ACADEMICS
Mercyhurst University is a nationally ranked institution offering more than 100 areas of study, 13 graduate programs, and a variety of post-baccalaureate and non-degree opportunities. While our academic offerings and learning resources rival those of larger institutions, our commitment to exceptional faculty and student-centered education has preserved our community identity as an applied liberal arts university in the Mercy tradition.
Accounting
Anthropology/Archaeology
Applied Forensic Sciences
Applied Sociology
Art Education
Art Therapy
Athletic Training
Biochemistry
Biology
Business and Competitive Intelligence
Business Economics
Chemistry
Communication
Criminal Justice
Cyber Security
Dance
Data Science
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood/Special Education
English
Environmental Science
Exercise Science
Fashion Merchandising
Finance
French
French Education
Geology
Graphic Design
History
Hospitality Management
Human Resource Management
Intelligence Studies
Interior Architecture and Design
International Business
Management
Marketing
Mathematics
Music
Music Composition
Music Education
Music Performance
Music Therapy
Nursing (BSN)
Nursing (RN to BSN)
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Pre-Athletic Training
Psychology
Public Health
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Social Work
Spanish
Spanish Education
Sport and Event Management
Sport Business Management
Sports Medicine
Studio Art
Accounting
Anatomy
Anthropology/Archaeology
Arabic and Islamic Studies
Art
Art History
Art Therapy
Arts Administration
Asian Studies
Biochemistry
Biology
Business Administration
Catholic Studies
Chemistry
Chinese
Communication
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice
Cyber Security
Data Science
Physics
Political Science
Pre-Law
Psychology
Psychology of Crime and Justice
Public Health
Public History
Public Policy
Religion and Society
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Social Justice
Social Media and Web
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education (PreK-12)
Sport Studies
Sustainability Studies
Teaching English Language Learners
Theatre
Associate Degree Programs
Biology
Business Administration (Accounting)
Business Administration (Management)
Business Administration (Sport Management)
Criminal Justice
Hospitality Management
Hospitality Management (Culinary Arts)
Liberal Studies
Nursing (Associate of Science in Nursing)
Nursing (LPN to RN Bridge)
Physical Therapist Assistant
Respiratory Therapist
Certificate Programs
Culinary Arts
Municipal Police Academy
Practical Nursing (LPN)
Master's Programs
Applied Intelligence (Online or On Campus)
Athletic Training (On Campus)
Criminal Justice Administration (Online)
Cyber Security (Online or On Campus)
Data Science (On Campus)
Forensic and Biological Anthropology (On Campus)
MSN: Integrative Nursing Leadership (Online)
Organizational Leadership (Online)
Physician Assistant Studies (On Campus)
Secondary Education (Online)
Special Education and Applied Disability Studies (On Campus)
Teaching Excellence (Online)
Graduate Certificates
Applied Behavior Analysis (On Campus)
Applied Intelligence (Online)
Autism (On Campus)
Criminal Justice Administration (Online)
Cyber Security (Online)
Data Analytics (Online)
Forensic and Biological Anthropology (On Campus)
Organizational Leadership (Online)
Principal Leadership (Online)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Communication Studies
Exploring the Law
Global Awareness
Health Sciences
Public Health and Wellness
Pennsylvania Teaching Certification Programs
Art Education (K-12)
Music Education (K-12)
World Languages Education (K-12)
REACH Curriculum
A Mercyhurst education prepares you to succeed in a high-demand job or in graduate school, while also providing you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to live a better, fuller, richer life. You’ll learn to appreciate art and culture, to value the interconnectedness of the human experience, to serve others to improve the well-being of communities, and to be resilient in the face of adversity. To achieve these goals, you’ll complete the REACH Curriculum in addition to your academic major.
A Student-Centered Core
The REACH Curriculum includes a variety of liberal arts and sciences courses, as well as special experiences in your freshman and senior years.
You’ll take two courses each from these five broad areas:
- R - Reason and Faith (Catholic studies, philosophy, religious studies)
- E - Expression and Creativity (one in English, plus one in art, dance, music or theatre)
- A - Analytical Thought (biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics, science, including at least one with a lab)
- C - Contexts and Systems (economics, history, political science)
- H - Humans in Connection (anthropology, psychology, sociology, world languages)
Flexibility
Did you know an estimated 75 percent of students change their majors at least once before graduation? We don’t expect you to know exactly what you want to do when you get here. Not only is our curriculum designed to help you explore different academic disciplines, but we also provide academic advising to guide you every step of the way.
REACH gives you room to explore during your time at Mercyhurst rather than prescribing exactly which classes you need. The curriculum is structured to easily accommodates transfer students and credits previously earned through dual enrollment programs, as well as allow for study abroad, internships and other experiences.
outREACH
As a university rooted in Mercy, Mercyhurst understands that service and hospitality are essential dimensions of the education of the whole individual. To accomplish this, Mercyhurst has developed Beyond the Gates (BTG), a one-credit outREACH experience that you’ll complete in your sophomore or junior year. BTG presents service as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions, broaden worldviews, and leave students changed for the better.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to expand your perspectives and learn about the cultural, economic, political and scientific forces that shape our world. Thanks to the flexibility and freedom of REACH, nearly 25 percent of our student body choose to study abroad (compared to the national average of 10 percent).
Academic Advising and Support
From the moment you enroll at Mercyhurst, you’ll work closely with your assigned Faculty Advisor and your Academic Counselor. These two individuals will serve as mentors and resources during your time here, assisting you with course registration and academic progress, while also working with you on any academic or personal issues you might encounter. It is the goal of Academic Support to foster satisfying experiences that lead to student success and persistence toward degree completion.
Exploratory/Undecided Students
College is all about discovery, and your first year at Mercyhurst is a wonderful chance to explore which academic path is right for you in your baccalaureate education. As a student in our exploratory studies program, you’ll work one on one with an academic counselor to discover and evaluate all that Mercyhurst has to offer. The office hosts the annual Majors and Minors Fair every October and extends a special invitation to our exploring students.
From day one at Mercyhurst, you will nurture your passions and discover new ones, all while building practical skills such as creative problem solving, research, data analysis, persuasive writing and public speaking.
Academic Programs
Bachelor's (4-Year)
Associate (2-Year)
Certificates (1-Year)
Master's
Graduate Certificates
4+1 Programs
Advanced Certificates
Course Information
Explore academic departments and course information for all of our undergraduate and graduate programs.
Academic Calendar
Undergraduate Catalog
Graduate Catalog
Course Schedule/Descriptions
Academic Colleges
Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences
Walker College of Business
Zurn College of Natural and Health Sciences
Related Offerings
Undergraduate Academic SupportAccreditation
Articulation Agreements
Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM)
Capstone Experiences
Community Engagement
Dean's List
Distance Learning
Freshman Year Experience
Honors Program
Institutes
Learning Differences
Liberal Arts Core (REACH)
Libraries
Prestigious Awards
Registrar
ROTC/Military Science
Sponsored Research
Study Abroad
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