Doctoral Degree
Admissions
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Apply to an NU Doctoral Program – We’ll Be with You Every Step of the Way!
If you’re ready to pursue your doctoral degree at National University, you’ve likely already made your mark in the field of education, healthcare, or psychology and are focused on achieving the pinnacle of academic accomplishment. Not everyone has the tenacity and drive to earn a doctorate, but those who do project an aura of achievement that signifies expertise and thought leadership in their chosen field.
At many institutions of higher education, the application and admission processes can be daunting, but at National University, we believe in a streamlined, stress-free process that helps you dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s and be ready to start the journey of a lifetime.
If at any point during the application process you have questions or need help, just contact our admissions team at (855) 355-6288 or via email at admissions@nu.edu. Here’s what we need to do to get started.
STEP 1: Complete Your Online Application
Once you’ve determined the doctoral program that aligns with your passion and long-term career goals, our streamlined, online application process will help you get enrolled and on your way to achieving your goals.
One more thing – there’s no application fee to take this first step on your journey towards personal, professional, and academic achievement at NU!
STEP 2: Submit Your Transcripts and Other Required Documents
Admission to NU’s doctoral programs is based on valid submission of documents, including a student’s academic record at other institutions, test scores, interviews, professional experience, motivation, and educational objectives.
You can send your official transcripts from other schools you attended by using our transcript request form. If you delay requesting transcripts from other schools, your admission to National University may be delayed.
STEP 3: Discuss Your Plans With Your NU Enrollment Advisor
At NU, we take great pride in supporting our students every step of the way on their educational journey. We understand you may be a working parent or caregiver, and we’re committed to offering an ecosystem of resources and community, so you won’t ever feel like you’re going it alone.
This team effort begins with a conversation you’ll have with your NU Enrollment Advisor, during which we’ll start by discussing your current situation and what you hope to achieve by earning your doctorate. We’ll then talk about the financial, academic, social and emotional, family and community, and career support you’ll receive to help ensure your success. We see your potential, and we want you to succeed in life and school like over 240,000 alumni already have.Â
Have a question now? Just ask!
STEP 4: Determine the Best Way to Pay for Your Education
Education is an investment in yourself and your future. Having a doctoral degree on your resume indicates you are an expert in your field who has the knowledge, skills and experience to pursue top-level positions of leadership.
At National University, we strive to make higher education accessible to all adult learners, and we are committed to helping you find the resources you need to pay for college and achieve your goals. To help reduce the cost of education, we accept all federally funded financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and scholarships. We also award tuition scholarships and grants to those who qualify.
Most college students pay for their education with grants, scholarships, loans, or a combination of the three. It can seem like a daunting process, but at NU you won’t have to go it alone. Between your admissions advisor and our experienced team of financial aid experts, we’ll review the results of your student aid report and help determine the best options available to you.
First things first. Visit fafsa.ed.gov to fill out the FAFSA application for federal student aid, including federal student loans. Then, contact our financial aid team at newstudentfin@nu.edu or (800) 628-8647.
STEP 5: Start Earning Your Doctoral Degree!
Because your life’s already in progress and time is a precious commodity, National University created an innovative way to help you fit a rigorous doctoral program into your current work and family responsibilities.
Best of all, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process so you can get enrolled in your chosen program right away.
Ready to get started? Let’s take your current credentials and turn them up a degree!
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to college is a big decision and you’ll surely have questions. If yours isn’t answered here, just give us a call at (855) 355-6288 or email us at admissions@nu.edu.
At National University, you can pursue a respected doctoral degree in some of today’s most dynamic fields:
- Teaching and Education
- Healthcare and Nursing
- Social Sciences and Psychology
National University accepts and reviews applications year-round for doctoral programs that start either in September or January. Please refer to the doctoral program pages to see the next available start date for your chosen cohort.
Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 81 quarter units beyond the master’s degree, which has been granted by an accredited university. Nine quarter units may be considered for transfer upon review and approval by our doctoral faculty.
Contact an experienced admissions advisor today to learn more about transferring credits to NU.
Yes! In honor of our students, and in celebration of our 50th anniversary, National University has invested $50 million in new student scholarships. To learn more about numerous scholarships and grants funded by National University, how to apply, and how much you might be able to save on your doctoral degree, click here.
We’re 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 240,000 alumni worldwide.
The value of a college education is undeniable. Think of a doctorate degree as an investment in your future.
At National University, we strive to make higher education accessible and achievable by helping you find financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, that will help defer or delay tuition costs and related expenses. Our financial aid representatives are happy to help you. Please call 1-800-NAT-UNIV or e-mail us for assistance.
Doctoral Degree Programs:
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements in a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program-specific requirements. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.
