Davenport University (DU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Davenport University is a private non-profit career-oriented university located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second largest university in the state, the school’s main campus holds residential housing while the 13 other campuses do not. Students can pursue programs of study in a variety of fields that can lead to associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Established in 1866 as a career college, the institution developed more of a traditional college environment in 2005 by integrating residential housing, an athletic program, a library, and a student center into campus life.

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Information Summary

Ranks 56th in Michigan and 2476th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	57.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$31,564
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	24 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	73% / 38%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,746

Academics

Davenport is focused on degrees in health professions, business and technology. However, the school also provides online degrees in more than 40 programs and offers over 300 courses that are fully accredited. With over 6,000 students enrolled worldwide, the university prides itself on its online education program stating that it gives the same high quality small class size that is offered on campus. Online courses are just seven weeks long and are offered six times a year, allowing you to complete your degree at a faster pace.

According to US News and World Report, Davenport’s most popular majors all fall within the business division and include: accounting, business commerce, HR management/personnel administration, marketing management, and of course, business administration. The business division has over 30 majors: students can choose from accounting fraud investigation, international business, or paralegal studies just to name a few popular options currently available. The health science division offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the technology division offers network technology along with security and information assurance.

The Sustainable Business Development Specialty is a recent specialization offered to those wanting to have an extra certificate in the masters program or as a post baccalaureate certificate. This specialty allows students to learn to understand and apply sustainability concepts at work. Sustainable management, in essence, is decreasing the environmental impact of businesses yet maintaining the prosperity of the business overall. This specialty according to Davenport, “prepares students for management careers based on sustainable business practices and focuses on the financial capital, ecological (environmental) capital, and social capital of an organization — the Triple Bottom Line.”

A new program of study is now available called the Technology Management Bachelor of Science degree. This degree prepares students to be able to manage several information technology positions. Students will be introduced to accounting and finance courses but can concentrate on areas such as networking or information security.

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Case Management opens the door to working with insurance companies, law offices that concentrate on workers compensation, or government agencies. Students in this degree program learn key skills such as assessing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the care of clients.

Select programs, such as the High School or Career Tech credit articulation agreements and the Dual Enrollment Program, are geared toward high school students. The High School/Career Tech program articulates credits from high school to count towards a college degree. The university has agreements with public schools in the Detroit area to articulate credits that students have earned in high school as college credits, once they complete their high school education.

Dual Enrollment students are students that take college courses while still in high school, these courses give the students college credit and decreases the amount of time a student will stay in college. To be accepted into the Dual Enrollment program, students are required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA and an ACT score of 19 in English and 18 in math. These courses are not offered at the high school. Also, the student’s high school schedule must allow time for these college courses to be taken. All prerequisites must be met by the student prior to starting college courses.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

With the exception of the Dual Enrollment Program mentioned above, all incoming freshmen are admitted through Davenport’s open door policy and must submit an official transcript in order to be admitted. Homeschooled students must submit documentation pertaining to being home schooled, transcripts that show high school grade equivalents, ACT or SAT scores and must pass both sections (English and math) of the Compass test.

Graduate students must submit official transcripts, complete the GRE or GMAT, and send a resume including two letters of recommendation.

International students are required to present high school transcripts and must possess a minimum 2.0 GPA; transcripts must be evaluated by the ECE or WES prior to being sent to Davenport University. Students should also provide proof of English proficiency by taking either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. International students can be admitted either as full-time degree-seeking students or English as a second language (ESL) students. Full admission students do not require ESL prerequisite courses. International students must also submit a financial statement, a copy of their passport and a recent passport picture.

Financial Aid

Davenport University is a tuition driven school. This means the school is concentrated on keeping classes full to make revenue. The financial aid process is fairly standard: Students will need to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so that the financial aid office can then communicate to the student which federal grants or loans the student may be eligible for. The school itself gives 15 institutional scholarships to those who meet certain criteria. Scholarships are given based on ACT scores, GPA, and financial need. Davenport also awards Foundation Scholarships. Students are always encouraged to apply for private scholarships to receive additional funding.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 267th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Michigan.

Students

Enjoy annual events like Panther Prowl, a day of fun activities designed to familiarize incoming students with life at Davenport. Pantherpalooza is the big event at the beginning of the year. During this event, which hosts carnival rides and free food, students are able to meet different department representatives and become acquainted with the many student organizations. If you choose to attend Davenport, be ready to participate in Constitution Day, Homecoming, the Fall Crawl (a 5K run/walk that supports the Hope Network), the Spring Fling (a final “jam” event to end the school year), the DU Day of Service (which counts toward the community service honor roll for students) and finally Sibs and Kids Weekend in which students can bring younger siblings or other young family members to special events and sleepovers catered just for them on campus.

Davenport is also packed with fun organizations. It has over 50 organizations that offer something for everyone; however, DU does not have sorority or fraternity chapters. There are academic organizations such as the Business Professionals of America and the Health Information Management and Technology Student Association. There are service clubs such as the Community Action Team or Holland Peace Jam. And finally, there are social clubs like the Campus Music Group and the Climbers Association of Davenport. One of the special interest groups at DU is the Student Veterans of America.

Students can also take advantage of Davenport’s study abroad program. Study abroad options are available on virtually every continent. Popular destinations include China, Kenya, London, Italy, Australia and Germany. Students are encouraged to spend a semester or year abroad, depending on their preference as well as select program offerings.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Davenport University has a brand new student center. This center houses a fitness center, auxiliary gym, student meeting and social areas and a field house. The field house seats 1500 students and is the home court of DU’s women’s and men’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team. DU is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association and the United States Bowling Congress. Davenport offers many intercollegiate sports for both men and women, such as lacrosse, bowling, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, cross country, tennis, track and field and softball.

Local Community

Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been dubbed the greenest city in the country by Fast Company Magazine. Wherever you go and however you get there, some aspect of green technology is most likely involved. Public transportation in the city aspires to be part of this green movement, as the majority of buses are hybrid and others literally have green roofs. Grand Rapids runs on 20% renewable resources and is determined to be at 100% by 2020.

Additional School Information

This school offers residential halls at Lettinga, its main Campus. Every student has a private bedroom that is fully furnished. There are three halls to choose from; South Hall, Cook Hall and Mejer Hall. South Hall offers traditional dorm room living and also quad suites that house up to four students. Cook and Mejer Halls have apartment style designs. Each “apartment” is a suite that has one bedroom, two bedrooms or four bedrooms with fully furnished kitchens.

Accreditation

The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Davenport University