2020-2021 Catalog Catalog Home Official Catalog Publication Date: July 1, 2020 Our course Catalog is online to give you easy access from any computer or mobile device. The Catalog applies to students entering or returning to National Park College in the 2020- 2021 academic year and students whose Catalog year is 2020-2021. Disclaimer: This Catalog applies to new students entering National Park College in the 2020-2021 academic year and returning NPC students whose governing Catalog has expired. Students with specific questions about this policy should see the Registrar or other appropriate academic administrator. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this publication. Students are advised, however, that any requirement or provision of this Catalog may change without notice at any time. Therefore, current or prospective students should verify the accuracy of information in this Catalog with a College official. The contents of National Park College Catalogs do not constitute an irrevocable contract between any current or prospective student and the College. Further, the College is not responsible for any misrepresentation of its requirements or provisions that might result from errors in the preparation of its Catalogs. The College reserves the right to add, amend, or repeal any rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as provided by law. Finally, the College Catalog shall not be considered as an abridgment or limitation of any rights, powers, or privileges of the Board of Trustees. Learning is our focus; student success is our goal. National Park College 101 College Drive Hot Springs, AR 71913 501.760.4222 844.806.8752 2 Catalog Table of Contents President’s Welcome ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 College Mission, Value, Vision, & Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------- 5 Accreditation Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-7 Institutional Membership -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Affirmative Action Policy --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-13 FERPA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14-19 Academic Calendar ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 NPC Degree Pathways ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21-27 Programs of Study and Degree Plans ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28-233 Course Descriptions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 234-417 3 President's Welcome Letter I am delighted to give you a ‘virtual welcome’ to National Park College. Since you’re here, you probably already know that the investment you are making in your education will pay huge dividends over your lifetime - financially, in your profession, and your overall quality of life. At National Park College, we’re committed to keeping the tuition low and the instructional quality high. We remain half the cost of the average Arkansas university. NPC graduates have gone on to thrive both personally and professionally. They are educators, public administrators, medical professionals, executives, and more. Many Nighthawk alums transfer to four- year institution where, on average, they are more successful than native students in terms of grade point average. If you are considering your career options, we are eager to help you navigate that. If you are certain about your future, we can help you reach your destination faster. We are designed to help students grow and succeed, and we’d like the chance to show you that. Our community college is part of a greater partnership, one that involves community leaders, taxpayers, donors, trustees, legislators, alums, students, faculty, and the support of the state of Arkansas. We invite you to join with us to see how we can help. - John Hogan 4 Mission Statement Learning is our focus; student success is our goal. Our Values: Access – We assist students in achieving their individual educational goals by creating a learning community that is accessible, convenient, caring, affordable, and secure. Excellence – We strive for exemplary performance in all we do. Assessment of student learning is a means of measuring our success. Accountability - We are all accountable to ourselves and to one another in a learning community. We expect all members to act responsibly, behave ethically, and grow professionally. Collaboration – We facilitate partnerships that enhance learning, solve problems, promote economic development, and improve quality of life. Mutual Respect and Support – We recognize the dignity and inherent worth of all individuals. We create opportunities to explore diversity of ideas, individuals, and cultures through open communication. Our Vision: We aspire to be the premier comprehensive community college in the state by providing learning for life opportunities while offering exemplary service to our community. Our Purpose: As a comprehensive community college, NPC offers • A broad general education curriculum and support services for all students as a basis for transfer, further study, professional specialization, and personal enrichment. • Pre-college coursework to prepare students for academic success. • A variety of technical and professional programs to prepare students for career experiences. • Continuing education and workforce training opportunities to meet community needs and personal interests. 5 Accreditation Information National Park College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7 - 500, Chicago, IL 60604. Phone: 800-621-7440, Website: www.hlcommission.org Most programs and courses satisfactorily completed at this institution will transfer to other colleges and universities throughout the United States. However, we encourage students who plan to transfer to discuss specific courses and transfer options with an advisor or a faculty mentor as early as possible. The Automotive Service Technology Program at National Park College is accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, 1503 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Suite 401, Leesburg, VA 20176, Phone: 703-669-6650, Website: www.asealliance.org/ The National Park College Emergency Medical Sciences Program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Health - Section of EMS to provide EMS education. National Park College’s Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). CoAEMSP may be contacted at Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088, Phone: 214-703-8445, Website: www.coaemsp.org. The HIT Associate of Applied Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM, 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800, Phone: 312-233-1100, Website: www.cahiim.org The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. NAACLS may be contacted at 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Phone: 773-714-8880, Website: www.naacls.org Nursing Programs, both the AS (RN) and the PN (LPN) Certificate, are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The Associate degree program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions 6 or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. ACEN invites third party comments. ACEN may be reached at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, Phone: 404-975-5000, Website: www.acenursing.org The Professional Medical Coding Program is approved by the American Health Information Management Association’s Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP). 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5809, Phone: 800- 335-5535, Website: www.ahima.org The Radiography Program is also accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. This accreditation agency may be contacted at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, Phone: 312-704-5300, Website: www.jrcert.org The Respiratory Care Program at National Park College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). CoARC offices are located at 264 Precision Blvd, Tedford, TN, 37690, Phone: 817-283-2835, Website: www.coarc.com The Welding Technology Program at National Park College is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). NCCER offices are located at 13614 Progress Boulevard, Alachua, FL 32615, Phone: 386-518- 6500 or 888-622-3720, Website: www.nccer.org The Hospitality Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), Phone: 410-226-5527, Website: www.acpha- cahm.org The Business Programs are accredited