Briar Cliff University

In March 1929, Mother Mary Dominica Wieneke, Major Superior of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Holy Family [ 1 ] of Dubuque, Iowa, along with Edmond Heelan , Bishop of the Sioux City Diocese, co-founded Briar Cliff College after meeting with members of the Sioux City community, who committed to raising $25,000 to support the establishment of a Catholic women's college in Sioux City. The twelve foundresses of the college were carefully chosen by Mother Dominica. They were led by Sister Mary Servatius Greenen, who was named the first president. [ 2 ] Briar Cliff University dedication, 1930 On September 18, 1930, the college, named after the hill on which it is located, was dedicated. Four days later, 25 women started classes in Heelan Hall, the only building on campus at the time. In 1937, the university's two-year program was extended to four years. Fifty-five men were admitted to Briar Cliff in 1965 and co-education was formalized in 1966 with the admission of 150 full-time male students. In 1967, the campus added the residence hall Toller to the facilities available to students, and continued in 1968 with the addition of Noonan Hall. In 1982, the athletic programs also received a new venue as the Newman Flanagan Center was built to house athletic competitions, coaches' offices, and recreational classes. In 1986, the college's president, Charles Bensman, became the tenth president of Thomas More College in Kentucky. [ 3 ] New Master's programs were implemented in the summer of 2001. The college officially became a university on June 1, 2001. Online courses were first offered to students in 2006. The Center for Siouxland Research, the Center for Health Care Initiatives and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching are currently active. The first doctoral degree, the Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner, was introduced in 2013.

Briar Cliff University is situated on a scenic hilltop on the outskirts of Sioux City. Sioux City is located on the Missouri River; directly across the river are the states of South Dakota and Nebraska . [ 4 ] The 75-acre campus includes four residence halls, as well as other buildings used for academic, athletic, and student support purposes. [ 5 ]

Briar Cliff University is accredited as a degree-granting institution by Higher Learning Commission . It is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools . The education program of the university is approved by the State Department of Education of Iowa. The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education . The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs at Briar Cliff University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). All BCU nursing programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and meet the state educational requirements for licensure in the state of Iowa.

Briar Cliff offers four-year academic programs and pre-professional programs in over 30 fields of study, culminating in a Bachelor's degree . Graduate degrees offered include a Master of Science , Master of Arts, Master of Health Administration, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. Most students major in business, education, and health care. [ 5 ]