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Mercy University is the dynamic, diverse, New York City area college whose students are on a personal mission: to get the most out of life by getting the most out of their education. Mercy is a private, nonprofit institution, that provides an engaging learning experience for students and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs within five schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mercy University has campuses in Dobbs Ferry, New York, the Bronx and Manhattan. The Dobbs Ferry Campus sits on 66 acres of land overlooking the picturesque Hudson River; the Bronx Campus is located at the Hutchinson Metro Center with state-of-the-art amenities; the Manhattan Campus - MercyManhattan - is in the heart of New York City overlooking Herald Square.
Mercy University has one of the lowest private tuition rates in New York. Financial aid, including merit and need-based scholarships, helps most of our students fund their education and minimize debt. The College’s rigorous programs and comprehensive support services provide students with a strong foundation for academic and future success. The faculty at Mercy University is dedicated to advancing student learning and engagement through excellence in teaching, mentorship, and cultivating a love of learning. They include Fulbright Scholars, published authors, and national authorities in their fields.
Mission Statement
Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education by offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, thus preparing students to embark on rewarding careers, to continue learning throughout their lives and to act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.
Mercy University History
Founded as a junior college in 1950 under the auspices of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy University became a four-year college offering programs leading to the baccalaureate degree in 1961. The University received full accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education by the end of that decade. In the next half-decade, Mercy boldly set a course for its future, declaring itself independent, and co-educational, doubling the size of the existing physical plant, and initiating the first of many community outreach efforts to non-traditional student populations through establishment of a Spanish bilingual program.
Mercy’s innovative spirit soared in the 1970s when it established extension centers and branch campuses through-out communities in Westchester County and New York City, and the College positioned itself on the leading edge of the adult student market with flexible scheduling, multiple and convenient locations, and accelerated degree completion programs. New populations of students— many of whom were first in their families to pursue higher education, including veterans, police officers, fire fighters, and immigrants — found a home at Mercy. Mercy University became a pioneer in online education more than 25 years ago, offering courses as well as entire degrees online.
By the early 1980s, Mercy was granted authority to offer its first graduate program. Throughout the next two decades, the University expanded its portfolio of graduate programs. In 2006, Mercy was granted the authority to offer its first doctoral degree program in physical therapy. Today, Mercy offers 42 graduate degrees, 33 undergraduate degrees,10 4+1 degree programs, and 23 certificate programs.
Committed to supporting students throughout their education, Mercy University offers a personalized learning experience that includes the University’s Personalized Achievement Contract (PACT) program, founded in 2009. Professional mentors provide “intrusive advising” where they proactively help students navigate their college career from the moment they are accepted until graduation. PACT is a nationally recognized mentoring program that serves as a model for student success. In 2022, Mercy, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, earned the prestigious “Seal of Excelencia” from Excelencia in Education, honoring it as a national exemplar in advancing prospects for success in college for its Hispanic students. Mercy is the first private university in the country, as well as the first HSI in New York State, to receive this certification.
In February 2019, the 115-year-old College of New Rochelle (CNR) announced plans to cease all academic operations due to financial irregularities and graduate its last class of students in August 2019. Providing a seamless pathway for CNR students to continue their education uninterrupted, Mercy University entered into a “teach-out” agreement with CNR in March 2019. Mercy welcomed 1,800 students in good academic standing to continue their academic programs with Mercy University in August 2019, and 70 CNR faculty and staff were hired to sustain their operations at Mercy. In order to accommodate CNR students’ degree paths and provide increased educational opportunities for current and prospective Mercy enrollees, Mercy registered and received approval from New York State to teach many of the academic programs offered at CNR. Mercy also ensured an affordable education for former CNR students, keeping tuition the same or in many cases less. The rich history and legacy of the former CNR is meaningfully carried on through Mercy University. The University is committed to preserving the history and legacy of CNR through reunions, alumni events, and communications.
While integrating the two colleges, those leading the reorganization recognized the similar mottos of each institution which focused on service, “Two institutions, one guiding principle”. The Ursuline Sisters who founded CNR had as their motto, Serviam, which means “I will serve.” The Sisters of Mercy established Mercy University with a similar motto, Inserviendo Consumere, which means “to be consumed in service.”
