The University

The University of Indianapolis will be the institution of choice for a diverse group of learners who wish to engage with the world and enrich their lives through relevant and impactful education, and are empowered to transform the world with their knowledge and skills — Anywhere. Anytime. For life.

"Education for Service."

The University of Indianapolis is a private, residential, metropolitan institution of higher learning that provides a transformational educational experience through strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences, selective professional and doctoral programs, collaborative partnerships throughout the city and the world, and a Christian tradition that emphasizes character formation and embraces diversity.

The University of Indianapolis champions lifelong learning through relevant and innovative education that fosters experiential learning, diverse perspectives, service for impact, and a global mindset.

• We value an emphasis on student learning in all aspects of University life.
• We value faculty and student interaction that provides individual attention, engagement, and opportunities for mentoring.
• We value international experiences for students, faculty, and staff.
• We value engagement with religious traditions in an environment of hospitality, informed by the United Methodist Church and enriched by other traditions, religious and secular.
• We value purposeful engagement with the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana.
• We value ethical, responsible, and professional behavior with respect expressed among all members of the University community.
• We value individual contributions of all members of the University community toward advancing our mission.

In pursuit of its mission, the University offers degree programs as well as credit and noncredit continuing education programs. The University awards the following degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Systems Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Science in Athletic Training, Master of Science in Management, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Doctor of Health Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Psychology.

The University has established four institution-wide learning goals that are pursued within the curriculum and featured as part of a campus-wide series of co-curricular events sponsored by Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The learning goals are:

• Critical Thinking: Students will make judgments through the application of intellectual criteria. The core components of critical thinking include evaluation, self-regulation, interpretation, analysis, inference, and explanation.
• Creativity: Students will use their imagination and inventiveness in modifying or generating results.
• Performance: Students will be able to demonstrate their mastery of subject content through their execution and communication of educational objectives.
• Social Responsibility: Students will be able to make connections between the academic disciplines and the social environment of the local and broad community. The dimensions of social responsibility are identified by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as striving for excellence; cultivating personal and academic integrity; contributing to a larger community; taking seriously the perspective of others; and developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning.

The University of Indianapolis was founded as Indiana Central University in 1902. It was popularly known as Indiana Central College from 1921 to 1975, when use of the word “University” was resumed. In 1986 the name was changed to University of Indianapolis. On October 6, 1902, the Board of Trustees signed the articles of incorporation and the secretary of state issued the charter for the institution as a corporation the next day. Academic instruction began September 26, 1905, after the first building, now called Good Hall, was completed. When the University opened its doors, it had three divisions: the academy, which offered high school courses; the normal school, which provided a two-year program of teacher education; and the liberal arts college.

The academy graduated its last class in 1926, and the normal school was discontinued in 1938. The liberal arts college was restructured in 1983 to include the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences; the undergraduate schools of Business, Education, and Nursing; and the Graduate School. In the 1990s, further restructuring placed the graduate programs under the authority of the academic units: the College of Arts and Sciences, the schools of Business, Education, and Nursing, the programs of Graduate Business and Occupational Therapy, and the Krannert School of Physical Therapy.

In 1999, the department of Occupational Therapy became a school, and the graduate business programs became a division within the School of Business. An undergraduate program approved for the Krannert School of Physical Therapy increased the number of undergraduate schools to five. Another restructuring in 1998 resulted in the creation of a sixth undergraduate school, the School for Adult Learning; in 2001, the School of Psychological Sciences was formed.

In 2002, the Center for Aging & Community and the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning were added, and in 2013, the College of Health Sciences was created when the schools of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and the departments of Athletic Training and Kinesiology were combined under a single administrative structure. In 2016, the College of Applied Behavioral Sciences was established when the School of Psychological Sciences and the Department of Social Work merged.

