SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The private, nonprofit National University System is pleased to announce the addition of its newest affiliate member Northcentral University (NCU), a leader in online graduate degrees with an innovative “one-to-one” teaching model. The addition of NCU reinforces the National University System’s historic commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds, including adult learners, as the demand for advanced-degree holders in the workforce continues to grow. It also represents a significant expansion of the National University System’s academic offerings from pre-college to the doctoral level.
The addition of NCU as a nonprofit affiliate of the National University System addresses a demand for greater access to quality graduate-level degrees and college affordability, particularly among working adults. The WSCUC-accredited NCU joins other National University System affiliate universities and pre-college programs that now collectively enroll more than 45,000 students in all 50 states, with additional students in more than 40 countries.
“I, personally, and the entire National University System family are pleased to welcome the exceptional faculty, staff and students of our newest affiliate member Northcentral University as they join us in our shared mission of supporting the academic and career goals of lifelong learners,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System. “As a nonprofit network, the National University System is dedicated to investing in our students and lowering the cost of a quality college degree though innovative approaches aimed at supporting their academic and workforce goals.”
NCU offers 22 doctoral programs and 25 master’s degree programs, complementing the more than 130 programs offered through the San Diego-based National University System, which offers both online and on-site degree programs through its affiliate members. NCU programs are 100 percent online, and all of the University’s professors hold a doctoral degree. NCU provides a “one-to-one” online learning experience by driving engagement between each student and experienced professors. Effective January 2019, NCU Provost Dr. David Harpool will become the university’s new president.
“The entire NCU faculty and staff are excited to join the private, nonprofit National University System as we have a shared vision of serving working professionals globally to pursue and obtain an advanced degree,” said Dr. David Harpool, NCU’s new president. “Today’s announcement provides an exceptional opportunity for NCU to continue its commitment to providing a premier educational experience for students now and in the coming years.”
NCU and the System’s three other accredited universities—National University; John F. Kennedy University; and City University of Seattle—share a similar focus of serving adult and lifelong learners while developing projects to reduce the cost of a degree through advanced technologies and other approaches consistent with the National University System’s non-profit mission. This summer, the National University System introduced FlexCourse℠, a teaching and learning platform that is initially being integrated through one of its affiliates, John F. Kennedy University. City University of Seattle has innovative programs in management and leadership that recognize prior work training and experience, which can be stacked into degrees at both the bachelor and masters levels. National University is also expanding its doctoral program offerings while advancing personalized learning approaches through a comprehensive research and development project called Precision Education, which is being guided by the Precision Institute at National University.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to National University. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP acted as legal counsel to the company and Hogan Lovells acted as regulatory counsel.
About the National University System: National University System was established to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The affiliates of the System include National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of Seattle; Northcentral University; and the Division of Pre-College Programs. The System also includes the national Sanford Programs. For more information, visit nusystem.org.
About Northcentral University: Founded in 1996, Northcentral University is a regionally accredited, private, online and graduate-focused university serving professionals globally. For more information, visit ncu.edu.
