Wilmington University
Overview of Wilmington University (WilmU)
Old Customshouse on the NRHP since November 21, 1974. At 6th and King Sts., Wilmington, Delaware. A Wilmington University building now. Near all the court buildings.
Wilmington University (WilmU) is a private institution located in Wilmington Manor, Delaware, with a postal address in New Castle. Founded in 1968 by educator Donald E. Ross as Wilmington College, the university has grown significantly and now offers nearly 100 degree and certificate programs to a student body of over 20,000 undergraduates and postgraduates. The university’s programs are available at its main campus and six additional campuses across Delaware, as well as partnership locations in New Jersey and Maryland.
History
Established in 1968, Wilmington University was founded near historic New Castle, Delaware, by Dr. Donald E. Ross, who served as the first president until 1977. Initially, the university had 194 students. Under the leadership of Dr. Audrey K. Doberstein from 1979 to 2006, the student population grew to over 10,000. In recognition of her contributions, Doberstein was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women in 2011. The institution, originally Wilmington College, was renamed Wilmington University on September 10, 2007, to reflect its broadened academic offerings.
Campuses
Main Campus
The primary campus is situated in Wilmington Manor, New Castle County, Delaware, along U.S. Route 13. This campus offers over 80 degree programs across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and features facilities such as the Pratt Student Center and the Wilson Graduate Center, which hosts most of the university’s advanced degree programs.
Additional Locations
Delaware
- New Castle Area: Graduate Center
- Brandywine: Unincorporated area
- Athletic Complex: Bear, Delaware
- Dover
- Dover Air Force Base
- William A. Carter Partnership Center (Georgetown)
New Jersey
- Rowan College at Burlington County
- Cumberland County College
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
- Rowan College at Gloucester County
- Salem Community College
- Mercer County Community College
- Camden County College
Maryland
- Northeastern Maryland
Academic Structure
WilmU offers a diverse range of nearly 100 degree and certificate programs through seven academic colleges. These include the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education and Liberal Arts, College of Business, College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, College of Technology, and the College of Online & Experiential Learning.
College of Arts & Sciences
This college provides traditional liberal arts education with undergraduate programs in liberal studies, environmental science, and communication. It also offers minors in art, drama, history, mathematics, and natural science, and expanded in 2017 to include a graduate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
College of Education and Liberal Arts
Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), this college is one of the largest at WilmU, offering teacher preparation programs ranging from elementary education to specialized secondary education fields and school leadership. More than 1,000 education students participate in supervised fieldwork annually.
College of Business
Accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, this college offers ten undergraduate, four graduate, and one doctoral program in business-related fields. It also has an active chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta honor society.
College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences
This college offers completion programs for registered nurses and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It also provides a Doctor of Nursing Practice program and an undergraduate completion program in Allied Health.
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Offering degrees in political science, legal studies, clinical mental health counseling, and organizational dynamics, this college has several professionally accredited programs. The legal studies program is approved by the American Bar Association, and the clinical mental health counseling graduate program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
College of Technology
Recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency, this college offers programs in computer and network security and information assurance.
College of Online & Experiential Learning
This college manages WilmU’s extensive online degree programs, which serve 41% of the student body. It offers over 95 online programs and has received national recognition for its distance education offerings.
Athletics
Wilmington University’s athletic teams, known as the Wildcats, compete in NCAA Division II and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The teams are supported by the Wilmington University Athletic Complex, which includes outdoor fields and an indoor multi-purpose court.
Notable Faculty
- Jennifer Cohan: Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary
- Henry Milligan: Actor, engineer, and professional boxer
- Dr. Lem Burnham: Former NFL executive and player, current vice president for the Philadelphia chapter of NFL Alumni
Recent Developments
In October 2022, Wilmington University announced the establishment of a law school, set to open in the 2023 academic year, with Phillip J. Closius as its first dean.
More on Wilmington!
Wilmington University is a private university located in New Castle, Delaware. One offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in a variety of fields. Including business, education, health professions, and social and behavioral sciences.
In terms of academic prestige, Wilmington University is well-regarded and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The university is committed to providing high-quality, affordable education to its students. And has a strong focus on practical, career-oriented programs. Designed to prepare students for success in their chosen fields.
Wilmington University has a diverse student body, with students coming from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The university offers a range of support services for students, including academic advising, career services, and tutoring, to help ensure that students have the resources and support they need to succeed.
In terms of admissions criteria, Wilmington University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of around 100%. While the exact scores needed for acceptance can vary depending on a range of factors, such as the applicant pool and the specific program to which the student is applying, the university typically requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate programs and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate programs.
Overall, Wilmington University is a good school that offers high-quality, career-oriented programs in a supportive and diverse environment. While it may not be as well-known as some other universities, it provides a solid education and prepares its graduates for success in their chosen fields.