National University

Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees at National University

National University appears in our ranking of the 25 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Online Degrees. National University has more than 130 on-campus and online graduate and bachelor’s degree programs. It also has 23 teacher certificate/credential programs.  National University is organized into two colleges and four professional schools:

• the Sanford College of Education
• the College of Letters and Sciences
• the School of Professional Studies
• the School of Health and Human Services
• the School of Engineering and Computing
• the School of Business and Management.

National University  offers more than 1,500 online courses. Its online academic programs are interactive with:

• virtual classrooms
• multimedia learning material
• real-time discussions
• streaming videos

Whether offered online or on-campus, the curriculum and program schedule is designed primarily for working adults. The programs offered at National University are concentrated. Each lasts about four weeks. Distance learning is an option for students across the country. Students local to the school can attend on-campus classes that are typically scheduled during weeknights with an occasional Saturday. This structure allows working adults and students to continue combine work, family and their education. The undergraduate and graduate programs include:

• homeland security
• law and criminal justice
• engineering
• education
• business
• healthcare, and more

Undergraduate programs consist of between 42 to 46 courses, depending on the program. They take an average of three and one-half years to complete. Depending on a student’s personal circumstances and program of choice, graduate programs consist of 12 to 16 courses. They take anywhere from one year to two years to complete. Classes are available either online or at 20 different locations throughout California and Nevada. It’s one of the best schools for educators in the state. National University has credentialed more teachers than any other university in California.

About National University

National University is a nonprofit, private postsecondary institution in California. The school was founded in 1971 by retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander David Chigos. Its academic and administrative headquarters are located in La Jolla California. National University offers academic degree programs online and at 28 campuses throughout California and Nevada. National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. As the largest private nonprofit university in San Diego, the school’s mission is to provide achievable, accessible higher education to adult learners. The school considers itself to be a pioneer in the digital space. It has  offered online classes for more than two decades. Today, more than 23,000 students from 65 countries and all 50 states pursue degrees at National University. it has more than 150,000 alumni worldwide.

National University Accreditation Details

National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to award undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition, two of the school’s departments are accredited by specialized accrediting institutions:

• the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)

Accreditation is accomplished through a peer-review process whereby a committee of faculty and professionals from similar institutions evaluate a school based on a number of factors. These include:

• its ability to meet its goals and adhere to its mission statement
• the quality of its:
  • programs
  • graduates
  • student learning outcomes
  • faculty members

Accreditation allows universities and colleges to request funding from the federal government so that they may offer financial aid to eligible students. It also allows students to transfer credits among institutions.

National University Application Requirements

All undergraduates who are considered first-time students must attend an orientation course offered by the Division of Extended Learning before they enroll in a program. Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree must complete an application and pay a nonrefundable application fee. Personal essays and letters of recommendation are not required for the application. Students are not obligated to provide test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). However, those pursuing a master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. university or college. Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from their high school if pursuing an undergraduate program.  Transcripts are needed from all colleges or universities previously attended . In addition, proof of English proficiency is required for admission into National University’s degree programs. Students who either have non-passing scores or no test scores at all may choose to enroll in the school’s English Language Program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree from National University will pay $370 per quarter-unit and $1,665 per 4.5-quarter-unit course. Graduate students will pay $430 per quarter-unit course for 500-level courses. They pay  $1,935 per 4.5-quarter unit course for 500-, 600-, and 700-level courses. Students should also anticipate additional expenses such as:

• general fees
• a $100 graduation processing fee
• a $5 transcript fee
• fees for examinations

In addition, specific programs may require additional fees, including those in the fields of:

• nursing
• digital cinema
• digital journalism
• psychology
• science cybersecurity
• teaching
• certain laboratory courses offered by the College of Letters and Sciences

Students at National University may be eligible for scholarships or other types of financial aid to help with the costs of their education and related expenses. Financial aid is available in the form of:

• scholarships
• loans
• grants

Students who receive financial aid may not use the money for living expenses. To establish eligibility, students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application must be completed each fiscal year that a student requests aid. National University is also committed to serving those who serve by offering military scholarships and tuition discounts for military personnel and their dependents. As a Yellow Ribbon school, National University accepts the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active-duty students and veterans pay virtually no out-of-pocket costs for their education.

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