Mercyhurst University
Erie, Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst University, founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, is a fully accredited, private, Catholic institution for men and women located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The university offers nine graduate programs and a variety of post-baccalaureate and advanced certificates. Mercyhurst’s scenic 75-acre English Gothic campus is equipped with state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory spaces, as well as a strong online learning infrastructure designed to connect students around the world with faculty and learning resources. As an applied liberal arts university, Mercyhurst emphasizes engaging learning experiences and unrivaled access to expert faculty, many of whom bring years of expertise in their respective fields.
Mercyhurst’s graduate programs are designed to equip recent grads and working professionals with the cutting-edge skills and credentials needed to advance in a wide range of industries. Many of the master’s programs—including Applied Intelligence, Criminal Justice Administration, and Anthropology—have earned outstanding reputations around for the world for producing skilled graduates well prepared to take on leadership roles in their fields. A number of graduate programs are available completely online, which means you’ll have access to a world-class graduate education no matter where you are. Whether you are a recent college graduate or a working professional looking to take the next step in your career, Mercyhurst’s respected faculty and highly reputable graduate curricula can help you accomplish your goals.
Overview
School Type
Website: www.mercyhurst.edu
Contact: Mercyhurst University
Accessibility
- Distance education:No
- Online degrees:Yes
- Weekend/Evening classes:Yes
- On-Campus day care:No
- Online library services:Yes
- Master's degrees:Yes
- Post-master's certificates:No
- Doctorate Degrees:Yes
Demographics
- Online and distance education graduate students:20
- Out-of-state online graduate students:8
-
Online students6%
-
Male/Female39% / 61%
Cost
- Average tuition full-time graduate students:$15,570
- Required fees for full-time graduate students:$460
- Per credit hour charge part-time graduate students:$865
Outcomes
- Graduate student federal loan borrowers in good standing after 2 years:28%
Military & Veteran
- Percentage of graduate students receiving post 9/11 GI Bill benefits:6%
- Graduate students receiving Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program benefits:1
- Credit for military training:No
- Dedicated staff member:Yes
- Student veteran organization:Yes
- Yellow Ribbon Program member:Yes
- Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges member:No
Benefits
Student Experience
- Asynchronous
- On Campus Days
- On Campus Nights
- Hybrid
- Traditional Semester Timing
- 48 hr professor response time
Affordability
- Transfer credit accepted
- Military service credit accepted
- Financial Aid
- Accepts employer tuition reimbursement
- GI Bill certified
- Yellow Ribbon program
Campus Resources
- Writing Center
- Tutoring
- Career Services
- Financial Aid
- Advisors
- Labs
- Library
- Dining Services
- Alumni Networking
Featured Programs & Degrees
Online master's degrees offered
- Education:1
- Military Technologies:1
Walker College of Business
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Leadership is about adapting to change, earning trust and gaining support, creating vision and making ethical decisions. The Organizational Leadership master’s program equips you with an understanding of leadership principles and opportunities to further develop your leadership and problem-solving skills. The OL program is an excellent alternative for those considering MBA programs, though it differs in several key ways. Whereas MBA programs primarily focus on organizational rules and procedures in a business structure, the OL program emphasizes entrepreneurship, vision and strategy, team building, motivation and empowering others to achieve results. The program is available on campus or online.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 33-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,190 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
The Organizational Leadership master’s degree can be customized to your interests and career goals with optional concentrations in: accounting, higher education administration, human resource management, sports leadership, and strategy and innovation. Four-course graduate certificates are also offered in Organizational Leadership or any of the above concentrations.
Career Outlook
This program complements almost every background, offering instruction in the complexities of leadership that can be applied in any field. Since 1998, more than 90 percent of our OL graduates have leveraged their grad degrees to begin new careers or to accept promotions with their employers.
Learn More
Get more information on the Organizational Leadership program here.
Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
The graduate teacher education programs at Mercyhurst University will prepare professionals for specific teaching licensure. Students will meet requirements for Pennsylvania state licensure upon completion of the program.
