| Avila
University is a Catholic, four-year, co-educational university
offering liberal arts and professional programs. Conveniently
located on fifty acres in suburban south Kansas City, Missouri,
Avila 's "Heart of America" location makes it accessible
from anywhere in the country.
From its modest
beginnings in 1916, Avila has become a flourishing, comprehensive
university. We currently offer undergraduate, graduate, and
certificate programs through day, evening, and weekend classes.
Avila's
commitment to excellence, to service of students and the community,
to quality education of spirit, mind and body, and to growth
of the "whole" person is deeply rooted in its Catholic
heritage and in the lives and beliefs of the founding Sisters
of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
A
strong emphasis is placed on integrating the liberal arts
into all programs so as to prepare students for a lifetime
of personal fulfillment and career growth. Carefully planned
courses in the humanities, arts, natural and social sciences
are designed to develop each student's ability to think critically,
analyze written material and write and speak effectively.
At Avila, students acquire those skills necessary for success
in a chosen career as well as preparation for graduate or
professional studies.
History
Avila was founded
as The College of St. Teresa in 1916. In 1940 the college
became a four-year institution and was awarded its first accreditation
in 1946. The college moved to its present location in 1963
and became known as Avila College in honor of St. Teresa of
Avila . Avila became a coeducational institution in 1969.
In July 2002 Avila gained university status.
Undergraduate
Studies
Avila offers the
following undergraduate programs as major fields of study:
Accounting
– B.S..
Art
– B.A. and B.F.A.
Biology
– B.S.
Business
Administration – B.A. and B.S.B.A.
Business
Education – B. A.
Communication
– B.A.
Computer
Science – B.S.
Educational
Studies – B.S.
Elementary
Education – B.S.
English
– B.A.
Finance
– B.S.B.A.
General
Management – B.S.B.A.
Healthcare
Services – B.S.
History
– B.A.
International
Business – B.S.B.A.
Management
Information Systems – B.S.B.A.
Marketing
– B.S.B.A.
Mathematics
Education – B.A.
Middle
School Education – B.S.
Music
– B.A.
Nursing
– B.S.N.
Political
Science – B.A.
Pre-Health
Professions – B.S.
Psychology
– B.A.
Radiologic
Science – B.S.
Religious
Studies – B.A.
Social
Work – B.S.W.
Sociology
– B.A.
Special
Education – B.S.
Sports
Science – B.S.
Theatre
– B.A. and B.F.A.
A Certificate program
is offered in Education.
Avila students may
minor in most major fields as well as in the following areas:
Advertising/Public Relations, Anthropology, Chemistry, Dance,
Economics, English, Secondary Education (Art, Biology, English,
Music-Unified Vocal/Choral, Social Studies, Speech/Theatre),
Mathematics, Philosophy, Studio Art, and Women's Studies.
Graduate
Studies
Avila offers the
following graduate programs as major fields of study:
Avila
Advantage in the School of Professional Studies
Avila Advantage is
an adult degree-completion program offering a Bachelor of
Arts in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in
Healthcare Services, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Courses are structured in 8-week, 5-week, online, Saturdays,
and weekend intensive formats . The Advantage program also
offers customized on-site training to companies in a wide
variety of areas. The Advantage office can be contacted at
816.501.3737.
Accreditation
Avila University
is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member
of the North Central Association. The Joint Review Committee
on Education in Radiologic Technology, the Council on Social
Work Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,
the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education, and the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council,
also accredit our university programs. Avila University has
professional approval of the Paralegal Program by the American
Bar Association and of the nursing program by the Missouri
State Board of Nursing.
Faculty
The Avila University
faculty is made up of 106 full-time equivalent professors.
Seventy-four percent of the full-time faculty hold Ph.D. degrees
or terminal degrees in their field and teach introductory
as well as advanced courses. The university's adjunct faculty
are practitioners chosen for their ability to teach in specialized
areas.
The faculty is committed
to excellence in teaching. Research and publication are also
valued, especially when collaboration of students and faculty
is involved. The Avila faculty is dedicated to life-long learning,
professional growth and excellence in the classroom.
Student
Body
Avila University's
1,800 students come from the Kansas City Metropolitan area
as well as from 14 states and 34 countries. They are a mix
of traditional and nontraditional college ages. Over 80% of
the full-time first year students receive some type of financial
aid. |