John F. Kennedy University is a nonprofit, private university in Pleasant Hill, California, with a satellite campus in San Jose. It was founded in 1965 to focus on providing continuing opportunities for non-traditional higher education. Enrollment is approximately 1,600 with no campus housing. The faculty consists of over 700 adjunct faculty employed in their subject areas in addition to about 60 full-time academics. JFK University has three colleges: Business and Professional Studies, Psychology and Holistic Studies, and Law. The university also has a Continuing Education division and an Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership. In April 2009, JFKU became an affiliate of the National University System. JFK University retained its name, identity, and accreditation as an independent university.
John F. Kennedy University College of Law offers both a four-year, part-time program and a three-year, full-time law school program leading to the Juris Doctor. The College is accredited by The Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, but is not accredited by the American Bar Association. Accreditation by The Committee of Bar Examiners of California permits graduates from John F. Kennedy University College of Law to take the California Bar Examination upon graduation and, when the graduate passes and complies with other admission requirements, to practice law anywhere in the state, in both California and federal courts. Study at, or graduation from, the JFK University College of Law may not qualify a student to take the bar examination in other states or satisfy the requirements to practice law in other states. If a student intends to seek admission to practice law in a state other than California, the student should contact the admitting authority in that state for information regarding the legal education requirements for admission to practice law.
Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership
The Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership is an initiative of John F. Kennedy University designed to stimulate and scale entrepreneurship and job creation both regionally and nationally, one student-entrepreneur and one business at a time. The IEL offers academic courses and certificate programs in conjunction with the University's Colleges and specialized entrepreneurial classes and seminars. Through the Resident Entrepreneur program, budding entrepreneurs have access to low-cost office space at the IEL's Business Accelerator in Concord along with a wide range of support and mentoring services. Thus far, over 85 student-led companies located in 12 states have flourished from the IEL, achieving 2013 revenues of approximately $1.1 Billion. With growing corporate sponsorship and increased recognition in the business community, the IEL is poised, as it enters its fourth year of operation, to expand the number of entrepreneurs that it assists.
Service to Community
In keeping with its namesake, John F. Kennedy University is committed to being of service to the local communities. As part of this commitment and in recognition of the fact that deep learning often happens outside the classroom, JFK University offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience through the following clinical and internship opportunities.
JFK University's College of Law offers Law Clinical Opportunities in its Housing Advocacy Clinic and Legal Clinic for Elders that offer free legal services to those at risk of losing their homes and to the elderly.
The University's Expressive Art Camps, staffed by students in the MA in Counseling Psychology program, help elementary-aged children build self-confidence and self-expression.
The Solt Evans LEAP Project, offered through JFK University's MA in Sport Psychology program, works with disadvantaged youth to teach them life skills through athletics.
The Family Resiliency Project under the Counseling Psychology program partners with school districts to provide family counseling to improve children's behaviors and performance in school, and to strengthen families.
