Catalogue

179 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.522.2300

sfc.edu

Mission Statement

St. Francis College is an inclusive and diverse institution of higher education rooted in a commitment to academic excellence, compassionate hospitality, and ethical leadership.  Inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, and founded by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, the college prepares students to serve and thrive in a global community and help shape a just society .

History of the College

St. Francis College has a proud heritage of providing students with the preparation they need to take their places as contribut­ing members of society. With a mission founded on the ideals and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, the school has played an important role in the community and in the lives of its students and alumni.

St. Francis College was founded by Franciscan Brothers in 1859 as St. Francis Academy, the first private school in the diocese of Brooklyn. The school, dedicated to the education of the young diocese’s Catholic boys, started in a building on Baltic Street and grew quickly. In just a little more than 25 years, the trustees of the Academy received permission from the state legislature to “establish a Literary College” and to confer diplomas, honors, and degrees. St. Francis Academy became St. Francis College and in June 1885 bestowed its first Bachelor of Arts degree.

The College continued its meteoric growth. In 1926, the Brothers opened a new facility on Butler Street. In 1957, the Regents of the University of the State of New York granted an absolute Charter to the Trustees of the College and three years later, St. Francis College embarked on an expansion program. The College moved to Remsen Street, where it had purchased two office buildings from Brooklyn Union Gas Company, allowing it to double its enrollment. Shortly thereafter, it became a co-educa­tional institution and additional property was purchased on both Remsen and Joralemon Streets. The College expanded its facili­ties with the construction of a science building, physical educa­tion complex, and housing to accommodate the Franciscan Brothers and provide more space for faculty. In spring 2003, St. Francis College completed a new athletic and event facility atop the College’s gymnasium, the Anthony J. Genovesi Center. In January 2006, the College unveiled a 35,000 square foot academic center, which includes a state-of-the-art library, “smart” class­rooms equipped with wireless Internet access and multimedia technology, a theater/lecture hall, updated facilities for the Communication Arts department, gathering spaces and an Internet-ready cyber lounge for students.

Today the College serves more than 2,000 students and boasts an alumni association of 12,000 members. Students come primarily from Brooklyn and the other boroughs of New York City, although their backgrounds are representative of some 80 countries. Every year, more than 350 degrees are conferred in the liberal arts and sciences and in management. Many distinguished public servants, scientists, lawyers, business professionals, and teachers call St. Francis College alma mater, as do many of the priests and nuns within the dioceses of Brooklyn-Queens and Rockville Centre.

Accreditation and Memberships

Association of American Colleges
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Brooklyn Independent Colleges
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Downtown Brooklyn Development Association
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Collegiate Honors Council
National Commission on Accrediting
Northeast Regional Honors Council
NYS Regents Accreditation of Teacher Education
University Professional and Continuing Education Association 

All information contained herein is for informational purposes only. It is necessarily subject to change without notice or obliga­tion at the discretion of the administration. All such changes may apply not only to prospective students but also to those who are already enrolled in the College. In addition, this catalogue is neither a contract nor an offer to contract between the College and any person or party.

“St. Francis College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law in its education programs and activities or employment. The College complies with all state and federal statutes, executive orders, and regulations concerning affirmative action, non-discrimination, and equal employment opportunities.”