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Online College Degrees & Programs

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Transfer Your Credits to National University

Make a seamless transition from your university, college, or community college.

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WSCUC-Accredited

Earn your degree from a reputable private nonprofit that’s accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

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230,000 alumni
worldwide

Become a member of NU’s global community.

Online College Degrees & Programs

For over 50 years, National University has offered flexible online degree programs for busy adult learners balancing their college education with work, family life, or military duties. With the convenience of online degrees, you can wake up early to participate in online discussions, log in to study during your lunch hour, or complete your coursework late at night – whatever works for you and your schedule!

Start your search now on our programs page to find the right associate, bachelor’s, master’s, certificate, or credential program for you. Or, fill out the form to the right to get in touch with one of our experienced admissions advisors.

Benefits of Pursuing an Online Education at National University

Admit it, avoiding lengthy commutes to class and participating in online discussions from your couch or favorite coffeehouse are added benefits of pursuing your degree online. Yet online learning with National University provides so much more. These programs are delivered using the latest technology to provide dynamic, interactive online learning environments, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Keep reading to learn how National University adapts the in-classroom experience for a seamless online experience.

Online Areas of Study

Teaching and Education

Help fill the need for educators nationwide by earning a degree that prepares you for a rewarding and inspiring career. An online education degree opens doors for new and established teachers, as well as administrators.

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Business and Marketing

Become a leader in your field with an online business degree. Explore business degrees focused in business administration, management, financial management, accounting, and organizational leadership.

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Healthcare and Nursing

Gain the skills you need to improve patient care with an online health care and nursing degree. Explore undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nursing, public health, and healthcare administration.

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Social Sciences and Psychology

Explore human behavior or gain a foundation in global issues, history, political science, and more by earning a social sciences or psychology online degree. You’ll also develop essential communication and analytical skills.

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Engineering and Technology

Build on your technical and management skillset and prepare for high-growth careers by earning an online degree focused in engineering, technology, computer science, cybersecurity, and other related fields.

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Criminal Justice and Law

Protect and serve your community and advance within your field by earning an online degree in criminal justice administration, homeland security and emergency management, or public administration.

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Arts and Humanities

Pursue your passion for language, media, and the arts with an arts and humanities online degree. NU also offers an AA in General Education for students who want to build an educational foundation before pursuing a bachelor’s.

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Science and Math

Expand your understanding of concepts and applications in math, biology, forensic science, and more with a science or math online degree. Gain experience with current technology, tools, and procedures.

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Our Programs by Degree Level

Online Associate Degrees

Whether you’re a high school grad who’s ready to take the next step or a working adult ready for a career change, National University offers online associate degrees to support your hopes, goals, and dreams.

Our programs are designed to fit into the busy lifestyles of adult learners with convenient four-week courses, monthly starts, and year-round enrollment. Earn your associate degree online, and set the stage for a lifetime of personal growth, self-development, and greater possibilities for further education.

Featured Associate Programs

Learn more about our Online Associate Degrees ➜

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

National University’s online bachelor’s degree programs are taught by experienced faculty and are delivered using the latest technology to provide dynamic, interactive online learning environments. Designed for busy adult learners, our bachelor’s programs follow a four-week course format, enabling you to take one class at a time and earn your degree without disrupting your work and family obligations.

Education is an investment in yourself that can pay dividends for a lifetime. Having a bachelor’s degree on your resume can increase your earning potential, improve your job prospects, and set you up for a more secure future.

Featured Bachelor’s Programs

Learn more about our Online Bachelor’s Degrees ➜

Online Master’s Degrees

In today’s competitive job market, anything you can do to enhance your industry expertise and sharpen your leadership skills can give you an edge over the competition, while increasing your advancement opportunities and earning potential. That’s why so many career-focused professionals choose National University to pursue a career-focused master’s degree online.

NU created an innovative way to help you fit an advanced degree into your current work and family responsibilities. We offer four-week courses, so you can focus on one subject at a time, one month at a time, and finish your degree faster.

