Frequently Asked Questions: Notre Dame of Maryland University, Maryland University of Integrative Health Announce Acquisition Agreement

Full Story: NDMU, MUIH Announce Acquisition Agreement

Everyone

Why is Notre Dame pursuing this acquisition now?
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 acquisition. The integrative health programs offered by MUIH will provide Notre Dame with complementary academic offerings to its already robust traditional health-related programs. This acquisition 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 offering.

Will Notre Dame’s mission or name change?

Notre Dame’s mission and name will remain the same after the acquisition, which is estimated to be completed in late 2024 or 2025.

Will the acquisition impact NDMU’s existing academic programs and student services?

The acquisition will add new programs to Notre Dame’s existing offerings on the graduate level. NDMU’s current undergraduate and graduate programs will not be impacted. Notre Dame’s student services will not change as a result of the acquisition. In the future, new interdepartmental curricular collaborations may form which may result in new programmatic opportunities for students to pursue.

When will the acquisition become official?

Notre Dame and MUIH have enacted an agreement that is expected to take effect in early 2024. Pending regulatory approvals, the acquisition and subsequent merger of MUIH into NDMU is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024 or 2025. After the closing of the agreement, Notre Dame and MUIH will continue to operate separately during a transition period until the acquisition and subsequent merger is approved.

When do MUIH’s operations, students, and employees officially become part of NDMU?

After the acquisition and subsequent merger is completed, which is expected to take place in late 2024 or early 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. 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, will have to approve the acquisition before it can be finalized in late 2024 or 2025. NDMU and MUIH are both Middle States accredited.

What does the follow-up communication look like?
Notre Dame’s campus community will be kept apprised of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual opportunities to hear from the University’s leadership.


Students

Will the acquisition impact undergraduate students?

The acquisition will not impact NDMU’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 late 2024 or 2025, Notre Dame will notify students and the broader community when applications for enrollment will be accepted. In the interim, prospective students may continue to apply and enroll at MUIH.

Will the acquisition affect my current graduate program or faculty?

The acquisition 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 acquisition will not affect tuition, fees, or financial aid for any existing Notre Dame program.

How will I know when the acquisition is finalized?

Notre Dame’s campus community will be informed of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual opportunities to hear from the University’s leadership.


Faculty and Staff

What will be the process to integrate MUIH programs and faculty into Notre Dame?
Transition teams will be appointed to help facilitate the process of gradually integrating MUIH’s operations, students, and employees into Notre Dame. 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-acquisition 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 in ownership and will be evaluated and addressed during the transition period. After the acquisition is completed in late 2024 or 2025, some MUIH faculty and staff will have offices on campus.

During the transition period before the acquisition 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.

How will I know when the acquisition is finalized?

Notre Dame’s campus community will be informed of key milestones throughout the process with scheduled in-person and virtual opportunities to hear from the University’s leadership.


Alumni

Will Notre Dame’s engagement with alumnae and alumni change as a result of the acquisition?
Transition teams appointed to facilitate the acquisition process will also consider how to integrate MUIH’s alumni into Notre Dame’s alumnae and alumni community after the acquisition is complete in late 2024 or 2025.