To enhance the student experience and provide a comprehensive learning environment, Mercy University continues to make physical improvements to its campuses. The purchase of Our Lady of Victory Academy allowed the University to increase classroom space, particularly for experiential learning opportunities for Mercy students in many disciplines, including the Business, Health Sciences, and Music and Art, including the trading floor with Bloomberg terminals and a recording studio complex. The University’s Division II soccer, lacrosse, baseball and field hockey teams compete on a state-of-the art athletic turf field on the Dobbs Ferry Campus. This multi-purpose field was awarded the New York American Council of Engineering Companies’ Excellence Silver Award. Hudson Hall, a 350-bed residence hall and student commons (completed in 2016), was designed and built to serve the needs of all students, resident and commuter. Situated in the center of the Dobbs Ferry Campus, Hudson Hall connects the whole college community. A student activity lounge and veterans’ center on the Bronx Campus meet the needs of Mercy’s large veteran population, while continuous improvements to classrooms, student commons-, and lab space for many of the College’s new nursing programs have been made as well. In October 2018, the College opened the new Victory Hall Sports Center on its Dobbs Ferry Campus, which includes an NCAA regulation court for basketball and volleyball, modern locker rooms, new training rooms for student-athletes, updated staff offices and a Mercy University Athletics Hall of Fame. In September 2019, Mercy opened the expanded and fully renovated Manhattan Campus, called MercyManhattan. The new space occupies two new floors in the heart of New York City’s famed Herald Square, increasing the campus to 95,000 square feet with a prominent new entrance on 34th Street. Following a year-long renovation, the campus was updated to include enhanced academic space for students and faculty, state-of-the-art classrooms, contemporary “living room” spaces and a new dormitory, Dorm34 opened in the fall of 2020.
Mercy University is committed to developing engaged citizens and instilling values of the Mercy University motto, Inserviendo Consumere (consumed in service). The University has a rich tradition of service through the “Mercy Gives Back” initiative, which encourages students to participate in, and lead, service opportunities. On-campus events and international travel experiences — including medical missions to Central and South America — help students discover and appreciate cultures far from home. Throughout its history, Mercy University has remained dedicated to its mission to make available the transformational power of a college education. Mercy’s commitment to quality, student support, and affordability — as well as innovation — remains as strong today as ever.
Commitment to Student Learning
Grounded in the Mercy University mission — to provide motivated students with the opportunity to transform their lives through education — our mission regarding educational assessment is to guide and support faculty and staff in their efforts to improve the quality of courses, programs, and the student learning experience by clarifying expectations and using reliable and valid measures of learning achievement to determine the impact of pedagogical and support strategies. All academic programs have learning outcomes which provide expectations for student learning and are published on the program websites.
Attributes of Mercy University Graduates
Mercy University graduates are:
C – Collaborative and Equitable
A – Adaptable
R – Responsible
E – Engaged
S – Skillful and Knowledgeable
Mercy’s Institutional Learning Goals
Mercy University graduates are expected to:
- Recognize and embrace the contribution of diversity and inclusion in building an equitable and just society
- Be creative, adaptable, and critical thinkers who build upon their liberal arts foundation and integrate their learning across disciplines
- Contribute to society through responsible social and ethical action
- Be self-directed, reflective learners who can integrate and apply their knowledge and experiences beyond the classroom
- Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge and skills that foster collaboration and support personal growth and career success
Campuses and Online
The main campus of Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry with additional campus locations in the Bronx and Manhattan, making the educational process convenient and accessible to students throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Mercy Online offers students an accessible and convenient way to learn. No matter where students are located, they may take courses, or complete entire degrees, online. At Mercy University, there is no distinction between the expectations of traditionally taught classes and online classes.
Benefits of online learning include:
- Affordability. Eliminate transportation time and expenses.
- Flexibility. You set your schedule for success.
- 24/7 Accessibility. Study anywhere at any time.
Mercy Online currently offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely online. Students also may satisfy their General Education curriculum requirements online.
Center for Academic Excellence and Innovation (Learning Centers)
The Center for Academic Excellence and Innovation at Mercy University supports and enhances the teaching and learning process at the University. The primary goal of the Learning Centers is to help students become self-sufficient, lifelong learners by offering academic support in efficient, effective, and convenient ways. The services are open to all Mercy University students who want to improve or enhance their learning skills, (not only to those who are having difficulties). Learning Centers are available at all campuses. For further information, please call 914-674-7402 or visit https://www.mercy.edu/academics/academic-tutoring.
Center for Global Engagement
The Center for Global Engagement (CGE)—launched in 2010—acts as a hub for students, faculty, and staff to engage with global issues on campus, in New York’s international context (especially with the United Nations) and around the world. The Center supports a range of initiatives to facilitate exchange of knowledge across international boundaries—through interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities, faculty-led study abroad programs, public events of global interest and speaker series on international topics, engagement with local community-based groups with international focus, opportunities for faculty exchanges, and research collaborations with international scholars. For further information, please visit https://www.mercy.edu/global-engagement.
Center for STEM Education
The Center for STEM Education (CSE)—launched in 2017—acts to create opportunities for groups typically underrepresented in STEM to engage in enrichment activities for learning, career readiness, enjoyment, and personal and community growth. As the only such academic center in the Westchester and Rockland region, CSE hosts events, organizes activities, and conducts community outreach that includes local schools and related research on STEM education. The CSE partners with Mercy faculty on initiatives and grants and provides opportunities for Mercy students to volunteer in the community and support STEM-related projects. For further information, please visit https://www.mercy.edu/education/stem-education.
Distance Education and State Authorization
Mercy University seeks to deliver degree programs and course offerings in every state and participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), where applicable, or coordinates directly with states to ensure that required approvals are secured. This arrangement authorizes the State of New York to take part in a system of interstate reciprocity that establishes national standards on distance education. For more information about NC-SARA and a list of all states and territories that are part of the NC-SARA agreement, please visit NC-SARA.
