Curriculum

For purposes of reference, courses are listed alphabetically by department. Each department description contains examples of objectives the department seeks to achieve through its educational program, a statement of the requirements of a major and a minor in that department, and a list and description of the courses offered.

Courses numbered 200 - 499 are upper division. Courses numbered 100 to 199 are lower division. Graduate courses are numbered 500 and above. 

The letters prefixed to the numbers are an abbreviation for the department in which the course is offered.

Independent Study (IS)

Independent study courses, which are specially designed by the student and the instructor, are listed under the course numbers 440-445 and are subject to the following regulations:

1. Independent study courses are ordinarily limited to juniors and seniors.
2. Not more than 2 courses may be taken independently in the major.
3. Not more than 4 independent study courses may be taken during the four years of college and not more than 2 independent studies in any one term.
4. Independent study credit is not given for a paid job.
5. The application form, which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office, must fully describe the rationale and objectives of the course, the content and sources from which the content is to be obtained, methods and activities to be used, evaluation procedure, and any pertinent deadlines to be met by the student. The form is to be completed by the student in conference with the instructor who has agreed to direct the study.
6. A screening committee must give approval for the course. The committee consists of the instructor supervising the course, the chairperson of the department in which the course is being offered, and the academic advisor. The application also must bear the signature of the Provost. At the option of the department, the screening committee meets to discuss the course with the student, or the student personally takes the form to be signed to each member of the committee and answers any questions that a member may have about the course.
7. The application form with all the necessary signatures must be submitted to the Registrar's office in order for the registration to be completed.
8. Faculty members are not required to direct an independent study.

Directed Study (DS)

A Directed Study course is an individualized delivery of an existing course found in the Catalog and is only offered in exceptional circumstances. Course outcomes and objectives for the DS course are the same as if the course was being taken in the normal, classroom delivery mode. Contact the Registrar's office for the approval form prior to registering for the class.

Internships

An Internship offers the student an opportunity to gain valuable experience by applying skills and concepts learned in the classroom to real, work-based problems. Other benefits include the ability to explore a career area, in-depth; and an opportunity to begin building a professional network. Most majors offer a course for which the student can register to earn credit for participation in an internship. Contact your academic advisor or the Career Services office to learn more about locating and applying for internships.

All field experience (internships, student teaching, etc.) opportunities at Mount Mercy are governed by a discipline-specific accrediting body and/or by a specific department. All field experiences must be approved by Mount Mercy faculty. This will include, but is not limited to, pre-arranged expectations for students, faculty, and site supervisors. 

University standard is a minimum of 40 hours of internship work must be completed per credit hour. Departments may require more than 40 hours of internship work to earn 1 credit hour in some situations. 

Upon receiving an offer to participate in an internship and securing faculty approval, the student should:

1. Meet with academic advisor to complete the Internship Registration and Release of Liability form for the appropriate course.
2. Submit the Internship Registration form to the Provost's office for approval.
3. Upon approval by the Provost, the Internship Registration form will be sent to the Registrar’s office for processing.
4. Schedule an appointment with the Director of Career Services for an internship orientation.

 

Reflection and Action: The Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is the foundational piece of a Mount Mercy education. Regardless of one’s major, every student at Mount Mercy can be assured of a broad course of study in the traditional liberal arts. The courses in the Core are designed to foster inquiry, critical thinking, personal reflection, and a spirit of service and citizenship. The Core emphasizes freedom of choice as each student creates an individualized plan to complete the core requirements according to his or her needs and interests. The Core Curriculum has four components:

• An introductory Portal Course
• A comprehensive survey of the seven Domains of Liberal Study
• A culminating Capstone experience
• Multiple ways to achieve Competency in writing, math, and oral communication

The Mount Mercy Portal

The portal course has two main objectives: to introduce students to the fields of liberal studies, priming them to make informed choices about their future core courses; and to foster a sense of community and service in the class, at Mount Mercy, and in the greater Cedar Rapids area. Students will examine questions from the Mercy Critical Concerns: earth, immigration, non-violence, poverty, racism, and women.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will gain experience examining problems from multiple perspectives. The interdisciplinary nature of the course fosters teamwork and leadership in the students. As they encounter questions from various liberal disciplines, students will be asked to reflect, then take action, as they articulate for themselves what it means to be a citizen in their various communities. During the portal course, students will outline an integrated plan for completing their course of liberal studies, as chosen from the Domains.

