RU and Spring Hill College Partner to Increase Academic Offerings to Students at Both Institutions
Rockhurst University and Spring Hill College, located in Mobile, Alabama, are launching a strategic alliance that will create academic opportunities for students on both campuses. Spring Hill is the third oldest Jesuit higher education institution in the United States and the only Catholic college in Alabama. Beginning in the upcoming academic year, students can major in new academic programs, take advantage of seamless pathways to graduate degrees, participate together in experiential learning activities and study abroad.
Both institutions are part of the prestigious Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, which are known for superior academics and Jesuit approach to holistically educating students in mind, body and spirit.
“With Rockhurst and Spring Hill’s shared Jesuit core values and a transformative educational experience grounded in educating the whole person, we are excited for the expanded academic and professional opportunities our students will have through this partnership,” said Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., president of Rockhurst University. “This also aligns with our strategy to continuously offer new academic programs that complement our mission and vision and position our graduates to be more competitive in today’s job market. Partnering with like-minded institutions is a key part of this strategy.”
Joint efforts between Spring Hill College and Rockhurst University will enable students at Spring Hill College to have new or expanded access to undergraduate majors such as business analytics, criminal justice and exercise science. In addition, the agreement will create streamlined pathways for Spring Hill College students to enter Rockhurst’s master’s programs in data analytics and speech-language pathology, and doctoral programs in physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Students at both institutions will benefit from the regional environments and local industries in Mobile and Kansas City through exchange opportunities to study on either campus for experiences benefiting many majors such as biology and business.
More Rockhurst University students will be able to apply to study at Spring Hill College’s Italy Center in Bologna, taking advantage of immersive cultural and academic experiences in a historic Italian university city. This program facilitates academic travel and fosters a global perspective within a Jesuit educational framework.
According to Mary Van Brunt, Ph.D., president of Spring Hill College, “This strategic alliance is going to expand existing programs and create new opportunities. I’m excited for our students to benefit from these new academic offerings — it’s also a perfect complement as we begin construction on our new Health and Science Innovation Center, which will open in the 2026-27 academic year.”
The programs and academic experiences in the strategic alliance remain subject to final approval and the development of memorandums of understanding detailing the terms for the applicable programs.
Over the last couple of decades, Rockhurst has been partnering with other institutions to offer joint and dual degrees. For example, in November 2024, Rockhurst and Kansas City University signed a pivotal agreement establishing an accelerated pathway for high school students to earn an undergraduate degree at Rockhurst and go on to earn one of KCU’s graduate degrees. The three available paths are the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), and the Master of Health Science – Anesthesiologist Assistant (MHS-AA) programs.
