Harcum partners with Peirce to offer its graduates bachelor's degrees

Harcum College has offered associate's degrees on its Bryn Mawr campus for decades. Now, graduates in certain fields will be able to go on for their bachelor's, too.

Peirce College, which offers both two-year and four-year degrees at its Philadelphia campus, will partner with Harcum to allow its graduates to go on for their bachelor's on Harcum's campus.

Under the new partnership, called "Peirce College at Harcum," Peirce will offer two degree programs at Harcum, one in health care administration and the other in integrated leadership studies.

Classes in both begin Jan. 17. Six students are enrolled, and applications are still being accepted, the colleges said in a joint press release. More programs could be added over time if the demand is there, Harcum spokeswoman Gale Martin said.

"Peirce and Harcum both have a rich history of fulfilling the needs of a diverse group of students with a wide range of goals," Peirce College President and CEO James J. Mergiotti said. "With this partnership, we have found a way to unify our missions to help more students continue their education…"

Founded in 1865, Peirce caters to working adults offering programs that allow students each week to choose whether to attend class in person or online. It offers bachelor's and associate programs in business, health care, information technology and legal studies, as well as master's in health care administration and organizational leadership and management.

Harcum, which was founded in 1915, offers associate's in nursing, the allied health professions, business and social sciences, as well as certificate programs. About 1,600 students take classes at its Bryn Mawr campus.

Students who enroll in the two new bachelor's programs at Harcum will be considered Peirce students and will receive a Peirce degree. They also will have the option of living in Harcum's residence halls and will have access to services, such as academic advising, from both colleges.

"This is a value-add opportunity for Harcum graduates," Harcum President Jon Jay DeTemple said. "Now our alumni can complete a bachelor's degree here, at the campus they know and among the friends and faculty they value."

Students will be able to transfer up to 90 credits and receive up to $3,000 in scholarships, the schools said. About a third of Harcum graduates pursue their bachelor's degree.

Peirce began recruiting Harcum graduates last semester, and Harcum notified its alumni in the region of the new programs.