Degree Options Include
Master of Science in Secondary Education
This program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in fields other than education who wish to teach subjects in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, math or social studies in grades 7-12. The curriculum includes online coursework focusing on foundations, learner diversity, cross-curricular assessment and best teaching practices, as well as in-school clinical hours and 12 weeks of student teaching in a district near you. This program aims to graduate educators who demonstrate strong pedagogical skills, exhibit an in-depth understanding of theory and research, develop as leaders in education, and employ a reflective-practitioner approach to teaching.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 33 or 36-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,190 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
This is the only graduate program in the region that allows you to obtain a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Teacher’s Certification while earning your master’s. Mercyhurst also offers a graduate certificate program in Applied Behavior Analysis and a PDE Autism Endorsement/graduate certificate in Autism through our Special Education program.
Career Outlook
Pennsylvania-certified teachers are in high demand nationally, thanks to Pennsylvania’s rigorous certification standards. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of secondary education teachers to grow at an average 8 percent, adding more than 76,000 jobs by 2026, with an average annual salary of $58,000.
Learn More
Get more information on the Secondary Education program here.
Master of Science in Special Education & Applied Disability Studies
This master’s program provides both current and future professionals with the skills, knowledge and practical experience to teach or provide services to students with special learning or behavioral needs. Through this program, graduate students refine critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as applied research competencies, while learning principles of effective education, normalization, critical pedagogy and accommodation of individual differences. Practical experiences in the field or with Mercyhurst’s Autism Support Classroom prepare our students to identify and understand what his or her students with special needs already know, while evaluating what they each need to further learn and grow.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 30 or 33-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,190 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
Master’s degree concentrations are available in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Autism, or English Language Learners. Mercyhurst also offers a four-course graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and a Pennsylvania Department of Education Autism Endorsement/graduate certificate in Autism.
Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of special education teachers to grow at an average 8 percent, adding more than 33,000 jobs by 2026, with an average annual salary of $57,910. This degree also prepares you for a career as a behavior specialist, agency administrator or coordinator of disability services.
Learn More
Get more information on the Special Education program here.
Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences
Students will be prepared with career-specific skills in criminal justice, intelligence studies, and data science. Additionally, students will advance in research skills, strategic analysis, and communication to become leaders in their field.
Degree Options Include
Criminal Justice Administration
Data Science
Intelligence Studies
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
For more than 35 years, Criminal Justice Administration master’s program has earned a reputation for providing in-depth instruction in governmental management, organizational dynamics, professional ethics and advanced research competency. You’ll grow as an educated, ethical leader while building management expertise in the criminal justice and social service fields. The focused curriculum includes coursework in criminology, victimology, women and crime, crime prevention, and comparative criminal justice. Coursework is available 100 percent online, giving you access to cutting-edge learning technology and connections with experienced instructors. Scheduling flexibility and full- and part-time options allow you to earn your master’s without disrupting your career.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 30-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,190 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
Mercyhurst also offers an online four-course graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Administration. The 12 credits offered with this certificate are applicable to the master’s degree program.
Career Outlook
Many government agencies require advanced academic preparation for those in supervisory positions at criminal justice and social service agencies. This program is also ideal for those seeking to teach at the community college level or those interested in entering a doctoral program.
Learn More
Get more information on the Criminal Justice Administration program here.
Master of Science in Data Science
Building on its reputation in intelligence and cybersecurity, Mercyhurst University launched its Data Science graduate program in 2015. In this cross-disciplinary program, you’ll learn to retrieve, organize, combine and clean data from a variety of sources, and apply techniques to detect patterns and make predictions to support strategic decision-making. The computer science-oriented curriculum emphasizes programming, data visualization, machine learning, database skills and quantitative analysis in our state-of-the-art data science and cybersecurity lab spaces. Our grads are innovators in producing, visualizing and communicating actionable new insights about the meaning of data for decision-makers in businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 36-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,520 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
Four-course graduate certificates are also offered in Applied Intelligence or Business Analytics & Intelligence. Offered online, these programs are geared toward professionals working in intel-related fields.
