Robert Morris University (RMU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Nestled in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert Morris University is a private coeducational University of repute. It is also referred to as RMU. The institute was originally founded in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. After a few name and status changes, the institute was finally renamed Robert Morris University Illinois in 2002. The University is named in the honor of Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence and financed the American Revolution. The main campus spans 230 acres in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. RMU also maintains a satellite campus in downtown Pittsburgh, near the Allegheny County Courthouse.

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Information Summary

Ranks 47th in Pennsylvania and 583rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	85.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$48,220
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	28 / 1200
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	81% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,895

Academics

Robert Morris University offers more than 55 undergraduate and over 18 graduate degrees in diverse areas of study. The graduate degree programs include Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership; Doctor of Nursing Practice; Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications; and Master of Business Administration. RMU’s programs are fully accredited by regional and national accrediting bodies such as Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET; Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC); and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The University is composed of the following five academic schools: the School of Business; the School of Education and Social Sciences; the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; the School of Communications and Information Systems; and the School of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science.

RMU Online:

RMU also offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in a fully online format. The degrees include B.S. in Applied Psychology, B.S. in Organizational Studies, B.S. in Health Services, B.A. in English Studies, Master of Business Administration, M.S. in Organizational Studies, M.S. in Instructional Leadership, and M.S. in Business Education. The University also functions as a provider institute for the Online Consortium of Independent Colleges and Universities (OCICU). The RMU online programs curriculum is equivalent to the on-site course at the campus locations with the difference that students can pursue online degrees anytime and from anywhere.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Each year, Robert Morris University enrolls nearly 5,000 students from almost every state and over 40 countries worldwide. When you are seeking a college-level degree, RMU offers a firm foundation for a successful life. Freshman students must take either SAT or ACT test and send the scores to RMU. The University welcomes transfer students from well-recognized colleges and Universities. RMU has transfer agreements with most two-year educational institutions.

International students seeking admission must take either SAT or ACT test. Students whose native language is not English must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test. The TOEFL test can be waived for students who have successfully completed an ESL (English as a Second Language) program.

Financial Aid

There are several types of financial aid available at Robert Morris University. The sources are federal government grants, work study programs, state grants, institutional and outside scholarships, and private loan funding. The University encourages students to utilize all available grant and scholarships first before applying for loans. All students seeking financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Grants are the kind of funds that do not require any repayment. RMU offers different state and federal grants such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART), and Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Scholarships available at RMU are basically of two types: institutional scholarships and external scholarships. The institutional scholarships include Presidential Scholarship, Independence Scholarship, Justice Scholarship, Revolutionary Scholarship, and Pioneer Scholarship. The external scholarships include American Chemical Society Scholars Program, Broecker Memorial Fund, Dominion Scholarship Fund, Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship, and Marshall Scholarship.

Students can also seek financial loans such as Federal Direct Loans, PLUS Loan, and Private Loan. The federal work-study program provides job opportunities through the Student Employment Program. Counselors at the Career Center help students find suitable federal work-study employment in their area of interest.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 775th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Pennsylvania.

Students

Student life at Robert Morris University offers a variety of co-curricular programs and activities that foster the overall personal, professional, and ethical development of students. These programs teach students the value of good citizenship, individual responsibility, and an appreciation of diversity. There are several on-campus clubs and organizations that promote leadership, cultural, social and recreational activities. Some of the popular student organizations are Black Student Union, Carpe Mundum, College Democrats, College Republicans, International Justice Mission, Multicultural Affairs Consortium, Student Alliance For Equality (S.A.F.E.), and Sportsman’s Club.

Greek life has its presence in Robert Morris University. The fraternities and sororities are governed by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. Greek organizations include Kappa Delta Rho, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Sigma Kappa, Delta Zeta, Zeta Phi Beta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Order of Omega, and Alpha Chi Rho.

Media and Publications:

Robert Morris University encourage students to get involved in diverse media that serve both the campus and the township area. RMU TV is the University channel sponsored by the Academic Media Center. There is also a student-run radio station.

Rune magazine is the student-operated literary magazine. The magazine exhibits dramatic writing, poetry, short stories, and other writings along with photography from both the Robert Morris students and Pittsburgh communities.

