Daemen College is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational, comprehensive college in Amherst, New York. Its attractive suburban location offers convenient access to the cultural amenities of metropolitan Buffalo and the scenic outdoor recreation areas of Western New York, the Niagara Frontier, and the Great Lakes. In addition, the College is near Canada, with cosmopolitan Toronto in easy driving distance.
The College was established in 1947 as Rosary Hill College by the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, whose foundress was Magdalene Daemen, a Dutch woman dedicated to working with the poor. Her faith and courage have inspired many to give themselves to the service of others. The College has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1956. Institutional accreditation was last reaffirmed in 2017. Originally a liberal arts college for women, the College became co-educational in 1971, extending its commitment to academic excellence to the education of both men and women. In 1976, the College became independent and nonsectarian, changing its name to Daemen College. In 1992, New York State amended the college’s charter, authorizing the award of graduate level degrees as well as baccalaureate degrees.
Committed to an academic atmosphere that leads to open inquiry and debate, Daemen has achieved a creative balance between programs providing career preparation and education in the liberal arts. Programs in the major and the competency-based core curriculum encourage students to expand their horizons beyond the classroom through internships, service-learning, clinical and field experiences, collaborative research with faculty, and study abroad. The Core Curriculum is designed to develop students’ skills and competencies in seven areas that will benefit them personally and professionally throughout their lives.