The University has been church-affiliated since its inception in 1902, when it was founded by the St. Joseph and White River conferences of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The Indiana Conference joined the venture the next year. From 1946 to 1968, following the merger of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Church, it was an Evangelical United Brethren institution. Since 1968, when the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist churches merged, it has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

The University of Indianapolis has had ten presidents: J. T. Roberts (1905–08), L. D. Bonebrake (1909–15), I. J. Good (1915–44), I. Lynd Esch (1945–70), Gene E. Sease (1970–88), G. Benjamin Lantz, Jr. (1988–98), Jerry M. Israel (1998–2005), Beverley J. Pitts (2005–12), Robert L. Manuel (2012–22), Phillip A. Terry (Interim 2022-2023), and Tanuja Singh (2023-).

The control and management of the University is vested in a Board of Trustees selected from the community, the United Methodist Church, the alumni, and at-large representation from the state and nation. In addition, there are three ex-officio members of the Board: the resident United Methodist bishop of the area, the president of the University, and the president of the Alumni Association. Board members are elected for terms of four years on a rotating basis, so that the terms of approximately one-fourth of the members expire each year.

The University has established policies to clarify institutional expectations, mitigate institutional risk, enhance efficiency and support the University’s compliance with laws and regulations. The Policy Advisory Council establishes a standardized process for the development and approval of official University-level administrative policies.

Policy guidance regarding faculty can be found in the Faculty Handbook. Policy guidance regarding staff can be found in the Staff Handbook. Visit the policies Page

Academic policies are outlined in this undergraduate catalog and in graduate catalogs maintained by the academic units; social policies are outlined in the student handbook. Students are expected to adhere to all policies, and those who do not are subject to disciplinary action or dismissal.

Students also are expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Students whose actions present concern for the safety or security of the University community or affect adversely the operation of the University or the integrity of its educational process are subject to disciplinary procedures, whether those actions occur on or off campus.

The University of Indianapolis is accredited by:

Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411 (312) 263-0456 | www.hlcommission.org

Selected programs of the University are accredited by:

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics - Candidacy
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education 
• American Music Therapy Association
• American Psychological Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Commission on Sport Management Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
• Council on Education for Public Health
• Council on Social Work Education
• Indiana Department of Education
• Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• National Association of Schools of Music
• University Senate of the United Methodist Church

Membership is held by the University in:

• American Council on Education
• Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education
• Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education
• Association of American Colleges
• Associate of International Educators
• College Consortium for International Studies
• Community Engaged Alliance
• Consortium for Urban Education
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Council of Independent Colleges
• Independent Colleges and Universities of Indiana
• Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church
• National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
• State Authorization Network

Administrative departments also hold membership in specialized professional organizations on the state and national levels.

UNITED METHODIST AFFILIATION

The affiliation of the University of Indianapolis and the United Methodist Church reflects a union for mutual benefit.  The University of Indianapolis depends on the church to send its youth as students and to recommend qualified church leaders to the Board of Trustees to provide leadership. In turn, the United Methodist Church may depend on the University of Indianapolis to provide students with high-quality academic experiences in an environment in which the values of the church are stressed.

ATHLETIC AFFILIATIONS

The University of Indianapolis maintains national affiliation for its athletics programs through membership in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II. The institution is a fully-participating member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), which conducts championships in all sports sponsored by the University.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

The University of Indianapolis seeks and maintains agreements with several institutions of higher education throughout the world. Established with a mutual desire to promote educational exchange and international cooperation, sister-school programs and articulation agreements facilitate exchange of faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students, visiting scholars, and administrators. These programs also support the exchange of culture, research, and educational materials. Additional information about these international affiliations is included in the section of this catalog devoted to Global Engagement.

CONSORTIUM FOR URBAN EDUCATION

The Consortium for Urban Education is an organization of higher education institutions and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, all located in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. In addition to the University of Indianapolis, members include Butler University, Franklin College, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis), Marian University, and Martin University. Designated academic officers of the institutions meet regularly to exchange ideas and programs. A major activity sponsored by the consortium is the coordination of cross-registration for students during semesters I and II only of each year; Spring Term and summer courses are not included.

