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Felician University, a coeducational liberal arts University, is a Catholic, Franciscan, private, independent institution for students representing diverse religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. The University operates on two campuses in Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey.
The University is one of the institutions of higher learning conducted by the Felician Sisters in the United States. Founded by the Felician Sisters of Lodi, New Jersey, it began as Immaculate Conception Normal School with the first summer session commencing on July 5, 1923. For more than a decade, the Normal School trained in-service teachers and qualified them for state certification. On May 27, 1935, the Normal School was raised to the status of a teacher training college approved by and affiliated with the Catholic University of America. The students who belonged to a religious order completed a maximum of seventy-two semester hours of their undergraduate work at the College and then transferred to the Catholic University of America, Seton Hall or Fordham Universities. The institution became reorganized as a junior college in 1941, and on March 26, 1942, it was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey as Immaculate Conception Junior College.
In December 1963, the State Department of Education granted to the College the power to confer, in its own name, the degree of Associate in Arts. By September 1964, the College extended its curriculum to admit the first class of laywomen. At about the same time, St. Mary’s Hospital in Orange, New Jersey, having decided to expand its facilities and to replace the three-year nursing school with the two-year Associate in Arts program, transferred its nursing program to Immaculate Conception Junior College. The first class of nursing students was admitted in September 1965. In June 1967, the New Jersey State Department of Education authorized Immaculate Conception Junior College to offer a four-year program in Elementary Teacher Education under its new name, Felician College.
* Please note: Until Academic Year 2012-2013, “Schools” (as in “School of Arts and Sciences”) were referred to as “Divisions.” Since this section is historical, the old nomenclature has been retained up to AY 2012-2013.
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The dedication in May 1969 of two newly constructed facilities, the auditorium-administration classroom building and the Library, marked the completion of a physical expansion program begun in 1966. In 1970, the College began a continuing education program initiated for persons who chose to attend Felician College courses for college credit or audit, a workshop, or a seminar. The New Jersey Department of Higher Education authorized Felician College to offer a two-year program in Medical Laboratory Technology in July 1973, a four-year Liberal Arts program in January 1974, and a four-year program in Special Education in 1975. Certificate programs in Handwriting Analysis and in Business were introduced in 1977 and 1978 respectively. An upper-division baccalaureate nursing program for Registered Nurses was instituted in 1979.
Felician College introduced certificate programs in Computer Programming and in Data Processing into its curricular offerings in September 1983. A Computer Science Center also was established at this time. A Religious Studies Certificate Program was inaugurated in 1984; a Business certificate was introduced in 1985. In May 1986, Felician College became coeducational, accepting men and women into all programs and courses.
Further expansion occurred in 1986 when Felician College began offering its Religious Studies Certificate Program at off-campus locations in the diocese of Metuchen.
In 1987, Academic support services became available through the Center for Learning. In 1987, the College dedicated a newly constructed facility housing a Child Care Center and a Nursing Resource Center.
In collaboration with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, a program of Cytotechnology, Medical Technology, and Toxicology was established in 1988.
In 1989, Felician College was authorized by the New Jersey Department of Higher Education to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. At this time, the Office of Continuing Education was restructured into a Division of Evening and Weekend Programs.
The Nursing programs were expanded by the introduction of off-campus sites for Associate Degree in Nursing courses at Overlook Hospital (1988) and Bachelor of Science Nursing courses at Chilton Memorial Hospital (1989). In addition, an evening Associate Degree in Nursing Program was established (1990).
A joint degree program with the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) in Allied Health Technology was established in 1989.
In 1990, the College expanded its offerings to include a Weekend Classes degree programs in Business Administration, Psychology, and Social Sciences.
In 1991, the College implemented a Transition Year program with courses and tutorial support to help academically under-prepared students attain college-level competencies. In 1994, a comprehensive Developmental Studies program replaced the Transition Year program.
Also in 1991, an articulation with the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) was established in Physical Therapy.
In 1992, the College received grants from the New Jersey State Department of Higher Education to implement Community Service/Service Learning components in Honors courses.
