Degrees Offered at Northcentral University
Northcentral University appears in our ranking of the 50 Accelerated Masters in Sports Management Online.
Northcentral University is a private, nonprofit college based in La Jolla, Calif. The goal of education at NCU is to prepare working professionals for leadership positions in career fields that are in demand throughout the economy. Online classes are self-paced, and students have access to learning resources via the NCU Web portal. Degree programs at NCU are organized into the following academic disciplines:
- Business
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Technology
One of the top degrees offered at NCU is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BAPSY). Like all programs at NCU, it’s offered entirely online. It prepares students for competitive careers in fields such as behavior analysis, social work, human services, correctional treatment, and residential assistance. It consists of 60 credit hours of classroom attendance, and the recommended completion time is 21 months. Online classes have a one-to-one ratio of students to professors, so there is never a risk of falling behind during the semester.
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a bachelor’s completion program that requires 60 hours of classroom attendance. The program can be completed in about 30 months, and it doesn’t have any campus residency requirements. Three degree specializations are available for the BBA program at NCU: technology and innovation management, business leadership and business management. Graduates of this program can seek employment in leadership positions or continue their studies in graduate school.
NCU offers a large selection of online master’s degrees. From nursing and health psychology to education and computer science, the master’s programs at NCU are comprehensive and rigorous. The Master of Science in Nursing program takes 26 months to complete and requires 36 hours of classroom attendance. It doesn’t have any residency requirements. Nursing master’s students can choose to specialize in management and organizational leadership. This degree focus prepares students for careers in fields such as nursing and clinical management, case management and health management.
The Master of Education (MEd) option is an accelerated program with 18 choices of degree focus. From adult learning and workforce education to reading education and athletic management, the specializations for this degree are designed to prepare students for careers in academic education. This program takes just 15 months to complete and requires 30 to 36 credit hours of classroom attendance. It doesn’t have any residency requirements, so students can complete the entire program without visiting the campus.
Doctoral students at NCU have a wide range of accredited programs to choose from. Degrees in nursing, education, computer science, and psychology are available completely online. The Ph.D. in Business Administration program consists of 60 credit hours of graduate-level research. It takes about 45 months to complete. Students enrolled in this program can choose from 16 specializations ranging from public administration to project management and applied computer science.
NCU offers a number of non-degree certificates in marriage and family therapy, business, education, social services, and psychology. Certificates are available for students who hold a master’s degree as well as students with only a bachelor’s degree. One certificate option is available in each subject, and programs can be completed entirely online.
About Northcentral University
NCU was founded in 1996 as a nonprofit university for adult learners. It has subsequently been acquired by the National University System to provide low-cost distance education to students throughout the country. According to a study conducted by Gallup, NCU graduates are more interested in their work and perform better at their jobs than the average survey respondent. Notable alumni of NCU include Laurel Mellin, an author of nine books about brain health, and Clovis Watson Jr., a Florida state congressman.
Northcentral University Accreditation Details
NCU is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The WSCUC provides regional accreditation to universities throughout the western U.S. Students enrolled at NCU can expect a high level of academic rigor. The U.S. Department of Education has approved the WASC as the sole accrediting agency throughout the western region. In addition to institution-wide accreditation, NCU holds program-level accreditation from the following agencies:
- Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
These department-specific accreditations ensure that students receive a thorough education in their chosen discipline. All credits earned at NCU are transferrable to higher learning institutions throughout the world.
Northcentral University Application Requirements
Admissions to NCU are open to all students, and a new semester starts each week. All students must begin the enrollment process by filling out an online application and submitting the required documents. Undergraduate applicants must provide high school transcripts or proof of a GED. All graduate school applicants must submit transcripts from an accredited university. Doctoral students may be eligible for direct entry into a graduate program if they have already completed a master’s degree in a subject related to their chosen discipline. Most students admitted to NCU will meet the following requirements:
- A high school or college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A score of 550 on the math portion of the SAT
- A score of 540 on the reading portion of the SAT
- A score of 18 on the ACT
Students with lower grades may still be admitted on a probationary basis. Doctoral students with little experience in their chosen discipline may be placed in an evaluation track program to see how well they perform under closely monitored conditions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Because NCU is a private, nonprofit school, tuition costs are the same for all students. Most students will pay around $11,000 per year in tuition. The cost of books and living expenses depends on the student’s degree program and location. Generally, these costs run about $10,000 to $16,000 per year. By visiting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website and filling out an application, students can receive aid for up to the entire cost of their education, including books and living expenses.
Northcentral University is a convenient and affordable online college for working professionals looking to increase their employment opportunities and earning potential.