August 13, 2021
La Roche University Receives College of Distinction Honors
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 13, 2021 – La Roche University was championed a College of Distinction for the tenth 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: novel research as part of the La Roche Honors Institute; internships; service learning experiences; and project-based course assignments that serve the local community.
“Every student has their own unique set of abilities, their own goals, and their own ideal settings in which they would thrive,” Wes Creel, the founder of Colleges of Distinction, said. “That’s why we don’t rank our schools. It’s about finding the best opportunities for each individual’s needs and desires. La Roche’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success.”
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. The accolades are awarded to colleges offering first-rate programs with recognized professional accreditations and abundant opportunities for real-world application.
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, accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, offers a post-baccalaureate certification in advanced studies in autism.
“We complete a thorough review of the programs before granting the honors,” Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction, said. “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.”
To view La Roche’s profile or to find more information about the services and experiences it offers, visit collegesofdistinction.com.
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 nearly 1,300 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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