Dr. Jayne Moschella, Executive Vice President and ProvostParker University is intentionally designing its academic programs around what the healthcare system needs next. Rather than refining a traditional academic model, the University has created an integrated approach that connects education, clinical practice, research and human performance. These areas operate as one ecosystem, each directly strengthening student competency and patient outcomes.
This ecosystem focuses on student development. Aware of current challenges, Parker invests in mentoring, wellness resources, tutoring and community engagement. The University values both subject expertise and soft skills, preparing students to be patient-centric, evidence-informed practitioners who embrace continuous learning.
“We focus on access, mentorship, academic support and career development, ensuring that students are not only admitted but truly supported through graduation and beyond,” says Dr. Jayne Moschella, Executive Vice President and Provost.
This philosophy shapes the development of curriculum and support systems. In response to the physical, emotional and academic challenges students faced during and after the COVID-19 period, Parker has adopted a deliberate leveling approach, meeting students where they are and building toward a shared high standard of clinical competence. Trained Peer tutors, free tutoring, faculty office hours and the Center for Teaching and Learning are embedded in the academic model.
Parker offers continuing education, certificates and degrees from the associate level to the Doctor of Chiropractic, in online, hybrid and in-person formats. Programs reduce passive lecture time and increase applied learning. Doctor of Chiropractic students train at clinics in Dallas and Irving, gaining direct experience in patient care and clinical reasoning. Students apply classroom knowledge in labs, clinics, research and community settings, developing confidence and leadership instincts before graduation.
Fostering Research and Innovation
How does Parker integrate research and clinical training within its performance-focused educational environment?
Extending learning beyond the classroom, the Parker Performance Institute integrates healthcare, human performance and wellness in one environment, focusing on veteran care and mild brain injury. With advanced technology, it operates as a clinical and applied research center, allowing students to train with tools and methods found in advanced healthcare settings.
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We focus on access, mentorship, academic support and career development, ensuring that students are not only admitted but truly supported through graduation and beyond.
Within the Institute, the Invicta Project supports military service members and tactical professionals by optimizing health, readiness and resilience. For students, this means learning to operate in high-accountability environments where evidence-based decisions and precise communication are critical.
The Human Performance Center marks the next step in Parker’s expansion. With a new 64,000-square-foot facility being developed beside campus, the Center supports funded research, industry partnerships and translational clinical trials led by Dr. Andrew Galpin. It provides an immersive learning environment for students and will include a museum on human performance, resilience and adaptation, making research accessible to the broader community.
The Parker Research Center provides hands-on research, data analysis and discovery through funded studies and collaboration with industry and federal partners. Research is organized around four pillars: the Research Center, Scholarly Engagement, the Human Performance Center and the Parker Performance Institute.
Academic Excellence, Support, and Growth
Why does Parker emphasize faculty expertise and scholarly engagement in shaping academic program quality?
Parker University publishes the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic: A Platform for Scholarly Voice, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that promotes global evidence-based scholarship and clinical innovation. In 2025, the Journal published 44 papers, including collaborations with chiropractic and Veterans Affairs researchers nationwide, reinforcing Parker’s role in knowledge creation and dissemination across the chiropractic and integrative healthcare professions.
At Parker, faculty recruitment is rigorous and intentional. Doctoral faculty must have at least three years of experience and credentials are reviewed by peers. Academic preparation and clinical expertise are equally valued, ensuring students learn from practicing clinicians, contributing researchers and committed mentors.
To what extent is Parker expanding programs to meet future healthcare education demands?
Guided by the vision of President Dr. William E. Morgan, former chiropractor to the United States Congress, the university continues to expand its academic offerings. New doctoral programs in clinical neuroscience, anatomy, clinical anatomy and functional nutrition are underway, with a nursing program in development.
Parker University is advancing a model where education, research, technology and clinical care converge. It is committed to preparing student-centered, patient-centric and evidence-informed graduates ready for modern healthcare environments.
