University Admission

Mount Mercy University is a nationally recognized, private Catholic university founded in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. We seek qualified applicants who have prepared themselves academically for the rigors of a challenging liberal arts-based education and have demonstrated leadership in their school activities and community involvement. Mount Mercy does not consider race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or handicap unrelated to ability in admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.

Readmission

Students who withdraw or were academically dismissed from Mount Mercy and are interested in returning to the institution must apply for readmission. The Readmission application is available online at www.mtmercy.edu. The readmission process includes verification of no remaining balances from previous attendance and clearance from various campus departments (which could include, but are not limited to: academic programs, business office, residence life, and student affairs). If students complete coursework at other institutions during their time away, those official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions for review. All required documents for re-admission should be received by the Office of Admissions at least two weeks prior to the start of classes.

Non-Degree seeking (Special populations)

Students who are interested in taking one or two courses at Mount Mercy are categorized as non-degree students. This can include students that are involved with any of the following:

  • Mustang U (pre-designated coursework offered through specific Iowa private high schools)
  • PSEO (for High School students looking to take college coursework not offered at their high school)
  • PREP (for students looking to complete an endorsement)
  • Coe Exchange (current Coe students looking to take coursework)
  • Those taking courses for professional/personal development

If the student currently is pursuing a degree at another institution, it is recommended that permission be obtained from the home institution before enrolling at Mount Mercy. Students interested in any of these areas must complete the Non-Degree application available online at www.mtmercy.edu. If a prerequisite course is required for the course, an official transcript must be sent to the Office of Admissions to show successful completion of that prerequisite. All required admission documents for non-degree students should be received by the Office of Admissions at least two weeks prior to the start of classes.

Courses are not guaranteed and are open to full and part-time Mount Mercy students first. Any student that wishes to continue at Mount Mercy after completing two courses must complete the standard application process.

PSEO – Post Secondary Enrollment Opportunity for High School Students

Students currently enrolled as 11th or 12th graders in high school (and 9th or 10th graders who are deemed talented and gifted by the state of Iowa) are eligible to participate in the PSEO program if they meet the requirements below.  Homeschool students must also satisfy these requirements.  To be eligible, students must:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 on all high school coursework.
  • Be ranked in the top 25% of their class (when ranked).  
  • Have exhausted the high school curriculum and meet the necessary prerequisites for the desired course.
  • (Optional) Submit a national standardized test score on the ACT with a 20 composite or higher and/or SAT score of 1030 or higher (verbal and math) or PSAT score of 114 (verbal, math, and writing)

Students interested in taking coursework through PSEO will need to fill out the Non-Degree application available online at www.mtmercy.edu  Deadline to submit applications for PSEO are August 1st for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester. High school students are recommended to complete their application before summer break due to school counselor availability.

Courses are not guaranteed and are open to full and part-time Mount Mercy students first.

Academic Degree Programs

Students may not simultaneously be admitted to, or concurrently enrolled in, multiple academic degree programs. Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, non-degree, and graduate student designations, and related sub-categories, are mutually-exclusive.