June 16, 2020
La Roche University Receives National Recognition as a College of Distinction
PITTSBURGH, June 16, 2020 – La Roche University was championed a College of Distinction for the ninth consecutive year.
The designation recognizes La Roche for exhibiting excellence in the classroom and for incorporating high-impact practices in every student’s undergraduate education. The University’s student-centered programming includes: study abroad experiences included as an added value component of the La Roche Experience; novel research as part of the La Roche Honors Institute; internships; service learning experiences; and project-based course assignments that serve the local community.
Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction Tyson Schritter said, “Colleges of Distinction knows that a truly valuable education can’t be measured by rank or reputation. Students learn and thrive best when they embrace hands-on learning in a vibrant, welcoming community. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see La Roche take such an innovative approach with its curriculum. Its high-impact educational practices ensure that the undergraduate experience is worthwhile and unique.”
La Roche also received recognition as a Catholic College of Distinction and a Career Development College of Distinction.
Career development is integrated into the academic experience at La Roche, with credited coursework, co-curricular activities and personalized advising sessions. From freshman year to senior year, students follow an engagement plan to master the core competencies that employers expect from college graduates. The Office of Career Development empowers students to achieve professional success, offering career-readiness programming, employer networking events, and internship/employment application support throughout the year.
The new Colleges of Distinction e-guidebook highlights La Roche’s business, education and nursing programs with Fields of Study badges, which are awarded to colleges offering first-rate programs with recognized professional accreditations.
Since 1995 La Roche’s business programs have been accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. These accredited programs include management, finance, international management, accounting, marketing and management information systems.
La Roche’s nursing programs are accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. La Roche recently launched an Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and who wish to enter the nursing profession.
The University’s education program, offering post-baccalaureate certifications in special education and advanced studies in autism, is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“We complete a thorough review of the programs before granting the honors,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction. “We’re looking for qualities such as accreditation, breadth of program, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how La Roche really exemplifies these qualities.”
Since 2000 the Colleges of Distinction website and guidebook have honored schools throughout the U.S. for their excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The cohort of schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience. The website and annual guidebooks provide dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents and high school counselors.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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