Mount Aloysius College - Overview
A Top-Ranked Small Liberal Arts College
Mount Aloysius College (MAC) was established in 1853 as a women's college and is today a small, co-ed liberal arts institution. Currently, the student population includes 1,200 full-time undergraduates from around the country.
The "U.S. News and World Report" college guide ranks MAC as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the northern U.S. Unique learning opportunities such as study abroad, service learning, and collaborative seminars provide a rich and engaging atmosphere for all students.
The college also boasts impressive job placement statistics: 97 percent of MAC graduates have jobs within 6 months of graduating, and a full 99 percent of nursing, medical imaging, and health care students find employment within months of graduation.
Professional Associate Degrees
MAC's 14 associate degree options combine in-depth knowledge of the student's chosen major along with core course requirements that span the liberal arts. Students can earn associate degrees in a variety of fields, such as business administration, criminology, early childhood education, and legal studies.
Some of the most popular associate degrees are in medical fields, including medical assisting in office management, phlebotomy, or professional coding; medical imaging in radiography or ultrasonography; nursing; physical therapy assisting; and surgical technology.
A Variety of Liberal Arts Bachelor's Degree Programs
Mount Aloysius College offers approximately 20 bachelor's degree programs that are divided among 3 departments: humanities, social sciences, and professional studies; health studies and sciences; and nursing.
Popular degree offerings include Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, criminology, and psychology. Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in various disciplines such as information technology, physical therapy, and medical imaging. Specializations within certain majors can be obtained as well. For example, psychology students can opt to specialize in counseling, forensic investigation, or human resources.
The college also offers a total of 18 different minors, including minors in political science, business administration, and choral performance.
Specialized Health Studies and Science Degrees
MAC's specialized degrees in health studies and sciences include Bachelor of Science degrees in popular subjects such as nuclear medicine, biology, and professional studies. As undergraduates, students have access to cutting-edge technological resources and tools necessary to perform advanced clinical work and prepare them for careers in the medical and science fields.
Mount Aloysius College has also partnered with several other universities to offer advanced dual degrees in the health studies and sciences fields. These cooperative degrees include a chiropractic medical laboratory technician bachelor's/Ph.D. program; an occupational therapy bachelor's/master's program; and a physician assistant bachelor's/master's program.
Integral Programs that Bookend Academic Coursework
In order to provide students with the tools and critical thinking skills to establish connections with self, academics, and the world, all students are required to take a freshman foundation course seminar and a senior seminar.
Each incoming freshman must complete the interdisciplinary foundation course, entitled "Our Cultural Legacy: A Seminar in Learning, Service, and the Mercy Tradition." The course introduces new students to academic life through activities, guest speakers, field trips, and reading assignments.
The senior capstone seminar is required for all students seeking a baccalaureate degree and gives student the opportunity to reflect on their college experience while completing a senior research project.
Active Sports Teams for All Students
Mount Aloysius is a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and also a member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). Students can choose from 11 different varsity sports, including soccer, softball, golf, and tennis. Sports facilities at MAC include the Health and Fitness Center -- fully equipped with a weight room, sauna, and indoor practice courts -- and the Ray S. and Louise S. Walker Athletic Field Complex.
In addition to varsity sports, students, faculty, alumni, and staff participate in intramurals such as hockey, flag football, and cardio-kickboxing. Each year students compete for the "MAC Cup" trophy and to have their names recognized as collegiate intramural champions.
Wide Range of Financial Assistance for Students
The Office of Financial Aid at Mount Aloysius College addresses the financial needs of its students in several ways. Approximately 90 percent of MAC students receive some type of financial aid assistance, including grants, loans, and federal work-study awards. The college also confers more than $2 million each year in scholarships, including 60 endowed scholarships.
Cresson, Pennsylvania, and Campus Surroundings
The MAC campus sits on 165 acres of rural hills and mountain in Cresson, Pennsylvania. Several state parks, including Canoe Creek, Yellow Creek, and Prince Gallitzin Park, are located just minutes from campus and provide ample outdoor activities. Students take advantage of their surroundings by biking, boating, skiing, and even hunting in the surrounding countryside.
Shopping, theatres, restaurants, and various entertainment can be found in the nearby towns of Altoona and Johnstown. Pittsburgh's urban center is only a half hour away from campus, where students often go to experience the city, including professional football and hockey games.