Transfer students who have an AA degree from an Iowa community college, earned 60 hours or more transferable college credits, or have used transfer courses to fulfill 7 of the 10 domain requirements, are exempt from the portal course. 

 Portal courses include:

ME 100	Mercy Concerns Through Film
ME 105	Rogues, Rebels, And Accidental Discoveries: The Crooked Path to Creativity
ME 110	Ethnic Iowans: Diversity Issues in the New Millennium
ME 115	Cities, Sewers And Shots: Health Protection
ME 120	Immigrants and Literacy: In Pursuit of the American Dream
ME 122	Crises and Disasters: Business, Ethics, and the Environment
ME 125	Avatars Of Good and Evil: Media Stereotypes vs. Reality
ME 130	Why A Mercy Education?
ME 135	Poor Women, Poor Family, Poor Work
ME 140	Screen Icons: A Cultural & Aesthetic Study
ME 145	The Religious Roots of Political Involvement
ME 150	Talking in "She" and "He": Gender Communication in College and Beyond
ME 155	Water - A Shared Responsibility
ME 160	Law Ungendered: History of the Legal Status of U.S. Women
ME 165	Terrorism, Violence and Conflict Resolution
ME 170	Perspectives on Recent Immigration to the United States
ME 175	Selfie Living in a Digital Age
ME 180	Environmental Responsibility
ME 185	Disability Awareness
ME 195	Information Literacy in the Information Age

Note: Portal course waived for RN-BSN students.

Competencies

In addition to completing a Portal Course, a Capstone course and all of the Domains of Liberal Studies, students are required to demonstrate core competencies. These may be demonstrated by taking and earning at least a C- in particular courses, or a student may demonstrate competencies through previous experience and coursework. Students who think that they may be able to demonstrate a competency need to arrange assessment well in advance of beginning their Mount Mercy coursework. The competencies should be completed within a student’s first two years of college. If a student demonstrates competency and one of the course requirements listed below is therefore waived, that does not grant the student the credit hours listed. Students transferring to Mount Mercy with an AA degree from an Iowa Community College are considered to have met the competency requirements in writing, math and oral communication.

The competencies are:

1. Writing Competency: Met by successful completion of four hours of college-level English Composition: 

EN 101	Writing And History
EN 106	Writing And The Environment
EN 107	Writing And Popular Culture
EN 108	Writing and Issues of Health & Mortality
EN 111	Writing And Film
EN 112	Writing And Gender Studies
EN 114	Writing And Social Issues
EN 115	Writing And Other Cultures
EN 116	Writing And Life Stories
EN 117	Writing And Sports
EN 118	Writing And Place

Note: The writing course is a prerequisite to the literature domain courses.

  2. Oral Communication competency: Met by successful completion of CO 101 Oral Communication.

  3. Mathematics competency: Met by successful completion of the three-hour college-level math course including:

MA 120	Mathematics In Arts And Humanities
MA 125	Fundamentals Of Arithmetic & Logic
MA 130	Finite Mathematics
MA 132	Basic Mathematical Modeling
MA 135	Basic Statistics
MA 139	Pre-Calculus
MA 142	Mathematics Modeling
MA 160	Business Calculus
MA 164	Calculus I

4.  Technology Competency: Met according to criteria set within the curriculum of each major.

The Mount Mercy Domains of Liberal Studies

The Mount Mercy Domains of Liberal Studies give all students in all majors a sense of breadth and connection among traditional liberal arts disciplines. These courses are grouped according to the overall concepts covered by courses in that domain: Expressive Arts, Global Awareness, Historical Roots, Holistic Health, The Natural World, Self and Society and Ultimate Questions.

