Mercyhurst College - Overview
Strong Liberal Arts Tradition and Outstanding Faculty at Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college located in Erie, Pennsylvania, with branch campuses in the towns of North East, Girard, and Corry, Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercyhurst College is considered one of the most comprehensive colleges in the northeastern United States. The Mercyhurst College experience combines a strong liberal arts tradition with hands-on learning, an appreciation for the dignity of work, and a commitment to service.
Mercyhurst College is widely recognized for its outstanding faculty and its programs in archaeology, forensic anthropology, intelligence, forensic science, music, and dance therapy. Current total student population is about 4,000. The Erie campus undergraduate population is approximately 2,800.
Broad Range of Majors Offered in 5 Schools
Mercyhurst College offers a comprehensive range of majors, minors, and concentrations through its 5 schools: the School of Arts and Humanities; the Walker School of Business and Communication; the Hafenmaier School of Education and Behavioral Sciences; the Zurn School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the School of Social Sciences.
In their first year at Mercyhurst, students are actively encouraged to begin applying their acquired knowledge in their major areas of study through fieldwork, internships, service learning, and more. The school facilitates many experiential learning opportunities through partnerships and associations with local businesses, institutions, and organizations.
Associate Degrees, Certificates, and B.S.N. Completion at North East Campus
Mercyhurst's North East, Pennsylvania campus, situated about 20 minutes from the main campus, is home to the school's associate degree programs, 1-year certificates, and registered nurse (R.N.) to bachelor's of science in nursing (B.S.N.) completion program.
Among the associate degrees offered are business management, computer systems support, criminal justice, culinary arts, hospitality management, liberal arts, medical lab technician, and physical, occupational, and respiratory assistant.
Students can pursue 1-year certificates in culinary arts, information technology specialist, medical assistant, medical coding, municipal police training, and practical nursing (L.P.N.).
Registered nurses seeking to expand their career opportunities can complete the necessary coursework to receive their bachelor of science in nursing degrees (B.S.N.) through a 7-term curriculum that meets 2 nights per week at the North East campus. The program comprises 31 nursing major credits (about 7 classes) and 21 liberal arts classes (an additional 7 classes).
Pre-Health Programs With Accelerated Options
Pre-health programs of study in medicine, osteopathy, veterinary medicine, optometry, chiropractic, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, and occupational therapy are offered through the biology department in the Zurn School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Mercyhurst students interested in pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, and podiatric medicine can take advantage of a number of accelerated degree options through cooperative agreements with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), New York Chiropractic College (NYCC), or Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPV).
Distinguished Faculty in Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Dance
Mercyhurst College is known for its exceptional faculty. Classes are small, with a student-faculty ratio of 14:1. All classes are taught exclusively by faculty members, not teaching assistants.
Notable faculty members include archaeologist James Adovasio; American Board of Forensic Anthropology certified forensic anthropologists Dennis Dirkmaat and Steven Symes; and physical anthropologist Steven Ousley, co-creator of FORDISC, a program used widely by forensic anthropologists to assist in the creation of a decedent's biological profile when only parts of a skull are available for analysis.
Other distinguished faculty members are Tauna Hunter, Associate Professor and Dance Director of the Mercyhurst Dance Department, a critically acclaimed ballerina who has toured internationally, and Peter J. Benekos, Professor of Criminal Justice, author of textbooks and numerous articles on crime control, corrections, and juvenile justice.
Notable Alumni at Mercyhurst
Well-known Mercyhurst College alumni include Pennsylvania House of Representatives member Pat Harkins, Major League Baseball pitchers John Reilly Costello and David Emmer Lee, and heavyweight boxer James "Buster" Douglas.
Life On Campus
The main campus residential area houses 680 resident freshmen. With 85 registered recreational, academic, and service-based clubs and organizations to choose from, the campus environment is vibrant with activities.
In addition, the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College hosts award-winning artists from across the country and around the world, offering students and the community the best in jazz, dance, award winning classical, contemporary, and world music, as well as an ongoing film series.
PSAC and NCAA Athletics at Mercyhurst
About 15 percent of the student body is made up of student-athletes. Mercyhurst College's teams, the Lakers, are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
The Lakers compete in 2 NCAA Division I sports (men's and women's ice hockey) and 22 NCAA Division II sports (including men's wrestling, baseball, football, and field hockey; and men's and women's basketball, tennis, water polo, rowing, volleyball, and lacrosse).
Tuition and Financial Aid at Mercyhurst College
Because students come from different family and financial backgrounds, the tuition and fees for attending Mercyhurst College can vary. Mercyhurst College offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Students must complete the Federal Application For Student Aid Form (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid.
Campus and Surroundings
Mercyhurst College's main campus in Erie, Pennsylvania is situated on 75 beautiful acres overlooking Lake Erie. In the last 20 years, the school has undergone nearly $50 million in campus renovations and improvements.
The college's biology and environmental programs make extensive use of a wide range of nearby natural habitats, from the 400-acre farm at the Mercyhurst West campus in neighboring Girard, Pennsylvania, to the streams and tributaries of Lake Erie, to the unique ecosystems found at Presque Isle State Park.