SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Addressing a
demand for quality graduate-level degrees and college
affordability, the private, nonprofit National
University System is pleased to announce the finalization of
an agreement to acquire Northcentral
University (NCU), a leader in online master's and doctoral
degrees in high-demand fields. Northcentral
University - which serves about 10,000 students through a
unique "one-to-one" online learning model - is expected to join the
San Diego-based National University System as an independent
university affiliate and be converted to a nonprofit in alignment
with the System's nonprofit mission. The integration of NCU as the
System's fourth university affiliate will allow the National University System to offer a comprehensive
suite of academic programs from the pre-college to doctoral level,
and expand the National University
System's size to more than 45,000 students in all 50 states, with
additional students in more than 40 countries.
The acquisition of the WSCUC-accredited NCU, which is subject to
customary closing conditions including regulatory and accreditor
review and approval, complements the more than 130 programs already
offered through the San
Diego-based National University
System, which currently includes three universities, pre-college
programs and the Sanford programs. The System's three other
accredited universities - National
University; John F. Kennedy
University; and City University of Seattle -- share a similar focus serving adult
and lifelong learners and are also piloting projects to reduce the
cost of a degree through advanced technologies and other approaches
consistent with the organization's non-profit mission.
The addition of Northcentral
University, which offers 19 doctoral programs and 20
master's degree programs, reinforces the National University System's historic commitment to
advancing educational opportunities for adult learners as the
demand for advanced degree holders in the workforce continues to
grow. Northcentral University's
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.
"The National University System is
pleased to welcome Northcentral
University as our newest affiliate as we expand our reach
nationally to offer lifelong learners new opportunities to pursue a
quality education through the doctoral level," said Dr.
Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of
the National University System. "The
programs offered by Northcentral
University allow us to enhance and strengthen our academic
pathways while offering personalized approaches to online education
that align with the System's direction as a nonprofit network
dedicated to re-investing in our students and lowering the cost of
a college degree. We look forward to welcoming the exceptional
faculty, staff and students to the NUS family in the near
future."
George Burnett, president of
Northcentral University, added:
"Northcentral University is proud to
continue serving students globally in their aspirations to pursue
and obtain an advanced degree through our innovative approaches to
the student experience. The National
University System shares this vision, and as an affiliate,
Northcentral will have a terrific
opportunity to grow, diversify degree offerings, and deliver
superior student outcomes in the coming years."
As part of its mission to serve adult learner students, which is
shared by NCU, the National University
System has put much focus and investment of resources into
researching and developing new approaches to offering personalized
learning online, and to acquiring and enhancing
externally-developed technological platforms. Just last week,
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, and which
offers faculty-supported, pace-flexible online degree programs at
an affordable price point of $8,500
annual tuition.
Other affiliates have been developing projects that aim to
address this same need for greater college affordability,
accessibility and flexibility through a variety of approaches aimed
at supporting adult learners. 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 has been
focusing its efforts on 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 System is uniquely aligned to
connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative
educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and
the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects
competing life priorities. The affiliates of the System include
National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of
Seattle; and the Division of
Pre-College Programs. The System also includes the national Sanford
Programs: Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire, which provides
educators with comprehensive lesson plans and activities to support
PreK-12 student development and success; and the Sanford Institute
of Philanthropy, which offers educational and training programs for
frontline nonprofit fundraisers. For more information, visit
www.nusystem.org.
About Northcentral
University
Founded in 1996, Northcentral University is a regionally accredited,
private, online and graduate-focused university serving
professionals globally. With no physical residency requirements,
courses are taught one-to-one by an NCU professor with a doctoral
degree. NCU offers doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees in
business, education, and psychology, as well as doctoral and
master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, technology and
health sciences. Northcentral
University is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College
and University Commission (WSCUC)
CONTACT:
Anna Cearley
acearley@nu.edu
858-642-8163
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