Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Internships and Cooperative Education

A number of majors and departments provide students with opportunities for hands-on experience related to classroom learning. Generally, work experience which is not paid but which carries significant academic credit is considered an internship.

Cooperative education is defined as an on-the-job learning experience, jointly supervised by a faculty member and a representative of the employer, for which the student is paid.

Under a cooperative education arrangement, a student typically, but not necessarily, alternates semesters of full-time study at Park University with semesters of full-time employment in an organization, which will enhance the student’s training, development and career goals. The employment periods are a regular, continuing and essential element in the student’s educational process

General Education (Liberal Education)

All Liberal Education courses are listed in the course description section of this catalog. 

All students pursuing Bachelor degree programs are responsible for fulfilling the University’s Liberal Education requirements. The Liberal Education Program at Park University - Integrative Literacies for Global Citizenship - is education that develops an awareness of human potentials. It develops proper attitudes for realizing such potentials through critical and informed judgments that foster concern for individual and social well-being. It develops a love for learning by encouraging activities that promote knowledge of the basic concepts, methodologies, and rewards of learning. It builds skills and competencies that help students acquire the distinctive outcomes defined in the University vision, mission, core values, and literacies. These outcomes include:

• Thinking and Communication
• Citizenship
• Ethical Competency
• Scientific and Quantitative Competency
• Literary and Artistic Competency
• Interdisciplinary and Integrative Competency

For more information on the Park University Literacies, and the specific sub-competencies of each, visit www.park.edu/about-park/university-literacies.html.

In shifting our terminology from “general” to “liberal” education, Park University also aligns itself with the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ definition of liberal education as: An approach to college learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity and change. It emphasizes broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g., science, culture and society) as well as in-depth achievement in a specific field of interest. It helps students develop a sense of social responsibility as well as strong intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study, such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and includes a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.”

Minor Programs

Minors are required for students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as for students pursuing the Geography, B.S.  and/or Information Systems, B.S.   Students pursuing other bachelor degrees (BSW, BS, BPA, BM or BSE) may select a minor if such minor is approved and readily available at the student’s campus center. For a list of available minors, consult with the appropriate academic department or success advisor.

Note: Students are unable to select a minor in the same discipline as the major. (i.e. Students cannot select a Management major and a Management minor)
A minor must be declared in conjunction with a bachelors program. A minor may not be declared independently, with an associates program or a certificate program.

ParkWrites

ParkWrites is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program aimed at improving writing and writing instruction across Park University.  Writing Across the Curriculum is an educational approach used by a majority of universities to develop student learning about content (writing to learn) and to develop student learning about writing across all disciplines (learning to write).  WAC programs increase student engagement and retention, critical thinking, and effective communication across a range of audiences and purposes, and better prepare students for communicating in the workplace. These benefits are even greater for international students and students from under served populations. 

ParkWrites consists of multiple initiatives including faculty development and support, a journal of excellent student writing called The Navigator, a student writing fellows program which places trained students in classes for extra writing support, and a curricular initiative, the Writing Intensive program.  In addition to taking three required writing courses at Park, students also take at least two writing intensive courses both inside and outside their majors ensuring students get effective instruction in writing throughout their entire degree program.

Personal Major Program

(Parkville Daytime Campus Center Only)

There are many reasons why students go to college. Not the least of these is to participate in the formal learning situations provided by a college curriculum. Unfortunately, the intensive learning opportunities afforded by the standard college curriculum do not always correspond to a particular student’s reasons for going to college. These intensive learning opportunities are usually cataloged as departmental major programs and impose a relatively limited number of alternatives. It would seem desirable to increase the number of options that are available to students matriculating at a college. Therefore, Park University designed the Personal Major, in which a student, with appropriate institutional guidance, is allowed to construct an intensive learning experience which corresponds to his/her own needs where these fall outside the traditional major fields.

The Personal Major Program at Park University is an individualized curriculum in which objectives and content have been chosen by the student in consultation with his/her advisor(s). The program is approved by the Provost or designee. As with other major programs, the student is subject to all general degree requirements at Park University. A 2.0 GPA is required in the major of the designed program.

Undergraduate Certificates

An undergraduate certificate program consists of a logically sequenced and academically coherent subset of courses, which is intended to prepare students for professional practice in certain applied fields. Because of the program’s emphasis on application, the choice of courses often represents more practice-oriented didactic contents. Courses taken toward a certificate program may be applied to an undergraduate degree depending upon the requirements of the particular degree to which a student wishes to apply the credits. Undergraduate certificate programs consist of 12-18 credit hours.

