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Coordinates: 33°30′45″N 112°7′48″W / 33.51250°N 112.13000°W / 33.51250; -112.13000
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'''Grand Canyon University''' ('''GCU''') is a private Christian university located in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], [[United States]]. GCU was founded in 1949 as a [[non-profit]] [[liberal arts]] college. The university is a for-profit academic institution. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. purchased Grand Canyon University in February 2004.
'''Grand Canyon University''' ('''GCU''') is a [[For-profit_education|private, for-profit]] [[Christian]] university located in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], [[United States]]. GCU was founded in 1949 as a [[non-profit]] [[liberal arts]] college, and was purchased by Grand Canyon Education, Inc. in February 2004.


Grand Canyon University is accredited by the [[Higher Learning Commission]]<ref>http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/</ref> and provides campus-based as well as online postsecondary education services focused on graduate and undergraduate degree programs in education, liberal arts, business, and healthcare through its seven colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Christian Studies, the College of Doctoral Studies, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Nursing, and the Ken Blanchard College of Business.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the [[Higher Learning Commission]]<ref>http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/</ref> and provides campus-based as well as online postsecondary education services focused on graduate and undergraduate degree programs in education, liberal arts, business, and healthcare through its seven colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Christian Studies, the College of Doctoral Studies, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Nursing, and the Ken Blanchard College of Business.

Revision as of 23:46, 11 June 2013

Grand Canyon University
File:GCU-SEAL.png
MottoFind Your Purpose
TypePrivate
Established1949
PresidentBrian Mueller
Students40,001
Address
3300 W. Camelback Rd.
,
Phoenix
,
Arizona
,
USA
CampusUrban
NewspaperGCU Today
ColorsPurple   Black   White  
Nickname'Lopes
AffiliationsPacWest , NCAA Div II
MascotThunder the Antelope
Websitewww.GCU.edu

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. GCU was founded in 1949 as a non-profit liberal arts college, and was purchased by Grand Canyon Education, Inc. in February 2004.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission[1] and provides campus-based as well as online postsecondary education services focused on graduate and undergraduate degree programs in education, liberal arts, business, and healthcare through its seven colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Christian Studies, the College of Doctoral Studies, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Nursing, and the Ken Blanchard College of Business.

History

The college was founded as a nonprofit institution in 1949. Arizona Southern Baptists felt the need to establish a faith-based institution that would allow local Baptists the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor's or Master's degree without going east to one of the Baptist colleges in Texas or Oklahoma. On October 8, 1951, Grand Canyon College relocated to its current location in Phoenix.[2] First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix donated the land necessary for the institution, and several members of that church, led by Reverend Vaughn Rock "Brother Rock" and S.F. Hawkins donated the finances and physical labor needed to bring G.C.C, as it was known, into reality. Grand Canyon College became Grand Canyon University in 1989.

Suffering financial and other difficulties in the early part of the 21st Century, the school's trustees authorized its sale in January 2004 to California-based Significant Education, LLC,[3] making it the first for-profit Christian college in the United States.[4]

Campus

In 2006, the Grand Canyon University campus received a $150 million makeover including a brick promenade, an aquatics center, with pool and hot tub, and a café offering an assortment of games and big-screen televisions.[5]

In 2009, Grand Canyon University's campus began work on a $60 million campus expansion project which includes a 500-bed dormitory, a 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) fitness and recreation center, 125-classroom facility, food court and bowling alley [6] and a 5,000 seat arena. The GCU Arena, which opened September 2, 2011 [7] is utilized for secular and non-secular concerts, speakers, events and is also home to Grand Canyon University's Men's and Women's basketball teams.[8]

Two new residence halls opened in the fall of 2012, Sedona Hall and Camelback Hall, each with 500 beds.

Academics

Grand Canyon University was recognized as a top 5 online school for entrepreneurs by Fortune.[9]

Accreditation

Grand Canyon University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, a regional accrediting body as mentioned above.[10]

Grand Canyon University is also licensed by the Arizona State Private Post-Secondary Education.[11]

Grand Canyon University, through its Ken Blanchard College of Business, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. It offers the following business degrees:

  • The Ken Blanchard Executive MBA, a one-year EMBAC taught in part by Dr. Ken Blanchard. The focus of the EMBA is Servant Leadership.
  • The Bachelor of Science (BS) with majors in Accounting, Business Administration, and Marketing.
  • The Master of Business Administration (MBA), with emphasis available in a number of disciplines including Accounting, Finance, General Management, Health Systems Management, Leadership, Management of Information Systems, Marketing and Six Sigma.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Arizona State Board of Nursing accredit the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.

The Arizona State Department of Education has given formal approval of the work done at the University for the certification of elementary and secondary teachers and for the renewal of certificates.

