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Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is a small, public, liberal arts university located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, an area with a population of approximately 4,000. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is one of fourteen state universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Established in 1857 as the Mansfield Classical Seminary, the original school burned to the ground three months after opening. In 1859 the seminary was rebuilt and reopened to 30 students with the Reverend James Landreth serving as Principle. Nearly 100 years later, the school was granted the expansion of a liberal arts program and became known as the Mansfield State College; in 1983 the college achieved university status and became part of the new Pennsylvania System of Higher Education. On January 23, 2015 Mansfield University of Pennsylvania was approved as the 29th member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
Academic Programs
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle states Commission on Higher Education and has been so since 1942. The University’s mission as Pennsylvania’s premier public liberal arts institution is to offer students a “personalized education that emphasizes character development, scholarly growth, cultural awareness, and community service.” Mansfield University of Pennsylvania’s mission statement continues, “By preparing our students for productive careers and meaningful lives, we positively influence the world.”A variety of undergraduate degree programs are offered, including majors in the areas of: Art History; Biology; Business Administration; Chemistry; Community Health Education; Computer Information Science; Criminal Justice Administration; Early Childhood/ Elementary Education; English; Geosciences; Graphic Design; History; Liberal Studies; Mass Communication: Electronic Media; Mathematics; Music; Music Education; Music Technology; Nursing; Nutrition; Organizational Communication; Philosophy; Political Science; Psychology; Safety Management; Social Studies/History; and Social Work. A number of Master’s degrees are also offered including the areas of: Education; Nursing; Nutrition; and Special Education.
Student Life
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania has a total enrollment figure of nearly 3,000, including more than 2,500 undergraduate students. Residential students are housed in one of the University’s four residence halls. The University is situated on a 175 acre campus; the most notable and well-known historic building on campus is the North Hall Library, a seven-story Victorian structure built in 1878. Nearly destroyed in the ‘70s, due to pressure from community leaders and the campus, the building was salvaged and completely restored. In 1996 North Hall was reopened and continues to serve as a library with state-of-the-art technology.A variety of student-led clubs and organizations are formally recognized by Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, including groups focused on faith & religion, politics, social, cultural, ethnic, recreation, and more. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania highly encourages students to participate in groups and to expand their education with out-of-class activities. An NCAA Division II school, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania’s varsity athletic teams compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (East).
