Mercyhurst University

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Four Mercyhurst Programs for Big Data Careers

Mercyhurst University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Most Affordable Online Certificates in Business Analytics.

At the Center for Academic Engagement, the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences grants a Data Science B.S. for Mercyhurst University Lakers to learn the data-driven statistical processes for analyzing information. Chaired by Dr. Afzal Upal, the 121-credit, four-year plan blends courses from Calculus to Data Visualization with Cyber Security Lab practice, Data Science Club events, and internships like IBM. The Business & Competitive Intelligence B.A. trains undergrads how to apply extracted data in organizational decision-making. Headed by Dr. Orlandrew Danzell, the 121-credit, IACBE-accredited major gives opportunities to research in the Institute for Intelligence Studies, join National Security Club, participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and travel to Belfast.

Online 24/7 on Blackboard, the Business Analytics & Intelligence Graduate Certificate teaches cohorts of 10-20 working professionals how to better mine and interpret complex data. Outlined by Dr. Randy Clemons, the 12-credit, part-time curriculum spans four terms of Mercyhurst University courses like Data Analytics for the Private Sector and Business Strategy for $11,000 in total. Established in 1996, the Ridge College delivers a Data Science M.S. for experience drawing actionable insights from mathematical results. Advised by Dr. Charles Redmond, the 36-credit, 21-month STEM option allows Erie students to research in the Cyber Education Center, earn graduate assistantships, and attend the Great Lakes Data Symposium. Also check out the Accelerated 4+1 Data Science B.S./M.S. Program.

About Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst University originated on September 20, 1926, when Mother Borgia Egan opened Mercyhurst College for Roman Catholic women’s liberal arts instruction. In October 1928, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania chartered Mercyhurst College. In 1963, it formed Mercyhurst Preparatory School for coed teaching in grades 9-12. Five years later, the entire Mercyhurst College campus was made coeducational. In 1972, the Sisters of Mercy school started allowing lay presidents. In 1978, the M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration became its first graduate program. In October 1991, Mercyhurst College bought the Redemptorist Seminary for its North East Campus. In 1996, Mercyhurst erected the 816-seat Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. In 2005, Mercyhurst acquired 400 more acres in Girard for the West Campus. On January 25, 2012, the Mercyhurst University name was adopted. Eight months after, Mercyhurst unveiled the 31,000-square-foot Center for Academic Engagement.

Endowed for $27.7 million, Mercyhurst University now employs 399 full-time staff serving 3,357 Lakers from 46 states and 47 countries online, on its 74-acre Erie County campus, or at two Pennsylvania satellites with 90+ organizations like Competitive Intelligence Club for 80 percent retention. In 2019, Mercyhurst was one of 11 NCAA Choices Grant finalists. In 2017, Mercyhurst had a prestigious Athena Young Professional Award nominee. Mercyhurst University won the 2019 GLVC President’s Award for Academic Excellence too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Mercyhurst the 48th best Northern school with the 131st most social mobility. On Niche, Mercyhurst boasts America’s 167th best intelligence studies degrees. Washington Monthly crowned Mercyhurst University the 66th top master’s institution. The “College of Distinction” has a mid-career median salary of $79,100 on PayScale.

Mercyhurst University Accreditation Details

On March 14, 2019, Mercyhurst University satisfactorily submitted a Mid-Point Peer Review Report to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to continue the Level V accreditation status through the upcoming 2021-22 evaluation under President Michael T. Victor, JD, who earned the Erie Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Leader of the Year Award. Located 420 miles southwest in Philadelphia, this esteemed eight-territory Mid-Atlantic Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review Mercyhurst’s 85+ degrees. Mercyhurst was also accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) in April 2015.

Mercyhurst University Application Requirements

Enrollment at Mercyhurst University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 2,448 of the 3,254 Fall 2018 applicants were selected for 75 percent acceptance. First-year Lakers seeking the Data Science B.S. must finish a college-prep high school diploma or the GED. Curriculum guidelines outline four units of English, five units of social studies, and three units of math. The Class of 2022 reported an average secondary GPA of 3.36. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 990-1230. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 19-26. Standardized tests are optional except for student-athletes and homeschooled freshmen though. Ridge College of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences transfers with 24-80 credits graded C or better are welcome. International students need at least 100 Duolingo, 6.5 IELTS, or 79 TOEFL internet scores. Graduate programs strongly prefer 3.0 and higher GPAs during four-year, accredited bachelor’s preparation. The Online Business Analytics & Intelligence Certificate requires a business-related major or 2+ years of work experience.

Mercyhurst University runs its admission process on a rolling basis. Acceptance decisions take only 1-2 weeks. Current semester start dates are August 26th for Fall, January 13th for Spring, and May 18th for Summer. March 15th is the priority date for financial aid consideration. Accordingly, complete the Mercyhurst, Coalition, or Common Application online for free. Send sealed transcripts to 501 East 38th Street in Erie, PA 16546. Forward official tests using SAT/TOEFL code 2410 or ACT code 3629. Submit supplemental materials, such as the 500-word biographical statement, recommendation letter, writing sample, current resume, and passport or visa. Contact (814) 824-2202 or admissions@mercyhurst.edu to inquire further.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Mercyhurst University is charging full-time Data Science B.S. majors $18,750 per term or $37,500 annually. Overload credits over 18 cost $1,250 apiece. Basic mandatory fees are $2,980 each year. Residing at the Erie housing like Ryan Hall adds $8,570 for yearly rent. The Anytime Plan for Grotto Dining Commons is priced at $3,230 each semester. Undergrad attendance requires $53,360 on-site or $40,480 if commuting. After financial aid, average total out-of-pocket costs are $13,478 and $7,810 respectively. The Data Science M.S. bills $926 per credit or $36,000 total. Business Analytics & Intelligence Certificate cohorts spend $2,625 per three-credit course. Online post-grads cover the $60 registration fee and $80 tech fee by term.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Student Financial Services in Egan Hall Room 102 connects 100 percent of new full-time Mercyhurst Lakers to tuition aid averaging $26,395 each for $15.33 million combined. Institutional funds include the Catherine McAuley Scholarship, Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship, Encore Scholarship, Egan Scholarship, Army ROTC Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship, President’s Grant, Performance Scholarship, Erie Diocese Scholarship, Sisters of Mercy Heritage Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Alumni Legacy Scholarship, and Vivetta Petronio Scholarship Award. The Sister Carolyn Herrmann Scholarship gifts up to $20,000 to exemplary academic and service achievers with GPAs over 3.0. Since 1935, the Erie Community Foundation has developed 800+ local endowments like the Ernst Behrend Scholarship, Barbara Chambers Scholarship, and Jim Conner Scholarship. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and SEOG Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003297. Pennsylvanians also utilize the PHEAA State Grant, Chafee Grant, Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant, Ready to Succeed Scholarship, and others.

Learn more about Mercyhurst University at the Department of Computing & Information Science website.

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