Why is Notre Dame acquiring MUIH?
Notre Dame was presented with a unique opportunity to acquire a complementary, mission-based institution of higher education located in Maryland. There are numerous advantages to pursuing this merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame. The integrative health programs offered by MUIH will provide Notre Dame with additional academic offerings in integrative health to its already robust traditional health-related programs. Adding new graduate programs in integrative health and wellness will further cement Notre Dame’s distinct brand as leader in healthcare education, as well as add online programs to the University’s graduate-level degree offerings.
Will Notre Dame’s mission or name change?
Notre Dame’s mission and name will remain the same after the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame, which is estimated to be completed in 2025.
Will the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame impact Notre Dame’s existing academic programs and student services?
The final merger will add MUIH programs to Notre Dame’s existing offerings on the graduate level. Notre Dame’s current undergraduate and graduate programs will not be impacted. Notre Dame’s student services will not change as a result. In the future, potential new interdepartmental curricular collaborations may form which may result in new programmatic opportunities for students to pursue.
When will the acquisition and subsequent merger become official?
In February 2024, Notre Dame and MUIH completed the change of ownership step and enter into a transition period, which means Notre Dame owns and operates MUIH as a separately authorized and separately accredited postsecondary institution. Pending regulatory approvals, the subsequent merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame is anticipated to be completed in 2025.
When do MUIH’s operations, students, and employees officially become part of Notre Dame?
During the transition period, Notre Dame will own and operate MUIH under a shared services agreement, which will guide MUIH’s day-to-day operations. MUIH will remain a separately authorized and separately accredited postsecondary institution until the subsequent merger is approved. MUIH’s interim president is Dr. Christina Sax.
Pending all regulatory approvals, after the merger of MUIH programs in NDMU is completed, which is expected to take place in 2025, all of MUIH operations, students, and employees will be officially part of the Notre Dame community.
Who made this decision? Who has the authority to make this decision?
The Board of Trustees of each respective institution agreed to pursue the acquisition and subsequent merger. Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees authorized the formation of an ad-hoc committee of select Board members, the President, Cabinet members, all four academic deans, and select faculty members to assess the potential acquisition.
Additionally, federal and state regulators, along with accreditors, must approve the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame. In February 2024, Notre Dame and MUIH completed the initial step of finalizing the change of ownership, which means Notre Dame owns and operates MUIH as a separately authorized and separately accredited postsecondary institution. The final approval of the subsequent merger is expected in 2025. Notre Dame and MUIH are both Middle States accredited.
What does the follow-up communication look like?
Notre Dame’s campus community will continue to be kept apprised of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual opportunities to hear from the University’s leadership.
Will the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame impact undergraduate students?
It will not impact Notre Dame’s undergraduate students or their curriculum. MUIH’s programs are all at the graduate and doctoral levels. In the future, new interdepartmental curricular collaborations may form which may result in new programmatic opportunities for students to pursue.
When can I start enrolling in the integrative health classes as a graduate student?
After the acquisition and subsequent merger is complete in 2025, Notre Dame will notify students and the broader community when applications for enrollment will be accepted.
Will the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame affect my current graduate program or faculty?
It will not impact Notre Dame’s existing graduate programs or faculty.
Will my tuition and fees or financial aid for my graduate program be impacted?
The merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame will not affect tuition, fees, or financial aid for any existing Notre Dame program.
How will I know when the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame is finalized?
Notre Dame’s leadership will continue to inform the campus community of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual meetings, as well as email and website postings.
What will be the process to integrate MUIH programs and faculty into Notre Dame?
Transition teams have been appointed to help facilitate the process of gradually integrating MUIH’s operations, students, and employees into Notre Dame. Those teams will continue their work throughout the transition period when Notre Dame will own and operate MUIH as a separate authorized and separate accredited postsecondary institution. The academic deans at Notre Dame have been part of the review and planning process and will continue to participate in the transition and post-merger periods.
Will there be campus offices for MUIH faculty and staff?
As the vast majority of MUIH’s students are online, MUIH’s existing faculty and staff largely work remotely. Remote work will continue after the change of ownership and will be evaluated and addressed during the transition period. After the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame is completed in 2025, some MUIH faculty and staff will have offices on campus.
During the transition period before the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame is finalized, who do I report to? Will anything change for Notre Dame faculty and staff during the transition?
Nothing will change about Notre Dame’s organizational structure during the transition period. Transition teams will be appointed to help facilitate the gradual process of bringing MUIH’s operations, students, and employees into Notre Dame. Notre Dame and MUIH will continue to operate independently until the acquisition and subsequent merger are approved. During the transition period before the merger is completed, some designated Notre Dame administrators will work directly to provide support to MUIH through a shared services agreement.
How will I know when the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame is finalized?
Notre Dame’s leadership will continue to inform the campus community of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual meetings, as well as email and website postings.
Will Notre Dame’s engagement with alumnae and alumni change as a result of the merger of MUIH programs into Notre Dame?
Notre Dame’s current engagement with alumnae and alumni will not change as a result of the merger when it is approved. Transition teams appointed to facilitate the merger process will consider how to integrate MUIH’s alumni into Notre Dame’s alumnae and alumni community after the merger is complete in 2025.
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world.
Julia Campagna, director of mission and ministry at NDMU, discusses both the history of All Saints' Day and how the holiday is recognized on campus in this USA TODAY feature article.
