Online Education and Learning

Our history

Park University celebrates 25 years of teaching students online.

Park University’s online operations began with one pilot class in English in 1996. The first class was a success, and very quickly the online program found its own path for the adult student.

Park has developed over 650 courses online and offers multiple online sections per term. The online learning environment provided by Park University provides flexibility, adaptability, and convenience.

PIRATE PATCH

Online Highlights

  • Over 50 faculty are ACUE certified. 
  • Park University offers over 650 courses online.
  • 2018 Stats:
    • 79,662 Face-to-Face Credit Hours
    • 146,204 Online Credit Hours 
  • 78% of all Park students take at least one online course.
  • In 2018, Park University had 8,859 online students (ranked 95th in the nation).

The primary difference is online classes have no set time you have to attend class. This allows you the flexibility to create your own schedule. You still participate in class, but instead of in-person lectures, it will be through weekly online assignments and discussions

No, you login to class on your schedule. Just remember the classes aren’t self-paced. You will have specific due dates for each week’s assignments.

We recommend 2 courses per 8-week term. This allows students to successfully progress through the program, while still managing to balance their school workload with the other responsibilities in their lives.

Online courses are designed to be flexible and work with your weekly schedule. The week for online class begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. Most classes have discussion posts due mid-week and writing assignments or quizzes due by the end of the week.

We use Canvas for our online classroom. It is a user friendly platform that allows you to access course materials, submit assignments, view grades, and interact with instructors and classmates.

It depends entirely on the course. Not all courses have exams, but if they do, they may be open-book, timed, or proctored (either in person or virtually).

In addition to the Park University Help Desk, Canvas Technical Support is available 24/7.

Park’s Academic Support Center offers free services and resources to all Park students, including tutoring, writing assistance, disabilities accommodations, and mentoring services. Park’s Career Development Center is also available to help students with interview prep, resume and cover letter writing, internships, and career transitions.

The Academic Success Center offers the following services to online students:

  • Virtual tutoring with trained Park tutors
  • Electronic drop-off writing services for assistance with papers and essays
  • Virtual mentoring in Park’s Step-UP program
  • Resources available virtually to support online students
  • 24/7 Chat Assistance Service

The Library also offers services online, such as:

  • Access to over 160 virtual databases
  • 24/7 Chat Assistance Service
  • Access to over 380,000 eBooks and interlibrary loans mailed to online students’ physical location
  • Resources available virtually to support online students

Our services are free and available to all Park students. Park University assists students from their freshman year all the way through graduate school.

Students can access Canvas via any device. Each student has an individualized dashboard that allows them with one click to access the courses they are enrolled for that semester.

Canvas – Park University’s Learning Management System

Canvas is the learning management system that houses our online content.

When a student accesses their online course, every homepage for our online programs has the same template.  Students will find grading criteria, syllabus information, assignment schedules and faculty contact information. 

5 Tips for Successful Online Learning

  1. Have a dedicated space for online learning. Being home can be convenient, but it can also mean that it’s easy to be distracted Find a dedicated space at home to set up your study space. When you sit down at your study space, you’ll know it’s time to concentrate on your classes.
  2. Manage your time. Treat your online class like a job. Set up times when you will log in, work on your homework and engage with your class. Stick to your schedule. People who set up schedules to work on their classes are more successful with online learning.
  3. Log on to your course frequently. Successful online learning takes participation. Each course will have ways to engage. Make sure you participate in discussions and zoom calls with your class. The more you are engaged and connected with your professor and your class, the more successful you will be.
  4. Reach out for help. If you fall behind or need assistance, Park University has a variety ways to assist students. Park University offers online tutoring, student success coaches and a vast online library to help students be successful with online learning.
  5. Take breaks. Study breaks are an important way to keep your mind engaged. You can go for a quick walk, stretch or grab a healthy snack as a way to stay engaged with online learning.

CANVAS LOGIN

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.