Northcentral University Merger with National University

The following communication was sent to Northcentral stakeholders yesterday afternoon.



Dear NCU Community,

In 2018, Northcentral University was acquired by the National University System, a nonprofit, San Diego-based educational system that has served students for 50 years. NCU joined the system on January 1, 2019, and has remained an independently operated affiliate since then. Joining the system allowed NCU to become a nonprofit and to better position our university to meet your needs.

As the National University System considers ideas for strategic growth, one proposal under consideration is a merger between NCU and National University. Combining our institution would provide more degree options for students, increased advising and career services, and additional opportunities for alumni.

National University’s historic commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds, including adult learners, is mission-aligned with NCU. National serves students nationwide in both on-ground and online formats and is currently transforming the way they serve students to provide a streamlined, effective online learning experience.

The National University System has approached our regional accreditor, WASC Senior College and University Commission, and will seek approval to move forward with the proposal to merge institutions. We hope to have the outcome of this decision by mid-July. The NCU and NU communities will be informed shortly after.

As alumni, you are the university’s biggest champions and the visible product of our excellence in education. We commit to sharing next steps with you as valued members of our NCU community. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions.

Sincerely,




Eugene Wilkerson, PhD, SPHR
Interim Co-President


James Billings, PhD
Interim Co-President


Michael R. Cunningham, PhD
Chancellor, National University System

Copyright © Northcentral University. All rights reserved.

NCU Headquarters | 9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
NCU Service Center | 8667 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Northcentral University is a WSCUC accredited institution. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, www.wscuc.org. WSCUC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).


This email was sent by: Northcentral University, Inc.
9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92123 United States

 

I wish we had NCU grads/students on this board. I know NCU doesn't have a great reputation but no idea if that's just based on for-profit bias or something deeper. A merger with NU that (I assume) would cause NCU to lose the name, might help with the branding.

Edit: Actually, since you're an NCU stakeholder: what was your experience like? I'm specifically looking at their doctoral programs but not sure what you may have done there.

 

That was my main worry about NCU when I shared it last month while researching doctorates in Cyber or CS but apparently Rich Douglas has a different POV professionally.

 

It took me a little more than three years to get my Ed.D. I had a great experience, and everyone was really helpful along the way. I have no complaints at all.

 

UPDATE


July 1, 2022

Dear Northcentral University Students and Alumni,

The WASC Senior College and University Commission, which accredits National University and Northcentral University, informed us in a letter dated June 30, 2022, that the proposed merger of the two universities is now officially approved. WASC stated that the Commission had voted to “approve the merger with Northcentral University as recommended by the Structural Change Committee.”

While this decision will allow NU and NCU to move forward with plans to merge into a single National University, please note that all current NCU students will be able to continue and complete their degree programs in the same modality, in the same format, and from the same institution at which they began their programs. The merger will bring additional faculty and resources to National University, more degree programs, and additional support systems. In addition, it will enable the combined university to use economies of scale to improve student services.

If you have any questions, staff from both universities are here to provide more information. This letter follows up on communications sent to all students in May and June, as well as a series of student forums held in June to provide more information. Starting in mid-July, individual schools and departments will host open house meetings during which NCU faculty and administrators will provide program-specific information and answer detailed questions from students. If you have feedback or questions about this process, please send us an email at [email protected].

Our goal is to combine these two institutions that have complementary strengths and aligned missions, creating a strong single institution with a full range of programs that will drive operational excellence and provide all of you with a best-in-class educational journey.





Randy C. Frisch
Interim President, NU


James Billings, PhD
Interim Co-President, NCU


Eugene Wilkerson, PhD, SPHR
Interim Co-President, NCU





Copyright © Northcentral University. All rights reserved.

NCU Headquarters | 9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
NCU Service Center | 8667 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Northcentral University is a WSCUC accredited institution. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, www.wscuc.org. WSCUC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

 

Ryoder has not posted on the sister board since 2017. I checked. He last posted here Aug. 2017 also. I've found some posts on other boards, (not degree) that may be the same person as late as 2021. Maybe he has other interests now.

 

I also noticed that National University had a bunch of job postings yesterday

 

It is good idea that they are using National University name for the new Northcentral University merger.

 

Just before they got accreditation, I was admitted for the doctoral program with a total tuition fee of 6K! The university had the same challenges as any school that goes against the traditional paradigms.
The school faced challenges but they are established now. We had few graduates in the forum, but they moved to greener pastures.
Congratulations to the school.

 

As a National alum, I agree.

 

I was convinced they would not get regional accreditation without requiring residencies for their doctoral programs. I was dead wrong.

 

I earned my Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University and had a great experience. Instructors were top-notch and curricula was solid. No complaints whatsoever.

 

My wife is a graduate of Masters degree in Psychology from National University.
I have relatives with teaching credentials and Masters in Education from the National University.

All have fulfilling careers.

 

It seems officially Northcentral University is no longer existed.
URL: https://www.nu.edu/national-and-northcentral-have-merged/

 

From the FAQ:

After Northcentral University merges with National University, it will adopt the National University name. Once current Northcentral students finish their programs, they can choose whether to have the Northcentral University or National University name printed on their diploma.

That sounds like it's a goner.

I have an MBA from National. I feel better about both schools now.

 

The domain ncu.edu still exists, but it is branded as National University.

 

New students enroll in National. Current students, when they graduate, can choose to graduate from National or Northcentral. The tuition isn't much. An EdD takes 48 q.h. at $442 per credit. I would imagine it all could be had for less than $25K. Oh, and the maximum classroom size: one.

 

I always thought Northcentral was a better name than National University, but I assume there were good reasons for the merger and the name change. When Morneau Shepell bought LifeWorks they adopted the name for all of Morneau even though they were the larger organization.