Program Updates

The decision to transition the MS in Accounting curriculum into the MBA program reflects our commitment to strengthening the value and relevance of our graduate business offerings. As the accounting profession continues to evolve, employers increasingly seek professionals who not only possess strong technical accounting knowledge but also understand the broader strategic, analytical, and leadership dimensions of business. Embedding accounting coursework within the MBA allows us to deliver a more comprehensive and future‑focused educational experience—one that prepares graduates to excel in a wider range of roles, from public accounting to corporate finance to organizational leadership.
 

Recommended Alternative Pathway: Business Administration MBA 

Information Session: 2/19- 4pm, 2/26- 11am

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Denise M Stefano
dstefano@mercy.edu

The MPA Health Services Management retains the core academic content of the MS in Health Services Management while strengthening and extending it. Both programs include equivalent coursework in key areas such as health care systems and delivery, strategic planning, health care finance, ethics, legal issues in health care management, crisis management, organizational performance, human resources management, data analysis, and a capstone project. Several courses are identical or directly aligned across the two programs, including Management Information Systems, Strategic Planning, Legal Environment of Health Care Management, Health Care Finance, Ethics for Health Care Managers, Crisis Management, Measuring Organizational Performance, Action Research and Data Analysis, and the Capstone Project.
While the MPA requires additional credits, these build on the same healthcare management foundation rather than replacing it, enhancing preparation in applied leadership, administration, and policy. As a result, students experience no loss of core content or academic continuity and instead benefit from a stronger credential with broader professional recognition and career mobility.

Info session: 2/19- 5pm

Recommended Alternative Pathway: MPA in Health Services Management

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Elizabeth Pete

• epete@mercy.edu
• (914) 674-7605

The decision to transition the MS Human Resource Management curriculum into the MBA program reflects our commitment to providing students with the strongest possible academic and professional foundation. By embedding human resources and management coursework within the MBA, we are giving students access to a more versatile and widely recognized degree—one that opens doors across industries and prepares graduates for leadership roles with broader strategic impact.

Recommended Alternative Pathway: Business Administration MBA 

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Rebekah Hanousek-Monge
rhanousekmonge@mercy.edu

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

The decision to transition the MS Organizational Leadership curriculum into the MBA program reflects our commitment to providing students with the strongest possible academic and professional foundation. By embedding human resources and management coursework within the MBA, we are giving students access to a more versatile and widely recognized degree—one that opens doors across industries and prepares graduates for leadership roles with broader strategic impact.

Recommended Alternative Pathway: Business Administration MBA 

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Zachary Williams

zwilliams1@mercy.edu
 

The MS Psychology program provides a strong foundational and pre-clinical curriculum that aligns well with the early coursework and academic expectations of both the MS Mental Health Counseling and MS Marriage and Family Therapy programs. Core MS Psychology courses in contemporary theory, psychopathology, research methods, ethics, professional helping skills, and group experience prepare students with the theoretical knowledge, ethical grounding, and introductory applied skills required for success in counseling and systemic therapy training. These competencies directly support the transition into MHC coursework focused on individual and group counseling, diagnosis, and clinical practice, as well as into MFT coursework emphasizing family systems theory, relational assessment, and systemic intervention. While the MS Psychology program does not include the full sequence of counseling- or family therapy–specific clinical training or licensure hours, it establishes the academic foundation upon which both MHC and MFT programs are built. With individualized advising, students can be appropriately placed into either program based on their professional goals, prior coursework, and readiness for clinical training, ensuring continuity of academic progress and a programmatically sound transition.

Info session: 2/17- 4pm

Recommended Alternative Pathways:

• M.S. Mental Health Counseling
• M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy

For more information, please contact Dr. Sarah Hahn at 
shahn@mercy.edu.

Communication Arts is a great option for students who want to explore design, advertising, storytelling, and digital production without being limited to a single, narrowly defined path. The major is intentionally flexible, allowing students to take creative and production-focused courses while also building strong communication and professional skills. Students can tailor the major around their interests and career goals, whether those involve creative industries, media, or emerging technologies. Communication Arts also allows students to complete up to nine credits of internship experience within the major, giving them hands-on, real-world experience before graduation. For students who want creative freedom, practical experience, and flexibility as their goals evolve, Communication Arts offers a strong and adaptable pathway.

