The History of John F. Kennedy University and College

John F. Kennedy University and John F. Kennedy College, though sharing a name inspired by the 35th President of the United States, represent distinct institutions with unique histories and educational missions. This article explores the trajectories of both the California-based university and the Nebraska-based college, detailing their founding, academic programs, challenges, and eventual closures or transitions.

John F. Kennedy College (Nebraska)

Founding and the "Parsons Plan"

John F. Kennedy College was established in 1965 in Wahoo, Nebraska. It was one of six colleges founded by small-town businessmen modeled after Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. The college was named in honor of President John F. Kennedy.

The academic model employed by JFK College, known as the "Parsons Plan," was developed by Millard Roberts, the president of Parsons College from 1955 to 1967. This plan incorporated innovative teaching and administrative techniques and focused on recruiting a diverse student body, both geographically and academically. The "Parsons Plan" schools were known for accepting students who had not found success at other colleges.

Pioneering Women's Athletics

JFK College notably pioneered intercollegiate women's athletics. Its softball team secured the first three Women's College World Series championships from 1969 to 1971. However, in April 1972, the Nebraska Women's Intercollegiate Sports Council barred the team from the May tournament because the college provided scholarships to female athletes, not just softball players.

Decline and Closure

By the late 1970s, John F. Kennedy College faced challenges that ultimately led to its closure. The campus fell into disrepair, with buildings left abandoned and deteriorating. In 2013, the city of Wahoo considered options for the campus, including cleaning up the buildings before demolition. As of that time, the property had not been sold. In 2004, the former library was purchased by a private physician for use as an office.

John F. Kennedy University (California)

Founding and Mission

John F. Kennedy University was a private university based in California, with offices in San Jose. Founded in 1965, its mission was to offer degrees and certificates to non-traditional higher education students, with instruction primarily provided by adjunct faculty. According to its founder, Georgia Morrison, JFK University was never intended to be a research institution. Instead, inspired by John F. Kennedy’s legacy, its priorities included having experienced, professional lawyers, therapists, and psychologists teach the courses.

Academic Structure and Programs

The university was organized as a collegiate university, comprising four constituent colleges that conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields:

College of Undergraduate Studies: This college was accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). It offered certificate programs, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees, including a JD-MBA dual degree and an MBA. The college also housed the Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership (IEL), which provided certificate programs and low-cost office spaces. The College of Undergraduate Studies at John F. Kennedy University offered bachelor's degree completion programs primarily designed for non-traditional adult learners, enabling students with prior college credits or professional experience to finish their degrees through flexible, evening, and online formats. Available majors encompassed four primary fields: psychology, business administration, criminal justice, and health sciences, with some sources also noting liberal studies options. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provided foundational training in behavioral sciences, preparing students for entry-level roles or further graduate study in counseling or related areas. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration focused on management principles, entrepreneurship, and organizational leadership, often incorporating case studies from professional settings. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership combined legal, managerial, and business elements, offered fully online to support law enforcement or justice professionals seeking advancement.
College of Psychology and Holistic Studies: This graduate institution offered certificates, master's, and doctoral degrees. Its experiential learning curriculum was facilitated through three community-based clinical internship programs. The counseling psychology program included student-operated art camps that aimed to build self-confidence and self-expression in elementary-aged children. The School of Psychology at John F. Kennedy University provided graduate training focused on practitioner-oriented education, incorporating holistic, multicultural, and transformative perspectives alongside traditional clinical methods. Programs emphasized practical skills for licensure and professional practice, with a particular innovation in areas like sport psychology. The flagship Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology, launched in 1996, adopted a practitioner-scholar model prioritizing clinical training, multicultural competence, and supervised practicum experiences over extensive research dissertation requirements typical of PhD programs. It required approximately 120 semester units, including coursework in assessment, psychotherapy, ethics, and diversity, culminating in a doctoral project and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Master's-level offerings included the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a holistic specialization, which integrated conventional psychotherapy with somatic, expressive arts, and mindfulness-based interventions to address mental health holistically; this 60-unit program met requirements for licensure as a professional clinical counselor in California and featured student-led community counseling centers. The Master of Arts in Sport Psychology stood out as one of the nation's few dedicated master's programs in the field, offering 36 units on performance enhancement, athlete mental health, biofeedback, and coaching psychology, often with dual-degree options alongside the PsyD; it included the Solt Evans LEAP Project for applied work with athletes. Additional programs encompassed the Master of Arts in Integral Psychology, blending transpersonal, developmental, and consciousness studies for advanced theoretical and applied work.
College of Law: This college offered a four-year, part-time program and a three-year full-time program. It housed a housing advocacy and legal clinic that provided free legal services to elderly locals at risk of eviction. The college had an enrollment of 160 students at the time of closure. While it conferred the Juris Doctor degree, the college was approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California rather than the American Bar Association. This lack of ABA accreditation limited graduates' ability to take bar exams and practice law outside of California. The College of Law at John F. Following the university's closure announcement in May 2020, the law program transitioned to National University (initially via Northcentral University), retaining the JFK School of Law branding while shifting to hybrid and online formats to preserve continuity for ongoing students. This integration maintained CBE accreditation but did not alter the inherent limitations of its non-ABA status, with tuition set at approximately $690 per unit for J.D.
Graduate Program in Museum Studies: The graduate program in Museum Studies at John F. Kennedy University had roots at Lone Mountain College in San Francisco. Program directors included Diane Frankel, Gail Anderson, and Marjorie Schwarzer.