In 1993 and 1994, the College expanded its offerings to include concentrations in Biochemistry, Environmental Science, and Philosophy.
In 1994, the College began offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science as authorized by the New Jersey State Department of Higher Education.
In September 1994, the College inaugurated Kirby Hall, 48,000 square feet of renovated convent space.
In 1995, the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education approved the College’s amended mission to include the offering of graduate programs and authorized the implementation of a Master of Science degree program in Nursing, the College’s first Master’s degree program.
The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education approved the College’s offering (1996), in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ), of the baccalaureate degree in Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
In 1996, the College developed an Athletic Program for men and women’s basketball, followed by a men’s soccer team and women’s softball team.
In 1996, the Master of Science Degree in Nursing was approved to offer a Family Nurse Practitioner Track and in 1999 an Adult Nurse Practitioner Track to meet the growing need for advanced practice nurses.
The College’s first web page appeared in the fall of 1996. Subsequent semesters saw the broadening of Felician’s “web presence,” the increasing availability of the Internet and e-mail to our students, and the use of our site to inform, educate, and integrate all the members of our community.
In 1997, the Commission approved new Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Computer Science, Philosophy, and in Management and Marketing. The newly created Office of Academic Support Services designed and implemented plans to achieve greater coherence and accountability in the areas of student advising, counseling, testing, tutoring, and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the fall of 1997, Felician College purchased the Rutherford Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In 1997, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the New Jersey State Board of Nursing accredited the Generic BSN Program in Nursing.
In 1997, the State approved the College’s offering of a Master’s Degree in Catechesis (Religious Education). This program prepares people for ministries that seek to make God’s word dynamic and intelligible to people at every stage in their lives.
The President’s Council formally constituted the Felician College Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects on February 12, 1998.
The introduction in the spring of 1998 of Distance Learning Courses (also made available through the New Jersey Virtual University) began offering students an alternative approach to selected classroom courses. In 2001, the College offered its first online Master’s degree in Religious Education.
In 1998 a Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program began. In 2000, a Post-Master’s Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification Program was added.
One of the first programs launched by the newly introduced Center for Academic Support Services was the JumpStart Program (Summer 1998) a month-long series of workshops designed to enhance both the academic and survival skills of new students.
In 1998, the Masters in Catechesis was approved and in 2000 the name was changed to Masters in Religious Education
In 1999, the Master of Science in Nursing Advisory Committee was established.
In 1999, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the Baccalaureate and Master of Science Degree in Nursing Programs.
State approval of M.A. programs in Teacher Education (1999) and English (2000) have helped the College broaden its commitment to a rising graduate student population.
The Felician College Archives was initiated in 2000.
Success at Felician, an accelerated Business Management degree program aimed at the working adult, began offering courses in the spring of 2000 and ended in fall 2009.
In 2001, the Nursing Advisory Board replaced the MSN Advisory Committee. The Nursing Advisory Board provides input on all nursing programs.
Fall of 2001 witnessed the inauguration of the new Core Curriculum. Consisting of four courses and centered on Franciscan charism, the Core requires students to complete at least 20 hours of service learning before graduation.
The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education approved (fall 2001) the B.A. degree in Mathematics with P-12 Certification, the B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education and, in cooperation with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, a collaborative program leading to the Ph.D. in Physical Therapy.
In fall 2001, the Business Department received accreditation from the International Association of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
The Felician College Men’s Soccer team (started in 1996) won two Conference championships in 2000 & 2001 and two Regional Championships in 2000 & 2001, with two National Tournament appearances.
In 2001, the first online degree program, the Master of Arts in Religious Education, was offered.
In 2001, the title of “Division Director” was changed to “Division Dean.”
In 2002, the New Jersey State Board of Nursing approved the phase out of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program as of December 2004. New and transfer students enrolled in the Generic BSN Program.
The Felician College Athletic program gained full membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II (fall 2002).
In 2002, the College initiated a Certificate Program in Liturgy in cooperation with the Diocese of Newark.
