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An Introduction to Millersville University
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, located in scenic Lancaster County, is one of the state-owned institutions of higher education that make up Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Millersville University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. This includes Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
For questions or concerns about Millersville University's discrimination policy, contact the Human Resource department.
HISTORY
In the early 1850s, a group of private citizens in Lancaster County decided to sponsor a three-month summer school program that would provide more education for local pupils than what was then available in public schools. The immediate success of that initial program prompted its sponsors to propose that a permanent academy be established. The decision eventually led to the founding of what is now Millersville University.
The academy began in 1854 with the construction of a three-story building containing a small auditorium, two classrooms and housing for 50 students, located on seven-and-one-half acres at the corner of West Frederick and George streets in Millersville. In 1855, just as the building was nearing completion, the trustees saw an opportunity to promote the new school by offering its free use to J.P. Wickersham, the superintendent of Lancaster County Schools, who was searching for a place to hold a three-month teachers’ institute. Wickersham opened his Lancaster County Normal Institute on April 17, 1855, with 147 students each paying $34 for room, board and tuition for the three-month term. Before the term was over, both Wickersham and the academy trustees agreed that the school should become a permanent normal school.
The Lancaster County Normal School, the first school of its kind in the state, opened on November 5, 1855, in Millersville with approximately 100 students. The original academy building, soon known as “Old Main,” was expanded and enlarged over the years and served the college in many capacities until it was razed in 1970. The University’s 11-story Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum at Ganser Hall now stands on that site. Two years after the school’s opening, the Normal School Law of Pennsylvania was enacted. It divided the state into 12 normal school districts, with Lancaster, York and Lebanon counties forming the second district. The law also established certain minimum requirements for facilities and curricula. The state legislature, however, enacted no funds for the development of the schools. The trustees at Millersville raised $20,000 from gifts and subscriptions of stock, at $25 a share, to finance the expansion necessary to meet the requirements of the law.
On December 2, 1859, Millersville was approved as the first State Normal School. When the school passed completely under the control of the state in 1917, all shares were redeemed at the par value of $25, ending 62 years of private control.
In 1927, Millersville became a State Teacher’s College and was empowered to grant the Bachelor of Science in Education degree. In 1959, the College’s name was changed to Millersville State College and a master’s program in education was added. In 1962, the College was authorized to grant the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Senate Bill proposed the state system. Act 188, 1982, created the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) system comprised of 10 state-owned universities, including Millersville University. On that date, Millersville State College became Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
In 1988, Millersville began offering courses at several sites in the city of Lancaster. Both credit courses and continuing education opportunities were provided to serve the educational needs of Lancaster city residents, area businesses and nontraditional students. In 2011, a downtown Lancaster location opened at the Ware Center. In 2012, the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center was opened to provide a creative hub for students, faculty and the surrounding community in music, art and theatre. Also in 2014, Millersville University initiated its first doctoral programs, a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Doctor of Social Work. Millersville University offered its first fully-online undergraduate degree completion program in fall 2015.
Today, Millersville is proud of its beautiful, well-maintained 250-acre campus abounding with reminders of a long history. The bell from Old Main has been carefully preserved and hung in a dramatic tower. The original library, a lovely brick building built around the turn of the century with turrets, stained glass windows and extensive oak woodwork, has been carefully restored and is now Biemesderfer Center, “the centerpiece of the campus,” which overlooks a scenic pond with two resident swans.
MISSION
Millersville University’s mission statement is: We are a community dedicated to high quality education at an exceptional value. Our vision states that we will inspire learners to change the world. As a community we are dedicated to our EPPIIC Values: Exploration, Public Mission, Professionalism, Inclusion, Integrity and Compassion.
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS
Millersville University offers a wide array of undergraduate degree programs in art, business, education, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and sciences. All Millersville undergraduate degree programs require completion of a general education component designed to develop student communication skills and critical-thinking abilities, as well as provide a broad foundation in the liberal arts, humanities, fine arts, and natural and social sciences.
A number of special educational opportunities are provided, including honors programs, independent study, internships, study at other institutions and abroad, student-designed majors and academic remediation.
Millersville also offers three doctoral programs and a range of master’s degree programs in education, humanities, social sciences, sport management, and science and technology, as well as selected certification programs.
Millersville University’s faculty, staff and services reflect the University’s concern for student growth and development. There are approximately 300 full-time faculty members available to advise and counsel students on academic and career-related matters. There are also counseling, career planning and placement, and tutorial services, as well as services for nontraditional students. A wide range of cocurricular and extracurricular activities and cultural events are offered.
ACCREDITATION
Millersville University is accredited by the:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 198014th Floorthe Pennsylvania Department of Education;
and is approved by the American Association of University Women.
The applied engineering and technology management program is accredited by the:
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)
8865 Norwin Ave STE 27, PMB 219
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
The art and design programs are accredited by the:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248.
The Bachelor of Science programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Management, and Marketing are accredited by the:
Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)
11520 West 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213.
The Center for Counseling and Human Development is accredited by the:
International Association of Counseling Services (IACS)
101 S. Whiting Street, Suite 211
Alexandria, VA 22304.
The chemistry programs are recognized by the:
American Chemical Society (ACS)
1155 16th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20036.
The computer science program is accredited by the:
Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
415 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201.
The music programs are accredited by the:
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Master’s Degree in Nursing, Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the:
National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
(NLN CNEA)
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
The occupational safety and environmental health program is accredited by the:
Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
415 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201.
The respiratory therapy program is accredited by the:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690.
The school psychology certification program is in full compliance with the:
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
4340 East West Highway, Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814.
The bachelor's and master's social work programs are accredited by the:
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314.
Teacher education programs are accredited by the:
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036Millersville University is a member of the:
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
1602 L Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20036.
The technology education program is in full compliance with the:
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)
1908 Association Drive, Suite C
Reston, VA 20191
THE STUDENT BODY
Millersville University enrolls approximately 7,000 students; 65% are full-time undergraduates, 17% are part-time undergraduates and 18% are graduate students. Approximately 58 percent of undergraduates are women, and one in 10 is at least 25 years old. Eighty percent (80%) percent of Millersville’s undergraduates come from southeastern Pennsylvania. Millersville University admits about 88% of more than 7,500 first-year students who apply each year.
Over 2,100 students live in University residence halls, with the remainder of the student body commuting from homes and nearby apartments.
RIGHT TO KNOW
A member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
All requests to Millersville University of Pennsylvania under the Right-to-Know Law must be submitted in writing to:
Agency Open Records Officer
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551-0302
Phone: 717-871-5742
Email: agencyopenrecords@millersville.edu
