research, academic and other fields of activity.

Today, about 3,590 students study at UB, 18% of whom are representatives of many nationalities and cultures. The American university has created a friendly and mutually supportive atmosphere, thanks to which all students quickly adapt to their studies and life on campus, realize their talents in different directions, and confidently pursue their goals. Students can expect a wide range of extracurricular activities, additional opportunities for development outside the academic area, caring and comprehensive support from qualified teaching staff.

Various specialized departments are open to provide individual support in solving any issues: from adapting the curriculum and finding accommodation outside the campus to preparing for scholarships, selecting internships and employment. Qualified specialists of the departments meet with students personally, develop a personalized plan to achieve their goals and accompany them at every stage.

A school of English is open for foreign students, offering various courses to improve language and academic skills.

The team includes three major specialized colleges offering programs in the following areas:

• Engineering, business, education,
• Science, society,
• Medical sciences.

Education is also provided at specialized institutes and schools that are part of UB's academic structure:

• Nutrition,
• Assistance to doctors,
• Chiropractic,
• Nursing,
• Education,
• Engineering,
• Medical professions,
• Acupuncture,
• English language,
• Business,
• Oral hygiene.

Many students participate in research starting from their freshman year, beginning to develop their professional skills, leadership qualities, and analytical abilities. Research activities allow them to earn large grants and scholarships, attract investors to implement their ideas, and achieve excellent results, influencing the quality of life of local and international communities.

Over the past years, UB students have won awards such as:

• #1 in the Techstar competition from Google,
• #1 in the new products competition among Connecticut state students,
• #1 in the «Personal Business» category.

With a history spanning nearly 100 years, the university boasts particularly remarkable facts in its biography:

• In 1913, UB, as an unaccredited college, opened the world's first school of dental hygiene,
• In 1991, the first chiropractic school in the United States was founded here,
• The launch of STEMonWheels bus — the first of its kind in Connecticut!
• Creation of the state's first ABET-accredited computer engineering program,
• Located on campus is the first high-tech incubator in Fairfield County,
• Creation of the state's first master's program in artificial intelligence,
• Physician assistant students won the 2023 National AAPA Medical Challenge Competition and the 2023 ConnAPA Student Medical Challenge Competition,
• Six championships at the US Women's Gymnastics Championships over 11 years.

The University of Bridgeport's infrastructure includes residences for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.  Students enrolled in one of the bachelor's degree programs are accommodated in the following residential buildings:

• University Hall — standard double rooms with shared facilities on the floor and suites, including a bedroom, a private bathroom, a living room and a kitchen,
• Chaffee Hall — standard single and double rooms with facilities on the ground floor: kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room,
• Seeley Hall — standard double rooms with access to shared bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms of the residence.

Two residences are open for students of master's and doctoral programs.:

• University Place is a fully furnished apartment available for long—term rental. They are located outside the studying area, but within walking distance to it.,
• Barnum Hall is a campus residence with standard single and double rooms, shared facilities: kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and others. The staff is ready to help in finding off-campus housing, if necessary.

Residence accommodation requires a mandatory meal plan, which can be used in all dining halls and cafeterias at the University of Bridgeport. The plan includes a certain number of meals per week, additional points for spending in university stores.

All students lead an active lifestyle - the campus has everything you need in order to engage in various sports and creativity, relax and have fun. The university provides financial and other assistance to talented students, there is an opportunity to participate in competitions and contests. Sports:

1. Women's teams:

• Basketball
• Cross country
• Field hockey
• Gymnastics
• Lacrosse
• American football
• Softball
• Swimming
• Track
• Volleyball

2. Men's teams:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross country
• Football
• Swimming.

Types of art and art:

• Playing musical instruments
• Vocals
• Musical groups
• Playing in the orchestra
• Painting and drawing
• Design and fashion
• Theater art
• Acting in theater and cinema
• Theater
• Accompaniment of theatrical productions.

Directions of clubs and communities:

• Academic
• International
• Leadership
• Media
• Multicultural
• Musical
• Political
• Professional
• Religious
• Social.

Various festivals and holidays, theme parties, conferences and events are constantly held on campus. Students can attend theaters and cinemas, restaurants and entertainment venues. The convenient location provides an opportunity to see New York, Boston and other cities.

• The only university in Bridgeport with Rare Medical Sciences specializations: Chinese Medicine, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Chiropractic,
• Accreditations of the New England Higher Education Commission, the Connecticut Department of Higher Education,
• A member of numerous associations, including the American Council on Education, the Association of Urban Universities, and the Association of American Colleges,
• 99% of students receive financial assistance: scholarships or grants, cooperation with regional and national organizations to provide internships, share knowledge, and participate in research.,
• Active extracurricular life: 20 sports teams, more than 30 themed clubs and more,
• Multinational student community.

The UB studying area consists of two campuses: the main one covers 56 acres and is located on a picturesque site next to Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, and the subsidiary, the Waterbury Center, is located in an office building near the border of Cheshire. The main academic site consists of 28 buildings, including 14 specialized schools and faculties, 7 residential buildings, four large dining halls, a bookstore, a student center with a cafe, a computer lab, and recreation areas.

Such infrastructure facilities attract special attention:

• The Center for Health Sciences, including specialized laboratories for chiropractic, dentistry, and acupuncture medicine, a library with several reading rooms, a book market, and computer rooms with access to electronic resources.,
• A multifunctional sports complex with playgrounds, gyms, and a 6-lane swimming pool.

UB cooperates with local organizations, thanks to which many large-scale sports and cultural events take place at external facilities. For example, the 400-acre Coastal Park on the shores of Long Island Sound and adjacent to the campus offers excellent opportunities for relaxing on the beach, playing sports and studying.

Since programs at different academic levels have different duration and number of academic hours, the UB academic calendar consists of three trimesters, covering almost the entire year.:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: May-August.

Students attend classes on weekdays, relax on weekends, national and international holidays, and during seasonal vacations.

An approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation, meal plan, and other housing expenses,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Laboratory fees,
• Medical insurance,
• Additional academic support not provided by the curriculum,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process includes several stages:

• Completing the registration form, paying the entrance fee and providing all required documents,
• Receiving an invitation to an interview,
• Receiving an official response about enrollment and information about the curriculum, start dates of classes and arrival on campus,
• Making deposits, paying for the program,
• Arrival on campus and starting studies.

The admissions committee staff helps applicants at each stage of admission, including the process of оформлении visa documents.

Foreign applicants wishing to enroll in UB programs must meet the minimum requirements:

• Personal documents: passport, visa or residence permit, medical insurance and health certificates,
• Academic certificates from previous places of study: certificate of full secondary education, bachelor's degree, Master's degree, certificates of preparatory courses,
• Language test results: for future bachelors — TOEFL (from 75), PTE (from 53), Duolingo (from 90), for applicants to master's and doctoral programs — TOEFL (from 80), PTE (from 58), Duolingo (from 95) or equivalent,
• An essay about learning goals, individual achievements, and distinctive abilities,
• For future masters and Doctors of Sciences: two letters of recommendation, a resume and professional experience.

In addition to the federal FAFSA program, external grants and loans, UB students have access to a number of scholarships for freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, and international students. Most awards are granted for outstanding academic, creative, and athletic achievements.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision