Palm Beach Atlantic University

What is the history of Palm Beach Atlantic University?

Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private Christian university founded in West Palm Beach in 1968. It began as Palm Beach Atlantic College, with an educational purpose shaped by its Christian identity and its location in South Florida.

The institution later adopted the Palm Beach Atlantic University name as its academic offerings expanded beyond undergraduate study. Today, its mix of liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs reflects that development. Its history matters to applicants because Christian faith and service remain part of the university's educational approach, rather than being confined to its founding story.

What are the faculties and departments at Palm Beach Atlantic University?

Palm Beach Atlantic offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, business, education, health professions, ministry, and the arts. Applicants can consider fields such as biology, communication, computer science, psychology, business, nursing, music, and theology, as well as graduate and professional options including pharmacy.

Its academic organization includes the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. School of Business, the Catherine T. MacArthur School of Nursing, and the Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, alongside schools serving other disciplines. Program choice has practical consequences: a prospective nursing or pharmacy student, for example, should examine clinical requirements and progression rules separately from the university's general admissions requirements. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1, an institution-wide measure that does not predict the size of a particular class.

What is the location of Palm Beach Atlantic University?

Palm Beach Atlantic University's main campus is in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. Its urban setting places students near local employers, health care facilities, cultural venues, and the surrounding Palm Beach County community.

That location can be useful for internships and off-campus activities, but students should plan for commuting, parking, and South Florida living expenses. Palm Beach International Airport serves the area. Applicants considering a particular graduate program or course format should confirm where their required classes meet rather than assume that every offering uses the main campus.

What is the mission and vision of Palm Beach Atlantic University?

Palm Beach Atlantic describes its purpose in explicitly Christian terms, emphasizing learning, leadership, and service. Its stated mission is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly.

For a prospective student, the important distinction is between an institution's stated values and the experience of a particular program. PBA incorporates faith-oriented activities and community service into campus life, while students still need to review their intended major's curriculum and any participation requirements. Its religious identity is a material consideration for applicants comparing colleges with different approaches to faith and education.