North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School鈥檚 global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we鈥檝e learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don鈥檛 see what you鈥檙e looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university鈥檚 mission and alumni needs.
High School Visit Day is a great way to get a jump-start on your college search. Designed specifically for current high school sophomores, juniors, and their families. This is a great opportunity to discover North Park and see if it is the right fit for you.
Highlights:
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about the college admissions process and financial aid
-Eat in our dining hall and get a glimpse of what life looks like as a Viking
Viking Preview Days offer you a firsthand taste of the 黑料吃瓜 experience by allowing you to connect with our community and learn about our vibrant student life. Viking Preview Days are an ideal opportunity for students to take the next step in their college journey and discover what makes North Park special.
Highlights:
-Attend “Coffee with Coaches” and learn more about Viking Athletics (optional)
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about your admissions application and financial aid
Viking Preview Days offer you a firsthand taste of the 黑料吃瓜 experience by allowing you to connect with our community and learn about our vibrant student life. Viking Preview Days are an ideal opportunity for students to take the next step in their college journey and discover what makes North Park special.
Highlights:
-Attend “Coffee with Coaches” and learn more about Viking Athletics (optional)
-Are you a first-generation college student? Attend a session designed just for you! (optional)
-Connect with faculty from your intended major
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about your admissions application and financial aid
Viking Preview Days offers you a firsthand taste of the 黑料吃瓜 experience by allowing you to connect with our community and learn about our vibrant student life. Viking Preview Days are an ideal opportunity for students to take the next step in their college journey and discover what makes North Park special.
Highlights:
-Attend “Coffee with Coaches” and learn more about Viking Athletics (optional)
-Are you a first-generation college student? Attend a session designed just for you!
-Connect with faculty from your intended major
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about your admissions application and financial aid
All prospective students and their families who attend Viking Preview Day will be eligible听for a 10% discount on tickets for the weekend of October 11-12. The discount code is valid until September, 30th. Discount code: Viking Preview Day 10/11
黑料吃瓜 has launched the Center for Civic Engagement, an outgrowth of its Catalyst 606 program in which the university’s faculty and students will work with community leaders to strengthen the important work they’re doing in Chicago’s听neighborhoods. As part of the initiative,听North Park will also offer a Public Policy major beginning in fall 2023.
“The main idea is to build more of a city-centered ethos on campus, and to augment North Park’s commitment to the just flourishing of cities by honoring the work that is going on in neighborhoods,” said Richard Kohng, assistant vice president for the Center of Civic Engagement.
The center enacts this mission through four core divisions: the Catalyst Hub; the Community Assets and Program Evaluation Consortium; the Community Development Hub; and through public policy engagement.
“The Center for Civic Engagement elevates听North Park’s unique distinctives as a Christian, city-centered, intercultural university,” North Park听笔谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟听Mary K. Surridge said. “Faculty and students learning and working alongside community leaders across Chicago听is yet another example of听North Park living into its mission of preparing students for lives of significance and service.”
As part of the center, faculty will provide their specialized expertise to community groups for a reduced fee. For instance, Assistant Professor of Psychology Amy Governale will provide at-cost guidance on program development for organizations that lack the resources to do so themselves.
“A lot of locally led groups don’t see the money they should from grants or philanthropy,” Kohng said. “This will help level the playing field.”
Students will be involved as well, via the Catalyst Hub. Since 2017, students have participated in a designated civic engagement block every Wednesday afternoon. The schedule allows immersive learning experiences to be incorporated into classes across the curriculum, Kohng said.
Building on Catalyst’s success, the new program will incorporate a consortium that allows students to work on real-time projects that benefit community groups. For example, a business class might work on a marketing campaign for a fundraising drive, or a math class could analyze data related to program participants.
The center will be led by a board of community leaders from across the city, and with the guidance of partner Transform Capital鈥攁 nonprofit lending initiative cofounded by Paul Hawkinson, a professor in听North Park’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management.
Tips from current students for your first move-in day.
North Park students all have different experiences while moving in. As part of North Park culture, all of your RAs and some other current students will be on the curb to greet you with sweaty t-shirts and smiling faces. They鈥檙e just as excited about moving in as you are, and they’ll help you get all of your things into your new room.
