Messiah College

Messiah College is a nationally ranked, private Christian college with a student body of 3,331 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah is just 12 miles from the state capital, Harrisburg. The College was founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church. Today, the College’s faith base is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.

Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.

Messiah College is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The College is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church.

Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.

The opening commitment of our mission statement―to develop students’ “maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith”―reflects the integration of our community’s shared faith into every aspect of the Messiah College experience. This holistic educational model was the bold vision of our founder S. R. Smith more than 100 years ago and remains a cornerstone of our identity.

The other core components of Messiah’s mission—service, leadership and reconciliation—are also firmly rooted in the context of our Christian faith. We don’t just serve because it’s the “right thing to do”; we serve because God calls us to open our hearts to the poor and needy and to work for justice wherever injustice prevails. We learn to lead believing that Jesus is our ultimate example of leading with compassion, respect and love. And, because of our faith, we are compelled to build bridges of understanding and peace to demonstrate the reconciling love of God to others.

Messiah College is a nationally ranked private Christian college with a reputation for successfully integrating rigorous academics and Christian faith into all of our academic programs. Messiah's faculty are outstanding teachers, scholars and researchers who will mentor and advise you as you expand your possibilities.

At the undergraduate level, we offer bachelor's degrees in 85+ majors. Specialized programs include extensive off-campus study, individualized majors, independent study and research, service-learning, internships, allied programs in partnership with other institutions, three-year degree options and a flourishing College Honors Program.

At the graduate level, Messiah offers eight master's degrees as well as certificate programs in a variety of specialties. Courses are designed to meet the needs and demands of working professionals and allow students to work at their own pace online while enjoying the support of experienced faculty and a stimulating learning environment.

Messiah offers an array of academic support services that make it possible for you to access any additional help you might need or want outside of the classroom. Whether you need accommodations for a particular learning challenge or simply want someone to proofread a paper before you turn it in, there are qualified Messiah students and staff prepared to assist you.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Messiah College does not discriminate against students or employees with disabilities. Efforts are made to arrange effective accommodations for any qualified person. Messiah College is committed, not only to the legal requirements of the ADA, but to the moral and ethical responsibility to treat all members of the community with fairness.

The Learning Center strives to provide students with assistance in achieving and maintaining an elevated level of academic proficiency to be successful within Messiah College’s competitive and rigorous intellectual environment. It is beneficial to students at all levels of competence. The Learning Center offers tutoring appointments in a number of subjects, including but not limited to: Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, Spanish, French, and German. Individual and group tutoring is offered to all Messiah students free of charge.

College is more than just going to class and studying. You’ll receive an outstanding education during your time at Messiah--but you’ll also experience fun, excitement and make lifelong friendships. As an undergraduate residential or commuter student, you’ll realize Messiah’s campus is buzzing with activity and that there’s always something to do. In fact, many of these experiences become meaningful traditions for our students and make Messiah a really hard place to leave when you graduate.

At Messiah College, “home” is a universal term to students and alumni. From the very first moment you drive onto campus as a new student, volunteers are ready to help you settle into your residence hall. You’ll quickly become familiar with faces and spaces that will make Messiah feel like home.

Living on your own for the first time can be a big adjustment. Residence Life is here to make that transition as smooth and fun as possible. As a first-year or transfer student, you’ll have access to an intentional environment that helps you build lasting relationships with peers who are experiencing the same things as you. Your resident director and resident assistants work hard to host events and activities to help you get to know other students and form a sense of “home.”