National University (California)

National University
Motto Discendo Vivimus
(Latin)
Motto in English
 We live through learning
Type Private, non-profit
Established 1971
Endowment $558.9 million[1]
Chancellor Michael R. Cunningham, Ph.D.
President David W. Andrews, Ph.D.
Academic staff
 2,721 (full & part-time)[2]
Students 24,458[3]
Undergraduates 12,278[3]
Postgraduates 12,180[3]
Location San Diego, California, United States
Campus Urban, 28 campuses
Alumni 150,000[4]
Colors

Blue and Light Gray

        
Affiliations National University System
Website www.nu.edu

National University (NU) is the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California and the 12th largest in the United States. Founded in 1971, National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California, United States offering academic degree programs at campuses located throughout the state, as well as in Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Virginia through an online learning environment.

National University is organized into five professional schools and one college: the College of Letters and Sciences; the School of Business and Management; the School of Education; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies. National University’s online academic programs are interactive with streaming videos, real-time discussions, multimedia learning material, and online classrooms.

Programs at National University are concentrated for adult learners and on-campus classes are scheduled during evenings and on weekends.[5]

Academics

National University's academic programs include associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, a doctorate degree in nursing, teaching credentials, and certificate programs.

National University is organized into five schools and one college; the College of Letters and Sciences; the School of Business and Management; the School of Education; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies. The university offers over 130 undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as 23 teacher credential/certificate programs.[6] Participating in online education since 1996, National University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and over 1,500 courses online.[7]

College of Letters and Sciences

National University’s College of Letters and Sciences provides the undergraduate general education courses to the students enrolled in all of the schools of National and the college itself offers liberal arts programs from bachelor's degrees in biological science, history, and psychology to master's degrees in applied linguistics, creative writing, English, film studies, gerontology, rhetoric, history, and strategic communications.

The College of Letters and Sciences has four departments and offers an Associate of Arts degree and various bachelor's degree majors and master's degree fields of study (listed below), as well as bachelor's degree minors:

School of Business and Management

The School of Business and Management offers business degree programs on campuses and via online in an interactive learning environment. The school is composed of three departments and offers various bachelor's and master's degrees. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program features a curriculum delivered exclusively through distance-learning technologies.

Sanford College of Education

National University’s Sanford College of Education offers bachelor's degrees, master’s degrees, certificates, and education credentials in areas including teaching, school counseling, school psychology, special education, early childhood education, and school administration. National holds teaching contracts with 643 California school districts[8] and approximately 70% of the 26,000 teachers in San Diego County earned their credentials at National University.[9] Programs are offered on campus and online.

At the Henderson, Nevada campus, the School of Education offers Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree teacher licensure programs in elementary education, secondary math, and secondary English.

In 2015, National University changed the name of the School of Education to the Sanford College of Education[10] in honor of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford.

School of Engineering and Computing

The School of Engineering and Computing offers degree programs in engineering, technology, computer science, digital media, and related fields. Students can focus on management information systems, environmental or construction engineering, project management, wireless communication, and information technology management.

School of Health and Human Services

Healthcare undergraduate and graduate degree academic programs (including a Doctor of Nursing Practice program) offered to students include clinical health sciences careers, healthcare administration programs, nursing degrees, public health, allied health, clinical laboratory science, radiation therapy, clinical regulatory affairs, and more.

School of Professional Studies

The School of Professional Studies offers several graduate and undergraduate academic degree programs focusing on community improvement, law, criminal justice, public service, and continuing education programs.

Campus locations

National University is geographically dispersed, with its academic and administrative centers located in La Jolla, California. These centers include all administrative offices of the president, vice presidents, school deans and department chairs, financial aid, registrar, and admissions. From its administrative center, the university maintains more than 28 academic campuses throughout urban areas in California and one in Nevada. Campus locations include:

Military community

National University offers reduced tuition for classes on base for qualified military students[11] and their dependents. Admission offices and Learning Centers are located on many U.S. military bases in the San Diego area and in Twentynine Palms which include:

Organization

The Board of Trustees of the National University System is the governing body vested with "supreme control" over National University. Trustees have a fiduciary responsibility to the university as a whole. Among other responsibilities, the board elects the president, adopts an annual plan of financial operation, and establishes degrees to be awarded. Board oversight is also provided through its committee structure consisting of an Advisory Executive Committee, a Nominating Committee, an Investment Committee, an Audit Committee, the Committee on Academics, the Committee on Advancement, and the Committee on Resources. Day-to-day responsibility for administration of the university is delegated by the trustees to the president.

The Board of Trustees consists of 25 voting members. Two ex-officio members, the president of the university and the chancellor of the system, also have voting privileges. The Board meets three times a year in San Diego.

Student body

National University has an enrollment size that represents the second-largest private, non-profit institution of higher education in California.[12] The average age of a NU student age is 32[13] and roughly 23,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are currently enrolled.[3] Nine percent of the student body are in the military.[14] National University ranks as one of the largest graduate student institutions of higher education in the United States with 18,946 students officially enrolled.

There are approximately 135,000[4] National University alumni in all 50 states and around the world.

Sanford Education Center

National University is the home of Sanford Education Center. The Center's mission is to create positive societal change through the development of nonprofit leaders, and create educators who teach inspirational programs serving worldwide needs.

Harmony Program

The Sanford Harmony program is designed to make a difference in how Pre-K through 6th grade boys and girls think about and treat each other. By promoting positive relationships between girls and boys in Pre-K through 6th grade, this program promotes respect and understanding of differences among all children. The goal is to expand understanding and acceptance of gender differences at an early age with a result of positively affecting adult relationships.[15]

Inspire Program

The Sanford Inspire program is designed to provide innovative learning experiences to ensure teacher candidates develop the skills to be highly effective classroom leaders who inspire their students. Through the integration of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Teach for America principles, the program will provide a distinguished pathway for teachers resulting in high impact classroom experiences.[16]

Institute of Philanthropy

The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy engages current and emerging nonprofit leaders and private sector executives to pursue certificate and degree programs designed to enable them to improve their organizations while contributing to the overall public good. The Institute offers a Master of Arts in Cause Leadership, a Certificate in Cause Sales, and a Certificate in Education Foundation Leadership (in partnership with the National School Foundation Association.[17]

History

National University founder David Chigos, a retired United States Navy lieutenant commander and a director of employee training for General Dynamics Corporation in San Diego, saw a need for a non-traditional university education format with relevant and high-demand degree programs to serve working adults. In November 1971, National University was organized as a private, non-profit institution with 27 students attending classes in 1972. National's first commencement ceremony included 143 graduates.[18] In 1975, National purchased two properties on Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley.[18] Two years later it opened up facilities in Kearny Mesa and then expanded in San Diego County.[18]

In 1977, National had some 1,000 alumni and it received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.[18] By 1979, National had a 15-acre campus with 110,000 square feet of classroom and library space and some 3,500 alumni.[18] Also in 1979, National acquired the Cabrillo Pacific College of Law that became National's School of Law.[18]

During the 1980s, National expanded with campuses in California's largest cities.[18] National's School of Education was established in 1980. In 1988, Chigos retired as president with approximately 7,000 students enrolled at 35 established campuses in California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and in Costa Rica.[18]

Jerry C. Lee was National University’s second president from 1989 until 2007. During his tenure, the number and locations of the university's campuses were restructured, the university’s finances were stabilized and strengthened, National’s academic programs were further enhanced and reviewed by outside specialized accrediting bodies for quality and rigor, and affiliate educational institutions were added to the university.

A tiered faculty structure model was developed in 1991. Also in 1991, National University's School of Law was dissolved.

In 1996, the academic and administrative headquarters was moved from Mission Valley to La Jolla. Also in 1996, online classes and academic degree programs became available. In 2000, there were over 17,000 students enrolled.

In 2001, the Board of Trustees established the National University System[19] and Lee was appointed Chancellor. The National University System is a multi-tiered alliance of individual educational and research institutions with each of its respective leaders (including the National University president) reporting to the chancellor. Dana Gibson, was appointed as National's third president in 2007 and Lee became President Emeritus. In 2009, Gibson left National and Patricia E. Potter served as Interim President. Michael R. Cunningham became President on July 1, 2013.[20]

As of 2014 National had over 24,000 enrolled students[21] with over 130 undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs and 23 teacher credential programs at 28 campuses in California and one in Henderson, Nevada, with over 100 academic programs offered online. National University is the second-largest private, non-profit institution of higher education in California and the 12th largest private, non-profit in the United States.[22] National University, in 2011-12, had its 40th anniversary with an endowment of over $400 million and real estate property valued at over $145 million.[23]

Recognitions

Accreditation and approvals

National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).[32] WASC is one of six official regional accreditation bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private senior colleges, universities, community colleges, and elementary and secondary schools in the United States.

