The college began offering master’s degrees in 1986 and changed its name to University of Mary. Nine years later, the university started offering programs online, and today the University of Mary serves over 3,000 students in Bismarck; communities throughout North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri and Arizona; and across the globe.
The University of Mary is Christian, Catholic and Benedictine. Open and welcoming to those of all faiths, everything from advising to curriculum is rooted in the Benedictine values of community, hospitality, service, moderation, respect for persons, and prayer. These values are also embodied in the concept of “servant-leadership.”
“It’s not only our Benedictine values that set us apart from other universities, it’s how we live out those values,” explains Brenda Kaspari, vice president for enrollment services at U-Mary. “As ‘America’s Leadership University,’ we know that each student has the potential to be a leader and we encourage our students to use that leadership in a way that serves others.”
Accelerated Programs for Adult Students’ Needs
Since its beginning, U-Mary has made serving adults a priority. With that experience comes a keen understanding of the unique needs of adult learners in terms of time commitment, class structure and approach. Classes are typically five to seven weeks in length, allowing students to earn a degree in as few as 15 months. Programs are structured in a “cohort” format, in which students learn from each other and earn their degree with a group of adult student peers. Ethical servant leadership is at the core of every degree program.
With their flexibility and attention to individual needs and goals, U-Mary’s online degrees are well suited to military and civilian careers.
Four bachelor’s programs are available:
- Accounting
- Business with concentrations in human resources, management and marketing
- Information Technology Management
- Nursing
Master’s programs include:
- MBA with concentrations in accountancy, executive, health care, human resource management and management
- Nursing with concentrations in nurse administrator and nurse educator
- Project Management
- Strategic Leadership
Graduate Scholarships and the Yellow Ribbon Program Participant
U-Mary offers graduate studies scholarships to military personnel eligible for tuition assistance through their branch of service. And, since the Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program took effect, U-Mary has provided an increased undergraduate and graduate tuition benefit to military veterans and service members that meet Veterans Administration qualifications. Through the program, U-Mary offers unlimited enrollment in both its undergraduate and graduate programs in order to serve all veterans who want to receive an education based on Christian, Catholic and Benedictine values.
“For many years, the University of Mary has offered graduate study scholarships to active duty military and National Guard students, but through the Yellow Ribbon Program a U-Mary education is affordable to even more military students,” notes Kaspari.
A Military Friendly School
All of these things combine to make the University of Mary a “military friendly” school, with recognition including ranking among the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Military Advanced Education Top Military Friendly Colleges and Universities; the 2008 North Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond Award; and G.I. Jobs Military Friendly School status for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
For more information about the University of Mary’s military friendly programs, call 800-408-6279, ext. 8128, e-mail cade@umary.edu, or visit www.umary.edu/cade.
Wendy Schweitzer is the director of marketing at the University of Mary, her alma mater. Schweitzer has been in marketing and public relations for approximately 15 years.