Nishant Vyas

The University of Bridgeport commonly referred to as UB, is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE).The University of Bridgeport started as the Junior College of Connecticut, founded in 1927. It was the first junior college chartered by a legislature in the 11 northeastern states. In 1947, reacting to increased student demand, the Connecticut legislature settled a new charter creating a four-year institution out of the former Junior College. Thereafter, the University of Bridgeport moved from its original location on Fairfield Avenue to the former P.T. Barnum estate at Seaside Park, gradually expanding from 22 acres in 1950 to over 50 acres today. Arnold College in Milford, Connecticut, which was the nation’s first co-educational School of Physical Education and founded in 1886, merged with the university in 1953. The range and diversity of the university was established in those early years. With the Junior College as a basis, the newly chartered University added colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Nursing, Education and Engineering. To the Junior College itself were added the Weylister Secretarial School and the Fones School of Dental Hygiene. Fones is the first school of dental hygiene in the world. Now, through its International College, Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Continuing and Professional Studies, Fones School of Dental Hygiene, the College of Chiropractic, the College of Naturopathic Medicine, the English Language Institute, the Acupuncture Institute, and the Human Nutrition Institute. The university continues to evolve and expand its course offerings. In 2010, the Shintaro Akatsu School of Design was established with the generous support of the university alumni. Students began enrolling in the Physician Assistant program in January 2011. Also in 2010 the university announced collaboration with the University of Connecticut relating to admission of University of Bridgeport graduates to the University of Connecticut Pharmacy program. The University of Bridgeport also has started offering Doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership, Computer Science and Engineering and Naturopathic Medicine, as well as a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree.