San Diego-based nonprofit National University System (NUS) has announced the finalization of an agreement to acquire Northcentral University (NCU), a leader in online master’s and doctoral degrees in high-demand fields and serves about 10,000 students through a unique “one-to-one” online learning mode.
NCU, which offers 19 doctoral programs and 20 master’s degree programs, is joining System as an independent university affiliate and will be converted into a nonprofit in alignment with the latter’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 the 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 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,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System.
George Burnett, president of Northcentral University, said the North Central University is proud to continue serving students globally in their aspirations to pursue and obtain an advanced degree through the university’s 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.”
Importantly, the NUS was established to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century and its affiliates include National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of Seattle; and the Division of Pre-College Programs.
