About Misericordia University

Policy Statements

This catalog contains current information regarding Misericordia University’s undergraduate and graduate programs, calendar, admissions policies, degree requirements, fees, and regulations. Misericordia University reserves the right in its sole judgment to promulgate and change rules and regulations and to make changes of any kind in its programs, calendar, academic policies, admissions policies, procedures and standards, degree requirements, and fees whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the scheduling of classes, and cancellation of scheduled classes and other academic activities.

Students are ultimately responsible for knowing and observing all regulations contained herein that may affect their status at Misericordia University.

It is the policy of Misericordia University that its administration of educational programs or activities, admissions, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other University-administered programs, or employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and competence. In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1974, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Executive Order 11246, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, Misericordia University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, age, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, gender identification, sexual orientation, medical condition, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The University subscribes to the principles and laws of the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pertaining to civil rights and equal opportunity. This policy governs all aspects of employment, evaluation, promotion, assignment, dismissal, and other terms and conditions of employment. Moreover, this policy governs all aspects of student admissions.  As an educational institution with an Affirmative Action program, the University complies with government regulations, including Affirmative Action responsibilities where they apply.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws, the University has developed policies and procedures that prohibit sexual misconduct in all of its forms. The University complies with Section 304, of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA).

Misericordia University complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended. A copy of the Act is available for inspection in the Vice President of Academic Affairs Office.

Misericordia University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission to or employment in its education programs or activities. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations may be referred to our Title IX coordinator, Pamela Parsnik. The coordinator can be reached at 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612, 570-674-6310, or at [email protected].

Mission and Values Statement

Mission Statement

Misericordia University, a Catholic liberal arts institution established in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and respect for persons in an environment where all are welcome.

Values Statement

As a community, we are committed to integrity and the values of the Sisters of Mercy as the foundation of university life. Our values are:

Mercy through: Compassion, Love, Caring
Service through: Selflessness, Sacrifice, Action
Justice through: Fairness, Acceptance, Advocacy
Hospitality with: Dignity, Respect, Openness

Diversity Statement

Misericordia University recognizes the importance of living the mission in our words and our deeds, demonstrating mercy, service, justice, and hospitality, and supporting the ideals of a democratic society. Therefore, we are dedicated to promoting a diverse community in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation of difference.

We believe, as members of a democratic society, that individuals have not only the right to live their lives according to their own values and beliefs, but also the obligation to respect the right of others to do the same.

We believe all people should be treated with civility, deserving to be heard without demeaning judgments of others.

We believe, as an educational community, that we have the responsibility to learn about each other in order to benefit from our diverse population.

We believe our demonstration of individual integrity and mutual respect sets a standard for the community and exemplifies a broader commitment to human understanding and service.

Accreditations

Misericordia University was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January 31, 1927, and is empowered to grant the following degrees:

Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Social Work

Misericordia University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000.

The university is also officially recognized by the following accrediting agencies:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (800) 999-2782

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158., Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791

Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700

Council on Social Work Education, 1725 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 683-8080

International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), 11374 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, KS 66215, (913) 631-3009

Pennsylvania Department of Education, 333 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17126, (717) 783-6788

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300. web site: www.jrcert.org; email address: [email protected]

Misericordia University has legal permission from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners to operate a school of nursing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Various other state education departments also recognize the university’s academic programs.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is the accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs within the territorial United States to ensure their compliance with those standards.

The following statement is provided by ARC-PA:

“The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation - Provisional status to the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Misericordia 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.”

Contacts for More Information

For more information on particular aspects of Misericordia University, contact the people listed below at 570-674-6400 (toll-free at 866-262-6363) between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Other university personnel are listed in the university directory section of this catalog. Address all mail for faculty and administration to: Misericordia University, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612-1090.