Online Degrees Available at Park University
Park University appears in our ranking Top 15 Most Affordable Accelerated Master’s in Communications Online.
Certified by Quality Matters, Park University draws on 143 years of teaching experience to confer six master’s programs wholly online via Canvas. Eleven graduate certificates, such as Global Government, Homeland Security, and Leadership of International Healthcare Organizations, are also available by distance. Eight-week terms start five times per year for working adults to easily enter engaging courses with a 14:1 student-professor ratio. Other benefits include the MyPark help desk, online test proctoring, disability services, McAfee Memorial Library databases, and Dell computer discounts. Two samples online Park University degrees are:
Leading Adult and Organizational Learning Master of Education
Bestowed the 2016 ACHE Exceptional Program Award, Park University’s Leading Adult and Organizational Learning Master of Education has Fulbright Scholars instilling the pedagogical methods online post-grads need to instruct older students beyond K-12. The 30-credit, non-thesis program chaired by Dr. Linda Passamaneck would fulfill ATD certification with accelerated courses like Human Capacity Building, Team Innovation, and Emerging Technologies.
Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics
Launched in August 2017, the Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Analytics is available in Parkville, Kansas City, or wholly online for Park University students seeking advanced jobs turning Big Data into real-life enterprise solutions. The 36-credit, portfolio-building major led by Dr. Dmitry Gimon sharpens skills from Python to SQL with courses like Applied Data Mining, Predictive Analytical Techniques, and Database Systems Administration.
About Park University
Park University was established in 1875 by John A. McAfee with an inaugural coed class of 17 preparing for Presbyterian Church service for free. Named for the Missouri State Senator, Park built its renowned 137-foot, Romanesque-style Mackay Hall in 1886. One hundred ten years later, Park University launched online courses and its Military Degree Completion Program. Home to the 2014 NAIA women’s volleyball champs, Park is now endowed for $72 million as an independent, nonprofit liberal arts school. Park University extends beyond its 323-hectare Kansas City Metro campus with 41 extensions for an unduplicated headcount of 16,933 Pirates. Linked to 46,015 LinkedIn alumni, Park has graduated from Newell George, Lewis Millet, Melana Scantlin, Maurice Green, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Park in the top 165 Midwest universities with the 92nd best business, 156th top MBA, and 213th best education programs online nationally. On Niche, Park University is America’s 135th best criminal justice program, 222nd hardest college, and 354th top business school. College Factual noticed Park for the country’s 69th most diverse, 200th best computer science value, and 53rd most popular health administration major. WalletHub placed Park 176th for career outcomes but 741st for faculty resources. In Washington Monthly, Park University has the 346th top research experiences and 585th best master’s education. PayScale applauded Park for the 328th highest 20-year net ROI of $344,000. Military Times also declared Park University the fourth-best for vets pick.
Park University Accreditation Details
In February 2018, Park University underwent a comprehensive evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to continue its Level III accreditation for another 10 years under president Dr. Greg Gunderson. Headquartered in Chicago, this third-party regional agency is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to check federal standards compliance for Park’s eight associate, 48 baccalaureates, seven master’s, and 27 certificate programs from Blue Springs to Fort Zumwalt and online. Individual departments also pursue programmatic approvals from the following:
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
- Council on Social Work Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Park University Application Requirements
Joining the 4,203 online Park University learners is considered “minimally difficult” by Peterson’s because of the 85 percent Fall 2016 acceptance rate. The Graduate School processes online master’s applicants with four-year, regionally-accredited U.S. degrees or comparable foreign baccalaureates. Most programs don’t have prerequisites, except the Online Educational Leadership M.Ed. that demands 12+ credits in teaching courses and any K-12 certification. Cumulative GPAs should be above 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Lower GPAs might be considered on probationary terms if the first six credits are graded “B” or better. The Information Systems and Business Analytics M.S. prefers basic C++ or Java programming skills. Some online degrees stipulate GRE/GMAT scores if averages slip below 3.0. English language learners must always score at least 3.7 on the ITEP, 5.5. on the IELTS, or equivalent.
Park University has general graduate deadlines of May 1st for the fall semester and October 15th for the spring semester, but dates can vary by program. For example, the Online Communication and Leadership M.A. considers candidates until 60 days before the session starts. The Graduate School has made the application available 100 percent online. If necessary, paper materials can be physically sent to 8700 NW River Park Drive in Parkville, MO 64152 though. Assistance is reached at (816) 746-2533 or graduateadmissions@park.edu. Don’t forget these online master’s necessities:
- $50 application fee ($75 for international)
- Official bachelor’s completion records
- Two letters of professional reference
- Brief personal statement under 1,000 words
- College entrance exam scores (optional)
- Copies of one’s résumé or curriculum vitae
- Teaching license and fingerprint check if applicable
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Park University will charge online master’s students $549 per credit or $1,647 for each course. Active-duty military and reservists receive a discount of $408 per credit or $1,224 for each online master’s course. Veterans pay slightly more at $485 per credit or $1,455 for each course online. Budgets might also include the $10 technology fee, $200 end-of-course exam fee, and $75 MBA instruction fee. Unless waived, health insurance will add $463 per semester. Full-time Park graduates spend $9,036 on average annually.
According to the NCES College Navigator, only 39 percent of full-time Park Pirates share the $17.31 million in yearly financial aid for median packages of $4,529. The Zero Textbook Cost Program offers free eBooks for qualified military beyond Yellow Ribbon benefits. Additional institutional funds include the Fides Et Labor Scholarship, Air Force Aid Society, Marguerite Ross Barnett Scholarship, F.M. Farber Memorial Scholarship, Marlowe Sherwood Alumni Scholarship, and Class of 1928 Scholarship. Online M.Ed. students could qualify for the $4,000 Federal TEACH Grant. File the FAFSA form by May 1st with code 002498 for Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loan consideration. Options like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program can help later. External funds, such as the American Indian Graduate Center Fellowship and Robert Toigo Foundation MBA Fellowship, would apply too.
Learn about more online offerings, including the Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Health Administration at the Park University website.
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