This school appears in our ranking 20 Most Affordable MBA Online Programs at Small Colleges 2018.
The University of Saint Mary was founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who arrived in the area in 1858 to begin teaching young boys and girls. Saint Mary's Institute was founded one year later as a small educational institute for women. The school moved from downtown Leavenworth to its current location in 1870 and named St. Mary's Academy.
In 1923, Saint Mary's College opened and became a four-year institute in 1932. At that time, a small number of men were admitted in certain areas of study. Arthur Morton Murphy, Ph.D., was chosen as the school's first president, becoming the first layman to lead a Catholic college for women in the country. The school became completely co-educational in 1988 and became the University of Saint Mary in 2003.
Today, the school is still tight-knit and focused on fulfilling the needs of both students and society. The mission of the University of Saint Mary is to educate students so that they can reach their God-given potential as well as preparation for them to lead value-centered lives. Although all faiths are welcome at the school, the curriculum has deep Catholic roots. There are 1,362 students enrolled at the University. The University of Saint Mary has been recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the Best Midwestern Colleges.
University of Saint Mary Accreditation Details
The University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This indicates that the school meets or exceeds standards set forth by the University that indicates students receive an excellent education. The school also agrees to periodic reviews to confirm that they continue to meet their goals and objectives. In addition to regional accreditation, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation
- International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
University of Saint Mary Application Requirements
Students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation must complete an online application. They must submit official high school transcripts along with official ACT or SAT scores. The University has rolling admissions so there are no application deadlines. Students must have a minimum ACT composite of 18 or a composite score of 940 on the SAT. They must also have a 2.5 high school GPA.
Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation may be admitted as transfer students. They must complete an online application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students who have earned an associate's degree from an accredited college or university are automatically admitted while other students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Graduate admissions requirements vary depending on the program the student plans to enter. They are encouraged to speak to an admissions counselor before applying. For all graduate programs, students must hold a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition on the main campus is $13,940 per semester while part-time tuition is $645 per credit hour. Evening programs at the Overland Park Campus are $405 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $630 per credit hour for graduate courses. Undergraduate online courses are $460 per credit hour. Master of Business Administration courses are $630 per credit hour online while Master of Science in Nursing online courses are $615 per credit hour. The Master of Science in Athletic Training on-campus courses are $580 per credit hour and the Doctor of Physical Therapy on-campus courses are $795 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available and 95 percent of students who attend the University of Saint Mary receive some type of financial assistance. Students may qualify for up to $60,000 in scholarships as well. Students must complete the FAFSA in order to qualify.
Online Degrees Available
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is available in a completely online format and has been ranked as the most affordable online MBA program available by US News & World Report. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to become leaders in the business world. Students are provided information on managerial skills, how to take calculated risks and are prepared to lead in a wide range of industries. Courses required include:
- Business, Policy and Ethics
- Global Management
- Human Resource Management
- Managerial Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Managerial Finance
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Organizational Management
Students are also able to concentrate their studies in the following areas:
- Finance
- General Management
- Health Care Management
- Human Resource Management
- Leadership and Organizational Health
- Marketing and Advertising Management
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing is an online program designed for students who are already working in the nursing field. Students receive the latest education designed to prepare them for a rapidly changing and growing nursing profession. Students may concentrate their studies in either nurse educator or nurse administrator focuses. Courses required include:
- Analysis and Utilization of Research
- Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Policy and Ethics
- Informatics in Nursing
- Statistics for Healthcare
Students who enroll in the nursing administrator concentration must also complete:
- Communication and Relationship Building
- Delivery of Care in the Healthcare Environment
- Human and Fiscal Resource Management
- Leadership
- Organizational Management
- Quality and Safety
- Topics in Healthcare Management
Students enrolled in the nurse educator concentration must also complete:
- Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion
- Advanced Patho-Pharm for the Nurse Educator
- Curriculum Design and Evaluation
- Foundations of Learning and Teaching
- Teaching with Technology
Students must also complete a practicum at an appropriate location that has been approved by their advisor. The practicum is designed to provide hands-on, real-world learning. Students are responsible for meeting requirements of the agency where the practicum will be completed, including immunizations and training.
The University of Saint Mary continues to provide an outstanding education that is steeped in the Catholic faith. The University of Saint Mary's online programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level allow working adults to achieve their higher education goals in order to move into a new career or advance in a current career.