Mercer University

Mercer University is one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning, offering rigorous programs that span the undergraduate liberal arts to doctoral-level degrees. Founded by early 19th century Baptists, Mercer — while no longer formally denominationally affiliated — remains committed to an educational environment that embraces the historic Baptist principles of intellectual and religious freedom.

With more than 8,600 students enrolled in 12 schools and colleges on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah; three medical school sites in Macon, Savannah and Columbus; and at three Regional Academic Centers around the state, Mercer is ranked among the top tier of national research universities by U.S. News & World Report. Our more than 80,000 alumni are making important contributions to their professions and communities throughout Georgia, the Southeast and the world.

While offering a breadth of programs found at much larger universities, Mercer maintains an intimate, student-focused culture more characteristic of smaller liberal arts colleges. Mercer’s uniqueness is found in the way the University integrates five defining components of its mission:

The foundation of a Mercer education since 1833 has been liberal learning. By studying the best that has been created and discovered in the sciences, the arts, and the humanities, liberally educated women and men learn to think for themselves and to seek excellence. Liberal learning at Mercer engages undergraduate students in research and scholarship, emphasizes leadership and service locally and internationally, offers students cutting-edge interdisciplinary programs of study, and provides intensive preparation for the professions. Liberal learning at Mercer is hands-on education for future leadership in the professions, in business, in public service, and in our communities.

Mercer University's mission is to teach, to learn, to create, to discover, to inspire, to empower and to serve.

In fulfilling this mission, the University supports undergraduate, graduate, and professional learning as well as basic research and its application in service to others. As a university committed to excellence and innovation, Mercer challenges members of its community to meet and exceed high standards in their teaching, learning, research, scholarship and service.

Founded by Baptists in 1833, Mercer is an independent university that remains grounded in a tradition that embraces freedom of the mind and spirit, cherishes the equal worth of every individual, and commits to serving the needs of humankind.As a reflection of this heritage:

• We encourage our students to discover and develop fully their unique combination of gifts and talents to become leaders who make a positive difference in the world.
• We seek to inspire members of our community to live virtuous and meaningful lives by using their gifts and talents to serve the needs of humankind as an expression of their love for God and neighbor.
• We seek to enrich the mind and spirit by promoting and facilitating an open and rigorous search for truth and understanding, including an examination of the moral, religious and ethical questions of this and every age.
• We affirm and respect the dignity and sacred worth of every person and celebrate both our commonalities and our differences.

Piedmont Healthcare and Mercer University have formed a partnership to create a number of joint initiatives including nursing, pharmacy, research and other medical and allied health education programs as part of a Center for Health and Learning.

Mercer has established a more vigorous research presence and has deepened program offerings in nursing and pharmacy. Mercer has also broadened its medical residency program and its non-clinical education programs such as chaplaincy, health management and health law.

Student life on Mercer's campuses offers opportunities for students to get involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. With over 125 student organizations to choose from, there are many ways to get involved at Mercer. At Mercer, you are sure to find the major and program that will best help you to pursue a degree that is tailored to your academic and professional goals. The 130 fields of study available in Mercer’s 12 degree-granting schools and colleges run the gamut from acclaimed science and engineering programs to individualized business programs to innovative liberal arts programs.

Traditional undergraduate students may select from more than 60 majors offered among five schools and colleges: liberal arts, business, engineering, education, and music. Service-learning, leadership development and community involvement are three common threads that join all of Mercer's academic programs, creating a distinct educational environment that also provides a vibrant campus experience.

Mercer offers undergraduate programs tailored for the adult learner. Academic programs include business, education, human services, informatics, public safety and more. With flexible delivery options and a diverse offering of programs located at our campuses and regional academic centers in Macon, Atlanta, Douglas County and Henry County, students are able to earn a respected degree while continuing to work.

More than 1,700 students are pursuing advanced degrees at Mercer University in a broad range of disciplines, from business to engineering, from law to medicine, and from pharmaceutical sciences to educational leadership, just to name a few. Students applying to a graduate program will apply directly to the college's admissions committee.