is grand canyon university regionally accredited

Study Options at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Most Affordable Master’s in Project Management Online Degrees.

Grand Canyon University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as certificates in many areas of study and continuing professional education classes. Courses are offered within nine colleges that include the College of Doctoral Studies, the Colangelo College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Fine Arts and Production. Major areas of study include business, the social sciences, technology & engineering, language, health sciences, the performing arts, psychology & counseling, education, and theology.

The most popular majors at Grand Canyon University are those in nursing with more than 4,800 students each year graduating with nursing degrees. Other popular areas of study include special education and teaching with more than 860 students earning degrees each year and business with more than 850 students earning degrees each year. Many students also choose human services, elementary education, hospital management, and community organization & advocacy as their programs of study.

Since Grand Canyon University is a Christian university, there are many ways to study theology and ministry with available programs in Christian studies, worship arts, ministry education, and biblical foundations. Available degrees include a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts, and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies. Some of the emphases available in these programs include philosophy, youth ministry, and global ministry. Virtually all programs in theology and the ministry are available online.

Another diverse and popular area for students at GCU is nursing, medicine, and health care. The university not only offers a wide selection of degrees in areas like Health Information Management, Psychology, and Exercise Science, but it also allows students to pursue a concentration in an area of their personal interest. Students can enter college for the first time and earn a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science, or they can pursue the pinnacle of study with a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology. Students can enroll in most of these programs via online study from anywhere in the world.

Some of the most interesting and diverse degrees available at GCU are those in engineering and science. Students can enroll in traditional engineering and computer programs like the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology or consider advanced programs like the Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an Emphasis in Robotics. Some of the areas in which a student can focus on include cybersecurity, applied business analytics, biomedical engineering, and instructional technology. Around 20 of the programs in engineering at GCU are offered through 100 percent online study.

About Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and is affiliated with the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, which established it in 1949 in Prescott. The school was sold in the early 2000s to a for-profit educational company but would return to non-profit status in 2018. The school’s official colors are white, purple, and black. Students play in NCAA Division I games as the Antelopes with “Thunder the Antelope” acting as the school’s mascot.

Around 20,000 students attend classes on campus, and a further 70,000 are enrolled for online classes. The urban campus in Phoenix covers 90 acres, and the school ranks as the largest Christian university in the world. The school’s motto is “Find Your Purpose,” and the university operates as a private institution.

Grand Canyon University Accreditation Details

Grand Canyon University was first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1968. The school is authorized to operate as a college by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. Many of the school’s programs are programmatically accredited by organizations and commissions that accredit schools, departments, and specific degrees. For example, many of the degrees offered by the Colangelo College of Business are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).

Accredited degrees include the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies. The graduate degrees in business and the Doctor of Business Administration are also accredited. The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) has accredited the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. Several other GCU programs are also accredited by other organizations.

Grand Canyon University Application Requirements

Students who want to apply to Grand Canyon University as first-time applicants will need to have a high school GPA of at least 3.0 or above or take one of the nation’s standardized tests if their GPA is between 2.5 and 3.0. Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 must obtain a 19 on the ACT or 1380 on the math and reading portions of the SAT. Transfer student applications are similar and require that the student meets a minimum GPA to qualify for admission.

Students who want to apply and be accepted as graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 on their undergraduate work. Students who have a GPA of less than 2.8 can take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to supplement their application and qualify for admission. Doctoral applicants must have a minimum of a master’s from a regionally accredited college or university.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for on-campus undergraduate students at Grand Canyon University is $687.50 per credit for 1 to 11 credits or $8,250 per semester for 12 to 18 credits. Online and evening students pay $440 per credit for education programs, $395 per credit for theology programs, and $449 per credit for most business programs. Active duty and reserve applicants pay a reduced rate of $250 per credit.

Graduate students enrolled in online study will pay a rate based on the program they enter. Education programs are $530 per credit, information technology programs are $505 per credit, and nursing programs are $500 per credit. Students who enroll in continuing professional education classes online pay $150 per credit.

Students enrolled in most programs at Grand Canyon University can qualify for financial aid whether they attend classes on campus or online. The university has many opportunities for scholarships and grants, and students can also qualify for federal financial aid and military aid. The university also allows students to transfer previously earned credits, which can lower the overall cost of attending the university.

To qualify for financial aid at GCU, students must submit a FAFSA form. Submission will qualify the student for federal financial aid, as well as institutional scholarships and grants through the university. Prospective students who want to receive financial aid at Grand Canyon University can talk to a GCU representative for information on campus scholarships and grants.