Marist College

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Marist College was founded in 1929 as the Marist Normal Training School by Brother Leo Brouilette under the sponsorship of Fordham University. Two decades later, the school was independently chartered in New York State as Marian College. In 1960, Marist College was born and the first lay male students were admitted for comprehensive study. Women were first accepted in 1966 as Marist became co-educational. Today, Marist stands as a private, non-profit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution. Upon a 240-acre suburban campus, Marist College is located in Poughkeepsie overlooking the Hudson River Valley. Approximately 5,300 students enroll annually in Marist's seven academic schools.

The U.S. News ranked Marist College as the 13th best regional university, 11th top school for military veterans and third most innovative college in the North. In particular, Marist was recognized for America's 52nd best online MBA and 50th top online graduate business degrees. Given a "B" financial grade, Marist was named the country's 214th best private college by Forbes. The Princeton Review included Marist within the top 50 "Colleges That Create Futures" in the United States. According to MONEY magazine, Marist adds the 34th most value among private colleges nationwide. The Institute of International Education also lauded Marist College for the 21st highest number of study abroad students.

Marist College Accreditation Details

Reaccredited in 2013, Marist College is institutionally reviewed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This is one of six regional accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Online master's programs also have discipline-specific accreditations from:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Marist College Application Requirements

Getting accepted into Marist College isn't simple with the selective acceptance rate of 38 percent. For the online master's programs, applicants must have finished a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent. Marist holds high standards for a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Having a major that fulfills the master's curriculum prerequisites is preferential. On average, admitted graduates achieve GRE scores of 154 (verbal) and 150 (quantitative). MBA students have a mean GMAT score of 529. Applicants to the M.A. in Educational Psychology must already hold initial NYS teaching certification. The MPA also recommends at least two years of experience in public/nonprofit organizations.

Before the April 15th and December 1st deadlines, interested master's students can apply to Marist College by submitting:

• Online graduate application form
• Payment for the $50 application fee
• Copies of undergraduate transcripts
• Two or three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE or GMAT scores
• Current professional resume or CV
• Copy of initial teaching certificate (if applicable)
• Well-written, two-page personal essay

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online master's students at Marist College will generally pay $780 per credit taken. MBA and MPA students must afford an additional $50 program fee each semester. In general, each online master's course will cost $2,340. Graduates earning the Master of Public Administration for Emergency Services are discounted $333 per credit. On average, Marist graduate students pay $13,500 each year. Total program costs vary based on credit requirements. For instance, the 36-credit MBA has an estimated price of $28,080. The 42-credit MPA has a total estimated cost of $32,760. According to PayScale, Marist's 20-year net ROI is high at $288,000.

Around 90 percent of beginning, full-time students receive tuition assistance. The NCES reports that the average financial aid package is worth $13,704. Graduate students should file the FAFSA form via code 002765. Online learners could qualify for borrowing Federal Perkins, Direct Unsubsidized, or Grad PLUS loans. Educational psychology majors could obtain free money with the TEACH Grant. New York State residents can apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Marist College offers Full-Time and Part-time Graduate Grants for $600 to $4,000 per year. Corporate partnerships with employers like Mid-Hudson Coalition, Tompkins Financial, and Astor Services can provide tuition coverage. Institutional awards are also available for online learners, including the Graduate Scholars Award, Marist Alumi Academic Scholarship, and Women of Marist College Scholarship.

Online Degrees Available

Through the School of Professional Programs, Marist College offers one bachelor's, six master's, and two graduate certificates online. Students log in 24/7 to Marist's virtual classroom called iLearn to access coursework from anywhere, anytime. New learners complete an orientation to master using the online system. Compatible browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari. There's a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, so instructors are readily accessible via email or web conference. Available online master's programs include:

Master of Public Administration

Delivered 100 percent online or at three NYS locations, the Master of Public Administration program at Marist follows NASPAA guidelines to produce innovative leaders for the public or nonprofit sector. The 42-credit curriculum can be completed full-time or part-time with accelerated, eight-week sessions. Core courses delve into public budgeting, administrative law, technology management, organizational theory, and program planning. Electives can be concentrated in Public Management, Healthcare Administration, Ethical Leadership, or Emergency Services. Pre-service students gain practical experience with an internship.

Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

Fully accredited by the NCATE, the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology program allows Marist students to obtain professional teacher certification in New York State. Two tracks are offered for Childhood Education (grades 1-6) or Adolescent Education (grades 7-12) with focus in History, Science, Mathematics, Languages, or English. Although the 36-credit curriculum is primarily online, trips to Poughkeepsie and teaching practicum sites are required. Courses will range from lifespan development to educational research before the capstone project.

Related Resource: 20 Most Affordable Top Ranked Schools for an Online Master's in Educational Psychology Degree

Master of Science in Information Systems

For IT professionals, Marist's Master of Science in Information Systems provides advanced technical education and managerial skill development for promotion. With no campus residency requirement, the online 36-credit curriculum offers specializations in Information Systems Management, Business Analytics, or Computer Networking & Security. Core coursework will explore data management, communications, IT policy, enterprise architecture, accounting, and internetworking. Courses are developed using Sakai, a leading open-source technology. Students benefit from partnerships like the IBM-Marist Joint Study Project and Cisco TelePresence System.

Other online degrees at Marist College are the Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing, and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.