1.  How is the University of Mary different?  
2.  Is the University of Mary accredited?  
3.  How long will it take me to complete my degree?  
4.  Does it matter how long it has been since I was in college?
5.  If I have already taken some of the courses that are a part of the  core program do I need to retake them?
6.  What counts toward my degree?
7.  How much will it cost me?
8.  How much are the books for the courses? 
9.  Are there any fees other than the tuition? 
10. What happens if I miss a class session? 
11. If I need to skip an entire course can I still stay with my group? How can I make up the course?
12. What happens if I have to take a break from my courses?
13. What would my investment in time be?
14. What kind of help would I receive?
15. What is the seminar that is listed on the schedule for the master's programs? 
16. When do classes/degree programs/cohorts start?
17. Will my degree note that I completed an accelerated program? 
18. Who are the facilitators? 
19. I am not sure an on-site program will work with my schedule; does the University of Mary offer programs online? 
20. Can I switch delivery methods?
21. What technology must I have?
22. Where will graduation take place? Will it be just students from the accelerated programs?
23. Where is the University of Mary’s main campus? 
24. Are there other University of Mary campuses? 
25. How do I access my U-Mary e-mail account?
26. Where do I find important announcements?
27. How do I access my grades?
28. How can I access my bill online?
29. How do I evaluate courses and facilitators?

1. How is the University of Mary different?  
The University of Mary, America’s Leadership University, prides itself on being service- and student-focused. We provide students with a values-based education that focuses on servant-leadership. The University of Mary designed its accelerated programs to be the perfect fit for adult learners. Throughout your program you will receive personalized service.

2. Is the University of Mary accredited? 
Yes, the University of Mary has enjoyed continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1969. For more information, you may visit their Web site.

3. How long will it take me to complete my degree? 
Bachelor's students can complete their degree in as few as 15 months depending upon the number of credits they transfer. Graduate programs are designed to be completed in 15 to 16 months, depending on the program of study. However, if a graduate student has completed previous graduate credits he or she may transfer in nine credits or up to one-third of the program if they are similar to the courses in their selected program.  

4. Does it matter how long it has been since I was in college?
No. Our programs are designed for adults and integrate life and work experiences to build on what you’ve learned in school and the workplace and enrich the course work and make it timely, relevant, and useful — right away. We welcome you as an individual who has a unique, valuable contribution to make to our classes. Admissions requirements vary by program.

5. If I have already taken some of the courses that are a part of the core program do I need to retake them? 
This is something each student needs to discuss with his or her advisor. It is possible to substitute classes students have taken for classes in their program.

6. What counts toward my degree?
Up to 64 credits from a two-year regionally accredited school can be transferred toward SADE undergraduate programs. We also accept military credits and give credit for work experience. Up to nine credits from a regionally accredited institution can be transferred toward a SADE graduate program. Your SADE admissions counselor will be glad to evaluate your credits and prepare a degree plan for you with no obligation.

7. How much will it cost me?
As of August 2007, estimated ON-SITE fees are $365 per credit for undergraduate programs, $400 per credit for MBA and Master of Science programs, and $465 for graduate nursing programs. ONLINE undergraduate and graduate programs are $390 per credit. SADE fees are very competitive and there are no “hidden charges” or “surprise fees.” There is an enrollment/application fee, a per-credit fee, and a charge for books/materials. There is a technology fee for online programs and the on-site Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program. Our accelerated format keeps your costs down while enabling you to get your degree — and benefit from your investment — quickly. Your admissions counselor will map out your estimated costs while helping develop a plan for achieving your personal program goals.

8. What about books? 
Books are included in the tuition for bachelor's core classes and can be purchased at U-Mary adult learning sites and/or the University of Mary Bookstore. The U-Mary Bookstore offers the ability to order your textbooks online. Textbooks will be mailed the same day as the order is received.

9. Are there any fees other than the tuition? 
There is the application fee ($25 bachelor's/$40 master's) and a $50 graduation fee. Students are also responsible for purchasing their own caps and gowns for commencement ceremonies.