In addition to being accredited by WASC, National University also is:

Notable alumni

National University System

National University is the flagship institution of the National University System, which was established in 2001.[19] In addition to National University, the affiliates of the non-profit National University System are:

Entities also in the National University System include the Center for Integrative Health, Center for Performance Psychology, and the National University System Institute for Policy Research.[47] The NU System is governed by a Board of Trustees and is headquartered in La Jolla, California.[48]

References

  1. ↑ As of June 30, 2015. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2015 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2014 to FY 2015" (PDF). 2015 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  2. ↑ Fischman, Josh (2010-07-25). Faculty count. Information on faculty number at web site of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved on 2010-09-05 from http://chronicle.com/section/The-Academic-Workplace/156.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (2014). Student enrollment. Information on Student Enrollment at the Western Association of Schools and Colleges web site. Retrieved on 2014-06-25 from http://www.wascsenior.org/institutions/national-university
  4. 1 2 National University (2016). NU alumni. information from NU alumni web site. Retrieved on 2016-04-20 from http://www.nu.edu/Community/AlumniandFriends.html.
  5. ↑ Program offerings university academic program information. Retrieved on September 3, 2012.
  6. ↑ Programs: NU website. Retrieved on July 19, 2013.
  7. ↑ National University (2012). University Guide. Information on NU Facts at NU web site. Retrieved on 2012-09-04 from http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms.cfm.
  8. ↑ Teacher contracts information on teaching credentials: NU website. Retrieved on September 19, 2010.
  9. ↑ S.D. teacher credentials information on teaching credentials: NU System video. Retrieved on October 7, 2010.
  10. ↑ http://www.nu.edu/News/NationalUniversityNamesSanfordCollegeofEducation.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ Military tuition Information from NU website. Retrieved on September 2, 2011.
  12. ↑ Information on National University, San Diego: Universities.com website. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  13. ↑ : College Board website. Retrieved on September 4, 2012.
  14. ↑ Military: NU website. Retrieved on September 20, 2010.
  15. ↑ : Sanford Education Center website. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2014.
  16. ↑ : Sanford Education Center website. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2014.
  17. ↑ : Sanford Education Center website. Retrieved on Dec 30, 2014.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 National University (2011). NU History. NU History Information from "Vision" Alumni Magazine. Retrieved on 2012-09-04 from http://www.nu.edu/assets/resources/pageResources/vision-2011.pdf.
  19. 1 2 NU System: Natioinal University System website. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  20. ↑ President: NU website. Retrieved on July 19, 2013.
  21. ↑ NU 2007 enrollment: U.S. Dept. of Ed. statistics website. Retrieved on November 4, 2010.
  22. ↑ college database information on colleges. Retrieved on October 15, 2010.
  23. ↑ NU property: National University System website. Retrieved on February 1, 2012.
  24. ↑ Great Colleges to Work For (Honor Roll) information on Great Colleges To Work For, 2010 at the The Chronicle of Higher Education website. Retrieved on September 4, 2010.
  25. ↑ Highest Number of Teachers Credentialed information on teaching credentials issued by colleges and universities: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website. Retrieved on November 14, 2011.
  26. ↑ Minority Master's information conferred degrees to minority groups from Diverse Education Magazine website. Retrieved on December 13, 2009.
  27. ↑ "National University Diversity Rankings". Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  28. ↑ endowment rankings Association of College and University Business Officers' website. Retrieved on April 9, 2009.
  29. ↑ 2008 California Teachers Of The Year, National University alumni Lewis Chappelear, Gregory McFall, and Tamara Reina: announced by [[Jack O'Connell (politician)|]] at the California Department of Education website. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  30. ↑ Emmy Award 2007 (Commercial, "One University"): National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences website. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  31. ↑ CAPE Award Winner Lookup Information from California Council for Excellence website. Retrieved on December 31, 2010.
  32. ↑ WASC Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges website. Retrieved on January 23, 2010.
  33. ↑ IACBE Business School Accreditation: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education website. Retrieved on November 12, 2010.
  34. ↑ CCNE Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education website. Retrieved on September 3, 2010.
  35. ↑ Council on Education for Public Health website. Retrieved on August 5, 2013.
  36. ↑ NCATE.org website. Retrieved on April 17, 2015.
  37. ↑ BRN Approvals: California Board of Registered Nursing website. Retrieved on September 3, 2010.
  38. ↑ CCTC approval: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  39. ↑ Nevada Nursing: Nevada State Board of Nursing website. Retrieved on September 3, 2010.
  40. ↑ NDE approval: Nevada Department of Education website. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  41. ↑ NBOE approval: Nevada Board of Education website. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  42. ↑ : GI Bill-VA website. Retrieved on November 12, 2010.
  43. ↑ AACTE Membership: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education website. Retrieved on September 3, 2010.
  44. ↑ CCAS membership: Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences website. Retrieved on April 13, 2009.
  45. ↑ AAIEP accreditation: American Association of Intensive English Programs website. Retrieved on November 12, 2010.
  46. ↑ : American Bar Association Website. Retrieved on February 13, 2013.
  47. ↑ National University System Institute for Policy Research
  48. ↑ NU System Governance: National University System website. Retrieved on August 28, 2010.

External links

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