Students who transfer to Mount Mercy with an AA degree from an Iowa community college will have all Domain requirements waived except one course in the Ultimate Questions domain. 

Domain Requirements

Domain I: Expressive Arts – Great works of art, music, drama, and literature engage us emotionally and cognitively as they interrogate the ways we perceive and understand ourselves and the world around us. Studying literature and the fine arts strengthens habits of mind – observation, the ability to entertain multiple perspectives and discern significant patterns; envisioning, the ability to imagine and think innovatively; reflection, the ability to evaluate one’s own perceptions; expression, the ability to communicate what is meaningful in the pursuit of purposeful living; and aesthetic judgment, the ability to appreciate the context in which fine art is created – that find application in every discipline of study.

Two courses, one from literature, one from fine arts. The courses included in this domain:

Literature courses:
EN 133	Introduction to American Multicultural Literature
EN 134	Introduction to U.S. Latino Literature
EN 135	Introduction to African American Literature
EN 154	Introduction to World Literature
EN 170	Introduction To Literature
EN 175	American Drama
EN 176	American Literature Survey: Colonial to 1914
EN 178	Major American Writers
EN 180	Introduction to Literature and Gender
EN 181	Introduction to LGBTQ Literature
EN 190	British Literature and Culture 1
EN 192	The Lost Generation: Expatriates in Paris 1
EN 195	Irish Literature & Culture 1
EN 150	Introduction to Film Adaptation
Fine arts courses:
AR 101	Introduction To Art
EN 234	Shakespeare
GS 101	Introduction To Film Studies
GS 151	Introduction to Dramatic Art
MU 189	Introduction To Music

Domain II: Historical Roots – The courses in this domain will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and the relationship between historical developments and contemporary social and political trends. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to investigate the social, economic, political, and cultural development of diverse peoples from the beginnings of civilization to the present. Emphasis is placed on reading, writing, researching, speaking, and on critical and analytical thinking. The courses included in this domain include:

HI 114	History of Early America
HI 115	History Of Modern America
HI 120	Origins Of The Western Tradition
HI 130	Emergence Of The West, 800-1648
HI 140	History Of Western World Since 1648

Domain III: The Natural World – Courses in this domain will give students a basic understanding of the natural world and how it functions. Students will learn to employ the scientific method as they engage with specific fields of inquiry, such as the central processes of biological systems, the energetics and chemical reactions underlying all processes in living and non-living systems, the global role of geologic, hydrologic and atmospheric systems in supporting life on earth, and the impact of human activity on the environment. Students are required to take a course and an accompanying lab, but transfer students who have earned at least six hours of approved science credits do not have to meet the lab requirement. The courses included in this domain:

BI 110	Discovering Biology Laboratory *
BI 123	Biology of Human Concern
BI 125	Foundations of Biology & Scientific Inquiry I
BI 125L	Biostatistics and Scientific Investigation I (Must be taken with BI 125 to count towards Domain)
BI 150	Basic Microbiology 2
CH 100	Discovering Chemistry Laboratory *
CH 101	Chemistry in the Kitchen
CH 111	General Chemistry I
PH 100	Discovering Physics Laboratory *
PH 114	Natural Science-Physical
PH 115	Introduction To Earth Science

 Domain IV: Ultimate Questions – This domain introduces students to the study of the ultimate questions of human experience.  It invites consideration of possible answers to those questions through philosophical or religious reflection about the existence of God, the meaning of human life, ethical responsibility, the common good, and social justice.  These courses provide significant encounters in key places with the Catholic intellectual tradition in philosophy and religious studies, including sources, fundamental questions, and developmental stages.  As liberal arts courses, they also engage students in critical analysis of ideas and symbols, and foster a variety of skills including critical thinking, finding key concepts in the midst of complex information, evaluating ideas, and communicating effectively.

