8529 Cat.qxd - Immaculata University

Immaculata’s origins date from 1906 when the sisters purchased the present site in Chester County. Ground wasbroken for Villa Maria Hall in 1908, and two years later, the massive stone walls were complete, topped by a red tile roof,and with only the bare steel skeleton of the now familiar dome. The beginnings were modest when, in 1914, Villa MariaAcademy for Girls opened its doors. In 1920, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania chartered Villa Maria (later changed toImmaculata) College, and college classes began in September, 1921.ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS1925 • Teacher Education approved by Pennsylvania Department of Instruction First degrees conferred1927 • Membership in National Catholic Educational Association1928 • Accreditation by Middle States Association1929 • Formal change of name from Villa Maria to Immaculata UniversityMembership in American Council of Education and Association of American CollegesRecognition of Premedical Program by American Medical Association1930 • Dietetic Program approved by The American Dietetic Association1945 • Establishment of the Father Gillet Cancer Research Unit (terminated in 1974)1953 • Approval of four-year program in Elementary Education by Pennsylvania State Council of Education1957 • Approval by American Association of University Women1964 • Renewal of accreditation by Middle States Association1967 • Establishment of Center for the Teaching of the Americas1969 • Establishment of the Evening Division1973 • Initial approval of Early Childhood Teacher Education Program by Pennsylvania Department of Education1974 • Establishment of the Early Learning CenterRenewal of accreditation by Middle States AssociationInitial accreditation by National Association of Schools of Music1976 • Renewal of Plan IV Dietetic Program in the areas of General and Clinical Dietetics byThe American Dietetic Association1977 • Establishment of Bicultural/Bilingual Studies Master’s Program (in cooperationwith Marywood College)1978 • Renewal of Teacher Certification Programs by Pennsylvania Department of Education• Approval of Music Therapy Program by American Association for Music Therapy• Full approval of Early Childhood Teacher Education Program by Pennsylvania Department of Education1980 • Permanent approval of Music Therapy Program by American Association for Music Therapy Full membershipin National Association of Schools of Music1981 • Approval of Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degree Programs by Pennsylvania Department ofEducation•Affiliation with Brandywine and Chester County Hospital Schools of Nursing1983 • Approval of Master of Arts Programs in Counseling Psychology, Educational Leadership and/orAdministration, and Nutrition Education by Pennsylvania Department of Education• Renewal of Teacher Education Program by Pennsylvania Department of Education• Approval of Elementary-Middle School Principal Certification Program by PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education1984 • Accreditation of Coordinated Undergraduate Program (CUP) in the area of General Dietetics by Commissionon Accreditation of The American Dietetic Association• Renewal of accreditation by Middle States Association• Approval of upper-division Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree for Registered Nurses by PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education1987 • Approval of upper-division Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree for Registered Nurses by PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education•Additional focus of Graduate Educational Leadership Program: Leadership in Teaching and Learning1988 • Renewal of accreditation of Coordinated Undergraduate Program (CUP) in the area of General Dietetics by theCouncil on Education Division of Education• Accreditation/Approval of The American Dietetic Association8