About Rosemont
About Rosemont College
Enriching Individuals & Communities
Through Education for More Than 100 Years
At Rosemont College, we believe that each person has a unique gift that, when cultivated, can be used to transform themselves and the world. The best way to unlock that potential is through an education that expands your mind and worldview via a quality academic experience and exposure to difference within a safe and supportive community. That’s where we come in.
For more than 100 years, we’ve been trailblazers in providing the life changing opportunity of a Catholic education to students with the desire to pursue it. With a mission to develop open and critical minds and “meet the wants of the age,” Rosemont was founded in 1921 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Opened as a women’s college at a time when there were few Catholic colleges for women, we paved the way for young women to forge their own paths at a time when they were expected to conform rather than lead.
As new needs arose, we added graduate programs and a pathway for women to complete the undergraduate degrees they began years earlier. We opened our undergraduate college to men in 2009 and began offering courses and programs, many of which are delivered 100% online in an accelerated format. Today, we offer more than 40 traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines to a richly diverse student body.
Welcoming of All Faiths
Now in our second century, we remain committed to basic Catholic values that champion reverence for each person, diversity, justice, and care for the earth. In keeping with our Mission, we embrace students of all faiths, backgrounds, and identities. Now, more than ever, we recognize that discovery and change happen when students’ voices are not only heard but also valued. So we foster an environment that encourages all on campus to share their beliefs and insights, thereby widening each other’s perspectives.
Our Mission & Values
Mission of Rosemont College
Rosemont College is a community of lifelong learners dedicated to academic excellence and fostering joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Rosemont College seeks to develop in all members of the community open and critical minds, the ability to make reasoned, moral decisions and a sense of responsibility to serve others in our global society.
Rooted in Catholicism, Rosemont College welcomes all faiths and is guided by the educational principles of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, to meet the needs of the time.
Rosemont College values: Trust in and reverence for the dignity of each person; Diversity with a commitment to building an international community; Persistence and courage in promoting justice with compassion; Care for the Earth as our common home.
It is a tradition rooted in Christian values and expressions and attuned to learning opportunities that enable students to respond to life with joy, zeal and compassion.
History of the Mission
The History of Rosemont’s Mission: 1921-2009
By: Delories Richardi ’53 and Jeanne Marie Hatch, SHCJ
Over the years, the mission of Rosemont College has been articulated in various ways, from a simple sentence in 1922 to the expanded version of today. Yet, key thoughts have always been embedded throughout. Words like Catholic, knowledge, joy, integrity, faith, loyalty, and “meet the wants of the age” have stayed consistent.
Incorporated in 1921, the College received its charter in 1922. That same year, the College’s first mission statement was introduced. It simply stated that the College’s purpose was to prepare girls to take their place in the wider fields of activity now open to them, while preserving, at the same time, Catholic ideals in their integrity. By 1927, the mission was expanded to read:
“[Rosemont’s] purpose is to meet the wants of the age by preparing women to take their places in the social and intellectual world…provide facilities for the higher education of Catholic women…development of moral character and the cultivation of true piety and solid virtue.”
Seventeen years later, in the midst of World War II, a time when more opportunities were open to women by necessity, the mission statement repeated the sentiments of the 1927 version with an addition: “students, after completing their college courses, are equipped to continue their own education to relate their knowledge and training to whatever opportunities and circumstances life may offer.”
Two decades later, in 1963, the mission was expanded to reiterate that the College existed “within the framework of the Roman Catholic Church whose mission is the generation and development of the Christian person, accomplishing this through a liberal arts program that includes theology and philosophy.”
The mission continued to state that the unique character of Rosemont does not lie in its educational program but in the distinctive climate in which the program is implemented. Cornelia Connelly, the foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, was and continues to be the source of inspiration for the spirit which characterizes the College.
It is a spirit of loyalty and trust which marks the relationship between faculty and students, and among the students themselves; a spirit designed to encourage growth in the exercise of responsible freedom, reverence for human personality, appreciation of Christian values, and a heightened awareness of the Christian responsibilities of knowledge, love, and service.
Adult Students and Graduate Programs
The 80s and 90s were about growth and change. As Rosemont grew, the College introduced continuing education and graduate programs for working adult women and men. As the century was coming to an end, the mission was shortened. The year 1993 revealed a mission which adopted the terms “diverse ages” and “men.” It read, “a liberal arts college in the Catholic tradition committed to the education of women of diverse ages and backgrounds…Rosemont extends its fundamental commitment to the education of men as well as women…development of an open and critical mind, respond to the wants and needs of the age…continued growth and learning…act responsibly and effectively in the world.” Three years later, the mission was revised to read, “Rosemont, rooted in its Catholic heritage and in an ecumenical spirit, welcomes persons of all beliefs. It is committed to excellence and joy in teaching and learning.”
The newer version of the mission of Rosemont was established in 2002. As the College celebrated its 80th year, the mission had come full circle to read, “Rosemont College is a community of learners dedicated to excellence and joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Rosemont College seeks to develop in all members of the community open and critical minds, as well as to make reasoned moral decisions.”
Additions to the Mission Statement
Rooted in Catholicism and guided by the educational principles of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Rosemont College values: trust in and reverence for the dignity of each person; diversity in human culture and experience; persistence and courage in promoting justice with compassion.