Two courses, one from Philosophy, one from Religious Studies. The courses included in this domain:

Philosophy courses:
PL 251	Introduction to Western Philosophy
PL 261	Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person
PL 269	Introduction to Ethics
Religious Studies courses:
RS 110	Christian Moral Life
RS 111	Introduction To The Bible: Old Testament
RS 113	Introduction To The Bible: New Testament
RS 114	Introduction to Christianity
RS 115	Introduction To World Religions
RS 217	Catholic Biomedical Ethics

 Domain V: Self and Society – This domain is designed to expose students to the study of society and the manner in which people behave and impact the world around us. It introduces students to the concepts and methods of social science, the scientific inquiry into human behavior and social, political and economic problems within institutions. Students will appreciate the interconnectedness and complexity of human interaction as represented in the various social science disciplines. The courses included in this domain:

Two of the following courses from different disciplines:
CJ 101	Introduction To Criminal Justice
EC 251	Macroeconomics Principles
EN 140	Introduction to Diversity Studies
PO 100	Power & Justice
PO 111	Introduction To American Politics
PS 101	Introductory Psychology
SO 122	Introduction to Sociology
SO 155	Social Problems
SW 265	Diversity in America

Domain VI: Global Awareness– Courses in the Global Awareness Domain address the basic question of what it means to live in a globalized world. Courses in this Domain address at least one of three areas: multicultural sensitivity as individuals come in contact with cultures that are different from their own; the interconnectedness of global political and economic policies; and an understanding of ecological and resource issues that transcends national borders.

BI 210	Biology And Human Culture
CO 260	Intercultural Communication
EN 190	British Literature and Culture 1
EN 192	The Lost Generation: Expatriates in Paris 1
EN 195	Irish Literature & Culture 1
GS 159	Healthcare in the UK
GS 260	European Union: Culture, Politics & Economics
HI 213	Recent China In Global Economy
HI 230	Modern East Asia
HI 265	Latin American History
PL 270	Introduction to Asian Thought
PO 102	Government and Politics Around the World
PO 103	Introduction to International Relations
PO 112	Globalization and Human Survival
PS 201	History and Systems of Psychology
SL 165	Service Learning Abroad
SO 183	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SO 235	Social Inequalities
SO 330	Global Race Relations
SP 200	Intermediate Spanish I
SP 370	Race, Class and Gender in Latin American Film

Domain VII: Holistic Health – Courses in this domain explore health-related theories and research and address various aspects of the six dimensions of wellness including physical, emotional, social, environmental, intellectual, and spiritual. Courses aim to increase students’ knowledge within the dimensions of wellness to enable them to enhance health-related aspects of their own lives and perhaps the lives of others. The courses included in this domain:

BA 240	Personal Financial Planning
ED 164	Health Awareness and PE Methods
GS 115	Women's Health
GS 119	Healthy Lifestyle
GS 120	Complementary Therapy & Wellness
GS 138	The Final Journey: Maintaining Wellness for Those Left Behind
GS 145	Introduction to Sustainability
GS 157	American Food
GS 179	Psychology Of Eating
GS 195	Men's Health
PS 205	Psychology Of Adjustment
PS 210	Stress Management
SO 240	Medical Sociology
SW 250	Human Sexuality

The Mount Mercy Capstone

Note: Students should consult accelerated/online and traditional course schedules to determine course availability and delivery format.

Graduation Requirements for Undergraduate Degree

Students need to submit the Application for Graduation to the Registrar’s office to be considered a candidate for graduation. The Application for Graduation should be submitted at the time the student registers for the final two semesters of study. The Application for Graduation is available on the Mount Mercy web site. Requirements include:

1. A minimum of 123 semester hours credit earned toward the degree.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all credits earned at Mount Mercy.
3. Completion of the core curriculum requirements.
4. Completion of a major program of study.
5. At least 12 semester hours, above course number of 200, in the major must be completed at Mount Mercy.
6. Minimum of 30 consecutive semester hours completed at Mount Mercy immediately preceding graduation.
7. If graduating with a minor or endorsement, nine (9) semester hours of the minor must be taken at Mount Mercy.

Major-minor programs: The major typically includes 30 or more semester hours, as indicated in individual requirements by field. The minor requires fewer semester hours. The student is, in every case, responsible to see that he or she properly applies for graduation and meets the graduation requirements.

Transfer Credits

Developmental, remedial, vocational, test out, or experiential learning college credit is not transferable to Mount Mercy. A maximum of 63 semester hours (non-technical) from two-year, regionally-accredited, associate degree granting institutions will be accepted. (See exceptions for business department majors, healthcare leadership majors, and outdoor conservation majors). There is no limit to the number of semester hours that will be accepted from a four-year, regionally-accredited institution. Credit earned at non-regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer on a case-by-case-basis. Students should complete a petition to have credit from non-regionally accredited institutions reviewed.  

Transfer courses meeting the requirements noted above and completed with a grade of D- or better will be accepted at Mount Mercy. Whether or not the D- grade counts toward the major is up to the individual department. (See department description.) Transfer course grades will be listed on the Mount Mercy transcript but will not count toward the cumulative grade point average.

Transfer courses marked with a double grade meeting the requirements noted above will have the higher grade transferred to Mount Mercy. For example, if a grade of CD has been assigned, the higher grade, C, will be placed on the Mount Mercy transcript.

Transfer of Technical Credit

Transfer Credits Specific to BAA/BAS Degree

A maximum of 63 semester hours from regionally-accredited, postsecondary technical institutions will be transferred to Mount Mercy for students pursuing majors available under the Bachelor of Applied Arts or Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, unless otherwise designated for a specific major. A maximum of 16 semester hours from postsecondary technical courses will be transferred to Mount Mercy for students pursuing majors not available under the Bachelor of Applied Arts or Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.

* NOTE: Computer science courses taken seven or more years ago are subject to review by the department before awarding credit for a major or minor in computer science.

Iowa Community College AA Transfer Articulation

Students who transfer to Mount Mercy with an AA degree from an Iowa community college will have all Core Curriculum requirements waived except the Mercy Capstone and one course in the Ultimate Questions domain. These two requirements must be taken at Mount Mercy.

Business Department Transfer Articulation

Mount Mercy accepts a maximum of 75 semester hours from an Iowa community college for all transfers planning to pursue either a BBA degree, BAS degree, or BS degree with a major in the business area, provided that the student has completed an AA, AS/CO (Career Option) or AAS degree from an Iowa community college. This is an exception to the general policy of accepting a maximum of 63 semester hours from any community college. The courses comprising the 75 credits will count toward the total 123 semester hours required for graduation with the BBA, BAS, or BS. Iowa community college transfers into Mount Mercy’s BBA, BAS, or BS degree program will be required to meet all the graduation requirements of that degree.  

Health Care Leadership Major Transfer Articulation

Mount Mercy accepts a maximum of 75 semester hours from an Iowa community college for all transfers planning to pursue a BAS degree in healthcare leadership, provided that the student has completed an AAS degree in a healthcare related field from an Iowa community college. This is an exception to the general policy of accepting a maximum of 63 semester hours from any community college. The courses comprising the 75 credits will count toward the total 123 semester hours required for graduation with the BAS. Iowa community college transfers into Mount Mercy’s BAS degree program will be required to meet all the graduation requirements of that degree.  

Outdoor Conservation Major Transfer Articulation

Mount Mercy accepts a maximum of 75 semester hours from Kirkwood Community College for all transfers planning to pursue either a BAS degree or BS degree with a major in outdoor conservation, provided that the student has completed an AAS in Parks and Recreation from Kirkwood Community College. This is an exception to the general policy of accepting a maximum of 63 semester hours from any community college. The courses comprising the 75 credits will count toward the total 123 semester hours required for graduation with the BAS or BS. Kirkwood Community College transfers into Mount Mercy’s BAS or BS degree program will be required to meet all the graduation requirements of that degree.  

RN-BSN Transfer Articulation

Students who transfer to Mount Mercy with an ADN degree from an Iowa community college will have the following Core Curriculum requirements waived: Portal, Natural World Domain, Self & Society Domain, Writing Competency, Holistic Health Domain, Oral Communication Competency. Mount Mercy accepts a maximum of 86 semester hours from an Iowa community college for all transfers to the RN-BSN program.

