Online Accelerated

General Admission Requirements to Mount Mercy University Online Programs

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

  • Complete the application for admission.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended
  • High school transcript
  • Minimum 2.75 cumulative H.S. GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
  • (Optional) Composite score of at least 20 on the ACT (1030 SAT) with sub-scores of 17 or higher (scores not required for students age 24+)
  • Class rank in the top half of graduating class (if school provides rank)
  • 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:

  • Complete the application for admission.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Updated transcripts noting final grades need to be sent prior to actual enrollment if the student applies while currently enrolled at another institution
  • Official high school transcripts or equivalent (for applicants who have not earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university)
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative (on a 4.0 scale)*
  • Official Joint Services Transcripts, if applicable 


     

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

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.

Readmission

Students must apply for readmission if they withdraw (do not attend for one or more consecutive semesters), were academically dismissed or have graduated and wish to pursue a second major, second degree or add a minor. The application is available at www.mtmercy.edu. The readmission process includes verification of no remaining balances from previous attendance and clearance from various campus departments. If students complete coursework at other institutions during their time away, those official transcripts must be sent directly to Office of Admissions.

Non-Degree Seeking (special populations)

Students interested in taking just one or two courses at Mount Mercy are categorized as non-degree students. If the student is currently pursuing a degree at another institution, it is recommended that permission be obtained from the home institution before enrolling at Mount Mercy. Students must first complete the application form available at 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 Office of Admissions to verify successful completion of that prerequisite. Any non-degree student that wishes to continue at Mount Mercy must complete the regular admission process.

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

Admission to the RN to BSN 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 in nursing while in nursing (NU) courses. (Requirement can be waived at the discretion of the program chair.) 
  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, including Dependent Adult and Child Abuse, completed by a third party company selected by the Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health. Any concerns will require a meeting with the RN-BSN Chair.
  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. Proof of current certification for Basic Life Support (BLS).
  8. Proof of health insurance coverage.
  9. Proof of nursing liability insurance coverage (beyond coverage provided by your employer).