Online Degrees at Parker University
Parker University appears in our ranking of Best Tiny Colleges.
Parker University is a small university in Dallas, Texas with a student population of around 1,000. The student to faculty ratio is an impressive 9:1. Parker University is a leading, local educational institution that contributes to health care education and patient-centered collaboration through research and service. Students enjoy the pleasant climate that comes with hot summers and mild winters. They also like the inexpensive housing and cost of living. The Dallas and Fort Worth areas are growing fast and boast low unemployment rates and high investment development rates.
Although the university started out specializing in health care degrees, such as in massage and chiropractic care, they now offer online degrees at the associate, bachelor and master levels. There are typically new enrollment periods every month for online degree programs. The associate of science in computer information systems is one such degree. This technology program offers high standards and a quality curriculum that provides students with competitive advantages in the job hunt. This degree focuses on cybersecurity and information technology.
It can be finished in five semesters and includes 33 credit hours of major core courses. Sample classes include Computer Information System Fundamentals, which provides an overview of hardware, software, and processes that combine to create applications. Programming Design is an introduction to logic techniques, algorithm development and problem-solving. The Fundamentals of Network Systems classes explores the functions and architecture of network operations. Students learn how to configure, monitor and trouble-shoot network systems.
The health information technology degree is an online program that results in an associate of applied science. Electronic and paper-based health care information is essential to quality care and hospital management. The goal of the program is to prepare support staff to appropriately share and manage health care data. Students learn a lot about health record systems. This broad topic covers storage, retrieval, release of information and quantitative analysis. Health information systems classes teach about the unique delivery systems and enterprise architecture used for medical data structures.
Another popular online associate degree is health sciences, which is an interdisciplinary and customizable program. Students take 28 credit hours of health science courses, then choose 32 credit hours of personalized electives to fit their career needs. A student might choose to take a class in electronic health record software or a class in management to understand the dynamics of organizational supervision. This degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the health care industry doing research, insurance, service, and management. After graduation, the student will understand the complex health care issues through the lenses of economics, government, and culture.
About Parker University
Parker University may be small, but the students are actively involved in a variety of extracurricular programs. Many of these encourage students to expand their technical, leadership and communication skills while having fun and growing as a person. Some of the clubs focus on health care, student government and conservative politics. The pleasant climate means that students can stay active outdoors and live life to the fullest. Although the athletic teams do not compete nationally, they do offer various local and regional intramural activities throughout the year.
Parker University has some excellent academic goals to help their students and the community. They want to empower students with an education through the fields of business, technology, and health sciences. The university provides innovative classrooms, comprehensive curriculums, highly respected faculty, and a family-oriented campus. Leadership is exemplified through service and peer networking. Graduates have opportunities to gain industry exposure to the leaders and latest developments in their fields.
Parker University Accreditation Details
Parker University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Parker University Application Requirements
The university has a user-friendly online application process. Online students must be at least 18 years old with a high school or GED diploma. They must submit academic documents to both the Office of Enrollment and Office of Registrar. Students do not submit their transcripts, but they instead complete a transcript authorization form that allows the office staff to request it on the student’s behalf.
Parker University Tuition and Financial Aid
Traditional undergraduates will pay around $15,000 and graduates will pay around $13,000. There is a $75 online technology fee every semester. There is also a one-time fee of $270 for new online students. Online degrees come with specific tuition amounts. The general studies and health information technology degrees cost $636 per credit hour. Fortunately, the Office of Financial Aid awards around $64,000 a year through 52 scholarships. They help students apply for $23 million in federal financial aid every year. Almost all students receive some type of assistance. The university offers merit and needs-based scholarships for both new and existing students.
Grants are a huge source of financial aid. They don’t have to be repaid unless the student becomes ineligible though unsatisfactory academic progress. Federal Pell Grants are for qualified undergraduates who complete the FAFSA and have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Using the EFC number and other criteria, the amount of award is determined. Graduate student applicants with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for these Federal Pell Grants. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are limited and usually given to students who have already been awarded Pell Grants.
Parker University A&P Grants of $300.00 per credit hour are available to any student who maintains a 2.5 GPA through their degree. The state of Texas offers the Tuition Equalization Grant program for residents who complete either the FAFSA or TASFA. They also need to have a 2.5 GPA and complete at least 75 percent of the attempted credit hours. These programs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parker University offers many scholarships for students, such as the undergraduate academic merit scholarships that award from $1,000 to $2,150 per term.
Parker University offers excellent military education benefits to veterans whose family members qualify to use their personal educational benefits at the university. Parker University offers excellent academic opportunities that provide graduates with the skills and attitudes needed to flourish in their careers and positively impact their communities.
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