Colleges

  • College of Arts and Sciences—foundational college of Grand Canyon University and contains majors in the sciences and social sciences, media and communications, and the humanities.. The College of Arts and Sciences has the largest number of faculty members of any college at the university and provides course offerings ranging from Molecular Genetics to Robert Frost. The College of Arts and Sciences represents what is commonly called the "core education." Core classes are courses that are required for all student degree programs and support GCU's stated mission and vision of student development: "GCU prepares learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian heritage." [12]

In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences represents a wide range of bachelor's and graduate programs related to the medical field, including programs to prepare students for medical careers as doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, athletic trainers and addiction counselors.[13]

  • College of Education—teaching future educators has been one of GCU's core competencies since its inception.[14] Educational programs include TESOL, elementary, secondary, special education and educational administration.[15] All education programs at GCU are developed to align with state and national standards and use the Understanding by Design framework to ensure effective learning. Grand Canyon University College of Education ground, traditional graduates have a 99% placement rate.[16]
  • College of Fine Arts & Production—the artistic hub of Grand Canyon University, the College of Fine Arts & Production offers degree programs in dance, music education, theater and drama, digital film with an emphasis in production or screen writing. The Ethington Theatre is where the dance and drama productions are held. The Ethington dance ensemble is apart of the dance major and minor program at Grand Canyon University. In year of 2010 was when the dance program and company was first launched to allow for a different University level dance education. The main focuses in this college are Ballet, Jazz and Modern. There are many guest artists who come to show styles and stories from all around the world. [17][18]
  • College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions—for more than 25 years GCU has offered both ground and online programs. Students who plan to become professional registered nurses (RNs) can enter GCU's nursing program as freshmen to begin the pre-requisites or enter the program later with transfer hours. They will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and be prepared for an exciting nursing career.[19] The College of Nursing has degrees ranging from the Undergraduate RN to BSN program to a Masters in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems [20]

In 2010, Grand Canyon University opened a satellite campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico for pre-licensure nursing students in partnership with Presbyterian Health System [21]

  • Ken Blanchard College of Business—focused on servant leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit the Ken Blanchard College of Business offers programs for undergraduate and graduate level students in a variety of business disciplines. Such programs include: bachelors in accounting, marketing, business administration, entrepreneurial studies and finance and economics.[22] The College of Business also offers graduate programs including the Ken Blanchard Executive MBA programs.[23]
  • College of Doctoral Studies - The College of Doctoral Studies offers three distinct doctorate degree programs tailored toward the specific interests of students: the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Ed.D), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D).[24]
  • College of Theology - As a Christian university, GCU encourages students to find their purpose in Christ, with an emphasis on applying Christian values and ethics to their studies and to the workplace. GCU offers several undergraduate and graduate Christian studies degrees meant to equip learners to lead as Christians in their areas of influence, be they secular, religious, professional or personal.

Athletics

File:GCULopeslogo.png
Main article: Grand Canyon Antelopes

Grand Canyon University is currently a member of NCAA Division II with most sports participating in the Pacific West Conference. Men's Volleyball competes in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA); Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for Men's and Women's Swimming, and Wrestling.

After the 2012-2013 season, Grand Canyon University will begin competing in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. GCU will be the first for-profit institution to compete in NCAA Division I sports.[25]

Notable alumni

.

References

  1. ^ http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/
  2. ^ [1]Accessed May 13, 2010
  3. ^ Tammi Reed Ledbetter, Grand Canyon Univ. sold; trustees in advisory role, Baptist Press, Feb 10, 2004, Accessed May 24, 2006
  4. ^ Bob Smietana, Christian Ed That Pays Off, Christianity Today, May 19, 2005, Accessed May 11, 2006
  5. ^ Alison Stanton, GCU campus receives makeover, Arizona Republic, Oct 11, 2006, Accessed Nov 1, 2006
  6. ^ http://news.gcu.edu/2011/09/where-to-eat-new-campus-options-already-popular/
  7. ^ http://news.gcu.edu/2011/09/a-year%E2%80%99s-wait-is-over-welcome-gcu-arena/
  8. ^ J.Craig Anderson, [2] Arizona Republic , March 23, 2010, Accessed May 13, 2010
  9. ^ Top 5 e-schools, Fortune Small Business / CNN
  10. ^ http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/
  11. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Accreditation.php
  12. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Mission-and-Vision.php
  13. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Program-of-Study.php
  14. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Education/About-the-College-of-Education.php
  15. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Education/Program-of-Study.php
  16. ^ [3]Accessed May 13, 2010
  17. ^ [4]Accessed May 13, 2010
  18. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Fine-Arts-and-Production/Program-of-Study.php
  19. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/About-the-College-of-Nursing.php
  20. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/Program-of-Study.php
  21. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/Albuquerque-Campus.php
  22. ^ [5]Accessed May 13, 2010
  23. ^ [6]Accessed May 13, 2010
  24. ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Doctoral-Studies/Program-of-Study.php
  25. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/grand-canyon-university-wac_n_2215597.html
  26. ^ [7]Accessed May 13, 2010
  27. ^ [8]Accessed May 13, 2010
  28. ^ [9]Accessed May 13, 2010
  29. ^ [10]Accessed May 31, 2010
  30. ^ [11]Accessed May 13, 2010

External links

33°30′45″N 112°7′48″W / 33.51250°N 112.13000°W / 33.51250; -112.13000

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