Academics
Small Class Size = One-on-One Mentorship.
Student Enrollment
Fall 2023
In the fall of 2023, Fairfield Bellarmine welcomed its first class of 44 students.
Fall 2024
Fairfield Bellarmine welcomed our second class bringing total students on campus to 119.
Fall 2025
With our third Cohort our numbers continue to grow with plans to welcome 56 new students in the Summer of 2026.
Bellarmine students from the Greater Bridgeport area and surrounding Connecticut communities take classes at the non-residential Bellarmine Campus in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Fairfield Bellarmine’s first Commencement Exercises took place in May 2025.
Top-Tier Professors.
Faculty
Top-Tier Professors.
Faculty
All Fairfield Bellarmine faculty members are experts in their respective academic fields. Faculty accessibility—through mentorship and the fostering of one-on-one relationships with students—is a top priority.
Meet the Administration & FacultyTwo Years. Four Academic Track Options.
Associate's Degree Curriculum
Students enrolled in Fairfield Bellarmine complete college credits toward a two-year associate’s degree, taking courses that align with Fairfield University’s academic concentrations, satisfy our Magis Core* Curriculum, and meet Connecticut state articulation requirements for degree completion. Upon successful attainment of an associate’s degree, graduates of Fairfield Bellarmine will have credit-transfer eligibility for transition to a four-year bachelor’s degree program.
*The Magis Core provides a common experience for all Fairfield undergraduates, one that is grounded in the humanities and sciences. The courses engage students to establish their own values and understanding of the world while emphasizing excellence in critical reasoning and oral and written communication. The core refers to the Jesuit principle of magis, which means excellence and depth of learning and service.
Business
Students who complete a two-year associate’s degree on Fairfield Bellarmine’s Business track will be prepared to pursue an entry-level job in corporate America or transition into a bachelor’s degree program for two additional years of specialized business study.
- Business track students learn the fundamentals necessary to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in anything from accounting to marketing, economics, analytics, international business, finance, management, and more.
- Many business majors pursue careers in human resources, operations, marketing, management, accounting, and finance at banks, non-profits, corporations, and businesses in the service and retail industries.
If you have questions or would like to discuss studies within the Business track further, please email bc@fairfield.edu, and you will be connected with a representative from Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business.
Computer Science
If you’re a tech-minded student whose best subjects are math and science, computer science may be the track for you! A tremendous number of job opportunities await students who complete a two-year associate’s degree on Fairfield Bellarmine’s Computer Science track. Armed with coding and programming fundamentals, students will be well-prepared to enter the workforce or transition into a four-year engineering program in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
- Computer science majors will learn network, database, cybersecurity, and game/app design basics.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, jobs in the computer science industry are expected to grow 15 percent between 2021 and 2031. An associate’s degree can lead to positions such as jr. developer or project manager, capable of supporting systems in web, application, or mobile app development. A bachelor’s degree can put you on a path toward a career as a software developer, quality assurance analyst/tester, or information security analyst.
If you have questions or would like to discuss studies within the Computer Science track further, please email bc@fairfield.edu, and you will be connected with a representative from the Fairfield University School of Engineering.
Health Studies
Students who complete a two-year associate’s degree on Fairfield Bellarmine’s Health Studies track will be prepared to transition into a bachelor’s degree program for two additional years of study, in order to focus on professional careers in the in-demand fields of:
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Social Work
Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase is expected to result in approximately two million new health-related jobs over the decade.
If you have questions or would like to discuss studies within the Health Studies track further, please email bc@fairfield.edu, and you will be connected with a representative from Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Liberal Studies
The options for students on Fairfield Bellarmine’s Liberal Studies track are limitless! Students who complete a two-year associate’s degree in liberal studies will explore an array of core subjects, allowing for easy transition into a four-year liberal arts or sciences program, or an entry-level position in corporate America.
- If you choose to continue your academic pursuits toward a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or sciences you can choose to major in history, creative arts, philosophy, religion, math, languages, communication, psychology, sociology, the sciences, and many, many more!
- Interested in a teaching career? Connecticut public schools are looking for paraprofessionals, and an associate’s degree is the minimal requirement. You may also choose to embark on a path to full teacher certification by continuing your studies for two more years toward a bachelor’s degree in Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development.
- Most entry-level jobs at U.S. companies require a college degree. Even if you are uncertain of your ultimate career path, an associate’s degree in liberal studies will open doors and equip you with a deeper understanding of the world.
If you have questions or would like to discuss studies within the Liberal Studies track further, please email bc@fairfield.edu, and you will be connected with a representative from the Fairfield University John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.
Flexible Class Schedules. Pathways Forward.
Academic Resources
School Schedule
Summer
Fall
Spring
Fairfield Bellarmine follows a traditional academic calendar with fall, spring, and summer sessions, as well as an online winter session.
The Cohort Model
A cohort is a group of students in the same class year who move through the two-year program together; students in each major generally attend the same classes. Incoming cohorts attend morning classes in Year One, then transition to the afternoon schedule in Year Two.
Year-One Cohort (Class of 2027)
Orientation and Summer Session
A required Fairfield Bellarmine Orientation is held in June for students who have been accepted into the program. Additionally, Summer Session for first-year students consists of two courses taken over a required five- to seven-week period prior to the fall semester.
Fall and Spring Semester Schedule
The Year-One Cohort attends morning class sessions from 8:30 until 11:45 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with Wednesdays reserved for labs.
Year-Two Cohort (Class of 2026)
Summer Session
Summer Session for second-year students consists of two courses taken over a required five- to seven-week period prior to the fall semester. Additionally, the Year-Two Cohort may pursue paid internships related to their respective majors.
Fall and Spring Semester Schedule
The Year-Two Cohort attends afternoon classes from 1:30 until 4:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with Wednesdays reserved for labs.
Fairfield Bellarmine expects commitment, attendance, and determination from its students. As such, summer session is not optional for most first-year students. In the event of extenuating circumstances, admitted students are required to meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Academic Support
In the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis or "care of the whole person," mentors and counselors at Fairfield Bellarmine enable students to actively engage in the development of their personal educational plan. Every Fairfield Bellarmine student is assigned a faculty mentor to guide students with structured support and advocacy.
The faculty mentors, along with success coaches, counselors, tutors, and first-year seminars, prepare students for success through engagement and retention programming, while providing early at-risk interventions when needed. The Fairfield University Writing Center and Math Center have a presence at Bellarmine Campus and a network of internal and external partners guide students through academic planning, career exploration, and internship opportunities—creating an experience that is as remarkable as it is distinctive.
Career Advising & Graduate Support
Career advisers will help students explore their many options and offer guidance for those who wish to pursue professional employment upon graduation. For students who wish to transfer their associate’s degree credits in order to continue their studies at Fairfield University or another four-year institution, graduate counselors will connect and guide them through the process.
Pathways to a Bachelor's Degree
Qualified students may apply to continue their studies at Fairfield University to earn a bachelor's degree. Fairfield Bellarmine has also entered into agreements with the following universities to create more pathways to a bachelor's degree: Williams College, University of Bridgeport, Albertus Magnus College, Loyola University New Orleans, and Regis College.