Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission and matriculation include:
- A completed application for admission with the nonrefundable fee. (Please see the Tuition, Expenses and Financial Assistance section.)
- Applicants for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited American college or university, or the equivalent degree from a foreign college or university. Applications generally have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a lower average may be considered for admission with special parameters based on professional experience. The student will be required to complete a specified number of credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 to continue in the program. Some graduate programs are dual degree programs (B.S./M.S.) that have unique credit requirements. Please note that certain graduate programs may require additional documentation for the assessment of qualifications for admission. Additionally, please see specific program information and requirements in the appropriate section of this catalog.
- An assessment of qualifications for admission by the specific program director or designee.
Please note a student can only be matriculated and enrolled in one program at a time.
Full immunization compliance is required for registration. Please see the immunization compliance requirements below.
All applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. The evaluation must measure reading, writing, speaking and an understanding of the spoken language at a level appropriate for graduate studies. Proficiency will be determined by a standardized test such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Duolingo. Scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class of the proposed term of entry unless an exception has been made by the international admissions office or appointed program chair. Waivers are also available for qualified candidates.
Students who have studied at institutions of higher education in other countries must present official foreign academic credential evaluation as part of the admissions submission. A foreign academic credential evaluation is not required for an American School outside of the United States, that holds an approved regional accrediting agency. Mercy University Office of Admissions will make the final official evaluation of international transcripts; however, all students are required, at their own expense, to obtain an evaluation of their transcripts by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Advanced International Certificate), certified evaluation agency (e.g., WES, SpanTran, ECE). Such evaluations should be sent by the agency directly to the Student Services Support Center at Mercy University. Evaluations may also be completed through Mercy’s International Admissions Office. A complete list of NACES members can be found at www.naces.org. The criteria for accepting international degrees and credits are the same as that for degrees and credits from U.S. colleges and universities.
For more information for international students, please see the section on international students.
Qualified applicants are admitted without regard to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or physical disability.
Admission Procedures
Applications may be submitted by mail, in-person or online to the Office of Admissions of Mercy University. An application for admission may be obtained by calling the Office of Admissions at 877-MERCY-GO (637-2946) or on our website at www.mercy.edu. Official transcripts, (evaluations and translations if required,) should be sent directly to the Mercy University Office of Admissions. Once all documentation is received by the Office of Admissions, including the program director’s assessment of qualification for admission, notification of the college’s decision will be sent. Check your program for additional procedure and requirement information. Please note that all materials and documents (including original documents) submitted as part of an application for admission become the property of Mercy University and cannot be returned.
Upon notification of acceptance by Mercy University, applicants are requested to contact the Office of Admission to submit their enrollment deposit and complete their registration. For most graduate programs, an enrollment deposit of $100 is required to reserve a place as an entering student. The $100 enrollment deposit will be refundable up until June 1 (fall start), November 1 (winter start), December 15 (spring start) or May 1 (summer start). Refund requests must be made in writing to the Admissions office by stated deadlines. Deposits will be forfeited by non-attendees after stated deadlines.
Certain graduate programs (Family Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Communication Disorders and Physician Assistant) require a larger enrollment deposit with varying deadlines. Please see the individual program pages for specific information.
Acceptances for all programs excluding Family Nurse Practitioner, Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant are good for one year and can be deferred one time during that year timeframe (Spring, Summer and Fall). Please know Family Nurse Practitioner, Communication Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant acceptance deferrals need approval by Admissions and/or the Program Directors before moving forward with the deferral process. All deferrals are subject to program and course availability and are not guaranteed.
Full immunization compliance is required for registration. Please see Immunization Compliance Requirements at the end of this section.
Criminal Background Checks
Several graduate programs require outside placement for clinical experience as part of their program of study. Students should be aware that many hospitals, schools, child care facilities and nursing homes now require criminal background checks of all people working in their settings due to state legislation and accreditation requirements. The completion of the criminal background check and their costs are the responsibility of the student. Students may be required to update their criminal background check each year. Each training site will be informed of the results of the background check prior to placement at the site. Refusal to complete the background check, or multiple rejections from external placements due to information in a student’s background check may prevent the student from participation in an external clinical experience. If a student cannot complete the mandatory student placement, continuation in the program will not be permitted. For further details, students are advised to see their program director.
Registration in Classes
Registration in graduate classes does not imply that the student has been accepted as a candidate for a degree. Initial registration to any graduate program must be authorized by the program director or designee. Some programs do permit six credits as a non-matriculant. The Teacher Education programs may permit up to 18 credits as a non-matriculant in specific programs to satisfy certification requirements. Acceptance to degree candidacy is contingent upon the student obtaining matriculated status and satisfying all admission and program requirements of the graduate program being pursued. A student can only be matriculated and enrolled in one program at a time.