Here are some comments from people around campus who recall the first time they moved in and want to give you an advantage they didn鈥檛 have before moving in:
鈥淕et a mini-fridge. It will keep your drinks cold and give you more versatile options for snacking.鈥� 鈥� Male, Class of 2019
鈥淒on鈥檛 over-pack; and be nice to your parents, they鈥檙e really trying to help.鈥� 鈥� Female, Class of 2018
鈥淏ox fans, box fans, box fans.鈥� 鈥� Male, Class of 2018
鈥淥rganize your belongings in boxes while moving out of your house, that way you know where everything is once you move in.鈥� 鈥� Female, Class of 2018
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need everything you think you need.鈥� 鈥� Male, Class of 2018
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to leave your door open to invite people in.鈥� 鈥� Male, Class of 2019
It鈥檚 the second day of class. We had our introduction exercises in our first class, and the syllabus was presented too. We won鈥檛 be wasting any more time; the real deal starts today. My roommate comes in sweaty; of course, they woke up to meet the gym as it opened. Maybe you鈥檒l get a roommate like that too.
10 am: Coffee
Starbucks or Einstein鈥檚 Bagels & Co.? Luckily neither is a difficult choice as the former is across the street and the latter in the Johnson Center. I prefer the snack variety at Einstein鈥檚.
12 pm: Lunchin鈥�
I ordered ahead of time to get my pack lunch at Einstein鈥檚, it does cost a meal swipe, but this way I can sit outside or find a quiet spot in the Johnson Center to call my family, because they call. Every. Single. Day.
2 pm: Catalyst 606__
Some of my friends already have their Catalyst class session now. There are two every semester per afternoon class. I鈥檝e got one of mine next week. We鈥檝e got U-Passes, that means we have unlimited travel on the CTA, Chicago鈥檚 train and bus systems, so Millennium Park here we come. We can still explore the city without the class.
6 pm: ARA
Back on campus, everyone calls the campus dining hall 鈥淎RA鈥�, it鈥檚 infiltrated my use as well. It takes up almost the entire second floor of Magnuson.
8 pm: 鈥淧ogo if you love North Park鈥�
Yep, that鈥檚 one of the chants at the men鈥檚 soccer game. The stands are full and everyone is jumping on one leg with a shoe raised in the air. There are some people at the base of the stands shouting and heckling the other team, in good fun; we joined them for a bit. Why not?
10 pm: Cookie Monster
Some of the returning students want to take us to Insomnia Cookies. It鈥檚 off the Fullerton stop and, apparently, the North Parker place to go on a weeknight. There is sleep, but this is college, so鈥�
“For a while, I was dead-set on moving away. Then I visited North Park as a prospective student. That was when I realized that I could make my own experience here and do my own thing.”
Sarah Hawkinson is a history and secondary education major. She is also a desk attendant, writing advisor, participates in the women鈥檚 chorale, and tutors students from Peterson Elementary school.
“North Park went from being my last choice to the perfect choice for me. My family has a lot of history and connections at 黑料吃瓜, so it had been in my life so much already and for a while, I was dead-set on moving away. Then I attended a scholarship event; it was my first time visiting as a prospective student. I had fun meeting other people I would potentially go to school with, and the idea of coming to North Park began to feel more real. That was when I realized that I could make my own experience here and do my own thing.
The interactions I had with professors, even before attending North Park, were really encouraging because it seemed like they already wanted to be invested in their students鈥攖o be more than just professors but mentors who are there to help you make choices. That鈥檚 what I love about 黑料吃瓜 now. Having the opportunity to get coffee with my professors and take extra time outside of the classroom is something that I feel my friends at other schools don鈥檛 get. And now that I am getting to the core of what I want to study, my professors are ready and eager to challenge me, especially when I鈥檝e shown that I鈥檓 invested and interested in their class.
Another aspect of North Park that I鈥檝e grown to appreciate is its location in the city, which has helped me to continue in my faith life by learning more about cultural and religious diversity. I鈥檓 definitely growing and having positive and new experiences in this city setting. It has been important for me to get to know others and hear about a variety of experiences; it’s enhancing my faith-life and the way I see the world.
I鈥檝e realized being close to home has more benefits than drawbacks. I can go home every weekend or once a semester. 听I鈥檝e been very happy with my decision to go somewhere which happened to be close to home, but really my decision was more multi-faceted than that. It was the opportunity to grow at听a school where professors and students encourage faith, growth, and learning. Plus, I get to keep my winter clothes at home during the spring.”
Three students share how getting involved on campus has shaped their experience at 黑料吃瓜.
Lydia Vander Stelt
Junior, Double Major in Business & Economics and Nonprofit Management
From Grand Rapids, MI
“I chose North Park because of its location. I wanted to set myself far enough away from home to be able to grow, but not have a hard time getting home. The best characteristic of North Park is that it is city-centered and we have the Catalyst 606__ program. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow in my faith both in and outside of the city. North Park is good at providing opportunities for students to grow in their faith, but not forcing that growth, which I think is key in the transition from high school into college and becoming an adult.