ONLINE CONSORTIUM OF COUNCIL OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES (CIC)/Acadeum

The University of Indianapolis is a member institution in the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)/Acadeum consortial arrangement.   University of Indianapolis students who meet selective requirements may enroll in approved online courses offered through CIC/Acadeum.

COOPERATIVE DEGREE AND PLACEMENT PROGRAMS

The University offers some degree programs in cooperation with other local institutions.  A bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science is offered in association with Methodist Hospital and Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, and a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy is offered in association with IU Health and the Indiana Respiratory Therapy Education Consortium.  Additional information about these cooperative programs is included in the sections of the catalog devoted to academic programs.

RIZE

The University offers an undergraduate neuroscience concentration through Rize Education, a hybrid model of online and on-ground learning through a collaborative online course-sharing platform. Students can complete the concentration by enrolling in the required courses through Rize over four semesters. The courses are sequential and prerequisites of the subsequent course(s), and enrollment is managed by the director of undergraduate programs in the psychological sciences department in collaboration with the Office of the Registrar. 

ROTC PROGRAM

Through an affiliation with the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Indiana University-Indianapolis, University of Indianapolis students may take military science courses on the IUPUI campus via cross-campus registration.  University of Indianapolis students are eligible for significant scholarship assistance through participation in this program. For additional information about this program, contact the Department of Military Science at Indiana University-Indianapolis.

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (All regional campuses)

The University of Indianapolis maintains articulation agreements with Ivy Tech Community College through all its regional campuses across the state of Indiana. These 2+2 agreements also include  guaranteed admission agreement for the following programs:

• Associate of Science in Accounting INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Associate of Science in Business Administration INTO Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
• Associate of Science in Business Administration INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Various School of Business Programs (Accounting, Business Administration & Management, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management)
• Associate of Science in Human Services INTO Bachelor of Social Work
• Associate of Science in Chemistry INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Associate of Science in Criminal Justice INTO Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Associate of Science in Biology INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Associate of Science in Biology INTO Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
• Associate of Science in Psychology INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Professional Writing
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Professional Writing
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Creative Writing
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Creative Writing
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Literary Studies
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in English-Literary Studies
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Religion
• Associate of Science in Liberal Arts INTO Bachelor of Arts in Religion
• Associate of Science in Supply Chain Management INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Operations & Supply Chain Management
• Associate of Science in Engineering INTO Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering INTO Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY (vincennes, IN)

The University of Indianapolis maintains articulation agreements with Vincennes University within the following degree programs:

• RN-BSN Completion Program INTO Master of Science in Nursing (Online Program)
• Associate of Science in Business Administration INTO various School of Business Programs (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Business Administration & Management)
• Associate of Science in Education with Health Promotion and Health Education INTO Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education and Promotion (Traditional Program)
• Associate of Science in Psychology INTO Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Associate of Science in Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering INTO Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

INDIANA UNIVERSITY KOKOMO (Kokomo, IN)

The University of Indianapolis maintains a special guaranteed admission program with Indiana University Kokomo:

Bachelor of Arts or Science in Sociology, or Sociology Minor Guaranteed Admission to the Master of Arts in Applied Sociology

Articulation agreements are kept on file in the Office of the Registrar.

UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - FOREVER A GREYHOUND!

All graduates of the University of Indianapolis are, by virtue of earning a degree, members of the Alumni Association. More than 35,000 alumni worldwide call UIndy their alma mater. Their front door to campus is the Richard E. Stierwalt Alumni House; their gateway online is at uindy.edu/alumni. The Alumni Association, represented by a 27-member board of directors, oversees various programs, services, and communication vehicles that foster lifelong relationships with and among UIndy graduates. Alumni are crucial to furthering UIndy’s good standing and supporting its health and well-being. Through active involvement and staying abreast of campus news and accomplishments, our alumni become lifelong University ambassadors by:

• encouraging prospective students to consider the University of Indianapolis through the alumni scholarship referral program.

• connecting online through the Alumni Association’s group pages on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

• participating in alumni events on campus and around the country.

• serving campus as alumni volunteers and student mentors.