New York State Department of Health Immunization Program
All students born after January 1, 1957, are required to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella and any other vaccine that may be required by law or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Mercy University also reserves the right to require proof of immunity or vaccinations for other illnesses as may be needed for the health and safety of the University community.
Health Insurance Policy
In most of the health profession programs, students are required to maintain health insurance while participating in any off-campus component of the curriculum. Verification of health insurance is required by the program director prior to the start of any off-campus clinical experience.
Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans
At Mercy University, the past and present sacrifices made by student veterans in service to our nation are deeply appreciated. For active-duty service members and military veterans who want to advance their education and career in the midst of a rigorous lifestyle, Mercy University enables students to earn a graduate degree from more than 30 degree choices. Mercy University degree programs are designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding military schedule in an affordable, flexible, and individual approach with special emphasis on distance learning, service relevant programs, and second career paths.
Mercy University is an official U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Yellow Ribbon School, and a G.I. Jobs Top Military Friendly School. It is also recognized as a Service Members’ Opportunity College (SOC), providing educational assistance to active duty service members; a joint member of the Department of Defense Concurrent Admissions Program; and an approved University for the National Guard Tuition Grant Program. Mercy University offers the following benefits for members of the armed forces and veterans:
- Use of admissions procedures that ensure access to higher education for academically qualified military personnel.
- Evaluation of learning gained through military experiences and academic credit awarded where applicable to the service member’s program of study.
- Evaluation of non-traditional learning and awarding of academic credit for such learning where applicable to the service member’s program of study.
- Evaluation of requests for inter-institutional transfer of credits and acceptance of such credits whenever they are appropriate to the service member’s program and are consistent with the University’s curriculum.
- Flexibility to service members in satisfying residence requirements by making adjustments for military students who transfer when there are other assurances of program balance.
- Education and student support services for veterans.
- The university will readmit a service member with the same academic status as he/she had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school.
Facts about the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®
Mercy University’s designation as a Yellow Ribbon school combined with Post-9/11 GI Bill ® benefits virtually eliminates any education costs throughout a student’s college career. In addition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® provides up to $9,000 toward living expenses every semester to eligible Mercy Univsersity students. Transitioning from military service to academic life has never been easier thanks to Mercy University and the GI Bill ®.The education benefit of the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® can now be used for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
- There are increased benefit limits, including a housing cost allowance that is paid directly to the veteran.
- The tuition benefit is paid directly to Mercy University. One hundred percent-eligible veterans will have no out-of-pocket tuition costs.
- In certain cases, veteran GI Bill ® benefits can be transferred to an immediate family member.
A Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 veteran student is eligible to commence their education upon admittance to the University as of the first day of the respective term. A veteran student will not be prohibited from enrollment for lack of submission of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for Entitlement for Educational Assistance. To prevent any late payment fees, the COE must be submitted on or before the first day of the term. A covered veteran student will not be penalized due to delayed disbursements from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
For further information regarding VA Benefits Certification, please contact the Office of Business Operations at 914-674-3104.
International Students
International applicants who plan to attend Mercy University under F-1 non-immigrant student status should contact the International Students Office and request the I-20 Eligibility Form, other immigration and admissions related materials, and assistance with visa procedures.
The International Students Office provides academic support and immigration advisement for holders of F-1 non-immigrant status in the U.S. Individuals who may be considering a Change of Status (COS) to F-1 International Student, or need information about their eligibility to study in their current immigration status, should contact the Inter-national Students Office for support. The office assists members of the Mercy University international community by providing direct support with academic, career, employment, immigration, personal, cross-cultural and financial matters as it serves as a referral source to other university offices and academic departments. The office will advise on immigration matters including, general information on students’ rights and responsibilities, assistance with procedures required for transferring institutions, extensions of stay, permission to work and practical training experiences. All F-1 international students must report within 15 days of arrival to the International Students Office of Mercy University with their travel and immigration documents. International students may contact the International Students Office at (914) 674-7284 or international@mercy.edu.
Official transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE member, or internally, and sent directly to the Admissions Office at Mercy University. A foreign academic credential evaluation is not required for an American School outside of the United States, that holds an approved regional accreditation. International applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo. Scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class of the proposed term of entry unless an exception has been made by the international admissions office or appointed program chair. For more information regarding English proficiency requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions at 877-MERCY-GO or write to admissions@mercy.edu
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