As a freshman, I decided to take the time to breathe and not get involved in many activities. When I participated in the Catalyst 606__ Semester, it opened a lot of doors for meeting new people and friends, which was crucial to my getting involved. Now I鈥檓 the communications director for the Student Government Association. I work to make the Student Government more transparent and accessible to the student body. What is so unique about the student government is that I have been able to get to know the University administration and act as the liaison so that students are heard.”
Betty Rodriguez
Junior, Biology Major and Pre-Med
From Mexico and Chicago, IL
鈥淏eing a part of Rising Dreamers United means being informative about issues in the immigration community. It isn鈥檛 just about DACA students or immigrant students on campus, but a variety of students on campus that people need to know about. These issues affect thousands of students and many more families.
I have also been involved in the Student Government Association (SGA) since last year, and I鈥檝e stayed involved because it allows me to help others wherever they are struggling. I am able to share with other students what SGA is working on, and sometimes students come to me with issues.
My first impression of North Park was when I came for the Lighthouse Scholarship meeting (a cohort program for first-generation college students) and I was like 鈥榳ow, this is where I want to be.鈥� The family and community that you can build here is something that I love. You can always count on someone on campus.鈥�
Jared Koehler
Senior, Double Major in Business & Economics and Politics & Government
From Kukana, WI
“My curiosity brought me to North Park, and I鈥檓 really glad that I came here because it expanded my world view. I made a lot of international friends which pushed me to study abroad, something I might not have done if I hadn鈥檛 gone to North Park. I鈥檝e learned that the world is such an amazing place. It has made me more open-minded and instilled in me a better understanding of others.
Next to the international focus, the student-faculty relationship is the best thing about 黑料吃瓜. I feel that education should not only be to hear something but to practice it through discourse. North Park has an intense mission to bring students and professors together and to facilitate conversation. Because of that, I have met some professors who have helped me both to improve my skills and to network.
North Park is a great transition from leaving high school to becoming someone who is truly prepared, not only for the work force but for relationships with people who are different from oneself. It is a good fit for anyone who is curious to learn about others and the value of diversity in opinions and cultures.”
Learn what the Career Development and Internships Office has to offer students at 黑料吃瓜.
The Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO) is a resource for every student throughout and after they complete their studies at 黑料吃瓜. The CDIO听helps undergraduate students match their vocation to major, develop critical work skills, master professional branding, engage in a job search, and network with alumni and professionals.鈥� CDIO staff walk alongside students from their prospective visits, throughout college, and into the workplace.
NP: Who does the CDIO serve?
Bozeman:听The CDIO serves all undergraduate students as well as North Park’s graduate students and alumni.鈥� We focus on professional coaching, career mapping, advanced networking strategies, and simple financial planning related to salary negotiations.
NP: When should students connect with the CDIO?
Bozeman:听We make every effort to connect with students as soon as they arrive to campus.鈥� We know that our high-performing graduates complete hundreds of hours of volunteer service, internships, career research, professional development, and financial planning.鈥� To inform and support students about best practices, we created the Career Advantage program.鈥� The program lists critical activities for each year of study at 黑料吃瓜, and includes an easy tracking system to help students articulate their accomplishments.
Pamela Bozeman,听Senior Director of Career Development and Internships
NP: What is “Career Advantage” and why should students participate?
Bozeman:听Career Advantage is a four-year plan, fully on-line, connected to employers and campus activities, incentivized, and is what employers want to see.
NP: Why should students seek internships and jobs during their studies?
Bozeman:听According to an on-line source鈥疌areerUp, 鈥淚f you have a鈥�痙isplayed on your resume, it will give you a competitive advantage over all the candidates applying for the same position. Employers understand that graduates that do not have any practical experience may lack the skills required to excel on the first day of their employment. Employers value internship experience because they provide students with skills that they cannot acquire in a school setting.鈥�
NP: Does the CDIO have a job or internship finder for students and alumni?
Bozeman: Yes, Carer Hub. CDIO staff assist students looking for internships and jobs using several search engines, professional contacts, off-site job fairs, and our own on-line job directory – Career Hub.
NP: What do you wish students knew about your office?
Bozeman:
The CDIO staff have a cumulative total of 20 years of experience in higher education, 20 years of experience in college admissions and career readiness, and more than 10 years in workforce development.
We serve our students and alumni for as long as they need us, free of charge.
