Message from the Dean

Our college was created to extend Mercer’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence, intellectual rigor, and ethical leadership to adult learners whose educational journeys may not follow traditional pathways.

Today, our commitment to this mission is as clear as ever. At the College of Professional Advancement, students develop the intellectual foundations, relevant skillsets, and ethical reasoning that allow them to advance in their careers, deepen their sense of purpose, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

Our programs span multiple disciplines and range from undergraduate degrees and certificates to master’s and doctoral programs. This breadth allows us to foster interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaboration, presenting students with unique learning opportunities and exposure to the variety of perspectives needed to address complex issues facing the world.

Our students represent a diverse and gifted learning community of adult learners whose ambition, resilience, and a desire to make a difference are an inspiration. Many maintain the delicate balance of studies, work, personal obligations, military service, caregiving, and community leadership. Our dedicated faculty recognize that adult learners bring valuable experience to the classroom and create learner-centered opportunities to honor that experience while pushing students grow.

Upon graduation, our students join the ranks of our accomplished alumni leading organizations across a variety of fields and industries, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, the Georgia Department of Corrections, Atlanta Public Schools, and Coca-Cola.

I encourage you to browse our website to explore our program offerings. Better still, visit one of our campuses, and connect with our faculty, students, and alumni to experience just what makes Mercer such a special place.