city university of seattle accreditation

City University of Seattle Degrees Available

The City University of Seattle appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Master’s of Computer Science Online.

The City University of Seattle utilizes Blackboard Learn to coordinate the delivery of two associate, 13 bachelor’s, 16 master’s, and two doctorates completely online. Fourteen certificates, such as Chemical Dependency Counseling, Project Management, and Marketing have online formats. CityU also has SPHR Exam Preparation and Corporate Management for Transitioning Military programs. Online courses have 10-30 students at an average age of 29 who closely engage with the same high-quality faculty. Students also benefit from Prior Learning Assessment credits, Career Lab services, 24/7 technical support, and Seattle Library resources.

Chaired by Dr. Mark Bowles in the Technology Institute, Seattle’s Bachelor’s of Science in Information Systems develops the networking IT skills for undergrads to improve digital communication in the global business market. The 180-unit, ABET-accredited curriculum could lead to Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credentialing after courses like Web Programming, Software Process Management, and Quality Assurance that end in a senior capstone.

Accredited by the ACBSP since 2013, the Master’s of Professional Accounting at CityU is directed by Dean Tom Cary to prepare CPAs with a wide breadth of financial tools to summarize account figures for cost-effective business moves. The 45-65 unit curriculum lets post-grads choose two depth blocks from Public Accounting, Information Security Audit, Finance, Global Management, or Management Accounting Applications before the capstone ethics project.

Additional online offerings from City University of Seattle include the Associate of Science in General Studies, Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services, Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Administration, Master’s of Education in Special Education, Master’s of Science in Computer Science, Master’s of Business Administration in Change Leadership, and Ed.D. in Higher Education.

About the City University of Seattle

The City University of Seattle was opened by Dr. Michael Pastore in 1973 to educate adults in evening, weekend, and online formats. Affiliated with the National University System since 2013, CityU employs over 900 faculty as a private, nonprofit institution with NSA Center of Academic Excellence status. Reporting a 55.1 percent completion rate, City University of Seattle enrolls 6,755 students in programs that are “All About the Finish.” Besides its Wall Street campus near Seattle’s Denny Park, CityU has nine Washington partners, including Bates Technical College, Centralia College, and Skagit Valley College. Globally, CityU confers education in seven nations from Canada to China and Czech Republic. Linked to 18,926 LinkedIn alumni, City University of Seattle has graduated notable alums like Calvin Ayre, Scott Reske, and Margot Sangster.

Recognized by the WACES Innovative Counselor Education Program Award, CityU has an 84 percent recommendation rate on GraduatePrograms.com with 3.83/5 stars. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the City University of Seattle for America’s 31st best bachelor’s, 112th top business, 172nd best MBA, and 40th best computer information technology courses online. Graded “B” for value by Niche, CityU is placed 35th for business administration, 40th for communications, and 37th for psychology programs nationwide on College Factual. WalletHub honored the City University of Seattle for the 81st most affordable study. Washington Monthly declared CityU the 346th best research institution and 555th top college overall. TheBestColleges.com chose CityU as Washington’s 16th top university. Seattle Business Magazine also applauded City University of Seattle for the Puget Sound’s largest MBA.

City University of Seattle Accreditation Details

In 2010, City University of Seattle had its Level V regional accreditation reaffirmed by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) under president Lee Gorsuch. For another decade, this institutional approval recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) will cover all 16 undergraduate and 22 graduate degrees for Federal Title-IV eligibility. Specific CityU programs have maintained accreditations from the following:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center
  • American Association of Intensive English Programs
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology

City University of Seattle Application Requirements

Although the City University of Seattle is an open-enrollment school with 100 percent acceptance, online students need to fulfill certain admission criteria. Associate and bachelor’s programs are reserved for adults aged 18+ who’ve finished a high school diploma or GED certificate. Transfers can carry 12-90 credits from regionally accredited colleges with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Non-native English speakers are expected to score at least 5.5 on the IELTS or 95 on the Accuplacer exam. The Graduate School at CityU requires a four-year baccalaureate with a cumulative GPA of over 2.75 for unconditional admission, but other requirements vary. For example, the M.A. Counseling hybrid program needs a conviction-free criminal background check. The MPA has prerequisites of introductory and intermediate accounting. The Master’s of Science in Information Security mandates basic C++ and Java programming knowledge.

The City University of Seattle has rolling admission with final deadlines of August 1st for Fall, November 1st for Winter, February 1st for Spring, and May 1st for Summer quarters. Interested online students submit the online application for $50 and send any physical documents to 521 Wall Street Suite 100 in Seattle, WA 98121. Certain online CityU degrees request the following:

  • Official transcripts and diplomas in English
  • College entrance exam scores if taken
  • Three letters of professional reference
  • Typed, two-page writing sample of goals
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Signed background check information
  • F-1 student visa with a financial declaration (if applicable)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergrads at the City University of Seattle pay $16,748 on average for tuition and fees. Studying online saves roughly $9,648 for room and board each year. In particular, the School of Education charges undergrads $350 per credit. The School of Management or School of Arts and Sciences would bill $378 per credit. The CityU Graduate Division estimates a mean price of $13,914 annually full-time. The School of Applied Leadership has master’s courses for $685 per credit while the School of Management International charges $838 per credit. Doctoral courses cost $720 per credit until the $2,000 dissertation phase.

According to the NCES, 48 percent of full-time CityU students share $2.85 million in annual financial aid for packages worth $6,164 on average. Submit the FAFSA form with code 013022 to qualify for Federal Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. The Federal Work-Study program offers employment for at least $11/hour. The William D. Ford Federal Direct loans have an interest cap of 8 percent for borrowing. Students might obtain Post-9/11 G.I. Bill veterans benefits, the Washington Award for Vocational Education, private loans, and employer tuition assistance. Living in the Evergreen State opens the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and State Need Grant of up to $1,412. City University of Seattle institutional funds include the International Students Scholarship, Merit Scholarship, Enactus Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship, and Diversity Scholarship.