Compliance & Accreditation

Mount Mercy University provides the following information in accordance with the disclosure requirements for institutions participating in federal financial aid programs under Title IV. The list contains links to the pages containing the actual information or policies or where to obtain the information if it is not available online.

Compliance & Student Consumer Information

Accreditation: See the bottom of this webpage

Academic Programs: Information concerning Mount Mercy’s academic programs is found in the University Catalog.  

Articulation Agreements

File Sharing and the Higher Education Opportunity Act: Mount Mercy is committed to combating copyright infringement and illegal file sharing and is obligated to comply with legislation outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act regarding unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials.

Copyright Policy

Enrollment Data

Faculty Data

Acceptable Use Policy: Mount Mercy encourages proper computer usage as a tool to further its teaching, scholarly research, and service goals. The following linked document outlines the basic expectations of how the student will interact with the campus computing systems.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Teacher Preparation: Mount Mercy University prepares teachers for initial state certification and provides an annual report to the State of Iowa.

Transfer Credit Policies

Veteran Information

This policy describes acceptable conduct, applicable legal sanctions for unlawful activities, health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs/alcohol and available counseling related to drug or alcohol abuse.

View policies

The annual Campus Safety report meets all compliance standards as established by the federal Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, which is known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The report reflects recent changes and additions to the reporting requirement as specified by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), amendments effective August 2008. This report is available to all current and prospective students and employees. Upon request, a paper copy can be provided by contacting:  Director of Public Safety, Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402.

2022 Clery Act Crime Data (PDF)

Fire Safety Report: The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), amendments effective August 2008, requires that certain information pertaining to the Fire Safety in Student Housing Buildings of current or perspective students and employees be reported on and readily available for viewing by any interested party. The Campus First Safety Annual Compliance Report is the public disclosure report detailing fire safety practices, standards, and all fire-related on-campus statistics. This report is available to all current and prospective students and employees. Upon request, a paper copy can be provided by contacting: Director of Public Safety, Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402.

2022 Fire Data (PDF)

Compliance with Iowa Sex Offender Registry Law

Emergency Procedures

Fire Emergency Plan

Missing Persons Policy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." Paper copies information regarding FERPA, may be obtained by writing the Registrar’s Office, Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 or by calling 319-363-8213, ext. 1584.

View FERPA webpage

Financial Aid Information

Aid Application Process

Code of Conduct for Educational Loans: This policy addresses the administration and enforcement of a code of conduct governing educational loan activities at Mount Mercy University.
View the extended version of the Financial Code of Conduct

Description of Available Aid

Disbursement of Your Aid Funds

Entrance and Exit Counseling Information

Financial Aid Handbook

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): Institutions entering into agreement with a potential student, student, or parent of a student regarding a Title IV, HEA loan are required to inform students and parents that the loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system

Net Price Calculator

Notice of Penalties for Drug Law Violations

Price of Attendance

Private Education Loan Disclosures

Refund Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress

State Grant Assistance

Student Loan Information: The Department of Education provides information regarding loan availability as well as rights and responsibilities of students and institutions under Title IV, HEA loan programs.

Program of Study Abroad: If a student is studying or planning to study abroad, he/she must visit with a staff member of the Student Financial Services Office early in the process to determine what aid can be applied to the student’s study abroad program and to complete the appropriate forms. Many federal grants and loans in the package may apply to the student’s study abroad program. Mount Mercy institutional funding and state aid may apply to the study abroad program. Whether portions of a student’s financial aid will transfer, depends upon the type of aid that has been awarded and the cost of the study abroad program. In general, enrollment in a study abroad program that is approved for credit by Mount Mercy may be considered “enrollment” for purposes of a student applying for federal financial aid.

Title IXGender-Based Misconduct Policy: This policy details Mount Mercy University 's policy and procedures regarding gender and sex-based discrimination, harassment, and abuse.

Title IX Coordinator: This page details information regarding compliance and Mount Mercy University's Title IX Coordinator.

Vaccination Policy

Retention

Student Right to Know

Completion/Graduation Rate: Each year Mount Mercy University provides information on graduation and completion rates for a specific cohort of students. This information is gathered annually in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act. Graduation and completion rates are calculated for full time, first-time undergraduate students who complete their program within 150% of the length of their program; students pursuing a traditional, four-year bachelor’s degree would be expected to graduate within a six-year time frame. The detailed information regarding graduation rates may be reviewed in the Registrar’s Office, 213 Warde Hall. For questions, appointments should be made with Chance McWorthy, Registrar. 

