FAQ

About Messiah College

Is Messiah College an accredited College?
Yes. Since 1963, Messiah College has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680. Telephone: 267-284-5000). Middle States is the highest accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for degree-granting colleges and universities located in Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several other locations internationally. Many of our graduate programs also hold individual program accreditation from accrediting agencies that are specific to their discipline.  Visit our Accreditation page for more details.

Messiah College is a Christian college, how does this shape the graduate student experience?
Although Messiah College does not require a personal profession of faith for graduate program admittance, it is important for graduate students to understand that all of our courses are taught by faculty who affirm the Christian faith. Students are expected to participate in meaningful and constructive dialog with instructors and classmates on matters of faith, and to respect the rights and opinions of others who may hold differing views.  

Academic Quality

How do I know I will get a quality education from Messiah College’s graduate program?
Quality is the driving force behind every academic program at Messiah College. Our graduate programs are designed to maximize the learning experience for our students. Our faculty members are active experts and practitioners in their fields, meaning that they possess both the academic qualifications and the practical experience to successfully translate textbook theory into practical, relevant skills for the 21st-century professional. Our online learning system is regularly upgraded with additional and improved learning tools and technologies. Both students and faculty submit regular evaluations and together with external assessments and best practices information we periodically revise all courses in our programs to ensure their currency and quality. Read more about Messiah College’s academic distinctives. 

Who teaches Messiah’s graduate programs?
All of our graduate programs are taught by Messiah’s own faculty who are Christian educators with proven teaching skills who are also practicing professionals, outstanding scholars, researchers, authors, and/or sought-after experts in their fields.

I have been away from the academic setting for a number of years.  Are there other adult learners in this program?
Our programs are intentionally designed to meet the specific educational needs of all of our students, including adult learners that may have stepped away from the academic environment for a number of years. Messiah College understands that many adults are interested in receiving a degree or certificate while continuing to keep their professional and personal commitments. Our faculty and student services professionals are committed to assisting adult learners in meeting their personal and professional goals and to delivering quality education without requiring students to relocate or drop their current commitments. Our programs combine theory with practical experience and many of our students across North America and around the world are benefiting from our approach to education.

Will my Messiah College transcript indicate that I earned my degree online?
No. Since the course objectives, major learning activities and assignments, and assessment criteria are the same for online and intensive onsite courses, no distinction is reflected on your transcript. You will earn the same degree online as you would in a classroom.

Costs/Financial Aid

What is the cost of the program?
Tuition and fees vary according to the degree program you plan to pursue. For further information, please refer to the tuition and fees page.

Is financial aid available for graduate students at Messiah?
Degree-seeking graduate students are eligible for financial aid and are encouraged to review our webpage and to contact our financial aid office with specific questions. The Messiah College Title IV Code is 003298. 

Application/Enrollment Process

How far in advance of the enrollment deadline should I submit my application?
It is best to submit your application as early as possible to allow time for required admissions documentation to arrive at Messiah College.  Please follow our preferred application dates when possible.  You may apply after the preferred application deadline, but you may have to wait to start coursework at the next entry point.

How long will it take to process my application?
Once all admission requirements are received, it takes approximately five business days to process your application.

May I transfer course credits into Messiah’s graduate program?
Yes, Messiah College does accept transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. Each program has specific policies. For more details visit our Transfer Credit page. 

I am not a U.S. citizen; can I pursue graduate studies at Messiah College?
Messiah College graduate programs will consider applications submitted by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Permanent residents will be required to submit a copy of their passport and green card as a part of their application. Due to the hybrid nature of our graduate programs, Messiah College does not currently enroll students on F-1 visas.  Students already in the U.S. on another type of visa or on a spouse-dependent visa where study is permitted will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

My GPA is less than 3.0; can I still apply?
Yes, if all your other admission requirements are strong and we believe you can succeed in the rigorous program, we may conditionally accept you.  If you are conditionally approved, in your first nine credits of the graduate program, you must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue in the program.

How will I be notified of my acceptance into the program?
You will be notified of your acceptance via email by your graduate program director.

I am a potential/prospective graduate student with various types of questions. Whom should I contact?
Please contact Gradprograms@Messiah.edu with your questions.

Program Completion

How long may I take to complete the program?
This varies by program and is often tailored to meet the needs of the student. Students who carry an academic load of six or more credit hours per semester are considered full-time. Several of our graduate degrees can be completed in as little as two years. Most students who are balancing work and family responsibilities typically take three to four years to complete their degrees.  The maximum time allowed is six years.

Online Experience

Can I really learn online?
Our online courses prepare you for educational and career advancement in a complex, competitive 21st century. Our courses are designed and delivered by Messiah College faculty who are experts in their respective fields. Student participation and engagement in the learning process is one of the greatest benefits of the Messiah College graduate programs. Students engage in online discussions with their peers and are encouraged to apply theory to practice. Many of our students find online learning to be a great match for their learning style and busy personal and work schedules. All of our courses are rigorous and meet the standards of excellence that have resulted in Messiah College being recognized as one of the best colleges in the northern United States by the U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review.  Visit our demo of an online classroom.

What kinds of learning activities will I be doing online?
Messiah's online courses are conducted as a personal, interactive learning community. While specifics vary, interaction among students and faculty is foundational to all courses. Messiah College utilizes an online learning management system (LMS) called Sakai to organize the courses. A wide variety of learning activities are used in order to give students numerous ways and opportunities to demonstrate their learning. The types of activities vary from program to program and may include research papers, group projects, video presentations, case studies, interactive web-based activities, simulations, and similar learning activities that are particularly well-suited to the online environment and adult learners.

How many hours per week can I expect to spend on my online course?
Every student and course is different, but generally you should expect to spend 10-15 hours per week on each online course.

Can I access my online courses when I’m traveling?
Yes. As long as you have internet access your online courses are available from anywhere in the world.

Do I have to purchase a computer?
All students will need to have reliable access to a sufficient computer to complete their course work. For more information visit our Tech Requirements page.

On-Campus Courses

Do graduate students have to attend any classes at Messiah’s main campus?
While the majority of the courses are completed online, each program has two or more one-week intensive courses that take place on campus.

What will the intensive one-week courses be like?
Intensive classes are held on Messiah’s Grantham, Pa. campus. The majority of these one-week courses are held during the summer months and meet up to eight hours daily with a mixture of lecture, discussion, group work, videos and applied exercises. In addition, students will need to work alone and/or in groups in the evenings to prepare for class the next day. Students are often required to complete reading and assignments before and/or after the one-week intensive class.

Is housing available for students during the intensive one-week summer classes?
Yes, we have both housing and meals available for our summer intensive courses. For more information please visit our Housing and Meals page.

Textbooks

Where do I purchase my text books?
Messiah College has partnered with Specialty Books. For more information please visit our Textbooks page.

Withdrawal/re-enrollment

What if I have to withdraw from a course or my entire program because of some unforeseen circumstance?
We recommend that students remain continuously enrolled. However, we know that at times students have to stop out of course work. Most of our programs have new classes starting every eight weeks. This means that students can readily pick back up where they left off if they must skip a course to deal with an unexpected situation. If you need to withdraw from a course or you want to apply for a leave of absence, please contact the Registrar’s Office. You will also need to contact your academic advisor so that your course plan can be adapted.

Whom do I contact to resume my program or re-enter a course from which I withdrew?
To re-enroll in a program contact us at Gradprograms@messiah.edu.  If it has been more than two academic semesters since you last enrolled in a course, and you have not applied for a leave of absence, you must complete a brief Re-enrollment Application. If you have been away from courses for more than two years, the full graduate application must be completed.