Additionally, Mercy University offers degree programs that may lead to professional licensure, and licensure requirements vary from one profession to another and from state to state. If you are interested in obtaining professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. For additional information and detailed requirements, please refer to the specific program of interest on the “School Resources” section of the Mercy University NC-Sara webpage.
Institutional Review Board (Research Involving Human Participants)
Mercy University is committed to the ethical treatment of human participants engaged in research. All Mercy University faculty, students, and employees wishing to engage in research are responsible for compliance with the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies. The Mercy University IRB reviews each research proposal and consent process in order to safeguard the rights and welfare of human participants. The IRB must determine that each study conforms to ethical standards, including a reasonable balance of risks and anticipated benefits; adequate provisions for informed consent; and equitable selection of participants. Information and resources regarding IRB guidelines—including “Guidelines for Submitting a Proposal for Research Projects Involving Human Participants”—are available at https://www.mercy.edu/academics-programs/research-and-grants/institutional-review-board. All research proposals must be submitted to the IRB Chairperson by the first of the month. For further information, please contact the Chairperson by email at mcirb@mercy.edu.
Libraries
The Mercy University libraries serve students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University. The main library at the Dobbs Ferry Campus holds the majority of collections and supplements those at three other campus libraries (Bronx and Manhattan) through a timely shipping and delivery system. All library facilities afford space for collaborative or concentrated learning and easy accessibility to library holdings and services. Librarians are available to provide research assistance, consultations, and information literacy instruction. Library resources are available in many formats, including traditional print books, e-books, journals, newspapers, and audiovisual resources. Desktop computers, laptops, and wireless network provide access to the libraries’ online catalogs, electronic databases, and Internet resources to support the University’s on-site and online programs. Off-site users have access to the libraries’ online catalogs, e-books, and databases through the Mercy University libraries’ website at https://www.mercy.edu/academics/libraries/.
Information resources are selected for quality and their ability to support the total curriculum and selected research areas. The libraries’ total collection includes over 150,000 combined book and e-book titles. Library databases and e-journal subscriptions provide 24/7 access to over 60,000 journals and their full text articles. The libraries’ resources are cataloged using OCLC, the major international bibliographic utility, and Sierra, the libraries’ integrated online library system. The collection is arranged according to the Library of Congress classification system. The libraries have in place resource-sharing arrangements for electronic and print resources with other libraries and library systems, principally through WALDO (Westchester Academic Library Directors Organization) and METRO (Metropolitan New York Library Council). Materials at other libraries can be requested through Interlibrary Loan; most arrive in a week to ten days, free of charge. Comments from students, faculty, and other library users are encouraged and useful to the libraries as they continue to enhance the services, systems, and collection of physical and electronic resources.
Pre-Professional Preparation Programs
Mercy University provides strong opportunities for students to take the first step toward a professional career. A broad scope of disciplines in the arts, humanities, and sciences offer academic preparation for competitive admissions tests required for law school, medical school, dental school, and other professional training. Students are encouraged to contact the respective Dean’s office (Social and Behavioral Sciences for pre-law; Health and Natural Sciences for medical, dental, and allied health professions) to schedule an appointment with a pre-professional faculty advisor.
Technology for Students
Mercy University is committed to leveraging technology to support its mission. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the following systems and services.
- The website www.mercy.edu for general information about the College.
- The website connect.mercy.edu for class registration, grades, payments, email, degree audit, and a variety of other functions.
- Hundreds of computers installed in classrooms and labs, and available to borrow in the Libraries. Microsoft Office, SPSS, Visual Studio, and many other software titles are installed.
- Free, open wireless Internet at all campuses (Mavericks-Wi-Fi).
- State-of-the art technologies in the Learning Center.
- Cloud-based collaboration tools built in to the mercy.edu email account.
- Free download for personal use of most Microsoft products by logging into Office 365 (http://email.mercy.edu)
- 24/7 technical support at (914) 674-7526.
- 3D printing in the Libraries.
- High-tech labs in all schools, including a mock trading floor, medical simulation labs, music recording studios, video editing studio, and more.
- Student success tools like EAB Navigate, Mercy Mobile, and Blackboard Mobile.
Mercy University considers the University’s email system, along with the United States Postal Service, as an official means of communication. Mercy University will consider employees and students to be duly informed and in receipt of notifications and correspondences sent by a college administrator, staff, or faculty member when delivered to an employee’s and students Office 365 (@mercy.edu) university email account. It is recommended that employees and students frequently access their university-assigned email account for official information. Students may choose to have their email accounts forwarded to an off-campus account. Such individuals, however, are responsible for managing their disk quota such that there is room for new mail to arrive and for forwarding their Mercy email account to a functioning alternative email address. The University is not responsible for delivery problems to non-official email accounts. In certain circumstances, the University may also deliver information to students via text message to the cellular telephone number listed on the official College records for the student. If the student wishes to opt-out of text communications, she/he must inform the Student Affairs office.
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