Graduation Rates for Students Receiving Athletically Related Student Aid

Records Retention Policy

Athletic Program Participation: The annual Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Report (EADA) includes information on participation rates, financial support, and other information on men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic programs. Upon request, a paper copy can be provided by contacting: Athletic Director’s Office, Hennessey 302, Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402.

College Navigator Website: The Department of Education is required to post 26 items on the College Navigator website for each institution, including a link to the institution’s website that provides “in an easily accessible manner” information on student activities offered by the institution; information on services offered by the institution for individuals with disabilities; information on career and placement services offered to students during and after enrollment; and policies of the institution related to transfer of credit from other Institutions.

Diversity of Student Body

Information for Prospective Students and Student Athletes

Services Provided to Students with Disabilities: Mount Mercy University complies with the federal mandates outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Mount Mercy accepts students who are able to engage in college level studies and who meet the admission criteria. Students with disabilities who wish to receive support services should contact the Disabilities Services Coordinator in the Academic Center for Excellence (319) 363-1323, ext.1204. Services may include assistance with note taking, alternative testing, or other accommodations deemed reasonable and necessary by qualified professionals. A student requesting services should provide documentation of a disability in order to receive any services.

Student Activities

Student Consumer Complaint Process: Mount Mercy University seeks to resolve all student complaints in a timely and effective manner.  Complaints should first be filed internally and then if an issue cannot be resolved can be filed externally through the Student Consumer Complaint Process.

Student Identity Policy: The purpose of the Student Identity Policy is to describe the process whereby Mount Mercy University verifies the identity of students in distance (online) education.  Mount Mercy University abides by the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 that requires the verification of student identity in distance learning.

Textbook Price Information: Current students may log into their Brightspace account and use the Campus Store link to access the Textbook system.

Voter Registration: Voter registration materials can be found in the Reference section of Busse Library or in the Student Services Suite located in the University Center. Use this link to access Iowa’s Absentee Ballot guidelines.

Employment and Graduate School Placement Rates: Mount Mercy University offers career development services to its students and graduates. Each year approximately nine months after graduation, data on graduates is collected included employment status, employer information, and graduate school placement. 

Student Achievement Data

Accreditation

Mount Mercy University is accredited by:

  • The Higher Learning Commission
    230 South LaSalle Street
    Suite 7-500
    Chicago, IL 60604-1411
    Phone: (800) 621-7440

  • COAMFTE
    The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
    277 Washington Street, Suite 210
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    Phone: (703) 838-9808

  • The Council on Social Work Education
    333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 400
    Alexandria, VA 22314

  • Iowa Board of Nursing
    400 S.W. 8th Street
    Suite B
    Des Moines, IA 50309

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Mount Mercy University Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

  • Mount Mercy University is approved by the Iowa Department of Education (Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA  50319-0146) to offer programs leading to teacher certification in both elementary and secondary education and endorsements in several areas including early childhood education, Strategist I K-6 and 7-12 and Strategist II K-12

 

Mount Mercy University is registered to operate in Iowa by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission and approved by the Commission to participate in the interstate distance education reciprocity program, SARA. Students who have questions or complaints about the University may contact the Commission at (877) 272-4456 or via the online student dispute resolution form.

State Authorization

Mount Mercy University is registered to operate in Iowa by the Iowa College Student Aid commission and approved by the commission to participate in the interstate distance education reciprocity program, NC-SARA. NC-SARA authorizes Mount Mercy to provide distance education programs to residents of all US states (except California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approves out-of-state private postsecondary institutions that operate without a physical presence in the state of California. Mount Mercy University can provide distance education programs to students in California. Students in California cannot participate in internship courses.

Nursing Program Authorization

Mount Mercy University works to ensure our programs do not violate the rules and regulations of other state Boards of Nursing. We do not offer these programs in every state. 

A list of boards of nursing contact information can be found here. Mount Mercy’s RN-BSN program is currently not available in:

Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands

Mount Mercy’s Master of Science in Nursing program is currently available in:

Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina

The MSN Nursing Informatics courses are offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (UMN). UMN is responsible for ensuring compliance with NC-SARA and state boards of nursing for the classes offered via distance education.

Graduate Education Programs

Mount Mercy’s Master of Arts in Education and Master of Science in Education programs do not lead to initial teaching licensure. Coursework offered aligns with Iowa Department of Education Requirements for endorsement. For this reason, we actively recruit only students who hold an Iowa teaching license.


Students who have questions or complaints about the university should refer to the Student Consumer Complaint Process.

Refund Policy

By making a charitable gift to the Mount Mercy University, the donor understands that charitable donations are not refundable.