Sargent College History

In 1881, Dr. Dudley Allen Sargent founded the Sargent School of Physical Training in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During the decades that followed the establishment of the School, Dr. Sargent built a reputation as an innovator in physical conditioning and health promotion. At the Sargent School, students learned training techniques to strengthen and improve the physical capabilities of all people, including both disabled and healthy individuals. This emphasis on comprehensive health care remains a focus of the College today. Sargent College became part of Boston University in 1929, five years after Dr. Sargent's death. His son and administrative successor, Ledyard, tendered ownership of the School to the University, establishing a relationship that has strengthened the College's curriculum of arts and sciences through the years.

The College moved to Boston University's Charles River Campus from Cambridge in 1958, and relocated to a renovated facility on Commonwealth Avenue in 1990. BU Sargent College's new building is fully equipped with outpatient health care clinics, research and practice laboratories, an instructional media center, computer lab, and modern classroom facilities.

Sargent College Today In the fall of 1990, BU Sargent College moved to an extensively renovated facility at 635 Commonwealth Avenue. The six-story building contains classrooms, student lounges, research laboratories, an alumni room, an outpatient rehabilitation clinic, and faculty and staff offices.

As knowledge about health expands and society's health care needs become more complex, BU Sargent College continuously improves its degree programs to meet the needs of future health professionals.

Basic and advanced professional degree programs at BU Sargent College are offered in over 15 specialized areas including athletic training, speech, language and hearing sciences, health science, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation sciences, human physiology and more. Visit our Programs section to learn more about the specific programs and degree offerings at BU Sargent College.

At BU Sargent College, there are many specialized research and teaching laboratories located throughout the building, which give students the opportunity for hands-on experience. BU Sargent College is also affiliated with Centers that conduct research and offer clinical services to the community. Visit our Research section to learn more about BU Sargent's Research Centers and faculty research.