North Carolina Central University

James E. Shepard was the founder of North Carolina Central University. The school was opened on July 5th, 1910. It was sold and reorganized in 1915, and it was turned into a state-funded university in 1923. North Carolina Central University was a segregated school during the Jim Crow era. NCCU was the first liberal arts institution that was state-supported that catered to black students.

Currently, North Carolina Central University offers many different programs in a wide variety of disciplines. They have a nationally recognized law school, numerous art programs, as well as science, humanities, and educational programs. North Carolina Central University offers a top diversity program in the Library and Information Sciences. This program is the only one of its type that is offered through a historically black predominant educational institution. This program is available to on-campus students and to distant learning students through the Blackboard program.

North Carolina Central University Accreditation Details

North Carolina Central University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The same board also accredits the online programs offered by North Carolina Central University. The North Carolina Central University School of Library Science is further accredited for their Master of Library Science degree by the ALA. Both online and on-campus programs meet the same accreditation status.

North Carolina Central University Application Requirements

North Carolina Central University requires all applications show evidence of graduation from an accredited high school or a GED certificate. Applicants must all supply their standardized test scores. Either SAT or ACT scores are required to determine if enrollment at North Carolina Central University.

Further information is also required to determine eligibility. Evidence of participation in leadership or service roles is strongly recommended. Scholastic, community, and civil organizations are great sources for these types of experiences.

For application submissions, students must use the university's online application form. This form includes all the required information fields, and it ensures your application is complete and secure. Communications regarding application and enrollment to the student via US Mail or via the main email used to submit the application. Any information regarding the admission status is available online. North Carolina Central University does not provide any information over the phone.

For master level education, GPAs must be at or above 3.0 in a bachelor program. Applicable bachelor programs are dependent on the master program students are interested in completing. GRE/GMAT exam results are also required as part of the application process. In addition, students must provide two references for consideration. The same academic requirements are in place for students applying for online programs.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition at North Carolina Central University for undergraduate studies is calculated on a half or full course load. For in state students enrolled in one to five credit hours, tuition subtotals are estimated at $1,057. At a full course load, between six and eight credit hours, student cost per semester is approximately $3,041. Out of state students are charged approximately $2,654 for a part-time course load and $6,218 for a full course load.

In addition to undergraduate tuition, students should plan for some other fees. The largest additional fee is the requirement of health insurance. If you do not have proof of existing coverage, NCCU provides a health insurance program at a cost of $1,270 per semester. Students who are enrolled in online courses are not required to provide proof of health insurance or take part in the NCCU health insurance program. Additional fees also include room and board, parking, and other costs regarding campus usage. The personal choices regarding these services can drastically change the expected costs of education.

For graduate programs, the tuition costs vary between the different programs available and if the student has in-state eligibility. In-state students looking to enroll in a graduate program at North Carolina Central University can expect tuition between $1,700 and $1,854 per semester for a full-time graduate program. Out of state students pay between $5,000 and $5,200 per semester for full-time enrollment in a masters programs.

Online student costs are priced on a per credit hour basis. Undergraduate online programs are charged at $431.87 per credit hour for in state students and $1,719.74 for out of state students. Graduate programs cost $751.07 or $2,656.07 per credit hour depending on residence status.

North Carolina Central University has an office designed to assist students in finding the right financial aid to achieve their educational goals. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) is there for students to navigate all the financial support available. These supports are available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Students seeking financial aid should fill out an FAFSA. This form is free to fill out, but it must be re-submitted for every school year. The OSSA provides appointments to assist students in completing their FAFSA.

Online Degree(s) Available

North Carolina Central University offers a variety of online educational opportunities. The online programs are held to high academic standards and provide students with the knowledge they require to advance their lives.

Online courses evolved to break down barriers to education. They provide a quality learning experience, while still maintaining the scheduling and flexibility students need to balance their lives. The learning environment is interactive and engaging. Students are also offered opportunities to network, find internships, and learn about further education possibilities.

The classes are lead by instructors who care about the success of their students. Instructors provide a syllabus for all courses in a similar fashion to traditional classroom learning. Within the syllabus, the requirements for participation, assignment deadlines, and log-in requirements are communicated to all students. All courses are available through the online platform, Blackboard, on the first day of class. In cases where students are changing their courses, either by adding or dropping classes, they are available within three hours of enrollment.

One of the popular online programs available through NCCU is the Masters of Library Science. This program offers students seven different career paths including academic librarian, school media coordinator, archives and records manager, digital librarian, law librarian, public librarian, and special librarian. All of these specializations are available online through NCCU's Blackboard platform.

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Finding the right program, with the right timing, and the right costs is a challenge that many students face. At North Carolina Central University, these difficulties are well known, and the appropriate strategies implemented to provide students the education they are after.