Close-Knit, Christian Liberal Arts Education at McMurry
McMurry University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Crowned the West’s seventh-best value by the U.S. News & World Report, McMurry University is a nonprofit, Methodist NAICU member in Abilene that grants 52 bachelor’s and three master’s degrees, including four fully online, at a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction headed by Dr. Stephanie Scott has a 120-credit B.S. in Early Childhood Education for Texas PreK-4 certification prep with clinical teaching in Abilene Independent School District and Kappa Delta Pi activities. Chaired by Dr. Edward Donnay, the B.S. in Chemistry builds a 120-credit, eight-term plan with opportunities to enter the Welch Summer Research Program, access the Protein Data Bank, publish Solutions, use the spectrofluorometer, and exchange to Harlaxton College.
Online on Moodle, the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing led by Dr. Sheila Earline Garland with Hardin-Simmons University delivers an 18-month, CCNE-accredited B.S. in Nursing where registered nurses take seven-week courses like Pharmacology anytime with Sigma Theta Tau membership. Directed by Dr. Paul Mason, a Prime Osborn Distinguished Professor Award recipient, the Johnson School of Business will begin 30-credit, one-year Master of Accountancy cohorts in Fall 2019 to fulfill Texas CPA requirements with 90-hour internships, such as Deloitte or Kimberly-Clark.
Other McMurry programs include the B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.F.A. in Studio Art, B.A. in English, B.S. in Environmental Science, B.A. in Religion, B.S. in Information Technology, and M.S.N. in Nurse Education.
About McMurry University
McMurry University originated in 1920 when the Northwest Texas Conference voted favorably on Dr. James Winford Hunt’s proposal to start a Methodist school for West Texans. On November 21, 1921, the state charter was signed to authorize the institution named for Bishop William Fletcher McMurry. In Fall 1923, President J.W. Hunt welcomed an inaugural class of 191 to Old Main on land donated by citizens of Abilene. In 1926, McMurry College received initial regional accreditation. Three decades later, Dr. Gordon Bennett became McMurry’s first non-minister president. In 1963, McMurry erected the Jay-Rollins Library known for its McWhiney Foundation Research Collection. In 1975, McMurry helped found the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In 1990, the McMurry University name was adopted as master’s programs were organized. On March 11, 2011, McMurry students became known as War Hawks after a mascot controversy.
Endowed for $91.0 million, McMurry University now employs 88 full-time faculty teaching 1,145 War Hawks from 11 countries online or on the 52-acre “Friendly Frontier” campus in Texas’ 27th most populous city with 40+ clubs like the Society of Physics Students for 62 percent retention. In 2018, FirstCare Health Plans selected the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing for its prized $5,000 scholarship again. In 2019, McMurry accepted the American Southwest Conference’s Team Sportsmanship Award. McMurry University received the 2019-20 Military Friendly Bronze School Award from Victory Media too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked McMurry sixth for diversity and ninth for veterans regionally. On Niche, McMurry boasts America’s 133rd safest campus, 241st most conservative students, and 370th hardest admission. College Factual placed McMurry 281st for teacher education, 150th for religious studies, and 213th for interdisciplinary studies. Zippia chose McMurry #1 for Texas job placement.
McMurry University Accreditation Details
On June 20, 2013, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees satisfactorily accepted the Fifth-Year Periodic Review Report from McMurry University to continue the Level III accreditation through 2019 under the 12th president, Dr. Sandra S. Harper, who earned the AAUW Women of Outstanding Achievement Award. Located 971 miles east via Interstate 20 in Decatur, this expansive 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Texas Education Agency. Further, McMurry is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. The Patty Hanks Shelton School was reaffirmed by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on October 10, 2018.
McMurry University Application Requirements
Enrollment at McMurry University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since just 799 of the 1,843 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for selective 43 percent acceptance. First-year War Hawks must complete Texas’ Recommended HSP curriculum or an out-of-state equivalent with 16 academic core courses. GED scores of 450 and higher are deemed eligible. The Class of 2021 had an average secondary GPA of 3.50. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 390-500 for Reading and 430-530 for Math. Mid-range ACT scores were 18-22. Honors Program entrants need a minimum 1290 SAT or 27 ACT score. Undergrads can transfer up to 66 non-remedial credits with GPAs over 2.0 from two-year community colleges. Foreign learners often need English testing for a minimum 5.5 IELTS or 520 TOEFL pBT score. Graduate programs only consider students with accredited bachelor’s and 3.0 or better GPAs. Master of Science in Nursing cohorts specifically need CCNE-accredited degrees and one year of RN experience.
McMurry University offers rolling admission for domestic undergrads to apply until August 7th for Fall, January 3rd for Spring, and May 22nd for Summer. International students should file before June 10th, November 4th, and May 15th respectively. The Office of the Registrar lists post-grad deadlines of July 1st and November 1st. Note the priority date for financial aid is March 15th. Accordingly, access the ApplyTexas portal to submit the $25 ($35 if graduate) application online. Forward official transcripts to 1400 Sayles Blvd. in Abilene, TX 79697. If chosen, send testing reports via SAT/TOEFL code 6402 or ACT code 4130. Attach checklist items, such as the essay, resume, statement of good standing, ZeeMee profile, art portfolio, and two letters of recommendation. Contact (325) 793-3800 or [email protected] with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, McMurry University is charging full-time undergrads $13,917 per semester or $27,834 annually. Bachelor’s majors cover the $90 activities fee each year. Freshmen pay the one-time $175 orientation fee. Residing at the Abilene campus’ dorms like Hunt Hall adds $2,250 to $4,740 for housing. Full 15-meal plans for Dining Commons are $2,072 extra each semester. McMurry budgets $1,200 for books and $4,234 for indirect expenses. Annual average undergrad attendance equals $41,375 on-site or $33,675 if commuting. Online bachelor’s courses are $325 per credit. Active-duty military receives an online discount to $250 per credit. Graduate programs bill full-time tuition of $15,264 each year with $461 in mandatory fees.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in C.E. Maedgen Administration Hall links 90 percent of full-time McMurry War Hawks to tuition assistance averaging $15,933 each for $15.91 million combined. Institutional funds include the Chase Foundation Scholarship, Four Corner Navajo Native American Scholarship, Dyess Scholarship, Military Dependent Award, Merit Transfer Scholarship, United Methodist Grant, Lydia Patterson Scholarship, Talon Academic Incentive Award, Wingspan Scholarship, International Student Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Theater Scholarship. The Trustee Honors Scholarship gifts $12,000 annually to top-tier freshmen who maintain minimum 3.5 GPAs. The $2,000 Holland Hunter History Scholarship has a February 1st deadline for majors with at least 1220 SAT or 27 ACT scores. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant and Teach Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003591. Texans could also receive the Tuition Equalization Grant, Fifth-Year Accounting Scholarship, Armed Services Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Health Service Corps Scholarship, and more.
Explore 19 accredited departments housing 55 first-class, flexible degrees ranked 234th nationally by Washington Monthly at the McMurry University website.