Degrees Offered at East Carolina University
East Carolina University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students.
East Carolina University is a public research college in the North Carolina University system. It’s located in Greenville, N.C., and it is the fourth-largest university in the state. Students at ECU can choose from over 100 degree programs and certificate options in a wide range of disciplines. Degree programs at ECU are divided into the following schools and colleges:
Featured Programs
- Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Allied Health Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering and Technology
- College of Fine Arts & Communication
- College of Health and Human Performance
- College of Nursing
- Honors College
- Integrated Coastal Programs
- School of Dental Medicine
- Brody School of Medicine
- Graduate School
High school seniors can earn credit at ECU in several ways. The most common way is for a student to take the CLEP exam in any areas for which he or she is prepared at the college level. The CLEP test covers a full range of first-year college courses and enables high school students to skip ahead to more advanced subjects when they enroll in classes at ECU. Another method for high school students to earn credit at ECU is to take the DANTES test, which equates to college credit in specific courses, including accounting, math, physics, finance, biology, and many other subjects. The final path to college credit at ECU for high school students is to take the Advanced Placement exam, which offers up to 12 credit hours in some foreign language courses and eight credit-hours in some science and mathematics courses.
ECU has one of the top nursing programs in the southeastern region. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is offered on campus and online. The RN to BSN program is offered fully online, and it requires only four semesters of half-time enrollment to complete. Although online students are not required to attend classes on campus, all of the campus-based learning resources are available to online students at ECU. In as few as 16 months, a registered nurse can earn a BSN over the internet, on campus, or through a combination of the two. Online classes are offered with a learning cohort, so students always have a supportive network of peers to help them succeed.
Several other degree options are available fully online, such as the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. This degree program is a relatively new option that combines healthcare research with business management concepts to provide a broadly marketable set of career skills for healthcare professionals. Students of this four-year degree program will learn the fundamental concepts of healthcare informatics, statistics, and analysis. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to apply ethical, economic, and legal concepts in decision-making in the healthcare field. The program does not have any residency requirements, and it takes about 46 hours of online classroom attendance to complete.
At the graduate level, ECU offers a wide range of doctorate and professional degree programs, such as the Doctor of Education in Education Leadership. This degree is offered on campus or as a hybrid program with online and campus-based classes. The EdD program is a four-year doctoral research program that provides students with the skills needed to lead school administrations in K-12 and postsecondary institutions. Online students can specialize in higher education administration or K-12 administration.
About East Carolina University
ECU was founded in 1907 as an academy for teacher training. Over the years it has expanded to include students of all backgrounds, and in 1948, ECU became a public university that offers a wide range of degree programs. Today, ECU educates approximately 30,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students each year. With an endowment of $219 million, ECU is able to offer state-of-the-art learning resources and job placement assistance to all students. Notable ECU alumni include actress Sandra Bullock and professional wrestling promoter Vince McMahon.
East Carolina University Accreditation Details
ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the SACSCC as a regional accreditation agency for the southeastern region. ECU is accredited at the institutional level as well as at the department level. Most programs at ECU are independently accredited by professional agencies such as:
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Psychological Association
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Regional accreditation ensures that a degree from ECU carries credibility at institutions throughout the world. Credits earned at ECU can easily be transferred to any school in the country. Professional accreditation for programs such as nursing and education ensure that students receive a high level of preparation for their careers.
East Carolina University Application Requirements
The application process starts with the creation of an account on the ECU website. With an ECU account, applicants can submit an online application. Each application must include high school or college transcripts, including any dual-credit transcripts from a community college, as well as a non-refundable deposit of $75. Applicants must have completed the following core high school course requirements:
- Four units of English
- Four units of math
- Three units of natural science
- Two units of social studies
- Two units of the same foreign language
Every year, around 20,000 students compete for the 4,500 spaces available for enrollment. The deadline for fall enrollment is May 4. The deadline for enrollment in the Honors College is Nov. 15, and the last day to apply for scholarships is December 15.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at ECU is about $7,188 per year for North Carolina residents and $23,465 annually for non-residents. The cost of books, supplies, and living expenses is around $12,000 to $16,000 per year, depending on the student’s major and degree level. Aid is available to students with financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program.
East Carolina University offers top-ranked online programs, graduate research opportunities, and rigorous education to students of all ages and backgrounds.
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