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SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMSUndergraduate Certificate ProgramsAn undergraduate certificate program consistsof a logically sequenced and academicallycoherent subset of courses, derived from,and approved by, a given discipline or relateddisciplines, which is intended to preparestudents for professional practice in certainapplied fields. Because of the program’s emphasison application, the choice of courses oftenrepresents more practice-oriented didacticcontents. An undergraduate certificate comprisesfewer credits than an associate’s or bachelor’sdegree. Courses taken toward a certificateprogram may eventually or simultaneouslytransfer to an undergraduate degree dependingupon the requirements of the particular degreeto which a student wishes to apply the credits.Courses selected for an undergraduatecertificate program are courses approved oroffered for credit at the undergraduate levelat Park University, and, when completed,they represent a structured, coherent body ofknowledge. Undergraduate credit hours earnedthrough these courses may not be less than 12hours nor more than 18 hours.4. Certificate students are not automaticallyeligible for admission to the relatedundergraduate program. If they wish topursue an undergraduate degree, they mustsubmit an application, meeting all theentrance requirements for that program.A student graduates from a certificate programwhen all program requirements are completedand the student has maintained a 2.00 gradepoint average (GPA). Individual departmentsmay establish a higher GPA in creating theircertificate programs. A document suitable forframing may be issued by the Department(s) orSchool that offers the certificate program. Coursesand certificates completed will be transcribed bythe Registrar, and they will become a part of thestudent’s permanent academic record.GLOBAL PROFICIENCY PROGRAMWhat is Global Proficiency?Global proficiency is defined at ParkUniversity as demonstrating the knowledge,intercultural engagement skills, cross-culturalcommunication competency and attitudesnecessary to participate effectively andresponsibly in the global environment.General criteria for admission to anyundergraduate certificate program include:1. An earned associate or baccalaureatedegree from a regionally accredited collegeor university, or its foreign equivalent, orcurrent enrollment in a baccalaureatedegree program from a regionallyaccredited college or university, or itsforeign equivalent.2. Each program may establish the minimumgrade point average, English languageexamination score, standardized test scores,and other entry criteria. Such flexibilityis permitted to meet the needs of the targetstudent population.3. Undergraduate students who are currentlyenrolled in an undergraduate programmay simultaneously pursue anundergraduate certificate program, with thepermission of the program or departmentchair offering the certificate program.Certificate-seeking students who are notdegree-seeking students will be classified ascertificate students for the purposeof keeping University-wide enrollmentdata. Certificate students will have accessto the Library and University-wide facilities,subject to the rules governing thosefacilities.114Why is global proficiency important?1. It helps fulfill the mission of ParkUniversity to prepare learners to thinkcritically, communicate effectively, andengage in lifelong learning while serving aglobal community.2. It serves as a valuable credential to add toresume when seeking an internship or a job.3. It embodies knowledge, skills, andattitudes that will serve students personallyand professionally.4. Completion of this program will be notedon a student’s official transcript.Goals:1. Provide students with interculturaleduca tional opportunities at home andabroad2. Provide students with an opportunity tofulfill Park’s international and multiculturallearning objectives:a. Students will demonstrate anunderstanding of the interconnectednessof political, economic, and social systems.They will evaluate and analyze thesesystems.b. Students will distinguish among thedifferent perspectives of world history,intercultural issues, and world