High-Quality, Hands-On Teacher Preparation at Marian
Marian University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best MATs in Elementary Education Online.
At Oldenburg Hall, the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College offers a 120-credit, four-year B.A. in Elementary Education for Marian University Knights to earn Indiana K-6 certification after Simulation Lab projects, 100 field practicum hours, and the 15-week student teaching internship at 50+ partner schools. Chaired by Dr. Susie Beesley, the B.S. in Health & Physical Education builds a 120-credit, CAEP-accredited curriculum where aspiring K-12 teachers can join Kappa Delta Pi, engage in the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center, volunteer with Food for Thought, and semester in South Korea. Other undergrad degrees include the B.A. in Applied Educational Studies, B.A. in Religious Education, B.A. in Special Education, B.A. in Secondary Education, B.A. in Catholic School Education, and B.A. in Art Education.
Online on Canvas since Fall 2011, the M.S.N. in Nursing Education has delivered a 38-credit, CCNE-accredited track for registered nurses to spend 24 months taking 500-level courses from Advanced Health Assessment to Curriculum Development and completing 225-hour teaching practica for CNE certification. Directed by Dr. Kenith Britt, the 38-credit M.A. in Educational Leadership admits hybrid, part-time cohorts each Fall into online and seven Saturday Indianapolis sessions for K-12 teachers to earn the Building Level Administrator licensure.
Additional post-grad Marian offerings are the M.A. in Special Education, M.S. in School Counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate, and Transition to Teaching Certificate.
About Marian University
Marian University was opened on January 6, 1851, when German immigrant Sr. Theresa Hackelmeier started a log cabin academy for Southeast Indiana children. In November 1936, it acquired James Allison’s former estate called “Riverdale” for a bigger campus. In 1937, Mother M. Clarissa Dillhoff renamed it Marian College to honor the Virgin Mary. In 1954, Marian College became the Hoosier State’s first coed Roman Catholic institution. In 1966, architect Evans Woollen III designed Marian’s Hackelmeier Memorial Library. One decade later, Marian received initial approval from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. In 1989, Marian founded the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center with Morgan County Schools. On November 13, 2009, MU’s Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab Outdoor Classroom was dedicated. Four months prior, the Marian University name was officially adopted. In 2017, the Klipsch Educators College launched the Center for School & Community Success.
Endowed for $63.7 million, Marian University now employs 159 full-time and 161 part-time faculty teaching 3,592 Knights from 45 countries online or on its 200-acre Indianapolis campus near the White River with 90+ clubs like the National Association for Music Education. In 2011, MU received the Kappa Delta Pi Achieving Chapter Excellence Award. In 2018, Marian won an ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award. Marian University had a 2019 Fulbright U.S. Program Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report named Marian the sixth most innovative Midwest school and 15th top regional value. On Niche, MU boasts America’s 67th best Catholic education and 70th best nursing school. The Wall Street Journal included Marian University within its top 501-600 overall. Washington Monthly ranked MU the 193rd best bachelor’s college. PayScale placed Marian 192nd for a median mid-career wage of $67,400.
Marian University Accreditation Details
On February 12, 2016, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) issued a new Institutional Status Report to Marian University that extended the Level V accreditation successfully through the next 2025-26 review under President Daniel J. Elsener, who accepted the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Mike Pence. Located 200 miles up Interstate 57 in Chicago, Illinois, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate MU’s 48 undergrad and 12 graduate degrees. Further, the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College was reaffirmed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in April 2015. Marian has been approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) since September 29, 2005. The B.A. in Special Education is also recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
Marian University Application Requirements
Enrollment at Marian University is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 1,427 of the 2,325 Fall 2018 applicants were successful for competitive 61 percent acceptance. First-year Knights entering the Klipsch Educators College must have finished at least six semesters of high school or the GED diploma. Freshmen need eight credits in English, four credits in math, and four credits in science. The Class of 2022 achieved an average GPA of 3.49. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 1020-1200. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 20-26. Prospective B.A./B.S. transfers must be in good standing at accredited colleges with 12+ credits graded C or better. Education majors mandate a minimum 2.50 transfer GPA. International undergrads often need at least 83 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 48 PTE scores. The Office of Graduate Studies seeks four-year bachelor’s completion at 2.75 or better GPAs. Master of Education cohorts need current K-12 Indiana licensure and passing Praxis scores. The M.S. in Nursing Education requires valid RN credentials after an accredited B.S.N. degree.
Marian University keeps admission rolling until the final deadlines of August 1st for Fall and December 30th for Spring. Non-U.S. residents must file before June 1st or November 1st. The Lehighton School of Nursing considers M.S.N. in Nursing Education cohorts until July 1st and December 1st. The M.A. in Educational Leadership has an April 15th priority date. Accordingly, complete the MU Application online or by paper for $35 ($45 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 3200 Cold Spring Road in Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997. Send test results using SAT/TOEFL code 1442 or ACT code 1224. Attach required materials, such as the professional resume or CV, two recommendation letters, writing sample, Praxis scores, background check, and teaching or RN license. Contact (317) 955-6000 or admissions@marian.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Marian University is billing full-time undergrads $17,500 each semester or $35,000 annually. Studying part-time incurs $1,550 per bachelor’s credit. The Adult Program rate is $390 per credit. Residing at the Indianapolis campus housing like Drew Hall adds $3,860 to $6,350 for yearly rent. All-Access meal plans for S2L3 Dining Commons are $5,660 extra. MU budgets $1,200 for textbooks and $3,762 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $49,602 on-site or $38,265 at home. The Fred S. Klipsch Educators College currently charges post-grads $515 per credit. Online M.S.N. in Nursing Education cohorts pay $495 per credit. Doctoral programs like the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership cost $745 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Admission in Wheeler-Stokely Mansion links 100 percent of new full-time MU Knights to financial assistance averaging $26,103 each for $8.82 million total. University awards include the Bishop Simon Bruté Scholarship, Cardinal Joseph Ritter Memorial Scholarship, James Allison Fellowship, San Damiano Scholarship, Barbara Cooling Service Leadership Scholarship, St. Agnes of Assisi Academic Scholarship, Thomas More Scholarship, St. Anthony of Padua Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Scholarship, Secondary Science Education Achievement Scholarship, Thomas of Celano Scholarship, Peace & Justice Scholarship, and St. Clare Transfer Scholarship. The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship gifts $7,500 annually to in-state, pre-service teachers with 3.0 or higher GPAs. The Urban Teachers Scholarship Loan Program provides up to $40,000 overall to minority Marion County residents with minimum 19 ACT or 1000 SAT scores. Federal resources, such as the TEACH Grant and Pell Grant, require FAFSA forms coded 001821. Indianans could also pursue the 21st Century Scholarship, Frank O’Bannon Grant, Adult Student Grant, Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship, and others.
Keep reading about Marian University at the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College website.