The College has continued to grow while adjusting its focus on the pressing needs of the time in our changing world. Recognizing this reality, the Mission and Ministry Action Committee recommended additions to the mission statement which were adopted and then approved by the Board of Trustees in 2015-2016. These additional goals/concepts were included: lifelong learning, responsibility to serve a global society, engagement with all faiths, building an international community, and care of our common home, the Earth. The current mission statement of Rosemont College reads as follows:
Rosemont College is a community of lifelong learners dedicated to academic excellence and fostering joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Rosemont College seeks to develop in all members of the community open and critical minds, the ability to make reasoned moral decisions, and a sense of responsibility to serve others in our global society.
Rooted in Catholicism, Rosemont welcomes all faiths and is guided by the educational principles of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus to meet the needs of the time.
Rosemont College values:
- Trust in and reverence for the dignity of each person
- Diversity with a commitment to building an intercultural community
- Persistence and courage in promoting justice with compassion
- Care for the Earth as our common home
Academic Programs That Meet the Wants of the Age
It’s no secret that there are far too many barriers to obtaining a college degree. For our part, we do all we can to help our students overcome these challenges and achieve their dreams. In fact, US News & World Report recently named Rosemont among the top schools in the North for social mobility.
From day one, our students are supported in their journey toward transforming their passion into a fulfilling career. Our small class sizes and accomplished faculty ensure that you are surrounded by mentors and peers who expand your idea of what’s possible, encourage you to explore your interests, and help you reach your potential through the learning style that best suits your needs.
No matter which area of study you choose, our curriculum does more than prepare you for a job. It heightens your sense of social responsibility and provides strong intellectual and practical skills that translate into real world settings.
Undergraduate College: Choose from 25+ on campus bachelor’s degree programs in business, education, communication, humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, and studio art, as well as combined bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Professional Studies: Designed for adult learners, these undergraduate & graduate programs are offered 100% online in an accelerated format.
Graduate Programs: Online and on campus programs include master’s degrees, certificates, and certifications—many of which are delivered in an accelerated format.
Momentum Program: Through the Rosemont College Momentum partnership, partner employees and their family members are empowered to change their lives through education.
A Beautiful Main Line Campus in Suburban Philadelphia
Rosemont College is located in the historic residential neighborhood of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, 11 miles west of Philadelphia on the suburban Main Line. Our campus is easily accessible to and from Philadelphia, giving students full access to a world renowned hub for industries including tech, business, arts and culture, and history.
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- 30 minutes from Philadelphia
- 2 hours from New York City
- 2 hours and 30 minutes from Washington, DC
Rosemont’s beautiful Main Line campus has over a dozen classroom, residential, chapel, library and athletic buildings, and a recently built Community Center with smart classrooms, dining areas, study rooms, and a fitness center. Both idyllic and intellectually stimulating, our campus offers ample spaces to soak in the scenery, gather with peers, or just get some work done.
We recommend experiencing Rosemont for yourself. Schedule a visit today!
A Supportive Community That Brings Out the Best in Each Person
Students often tell us that Rosemont helped them find their voice, and that’s by our design. With an intentionally small, diverse community, our students feel seen, heard, and valued—because they are. This environment is a catalyst for personal and professional growth in whatever form is meaningful to them. Whether it’s professors guiding you in defining your career path, getting involved with clubs or organizations on campus, joining a sports team, or even speaking up in class discussions for the first time, our students graduate ready to take on life with confidence, curiosity, and an open mind.
Academics
Explore all programs and partnerships offered both on campus and online at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Jim Cawley, President
Office of the President
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Board of Trustees
Meet the Rosemont Board of Trustees, committed to Rosemont students and the Rosemont College Mission
Adminstration, Faculty & Staff
Meet the Rosemont Administration, Faculty & Staff committed to Rosemont students and the Rosemont College Mission
The Rosemont Experience
At Rosemont, we believe that no matter what discipline you study, effective communication and problem solving are cornerstones to success. That’s why students take classes across multiple disciplines—to learn to approach complex situations from multiple angles. We also recognize the importance of real world experience in preparing you for a career. In fact, every student engages in at least one internship, volunteer effort, or service learning opportunity.
In the Heart of Suburban Philadelphia's Iconic Main Line
- Beautiful 58 acre Main Line campus located in serene suburban Philadelphia.
- Current students have access to world class advanced degree programs through exclusive partnerships.
- Rooted in Catholicism we welcome all faiths and beliefs.
- Coveted 11:1 student to faculty ratio providing an unparalleled educational experience.
- An average class size of 13 ensures a high caliber, personalized education.
"What one is called to do, one is called to do with all their might."
Inspiration from the Venerable Cornelia Connelly, Foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus,
the Sponsoring Congregation of Rosemont College
Find Your Voice. Expand Your World. Transform Your Future.
Your potential is limitless. Join us to unlock it. At Rosemont, you'll have access to mentorship, rigorous academics, and a supportive community that will empower you to reach and achieve your short term and long term personal and professional ambitions. Take the first step toward finding your voice, by expanding your world at Rosemont and transform your future today! Per the merger agreement with Villanova University, Rosemont College is no longer admitting new students.