Georgian Court University: Belong, Believe, Become

At Georgian Court University, college is a journey of discovery and possibility. It’s about finding your path, exploring your passions, and understanding that true success is rooted in leadership, community, and service. It’s also about turning your dreams into reality.

You’ll find where you belong in a vibrant, welcoming community where you’ll believe in your potential and become the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally. Here, doors open to endless opportunities for your future.

As a Roman Catholic university, Georgian Court welcomes students from all religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Every student can benefit from a GCU education with its core values of respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service. These values, an extension of beliefs established by the Sisters of Mercy, the university’s founding order, mean that you’ll leave your mark, live with purpose, and inspire others to do the same.

Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court is Central and South Jersey’s only Catholic university. With a strong liberal arts core and a historic commitment to women, it has grown into a comprehensive, coeducational institution that champions diversity and academic excellence. Today, more than 1,800 students of all faiths and backgrounds pursue 35+ undergraduate majors and 10+ graduate programs at GCU.

Georgian Court’s breathtaking 114-acre campus in Lakewood, New Jersey — set on the historic former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark — is just minutes from the Jersey Shore. Its prime location, only an hour from both Philadelphia and New York, gives students easy access to internships, career exploration, and world-class arts and culture. In addition to its main campus, GCU serves students through the Center for Professional Studies, at GCU at Brookdale, and through a wide range of online degree and certificate programs. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Georgian Court offers students the flexibility to pursue their education on campus, close to home, or online.

Georgian Court’s academic programs are designed to meet employer needs and prepare students for meaningful careers. Popular offerings include accelerated nursing, health professions, health science, business, and criminal justice, along with innovative new degrees such as the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership.

At Georgian Court, students embrace learning that lasts a lifetime, even outside the classroom. One example is the 2025 trip to Iceland, where students and alumni hiked in nature, visited subterranean spas, participated in float therapy and hydrotherapy, and learned about the culture and landscape. For Brittany Webster, an M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis candidate who earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2022, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary.

“I remember comparing the Gullfoss waterfall to the people standing beside it in the distance. The clear rainbow that cast across it left me speechless,” said Brittany. “My eyes filled up with tears as my body tried to process the surreal scenery I was facing. I couldn’t say much then, but I can’t wait to tell everyone about that moment.”

The soul of Georgian Court is its faculty. Professors choose GCU because they love to teach and are committed to student success. Thanks to small classes, faculty know you well enough to become mentors and guides; they’ll also support you in service learning, internships, and faculty–student research.

2025 graduate Gissela Malgeri, who earned her M.A. in Educational Administration, will always remember her time at Georgian Court. Gissela attributes her academic success to the university’s supportive faculty and is grateful for how GCU continues to create opportunities beyond the classroom.

“Georgian Court feels like a family,” explained Gissela. “The professors are always there for you, even when life gets complicated. They genuinely care about your success. Georgian Court prepares you for the next step and provides support along the way.”

From the classroom to campus life, university students know how to have fun and make the most of every moment. The GCU Lions teams compete in 16 NCAA Division II sports, including basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, track and field, acrobatics and tumbling, and volleyball. Georgian Court athletes are repeat champions in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). There are more than 40 clubs and organizations on GCU’s campus, including the Student Government Association, Women in Leadership Development (WILD), and the Mercy Collegiate Society.

High student retention and graduation rates make GCU a Top Performer on Social Mobility on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. In 2024, Georgian Court was named one of the best Online Master’s Colleges in New Jersey, and in 2025, the university was named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 Transfer Honor Roll for the 8th consecutive year.

At Georgian Court University, you’ll belong to a supportive community, believe in your limitless potential, and become a leader ready to live with purpose.