Pacific Facts

Marsh Hall in Spring

Pacific University, consistently recognized as one of America's best colleges by U.S.News and World Report, is a private liberal arts institution with professional programs in education and five health professions. Located about 25 miles west of Portland, the college occupies 55 acres in downtown Forest Grove, Ore.

The school was founded in 1849 by Congregational pioneers as the Tualatin Academy and, in 1854, became the Tualatin Academy and Pacific University. In 1863, the first baccalaureate degree was presented to Harvey W. Scott, who later became editor of The Oregonian, the state's largest newspaper.

Today, Pacific University enrolls more than 2,500 full-time students, who represent 30 states and 28 foreign countries. The University strives to provide an education of exceptional quality in liberal arts and sciences and selected professional programs, in preparing students for service to a changing community, nation, and world.

Accreditation & Memberships

Pacific University is an accredited member of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Particular programs are also accredited by: the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, the National Association of Schools of Music, the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, The American Psychological Association and Teacher Standards, Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Inc., and Teachers Standards and Practices Commission of the State of Oregon.

Pacific is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Oregon Independent Colleges Foundation, the Oregon Independent Colleges Association, the American Association of University Women, the Council for Higher Education of the United Church of Christ, the College Scholarship Service, the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges, the National Collegiate Athletics Association, and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education.

Academics

The College of Arts & Sciences at Pacific is composed of five divisions: arts, exercise sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Within these divisions are 17 departments offering 45 majors. The undergraduate core curriculum emphasizes writing, reasoning, and communication skills with attention given to cross-cultural education and work in the natural sciences and the fine arts. A student-faculty ratio of 13:1 allows for small classes and personal attention from professors. The College of Arts & Sciences is also home to an exceptional low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing.

Of Pacific's 2,500 students, approximately half are enrolled in one of eight graduate or professional programs: Education, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Professional Psychology, Physician Assistant Studies, Pharmacy, and Dental Health Sciences.

Special Academic Programs

Pacific is the home to a number of unique programs that encourage students to engage in educational experiences outside normal classroom settings. These include:

University Honors
This program allows qualified students to pursue special creative endeavors, resulting in the presentation of a final thesis or art work, given in the senior year, to the Honors Seminar and the campus community.
Study Abroad
Students can elect to study at one of 24 different sites including China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Australia, Netherlands, Austria, and Ireland.
The Oregon Holocaust Resource Center
The Center established official ties with Pacific in 1994 and now hosts special events and educational seminars in conjunction with the University. With its many artifacts, books, and videos, it serves as a resource center for the entire state of Oregon.
The Conducting Apprenticeship Program
The Oregon Symphony Conducting Apprenticeship Program is one of total immersion in which the apprentices study under practicing professional conductors, learn repertoire, acquire conducting skills, and experience the enormous diversity of an orchestral season.
The Humanitarian Center
Through the Humanitarian Center, students can receive academic credit for participation in various community service projects.
International Studies
This program allows highly motivated students to prepare for careers in the international arena by offering courses that concentrate on a specified language and culture.
Peace & Conflict Studies
Courses under this heading allow students to investigate the causes and manifestations of violence in self, in society, and in the world of nations, and explore alternatives to violent resolution and conflict. The program draws from faculty in seven different departments.
Career Internships
Pacific University offers selected upper-division students the chance to apply the skills acquired in the classroom in off-campus professional work environments.
Malheur Field Station
The field station is located in the high desert country, about 32 miles south of Burns, Ore., on the western edge of the Malheur National Wildlife refuge. On-site courses in the natural sciences and arts are offered during the fall, spring, and summer.
Amigos
Through this program, Pacifics Optometry students provide vision care, screenings, and glasses to the needy in selected regions of the world.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition and fees for the College of Arts and Sciences for the 2005-06 academic year are $20,908. Financial assistance is offered through grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment. Pacific is rated one of the top colleges for tuition value in Oregon by U.S.News and World Report and was named a "Best Buy" by Barron's.

Student Life

Housing - Freshmen and sophomores are required to live in one of the three university-owned residence halls. The Vandervelden Court Complex is available to upperclassmen and when space permits to Professional students. There are a limited number of university-owned off-campus housing options available for upperclassmen and Professional students. Please visit the Housing Office web page for more information.

Clubs & Organizations - Pacific students often cite the opportunities to get involved in clubs and organizations to be among the most valuable experiences of their college careers. Activities range from intramural sports, forensics, student government, and fraternities or sororities, to outdoor adventures offered through the Outback program and community service opportunities with the Circle K or Amnesty International clubs. Pacific also competes in NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics.

Special Services - Special services are available to students including: career counseling, advocacy and health wellness education, tutoring, and multi-cultural services.

Community Events

Pacific University hosts many annual and on-going events which often bring the campus and local communities together. Some of the most notable include: