Avila University
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Graduate Catalog 2004 - 2005                       
Table of Contents
Academic Calendar
General Information
Introducing the University
Mission Statement
Purposes
Value Statements
History of Avila University
Philosophy
Campus Buildings
Library
Academic Technology Facilities
Faculty
Student Body
Accreditation
Membership
Alumni Association
Campus Policies
Campus Life
Student Affairs
Student Affairs Departments
Student Policies
Admission/Expenses
Admission
Financial Regulations
Financial Aid
Academic Information
Academic Programs
Academic Policies
Graduate Program/Courses
Programs and Courses of Instruction
Administration/Faculty
Addresses for accrediting agencies
Map
History of Avila University
The Sisters of St. Joseph were founded in LePuy, France, in 1650 to serve their neighbors by responding to the needs of society. In 1836, six Sisters arrived in America and traveled up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri, and settled in a small town south of the city known as Carondelet. These women established several schools and were soon known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
In 1866, five Sisters came to Kansas City and opened the first private high school for young women, St. Teresa’s Academy. In 1916, the academy administration chartered the first private college for women in Kansas City, the St. Teresa College, and offered a two-year program leading to an Associate of Arts Degree. Fifteen years later, St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing became affiliated with the college and nursing students were enrolled in basic science and humanities courses.
In 1940, the college was expanded to a four-year liberal arts college with professional programs in nursing, education and business. It was fully accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1946 and was called the College of St. Teresa.
The college established Kansas City's first baccalaureate degree program in nursing in 1948 and was accredited by the National League for Nursing in 1966. Additional programs in allied health, social work, and special education were developed to complement strong programs in the liberal arts.
The growth of the college resulted in a move to its present campus in 1963, which is located in suburban South Kansas City, three miles from Interstate 435. Seeking to serve a diverse population, the college became co-educational in 1969, established graduate programs in business, education and psychology in 1978 and began Kansas City’s first Weekend College in 1984. Owing to its continued growth as a comprehensive institution of higher learning during the 1990s, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, Avila became, in 2002, Avila University.
Since its founding in 1916, Avila University has been committed to excellence in teaching and learning in an environment that respects the uniqueness of each person and stresses responsible service to others.