Harcum College

Harcum College stands as a distinctive institution dedicated to fostering individual potential, offering specialized programs in Allied Health Science, Business, and Human Services. With a vibrant campus life supporting both commuter and residential students, Harcum provides an educational experience tailored to equip students for success in critical, high-demand fields.

Founded on October 1, 1915, by the visionary duo Edith and Octavius Harcum, the institution began as the Harcum Post Graduate School. Edith, a concert pianist, was driven by a profound goal: "to start a school where the individual talent of each girl would be treated as an integral part of her education." This pioneering spirit, initially shaping an all-women's university preparatory school, laid the foundation for an institution committed to personalized education. Following Octavius's passing in 1920, Edith admirably led the college for over three decades, steering its evolution.

By the late 1920s, Harcum transitioned fully into a junior college, moving beyond its preparatory model. A significant milestone arrived in 1956 when Pennsylvania recognized Harcum as the first junior college in the Commonwealth's history authorized to confer the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, a testament to its innovative educational approach. Embracing inclusivity, Harcum began admitting male students in the 1970s, officially becoming a co-educational institution in 2003.

Today, Harcum College continues to serve a diverse student body, including traditional and non-traditional learners, all benefiting from its focused academic offerings and supportive community environment. It remains true to its founding principles of valuing individual talent while adapting to meet the evolving needs of its students and the professional world.