History of Immaculata
Immaculata University is a comprehensive Catholic liberal arts institution serving men and women of all ages through the College of Undergraduate Studies, the College of LifeLong Learning, and the College of Graduate Studies. Founded originally as Villa Maria College, the institution was granted a college charter in 1920, making it the first Catholic College for women in the Philadelphia area. In 1929, the name was formally changed to Immaculata College to accommodate government regulations for the naming of the post office.
The faculty consists of approximately 98 full-time faculty augmented by a part time adjunct faculty – sisters, priests, and laypersons. These educators continue a tradition of educational excellence sustained within an environment of concern for and interest in each individual student, a spirit fostered by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The genuine personal concern shown each student in an atmosphere of respect, vitality, and warmth is one of the distinctive characteristics of Immaculata. Immaculata has been recognized as outstanding among peer institutions for the active role of faculty in counseling and guidance.
Immaculata’s origins date from 1906 when the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, purchased the present site in Chester County. Ground was broken for Villa Maria Hall in 1908, and two years later, the massive stone walls were complete. The growth of Immaculata University over the past seven-and-one-half decades has been gradual, yet consistent. The initial 198 campus acres have grown to approximately 373, while the two original dormitory-classroom structures are now part of a complex of thirteen principal buildings, representing a multi-million dollar investment. Off-campus sites and on-line courses extend the geographic range and scope of the university.
Within the framework of a private Catholic academic institution, all students receive education and preparation for positions of leadership and responsibility in their adult and professional lives. In September 1969, the college introduced an evening division program of continuing education for both men and women in order to serve local community needs. In recognition of the growing number of non-traditional-age women, a continuing education office was opened in 1974 to provide special services for this population. Three years later, in September 1977, the college initiated a master’s degree program in Bicultural/Bilingual Studies in cooperation with Marywood College. In July 1983, three graduate programs were inaugurated, seeking to address the need for graduate education among adult students interested in part-time or full-time study in psychology, nutrition education, and educational leadership and administration.
In 1991, the Bilingual/Bicultural Master’s Program was integrated into the Immaculata Graduate Division, together with the addition of Music Therapy on the master’s level and doctoral programs in Clinical Psychology and Educational Leadership and Administration. Immaculata received final approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the doctoral degree program in Clinical Psychology in 1994, and in 1997 for the doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership. In February 1999, Immaculata received approval for a new master of arts degree in Organization Leadership with concentrations in Organizational Effectiveness and Applied Gerontology. In 2000, the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved a doctoral degree program in School Psychology. In spring 2004, a master’s of science degree in nursing was begun.
In 1995, an accelerated undergraduate degree program (ACCEL) was established in Organization Dynamics, a model for an innovative mode of delivery of major programs for working adults. Following the success of this first accelerated program, five additional accelerated programs were introduced. Growth has been consistent over the university’s eight-decade history with the student population growing to over 4000 students.
As a result of its unprecedented growth, Immaculata reshaped its internal structure. In July 2000, Immaculata adopted a three-college organizational structure, comprised of the Women’s College, the College of LifeLong Learning, and the College of Graduate Studies. This system allows Immaculata to retain its original mission as a women’s college, creates new institutional structures to welcome a diverse contingent of men and women as non-traditional students, and encourages the innovative programs that are responsible for Immaculata’s remarkable growth.
In June 2002, Immaculata College received confirmation of university status from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Effective August 2002, the college is now known as Immaculata University.
In October 2003, after in-depth studies, the university decided to welcome men into its traditional undergraduate college beginning fall 2005. The University's three-college structure now includes the College of Undergraduate Studies, the College of LifeLong Learning, and the College of Graduate Studies.