A complex world demands sophisticated analysis.

Named after Erie native Tom Ridge, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first Secretary of Homeland Security, the Ridge College brings together complementary academic disciplines that stress critical thinking, data analysis and collaborative decision-making. Serving as a Center of Excellence for distance and online learning, the Ridge College takes the lead in exploring, designing and developing new ways to deliver professional education. A Ridge College education 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. 

Fast Facts

• During the last academic year, approximately 300 Intelligence Studies students and 10 faculty and staff worked on research and analysis projects for a total of 18,600 hours.
• Applied Forensic Sciences Professor and Department Chair Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat recently received the first ever Outstanding Mentorship Award and the T. Dale Stewart Award from the Anthropology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
• Our Social Work program is accredited through the Council of Social Work Education, the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.
• The Communication program offers students hands-on experience via a campus cable TV station, digital and print media projects and a newly constructed podcast room.