Core Themes
As an accredited university, Bastyr engages in on-going self-assessment of its programs, student success, faculty, staff, physical capacity, long-term planning and resources. That process involves the development of core themes and goals that are used to characterize the University’s priorities and provide the framework for continuous improvement and mission fulfillment.
As stated in its 2015 Mid-Cycle Report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University’s core themes and goals are the following:
Core Theme One: Academic Achievement
- Goals: The University offers a rigorous and relevant curriculum, has a highly qualified faculty with excellent teaching skills, and supports student success and program completion.
Core Theme 2: Research in the Natural Health Arts and Sciences
- Goals: The Bastyr University Research Institute follows a comprehensive strategic plan that articulates its growth plan over the next decade, faculty are encouraged and supported to pursue research/scholarly activity and disseminate findings, and students are encouraged to participate in research training and scholarly activity.
Core Theme 3: Clinical Training and Community Health
- Goals: All University clinical programs provide clinical training that prepares competent entry-level health professionals who offer high-quality services to the community.
Core Theme 4: Interdisciplinary Integration
- Goals: The University supports institution-wide interdisciplinary integration by strengthening faculty training, infrastructure and policies. In addition, students gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes to work collaboratively with a variety of health professionals to improve the health of patients and the human community.
These four core themes align with the Bastyr University mission statement: “We educate future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences. Respecting the healing power of nature, and recognizing that body, mind and spirit are intrinsically inseparable, we model an integrated approach to education, research and clinical service.” Education, research and clinical services constitute the foundation upon which Bastyr University stands, and the interdisciplinary integration of these three primary areas of focus describes the approach the University uses to achieve mission fulfillment.