Maryville University is a private, coeducational university located in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. The school’s name is derived from the shortening and altering of “Mary’s Villa.” The school’s athletic teams were nicknamed “the Saints” after Madeleine Sophie Barat and Rose Philippine Duchesne – two women who played an active role in the creation of the school, and who were canonized as saints.
History
“We have spent nearly 150 years bravely innovating and pushing boundaries to challenge the status quo, fix a faulty educational system, and increase accessibility to higher education. Our next step is to support the brave students like you as they pursue an education today to achieve their dreams tomorrow.”
Maryville University was originally called Maryville Academy of the Sacred Heart. Founded in 1872 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, it served underprivileged young women. The school became a junior college in 1921, then a four-year college in 1923, when it was renamed Maryville College of the Sacred Heart.
The dedication of a new campus in 1961 marked the beginning of Maryville’s move toward being a community-oriented liberal arts institution. In 1968, the college began admitting men. In Maryville’s Centennial year of 1972, the college disaffiliated itself from any formal connection with the Roman Catholic Church, although five of the trustees are always associated with the Society of the Sacred Heart.
In 1981, Maryville launched Weekend College, making it possible for working adults in the Saint Louis area to complete entire degree programs entirely on weekends. In June 1991, Maryville made the transition to university status. Maryville has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1941.
Academics
“Everyone learns differently. That’s why we provide you with support from a student advisor every step of the way. Consider us a partner on your academic journey. Together, we’ll learn your strengths and develop a plan that fits your needs. Your future is a personalized path. Your education should be, too.”
At Maryville you can expect a rigorous, technology-driven, mentor-inspired education in a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Maryville’s comprehensive and innovative education is focused on student learning, outcomes and success. Students will enjoy a streamlined graduation process through one-on-one faculty advising, individualized academic advising and career exploration. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, and 90% of faculty hold Ph.D. or other terminal degrees in their field.
There are six colleges and schools at Maryville University: the College of Arts and Sciences; the School of Education; the Walker College of Health Professions; the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing; the John E. Simon School of Business; and the School of Adult and Online Education.
Overall, Maryville University offers more than 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. For example, the Walker College of Health Professions alone provides a wide range of programs in the health professions including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, rehabilitation counseling, speech language pathology, healthcare practice management and communication science and disorders. (Maryville is one of only three universities in Missouri to offer a degree in music therapy.) Click here to view the complete list of academic programs.
Maryville Online
“The future belongs to the brave — that means you. At Maryville Online, we recognize the courage it takes to pursue an online degree, and so we measure our success by yours.”
Searching for the right Online Degree or Online College program? Maryville is the right online university for you. The university has a sizable online presence as it offers 38 online degrees ranging from bachelor’s to doctor’s degrees. The school now has more online students than on-campus students! Browse the online degree programs here.
Student Life
“WE POWER DREAMS, NOT JUST DEGREES.”
Maryville has a total enrollment of over 9,000 students from 50 states and 55 countries.
- Traditional Undergraduates: 2,687
- Adult Undergraduates (Campus and Online): 991
- Graduate Students: 5,140
- Campus: 940
- Online: 4,200
For residential students, Maryville University has a lot to offer to help you get involved and maximize your campus experience. The college has over 100 student organizations representing general interests, spiritual beliefs, academic interests, cultural groups, social awareness projects, club sports, and honor societies.
The Maryville Saints participate in NCAA Division II athletics and compete in the prestigious Great Lakes Valley Conference. Men’s teams include: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, wrestling. Women’s teams include: basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball.
Maryville’s 130-acre campus has rolling hills, wooded areas, creeks, two lakes, and miles of walking trails. In addition to the main campus, Maryville University also operates centers in Lake Saint Louis and Sunset Hills, Missouri and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. These centers offer facilities and services for students enrolled in Maryville’s Weekend and Evening College.
Maryville University is a Test-Optional Institution
In support of Maryville’s strategic plan as it relates to a holistic admissions philosophy, each applicant will be reviewed based upon their academic record, extracurricular activities, recommendations and essay for evidence of potential for success in college.
Maryville University does not require the submission of standardized test scores for students applying for freshmen or transfer admission, except in the following select circumstances:
- International students, prospective student athletes, and students applying from secondary schools/organizations that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale.
Students who feel their SAT or ACT scores are an accurate reflection of their academic abilities are welcome to submit them for admission, scholarship consideration, and/or course placement; however, students who do not submit test scores will not be viewed negatively.
Homeschool Students
Students completing their education through a homeschool program need to meet the same published admissions criteria required for all new incoming freshmen. If the student does not meet these requirements, additional documentation may be requested.
To be considered for admission, applicants should have:
- A high school diploma with a minimum of 22 units of credit including four units of English, three units of mathematics, two units of science, two units of social sciences (social studies) and three additional units in any of the above areas or in a foreign language.
- A high school grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Freshman applicants who do not meet the criteria listed above, and GED/HiSet applicants may be asked to submit additional material, come to Maryville for a personal interview, and/or complete additional testing before an admission decision is made.
Required High School Coursework for full admission consideration:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of History of Social Science
- 3 years of Math, including coursework in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
- 3 years of Natural Science, including coursework in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Recommended High School Coursework for enhanced readiness for university-level coursework
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of History of Social Science
- 4 years of Math, including coursework in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or AP Calculus, or any other math coursework of comparable rigor and content
- 4 years of Natural Science, including coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics II, or any other science coursework of comparable rigor and content.