Featured Master’s Programs

Learn more about our Online Master’s Degrees ➜

Online Doctorate Degrees

Not everyone has the tenacity and drive to earn a doctorate degree, but those who do project an aura of achievement that signifies expertise and thought leadership in their chosen field. National University’s online doctorate degree programs are designed to help you make your mark in the fields of education, healthcare, or psychology.

No other university can match NU’s uniquely flexible approach to earning your doctorate. Our rigorous curriculums offer the flexibility and convenience to fit into your busy schedule and lifestyle.

Featured Doctorate Programs

Learn more about our Online Doctorate Degrees ➜

Online Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs

A professional certificate can provide evidence to prospective employers that you have expertise in a specific area of your chosen field. National University offers online certificate programs designed to help you build a professional career without a college degree. They can also help you acquire specialized knowledge and skills to take your current career to the next level.

NU accepts and reviews applications year-round, so you can start learning as soon as next month, depending on your program of study. Plus, we offer four-week courses, so you can focus on one subject at a time, one month at a time, and finish your certificate program faster.

Featured Certificate Programs

Learn more about our Online Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs ➜

Brittney H. - Class of 2021

Online Education Benefits at National University

At NU, you can pursue over 45 degree programs completely online. You’ll be immersed in coursework delivered using the latest technology to provide a dynamic, interactive, online learning environment. At NU, you’ll benefit from:

  • Accredited online college degrees, certificate, and credential programs
  • One-on-one interaction with instructors and classmates
  • Experienced online faculty who facilitate a strong online community within your digital classroom
  • Advisors who know you by name
  • 4-week online college courses starting every month
  • Dedicated student support
  • Access to interactive tools that support your individual learning style

Online Tools to Support Your Individual Learning Style

As an NU online student, you’ll have access to interactive tools that support your individual learning style. Online coursework includes video lectures, audio recordings, readings, interactive presentations, assignments, quizzes, and exams. Throughout your program, you’ll collaborate with professors and classmates, working together to create a strong community within the online classroom.

Moving beyond the walls of a brick-and-mortar classroom, online classes use resources and communications tools that enhance learning, such as:

  • Threaded Discussion — Dialogue, discuss, and debate with your classmates and the instructor at your leisure, day or night. Integral to the online learning experience, these discussions enable you to articulate your understanding of the course content while learning from your peers.
  • Interactive Learning Tools — Learning objects and interactive elements engage students in active participation. Videos, 3D environments, blogs, and eBooks are all elements that are used in the online class environment. Interactive flashcards, pre-tests, and quizzes allow students to practice their knowledge. Voiceover PowerPoints, recorded lectures, and resource links provide rich supplemental materials for access throughout the course.
  • Course Gradebook — Monitor your academic progress, review your exam and discussion board grades, and keep track of your course feedback in one easy-to-access place
  • Announcements — Instructors post important dates, reminders, revisions, and other critical information online.

One-on-One Interaction with Instructors and Classmates

Do you like asking questions, receiving personalized feedback, and talking with your peers and instructors? Whether you are outgoing and demand frequent interaction with others or are more reserved and prefer less interaction, National’s online class structure provides the flexibility to fit your needs.

Through group projects, threaded discussions, emails, and online conversations, you develop and strengthen your writing, critical thinking, and team-building skills. Collaborative communication is a central component of National University’s online degree programs.

Online, faculty members are accessible every day. They regularly monitor and participate in class discussions, and video chat lets you and your instructor talk in real-time, almost as if you were sitting face-to-face.

Experienced Online Faculty

Recognizing that the nature of teaching and learning is different in the online classroom, National University’s distinguished faculty members skillfully design all coursework to provide a balance between presentation and content. Faculty members are trained in online instruction, which enhances their teaching competencies and adds depth to their understanding of the online student experience.

Helping You Succeed Online

Whether you are unfamiliar with online learning or an expert at it, our instructors, advisors, and student services staff work with you every step of the way to help you succeed.

Our Advisors Know You By Name

Serving as a single point of contact, your online advisor assists you from the day you begin your National University program until the time you graduate. Advisors do all of the legwork, helping you find the right instructor, credential analyst, or financial aid counselor. You can contact an advisor anytime, and they will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

Student Support

National University offers unparalleled support for students. Technical support and other student assistance is available via email or phone. National University’s Student Concierge Services is your one-stop center for answers, with advocates who are trained in a range of areas such as financial aid, credentials, admissions, and graduation.

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Accreditation

National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Accreditation is especially crucial for a student’s success as it means having access to the proper technology, resources, and student services to deliver a high-caliber online learning experience. Learn more on why it’s important to attend an accredited college from our Vice Provost of Academic Services, Dr. Joseph Hoey.

Flexibility in Education

NU is dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults through a holistic, whole-human approach to education. Our online degree programs are delivered in a rich, interactive learning environment, and our achievable four-week courses are backed by the academic, emotional, career, financial, and family support needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. That means our students have the support they need to stay on track, finish faster, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Additional NU Involvements

  • Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for educator preparation programs
  • Approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
  • Accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at National University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791
  • Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE IAE) for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program
  • Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) for the offering of the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, and Paralegal Specialist Certificates
  • Approved by the Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE) for the offering of the Professional Certificate in Marine Technology
  • Accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) for the offering of the Master of Public Health (probationary status)
  • Accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for the offering of the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
  • Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) for the BS Radiation Therapy program
  • Approved by the Nevada State Board of Education
  • Certified by the Society of Human Resource Management for the Masters of Arts in Human Resource Management
  • A member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
  • A member of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
  • A member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP) through its American Language and Intercultural Studies program

Why Choose National University

  • Four-Week Courses
  • 190+ Degree Programs
  • Online or On-Site
  • Year-Round Enrollment
  • Military Friendly

We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 230,000 alumni worldwide.

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“There’s no way I would have made the impact or the difference that I’m making without the support, the confidence, and the education that I was provided.”

-Amber P., MHA, Class of 2017

FAQs About NU’s Online College Degree Programs

Yes. National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Accreditation is especially crucial for a student’s success as it means having access to the proper technology, resources, and student services to deliver a high-caliber online learning experience.

Yes. Our goal is to make transferring to NU as seamless as possible, no matter what school you’re coming from. As a transfer-friendly school, we have credit transfer agreements with many universities, colleges, and community colleges.

Taking an online class is engaging, informative, and fun. Our online courses feature assignments such as lectures, readings, multimedia presentations, and quizzes, plus real-time chat, threaded discussions, e-textbooks, an assignment Dropbox, and a bulletin board. Students can access their class schedules, grades, and academic and financial aid information via the student web portal.

As of May 2020, the following are the minimum system requirements that are needed to successfully access your courses on the Blackboard Learn platform.

Windows Users
• Recommended OS: Windows 8, 10
• Supported OS: Windows 7
• Secure High-Speed Internet connection (e.g.: DSL, Cable, etc.)
• Soundcard & Speakers
• Screen Resolution: 1280 X 1024 or better
• Recommended Browsers: Firefox, Chrome
• Supported Browsers: Chrome 75+, Edge (Chromium), Firefox 57+
• Headset with microphone using USB/wired connection

MAC Users
• Recommended OS: OS X 10.14
• Supported OS: OS X 10.12+
• Secure High-Speed Internet connection (e.g.: DSL, Cable, etc.)
• Soundcard & Speakers
• Screen Resolution: 1280 X 1024 or better
• Recommended Browsers: Firefox 57+, Safari 12+
• Headset with microphone using a USB/wired connection

Mobile Users
• Recommended OS: Android 9+, IOS 12+ Supported OS: Android 5+, IOS 11+, IPAD OS, Chromebook
• Recommended Browsers: Chrome, Edge, Safari
• Secure High-Speed Cell Service, Mobile Hotspot or Wi-Fi Connection
• Headset with microphone

An online degree has just as much credibility as a degree earned at a traditional college or university. National University’s online degrees are fully accredited and recognized by employers as valuable and desirable qualifications.