John Paul the Great Catholic University

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John Paul the Great Catholic University

JPCU-Seal.png

JPCU-Logo.gif
Motto Impact Culture for Christ
Established 2003
Type Private, Catholic
President Dr. Derry Connolly
Undergraduates 91
Postgraduates 53
Location San Diego, California, U.S.
Campus Suburban
Mascot Pelicans
Website www.JPCatholic.com

John Paul the Great Catholic University is located in San Diego, California. It currently offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Communications Media and Business, each with two or more concentrations offered. In fall 2009 the school began offering a Master of Business Administration degree with concentrations in Entrepreneurial Business and Film Producing, and a Master of Arts in Biblical Theology. JP Catholic - the university's shortened nickname - emphasizes its loyalty to the Catholic Church, and lists "impacting the culture for Christ" as one of its main goals. The university was named one of North America's "21 Catholic colleges and universities which most faithfully live their Catholic identity" by the Cardinal Newman Society and has consistently been listed in the Newman Society's "Guide to Choosing a Catholic College".[1][2][3]

Contents

[edit] History

John Paul the Great Catholic University was founded in 2003 under the name "New Catholic University." After the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, the Board of Trustees decided to change the name to honor the late Pope, while retaining the word "Catholic" in the official name to emphasize the priorities of the school.[4] JP Catholic officially opened its doors with its first classes on September 21, 2006.[5]

[edit] Campus

John Paul the Great Catholic University's main administrative and classroom building

JP Catholic's administrative offices, classrooms, sound stage, and chapel are located in office space in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego, California, about 15 miles (24 km) north of downtown San Diego. Students live "on campus" at an apartment complex across the I-15 freeway in the Mira Mesa neighborhood, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) away by foot and approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) by car. [6]

[edit] Academics

JP Catholic operates on a non-traditional year-round schedule, with three 10-week quarters per academic year and four quarters per calendar year. The school decided to move away from the traditional "agricultural model" of fall and spring studies with an extended summer break, after finding that a lengthy break caused "a major disruption to the student business creation process."[7] Students graduate in three years, beginning the program at the start of a fall quarter and graduating at the end of their third summer quarter. Consequently, there are never more than three classes of students on campus at any given time.

Calendar Year Fall Quarter Winter Quarter Spring Quarter Summer Quarter
Year 1 Freshman, Q1 Freshman, Q2 Freshman, Q3 Sophomore, Q1
Year 2 Sophomore, Q2 Sophomore, Q3 Junior, Q1 Junior, Q2
Year 3 Junior, Q3 Senior, Q1 Senior, Q2 Senior, Q3

[edit] Undergraduate Degrees

JP Catholic currently offers two Bachelors of Science degrees: Business, with concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Producing; and Communications Media, with concentrations in Screenwriting, Video Journalism, Production, Directing, Animation & Gaming, and New Evangelization, which, according to the university website, will teach students "to bring the light of the Gospel to all nations by passionately articulating the faith using new forms of communication."[8][9] Undergraduate students also take core curriculum classes in philosophy, art, literature, and science, with a heavy emphasis on Catholic theology. [10]

[edit] Senior Business Plan

JP Catholic is noted for its focus on business entrepreneurship, and especially the unique Senior Business Plan which all graduating seniors prepare in lieu of a thesis. Seniors form groups to develop businesses that will be launched after graduation, through the help of the institution's "Launch Pad" and business-experienced faculty. [11]

[edit] Graduate Degrees

The school offers a Master of Business Administration degree with concentrations in Entrepreneurial Business and Producing, and a Master of Arts in Biblical Theology. [12][13]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Life Site News, Oct. 3, 2007 http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/oct/07100305.html
  2. ^ The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, http://www.catholichighered.org/TheNewmanGuide/tabid/356/Default.aspx
  3. ^ http://thenewmanguide.com/SearchResults/JohnPaultheGreatCatholicUniversity/tabid/531/Default.aspx
  4. ^ Catholic.org, http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=1494
  5. ^ Sandi Dolbee, San Diego Union-Tribune, "University wants students to take their inner faith to outside world," Sept. 22, 2006; http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20060922-9999-2m22catholic.html
  6. ^ JP Catholic website, 'Student Housing at JP Catholic' http://www.jpcatholic.com/studentlife/housing.php
  7. ^ JP Catholic Website, "Year Round Structure for Degree Programs to start July 2008," http://www.jpcatholic.com/yearround.php
  8. ^ JP Catholic Official Site, http://www.jpcatholic.com/academics/academics.php
  9. ^ JP Catholic News, "JP Catholic launches New Evangelization Program," Jan. 22, 2010; http://www.jpcatholic.com/news_press/new_evangelization.php
  10. ^ JP Catholic Official Site: General Education, http://www.jpcatholic.com/academics/general.php
  11. ^ JP Catholic Official Site, http://www.jpcatholic.com/academics/busplan.php
  12. ^ MBA, http://www.jpcatholic.com/academics/catalog/MBA.php
  13. ^ MA Theology, http://www.jpcatholic.com/academics/catalog/Theology.php

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 32°53′59″N 117°06′31″W / 32.899590°N 117.108541°W / 32.899590; -117.108541

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