National University

National University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning based out of San Diego, California. It is the second largest private university in the state and 12th largest in the country. It is committed to providing a diverse group of students access to challenging and relevant lifelong learning experiences. Its core values include access, quality, relevance, affordability, community, and accelerated pace. The university strives to provide quality educational instruction with modern learning technologies, highly qualified faculty, and exceptional student services. It offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels as well as 16 teaching credential and 30 certificate programs. The programs are student-centered and oriented to success that feature a balance of theoretical and practical concepts. National University takes pride in its commitment to diversity and it offers more master’s degree programs in education to minority students than any other institution of higher learning in California.

National University offers over 60 online degree programs and more than 1,300 online courses. The programs are flexible and enable students to access courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The online programs feature interactive learning environments that include streaming videos, multimedia learning material, real-time discussions, and class chat rooms. Students have access to a variety of tools including email, lectures, readings, presentations, quizzes, exams, evaluations, and communication with instructors and other classmates. The courses feature easy to locate tabs such as the syllabus, calendar, grading guide, introduction, course outline, question and answer, student lounge, and activities by week. National University is committed to helping students adjust and succeed to the online learning environment and students have access to advisors, technical support, and the university’s unique Student Concierge Service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone. Online students also have access to an online orientation to enable them to become familiar with online courses.

Dr. David Chigos founded National University in 1971 and the institution had 27 students in 1972. By 1988, about 7,000 students were enrolled at the university. Throughout the 1990s, the university had consistent growth adding additional programs. The university started offering online programs in 1996. In 2000, more than 17,000 were enrolled and today the university enrolls more than 26,00 students at 28 campuses and online.

Accreditation

The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits National University.

Schools of Education

School of Business and Management: provides students with a strong foundation and inclusive understanding of global business practices. Offers programs through its Accounting and Finance, Management and Marketing, and Leadership and Human Resource Management departments.

School of Education: offers a wide range of academic opportunities in the educational field through its Educational Administration, School Counseling and Psychology, Teacher Education, and Special Education departments.

School of Engineering and Technology: prepares students for careers in the constantly changing areas of technology. Offers programs through its Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and Applied Engineering department.

School of Health and Human Services: offers programs through its Community Health, Nursing, and Health Sciences departments that prepare students how to provide quality care and use the latest medical technologies.

School of Media and Communication: offers various unique programs through its Communication Arts and Media departments.

College of Letters and Sciences: offers a variety of programs through its Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Professional Studies departments.

Scholarships Offered

National University awards various scholarships including the Associate’s Degree Student Funding Program, Collegiate Honor Award, Community Scholarship, Military Tuition Scholarship, Presidential Tuition Scholarship, Promising Scholar Award, and Transfer to Triumph Scholarship-California Community College Scholarships. It also accepts general scholarships such as CIRI Foundation Scholarships, AFSCME/UNCF Union Scholars Program, and Ellie Wiesel Prize in Ethics. Students are also encouraged to apply for outside scholarships.

Financing Options

National University offers financial aid programs to eligible students. The programs include the Federal Pell Grant, National SMART Grant, Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan, Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loan, Academic Competitiveness Grant Program (ACG), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Credential Program, Certificate Program, Federal Parent Loans for Students (PLUS), and Federal Graduate PLUS Loan.

Credit Earning Options

National University grants credit for transfer courses completed at another college or university. All transfer courses must have earned a grade of a C or better and meet degree requirements of National University. The university also grants credit for examinations such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and Regents College Examinations. Military students can gain credit for military experiences as recommended by the American Council of Education (ACE). Additionally, students may request to receive credit based on prior training or experience. The student must demonstrate a mastery of a particular subject and it must be approved the department of the program.