NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Northcentral University Online
Prescott, Arizona

Distance Learning Program

Distance learning at NCU means high-quality learning experiences are brought to the learners, wherever they are, over the Internet. Learners do not have to travel or attend classes. All courses are completed at the individual's pace (within the semester) with the guidance of NCU's credentialed and experienced faculty members. Learners now have the opportunity to earn a high-quality accredited degree without having to travel to a campus. This is a program that is designed to meet the needs of the busy adult learner. Today, learners from all over the world are benefiting from this customer-oriented university.

Delivery Media

Northcentral University uses electronic communications. Learners must have e-mail access with the capability to send and receive file attachments and must also have a Java-enabled Web browser.

NCU learners must have word-processing capabilities. It is required that Learners have the ability to save and receive documents in the standard ASCII format (.txt) or Rich Text format (.rtf). NCU has standardized Rich Text format for the information the University sends out, ensuring the widest compatibility.

Hardware requirements include a Pentium 300-MHz or faster processor, a minimum 32 MB RAM, a minimum 2 GB free hard disk space, a CD-ROM drive, and 28.8 Kbps or faster modem. Software requirements include Windows 95 or above, an antivirus checker, Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or higher, Microsoft Word 97 or higher, Microsoft Power-Point 97 or higher, and Microsoft Excel 97 or higher.

A video camera is required for Ph.D. learners during the dissertation process in which they "meet" with dissertation committee members. NCU uses Microsoft Netmeeting software for its camera.

Programs of Study

NCU offers the following degree programs: Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in business administration, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.Psy.), Master of Arts in Psychology (M.A.Psy.), the Doctor of Philosophy in psychology, the Master of Education (M.Ed.), the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and the Doctor of Philosophy in education.

NCU offers the standard 120-semester-credit bachelor's degrees, the master's degrees for 36 semester credits, and the 81 semester credits for the doctoral degrees. What makes NCU's programs unique is that they are delivered to the learner entirely by distance learning by a first-class university that puts the learner at the center of the learning process. There are no classes that meet by computer at a set time, no classroom attendance required at NCU, no "canned" courses or "talking heads," and no rigid schedules that interfere with the learner's other adult responsibilities.

In designing the programs, NCU selected the courses a learner needs to develop professional competencies with a support team at the Arizona campus that responds to the learner's individual learning needs and styles; a professional faculty that "meets" with the learner one-on-one over the Internet, giving individual attention; and NCU-developed software that makes communicating via the Internet an enjoyable experience.

Northcentral University (NCU), headquartered in Prescott, Arizona, offers 100 percent online, distance learning degree programs for adult learners worldwide.

Learners can earn bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in psychology, business and technology management, or education with the advantages of an online university education. NCU's distance learning degree program specializations offer timely professional advancement opportunities.

NCU's mission is to provide adult learners throughout the world with opportunities to acquire competencies, earn degrees, and apply the new knowledge and skills in order to participate and function effectively in modern society.

The University prides itself on making accommodations for different learning needs and styles, so that all learning involves real-world experiences, and there is a concentrated interest in and individualized attention to its learners. NCU lives by its motto, "We put people first in distance learning."™

NCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Student Services

From one's own desk, a learner can communicate directly with his or her faculty mentors (unlike a classroom-centered university), converse with other learners taking the same courses from around the world, browse through libraries and retrieve articles of interest, download course outlines and syllabi, complete and submit course work, receive direct evaluation feedback and graded work from faculty members, evaluate faculty members, modify the degree plan, see academic progress, check accounting status, make monthly tuition payments (in order not to graduate with a large debt), order books, shop in NCU's online gift shop, and earn a degree. Further, learners always get the courses they want and are scheduled for; there are no course cancellations.

Faculty

There are 177 online mentors to provide one-on-one guidance and encouragement to NCU learners. All hold graduate degrees from prestigious accredited universities, have years of relevant practical experience, and are willing to share their knowledge and experience to make studying at NCU meaningful and memorable.

Admission

NCU has simplified the application and admission process. It is done entirely online from the University Web site. Anyone who has an associate degree or the equivalent credits is welcome to apply for NCU's bachelor's degree programs. No SAT or entrance exams are required, and NCU has no quotas based on race, religion, origin, or gender. NCU welcomes applicants who have a bachelor's degree or higher to its master's or doctoral programs. No GMAT scores or entrance exams are required. There are no enrollment quotas.

Northcentral University believes its learners are motivated adults who realize a bachelor's or advanced degree is vital for their careers as well as to their personal and professional success. The University trusts that its learners have the ingredients that predict success: their maturity and motivation. Therefore, entrance exams are not required at NCU.

Tuition and Fees

NCU is among the lowest in costs and the highest in quality of any campus-based, semi-online, or distance learning programs. The schedule of tuition and fees is posted on the NCU Web site. Since NCU was designed to operate entirely by distance learning, there are no additional expenses that increase costs, such as sports teams, parking structures, or large campuses.

NCU offers tuition payment options to fit individual needs. The first option is to pay for a semester and only for the course(s) taken. There is no long-term commitment or binding contract. The second option is to pay out the semester tuition by making monthly payments (at no additional handling or interest charges). This option appeals to learners who prefer to budget themselves.

CONTACT

Northcentral University
505 West Whipple Street
Prescott, Arizona 86301
Phone: 928-776-0331
866-776-0331 (toll-free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.ncu.edu

Applying

All applications are made online at NCU's Web site.