Cross-Registration at Coe College

Mount Mercy University has a cross-registration agreement with Coe College that permits Mount Mercy students to enroll in no more than one course per fall or spring semester at Coe College. There is no cross-registration agreement during the winter or summer terms. The cross-registration agreement enables students to take courses not offered at Mount Mercy, and is dependent on course and space availability at Coe College. Mount Mercy students must be full-time; in good standing academically, financially, and behaviorally; and must have fulfilled any prerequisite or other requirements for a course at Coe College. The student will pay tuition and apply for financial aid at Mount Mercy.

Washington Semester Program at American University Articulation

The Washington Semester Program is a distinguished and long-standing off-campus study opportunity now available to Mount Mercy students in any major. Through the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, D.C., students can complete an 8-credit hour seminar combined with a 4-credit internship. In addition, students may complete a 4-credit research paper or a 3-credit elective course. In total, students may transfer up to 18 semester hours to Mount Mercy from the Washington Semester Program. Transferred courses may be applied towards a major, a minor, or core curriculum requirements with the approval of the student’s advisor and the Provost’s Office by petition. Students who wish to participate in the program must be enrolled full-time, have completed a minimum of 60 credits, have completed at least one semester at Mount Mercy, possess a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA, be in good academic and financial standing, and gain preapproval to apply for the program from the Washington Semester Coordinator on campus.  

University of Iowa College of Law Articulation

Mount Mercy University partners with the University of Iowa College of Law to allow qualified undergraduates to apply as juniors to Iowa Law's Juris Doctor Program. Successful applicants who fulfill Mount Mercy requirements and complete one year of Iowa Law's JD Program will receive the bachelor's degree from Mount Mercy University under this '3+3' agreement. Students should contact the Pre-Law advisor and their faculty advisor for more information.

College Level Examination Program

Credit may be earned by demonstrating academic achievement as measured by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Course credit may be earned in each of the subject examinations by scoring at or above a specific score level; course credit varies in the general examinations. Information explaining the procedures and passing test scores can be obtained by contacting the Registrar’s Office.

Any Mount Mercy student or prospective student is eligible to earn up to a maximum of 60 semester hours through CLEP exams*. In those cases where CLEP scores are 10 years old or older, students must petition the Provost's Office. CLEP scores over 10 years old will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

*CLEP credits do not count against the 63 hour maximum transferable from a 2-year college.

Advanced Placement

Entering freshmen who have successfully completed college-level courses in high school and who earn a rating of three, four or five on the Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board will be given credit for an equivalent college-level course. Students seeking admission to Mount Mercy may be considered for advanced placement by having a report of their examination sent to the Registrar’s Office. Persons wishing information about test centers, test dates, etc., should visit: apcentral.collegeboard.com.

International Baccalaureate

Mount Mercy University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and awards college credit for the successful completion of the IB Diploma. Students who have completed the diploma, as evidenced by an official IB transcript, will receive 30 semester hours of credit toward graduation. Course equivalency will be granted in consultation with the faculty of the appropriate academic department.

Students who have not completed the diploma, but have scored a 4, 5, 6, or 7 on the higher level examination, will receive 3 – 6 semester hours per exam. Credit for individual exams will be granted on a course-by-course basis in consultation with the faculty of the appropriate academic department. Scores must be sent directly to Mount Mercy from International Baccalaureate.

IB credits do not count against the 63 hour maximum transferable from a 2-year college.

General Certificate Advanced Level Exams

Mount Mercy University awards credit for successful competition of Cambridge AS and A Level exams. Students who have completed an exam, as evidenced by an official Cambridge International Examinations transcript, will receive 8 semester hours of credit toward graduation for an A level exam with a D* grade or higher. Students will receive 4 semester hours of credit toward graduation for an AS level exam with a grade of D or higher. Course equivalency will be granted in consultation with the faculty of the appropriate academic department.

Students cannot earn more than 32 total credits from AS and A Level exams. AS and A Level exam credits do not count against the 63 hour maximum transferable from a 2-year college.