General criteria for admission to any undergraduate certificate program include:

1. A high school diploma or equivalent. Individual certificate programs may have additional admissions requirements.*
2. Each program may establish the minimum grade point average, English language examination score, standardized test scores, and other entry criteria. Such flexibility is permitted to meet the needs of the target student population.
3. Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program may simultaneously pursue an undergraduate certificate program, with the permission of the program or department chair offering the certificate program. Certificate-seeking students who are not degree-seeking students will be classified as certificate students for the purpose of keeping University-wide enrollment data. Certificate students will have access to the Library and University-wide facilities, subject to the rules governing those facilities.
4. Certificate students are not automatically eligible for admission to the related undergraduate program. If they wish to pursue an undergraduate degree, they must submit an application, meeting all the entrance requirements for that program.
5. Certificate programs alone are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid. However, federal financial aid may be applied to undergraduate certificates for students in a complementary degree program who can earn the certificate courses as part of completing the requirements for that degree. Federal financial aid may also be applied to undergraduate certificates completed by degree seeking students in programs outside of the certificate area if the courses are completed within the overall hours (generally 120 or 122) needed for graduation. Non-degree seeking students who wish to enroll in the stand-alone certificate should consult with their Success Coach regarding funding opportunities. Students may also apply for a private student loan to help finance their certificate program. Park University does not endorse or recommend the use of any particular alternative educational loan, but encourage students to review the private loan programs available to determine which option best meets their personal financial needs.

The following minimum requirements must be satisfied to earn an undergraduate certificate*:

• Complete at least 50% of the coursework at Park
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0* (for courses in the certificate)
• Meet all requirements of the specific program, as outlined in the Degree Requirements section of the catalog

*Individual departments may establish additional (or higher) requirements (refer to the Academic Degree Programs section of the catalog for program-specific requirements).

*For information and resources about student loan repayment, or to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.

Study Abroad

Through participation in a study abroad program, Park students have the opportunity to earn Park credit abroad while attending one of Park’s international partner institutions. Park University offers study abroad opportunities in numerous countries around the world. Bilateral, direct and study abroad consortia agreements are in place and continue to be updated to satisfy the need of students.

Students can study abroad for a semester, a year, or a summer program. The credits taken abroad are counted towards the students’ degree requirements and calculated into their GPA.

Study Abroad participants continue their enrollment at Park through a placeholder course overseen by the Registrar’s Office. This maintains the students’ enrollment during the period of the study abroad program and upon return facilitates the translation of coursework taken abroad into Park credit. Study Abroad advises and helps students coordinate their study abroad experience, and offers ongoing support during the study abroad program.

For additional information visit Park Study Abroad.

Honors Academy

Academy Mission

The mission of the Honors Academy at Park University is to empower qualified students to apply critical thought in an exploration of academic excellence, service, and leadership, with a goal of employing those three essential elements as tools to help shape their local and global communities.

Program Description

The Honors Academy is a special program for which formal application is required. The Academy is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines. Incoming freshmen, current students, and transfer students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and an ACT score of at least 28 can apply for admission at: https://www.park.edu/academics/honors-academy/apply/. The Honors Academy seeks students who desire to learn not only for self-satisfaction, but also as a means through which they may contribute to their campus, city, national, and global communities in support of the University and Academy mission statements.  The program is designed to challenge academically well prepared students while introducing and reinforcing the experiential learning outcomes Park University’s Literacies.

The three foci of the Academy, Service, Leadership, and Scholarship are explored through the curriculum:

Freshmen Year: Class Service Project
Sophomore Year:  HN250 , HN299  
Junior Year: HN303 , HN304  

Honor Society

 Alpha Chi

(Parkville Daytime Campus Center only)

A chapter of Alpha Chi, a national honor society was established at Park University in 1987. The purpose of Alpha Chi is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among university studies and to honor those who achieve such distinction. Invitation to join the society is reserved for students within the top 10% of the junior and senior classes with a minimum of 3.80 GPA. The Parkville faculty votes on candidates meeting these criteria and selects the nominees. Contact the Office of Academic Affairs for further information.

 Alpha Kappa Delta

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the International Sociology Honor Society, will have a new chapter at Park University in Fall, 2007. AKD was founded in 1920 to provide a forum for student and faculty interchange and is dedicated to promoting, facilitating, and recognizing academic scholarship. Since its inception, over 80,000 scholars have been initiated into the Society and over 490 chapters have been chartered internationally.

 Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL)

A chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society was established at Park University in 2010. It is the oldest and largest chapter based honor society for full and part time students with over 300 chartered chapters throughout the United States. For the nontraditional student, the Society is an inspiration for continuing scholastic growth and builds pride through recognition. At Park, the Pi Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda fosters university-wide appreciation for the academic achievements and contributions of students and faculty. As well, ASL helps recruit and retain nontraditional adult students. Invitations to join the Society is reserved for students within the top 10% of the senior class with a minimum of 24 earned Park hours, a grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, and are actively involved in community service. For additional information contact Park Campus Centers and Online Learning for further information.

 Beta Beta Beta

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 175,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 430 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

 Delta Mu Delta

Founded in 1913, Delta Mu Delta (DMD) is the International Honor Society for business programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) at the baccalaureate, graduate, and doctoral levels. DMD recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students at qualifying universities to create a community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through lifetime membership.

 Phi Alpha/Rho Epsilon

Phi Alpha, the national honors society in Social Work, was founded in 1960 and Park University’s chapter, Rho Epsilon, was founded in 2010. The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideas. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

 Phi Alpha Theta/Zeta Omicron

A professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among students and historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

 Pi Gamma Mu

(International Honor Society in Social Science)

A Chapter of PI GAMMA MU, was established at Park in 1959. The society has as its primary objectives to encourage the study of social science among undergraduate students and faculty members in colleges and universities throughout the world, and to recognize outstanding achievement through election to membership and the presentation of various awards for distinguished achievement. Any Park University student of good moral character who is a junior or senior can be considered for nomination. A qualified student shall have at least twenty semester hours of social science with a grade point average of 3.0 or better and an overall GPA of 3.7; academically ranked in the upper 35 percent of his/her class; junior or senior status; and no record of academic failure in the social sciences. Contact the Social Science Department for further information.

 Pi Lambda Theta

Founded in 1920, Pi Lambda Theta is the most selective national honor society of educators; a forum for exchanging and developing ideas, fostering individual leadership, and promoting professionalism. PLT also works on an international and regional basis, as well as hosts both regional and international conferences. It promotes service teaching and learning offering networking opportunities among members across the world. It is a prestigious honor to be accepted into its membership. PLT extends membership to students and professionals who satisfy academic eligibility requirements.

 Pi Sigma Alpha

(Alpha Delta Upsilon Chapter)

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college students of political science and government in the United States. Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 for the purpose of bringing together students and faculty interested in the study of government and politics. Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students currently enrolled in institutions where chapters are located.

 Psi Chi

Psi Chi is an international honor society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology.

 Sigma Alpha Pi

(National Society of Leadership & Success)

The purpose of Sigma Alpha Pi, The National Society of Leadership and Success, is to help individuals create the lives they desire by helping them discover what they truly want to do, and giving them the support, motivation, and skills to achieve their goals.

 Sigma Delta Pi

(Spanish Honor Society)

Sigma Delta Pi, a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, is devoted to serving qualified students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities. The Society provides access to Scholarship programs, annual undergraduate awards for summer study in Spain, Mexico and Ecuador, research grants for graduate students, and eligible students may apply for $500 merit-based scholarships and internships. All qualified students interested in Spanish and Hispanic cultures, literatures and the Spanish language are welcome to apply for active membership and to participate in the Society’s induction ceremony in the spring of each academic year. Contact the Department of English and Modern Languages for more information.

 Sigma Tau Delta

(English Honor Society)

All students interested in writing and literature are invited to join an organization that sponsors charity events, hosts poetry and other creative writing contests, and engages in fundraising efforts to send students to the annual Sigma Tau Delta convention. While all members have associate membership in Sigma Tau Delta, the premier international English honor society, English majors and minors may apply for active membership in Sigma Tau Delta if they meet the honor society’s qualifications.

Graduate Programs

A master’s degree is intended to prepare students for scholarly or professional careers, for more specialized study in the discipline, or to satisfy their desire to learn more about a subject. A master’s degree is a distinguished academic award conferred upon those who demonstrate a level of competence and accomplishment that is substantially higher than what is expected of undergraduate students. These competencies include the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, skills to analyze complex situations, proficiency to acquire, integrate and apply knowledge, leadership skills, a capacity to recognize and deal with ethical issues according to the standards of their particular profession, and the ability to work collaboratively with others.

Academic preparation in a master’s degree program should include coursework, independent research, peer interactions, often combined with a practical learning experience.

The University recognizes the necessity for a well-defined and articulated curriculum of study that includes contributions to learning provided by employment, volunteering in your community, service-learning and internship experiences. Furthermore, the University considers these professional experiences to be an integral part of the graduate curriculum in that they allow programs to develop and implement an enriched curriculum while providing students the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and dispositions they have acquired as a result of formal classroom activities. Finally, while encouraged and considered to be an integral part of the graduate curriculum, academic credit may not be granted for work, community volunteerism, service-learning or internship experiences, unless completed as part of a regularly scheduled course. A brief description of each graduate degree program follows.

