School Focus: Northcentral University

[J]

http://www.ncu.edu/

Here's a continually popular DL pick.

NCU in AZ is RA and offers programs in Business, Education and Psychology.

Tuition is charged at $350/semester credit (undergraduate) and $450/credit (graduate) plus $50 application fee. That means that an MBA will cost between $14,250 and $17,100 depending on transfer credit.

Feedback on NCU programs has indicated that they are offering quality, accessible DL that will meet the needs of many students.

[Redlyne Racer]

One thing of particular interest at NCU is the breadth of the "business" programs. There are MBA and PhD specializations in Public Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, E-commerce, Health Care, Engineering & Technology, a very broad spectrum of areas you might not normally associate with traditional "business" programs.

Before the recent tuition hikes this was a great value, but still cheaper than most. Also, a real B & M campus in the pipeline. Not that a DL student needs it, but it reflects a level of financial stability consistent with long term institutional viability.

[ray1212]

I have been doing a little research on Northcentral University and I think it is a viable option. I am interested in getting an earned PhD as my terminal degree. I noticed from their website that if you intend to pursue a PhD in Business, all that is required is 30 graduate semester hours in order to enroll. An MBA or other Masters degree isn't necessarily required. Now what I have decided to do is research for a place to gain those 30 hours with the least expense, an accredited college or university that will prepare me for entrance in their program.

http://www.ncu.edu/university_information/dpro_det.asp?degree_program_id=22

Sounds like a plan.

[ray1212]

I had some great news today. I called and spoke with a Mandy Case regarding earning a PhD in Business Administration. I think many of you are aware that I have also obtained information on California Coast University, which is up for accreditation in January.

If someone decides to enroll in the PhD program, a Masters Degree is not necessary. The only requirement is that they have 30 semester hours of graduate level credit in the field they are pursuing their PhD in, and that will meet the guidelines. Let's say, that I complete 30 hours at CCU after they are accredited, at a cost of under $4,000.00, then all I have to do is the remaining 51 hours at Northcentral University.

I am betting CCU will receive accreditation from DETC on their Masters Programs in January. I hope people understand my logic for discussing CCU in this thread. I am seriously looking at enrolling at Northcentral after completing 30 graduate hours, anywhere, as long as the subject is in business. I can even do the 30 hours with NCU.

[dhfr]

... Let's say, that I complete 30 hours at CCU after they are accredited, at a cost of under $4,000.00, then all I have to do is the remaining 51 hours at Northcentral University. ...Check that NCU will accept credit transfer from a DETC-accredited school. (I don't know myself whether they will or will not.)

[Robert J.]

One thing of particular interest at NCU is the breadth of the "business" programs. There are MBA and PhD specializations in Public Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, E-commerce, Health Care, Engineering & Technology, a very broad spectrum of areas you might not normally associate with traditional "business" programs.

Before the recent tuition hikes this was a great value, but still cheaper than most. Also, a real B & M campus in the pipeline. Not that a DL student needs it, but it reflects a level of financial stability consistent with long term institutional viability.

Is NCU the first online school to go B&M ?

[Geek]

What does B&M mean? Is it like S&M ??

[J]

What does B&M mean? Is it like S&M ??

Bricks and mortar - ie a school with a physical campus where students go to attend class.

Sort of like S&M, but only for the most hardcore.

[Dave Hayden]

Bricks and mortar - ie a school with a physical campus where students go to attend class.

Sort of like S&M, but only for the most hardcore.

Yes, but it can be fun! B & M that is! :D

[Gizmo]

http://www.ncu.edu/

Here's a continually popular DL pick.

NCU in AZ is RA and offers programs in Business, Education and Psychology.

Tuition is charged at $350/semester credit (undergraduate) and $450/credit (graduate) plus $50 application fee. That means that an MBA will cost between $14,250 and $17,100 depending on transfer credit.

Feedback on NCU programs has indicated that they are offering quality, accessible DL that will meet the needs of many students.


I am a current student at Northcentral Unversity and will gladly provide any input for the board.

NCU has an articulation agreement with Columbia Southern University (DETC). They will accept credits and degrees from them. I would recommend reviewing DETC transfer with the registrar, but I believe they are one of the RA universities that will accept DETC degrees and credits.

The program has been excellent for me (so far). The mentors are excellent. Student services has been helpful and efficient. The coursework has been difficult, but fun. I really recommend them.

[ray1212]

That is interesting Gizmo. I mentioned above I was interested in enrolling to earn a PhD. The cost at DETC accredited institutions is much lower, so by finishing a Master's Degree or at least 30 hours at, say, Columbia Southern University, I can get accepted at Northcentral University in the PhD Program without spending allot on preparatory work. I am hoping the California Coast University receives DETC accreditation in January, since all I owe them to complete the MBA is $3,900. Thanks.

[Gizmo]

That is interesting Gizmo. I mentioned above I was interested in enrolling to earn a PhD. The cost at DETC accredited institutions is much lower, so by finishing a Master's Degree or at least 30 hours at, say, Columbia Southern University, I can get accepted at Northcentral University in the PhD Program without spending allot on preparatory work. I am hoping the California Coast University receives DETC accreditation in January, since all I owe them to complete the MBA is $3,900. Thanks.

