About Utica University

Utica University is a private comprehensive college in a suburban setting, with a liberal educational philosophy and an informal, personal atmosphere. On a modern campus on the southwestern edge of the medium-sized city of Utica, New York, Utica University’s more than 3,700 full- and part-time students benefit from full-time faculty involvement in all facets of the institution’s academic life.

Consistent with the University’s founding mission, Utica University provides a graduate education environment that integrates the traditions of liberal learning with the development and maturation of cutting-edge professional skills. Utica University holds that education is a learning process that is a continuing, exciting, challenging, enlightening, and fulfilling experience requiring commitment, discipline, and excellence. This philosophy ensures that students are challenged intellectually and prepared as civic and professional leaders. Graduate programs are offered in the following schools of the University: School of Arts and Sciences , School of Business and Justice Studies , and School of Health Professions and Education . 

The student body at Utica University is diverse, made up of men and women from many socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. They represent a wide variety of ethnic groups and include a significant number of nontraditional students and veterans. Some of Utica University’s students commute from Utica and nearby Mohawk Valley communities, while others come from all parts of the United States and other countries. Graduate students may pursue their studies on campus or through online or distance-based instruction.

This catalog contains information about specific programs as well as the policies and procedures that govern
graduate education at Utica University.

For Further Information:

Mission Statement and Values

Graduate Education

Utica University’s graduate programs prepare professionals to meet the present and future challenges posed by the increasing complexity of our global society and to assume the leadership roles necessary to guide their organizations through the ever-changing information and technology age.

Graduate education at Utica University shares the undergraduate mission of liberal, professional, and specialized study by addressing a wide range of human issues while focusing on the acquisition of knowledge in the context of a profession. The Utica University graduate programs are committed to preparing well-educated men and women who have developed the necessary competencies for their careers, and who are responsive and sensitive to the needs of the communities in which they reside, study, and work.

Charter and Accreditation

Utica University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, (267-284-5011), www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The College’s Graduate Programs are approved by the New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education, Room 979 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234, (518) 474-5851.

The Utica University Education programs are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Specifically, the Teacher Education Programs are accredited for a period of seven years, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2030. If you have any questions about this information, please feel free to contact Laurence Zoeckler Ph.D., Chair, Educator Preparation Programs, Utica University at lzoeckl@utica.edu or 315-792-5280. The Physical Therapy Program at Utica University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (315) 792-3075 or email aelazza@utica.edu.The Graduate Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD  20814, (301) 652-AOTA. The Nursing master’s degree programs are accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation. Utica University’s MSW in clinical social work has been granted candidacy status for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Non-discrimination Policy

Utica University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, and accepts students and employs individuals without regard to race, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, AIDS, citizenship status, genetic predisposition, domestic violence victim status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law.  This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in Utica University programs, services, and activities.

The 504 ADA Compliance Officer for Utica University is Kristin Phelps, Director for Human Resources (315­) 792-3024.

Utica University has designated the Director for Human Resources in the Office of Human Resources (315) 792-3276 (or hr@utica.edu) as the individual responsible for inquiries, complaints, and coordination of compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended).

Utica University has designated the Director of Learning Services in the Office of Learning Services (315) 792­-3032 as the individual responsible for inquiries, complaints, and coordination of compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 on behalf of students.

Members of Utica University who have complaints of sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/intimate partner violence, or stalking) by anyone at this University, including any students, staff, administrators, or faculty as well as vendors, contingent employees, independent contractors, clients, and consultants are encouraged to report such conduct to the Title IX Coordinator so that they may investigate and resolve the problem. Individuals who feel subjected to sexual misconduct should report the circumstances orally and in writing as soon as possible to the Title IX Coordinator. A delay in reporting may affect an investigator’s ability to gather information relevant to the case. For the purposes of filing a complaint, “Title IX Coordinator” refers to the Title IX Coordinator and any Deputy Title IX Coordinators. The contact information for the Title IX staff is as follows:

Title IX Coordinator: Ann Ciancia, Director of Contracts and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator (315-223-2341 or accianci@utica.edu 

Deputy Title IX Coordinator: David Fontaine, Director of Athletics and Physical Education (315) 792-3050 or dsfontai@utica.edu 

Utica University has designated several Military/Veterans Liaisons to direct the University’s efforts to comply with the applicable law and regulations on behalf of veterans. The Veterans’ Liaisons is Mr. Richard Racioppa, Dean of Students, (315) 792-3100.

Disclaimer Statement

The online version of the Utica UniversityGraduate Catalog is the official version. The online catalog will be updated two times a year. The Spring-Winter catalog will be published in early January and the Summer-Fall catalog will be published in early May. It is the student’s responsibility to know and follow current requirements and procedures at the department, school, and University levels.

The University reserves the right to make such changes as it determines, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or advisable in its regulations, course offerings, staff, and financial policies without notice. Changes to rules and policies may occur at any time and could be applied to currently matriculated students.

Utica University reserves the right to deny admission, re-admission, registration, or re-registration, and to dismiss or suspend either from classes or a University residence any student who is unable to meet the University’s academic or health standards, or whose behavior is not in accord with the rules and regulations of the University.

Utica University is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to operate as an institution of higher learning offering instruction and research in the liberal arts, sciences and professions. The general management of the business, property, and affairs of, and the establishment of policies for Utica University, an education corporation existing under the Education Law of the State of New York, is vested in a Board of Trustees. For a complete list of the Board of Trustee, please visit https://www.utica.edu/about-utica/board-trustees. Except as its powers may be limited by law or the University’s charter, as amended from time to time, the Board shall have all powers necessary or advisable in order to enable it to manage the business and affairs of the University and to control the property and fix the policies of the University. The University’s charter and by-laws, as well as a current listing of the members of the Board of Trustees of the University and the University’s administrative officers, can be found at www.utica.edu.