(DES MOINES, IA) May 6, 2020 — Mercy College of Health Sciences announced the launch of Mercy College PLUS, an online extension of the College’s existing healthcare degree options. MercyPLUS continues Mercy College’s legacy of transforming students into healthcare professionals by expanding the College’s affordable online healthcare degrees.
“MercyPLUS is every piece of Mercy College,” stated Mercy College of Health Sciences President. “It’s our mission. It’s our values. It’s our history. It’s our legacy. We want to make sure we develop well-rounded graduates who will be successful healthcare practitioners, just as we have been doing for more than 120 years.”
MercyPLUS will offer four degree programs designed in collaboration with healthcare industry experts. These initial offerings include a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program (RN to BSN), a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, and both a certificate and Associate of Science in Medical Assisting.
In an effort to make healthcare education more accessible and affordable to students of all backgrounds, MercyPLUS has developed the PLUS Tuition model, a no-surprise approach to tuition set at just $2,500 per quarter, for up to 12 credits, with no hidden fees or online learning expenses. Many of the programs offered are designed to be completed in just one year for $10,000 or less.
“Accelerated and affordable online healthcare education is more critical than ever,” stated Mercy College of Health Sciences Executive Vice President and Chancellor of Operations for Mercy College PLUS Matt Romkey. “MercyPLUS enables Mercy College to deliver innovative online education in a way that meets the needs of students with families, jobs, and other commitments. We look forward to growing MercyPLUS into the largest, most inclusive provider of online health sciences education in the United States.”
Additionally, MercyPLUS offers four start dates per year and generous transfer credit acceptance, allowing students to utilize their previous educational and professional experiences to advance their healthcare careers on a schedule and budget that works for them. An innovative staffing structure pairs new MercyPLUS students with an enrollment coach to uncomplicate the student experience. Enrollment coaches are intended to support students individually throughout their entire time at MercyPLUS, working to remove any unnecessary barriers that may stand between individuals and their desired healthcare careers. At MercyPLUS, students are encouraged to focus on their studies. The enrollment coach makes sure they have every opportunity to do so successfully.
“The idea is to create one point of contact for all things non-classroom related. We want to ensure students persist through graduation,” Romkey said.
The President of Mercy College added, “Our experienced faculty give students an exceptional level of personalized instruction that keeps them engaged in their coursework. An enrollment coach helps provide students with an additional layer of support.”
MercyPLUS is examining a wide portfolio of heath science related educational opportunities that can be delivered online.
“Our goal is that, as people start and progress in their healthcare careers, they continue to come back to us so we can help them re-skill or upskill,” Romkey stated. “We will provide them the healthcare training, education, credentials, or degrees they need to continue to advance personally and professionally.?”
MercyPLUS offers four start dates per year: fall, winter, spring, and summer and is enrolling now for the summer quarter beginning June 22.
About Mercy College PLUS
Since 1899, Mercy College of Health Sciences has been empowering students with the training, knowledge, and education to become successful healthcare professionals. Mercy College PLUS continues this legacy by expanding online education designed in collaboration with industry experts. With multiple starts per year, affordable tuition, and a generous transfer credit acceptance, students can advance their healthcare careers in a manner and time that is convenient for them.
About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Located in downtown Des Moines, Mercy College prepares graduates for service and leadership in the healthcare community with a wide range of bachelor’s, associate, and certificate degrees. Visit www.mchs.edu or call (515) 643-3180 to learn how you can start Charting Your Course.