10. What happens if I miss a class session? 
Students must notify their facilitator as soon as possible if they are not able to attend class. The quality of our students’ education is of the utmost importance. If a student will miss more than one class session, he or she should visit with his/her advisor to consider alternatives. With the intensity of the courses, missing more than two sessions during a five-week course jeopardizes the quality of the course.

11. If I need to skip an entire course can I still stay with my group?  How can I make up the course?
Yes, students can still stay with their cohort group if they need to drop a course. Students can make up the course at a future scheduled date.

12. What happens if I have to take a break from my courses?
We realize life happens and will work with you in addressing interruptions and delays. You can take a break from the program and jump back in where you left off without losing credit.

13. What would my investment in time be?
Everyone learns differently; so time requirements vary. On-site classes meet four hours, once a week. You should plan to invest an average of 12-15 hours a week outside of class.

14. What kind of help would I receive?
As a SADE student, you will be assigned a personal academic advisor who will guide you through your program of study and help you with questions and issues that may arise. Facilitators are supportive and accessible. And students find others in their cohort to be a valuable source of support and encouragement. On-site or online, you are not pursuing your goals alone. Our faculty and staff want you to succeed and will do all they can to help.

15. What is the seminar that is listed on the schedule for the masters programs? 
The seminar is an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their program in a real-world hands-on project. Students work together to complete a project for a local organization, typically a non-profit organization. The projects vary according to the organization’s needs.

16. When do classes/degree programs/cohorts start?
On-site and online programs start three times a year in September, January, and May

17. Will my degree note that I completed an accelerated program? 
No, all diplomas will be issued from the main campus. Accelerated simply speaks to the format of delivery, not the degree.

18. Who are the facilitators? 
Our facilitators are professionals with advanced degrees and real-world experience in the subject areas they facilitate. Students often tell us that one of the strongest benefits of our programs is the real world application that facilitators bring to the classroom.

19. I am not sure an on-site program will work with my schedule, does the University of Mary offer programs online? 
Yes, the University of Mary offers bachelor's and master's programs online. For more information contact the coordinator of online services at (800) 408-6279.

20. Can I switch delivery methods?
Yes. You can go from on-site to online delivery. We recommend such changes be made at a term break, but it can be done during a term if necessary. We’ll work with you to make the transition as smooth as possible!

21. What technology must I have?
A computer meeting the minimum technical requirements given at http://www.myumaryathome.net/ as well as Internet access are required for online programs. It also is helpful to have a computer and online access for interacting with students and facilitators in on-site programs.

22. Where will graduation take place?  Will it be just students from the accelerated programs? 
Graduation takes place once per year in the spring, usually around the May 1, in Bismarck. The graduation ceremony includes the students from the main campus as well as all satellite locations.  However, diplomas are issued twice a year around the first of January and the first of July. In addition, each satellite campus will have a celebration to mark the occasion.

23. Where is the University of Mary’s main campus? 
The main campus is located in Bismarck, ND, and at any given time has approximately 2,500 traditional students living on campus and taking classes.

24. Are there other University of Mary learning sites? 
Yes, the University of Mary currently has 16 adult learning sites that are located in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, and Kansas.

25. How do I access my U-Mary e-mail account?
Your U-Mary e-mail account may be accessed by logging onto my.umary.edu and choosing U-Mary Webmail under bookmarks. Enter your Webmail user name and password to view your e-mails. This will be part of your official communication with the University of Mary. Please check regularly for important information.

26. Where do I find important announcements?
Important announcements may be found at my.umary.edu. Please check for them regularly.

27. How do I access my grades?
Grades can be accessed through your my.umary.edu account as soon as they are posted. Please refer to the my.umary.edu Student Guide located under Student Resources for instructions on how to do this.

28. How can I access my bill online?
You will receive your first bill one to four weeks into the program. To make payment arrangements, please contact Janell Mueller in Student Accounts at (701) 355-8143. You can also pay online through your my.umary.edu account. Please refer to the my.umary.edu Student Guide located under Student Resources for instructions on how to do this.