Undergraduate Admissions

Admission Requirements - Full-time First-year Students

Misericordia University encourages applications from those who seek a strong liberal arts base for their chosen baccalaureate education, and who present evidence of the ability and desire to pursue an academic program of study.

Candidates for general admission are reviewed on a rolling admission basis by the committee on admissions. The decision to admit a student is based on the student’s intended field of study and on an evaluation of the student’s qualifications. An applicant for admission who wishes to enter the first-year student class should provide the admissions office with the following:

1. Application for admission (www.misericordia.edu/apply) or Common Application (www.commonapp.org)
2. Official copy of the secondary school transcript forwarded to the director of admissions by the guidance department of the secondary school. The transcript should indicate that the candidate has completed, or is in the process of completing, at least 16 Carnegie Units. The transcript should include current semester courses and all pertinent information regarding the student’s educational background. Students who have secured a high school equivalency diploma will also be considered for admission, and must submit a copy of their GED (General Education Development) test.
3. Test results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Testing (ACT) Program are generally required for admission. Waiving of test requirements is made only by written permission from the director of admissions. NOTICE: The test requirements have been suspended for the 2021-2022 application cycle.
4. A written recommendation from the high school principal, guidance counselor, or teacher is encouraged. For applicants to the occupational therapy (OT) program, two letters of recommendation and documentation of ten hours of service in an OT setting are also required. For occupational therapy and speech-language pathology applicants, a 500-word essay on their professional interest is also required.

Although personal interviews are not normally required, applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange for a personal interview and tour.

Incoming full-time students who wish to enroll at Misericordia University for either the fall or spring semester must submit a non-refundable reservation deposit of $300 (an additional $100 is required for residential students). Normally, reservation deposits should be made within six weeks of notification of acceptance. When needed, requests for extensions to the deposit deadline may be submitted to the Office of Admissions.

Admission Requirements - Transfer Students

Transfer Students/Transfer of Credit Policy

Misericordia University welcomes students who wish to transfer from other accredited four-year colleges or universities, or two-year junior or community colleges. Prospective full-time and part-time transfer students are encouraged to arrange an interview with the admissions office to review academic status and proposed curriculum. Although part-time students may begin their studies on a non-matriculating basis, they are expected to apply for formal admission to the university at the earliest possible date. Non-matriculated students are limited to earning 15 credits at the university unless special arrangements have been approved.

Prospective transfer students will be considered for admission if they have maintained a cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system). Higher GPA may be required to specific majors. GPA requirements for advancement into the professional level of individual programs vary (see individual curriculum guides for each program). Candidates who meet the GPA requirements for general admission and who seek advanced standing for previous college work, regardless of delivery mode or teaching/learning format, must provide the director of admissions with the following:

1. Application for Admission (www.misericordia.edu/apply).
2. Official copy of secondary school transcript or GED test results.
3. Official transcripts from each college/university previously attended.
4. Registered nurses seeking acceptance to the R.N. to B.S.N. program in Nursing must also send transcripts from their diploma-granting institution, as well as a copy of the RN license.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Misericordia University. The university will accept no more than 61 credits from any single or combination of associate degree programs. Only courses with a grade of C- (1.67) or better will be accepted for transfer. Grades earned at other institutions are not included in the student’s GPA at Misericordia University.

Credit may transfer from other institutions if one of the following criteria is met:

• The institution is legally authorized to grant standard college degrees and is accredited by an institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education.
• The American Council on Education has reviewed and recommended the course for college credit.

Misericordia University may award transfer credit based upon an individual review of factors such as course equivalencies, expected student learning outcomes, quality of most recent academic work, cumulative grade point average, number of credits completed, intended field of study, coursework relevant to a prospective student’s major, and applicability or transferability of completed work to Misericordia University’s curricula, standards, and course offerings.This determination will be made in consultation between the Department Chair in the discipline which sponsors the credit at Misericordia University and the University Registrar.

