University of Saint Mary

The University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas started in 1858 when a group of nuns arrived to provide nursing and education to the local citizens. By 1870, the small boarding school for girls was serving hundreds of citizens from neighboring states. It was renamed St. Mary's Academy and then Saint Mary's College. Today, it is a highly-respected university with two local campuses and a successful online program. The Overland Park campus is nearby the original historic campus and offers accelerated evening undergraduate degrees. Overall, the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas offers over 30 undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations. This includes five distance education programs, a doctorate in physical therapy and master's degrees in nursing, education, business and psychology.

The University of Saint Mary has a strong spiritual foundation that is visible through their mission to educate students of diverse backgrounds, help them realize their true potential and prepare them for value-driven careers that contribute to society. The University of Saint Mary is grounded in the educational mission of the original Sisters of Charity denomination of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary believes in the capacity of each student to grow, learn, develop relationships and better the world. The university promotes the values of respect, justice, community and excellence. The University of Saint Mary a liberal arts institution that promotes a broad and general education in order to develop creativity, sound judgment, deep understanding. All of the academic programs at the University of Saint Mary focus on developing a critical intelligence that draws on information from both the humanities and sciences.

University of Saint Mary Accreditation Details

• The University of Saint Mary is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS).
• The business programs are accredited through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

University of Saint Mary Application Requirements

For students interested in pursuing a degree at the University of Saint Mary, they will need to show proof that they have graduated from an accredited high school, GED or home schooling program. They must have completed at least 16 high school units with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants will also need an ACT composite score of 18 or an SAT score of 860. Students who fail to meet this criterion may seek an interview through the VP of Admissions. When it comes to making admissions decisions for first- and part-time students, relevant factors include schools attended, academic programs, class rank, community service, letters of recommendations and GPA and standardized test scores. All incoming students are expected to have studied at least four years of English, two to four years of electives and two to four years of mathematics, such as algebra, geometry and pre-calculus. They should also have two to four years of science, such as biology, chemistry and physics, as well as two to four years of social science classes, such as history and psychology.

University of Saint Mary Tuition and Financial Aid

Students who want to attend graduate school, such as the Masters of Business Administration program, will pay $595 per credit hour. The University of Saint Mary strives to offer educational opportunities to all qualified students regardless of personal financial circumstances. Almost 98 percent of students receive some type of financial assistance. The university encourages all students to apply regardless of financial limitations. Financial aid is based on the assessment of a student's financial situation through the processing of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. The aid most students receive may be a combination of loans, work, grants and scholarships. Financial aid is awarded only after a student has been admitted to the university. The university maintains rolling admissions and financial aid policies, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The university awards certain academic scholarships to students who demonstrate a high level of potential, performance and accomplishment. Most scholarships are based on high school and college records as well as ACT or SAT scores. Some scholarships are based on the demonstration of leadership and community service. There are exclusive awards for students of art, music, and theater, but they must audition or submit a portfolio of work. There are athletic awards available to students who have documented athletic abilities and who meet established NAIA criteria. Comprehensive grants are available for full-time undergraduate students, who can be awarded up to $3,000. Kansas State Scholarships are available for high school graduates of Kansas schools who rank high in their classes and receive excellent ACT or SAT scores. The university supports the Perkins Loan program that offers loans with no interest until graduation. They also offer two kinds of federal Stafford loans, such as needs-based subsidized loans and non-need-based unsubsidized loans.

Online Degree(s) Available

The University of Saint Mary offers a variety of graduate business degrees online. They offer concentrations in finance, marketing, accounting, leadership, enterprise risk, health care and human resources management. The master's in human resources degree seeks to instill in students an understanding of the complex ways in which employment forces affect the organization as a whole. Students are prepared to become HR managers in business, government and non-profit organizations. They are encouraged to integrate comprehensive ethics and corporate social responsibility into all business and management activities. Students will develop, communication, leadership and critical thinking skills. Graduates of the master's in human resources program will have the ability to analyze organizational weaknesses, identify actions needed to sustain competitive advantages and maintain compliance in legal and regulatory environments. Students will take classes in strategic staffing, compensation, performance management and employee relations. They will study motivation, interpersonal dynamics, conflict resolution and leadership group dynamics.

As an academic community, the University of Saint Mary provides a safe and positive learning environment both inside and outside the classroom. Students are encouraged to improve the environment by getting involved in campus activities and organizations. The University of Saint Mary is a proud member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, so most of the varsity teams compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Students can choose from football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, cross-country, lacrosse, dance and track and field groups.

Related Resource: Most Affordable Top Online Master's in Human Resources Degree Programs 2020

The University of Saint Mary is located in Leavenworth, which has many city parks and a variety of cultural, shopping and recreational options. This includes the nearby Kansas City, which offers some of the state's best dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities.