Special Academic Programs

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Undergraduate Certificate Programs

An undergraduate certificate program consists of a logically sequenced and academically coherent subset of courses, derived from, and approved by, a given discipline or related disciplines, 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. An undergraduate certificate comprises fewer credits than an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Courses taken toward a certificate program may eventually or simultaneously transfer to an undergraduate degree depending upon the requirements of the particular degree to which a student wishes to apply the credits.

Courses selected for an undergraduate certificate program are courses approved or offered for credit at the undergraduate level at Park University, and, when completed, they represent a structured, coherent body of knowledge. Undergraduate credit hours earned through these courses may not be less than 12 hours nor more than 18 hours.

General criteria for admission to any undergraduate certificate program include:

1. An earned associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or its foreign equivalent, or current enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program from a regionally accredited college or university, or its foreign equivalent.
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.

A student graduates from a certificate program when all program requirements are completed and the student has maintained a 2.00 grade point average (GPA). Individual departments may establish a higher GPA in creating their certificate programs. A document suitable for framing may be issued by the Department(s) or School that offers the certificate program. Courses and certificates completed will be transcribed by the Registrar, and they will become a part of the student’s permanent academic record.

English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI)

Park University’s English Language and Culture Institute offers coursework to international students and other non-native English speakers who have not met the minimum language proficiency requirements for entrance into the university, or who have not provided evidence of meeting those requirements. The goal of ELCI is to prepare students for future academic success at Park, and to facilitate their transition into Park’s undergraduate and graduate programs.

ELCI presents a structured, standardized curriculum at six different levels of English proficiency. Students enrolling in the program will take a placement exam to determine which level is appropriate for their current language needs, and will continue full-time enrollment in the program until they have successfully completed the required sessions. Successful completion involves earning an 80% score in each session, and meeting the minimum proficiency requirements on the program’s exit exam. A student who has successfully completed the ELCI curriculum will not be required to furnish a TOEFL or IELTS score to apply for admission to credit-bearing Park courses.

Though ELCI coursework does not provide credit toward graduation, ELCI students are Park students, with all the rights and responsibilities that pertain to that status.

Global Proficiency Program

What is Global Proficiency?

Global proficiency is defined at Park University as demonstrating the knowledge, intercultural engagement skills, cross-cultural communication competency and attitudes necessary to participate effectively and responsibly in the global environment.

Why is global proficiency important?

1. It helps fulfill the mission of Park University to prepare learners to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage in lifelong learning while serving a global community.
2. It serves as a valuable credential to add to resume when seeking an internship or a job.
3. It embodies knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will serve students personally and professionally.
4. Completion of this program will be noted on a student’s official transcript.

Goals:

1. Provide students with intercultural educational opportunities at home and abroad
2. Provide students with an opportunity to fulfill Park’s international and multicultural learning objectives:
   1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness of political, economic, and social systems. They will evaluate and analyze these systems.
   2. Students will distinguish among the different perspectives of world history, intercultural issues, and world viewpoints. An understanding of geography will be critical to successfully undertaking this analysis.
   3. Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and countries.
3. Provide students with the tools and credentials needed to become leaders in a global workforce.

Requirements:

Students will meet requirements 1-8 below. Requirement #7 dictates the accrual of 30 points through participation of various intercultural experiences. The last requirement, and chief assessment tool for the GPP, is an electronic portfolio.

1. Application submitted on website, reviewed by the coordinator/the Office of Global Education and Study Abroad and approved by the Internationalization Committee (IC).
2. Orientation session conducted by the Office of Global Education and Study Abroad.
3. Language study— Students must complete 3 semester hours of an intermediate language course (Students who qualify for English as a Second Language status based on their admission code will fulfill the requirement by either establishing English proficiency at the intermediate level through testing or by completing English as an International Language classes at the intermediate level.
4. EDU 310 - Issues in Diversity and World Cultures , PS 361 - Cross-Cultural Psychology , or equivalent course as approved by the IC.
5. One global humanities course or equivalent from the current list of courses approved by the IC. For example, ML 315 - Selected Topics in Literature and Culture  or graduate level equivalent course.
6. Participation in a university sponsored and/ or approved international academic experience — short-term or long-term study-abroad, and/or service learning project.
7. Global activities and experience—students must accrue 30 points total from a minimum of two activities in this category during the students’ enrollment at Park. A short one page report must accompany a request for points in these areas and will be submitted to the academic advisor who will seek approval from the IC committee.
   These include:
   1. Projects, activities or other experiences as approved by the IC—Up to 30 points;
   2. Participation in Model United Nations or Model OAS —15 points for one year’s active participation, 15 points maximum.
   3. Participation in other co-curricular or extra-curricular international program as approved by the IC. — 15 points per one year’s active participation;15 points maximum;
   4. Internship in an international organization or with an organization which works with other international organizations—15 points per semester long internship, 15 points maximum;
   5. Participation in World Student Union—5 points per one year’s active participation (minimum of attendance at 6 meetings in a year and participation in at least 3 events); 10 points maximum;
   6. Participation in Coming to America series—5 points per speech; 10 points maximum;
   7. Attending cross or multicultural events, lectures, etc, and writing a report on that experience—5 points per event; 20 points maximum;
   8. Foreign language major or minor—20 points;
   9. Volunteering with an international organization—15 points per semester, 15 points maximum;
   10. Participation in International Classroom Partnership or Cultural Sharing program—15 points per semester; 15 points maximum;
8. E-Portfolio consisting of archived materials from the above experiences, as well as a 3-5 page reflective essay on the students’ experience seeking completion of the program as indicated by receipt of the certificate.

Completion of the Program

• Once a student has completed the requirements of the Program, he/she must submit his/her portfolio to the academic advisor.
• The portfolio will be reviewed by the IC.
• IC will make a recommendation to Academic Affairs.
• Academic Affairs will notify the registrar of the student’s completion of the GPP.
• The registrar will then add the annotation to the audit/transcript.
• The GPP Certificate of Completion will be created by the Office of International Education and Study Abroad, and then signed by Academic Affairs, the appropriate Dean and Chair of the IC.
• The GPP Certificate of Completion will be awarded to the student at the Honor’s Convocation and/or mailed to the student.

Eligibility requirements:

1. Undergraduate students at Park currently enrolled in a degree program. Students are encouraged to seek admission to the GPP by the second semester of the junior year.
2. Graduate Students at Park and/or anyone else who has completed a bachelor’s degree and is interested in enrolling at Park to complete the Program.

Assessment:

The E-portfolio will serve as the chief program assessment tool. It will be assessed using international education assessment tools developed by the American Council on Education.

The IC committee and GPP coordinator may jointly develop a rubric to assess the E-portfolio.

Notes: How is the Global Proficiency Program different from the Global Culture and Leadership Certificate Program? The Global Proficiency Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, both on campus and online.

• The Office of Global Education and Study Abroad serves as the record keeper and coordinator with all decision-making and changes being made by the IC.

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 core of the designed program.

Minor Programs

Minors are required for students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Geography and/or Information Systems. 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 do a Management major and a Management minor)

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.

Study Abroad Programs

Park University offers summer, semester and year-long study abroad opportunities in more than thirty countries; all Park students are welcome to apply. For more information, please contact the Office of Global Education and Study Abroad at (816) 584-6510.

Degree-seeking students enrolled in a study abroad program that is approved for credit by Park University are considered enrolled for the purpose of applying for assistance for federal financial aid.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Park University affords students the opportunity to complete the Army or Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program while earning a baccalaureate degree. Completion of the four-year program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the active Army, Army Reserves, Army National Guard or the United States Air Force.

Cadets must meet military medical, fitness and weight standards prior to entrance into Advanced ROTC.

ROTC scholarships are also available to students who have excellent academic records as freshmen and sophomores, and who exhibit outstanding leadership potential in school or community activities. These scholarships, for two or three years, provide full tuition and fees reimbursement, a textbook and supplies allowance each semester and $150 per academic month to defray other living costs. In addition, Park University awards ROTC scholarship winners room and board remission at the Parkville Daytime Campus Center.

Prior military service in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps automatically waives the first two years (freshman and sophomore) of ROTC courses, and permits direct entrance into Advanced Military Science (junior and senior) courses.

Army ROTC Program Summary

Army ROTC is offered to Parkville Daytime Campus Center students by special arrangement. Park KC Area students in a full-time equivalent status may qualify and at Park Campus Centers where cross-town agreements have been established.

ROTC basic summer camp of six weeks may be substituted for the first two years of ROTC for community college graduates and students who do not complete basic ROTC courses in their first two years of college. Attendance at a five-week Summer ROTC Advanced Camp is required between junior and senior years.

Park University awards four semester hours of lower level electives for completion of Basic Military Science and six semester hours of upper level electives for completion of Advanced Military Science. These 10 hours may be applied toward the graduation elective requirement. There are no course fees; textbooks and uniforms are government-furnished.

Upon entering junior-level Advanced ROTC, cadets are contracted by the Army to accept a commission upon graduation with a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree and are paid $150 per month while a full-time student at Park University. In addition, cadets are paid approximately $700 plus room, board and transportation for attendance at Summer Camps.

Air Force ROTC Program Summary

Air Force ROTC Program/Aerospace Studies courses are offered only at Air Force Campus Centers offering AFROTC with cross-town agreements.

Most scholarships pay full college tuition and most laboratory, textbooks, and incidental fees, plus a $200-$400 monthly nontaxable allowance during the school year.

Aerospace Studies consists of the General Military course and the Professional Officer Course. The General Military Course is the first half of the four-year program and is taken during the freshman and sophomore years, giving the student an opportunity to “try out” Air Force ROTC for up to two years without incurring any obligations, unless the student has an ROTC scholarship. The General Military Course consists of four semesters of study with one hour of classroom work, two hours of leadership laboratory, and two hours of physical fitness training per week. The Professional Officer Course consists of four semesters of study and leads to a commission in the United States Air Force. Leadership and management skills as they apply to a junior officer in the Air Force are emphasized. Three classroom hours, two hours in leadership laboratory, and two hours of physical fitness training are required weekly. Students interested in this program leading to a commission should contact the Professor of Aerospace Studies at the participating cross-town institution.

Honors Academy

The Park University Honors Academy (HA) seeks to create a cooperative learning environment in which students enjoy enriched academic experiences, growth through service, leadership opportunities, professional portfolio development, and focus on their individual professional futures. This program allows students entering as freshmen during semesters 1-3 to interact with a small cohort group in specially designed courses and a program to explore academic majors; service learning; leadership; study abroad; internships; graduate school and employment. Transfer students are also welcome to join the Honors Academy to enjoy its learning benefits. The Academy director will work with all students on initiatives intentionally designed to support their interests and future goals. Those areas include:

Scholarly Activity – students can pursue conference presentations of their research; pursue publication of their scholarship; apply for and complete research opportunities on other campuses; play a supporting role in Park’s Annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium; learn about grants funding for scholarship and pursue at least one grant; explore grant funding when feasible; complete study abroad that relates to their academic focus.

Service and Applied Learning – students can focus on service learning or additional applied learning throughout HA involvement; serve as mentors for freshmen and sophomore Honors students; assist the HA coordinator to plan applied learning HA activities; complete study abroad that relates to their service focus

Leadership – students can work with a variety of faculty engaged in the practice and academic study of leadership; participate in leadership and service student groups on campus and at national level; apply for positions such as First Year Experience Mentor and Honors Living and Learning Community Mentor; pursue internships with state and national representatives; obtain the Leadership minor, if desired; complete study abroad that relates to their leadership focus.

Students who enter as freshmen enroll during semesters 1-2 in LE 100  and EN 106  for Honors. In semester 3, students enroll in an LE course that offers the option of an additional one-hour credit honors project. During semester 4, students enroll in an Honors course that prepares them for undergraduate research and design of an independent research project proposal. Honors research projects take a variety of forms — from traditional research designs to applied projects designed to be showcased to prospective employers. All projects involve research approaches appropriate to the students’ academic programs. During semesters 5-7, students pursue supervised research or creative activity in a self-designed project working with a faculty mentor that promotes independent study. Transfer students typically begin with the Honors course that prepares them for their research project, then complete two or three semesters executing that project with a faculty mentor. In completing their projects, students develop intellectual relationships with mentors while sharing project results with student and faculty audiences.

The Park University 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 Academy also acknowledges that often the most creative learning opportunities for students lie in the intersections between seemingly diverse academic disciplines. For this reason, the Academy encourages interdisciplinary work.

Qualified transfer students and present Parkville students are encouraged to contact the Academy Director to discuss possible membership and completion of the research project. Academy courses are open to enrollment by qualified non-Academy member students with prior permission of the Academy Director. Please visit www.park.edu/honors for more information.

Honor Societies

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.