By Staff Reports
(Kapolei)– Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) is proud to announce a new partnership with Island Pacific Academy (IPA) that will enable adult learners and high school students to earn college credits in Kapolei with HPU professors. The partnership will introduce two college-level, HPU courses at IPA starting next month, providing both an opportunity for higher-educational advancement and further engagement with HPU.
“HPU has wonderful resources around the state that we would love to share more of with our local community,” said Matthew Liao-Troth, Senior Vice President and University Provost. “I am particularly thrilled that our partnership will enable IPA students to take college-level courses and earn both college and high school credits at their institution.”
IPA is an independent private K-12 college preparatory school located in one of O‘ahu’s fastest growing regions. HPU will offer the classes as part of IPA’s regular course offerings for the Spring B semester, which runs from March 13th – May 7, 2017. IPA students will be admitted as ‘special status’ (non-degree seeking) students and will be selected by IPA instructors.
The two HPU classes to be offered at Island Pacific Academy are:
- Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1000) – Every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:40pm – 5:10pm (with a two-hour weekly online component for the eight-week term)
- Introduction to Business (BUS 1000) – Every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm- 6:40pm (with a two-hour weekly online component for the eight-week term)
“We’re focused on looking for ways to inspire our students to challenge themselves, think critically, and engage with every opportunity that will help them get ahead in life,” said Island Pacific Academy head of school, Gerald Teramae. “This partnership accomplishes this focus and then some. These bright students and thinkers are Hawai‘i’s future, and if these courses introduce what it would be like to study at HPU, then our community earns something too.”
This partnership is an example of HPU’s effort to develop innovative models for higher education including introducing students to college courses during their high school careers, ensuring flexibility in course programs for students to customize, and providing access to professional opportunities.