Why is it called the University of Kenpo? Simply put, Kenpo as designed by Ed Parker is more than a Martial art it is an education. Mr. Parker considered his schools a studio, a place of creativity; Universities are inherently a place of logical thought and creativity coupled with sound doctrines of instruction, research & individual examination. By definition that is Ed Parker’s Kenpo.
When looking at Kenpo I have a succinct educational analogy. Elementary School or beginner lever belts (WHITE, YELLOW, ORANGE), Middle School or intimidate level belts (PURPLE, BLUE, GREEN), High School or advanced level belts (3rd BROWN, 2nd BROWN, 1st BROWN), and College level belts (BLACK 1st degree- 9th). Black Belts can be divided even more just as any school of higher education would be with time-in grade being the course work within each degree. Bachelors Degree (1st BLACK-Junior Instructor, 2nd BLACK- Associate Instructor, 3rd BLACK- Head Instructor), Master’s Degree (4th BLACK- Senior Instructor, 5th BLACK- Associate Professor, 6th BLACK- Professor) PHD Degree (Doctor of Philosophy) (7th BLACK- Senior Professor, 8th BLACK- Associate Master of the Arts, 9th BLACK- Master of the Arts), and 10th BLACK- Grand Master of the Arts.
