Education Programs at National University
National University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs.
The Sanford College of Education at National University has a Department of Teacher Education that offers prep programs for future teachers and traditional programs for those who want to teach. There are multiple Bachelor of Arts programs available, including an Early Childhood Development program offered online or on-campus. Designed for students who want to work in California, it teaches them how to work with students in several disciplines and subjects. They can also get a teaching license in that state. A similar program in elementary education helps students get their teaching licenses in Nevada. Students can also get a license to work with those in secondary schools in Nevada with an emphasis on English language education. Also available are Bachelor of Arts programs for teachers in Spanish, social studies and math.
National offers both graduate degree and certificate programs for teachers too. Students can earn a Master of Arts in Education or Childhood Education. Both programs require that they work with actual students and that they do research papers and other projects. Students can also earn a Master of Education that helps them get a Nevada license to teach at the elementary or secondary education levels. The university designed these programs for students who want to teach but did not get a degree in education while in college. Other master programs include those in school and education counseling too.
The graduate certificate programs that are available from National University allow enrolled students to become better teachers or to get their teaching licenses. Its e-learning program prepares students for working with students over the internet and in online formats, while its reading and literacy program helps those who want to work with adult and traditional learners who need help with reading. National also offers a reading and literacy credential program that helps students meet a state’s requirements for getting a teaching license. National University offers education programs on its campuses in Nevada and California and online.
About National University
National University is a private university in California that also owns campuses in Nevada. Though both campuses offer many of the same programs, they give students the option of choosing where they want to study. Students can also enroll in a National University online program. Founded in 1971, the university has two colleges and four schools that operate on each campus. Each program features four-week courses that require students to do more work in less time. A Board of Trustees oversees the university and makes sure that students get the best opportunities available to them.
The main campus in this system is in La Jolla, California. There are more than 20 other campuses located in different California cities, including Riverside, Los Angeles and Ontario. Students can also study in San Diego County. Most campuses are in urban areas that make it easy for students to attend classes and keep working their full-time jobs. There is a large campus in Nevada as well as an online campus too. More than 70% of its undergrads and more than 80% of its graduate students actually graduate from one of its degree programs. Across all its campuses, National has an enrollment of more than 23,000 students, which primarily includes adult learners.
National University Accreditation Details
National University has accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) that covers each of its education programs. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) also granted regional accreditation to National. This allows the university to accept transfer students and their credits and to award financial aid packages to any student who qualifies for financial help.
National University Application Requirements
Undergrads can apply to National University in just a few steps. Any student who has not yet taken any college courses must take placement tests. This will help the university determine which English and math courses students should take and whether they need to take any prerequisites. Students can also sign up to have their transcripts evaluated by the university or to earn course credit for the experience they gained in their professional and/or military careers. Undergrads usually need to have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. They will apply for admissions via the online application, submit their transcripts and then sign an enrollment agreement.
The university accepts graduate students based on the strengths of their completed application packets. In addition to the graduate school application, students need to submit their official test scores and transcripts. The university will look at those transcripts to see if students took prerequisite courses and if they have a strong background in the fields they want to study. The university may ask for a goals statement or for a personal interview too. National does not have an application deadline because it starts classes so many times every year.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students taking undergrad classes at National University pay $370 per quarter unit. This equates to $1,665 per class. Graduate students pay $430 per quarter unit or $1,935 per class. Students typically take one to two classes during each shortened term. National takes part in the work-study program offered by the federal government, which allows traditional students to work in on-campus jobs. To become part of this program though, students must complete the FAFSA. This will also determine whether they will get any grants and if they can take out student loans. National will accept student loans from those who borrow from alternative lenders too.
National University offers a Transfer to Success Scholarship designed for students who attended a community college and then transferred to the university. Those students are eligible for an award of up to $5,000. Scholarships of up to $2,500 are available for military students who want to earn a college degree. Students from low-income families can qualify for a similar scholarship if they are first-time college students. Any student who wants to apply for a scholarship should contact the university and ask about the process. They may need to submit a separate application, but the university typically uses the FAFSA to determine who qualifies for its scholarships and how much money they will get. National University and its Sanford College of Education can help prospective students see how much they will pay each term after they receive their financial aid packages.