Career Outlook
As globalization and technology advances have launched the Data Revolution, demand for skilled big data analysts is at an all-time high. Forbes predicts annual demand for data scientists, data developers, and data engineers will reach nearly 700,000 openings by 2020, with average salaries of $105,000 to $117,000.
Learn More
Get more information on the Data Science program here.
Master of Science in Applied Intelligence
One of the first and most respected programs of its kind, the Applied Intelligence master’s program prepares you to lead analytical teams in competitive business, law enforcement and national security. This STEM graduate program provides a theoretical and practical framework for the study of intelligence and its applications in government and the private sector. As a student in the program, you’ll develop advanced research abilities, learn to analyze intelligence using different techniques and methodologies, and hone your analytical writing and briefing skillsets to strategically communicate your assessments.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 34-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,520 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment. Certain employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
Four-course graduate certificates are also offered in Applied Intelligence or Business Analytics & Intelligence. Offered online, these programs are geared toward professionals working in intel-related fields. Credits earned in these programs may be applicable toward the master’s program.
Career Outlook
Intelligence analysts are among the fastest-growing careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mercyhurst’s sterling reputation with D.C. Beltway industries means our grads are in high demand with federal and private enterprises. Mercyhurst graduates work in all 17 federal intelligence agencies, as well as many Fortune 500 companies.
Learn More
Get more information on the Applied Intelligence program here.
Zurn College of Natural and Health Sciences
Mercyhurst University offers a nationally accredited Physician Assistant Studies Program as well as other graduate education in natural and health sciences.
Degree Options Include
Master of Science in Anthropology
This master’s program offers hands-on graduate education in forensic and biological anthropology, producing passionate and dedicated anthropologists who are well prepared for careers in anthropology and continuing education in doctoral programs. Courses emphasize student participation in recovery and analysis of biological materials, as well as a foundation in osteology, taphonomy, biostatistics and skeletal trauma. Through involvement in numerous real-world cases, grad students learn the best practices in documenting outdoor forensic scenes and communicating findings in an effective and professional manner. Program faculty include top experts in the field, including two board-certified forensic anthropologists.
Affordability & Admissions
For this 33-credit (minimum) program, tuition is approximately $2,520 per three-credit course. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for eligible students, offering a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in exchange for campus employment.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
A yearlong Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic and Biological Anthropology is available to students wishing to complement their undergraduate education with additional training in specific areas of interest that may not have been available at their undergraduate institution, in preparation for graduate school applications.
Career Outlook
Nearly 90 percent of program graduates continued on to doctoral programs after graduation or leveraged their degrees for career advancement.
Learn More
Get more information on the Anthropology program here.
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
This 24-month program emphasizes professional excellence and leadership, with an emphasis on graduating PAs prepared to become advocates of just practices, policies and standards in the profession. The first year of the program, the didactic year, teaches health care sciences in a medical model. The clinical year will be primarily spent in clinical experiences off campus. The program is ideally located for educational placements with respected health care providers in Erie and nationally recognized medical centers in nearby Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo. The program’s small cohort ensures close working relationships and mentorships between faculty and students.
Affordability & Admissions
This program participates with the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASAPA). For this 97-credit program, tuition is approximately $2,520 per three-credit course.
Program Options
Post-baccalaureate Certificates & Alternate Credentials
Before practicing, physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). All students in Mercyhurst’s inaugural MPAS Class of 2027 have passed the PANCE exam.
Career Outlook
Physician assistants provide high-quality, cost-effective health care and are valuable members of the health care teams in private practices, hospitals and other medical institutions. The PA profession is estimated to increase by as much as 30 percent by 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Accreditation
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Mercyhurst University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Mercyhurst University.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
Learn More
Get more information on the Physician Assistant program here.
Contact Mercyhurst University
Contact Admissions
Travis Lindahl
(814) 824-3351
Main Campus
501 East 38th Street
Erie, PA 16546
(800) 825-1926