William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina
William Peace University, located in the vibrant city of Raleigh, North Carolina, ensures that learning is hands-on, adaptive, and nimble—with career preparation built in from start to finish. Students learn in a supportive, close-knit community from dedicated faculty who challenge and mentor them. And with an experiential curriculum that meets them where they are, WPU Pacers are aptly prepared for inspiring careers in the organizations of today and tomorrow.
Get to know William Peace University
College Highlights
IMMERSIVE LEARNING
Immersive Learning is a pillar of the WPU Strategic Plan, Believe in Peace. Through the Center for Immersive Learning, located in the library, students can meet in small meeting spaces designed to support collaborative projects, small group work, and enhanced use of technology in support of teaching and learning activities. The Center provides students with the ability to collaborate with corporate and community partners focusing on transformational educational opportunities.
Some of the many programs the Center for Immersive Learning provides include community partnerships, study away opportunities, and immersive learning experiences in Raleigh and the surrounding area.
INTERNSHIPS
All traditional undergraduate students complete internships as part of the curriculum, ensuring that everyone graduates with solid hands-on experience. Some students even complete a second internship for credit as well.
A wide variety of internship experiences are secured by students, including virtual and in-person options. In most cases, the internships are related to the students’ major. Students complete a full 120 hours at their internship site!
In 2019-2020, the supervisor ratings indicate:
- The average overall work performance of the WPU interns was 4.69 on a 5-point scale.
- 95% of the intern supervisors would consider the intern for permanent employment.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latinx: 12%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 24%
White, non-Hispanic: 53%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%
LIB ED CORE
As a part of the Liberal Education (Lib Ed) or general education curriculum, students are required to take courses in five core competency areas:
- Writing
- Empirical reasoning
- Ethical reasoning
- Critical thinking about culture and society
- Professional readiness
A variety of courses fulfill these requirements, but they all enrich students’ discipline-specific learning with a wide range of perspectives and a strong set of skills. No matter their major, all WPU students achieve success with a strong foundation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
WPU includes many interdisciplinary majors that include coursework from multiple disciplines. Faculty collaborate frequently across disciplines. For example, the Criminal Justice major incorporates coursework from Criminal Justice, Psychology, Political Science, and Anthropology.
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR
New full-time, first-year students enroll in a First-Year Seminar course in their first semester to help their transition to college life and academics. With small class sizes of no more than 18 students each, all freshmen are immediately welcomed into the community under the guidance of a peer mentor and a caring faculty member.
During New Student Orientation and this First-Year Seminar, learn about the value of WPU’s immersive learning focus, taking part right away in interactive, high-impact learning practices.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Living on campus is one of the best ways to form strong, long-lasting friendships while feeling deeply involved in the school’s community. Because of that, William Peace University requires all first-year, sophomore, and junior students to live on campus or in university-affiliated housing. WPU offers a variety of facilities, including six on-campus residence halls, providing apartments with shared beds and baths, suites, and singles. WPU also offers one off-campus apartment complex for upperclass students.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
At WPU, there is a club for anyone with any interest! Student Involvement provides oversight for registered student organizations that represent the diversity of thought, attitudes, and background of students at WPU.
Popular organizations include multiple theatre groups, the student newspaper, Campus Activities Board, Gaming Club, Black Student Union, and the Psychology Club.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
As part of the Believe in Peace Strategic Plan, WPU embraces five core values: Focus on Students; Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect; Commitment to Community; Creativity and Innovation; and Excellence with Integrity.
In 2018, WPU created the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as part of this commitment. The Retention Team partners with the Office of DE&I, which offers programming for students who identify as members of marginalized groups and/or identities such as LGBTQIA+, first-generation college students, women, international students, African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, etc.
Several new initiatives have come out of the Office, including the BEST Program, DEEP Leaders, Multicultural Student Association, and Safe Zone Training, all of which have helped to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for WPU students in an effort to support student success and achievement.
ATHLETICS
WPU sponsors 18 NCAA Division III athletic teams and is part of the USA South Conference.
Women’s sports: Basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball
Men’s sports: Baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field
CULMINATING CAPSTONE
As part of the “Ethical Reasoning” learning outcome in the Lib Ed core, all students complete PHL 400: Senior Interdisciplinary Ethics Seminar. This course serves as a general education capstone that supports WPU’s mission to provide students with skills for ethical citizenship.
In addition to the general education capstone, most majors also test students’ breadth of knowledge with a culminating capstone related to their field of study. This is a great opportunity to synthesize all that they have learned throughout their college career, reflect on their growth, and dive deeply into a project of interest. Just a few examples of senior capstone courses include a Global Studies Senior Seminar, Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice, Evolutionary Biology, Business Policy, and Communication Agency.
CAREER SERVICES
Internships and résumé creation are directly ingrained in the undergraduate experience. The Career Design Center offers three classes in the curriculum, events and programming during the academic year, career fairs, and other forms of engagement with the school’s employer partners. This thorough involvement of the Center ensures that all students know where they can go to prepare themselves for their post-graduate careers.
Admission
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 465 | 75th Percentile: 575
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 480 | 75th Percentile: 560
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT English
25th Percentile: 15 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $31,950
Fees: $500
Room: $8,080
Board: $4,150
What Others are Saying
Contact William Peace University
Contact Admissions
peace.edu/admissions-aid
(919) 508-2214
admissions@peace.edu
Campus Location
15 East Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 508-2000