Misericordia University maintains the following program-specific articulation agreements:

With Luzerne County Community College

• Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice to Bachelor of Arts in Government, Law and National Security
• Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education to Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
• Associate in Applied Science in Human Services to Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Associate in Applied Science in Journalism and Media Writing to Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Associate in Arts in Humanities to Bachelor of Arts in English
• Associate in Arts in Humanities to Bachelor of Arts in History
• Associate in Arts in Humanities to Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Associate in Arts in Humanities to Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Associate in Science in Accounting to Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Associate in Science in Business Administration to Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Associate in Science in Exercise Science to Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Exercise Science) *
  • *please note: Item 2 should read “Transfer students must earn a minimum of 30 credits at Misericordia.”

  Part-time Students

  Students who wish to be accepted to Misericordia University on a part-time basis in either the accelerated degree program (evening/weekend); the Expressway Program at Nanticoke, Scranton, or fully on line; or the semester format should contact the admissions office for a personal interview. Curriculum requirements, relevant university policies, the process for transfer credit evaluation, and financial aid referral will be explained in detail at that time.

  Although part-time students may begin their studies on a non-matriculating basis, they are expected to apply for formal admission to the university at the earliest possible date. Non-matriculated students are limited to earning 15 credits at the university unless special arrangements have been approved. Students applying for part-time admission to the university must:

  1. Complete a part-time student application form with fee (if applicable).
  2. Send one official transcript from each college/university previously attended to the admissions office.
  3. Send one copy of secondary school (high school) transcript (or GED) to the admissions office if this is the first time attending college.
  4. Registered nurses must send transcripts from their diploma-granting institution, as well as a copy of the RN license to the admissions office.

  Upon receipt of the application for admission, the secondary school record/transcript or post-secondary transcripts (if applicable), and the appropriate recommendations, the admissions office and department faculty review the applicant’s portfolio. Applicants are notified by mail of the admission decision usually within three weeks. Certain programs have specific requirements for acceptance. Applicants are referred to the description of programs, which appears later in the catalog.

  Courses, which apply to the student’s field of study and have a course grade of C- or higher, will be evaluated by the Misericordia University registrar on a course by course comparison and are subject to approval by the department chair in consultation with the registrar.

  Students with Credentials from Foreign Institutions

  Applicants with prior coursework from institutions outside of the United States will be required to provide a credential evaluation prepared by a credentialing service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES – a list of members may be found www.naces.org).

  Credit By Examination

  Please note that the maximum amount of credit that may be awarded through credit by examination, prior learning assessment (PLA) (see “Credit Options Outside the Classroom” under Special Programs for more information), or a combination of the two is forty (40) credits toward degree requirements. No credit is awarded for examinations where the course equivalencies cannot be applied to degree requirements, nor may students pursue PLA for academic work not required for the degree.

  Advanced Placement

  Students who have participated in the College Entrance Examination Board or International Baccalaureate college-level testing program may be granted academic credit at Misericordia University. The decision to award college credit in these cases is made by the registrar and the department sponsoring the course for which credit is requested. Credit will only be awarded for exams where the equivalent credit could meet core curriculum, major, or free elective requirements for the student’s admitted program of study.

  Advanced Placement credit equivalencies for the 2022-23 academic year are as follows (for a score of 3 or higher, unless otherwise noted):

