General Admissions Requirements
Northcentral University offers programs for bachelor’s degree completion, master’s, and doctoral degrees in specializations designed to meet the needs of adult students and professionals. Meeting the admission requirements is an indicator that the student is qualified to enter and pursue the degree program chosen. The University emphasizes that a student’s success depends upon applying oneself to the degree program studies.
Notice of Nondiscrimination and Section 504/ADA Coordinator
It is the policy of Northcentral University not to discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its program or activity. NCU has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Laura L. Barwidi,
Compliance Manager - Disabilities Services
Student Services
8667 East Hartford Drive, Suite 110
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
Toll free: 888-628-6911, ext. 8018
Phone: 928-541-8018
Email: disabilitiesservices@ncu.edu
Application Requirements
A completed application (available online at https://apply.ncu.edu) must be accompanied by:
Basis for Admissions
Northcentral University accepts students on a continual basis. Application for admission can be submitted online any time during the calendar year via www.ncu.edu. The Registrar’s Office reviews each applicant file to ensure that the prospective students meet the institutional and program-specific basis for admission requirements. Please refer to School and program sections of this catalog for program-specific admissions requirements and procedures.
Acceptance Requirements
Acceptance to a Northcentral University programs vary by degree-level, School, and program of study. Minimum requirements for acceptance are outlined below. Please refer to School and program sections for additional, program-specific admissions requirements and procedures.
Matriculation
Students admitted to a degree program at Northcentral University are considered matriculated into their degree program upon successful completion of their third degree course and participation in one day past the drop period of their fourth degree course (not including leveling coursework). Any student who does not successfully complete the first three degree courses and participate in one day past the drop period of their fourth degree course are considered non-matriculated and will not be used in calculating completion rates. See the Refund Policy and Procedure for detailed information regarding NCU’s drop period.
Admissions & Evaluation Procedures
Applications may be submitted using the online application form at https://apply.ncu.edu or by contacting Enrollment Services at 866-776-0331 for assistance. Additional documents may be submitted by mail, fax, or email. Fields are available on the online application form to securely store credit card information and social security information, which should never be transmitted by email.
Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.
Applicants must request official transcripts be sent directly to Northcentral University from prior colleges and universities during the application process. Acceptance may be granted based on unofficial transcripts. However, all official, sealed transcripts must be received from U.S. institutions within 90 days of the start of the first course, and from foreign institutions within 6 months of enrollment.
Applicants using academic documents issued by non-U.S. academic institutions for admissions consideration may be required to have these official documents sent directly from the academic institution to the credential evaluating agency. Please refer to the section entitled Credential Evaluation for current information regarding accepted Credential Evaluation agencies and procedures involved or see: http://www.ncu.edu/northcentral-global/consumer-information/internal-admissions
Address for Submission of Transcripts
Transcripts should be sent to the Office of the Registrar for processing at:
Office of the Registrar
Northcentral University – Scottsdale Service Center
8667 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Online Requirements
Northcentral University uses electronic communications. To complete the admissions process, applicants need to have access to the World Wide Web readily available to them. Northcentral requires all applicants to submit an online application by completing the application form at: https://apply.ncu.edu
It is highly recommended that applicants review the minimum technology requirements outlined on the Northcentral University public Web site: http://www.ncu.edu/northcentral-global/consumer-information/technical-requirements.
Students should also periodically review these requirements.
Students must also be able to navigate the World Wide Web. Students are responsible to check the Northcentral University student’s web site weekly, including electronic communications sent via the Northcentral messaging system, and to advise the University of any related problems.
English Proficiency
English is the language of instruction at Northcentral, and Northcentral University students work with English-speaking faculty. The programs rely heavily on writing; therefore students must be able to communicate effectively in written English. Applicants who do not hold a conferred degree from a secondary or post-secondary school where English was the primary language of instruction are required to demonstrate English proficiency. The Northcentral University catalog describes current testing procedures and current requirements for writing competency.
Credential Evaluation
Applicants submitting diplomas, degrees, and course transcripts from non-U.S. institutions should have their academic credentials evaluated. The evaluation will determine if an applicant’s education meets admission requirements, and if any transfer credits will be awarded. Be sure to accommodate a credential evaluation in your enrollment timeline.
Northcentral University will accept credential evaluations through any evaluation agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). In addition, credential evaluations by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) are accepted.
Official documents must be sent directly to the evaluation agency; it is important to list Northcentral University as a copy recipient on the application so that Northcentral will be electronically notified when the evaluation is complete. Please note that the Northcentral Registrar’s office cannot assist you in facilitating your credential evaluation through AACRAO.
I-20 Documents and F-1 Status
Northcentral University is not authorized to issue I-20 documents, nor will full-time attendance at Northcentral University by a non-citizen satisfy F-1 student status. International students with a visa status other than F-1, as well as those F-1 visa students attending and resident at another university approved as a study site for students who are not United States citizens, may be eligible for study at Northcentral University. If the student visits the United States, Northcentral University invites students to meet with their Academic Advisor and School Dean, but travel is not required for a Northcentral University degree.
Non-Degree Applicants
Some students do not intend to obtain a new degree, but pursue studies to enhance their personal and professional knowledge. There is no limit on the number of courses a student can take while in a non-degree status.
Tuition will be charged for all undergraduate courses at the current rate for the bachelor’s program at the time of course registration. Tuition will be charged for all graduate courses at the current rate for doctoral programs at the time of course registration. The Academic Advisor will advise the applicant if there are prerequisites for the course requested.
If the student later applies for admission to a degree program, he or she will have to formally apply to the degree program and submit all required documentation. Any non-degree study will be evaluated as to whether the course work will be applied to the degree requirements. The student will be evaluated as a new applicant, and must meet tuition requirements, graduation requirements, and policies in effect at the time of making application to the degree program.
Transfer of Credit
Requests for course transfer credit must be made along with the Application for Admission so that an appropriate Degree Plan can be developed and accepted by the student. Requests by the student for consideration of additional transfer credit can be made at any time prior to Graduation provided the maximum number of transfer credits permissible has not already been accepted by the University. Review of transfer credit requests after the initial evaluation may require a re-evaluation fee. The School Dean or designee must approve all requests for transfer credit. Transfer courses are evaluated for currency, relevancy to Northcentral University degree programs, and whether they meet Northcentral University’s academic standards. Evaluators will document which courses are accepted in transfer and which Northcentral University requirements the course satisfies. The number of semester credit hours that will be accepted in transfer is documented in the Acceptance Letter. If quarter credit hours have been earned for a course to be accepted as satisfying an Northcentral University requirement, they are converted to semester credit hours by multiplying them by 2/3 and rounding up to the next whole credit.
Any credit hours to be considered for transfer into a Northcentral University academic program must:
- Have been completed at a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution;
- Be equivalent to the degree program requirements, including specified electives;
- And appear on an official transcript from the institution where they were earned.
Note: If students submit a transcript for basis for admission and the transcript has pending coursework or grades not posted to courses, those courses will not be evaluated for transfer credit until a transcript is submitted with final grades for those courses. NCU is not responsible for duplication of transferable courses that the student may have taken and received credit from a prior institution.
Transfer of Credit - Military
As recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), United States military training, testing, and other appropriate academic experience may be considered for transfer into a Northcentral University academic program. Except for military training courses specifically designated by ACE as equivalent to graduate coursework, military transfer credit will be limited to Northcentral University’s bachelor’s programs.
Northcentral University will accept the minimum semester credits, levels of study, and subject areas recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) on all military training courses, selected Military Occupation Specialties (MOS) and Ratings.
Acceptance to the University
Upon receipt of the Application for Admission materials, the University will evaluate the applicant’s experience and goals to ensure the desired degree program is appropriate. The academic evaluation includes a review of the applicant’s educational intent, prior college work, professional experiences, and future goals.
Applicants will be notified of their admission status and the requirements for the degree program.
Readmission
All students seeking to resume attendance at Northcentral University are subject to readmission criteria. All students seeking to re-enroll at Northcentral University must meet the basis for admission criteria in effect at the time of their readmission. This includes voluntary withdrawals in addition to dismissals for reasons such as non-attendance, non-payment, or violation of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Students dismissed due to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the University’s Academic Integrity policy, or due to any other legal or ethical matters, do not qualify for readmission to Northcentral University.
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