Accreditation

John F. Kennedy University received regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in clinical psychology held accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). These program-specific recognitions supported targeted professional pathways, particularly in California, but inherent limitations arose from the university's focus on state-level approvals over national ones. For instance, holistic counseling tracks, while licensure-eligible in-state, lacked specialized national endorsements comparable to mainstream psychology programs, potentially affecting interstate reciprocity or acceptance in evidence-based clinical settings.

Financial Challenges and Merger

In the early 2000s, John F. Kennedy University faced financial pressures common to small private institutions, leading to strategic realignment. By July 2008, the university announced plans to merge with National University, a larger California-based system focused on adult learners. This decision was driven by the need for enhanced operational stability, as smaller schools like JFKU struggled with rising costs and competition from online and for-profit alternatives. In order to gain more financial stability, JFKU became an affiliate of the National University System (NUS) in 2009.

Closure

Despite the 2009 integration, JFKU faced persistent challenges from demographic shifts and market dynamics in higher education. Enrollment declined steadily, exacerbated by the rise of low-cost online providers and reduced demand for campus-based adult education programs. Operating as a small liberal arts institution, JFKU incurred high fixed costs relative to its scale, which hindered competitiveness in an era of consolidation and digital transformation.

In April 2020, the board of trustees voted to terminate operations, citing unsustainable enrollment trends and the evolving landscape of postsecondary education as primary factors. Effective December 31, 2020, JFKU ceased independent operations, with most programs transferred to National University and its affiliate Northcentral University to ensure continuity for students. National University was designated as custodian of JFKU's remaining assets, which included minimal net holdings of approximately $48,000 as of late 2019, amid broader financial strains that precipitated the closure. The Pleasant Hill campus facilities were not explicitly transferred but likely entered disposition processes typical for defunct institutions, such as sale or lease.

Student Body and Administration

John F. Kennedy University catered to non-traditional adult learners, with the majority of its students enrolled in graduate programs tailored for working professionals through evening and flexible scheduling. Undergraduate enrollment was limited, consisting mainly of individuals over age 25 pursuing bachelor's degrees part-time. Enrollment trends showed initial growth followed by decline amid competition from online programs and economic pressures.

The president served as the chief executive officer, directing daily operations, academic programs, and faculty appointments. Supporting the president were vice presidents and executive roles focused on key functions, including an Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, who handled budgeting, facilities, and compliance.

Academic Outcomes and Reputation

The John F. Kennedy University College of Law experienced persistently low California Bar Exam passage rates, prompting scrutiny over its ability to adequately prepare students for professional practice. The PsyD program in Clinical Psychology also drew attention for accreditation challenges that underscored questions about program efficacy.

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