In 2002, the New Jersey State Nurses Association accredited the Division of Nursing and Allied Health as an approved provider of continuing education.
In 2003, the Business Department became the Division of Business and Management Sciences.
In Fall 2003, the College received State approval for a M.A. Degree in Education with an Instructional Certificate: Elementary Endorsement (K-5) and Elementary Endorsement with Specialization (K-8 Science).
In 2003, the Division of Nursing and Allied Health changed its name to the Division of Nursing and Health Management and reorganized its departments to Associate/ Baccalaureate Nursing; Upper Division RN-BSN, and Graduate Nursing.
The Fast Track RN-BSN program began in the fall semester of 2003. Designed for the working nurse seeking an accelerated pace of study, it is a 19-month, one day per week program for Registered Nurses with an Associate Degree (or Diploma) in Nursing.
In 2003, the New Jersey State Department of Education approved the School Nurse/Health Education Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program. The first class of students was admitted in January 2004.
In the summer of 2003, low enrollment forced the closure of the Medical Laboratory Program.
The Office for Mission Integration was established (2004) to promote the continuance of the Felician Franciscan identity and heritage of the College in all aspects of the collegiate experience.
In 2004, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited the Master of Science Degree in Nursing Program – Online. The MSN Program Online was later approved by the Middle States Association of Higher Education.
In the fall of 2004, the College began offering a B.A. in Communications and a Social Science degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice.
The Associate Degree in Nursing Program graduated its last class on December 30, 2004 and closed. Students seeking to study nursing apply to the Generic BSN Program.
During 2004-2005 the College established articulated programs in Physician Assistant Studies (with UMDNJ), Optometry (with the SUNY State College of Optometry), Podiatry (with the New York College of Podiatric Medicine), Chiropractic (with New York Chiropractic College), Audiology (with Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania), and Occupational Therapy (with Sage Graduate School).
The position of Associate Dean was created in 2005.
The Communications Department began offering courses (fall 2005) in the newly renovated Little Theatre on the Rutherford Campus. The theater features digital video projection and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The theater is also used by student groups and academic departments for shows, theatrical performances, and special academic presentations.
Early in 2006, the College received approval to offer the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA).
In the spring of 2006, construction was started on WRFC, the student-run, internet-based college radio station. Webcasting started in September of 2006.
A Clinical Nursing Residency Program for senior nursing students was implemented in spring 2006 in partnership with the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.
Felician College was approved as a Non-Governmental Organization in association with the United Nations in July 2006.
The first RN-BSN Fast Track Program cohort was offered off-site at East Orange General Hospital in August 2006.
In the fall of 2006, the College began offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice; the Division of Nursing and Health Management expanded its Departments to include Undergraduate Nursing Program, Accelerated BSN Programs for RNs, and a Graduate Nursing Program; and the Division of Teacher Education began the TEAC national accreditation process, while also expanding the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (K-5) and Pre-kindergarten through Grade 3 (P-3) offering two off-campus programs in Paterson and Raritan Valley Community College. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts in Education for the Working Adult Program was initiated at the Rutherford campus in Elementary (K-5) and P-3 with a co-major in English.
In 2006-2007, the Division of Teacher Education and the Division of Arts and Sciences began additional development of K-12 education programs in the areas of English, the Fine Arts, History, and Science.
In 2007, the New Jersey State Nurses Association accredited the Division of Nursing and Health Management as an approved provider of continuing nursing education for a period of three years.
In the spring of 2007, the Division of Teacher Education received national accreditation from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
In May 2007, Felician College Division of Teacher Education developed the Master of Arts in Education: School Nursing and Health Education. In June 2007, the program was registered with the New Jersey Commission of Higher Education.
Also in 2007, the School Nurse/Teacher of Health Education Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program was transferred to the Division of Teacher Education from the Division of Nursing and Health Management.
The College’s Franciscan-Felician Center was inaugurated in 2007.
In the fall of 2007, Freshmen Year Experience became a required course for all first time, full-time freshmen.
In January 2008, the College established the Division of Off Campus Services. The Mission of the Division of Off-Campus Services is to define and develop markets in New Jersey for all academic and other programs offered by Felician College so that the College can maximize its educational outreach consistent with its Franciscan mission.
In spring of 2008, the College approved the addition of an Education track in the Master of Science Degree in Nursing program beginning spring 2009.
In spring, 2008 the Gerontology program became a free-standing minor available to students majoring in any discipline, and a Liberal Studies major with concentrations in Humanities and Global Peace and Justice Studies was approved. Courses in Philosophy and Communications were also added to the graduation requirements for Arts and Sciences majors.
In May of 2008, the first East Orange General Hospital off-campus cohort of RN/BSN Fast Track nurses graduated, and an off-campus RN/BSN Fast Track cohort began at Monmouth Medical Center.
The Division of Teacher Education and the Division of Arts and Science received state approval of K-12 education programs in the areas of English, the Fine Arts, History and Science.
In the fall of 2008, the Division of Teacher Education and the Division of Arts and Science received approval from the New Jersey Department of Education to offer Secondary Degree programs for Teacher of Art (K-12), Teacher of Biology (K-12), Teacher of Earth Science (K-12), Teacher of History (K-12) and Teacher of English (K-12).
In November 2008, the B.A. in Music was given State approval; the degree program was launched in September of 2009.
In fall 2008, the Division of Business and Management Science began to offer B.S. degrees in management, marketing, and accounting.
A transfer articulation agreement was signed in 2008 with Bergen Community College for course work in Psychology, Communications, Fine Arts and Graphic Design, and an agreement was signed with Sussex County Community College to begin a Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program in Criminal Justice.
In January 2009, the Fast Track RN/BSN program began a cohort at Mercer County Community College.
In 2009 Felician College volunteered to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to become a Yellow Ribbon Participating Institution.
The New Jersey State Department of Education approved the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in May 2009. The Division of Teacher Education expanded its Graduate program offerings to include the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Supervisor Endorsement and the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Principal Endorsement.
By fall 2009, the SUCCESS program was completely replaced by the accelerated degree completion program in Business Administration.
In September 2009, a joint degree program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management was begun with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Health-Related Professions.
In the fall of 2009, the Division of Teacher Education received national accreditation from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
Also in fall 2009, the Criminal Justice Program became a separate department within the Division of Arts and Sciences.
In September 2009, the Fast Track RN/BSN program began a cohort at Sussex County Community College. This was followed, in January 2010, by the beginning of a cohort at Middlesex County Community College.
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program was started in Fall 2009.
In 2009, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited the Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing Program for a full ten-year accreditation.
In November of 2009, in honor of her twenty-five years of selfless dedication to the College, Becton Hall (Rutherford Campus) was officially renamed Sister Theresa Mary Martin Hall.
In January 2010, the Fast Track RN/BSN program began a cohort at Middlesex County College.
In spring 2010, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Educational approved the five-year continuous improvement progress report for the Master of Science Degree in Nursing Program. The New Jersey State Board of Nursing approved the Accelerated Bachelor's to BSN Degree Program. The accelerated program is for adults with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing now seeking a nursing career. The first cohort of students enrolled. That semester, the Division of Nursing and Health Management established an Exploratory Committee to study the feasibility of offering a Doctoral Degree in Nursing Practice (DNP).
In June 2010, a joint degree program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology was begun with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Health Related Professions.
In Fall 2010, the Division of Business and Management Sciences began to offer both a B.S. and M.S in Healthcare Administration.
In 2011, a Bachelor’s Completion Program in Criminal Justice began at Warren County Community College.
In spring 2011, the New Jersey Department of Education approved the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music Education.
The College, in spring 2011, approved the addition of the MSN Executive Leadership track in the Master of Science in Nursing Program.
In spring 2011, the College approved the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and the degree proposal was submitted to the New Jersey President’s Council.
Certificates in Information Assurance and Computer Security, Photography and Forensics were established in spring 2011, as well as concentrations in Criminology and in Chemistry, and a Minor in Criminal Justice. The Computer Information Systems degrees changed from a B.A. to a B.S.