  • African American Studies: History core (3 credits) for a score of 4 or higher.
  • Art History: Fine Arts Core (3 credits)
  • Biology: BIO 105 Essential Biology (3 credits)
  • Calculus AB: MTH 165 Survey of Calculus (3 credits) for a score of 3; MTH 171 Calculus I (4 credits) for a score of 4 or 5. Students majoring in mathematics scoring a 4 or 5 would be required to take MTH 171 , but would receive 4 credits of general elective credit.
  • Calculus BC: MTH 171 Calculus I (4 credits). Students majoring in mathematics scoring a 4 or 5 would be required to take MTH 171 , but would receive 4 credits of general elective credit.
  • Calculus BC (AB subscore): If the Calculus BC score was below 3, then the AB subscore would be used, and credit would be awarded using the AB criteria above.
  • Chemistry: CHM 104 General Chemistry (4 credits)
  • Chinese Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Comparative Government and Politics: POL 103 Global Politics (3 credits)
  • Computer Science A: CPS 101 Introduction to Programming (3 credits)
  • Computer Science Principles: Computer Science Major Elective (3 credits)
  • English Language and Composition: ENG 151 University Writing Seminar (3 credits). NOTE: credit will not be awarded for both English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition exams.
  • English Literature and Composition: ENG 151 University Writing Seminar (3 credits) for a score of 3 or 4; ENG 151 and ENG 150 Introduction to Literature (3 credits) for a score of 5. NOTE: credit will not be awarded for both English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition exams.
  • Environmental Science: BIO 106 Introduction to Environmental Science (3 credits)
  • European History: HIS 101 History of Western Civilization I (3 credits) for a score of 3 or 4; HIS 101 and HIS 102 History of Western Civilization II (3 credits) for a score of 5
  • French Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • German Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Italian Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Japanese Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Human Geography: GEO 202 Cultural World Geography (3 credits)
  • Latin: 6 credits of free elective
  • Macroeconomics: BUS 205 Macroeconomics (3 credits)
  • Microeconomics: BUS 206 Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • Physics 1: PHY 117 Physics Introduction I (4 credits)
  • Physics 2: PHY 118 Physics Introduction II (4 credits)
  • Precalculus: MTH 108 Precalculus (3 credits)
  • Psychology: PSY 123 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • Spanish Language and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Spanish Literature and Culture: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security)
  • Statistics: MTH 115 Basic Statistics (3 credits)
  • Studio Art -2D Design: 3 credits of free elective
  • Studio Art -3D Design: 3 credits of free elective
  • Studio Art - Drawing PortolioFA 103 Fundamentals of Drawing and Composition (3 credits)
  • United States Government and Politics: POL 100 American National Government (3 credits)
  • United States History: HIS 103 United States History to 1865 (3 credits) for a score of 3 or 4; HIS 103 and HIS 104 United States History since 1865 (3 credits) for a score of 5
  • World History: HIS 180 Introduction to World History (3 credits)

  International Baccaulaureate

  Students who have participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) college-level testing program may be granted academic credit at Misericordia University for exams taken at the higher level only. The decision to award college credit in these cases is made by the registrar and the department sponsoring the course for which credit is requested.Credit will only be awarded for exams where the equivalent credit could meet core curriculum, major, or free elective requirements for the student’s admitted program of study.

  IB credit equivalencies for the 2022-23 academic year are as follows

  • American History: HIS 103 United States History to 1865 (3 credits) for a score of 4 or 5; HIS 103 and HIS 104 United States History since 1865 (3 credits) for a score of 6 or 7
  • English Literature: ENG 150 Introduction to Literature (3 credits) for a score of 5 or above
  • History of Europe: HIS 101 History of Western Civilization I (3 credits) for a score of 4 or 5; HIS 101 and HIS 102 History of Western Civilization II (3 credits) for a score of 6 or 7
  • Language and Literature: ENG 150 Introduction to Literature (3 credits) for a score of 5 or above
  • Psychology: PSY 123 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) for a score of 4 or above
  • Spanish B: 6 credits of free elective (may be used to meet major requirements for those majoring in Government, Law, and National Security) for a score of 4 or above

  CLEP: College Level Examination Program

  CLEP allows students to demonstrate their knowledge in a wide range of subject areas. CLEP examinations are standardized tests that measure a person’s knowledge of the material covered in introductory college courses. The knowledge may have been obtained through on-the-job experiences, professional workshops, classes at business or technical schools, volunteer activities, or vocational pursuits. CLEP credits are treated as transfer credits and are awarded on a credit/no credit basis. Only passing grades appear on transcripts. Students must submit the transcript for the CLEP courses to verify completion.

