RIDGE COLLEGE OF INTELLIGENCE STUDIES AND APPLIED SCIENCES

A complex world demands sophisticated analysis.

The disciplines within the Ridge College bring together complementary academic disciplines that stress critical thinking, data analysis, and collaborative decision-making. An education in the Ridge College – named after Erie native Tom Ridge, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first Secretary of Homeland Security – helps make sense of the complex behaviors of people, organizations, and governments through the application of principles, theories, and technologies in innovative and exciting ways.

The 21st century work environment is more intelligent, fast-moving, and intricate than ever before. As a Center of Excellence for distance and online learning, the Ridge College stresses knowledge transfer and communication processes, critical thinking, collaborative decision-making, and the application of technology to assist in information management. Whether you choose Business and Competitive Intelligence, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security, Intelligence Studies, or one of our other majors, minors, and programs, this much is clear: The Ridge College is ready to prepare you for what’s next. 

Fast Facts

• The Ridge College is the largest of the four colleges at Mercyhurst, with nearly 1,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
• The Ridge College is home to the Innovation Entente Lab, also known as the Beehive, which offers student analysts the opportunity to work on projects with real-world community clients, providing valuable skills and networking along the way.
• The Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis and Training (CIRAT) hones and professionalizes the skills of students in Intelligence Studies and Computer Information Science programs by providing real world projects for students to gain applied experience. The CIRAT develops opportunities with business and government entities through contracts, grants, and academic partnerships. The CIRAT has worked with more than 250 government entities, private sector companies, nongovernmental organizations giving nearly 1,200 students marketable applied experience in their fields of study before they graduate.