The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees celebrated successes of the National Park University Center and approved curriculum for the College’s first bachelor’s degree Wednesday during the regular monthly board meeting.
Wade Derden, vice president for Academic Affairs presented academic program changes which included a request for approval of curriculum for the College’s first bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). He noted the Board approved a resolution in August allowing the College to investigate the feasibility of offering bachelor’s degrees. The NPC Nursing Division researched and developed an RN-to-BSN program that was approved by the Curriculum and Assessment Committee in November.
The RN-to-BSN pathway is specifically designed to meet the needs of registered nurses with a current RN license seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The BSN completion program covers the skills necessary to advance as a professional nurse. "This is a really important step for the College, with your approval we will still have several hurdles ahead of us. Your approval basically allows us to submit these materials to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, hopefully by February," said Derden.
NPC President, John Hogan explained the significance of the degree approval, noting the importance of meeting the critical need for the local health care industry. “Today the step that you took will enable us to make the next steps in the process.”
Director of Academic Services, Yolanda Cox reported on the successes of the National Park University Center. NPC has 533 students enrolled in University Center transfer degrees for the fall 2021 semester, 28% of the credit student population. The University Center currently offers more than 80 articulated degree pathways to 13 university partners across Arkansas. Degrees with the highest enrollment include business, education, psychology, social work and biology – pre-health. Students enrolled in the programs have options between online, on-campus and hybrid course formats.
Cox explained that University Center students are succeeding at a much higher rate than the average Arkansas university student. According to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE), the average on-time completion rate for students attending an Arkansas four-year university is 39%. NPC University Center students’ on-time completion rate is currently 50%, topping the state average. Only two of NPC’s partner institutions have higher rates, the University of Arkansas at 53% and Harding University at 60%.
NPC Board Chair, Forrest Spicher emphasized the University Center’s role in increasing the number of bachelor level graduates in Garland County. He noted the effort, “raises the level of competency and vibrancy, I think, in our community, and we are also able to keep more talented people in our community.” Hogan shared his appreciation for the Academic Affairs team’s work to create transfer pathways that prepare students for academic success. “Providing a transfer pathway of this quality is significant work. Our students complete courses at NPC without losing credit when transferring to a university and are guaranteed to land on the partnering campus as a junior.”