Hi Ray,

If CCU gets DETC accreditation (I'm rooting for them :) ) you can save a lot of $$ in tuition fees. If they do not, CSU has a cost effective MBA program as well. $175.00 a credit for graduate courses. If the final goal is to get into NCU, it will be worth the effort.

[Gizmo]

Northcentral University now offers a specialization in Homeland Security. The mentor that put the program together for NCU was one of my instructors. She is top notch and teaches full time at Purdue University.

I wish it was available when I started my program. It looks extremely interesting.

[J]

I am a current student at Northcentral Unversity and will gladly provide any input for the board.

The program has been excellent for me (so far). The mentors are excellent. Student services has been helpful and efficient. The coursework has been difficult, but fun. I really recommend them.

A lot of people find studying by DL a relatively isolating experience requiring a lot of self-motivation. That suits some, but others find it tough to keep that motivation going.

How have you found NCU addresses this? I am interested to see how interaction with other students is managed in the online environment particularly.

[Gizmo]

A lot of people find studying by DL a relatively isolating experience requiring a lot of self-motivation. That suits some, but others find it tough to keep that motivation going.

How have you found NCU addresses this? I am interested to see how interaction with other students is managed in the online environment particularly.

I agree, studying by DL requires focus and self-determination. There are times when it is most difficult. I had an experience where one mentor would download my work and provide no feedback for weeks. It was driving me crazy. I like the challenge to improve and to build on my coursework. I thought it was irresponsible to make a student wait weeks for feedback or a grade. After a month of this no-show mentor, I complained to my advisor and was transferred to another mentor the next day. Sadly, the non-responsive mentor still is on the mentor roster.

The hardest part of DL has been waiting for mentor replies and feedback. NCU has a seven day turn-around policy. The mentors I have had have been excellent. I have been very fortunate that I only had one dud, so far. NCU provides a class roster so you can contact other students via a PM function. From there you can exchange additional info to further communicate. There is also a weekly requirement to post in class discussions. I have had some courses where I was the only student, so you are on your own there.

I really believe that to learn in DL one must be motivated, have desire to learn and budget their time wisely or they will fail.

[Redlyne Racer]

Another positive feature at NCU is the "Past Learners" list, students who have successfully completed the course and are willing to talk with current students who might need a bump in the right direction. I'm one of those who prefers to work alone, but I did try contacting a "past learner" once when I got into a corner and didn't want to bug the prof. I got a very helpful response.

This might be one of those things that depends on who you contact and under what circumstances, but I've found quite a bit of comraderie exists between NCU students, despite the fact we are all online. It might be that as online students we are all used to interacting online in forums or chat rooms before we start there, so we all have developed our online persona and are comfortable in that context. Not sure exactly why it is, but you can be pretty sure if you need to reach out to someone at NCU, student or faculty, chances are you will get a positive response.

[Gizmo]

I am having great difficulty with the website and learners page. Anyone else having trouble? Thank you.

www.ncu.edu

[Rich Douglas]

I see this in NCU's 2004 catalog:



North Central University will consider, for transfer purposes,
credits earned at other accredited colleges and universities of
“C” grade quality or above for comparable courses within the
NCU curriculum. These transfer credits will not affect the
student’s grade point average from North Central University.
Persons applying for transfer of credits from non-accredited
institutions are reviewed on an individual basis.

It would seem that credits and degrees from nationally accredited schools might be considered. It would also appear NCU will consider degrees from unaccredited schools. What is not clear in either case is the liklihood for success for such candidates. I'm sure contacting them would clarify.

[Jabbezzz]

It would seem that credits and degrees from nationally accredited schools might be considered. It would also appear NCU will consider degrees from unaccredited schools. What is not clear in either case is the liklihood for success for such candidates.

The liklihood for success is not guaranteed for any candidate, whether their undergrad is unaccredited/RA/NA. This would depend entirely upon the ability of the student to successfully complete graduate level coursework.

[A-N]

The liklihood for success is not guaranteed for any candidate, whether their undergrad is unaccredited/RA/NA. This would depend entirely upon the ability of the student to successfully complete graduate level coursework.

Very true Jabbezzz and if I may add, I've seen people without a degree and people with unaccredited degrees outperform some of those with accredited degrees.
Of course this is not to say that one should pursue an unaccredited degree, it is recommended most of the time that one pursue studies from an accredited institution.

[Rich Douglas]

Very true Jabbezzz and if I may add, I've seen people without a degree and people with unaccredited degrees outperform some of those with accredited degrees.
Of course this is not to say that one should pursue an unaccredited degree, it is recommended most of the time that one pursue studies from an accredited institution.

It is important to separate degrees and performance. Degrees are nothing more than proxies, attesting to one's academic preparation. They should not be confused as testaments to one's scope of abilities--or level. Just indicators.

But it works both ways. Having a ton of experiences, knowledges, and abilities doesn't automatically warrant the award of a degree. Diploma mills, of course, exploit this misunderstanding, often with no small dose of self-deception from their customers.

I agree that for some people, degrees from unaccredited schools have served well. But, like A-N, it isn't something I'd generally recommend.

[J]

Let's keep on topic, please.

If you want to talk about NCU's policy on admissions, fine. But more general issues of admitting unaccredited degree holders to NA institutions
have their place on another thread rather than this one.