Brown Mackie College–Merrillville

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From the College

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville is one of over twenty locations in the Brown Mackie College family of schools (http://www.brownmackie.edu), which is dedicated to providing educational programs that prepare students to pursue entry-level positions in a competitive, rapidly-changing workplace. Brown Mackie College schools offer bachelor's degree, associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs in health sciences, business, information technology, legal studies, and design to over 14,000 students in the Midwest, Southeastern, and Southwestern United States.

Founded in 1890 by A. N. Hirons as LaPorte Business College in LaPorte, Indiana, the institution later became known as Commonwealth Business College. In 1919, ownership was transferred to Grace and J. J. Moore, who successfully operated the College under the name of Reese School of Business for several decades. In 1975, the College came under the ownership of Steven C. Smith as Commonwealth Business College. A second location, now known as Brown Mackie College–Merrillville, was opened in 1984, in Merrillville, Indiana. The College changed ownership again in September 2003 and the College name was changed to Brown Mackie College–Merrillville in November 2004.

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. The Accrediting council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ACICS can be contacted at 750 First Street, NE, Suite 980, Washington, D.C. 20002; 202-336-6780.

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville is licensed and regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204; 317-232-1320 or 800-227-5695 (toll-free). (Indiana advertising code: AC 0138.)

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville’s Associate of Science degree in medical assisting is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 214 North, Falls Church, Virginia 22043; 703-917-9503.

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville’s Associate of Science degree in surgical technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (http://www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology.

The occupational therapy assistant program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, Maryland 20824; 301-652-AOTA.

The College is a nonresidential, smoke-free institution.

(AC 0138)

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville provides higher education to traditional and nontraditional students through bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and certificate programs that can assist them in enhancing their career opportunities, broadening their perspectives through appropriate general education courses, thinking independently and critically, and improving problem-solving abilities. The College strives to develop within its students the desire for lifelong and continued education.

Each College quarter comprises twelve weeks. Bachelor’s degree programs require a minimum of sixteen quarters to complete. Associate degree programs require a minimum of eight quarters to complete. Programs are offered on a year-round basis, providing students with the ability to work uninterrupted toward their degrees. The College offers all programs in a unique One Course a Month schedule. This schedule allows students to focus studies on only one course for four weeks. This schedule has proven convenient for students with multiple obligations such as jobs and family.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs: The Bachelor of Science degree (184 credits) is awarded in business administration, criminal justice, health-care management (180 credits), and legal studies.

Associate Degree Programs: The Associate of Science degree (96 credits) is awarded in accounting technology, administration in gerontology, business management, computer software technology, criminal justice, medical assisting, medical office management, paralegal, and surgical technology. The Associate of Applied Science degree (100 credits) is awarded in occupational therapy assistant.

Diploma Program: The College also offers a diploma program (76 credits) in practical nursing.

Certificate Programs: The College offers certificate programs (48 credits) in accounting, business, computer software applications, criminal justice, medical assistant, and paralegal assistant.

Tuition for programs in the 2009–10 academic year is $235 per credit hour and fees are $15 per credit hour, with the exception of the practical nursing diploma program, which is $295 per credit hour with fees of $20 per credit hour; and the surgical technology program, which is $275 per credit hour with fees of $15 per credit hour. For certain courses in the occupational therapy assistant program the tuition is $350 per credit hour and fees are $15 per credit hour. The length of the program determines total cost. Textbook fees vary according to program.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. The College maintains a full-time staff of financial aid professionals to assist qualified students in obtaining financial assistance. The College participates in several student aid programs. Forms of financial aid available through federal resources include the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program, Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Stafford Student Loan Program (subsidized and unsubsidized), and the Federal PLUS Loan Program. Eligible students may apply for Indiana state awards, such as the Higher Education Award and Twenty-First Century Scholarships for high school students, the Core 40 awards, and veteran’s educational benefits. Students with physical or mental disabilities that are a handicap to employment may be eligible for training services through the state’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. For further information, students should contact the College’s Student Financial Services Office.

Each year, the College makes available scholarships of $1000 each to qualifying seniors from area high schools. No more than one scholarship is awarded per high school. In order to qualify, a senior must be graduating from a participating high school, must be maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, and must submit a brief essay. The student’s extracurricular activities and community service are also considered. The President’s Scholarship is available only to students enrolling in one of the College’s degree programs. Students awarded the scholarship must enroll at Brown Mackie College–Merrillville between June and September immediately following their high school graduation. Applications for these scholarships can be obtained from the guidance departments of participating high schools. These applications must be completed and returned to the College by March 31.

There are approximately 30 full-time and 25 part-time faculty members at the College, practitioners in their fields of expertise. The average student-faculty ratio is 17:1.

Occupying 26,000 square feet, Brown Mackie College–Merrillville was opened to students in October 1998, in the Twin Towers complex of Merrillville. The College comprises several instructional rooms, including five computer labs with networked computers and four medical laboratories. The administrative offices, college library, and student lounge are all easily accessible to students. The College bookstore stocks texts, courseware, and other educational supplies required for courses at the College. Students can also find a variety of personal, recreational, and gift items, including apparel, supplies, and general merchandise incorporating the College logo. Hours are posted at the bookstore entrance.

Brown Mackie College–Merrillville is conveniently located at 1000 East 80th Place, Merrillville, in northwest Indiana. The College is housed in the Twin Towers business complex, just west of the intersection of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 65. A spacious parking lot provides ample parking at no additional charge.

Each applicant for admission is assigned an Assistant Director of Admissions who directs the applicant through the steps of the admissions process, providing information on curriculum, policies, procedures, and services and assisting the applicant in setting necessary appointments and interviews.

To qualify for admission, each applicant must provide documentation of graduation from an accredited high school or completion of a state-approved secondary education curriculum or provide official documentation of high school graduation equivalency. All transcripts become the property of the College.

As part of the admission process, students are given an assessment of academic skills. Although the results of this assessment do not determine eligibility for admission, they provide the College with a means of determining the need for academic support as well as a means by which the College can evaluate the effectiveness of its educational programs. All new students are required to complete this assessment, which is readministered at the end of the student’s program so results may be compared with those of the initial administration.

In addition to the College’s general admission requirements, applicants enrolling in the practical nursing program must document the following, which must be completed and a record of proof must appear in the student’s file prior to the start of the Nursing Fundamentals course. No student will be admitted to a clinical agency unless all paperwork is completed. The paperwork is a requirement of all contracted agencies. This paperwork includes records of (1) a complete physical, current to within six months of admission; (2) a two-step Mantoux test that is kept current throughout schooling; (3) a hepatitis B vaccination or signed refusal; (4) up-to-date immunizations, including tetanus and rubella; (5) a record of current CPR certification that is maintained throughout the student’s clinical experience; and (6) hospitalization insurance or a signed waiver.

For the most recent information regarding Admission Requirements, please refer to the current academic catalog.

Applicants must complete and submit an application form along with documentation of graduation from an accredited high school or state-approved secondary education curriculum, or applicants must provide official documentation of high school graduation equivalency.

For additional information, prospective students should contact: