Georgian Court University: History, Culture and Academic Excellence

Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey, Georgian Court University boasts a rich history of excellence in education. Today, the Georgian Court community continues to embrace the values set forth nearly a century ago while pioneering a new path to success. Through its Women's Day College and coeducational evening and graduate programs, the university provides a strong liberal arts education committed to academic excellence.

The broad and varied curriculum of this comprehensive university prepares students to meet challenges in the classroom, the workplace and the world. Our students learn to take leading roles in their professions and their communities. As part of its focus on living an involved and examined life, the university offers opportunities for spiritual and personal growth, as well as social awareness. Many courses have a service-learning component, where students volunteer in places such as nursing homes and battered women shelters. For some students, this educational adventure extends abroad, to areas such as the Mexican border and the Honduran hills.

This worldview stems from the Mercy core values of the Sisters of Mercy, the university's sponsoring organization. All academic and personal experiences on campus are infused with the practice of justice, respect, integrity, service and compassion. Our graduates take these values and apply them in their own realms of influence throughout their lives.

Georgian Court University has nearly 3,000 students including 1300 in the Women's Day College, as well as a coeducational environment in the evening for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Our individual attention and faculty-to-student ratio of 14:1 are just some of the factors that have placed Georgian Court University in U.S. News and World Report's Best College issue. Georgian Court University offers 29 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs, giving students ample choice among liberal arts and professional majors. Accelerated programs in business meet the needs of busy working professionals. To help communities deal with shortages of key personnel, such as teachers and nurses, Georgian Court holds accelerated elementary and secondary education programs and a post-baccalaureate program in nursing that is offered in concert with another university and four area hospitals.

In the spring of 2004, Georgian Court increased its rich heritage by gaining university status. Through its renowned faculty, Georgian Court University proudly empowers its students to grow through shared educational, cultural, social and spiritual experiences. University President Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D., says, "Georgian Court University provides a learner-centered environment that helps students gain the knowledge, skills and values they need to lead and succeed in the 21st century."

Located on a magnificent estate that has become an historic landmark, Georgian Court University is an important part of the Ocean County community. Its beautiful campus features statuary, a fountain, an arboretum, numerous classically designed gardens and an art gallery with monthly exhibits by professional artists and students. An elaborate mansion provides the backdrop for many campus events, including ongoing interactive theater productions that bring the estate's Gilded Age history to life. Georgian Court University is proud to offer students and the community a variety of educational, cultural and theatrical opportunities both on and off campus.