The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, in spring 2011, granted full accreditation to all business degrees offered by the Division of Business and Management Sciences.
The first Monmouth Medical Center off campus cohort, Mercer County College off campus cohort and Sussex County College off campus cohort of the RN/BSN Fast Track program graduated in May 2011.
In fall 2011 a Certificate in International Visual Studies was established. In spring 2012 a Joint Minor in Theater Studies was created by the Departments of Communications and English.
In October 2011, the Fast Track RN/BSN Program began a cohort at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, NJ.
In November of 2011 the Accelerated BSN Program graduated its first cohort of nursing students.
In November 2011, Acting Secretary of Higher Education Hendricks approved the College's petition to exceed it mission to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
In January 2012, the College received Middle States approval of the substantive change to initiate a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
In March 2012, the Division of Nursing and Health Management launched the first MSN Executive Leadership cohort.
The first Middlesex County College off campus cohort of the RN/BSN Fast Track program graduated in May 2012.
In July of 2012, Sister Theresa Mary Martin – after serving as Felician College’s president for 28 years – was succeeded by Dr. Anne Prisco.
The fall of 2012 saw the renaming of the College’s Divisions to “Schools.”
In September 2012, the Professional Counselors Examiners Committee of the NJ Office of the Attorney General approved the curriculum of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program.
The Fast Track RN/BSN Program began a cohort at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ in September of 2012.
The first Doctor of Nursing Practice cohort enrolled in September 2012.
In spring 2013, concentrations in Printmaking and in Painting and Drawing were added to the Bachelor of Arts in Art degree. A new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art degree was submitted for State approval.
Iviswold Castle, the most prominent structure on the Rutherford Campus, opened in the spring of 2013 following a restoration project that took 14 years to complete. The “Castle” is now home to a student lounge and café, campus chapel, and administrative offices of enrollment and institutional advancement.
The spring of 2013 saw the B.S. in Computer Information Systems become a B.S. in Computer Science; the B.S. in Computer Information Systems with concurrent certification in Information Assurance and Security became a B.S. in Cybersecurity.
In the spring of 2013 grant funding had been obtained, and plans finalized, for the transformation of the building on the Rutherford Campus formerly known as Messler Library into an Education Commons, which includes a Nursing Resource and Simulation Center, hi-tech eLibrary, and classrooms – all thoughtfully designed to facilitate personal interaction within a state-of-the-art technological environment.
In May 2013, the first Kimball Medical Center off campus cohort of the Fast Track RN/BSN Program graduated.
In May 2013, by majority vote Faculty accepted the redesign of our General Education Program and thereby instituted the General Education Curricular Commons Program which took effect in fall 2013 for incoming freshmen.
On July 1, 2013 Articulated and Joint Degree Programs with UMDNJ-SHP were transferred to Rutgers-SHP.
In April 2014, the inaugural meeting of the Institute for Gerontology External Advisory Board was convened by Dr. Anne Prisco, President.
On April 14, 2014, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited the School of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in for a full five years, the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program for a full ten years, and the Master's Degree Program in Nursing for a full ten years.
The first cohorts of the Saint Barnabas Medical Center RN/BSN Fast Track and MSN Executive Leadership programs graduated in May 2014.
The first fully on-line cohort of the Fast Track RN/BSN program began on January 7, 2015. On May 16, 2015, the first class of DNP students graduated.
The School of Nursing celebrated its 50th Anniversary on September 20, 2015 with a Mass followed by a Luncheon. Seven distinguished nursing alumni were inducted into the newly established Nursing Hall of Honor. Inductees included Sister Mary Rosita Brennan, CSSF, PhD, MSN, RN, '68; Laura E. Cima, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, '85; Kathleen A. Fagan, PhD, RN, BC, APN, '94; Valera A. Hascup, PhD, MSN, RN, CTN, CCES, '99; Catherine M. Jennings, DNP, MSN, APN, '77, '81; Lynn Kearney, MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC, '73; JoAnne Penn, MA, RN, BC, '85, Ruth A. Wittmann-Price, PhD, RN, CNS, CHSE, ANEF, '78, '81; Barbara Jean Toscano, MS, RN, '68 (Posthumous).
