Alvernia University

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From the College

Alvernia University, a private Franciscan school with a total enrollment of more than 2,800 men and women, is a rigorous, caring, and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, Alvernia offers a personalized environment where the faculty members know and care about each student. Located on a beautiful 123-acre campus on the outskirts of Reading, Alvernia offers a setting conducive to learning and is conveniently accessible. It is chartered by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and sponsored by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.

Alvernia participates in a full range of intercollegiate sports, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The University is a member of the NCAA Division III, the ECAC, and the Freedom Conference of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation (MAC), a highly competitive Division III intercollegiate conference.

Alvernia offers more than thirty-five student organizations, including the Black Student Union, College Thespians, Honors Council, International Club, Phi Beta Lambda, Science Association, Sigma Tau Delta, and Student Government Association. Formal and informal dances, formal and buffet dinners, informal club socials, picnics, parties, coffeehouses, and student entertainment all provide occasions for social development and friendly relationships. Resident students have several attractive housing options, including traditional and suite-style residence halls and town houses. New residence halls opened in 2001, 2003, and 2005. A student center is the hub of campus life, with the dining hall, the new student-run Crusader Café, wireless Internet access, 24/7 availability for late-night study breaks or between classes, and a lounge with a big-screen television and game room.

In addition to its undergraduate programs, Alvernia offers a Master of Social Work through Marywood University. A Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership is also available.

Many first-time visitors are surprised to find Alvernia’s peaceful, tree-lined grounds and modern campus buildings in Reading, Pennsylvania, a city of 81,000 once known for its national importance to the mining and railroad industries. Downtown Reading, about 3 miles from the campus, offers a mix of cultural and entertainment destinations. Located in the scenic Blue Mountain area of eastern Pennsylvania, Alvernia’s campus overlooks Angelica Lake, noted for its rustic beauty. Beyond Reading lies Pennsylvania’s famous Amish country. The University also has easy access to the metropolitan areas of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., where students can take advantage of the cultural, historical, and educational attractions these cities have to offer.

Alvernia University offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Associate in Science degrees. Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science candidates can major in the following areas: accounting, addiction studies, athletic training, biochemistry, biology, biology/medical technology, chemistry, chemistry/medical technology, communication, computer information systems, criminal justice administration, education (early childhood, elementary, special, and secondary, with major areas in biology, business computers and information technology, chemistry, English, mathematics, and social studies), English, forensic science, general science, history, human resource management, liberal studies, management, marketing, mathematics, nursing, occupational therapy, philosophy, political science, psychology, social work, sport management, and theology. Students can take double majors in areas that are closely related.

Alvernia University also offers five-year programs leading to the Master of Education, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Arts in liberal studies, and the Master of Occupational Therapy.

The academic program is designed to help students to think logically and critically, to comprehend accurately, and to communicate effectively. The University concentrates on the personal development of its students by fostering academic integrity, social responsibility, and moral values. The educational program is based on a commitment to develop the whole person into a responsible individual. Therefore, students not only are required to demonstrate proficiency in those skills demanded by their chosen professional concentration but also are expected to take advantage of the opportunity to grow intellectually and spiritually and to be responsible to themselves and to society.

The Honors Program invites qualified students into an enhanced academic experience. Opportunities include a First Year Honors seminar; service opportunities; intellectual and social support; summer internships in Washington, D.C.; and a variety of imaginative courses. Honor students must complete at least three Honors courses plus a senior thesis.

To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 123 credits, with 54 credits in the liberal arts. Additional requirements vary according to the major program.

Alvernia’s library facility holds more than 100,000 volumes, including reference works, books for general circulation, and bound periodicals. The library currently subscribes to 850 periodicals covering all areas of study taught at the University, and more than 1,440 volumes of back issues are in the microfilm collection. The library also houses the Audio-Visual Center, which has 23,000 pieces of audiovisual material, including more than 4,750 music records and scores. A new science wing opened in fall 2006 and houses several modern laboratories for science majors and research facilities for psychology majors. Nursing students have practice clinics featuring current medical equipment and life-sized computer-driven patient simulators.

For 2007–08, the basic tuition fee was $21,400; room and board were $8530.

More than 85 percent of the students attending Alvernia receive some type of financial aid. The types of aid most commonly received are Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency grants for Pennsylvania residents, Federal Pell Grants, and numerous scholarships from private sources, as well as grants and scholarships from the University itself. This aid is awarded on the basis of academic performance and financial need. The deadline for application for Alvernia University aid is April 1. In addition, Alvernia participates in the federally funded Federal Work-Study Program. Student loans are also available.

The faculty consists of 83 full-time and 190 part-time members, each dedicated to teaching and serving the needs of every student. The faculty is as diversified as the many fields of interest that its members represent. Alvernia faculty members publish widely in professional journals and other media; they present papers and moderate conferences in the region and as far away as India, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa; and they serve on boards and committees of professional associations and corporate and community boards. The use of such faculty members is intended to enhance the theoretical portions of professional training with practical professional knowledge.

The Student Government Association (SGA) provides an opportunity for individual leadership and development while also determining, in cooperation with the administration and faculty, suitable standards for University and community life. SGA leaders, elected annually by the student body, are responsible for maintaining the student voice when issues on campus arise. Other duties include activities such as social events, a speakers series, and club activities. The SGA also acts as an intermediary between the administration, the faculty, and the student body and maintains order on campus by proposing rules and regulations for the welfare of the University community. It is composed of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and chief justice elected by the student body and is augmented by 2 representatives from each class.

Admission requirements normally include a high school diploma with 16 Carnegie units in the following subjects: English, 4 units; mathematics, 2 units; science, 2 units; social studies, 2 units; and modern languages, 2 units. The remaining units may be made up of academic electives. The University is willing to consider good students whose preparation does not include all of these subjects. Nursing students must fulfill the admission requirements established by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners. The State High School Equivalency Diploma is generally recognized as fulfilling the minimum entrance requirements. Applicants to the freshman class are required to take the SAT; the ACT is also acceptable. Outstanding candidates are considered for entrance to Alvernia at the end of their junior year of high school on the basis of requests made by the candidate and the high school. With the approval of their school officials, students may also be admitted to certain courses during their senior year in high school, simultaneously earning credit toward the high school diploma and a college degree.

Applicants should submit an application for admission and enclose the nonrefundable $25 processing fee. The application form may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or from the University’s Web site. Applicants should have an official copy of their high school record sent to the Office of Admissions, along with the official results of the SAT or ACT.

A personal interview, while not required, is often desirable for the prospective student. All interested students and their families are invited to visit Alvernia for a tour of the campus and a personal interview with a member of the Admissions Office staff. It is advisable to make an appointment by mail or phone at least one week in advance. The University reserves the right to request an interview if certain aspects of an application need clarification.

Because Alvernia has a rolling admission policy, an applicant is notified of acceptance by the Director of Admissions shortly after the necessary credentials are on file and have been reviewed, generally within one month of the time an application has been completed. To reserve a place in the freshman class, all students must make a $300 deposit by May 1. This deposit is credited to the student’s account for the first semester but is not refunded if the student fails to attend. Transfer students should have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and should be aware that only grades of C or better are eligible for credit transfer. Alvernia accepts a maximum of 75 transfer credits; at least 45 credits that are required for graduation must be earned at Alvernia and must satisfy all graduation requirements. A detailed analysis of credits to be transferred is done only after students have been accepted by the University. For more information or to schedule a visit, students should contact: