St. Ambrose University in Davenport and Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are poised to expand academic offerings, athletic programs and innovative opportunities for students of both universities through the signing of a strategic agreement that was announced on Aug. 1.
Over the past two years, St. Ambrose University has inked a number of agreements with other educational institutions in the Midwest and beyond – including Mount Mercy University – aimed at expanding access to higher education.
Here’s a look and timeline of some of the previous collaborations between St. Ambrose and other partners:
- June 28, 2023 – St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sign a pact to expand access for students pursuing advanced nursing degrees. The partnership grants eligible students pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree at SAU preferential admittance when applying for the master of science in nursing degree at Mount Mercy with a total of 10 cohort spots reserved for SAU graduates each year. Students may also participate in up to three courses towards the MSN degree at Mount Mercy during their final semester at SAU. Both traditional and online students may qualify.
- June 13, 2023 – St. Ambrose University and Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences (TCON) announce a new dual-degree program. Under the program, qualified students have a pathway to meet SAU degree requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a major in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) at Trinity College. In addition, St. Ambrose students in the dual-degree program can apply to the MLS program at Trinity College. Students who complete the required 40 hours of clinical practicum qualify to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a major in MLS at TCON and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at SAU. Importantly, the agreement creates the opportunity for students to qualify for the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences certification exam.
- April 25, 2023 – St. Ambrose and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, announce an expanded partnership after they recently signed five new articulation agreements that will result in students earning undergraduate degrees at one college/university and a master’s or doctorate degree at the other. The first agreement offers Loras students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree in six years – one year less than typical, through a 3+3 dual degree program. The top five qualified Loras students are guaranteed an interview for admission to the SAU Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
- March 29, 2023 – St. Ambrose and Loras College announce a collaboration to offer Loras undergraduate students the option to pursue graduate study in physical therapy while completing their bachelor’s degree at Loras. The option would allow students to complete their undergraduate degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in five and a half years through a 3+2.5-year articulation agreement. In addition, the top five Loras students are guaranteed an interview with St. Ambroses’ Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program.
- Jan. 18, 2023 – St. Ambrose announces plans for a new option for nursing students with the Davenport university’s plans this fall to open the Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing. The new program, a division of SAU College of Health and Human Services, is designed to extend the reach of online nursing education across the country by offering flexible, remote learning opportunities for working healthcare professionals.
- Jan. 11, 2023 – St. Ambrose and Presentation College sign a memorandum of understanding, entering a partnership to enhance and extend online nursing education across the U.S. The flexible online LPN-BSN and RN-BSN programs are designed to reach rural healthcare professionals who wish to advance their careers without leaving the workforce.
- Dec. 21, 2022 – St. Ambrose University and Augustana College, Rock Island, announced they signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 18. to allow Augustana students to meet degree requirements established by St. Ambrose for its Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (MSEP) program. The agreement provides many admissions advantages and options for students to transfer up to eight credits from their undergraduate coursework to satisfy specific course requirements for the MSEP. Augustana students who have a 3.25 GPA and meet all additional requirements are given automatic acceptance into the MSEP program.