The 100th cohort of the Fast Track RN/BSN program began in 2016.
The first fully on-line cohort of the fast Track RN/BSN program graduated in May 2016.
On January 15, 2016 the New Jersey State Board of Nursing accredited the prelicensure program in the School of Nursing for a full eight years to December 2023.
On March 21, 2016 the State of New Jersey approved the Master of Science in Computer Science degree within the School of Arts & Sciences.
In Fall 2016, the School of Business began to offer a Doctorate of Business Administration.
On October 28, 2016 the State of New Jersey approved the Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Primary Care. The Psy.D. is the first doctoral program in the School of Arts & Sciences. Enrollment in the program began spring 2017.
On June 16, 2017 the State of New Jersey approved the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sports Science program, which is housed in the School of Arts & Sciences.
The Arnold Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing selected Felician University School of Nursing to receive funding to support the inaugural White Coat Ceremony for prelicensure student held on October 17, 2017.
On October 23, 2017, the Fast Track RN/BSN program began a cohort at Clara Maas Medical Center in Belleville, NJ.
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education awarded accreditation to all Business Programs in the School of Business on December 31, 2017.
The Forever G.I. Bill was signed into law, effective January 1st, 2018.
In Spring 2018, the School of Arts & Sciences launched the 2+2 Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Middlesex County College.
In March 2018, Dr. Kathleen Vito and two Master of Science in Nursing Advanced Practice students participated in a week-long study abroad experience, traveling to Jacmel, Haiti. They worked with the onsite Felician Sisters of North America providing care.
In Fall 2018, the first RN to MSN cohort started as an online program for RNs seeking their MSN degree.
On October 17, 2018, the first cohort for the Fast Track RN/MSN program began online.
The first Clara Maass Medical Center cohort of the RN/BSN Fast Track program graduated in May 2019.
In August 2019, the first cohort of the Hybrid Accelerated BSN program began at the new Nursing Resource and Simulation Center in Parsippany NJ.
August 26, 2020: The first cohort for the Post Master's Certificate in Adult Oncology Nurse Practitioner program started in partnership with the John Theurer Cancer Center.
In December 2020, the first cohort of the Hybrid Accelerated BSN program graduated from the program.
In 2019, the Nursing Education track of the Master of Science in Nursing program was suspended.
In 2022, the Nursing Administration track of the Master of Science in Nursing program was suspended.
On May 19, 2023, the School of Nursing split from the Mu Theta at-Large Chapter and chartered its own Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing called Alpha Beta Chi.
In August 2023, the RN to BSN Program, DNP, and Post Master's Certificate in Adult Oncology Nurse Practitioner program were suspended.
In October 2023, CCNE conducted an onsite visit for the BSN, MSN, DNP, and Post-Master's Certificate programs.
In May 2024, the RN to MSN Program was taught out and closed.
In July 2024, the School of Nursing was renamed the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
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The seal of Felician University reflects the history that gave the University its birth of the vision it hopes to instill in each person who has been a part of its community.
The open book is borrowed from the coat of arms of Bishop O’Connor who invited the Felician Sisters, the founders of the University, to establish a province in the Diocese of Newark.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the University patroness and “Immaculate Conception” is the former name of the University. For this reason, the book bears a silver crescent. This symbol of the Immaculate Conception is derived from the Apocalypse: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (12:1)
The wavy lines of the division of the Chevron represent the Saddle River whose waters border the Lodi campus. The mill-rinds recall the founding of Lodi, established around the gristmill operated by Hopper and Zabriskie.
The insignia of the Felician Sisters, which is emblazoned on the escutcheon, consists of the crossed arms of Christ and St. Francis and the Eucharist-bearing cross engraved on the pierced Heart of Mary.
The motto “In Veritate Felicitas,” translated “In Truth is Happiness,” represents the vision and the goal of the founders of the University.