Admissions

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.mtmercy.edu.

General Admission Requirements to Mount Mercy University Online Programs

For students with less than 12 graded semester hours of prior college coursework:

  • Completed online application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended
  • High school transcript
  • Cumulative H.S. grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Composite ACT score of 20 (1020 SAT) with sub-scores of 17 or higher (students age 24 and older are not required to provide standardized test scores)
  • Class rank in the top half of graduating class
  • Mount Mercy applicants are encouraged to complete the following high school coursework:
    • Four years of English
    • Three years of Mathematics
    • Three years of Social Studies
    • Three years of Science

For students with 12 or more graded semester hours of prior college coursework:

  • Completed online application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended
  • Cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale*)

*In accordance with articulation agreements with all Iowa community colleges, associate degree holders with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be automatically accepted for admission to Mount Mercy.

For international students:

  • Completed online application
  • All official college and/or foreign university transcripts translated into English and evaluated by a foreign credit evaluation agency (college-level GPA of 2.50 or equivalent required)
  • Official high school transcripts translated into English by a foreign credit evaluation agency ^
  • Official scores from standardized tests* that will be considered for admissions decisions include^:
    • TOEFL (550 PBT, 213 CBT, 79 IBT)
    • IELTS (6.0)
    • STEP Eiken (Grade 1)
    • ACT (20)
    • SAT (1020)
    • PTE - Academic: Minimum score of 53 (no sub-score below 51 for reading, listening, and speaking)
    • Duolingo (50 or higher)
  • Certificate of Finance or letter/affidavit from the bank certifying funds are available
  • Scanned copy of the information page of the passport, U.S. Visa, and I-20 if a current F-1 student

^High school transcripts and test scores are waived for students who have earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.

*Test scores are waived for students completing Level 112 of ELS's English for Academic Purposes program.

Any student who does not meet the above criteria will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee for closer examination. Admission conditions and/or course recommendations will be determined on an individual basis by the Committee.

Home Schooled Students

In lieu of high school transcripts, applicants must submit records of high school or college-level studies, either in a transcript form (if available) or a detailed account of the subjects studied and materials used. Standardized test scores* (ACT or SAT) also are required and must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions.

*Students over the age of 21 may submit college coursework in lieu of test scores.

*Students over 21 with 5 years of full time work experience may have their ACT/SAT requirement waived.

Application Procedures for the Online Programs

You may begin the application process by visiting our web site at https://online.mtmercy.edu. Complete the online application, and if you have any previous college coursework, request official transcripts to be sent to: Accelerated Office, 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4797.

Federal regulations require that student files contain a certificate of the highest degree earned. A high school transcript is required for applicants who have not yet obtained a post-secondary associate or higher degree.

Application Procedure for Readmission to Online Programs

Students who exit from Mount Mercy, do not attend for one or more consecutive semesters, or have graduated from Mount Mercy and wish to reenter the program, pursue a second major, pursue a second degree or add a minor, must complete a new application prior to resuming coursework at Mount Mercy. The application is available at https://www.mtmercy.edu. If any coursework has been completed at other institutions since last attending Mount Mercy, official transcripts documenting coursework must be requested by the applicant and sent directly from the institution to the Accelerated Office.

Special Student Application

Students interested in taking just one or two online courses at Mount Mercy may complete an application for special student status. If the student is currently pursuing a degree at another institution, it is recommended that the student seeks permission from the home college before enrolling at Mount Mercy. Students must first complete the application form available at https://www.mtmercy.edu. If a prerequisite course is needed for the course(s) selected to be taken through Mount Mercy, an official transcript must be sent to the Accelerated Office to verify successful completion of that prerequisite. Any special student that wishes to continue at Mount Mercy must complete the regular admission process for the online programs.

Admission to the RN to BSN Online Program

Applicants to the RN to BSN program must meet the following admission criteria:

  1. Hold an Associate’s Degree or Diploma in nursing from a regionally accredited college or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution outside of the United States.
  2. Hold a current and active RN license in the United States.
    1. Submit a copy of current nursing license.
    2. Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person: a) who has been denied licensure by the Board; b) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; c) whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another state or country due to disciplinary action.
  3. Currently working at least part time as a nurse.
  4. Registered nurse applicants must have an admission cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.  Students with an admission cumulative GPA less than a 3.0 may be admitted to the university and conditionally admitted to the Nursing Major.  In order to continue, all RN-BSN students must successfully complete NU 242 Concepts in Baccalaureate Nursing Education, earning a minimum grade of C.  All students must achieve a minimum of C (C- does not count) in all nursing courses.
    1. Official transcripts from all previously attended schools must be submitted to Mount Mercy University
  5. Complete a background check done by a third party company selected by the Department of Nursing. Any concerns will require a meeting with the program director.

  6. RN-BSN students, who are not currently working as an RN, will be required to have a physical exam. Students working as an RN will not be required to have a physical exam, as the majority of clinical activities will occur within the student’s own work environment.   All students, regardless of their work setting, will be required to provide documentation of current immunizations. 

  7. Show proof of current certification for Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
  8. Show proof of health insurance coverage.
  9. Show proof of nursing liability insurance coverage (beyond coverage provided by your employer).