Graceland University

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Updated December 1, 2022 · 3 Min Read

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In 1895, Graceland College was established by the RLDS Church, which is now known as Community of Christ in Lamoni, Iowa. Walker Hall is named after Marietta Walker who donated the first 20 acres of land for the school while other church members donated additional lands to create the college. Classes were held in a building in downtown Lamoni before the first building was completed.

The school was named Graceland by Colonel George Barrett who surveyed the land donated for the college. Col. Barrett said that the name suited the school due to the graceful slope of the hill where the college was built. The complete college was initially housed in what is now the administration building, which was dedicated on January 1, 1897. The college was designed to be “free to all irrespective of faith or creed.”

In 1910 the nursing program began at Graceland with the construction of the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in Independence, Missouri. In 1960, Graceland became a four-year college and became Graceland University on June 1, 2000.

Today, Graceland offers classes at the Indian Hills Community College, Centerville, Iowa and North Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri through the Graceland Partnership Program. The school has been recognized by the Princeton Review as “The Best in the West in 2015.”

There are over 50 academic majors and programs that include 36 undergraduate majors, three master’s degrees with eight majors and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. There are 89 full-time faculty and 85 percent have a Ph.D or terminal degree in their field of instruction. There are more than 1,950 students attending Graceland and there are 48 student clubs and organizations. Students attend Graceland from 46 states and 26 countries.

Notable alumni from Graceland include:

  • Teresa Carpenter, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her articles on crime and the law in The Village Voice.
  • Dr. David Carmichael, MD, a noted cardiologist
  • Jeff Criswell, former offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs
  • Dr. Fred Hausheer, owner of BioNumerik Pharmaceutical
  • Bruce Jenner, Olympic Gold Medalist, Decathalon

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Graceland University Accreditation Details

Graceland University is accredited by the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission. The master and doctorate nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Graceland University Application Process

Students who wish to be admitted to Graceland University must rank in the upper 50 percent of their high school class and have a grade point average of 2.50 or higher. In addition, students must score a 21 or higher on the ACT or a minimum combined SAT I score of 960 in order to enter as freshmen. Transfer students who have attended a college or university for at least one semester and/or has accumulated 12 semester hours of credit must have a 2.00 grade point average. All students must provide official high school and college transcripts.

There are different enrollment requirements for each graduate program available at Graceland University. Students should discuss the requirements with an admissions counselor before applying for graduate study at the university.

Graceland University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees vary depending on which program and campus students plan to attend. Over 98 percent of Graceland students receive financial assistance and awards are available based on everything from academics to athletics as well as visual and performing arts. Students are also eligible for state and federal grants, loans and work-study. Graduate program financial aid is also available. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for financial aid.

Graceland University Online Degree Available

Human Services

The Bachelor of Arts in Human Services program at Graceland University provide students with a solid background in the scientific study of human behavior. Students develop skills and knowledge in such areas as social welfare and psychology. In addition to classroom learning, students must also complete an internship program in order to develop a real-world understanding of the human services field. Students learn to solve social problems in order to improve the welfare of individuals, groups and communities while gaining an understanding of the system of social services and social institutions in the United States. Students develop an understanding of relationships between people and how to address behavior within diverse contexts that include race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation and more. Courses provide an overview of the social welfare programs available in the United States as well as an introduction to social policy analysis. There is a focus on poverty, welfare programs and welfare reform. A supervised practicum serves as a capstone course and integrates knowledge, values and skills developed through classroom learning.

Courses required for the Human Services major at Graceland University include:

  • Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services
  • Methods and Ethics of Social Work Practice
  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Social Welfare Programs and Policies
  • Human Services Practicum
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Theory and Practice of Counseling
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Inequality
  • Social Research

In addition, students must choose three of the following courses:

  • Advanced Topics in Human Services
  • Cross Cultural Psychology
  • Psychological Tests and Measurement
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Marriage and the Family

Students should take Statistics prior to taking Social Research.

It is also possible for students to take a Human Services minor at Graceland University. Courses required for the minor include:

  • Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Sciences
  • Methods and Ethics of Social Work Practice
  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Inequality

The Human Services undergraduate degree is offered through the Division of Social Science which offers a unique academic blend with complementary approaches to understanding the diversity and complexity of human experiences. Students develop a strong understanding of content and methods used to improve the lives of others.

Students who wish to move into a new career in human services or who wish to advance in a current human service career will find more advantages by completing the online human services undergraduate degree at Graceland University.

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