Info session: 2/17 12-1, 2/19 10:30-11:30

Recommended Alternative Pathway: B.S. Communication Arts 

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Michael Perrota

MPerrota@mercy.edu

The Communication Disorders (speech-language pathology) undergraduate major will be transitioning to an 18 credit minor. The minor will consist of the necessary prerequisite classes to be considered for admission into a graduate program. Most importantly, Mercy University will continue to offer a direct admission into the graduate program in speech-language pathology for all undergraduate minors who meet the required admission criteria (3.0 in all CD minor courses, 3.0 overall GPA, and no grade lower than C in CD courses.) The recommended majors to attach to the SLP minor include: Psychology, Behavioral Science, and Health Science.

Recommended Alternative Pathways:

• Minor in Communication Disorders
• M.S. Communication Disorders

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Ashley Marie O'Rourke

aorourke@mercy.edu

The BS Behavioral Sciences program aligns closely with the BS Sociology curriculum, beginning with substantial overlap in foundational coursework during the first year. Because these requirements are shared, students can transition between programs without loss of credits or disruption to academic progress early in the degree.
In addition, the BS Behavioral Sciences program already includes several courses that cover core sociological content. Required coursework such as SOCL 101, BHSC 348: Methodology for Social and Behavioral Sciences, and BHSC 426: Classics in Social and Behavioral Sciences directly aligns with key sociology requirements in theory, research methods, and disciplinary foundations. While course prefixes differ, learning outcomes for methods and statistics-related coursework are comparable across programs, resulting in no meaningful loss of academic rigor or preparation. Overall, this represents a lateral, academically sound transition that preserves sociological foundations while expanding applied opportunities.

Info session: 2/18-4pm

Recommended Alternative Pathways:

• B.S. Behavioral Science
• Minor in Sociology

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Chelsea Kuo

ckuo@mercy.edu

The Biology – Animal Sciences program will allow students to take all required prerequisite courses to apply to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program upon completion of a bachelor’s degree. Additional career paths include Biologist, Animal conservationist, Research Scientist, Animal Behaviorist, Wildlife Biologist and Preparation for graduate school. The Biology degree promotes flexibility to change concentrations within the Biology major and maintain the ability to graduate on-time. The available concentrations are General Biology, Biomedical Science, Animal Science and Biology Education.

Recommended Alternative Pathway: Biology: Animal Sciences

For more information, please contact the Program Director.

Lisa E Schenkel

lschenkel@mercy.edu

The program is currently running consistent cohorts of less than 5 students. I am in favor of the School of Nursing recommendation to create the DNP pathway. With most nurses now entering the workforce with a BSN, and working RNs increasingly choosing lower cost, flexible online competitors, Mercy’s program is no longer sustainable as a standalone offering. By streamlining the DNP pathway, Mercy can preserve its legacy of access while aligning with market demand, differentiating itself through graduate-level preparation, and positioning the School of Nursing as a forward-thinking leader in preparing nurses for advanced practice, leadership, and health equity impact.

• The decision was based on a comprehensive review of student outcomes, enrollment trends, and long-term sustainability.
• The goal is to strengthen Mercy’s academic offerings and focus on programs that lead to strong student outcomes and career opportunities.

• If your program is one that was determined to close, you do not need to transfer or change majors, unless you choose to.
• Faculty and PACT mentors will work closely with you to ensure you stay on track and will provide responses to any questions you may have about completing your degree.

• If you are already enrolled in one of the programs that are being closed, you will still be able to complete your degree on time.
• There will be no disruption to your academic progress or graduation timeline.

• Academic Program Directors and PACT mentors are available for any questions or concerns.
• Additional guidance will be provided as the University moves forward with these changes.

• Mercy University is investing in programs that align with student demand and provide strong learning and job outcomes to support students’ career success.
• These changes will help ensure the Mercy University remains competitive and focused on student success.