• achieving their goals and sharing the good news by submitting class notes that can be shared online.

• providing philanthropic support to students, faculty, and the campus community through scholarships, the UIndy Fund, and multiple program enhancements.

ALUMNI EDUCATION PROGRAM

The University provides its graduates free enrollment in one undergraduate course per semester through its Alumni Education Program. Alumni who have earned a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree at the University may attend, without charge, most undergraduate classes under the following guidelines: (1) the instructor must grant approval, and (2) space in the class must be available. No credit will be awarded. Courses excluded from this program are art studio classes, computer classes, private applied music lessons, and workshops. Interested alumni must contact the Office of the Registrar at (317) 788-3219 or at registrar@uindy.edu at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

Students who are currently pursuing a master's degree or second bachelor's degree are not eligible for concurrent registration in the Alumni Education Program. 

Community MUSIC Academy

The University of Indianapolis' Community Music Academy, formerly known as the Pre-College and Adult Music Program, is a year-round program for students of all ages who reside in Indianapolis and surrounding communities.

Community Music Academy students take weekly lessons and may augment their private studies with classes such as chamber music, music theory, and ear training. The program is designed for students of all levels of study. Students are given ample opportunities to perform in solo and chamber concerts; more advanced students may perform as a member of our college symphony orchestra.

Our Summer Piano Camp provides an opportunity for students aged 7-12 years to learn alongside and make friends with other beginners through intermediate-level students as they participate in music theory and history classes, composition experiences, lessons and musical games. The Summer Piano Institute for students ages 12-18 provides intermediate and advanced musicians opportunities to learn more about music.  The Music Major in the Making camp for high school students gives students a glimpse into the life of a music major.  Music for All Abilities gives opportunities for young students to enjoy a day of music-making at their current level of ability.

UIndy’s proximity to leading arts organizations in downtown Indianapolis such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Early Music Festival, and the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis provides further enrichment to dedicated music students. The University recognizes the importance of providing a nurturing and inspiring atmosphere in the music field where artistic gifts and technical skills can flourish.

SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM

The tuition-free Senior Citizens Program is available to persons over 65 and retired, who are invited to register for one regular undergraduate course at the University per semester. (Independent study, internships, practica, computer courses, private music lessons, applied studio art instruction, and accelerated courses are not included in the program. Senior citizens wishing to enroll in this program must pay all fees associated with their courses, and they may be subject to receiving a tax benefit form for the calendar year in which they enrolled in courses.

The University of Indianapolis believes that international and cross-cultural experiences are a valuable part of a liberal arts education. In January, 2019, the University opened its Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement (CDCGE) to provide synergy, efficiency, and consistency between the multiple offices related to international and cross-cultural engagement. The CDCGE houses undergraduate international student admissions, international student and scholar services, study abroad, global partnerships, and international travel risk management. Some of the programs and initiatives of the CDCGE are listed below.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES

University of Indianapolis assists international students and scholars by offering various services through International Student and Scholar Services. Services offered include but are not limited to immigration counseling, connection to university and community resources, opportunities and events for social and intercultural exchange, a mandatory health insurance program for F-1 visa students and J-1 visa scholars, and support for the growing international alumni network.

INTERNATIONAL DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

NingboTech University (NTU), offers a joint program with University of Indianapolis. Joint Program Students complete three years of instruction at the NTU campus in Ningbo, China, and the fourth year of coursework at the University’s campus in Indianapolis. Upon successful completion of all Joint Program requirements, students are awarded baccalaureate degrees from each institution. Joint Program degrees are offered in Finance and Business Administration & Management, International Business track.

STUDY-ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

University of Indianapolis is committed to providing an international dimension of education and to exposing students to the heritage and the perspectives of other cultures. It is the University’s goal that no student will complete their University program without having been touched in some meaningful way by the heritages, the perspectives, and the expressions of other cultures. Students are encouraged to participate in study-abroad opportunities, which fall under the following categories.

