Northcentral University

Key Takeaways:

  • Northcentral University is now known as National University.
  • National University offers more than 190 degree programs, including accelerated master of arts degrees.
  • The student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1. More than 75% of classes have less than 20 students.
  • National University creates deeper connections and meaningful outcomes for adult learners through credential-rich and experience-rich pathways that include military, community college, and employer partnerships.
northcentral-university

Northcentral University Degree Programs

Northcentral University appears in our ranking of the Top 5 PhD in Early Childhood Education Online Programs.

Northcentral University (NCU) is an online school with a not-for-profit twist. Noting the educational possibilities brought on through information technology, the founders established a school headquartered in San Diego, CA. The university quickly spread across the country, allowing students to attend classes in their homes, a revolutionary concept at the time. Today, over 10,000 students take courses from NCU to obtain their bachelor’s, master and doctoral degrees along with several certifications. NCU grew to become one of the top online schools across the globe.

Featured Programs

Considering the increasing number of fields of study offered to students at NCU, there is no surprise generated when students discover that the university is divided into five schools. Those schools are:

  • School of Business
  • School of Technology
  • School of Education
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

One of the unique properties offered at Northcentral University is their rolling program starts in which you can enroll at the start of any week. This feature encourages students to enter the education process at the time, which is most convenient for them. The convenience of such programs increases the possibility of students graduating as the start time for courses includes established students. As a result, a student who finishes one course in their program can take a break before entering the next course. This alternative is perfect for home students who need the extra time to take care of all those small things that build up at home while attending school.

Another critical aspect of the NCU online presence is the size of the classroom. Each student learns one-on-one with their instructor, making the number of students in the classroom just one. That’s right, there is only one student in the class, so the instruction is more structured. The limit of one student to one instructor allows the student to complete the courses and the degrees faster. Most students can complete bachelors-level programs in two years instead of the four years required at traditional universities.

NCU offers bachelor degrees in business and psychology. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology includes 20 courses that develop an understanding of how people think and the forces that change those thoughts. The evolution of human behavior is a fascinating field of study that embraces social, political, and generational patterns of behavior. Students who graduate this program can proceed immediately into the master’s program through NCUs unique fast-forward program. The fast-forward program allows students to move into the masters-level without the necessity of reapplying for admission.

The Bachelor of Business degree offered at NCU brings an understanding of the inner workings of a successful business. Courses involve everything from the organization of business, domestic and international, marketing, finance, accounting, and all the other aspects that make a business successful. Graduates armed with this degree are qualified to move into middle management at most established companies.

The emphasis at NCU is the production of viable masters-level degree programs. Students move quickly through these programs due to the one-on-one nature of the educational structure at NCU. One course in a master-level program leads naturally into the next course for a logical progression from start to finish. Masters-level degrees are offered in business, education, technology, health sciences, and social sciences. Within those areas of study, graduate students select their degree programs. For instance, within the field of business, students can select master programs such as:

  • Master of Human Resource Management
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Legal Studies
  • Master of Science in Accounting

NCU also offers post-bachelor and post-master certifications. To complete a post-baccalaureate certification program at NCU usually requires the completion of 12 credit hours of study, which is perfect for those students already working and who wish to move up in their respective fields without spending the extra time required to complete a master’s degree. In the field of business, NCU offers four post-baccalaureate certifications:

  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Entrepreneurship
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in General Business
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Financial Management
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Project Management

Post-master’s certificates take a bit longer—18 credit hours—than the post-baccalaureate certifications. Once again, these programs are designed for those who wish to move up at work without spending the extra time of seeking a doctoral degree. In the field of business, enterprising students find a considerable array of post-master certifications, including:

  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Advanced Accounting
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Financial Management
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Services
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Management of Engineering and Technology
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Public Administration
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Criminal Justice
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in General Business
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Homeland Security-Leadership & Policy
  • Post-Master’s Certificate in Project Management

For those aggressive students who wish to enter a doctoral program, NCU offers ideal circumstances for the pursuance of such degrees around the globe. Every school within the NCU structure offers in-depth study programs for those seeking these advanced degrees. An example is the School of Education that provides doctoral-level degrees such as:

  • Doctor of Education
  • Doctor of Education in Instructional Design
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership
  • Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Design

These doctoral-level degrees require at least four years to complete. A dissertation or capstone project is required to finish the program. Graduates who hold a doctoral degree from NCU are qualified to move to the top of their field.

About Northcentral University

NCU was founded at the inception of the online craze and has weathered all the abuses to which such schools were submitted. When the university gained accreditation, many of the traditional colleges and universities grew an interest in online education. Since its inception, NCU has been instrumental in pioneering the online educational environment.

Currently, NCU is ranked 264th in the US News and World Report rankings for the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, 215th in Best Online Master’s Programs, and 228th in Best Online Graduate-Level Programs.

Northcentral University Accreditation Details

NCU is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Schools within the university are accredited specialized accrediting organizations such as:

  • Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (CAMFTE)
  • International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE)

Northcentral University Application Requirements

Applying to enter NCU as a first-time post-secondary student is simple. The application form online provides all the information a student need. There is a $25.00 application fee. Students must submit their high school or GED transcripts that reflect a minimum of a 2.2 GPA. An ACT score of 18 is the minimum acceptable score, and an SAT score of 850 will get the application noticed.

Applications to enter graduate studies at NCU require a complete record of all post-secondary schools attended, showing a minimum of a 3.00 GPA. The applicant must include an academic essay and submit a GRE or GMAT test score that registers in the upper 50 percentile. Reference letters are required for most graduate-level degrees at NCU.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The best way to describe tuition levels at NCU is to provide a general fee for each level of study for each course. Every program course at NCU for undergrads runs at $1,300 or a bit higher. Post-undergraduate certificates cost close to $2,500 per course. Master’s degree courses run around $2,600. The post-master’s certifications average $3,400, and doctoral degree level courses run around $3,400 per course as well. Each program varies a bit in cost, so check with the department before applying for entrance.

The first step in applying for financial aid at NCU is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. With this information in hand, the school searches for financial assistance opportunities. The school accepts Pell Grants, Need Grants, and community grants as well as scholarships in place of payment. NCU applicants may find plenty of federal Student Loans available for them to complete their studies.

Northcentral University is one of the premier online colleges in the country that offers advanced and undergrad students an opportunity to get an advanced degree while working from home.