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Parker University Drives Natural Health Movement by Sheila Julson
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Because the holistic r. Jayne Moschella health care realm is broad, with is a chiropractor regulation and licensing varywho has worked in ing by state, Moschella believes career education for most of that obtaining degrees and her adult life. As executive certifications from reputable vice president and provost schools in disciplines such as of Parker University, she functional nutrition or massage and the faculty prepare stutherapy helps drive the natural dents for certification and lihealth movement forward. “We censure through the Doctor very much believe in credibility, of Chiropractic program. and that credibility is supported Parker’s Health Science through evidence-based results program, which explores and collaboration among other disciplines from massage health care professionals,” she therapy to functional nutriDr. Jayne Moschella says. “Reputable schools will tion, was added in 2007 and provide paths to degrees, state licensure and has experienced exponential growth. certification, as well as training experiences Through therapeutic exercise and acand learning opportunities. We’re focused tivities designed to retrain muscle and joint coordination, chiropractors manually restore on the future expansion of holistic care that complements mainstream health care.” and reactivate joint mobility and function Because working in health care without the use of medicine. To serve growrequires compassion and drive, as well as a ing interest in chiropractic, Dr. James Wilcomprehensive education, Parker Univerliam Parker founded the school in 1982. In 2011, Parker College of Chiropractic became sity readies students for impactful careers through innovative classroom experiences. Parker University to reflect new health care “Our health science programs help prepare degree programs designed to expand stufuture chiropractors, among other student dents’ scope of knowledge and provide more programs, to work independently or in a opportunities for graduates to practice in collaborative health care environment,” Mosintegrative care. The school added programs chella explains. “We really try to think of the in functional nutrition, strength and human patient and how to work in multidisciplinary performance, integrative health and more. practices, using different modalities to care All courses are designed to ultimately allow for that patient in their specific needs.” patients to heal themselves.
Moschella notes that from an academic standpoint, Parker’s functional nutrition, strength and human performance, and psychology programs have a similar curriculum to state universities, because the programs are developed with certain requirements and standards determined by specialty. “Our functional nutrition and strength and human performance programs were created to adhere to industry standards that allow graduates to apply for licensure and to be accepted into advanced degree programs,” she says. “Many of our programs are online, so students from anywhere in the U.S. and abroad can earn their degrees. It allows flexibility for working adults.” Students have the option of completing one course at a time rather than adhering to the traditional academic schedule that requires students to take four or more classes over a 16-week period. “At Parker, students can concentrate and focus on one course at a time, one mid-term at a time and one final at a time. In the master’s degree program, students complete one or two courses at a time, but they are seven weeks long and allow for more breadth for research and mastery,” she adds. The chiropractic program uses a trimester approach so students can study year-round and obtain their doctor of chiropractic degree sooner. Parker University’s Office of Career Services provides placement assistance to students and alumni. “You never outgrow our ability to place you. If you have graduated from Parker, you can utilize our placement office,” Moschella affirms. “We have career assistance such as online career management tools so students can use databases, services and communication. We help students with practical applications like developing resumés and honing interview skills. We sponsor career preparation workshops. We do a lot of career fairs that work with alumni and potential employers.” Parker University is located at 2540 Walnut Hill Ln., Dallas. For more information, call 1-800-637-8337 or 214-902-2429, or visit Parker.edu. See ad, page 3.
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