Faculty-Led Travel Courses

Intensive one to two-week travel courses are led by University of Indianapolis faculty to countries throughout the world and in a variety of educational fields. To encourage participation, tuition costs are waived for University of Indianapolis students who were enrolled full-time as undergraduate students for the two semesters prior to the international travel course. The remaining costs of these programs include airfare, hotel accommodations, local travel, activities, and partial board. Faculty are highly encouraged to partner with trusted service providers such as Education First Study Abroad or Asia-Pacific Academic for their international travel courses.

College Consortium for International Studies

As a member of the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS), University of Indianapolis students may participate in summer, semester, or academic-year programs in a variety of academic fields from more than 27 countries. Students enrolled in CCIS programs earn direct credit at the University. CCIS courses with final grades of C- or higher are reflected directly on the University transcript as “S,” meaning Satisfactory. Grades below C- are indicated as “U” for Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory grades are not calculated into the student’s grade point average.

UNIVERSITIES STUDY ABROAD CONSORTIUM 

As a University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC) member, University of Indianapolis students may participate in summer, semester, or academic year programs in a variety of academic fields from more than 21 countries. Students enrolled in USAC programs earn direct credit at the University. CCIS courses with final grades of C- or higher are reflected directly on the University transcript as “S,” meaning Satisfactory. Grades below C- are indicated as “U” for Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory grades are not calculated into the student’s grade point average.

Irish-American Scholarship Program

University of Indianapolis participates in this initiative with similar institutions in Northern Ireland. Positions are made available to two University of Indianapolis students each year. Further information is available through Study Abroad, Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement.

Embedded Study Abroad Programs (ESAP)

University of Indianapolis offers a selective semester-long study abroad program in close collaboration with Maynooth University, Ireland specifically for full-time Elementary Education majors. University of Indianapolis School of Education and Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement have ensured the financial and academic integration of this study-abroad program into qualified students’ educational plan.
See more information about Maynooth University

THE FORUM ON EDUCATION ABROAD

The Forum on Education Abroad (The Forum) envisions a future in which education abroad is integral to the mission of higher education, meets The Standards of Good Practice (The Standards), and is accessible to all students. The Forum's mission is to cultivate educators who champion high-quality education abroad experiences that ignite curiosity, impact lives, and contribute to a better world. To achieve this The Forum serves the field of Education Abroad through production of The Standards​ along with training, events, resources and expertise related to them. The institutional membership model allows all University of Indianapolis staff and faculty to benefit from The Forum's services, training and resources. 

SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FORUM

INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN AREA

The University of Indianapolis offers its students several exceptional cultural experiences, both on campus and in the metropolitan area. Students can enjoy campus activities featuring renowned speakers and entertainers, dramatic and artistic productions, and musical shows and concerts. They also can avail themselves of the sights and sounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum (the world’s largest), White River State Park (which includes the beautiful Canal Walk, the Medal of Honor Memorial, the Indiana State Museum, the NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Champions, an IMAX Theatre, White River Gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Indianapolis Zoo), the Indiana Historical Society, the Conner Prairie living history complex, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, the Indianapolis Opera Company, Dance Kaleidoscope, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Civic Theatre, and many other special concerts, programs, and lectures.

Indianapolis has staked a claim as the amateur sports capital of the world and frequently hosts such international events as NCAA basketball tournaments and Olympic trials for track and field and swimming. Professional basketball (the NBA’s Pacers and the WNBA’s Fever), football (the NFL’s Colts), baseball (the Indianapolis Indians), soccer, and hockey complement the amateur sports scene, providing additional opportunities for students to be spectators as well as participants. Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl in 2012. And for race fans there are the world-famous Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and the new circuit for the Indianapolis Grand Prix motorcycle race.

The institution’s central Indiana location also provides the ideal educational setting for the study of state and local government agencies; industrial, commercial, and social institutions; and health care facilities. Students who are interested find that opportunities are available for internships, cooperative experiences, and practica in many governmental, business, educational, and health organizations. (See additional information regarding these programs in other sections of the catalog.) University of Indianapolis students can participate in the total life of the community.