Mercer University appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Online Schools for Early Childhood Education.
At Mercer University, students of all ages have quite a few options for furthering their education. Of course, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates are available, but so are certificates of all levels, specialist tracks, and studies without a degree. The university has rigorous standards of achievement as can be seen by the requirements to remain in the German major.
Not only must students achieve and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, but they must also achieve and maintain a GPA of 3.75 in all German classes. The Bachelor of Arts in German requires 29 credit hours over and above the core requirements, 15 of which must be 300-level courses or higher. Students must also complete the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 examination.
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 credit hours, along with practica and internships, to complete. The practica must total 100 hours outside of coursework. Courses include Group Counseling and Group Work, Ethics and Professional Issues, and Counseling Skills and Techniques. The university stresses, too, that course requirements are subject to change because of new laws or changes in certification procedures. Students are encouraged to keep track of such changes while enrolled.
The Doctor of Ministry is for already-ordained students who seek to further their theological education and development. It comprises 33 credit hours, but the recommended time to complete the degree is four years. Some exceptional students may be able to complete the degree in three-and-a-half years. Students may apply for a leave of absence on a case-by-case basis during their studies, should they need it. Of course, a dissertation is required along with the coursework.
The myriad certificates have different requirements, lengths of study, and foci, and interested students should check the website for all applicable details. When it comes to online learning, all levels of classes at Mercer University are offered online. Students should check the website to see which of their classes are included.
About Mercer University
Georgia Baptists founded the university in 1833. The school is named for Jesse Mercer, a pre-eminent Baptist preacher. Pastor Mercer also served on the school’s first Board of Trustees. Mercer University’s beginning was humble: two cottages and a red clay farm. It was a college preparatory school for males only. Only 35 students participated during the first year, and they even had to provide their own furniture!
Six years later, Mercer University gave its first college classes, and women were allowed to study theology at the Female Seminary. Two years after that, the first graduates ventured forth into the world.
Unlike most colleges and universities in the South, Mercer University remained open during the Civil War. A few years after Appomattox, Mercer University moved from Penfield to Macon.
Over the intervening time between then and now, Mercer University has grown into a renowned institution of higher learning, earning a ranking of No. 153 on U.S. News and World Report‘s list of National Universities. About 5,000 undergraduates study on campus annually.
Mercer University Accreditation Details
Mercer University has earned regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Many of the school’s individual departments have also earned academic accreditation from the following organizations, including the:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- American Bar Association
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc.
Mercer University Application Requirments
Although they are not actual requirements, the average SAT score, ACT score, and high-school GPA of incoming freshmen are 1,280, 27, and 3.94, respectively. Students must submit one or both of the standardized test scores, a letter of recommendation, and all official high-school transcripts. Self-sent transcripts are not accepted.
Graduate students must have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, depending on the level of study for which they are applying, from either a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or a foreign equivalent. Different graduate school departments have their own entrance requirements, which include one or more of the following:
- Letter, or letters, of recommendation
- All applicable transcripts
- Resume
- Writing samples, including an essay
- Work experience in the student’s chosen field
Any applicants at any level who have questions should contact the admissions office for clarification, study the website, or both.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at Mercer University for full-time students costs $37,508 annually. Part-time students can study at $1,250 per credit hour. Graduate tuition costs from $469 per credit hour to $960 per credit hour and depends on the course of study. The study of law is $39,184 annually. The study of medicine is $42,286 annually. Assorted fees come to about $500. Each dormitory on campus has its own semester cost, so students should check the website for further details. All full-time students automatically receive the Unlimited Plus Membership for a meal plan, which costs $3,212.75, with the option to downgrade.
Students applying for financial aid begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The school and the government will use that form to determine which scholarships, grants, loans or combination thereof the student is entitled to receive. Work-study counts as a grant.
Mercer University provides top-quality, diverse education to an equally diverse student body.