The Sentry is a student-run newspaper distributed to over 5,000 RMU students, faculty members, and staff at Moon Township campus and the Center for Adult and Continuing Education in Pittsburgh.

Campus Facilities:

The RMU Moon Campus Library is located in the Patrick Henry Center, just west of the Nicholson Center. The library houses a host of general collection, electronic resources, periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers), and references. RMU partakes in the inter-library lending associations PALINET and PALCI that allow students to borrow books onsite from most of the college and University libraries located in Pittsburgh area. The facilities include study space, computers & wireless, printing & copying.

The Center for Student Success specifically meets the daily needs of students. A counselor is assigned to every undergraduate student at Robert Morris University. The Edward A. Nicholson Student Center is a gathering place for students, staff, faculty members, alumni, and visitors. The center embodies the traditions, potential and spirit of the campus. It serves as an essential part of every student’s collegiate experience.

Students can get involved in a wide variety of weekday, evening and weekend activities and events organized to enhance their RMU experience. The off-campus activities include shopping trips and excursions to the nearby attractions. Student organizations also hold numerous events such as etiquette dinner, murder mystery dinner theatre, gateway clipper dance, karaoke night, late-night bingo, novelty performers, late-night dances, shopping trips, homecoming weekend, open mic nights, winter fest, student activities fair, movie nights, Monte carol night, cultural celebrations, concerts, and bonfires.

Housing and Dining:

The Robert Morris University offers decent housing facilities in the residence hall community which includes traditional style apartments and suite-style rooms. The University has the following residence halls: Adams Residence Hall, Braddock Residence Hall, Concord Residence Hall, Gallatin Residence Hall, Hamilton Residence Hall, Hancock Residence Hall, Lexington Residence Hall, Madison Residence Hall, Marshall Residence Hall, Monroe Residence Hall, Ross Residence Hall, and Washington Residence Hall.

RMU residence halls feature modern amenities for the convenience of students. The general amenities available at the residence halls include cable television, computer connections, emergency telephones, laundry, courtesy telephones, microwaves & refrigerators, resident student telephone services, room & building keys/card access, and room furnishings.

The Robert Morris University dining options has been exclusively designed to meet students from diverse backgrounds. The experienced dining services team at RMU provides a nutritionally balanced, maximum quality and skillfully prepared meals for students. The popular dining locations within the campus are Nicholson Center Food Court; RoMo’s Cafe; The Hale Cafe; and The Ice House Bistro.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The Robert Morris University athletic department fields more than 20 men’s and women’s teams in diverse varsity sports such as basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. The teams are nicknamed as the Colonials. The colors are Blue and Red. The Colonials take part in NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I and Northeast Conference. The men’s ice hockey team participates in the Atlantic Hockey; and the women’s ice hockey team is a member of the College Hockey America. The sports facilities at RMU include Joe Walton Stadium, The Charles L. Sewall Center, RMU Island Sports Center, and The North Athletic Complex.

Intramural Sports:

The Intramural department offers a wide variety of recreational sports and activities for the students, faculty members and staff. Students can participate in a wide variety of sports which includes basketball, flag football, softball, volleyball, kickball, dodgeball, ping pong and billiards. The intramural sports provide healthy competition, exercise, and recreation for all the participants. Students can also join the Jefferson Fitness Center that offers classes on yoga, pilates, and martial arts.

Traditions

Homecoming is the annual University tradition where graduates are invited to ‘come home’ and visit their campus and refresh their memories. The main highlight is the American football game, where students vote for the Homecoming Queen and King.

Alumni

The Colonials have earned name and reputation worldwide in diverse fields of profession. Some of the notable alumni are Joseph Hogan, CEO of ABB Group; Kevin Colbert, General Manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Jerry Bowyer, American radio and broadcasting host; Musa Shannon, Liberian footballer; Ryan Cruthers, professional ice hockey player; and Robin R. Sanders, United States Ambassador to Nigeria.

Bibliography

Robert Morris University. 2009.

Venezie, Emma. Robert Morris University 2012. College Prowler, 2011. Print.

Robert Morris University