  Exams for which credit is granted (based upon meeting the minimum score identified by CLEP), and the Misericordia University equivalent course:

  • Accounting: ACC 101 Principles of Accounting
  • American Government: POL 100 American National Government
  • American Lit with Essay: English Core credit
  • Analyzing & Interpreting Literature with Essay: ENG 150 Introduction to Literature
  • Biology: BIO 105 Essential Biology
  • Calculus: MTH 171 Calculus I
  • College Composition (Modular): ENG 151 University Writing Seminar
  • College Math: MTH 120 Mathematical Reasoning
  • English Literature with Essay: English Core credit
  • Human Growth and Development: PSY 275 Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Info Systems and Computer Applications: CPS 110 Introduction to Information Systems
  • Intro to Educational Psychology: Either PSY 342 Educational Psychology or TED 232 Educational Psychology
  • Macroeconomics: BUS 205 Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics: BUS 206 Microeconomics
  • Principles of Management: BUS 208 Principles of Management
  • Principles of Marketing: BUS 269 Principles of Marketing
  • Psychology: PSY 123 Introduction to Psychology
  • Sociology: SOC 101 Comparative Sociology
  • US History I: HIS 103 United States History to 1865
  • US History II: HIS 104 United States History since 1865
  • Western Civilization I: HIS 101 History of Western Civilization I
  • Western Civilization II: HIS 102 History of Western Civilization II

  Other Undergraduate Admission Information

  International Students

  Misericordia University welcomes students from all nations. Students for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate language proficiency. Misericordia University’s admissions office can help students register for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which measures listening and reading comprehension as well as written expression. Because Misericordia University does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, it is essential that the student demonstrate a mastery of the language sufficient to perform college-level work.

  Home Schooled Students

  Misericordia University welcomes applications from home-schooled students. To apply, home-schooled students must submit a completed application for admission with a $35 application fee (application fee is waived for visitors to campus), a copy of the SAT or ACT score and, when applicable, a copy of the high school transcript (which can be obtained through the home school association). If the applicant is not affiliated with a specific organization, the university will accept a transcript from the home-schooling parent which shows course work completed and grades achieved. A General Education Development (GED) test is not required.

  Early Admission

  Students who have completed their junior year in high school with an outstanding record of achievement may apply for early admission to Misericordia University.

  Undergraduate Readmission

  Students in good academic and disciplinary standing who have withdrawn from Misericordia University and wish to re-enroll must notify the Admissions office. The Admissions Office will review the application in conjunction with academic affairs, student life, student financial services, and the department chair/program director of the academic program for which the student is seeking readmission. Readmission to the university does not automatically imply readmission to the student’s former program.

  Students who have been academically dismissed from a specific academic program but not from the university should consult academic department policies and procedures for specific eligibility requirements for readmission to that program.

  The readmission process for students who have been academically dismissed from the University are governed by the “Academic Restart Policy,” listed under the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. In the case of disciplinary dismissal, the matter will be referred to the vice president of student affairs.

  Students who have completed courses at a postsecondary institution from which the University accepts credit (see Transfer Students/Transfer of Credit Policy) are eligible to have all coursework that will apply to the academic requirements of their program considered for transfer credit. Readmitted students who have previously completed three courses under the Off Campus Course policy, or who have three or more courses applied to their academic record upon readmission are not eligible to take further coursework through off campus study after readmission.

  Readmitted students will complete academic requirements as described in the “Determination of Requirements Governing Undergraduate Degree or Certificate Conferral ” policy in the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.

  Criminal Background Check Internal Policy

  Misericordia University is a community rooted in its mission where all are welcome. The University is also committed to the safety of our community. As a result of this commitment, offenses, such as crimes of dishonesty, crimes of violence, crimes involving controlled substances, and other similar offenses that may place the University community at risk, are taken very seriously.

  When an applicant for admission indicates on the admissions application that they have been convicted of, have plead guilty to, have plead no contest to, or have a pending charge or charges related to, a criminal incident (including - felony, misdemeanor and/or summary non-traffic offenses), Misericordia University will require further investigation into the applicant’s background. Such applicants will be sent an email from the Admissions Applicant Background Review Committee requesting more information related to the conviction(s) and/or pending charge(s). Additionally, the Committee may schedule a personal interview with the applicant to discuss the situation. If such an interview is to be scheduled, the applicant will be notified by the Committee via e-mail of the date, time and location of the interview. After a review of all available information, a decision on acceptance will be rendered by the Committee and conveyed to the applicant by the University Admissions Department.

  If the University discovers that an applicant has failed to disclose a criminal conviction or pending criminal charge as requested in their application for admission, the University may revoke an offer of acceptance if one has been made, or may take other appropriate action consistent with its policies.