Park University launched its first graduate program in 1982 with the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree. This graduate program was developed by Jerzy Hauptmann Ph.D., long-time professor and dean, after whom the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs  was named. Accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and designed as a cross-sector degree with a public service values foundation, the MPA resides in the College of Management . The degree prepares leaders for work and contributions in various sectors of society. Students develop skills needed to interface with organizations across sectors, while acquiring the knowledge base to work in a rapidly changing global community. The MPA program graduates leaders prepared to shape the future in these times of relentless change and to make a difference in their communities and in the world.

The Master of Education (M.E.) program was launched in 1995. Originally located at the Parkville Campus and taught in an accelerated format, this program was designed to serve the classroom teacher. Students are encouraged to utilize an action/reflection format in applying educational theory to their own classroom. In 2001, Park University added a degree program in Educational Administration to respond to a growing need for educational professionals certified in this area. A program in Leading Adult and Organizational Learning was added in 2004 and a two-year Urban Education program was launched in 2016.

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program was launched in January 1998 and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Park University’s School of Business , which is housed within the College of Management  is one of the largest not-for-profit business schools in the United States. Its mission is to provide quality, innovative, application-based learning. The MBA is designed to meet the educational needs of a growing and diverse business community. Whether advancing through the ranks of an international corporation or re-entering the workplace to join an organization, the business skills and tools one acquires in the MBA program are vital for success in the modern business environment.

The Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership (M.A.) program, instituted in the fall of 2005, is designed for professionals who wish to build upon their current career skills or seek career advancement, and for students seeking preparation for doctoral work. The degree blends the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to serve in corporate settings, the military, the nonprofit sector, government, politics, or to continue in a doctoral program.

The Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A). program at Park University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). MHA programs were offered for the first time in the fall of 2006. This program resides in the School of Business  which is housed within the College of Management  and is designed to prepare learners for the health challenges of a global society, by teaching them innovative approaches to healthcare leadership. Graduates of this program will find themselves prepared to deal with the evolving issues of today’s healthcare environment in a wide variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The Master of Music in Performance (M.M.) program was instituted in the fall of 2008. The program, whose faculty is renowned worldwide, is an advanced course of study for musicians who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking careers as professional musicians. Students enrolled in the MM program may select from two concentration areas of performance, piano or strings.

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics (M.S.) provides students with the technical, managerial, and strategic acumen necessary to leverage information technology and data to maintain a competitive advantage and improve operational outcomes.

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, values and skills needed to deliver effective and efficient advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The Master of Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 1701 Duke St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA, 22314.

Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate program consists of a logically sequenced and academically coherent subset of courses, derived from a given discipline or related disciplines. Intended to prepare students for professional practice in certain applied fields, graduate certificates provide important preparation and credentialing in our increasingly dynamic employment environment. A graduate certificate comprises fewer credits than a master’s degree. Courses taken toward a certificate program may eventually or simultaneously transfer to a graduate degree depending upon the requirements of the particular degree to which a student wishes to apply the credits.

Graduate Certificate programs, when completed, represent a structured, coherent body of knowledge. In most instances, the required credit hours will range between 12 and 15. The exception is the Graduate Certificate in Applied Music. No more than 25 percent of the hours required for a certificate program may be transferred from another institution.

General criteria for admission to any graduate certificate program include:

• An earned baccalaureate degree from an acceptable accredited  college or university, or its foreign equivalent.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, as established by the graduate program associated with the certificate.

Note that graduate students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program may simultaneously pursue a graduate certificate program, with the permission of their adviser. Certificate-seeking students who are not degree-seeking students will be classified as certificate students for the purpose of keeping University-wide enrollment data. Certificate students will have access to University-wide facilities, subject to the rules governing those facilities. Additional admission requirements as noted, for each certificate. Federal financial aid eligibility is contingent upon certificate approval through the institution’s Program Participation Agreement.

In addition, certificate students are not automatically eligible for admission to the related graduate program. If they wish to pursue a graduate degree, they must submit an application, meeting all the entrance requirements for that program. Certificate courses may be applied toward completion of an appropriate master’s degree; courses taken in pursuit of a completed master’s degree cannot be retroactively applied to a certificate.

A student graduates from a certificate program when all program requirements are completed and has maintained a 3.0 grade point average.

Courses and certificates completed will be transcribed by the Registrar’s Office, and they will become the student’s permanent academic record.

*For information and resources about student loan repayment, or to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.