National University’s Snapshot

25+

Online master’s programs

~$442

Per credit hour

~$20k

Typical total cost

4 wk

Courses · monthly starts

Key policies

Institution type

Private, nonprofit

Regional accreditation

WSCUC

Admissions model

Rolling — monthly start dates

GRE/GMAT required

Not required

Military rates

Available (Yellow Ribbon)

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • ACBSP
  • CACREP
  • COAMFTE
  • CCNE
  • CSWE
  • NSA/DHS CAE-CD
Written By - OMC Admin
Last Updated: May 15, 2026
National University

Start Here: Compare National University by What Matters Most

  • Compare learning format → One-course-per-month accelerated structure with monthly start dates
  • Compare affordability → ~$442 per credit for most graduate programs, with higher tuition for nursing tracks
  • Compare accreditation → WSCUC regional accreditation plus CACREP, COAMFTE, CCNE, CSWE, and ACBSP programmatic credentials
  • Compare student fit → Strong alignment for working adults, military-affiliated students, and California credential pathways
  • Compare alternatives → SNHU, WGU, and UMass Global

National University is one of the largest nonprofit providers of online master’s degrees in the United States. Founded in 1971 in San Diego, it was built from the ground up to serve working adults and military-affiliated students — and that orientation continues to define the institution. NU operates on a distinctive one-course-per-month model, meaning students take a single four-week course at a time rather than juggling multiple classes across a 15-week semester. Combined with year-round enrollment and monthly start dates, this structure eliminates the need to wait for traditional semester cycles. The university holds regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and carries several notable programmatic accreditations across counseling, nursing, social work, business, and education.

National University’s identity in the online master’s landscape is defined by a handful of characteristics that genuinely differentiate it from other broad-access institutions:

1. One-Course-Per-Month Accelerated Format

This is NU’s most distinctive feature. Instead of taking 3–4 courses simultaneously across a traditional semester, students complete one intensive four-week course at a time. For working professionals balancing careers and families, this single-focus model can reduce cognitive overload and make consistent progress more manageable. It also means students who fail or need to pause a course lose only one month rather than an entire semester.

2. Military and Veteran Focus

National University has deep roots in serving active-duty military, veterans, and military spouses. The university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, accepts military tuition assistance, and has historically maintained a large military-affiliated student population. On-base education centers and partnerships with military installations have been part of NU’s model for decades. For students using GI Bill benefits, NU’s monthly start dates align well with the flexibility military life demands.

3. Broad Program Catalog with Strong Programmatic Accreditations

NU offers more than 25 online master’s programs spanning business, education, psychology and counseling, nursing, healthcare administration, social work, cybersecurity, criminal justice, and public administration. What sets several of these programs apart is their programmatic accreditation: the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling holds CACREP accreditation, the MS in Marital and Family Therapy is COAMFTE-accredited, nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation, the MSW is CSWE-accredited, and business programs hold ACBSP accreditation. These accreditations matter for licensure eligibility and employer recognition.

4. WASC-Accredited Nonprofit Status

In a market where many large online providers are for-profit or carry accreditation from bodies with less rigorous reputations, NU’s nonprofit status and WSCUC regional accreditation provide a meaningful trust signal. WSCUC is the same accreditor that oversees Stanford, USC, and the University of California system.

5. Year-Round Rolling Enrollment

There are no fixed application deadlines for most programs. Students can apply and start in any month of the year, which removes a common friction point for adults who decide to pursue a master’s degree outside traditional academic timelines.

National University’s online master’s catalog spans nine subject areas. Programs are grouped below by discipline. Tuition is listed at the standard graduate rate of $442 per credit hour unless otherwise noted; nursing programs carry a higher rate of $585 per credit. All programs use rolling admissions with monthly start dates, and none require the GRE or GMAT for admission.

Business

NU’s business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) — not AACSB, which is a distinction worth understanding (see FAQ below). The MBA is the flagship offering, with seven available concentrations and an estimated total cost of $26,520 across 60 credit hours. Other business master’s programs include the MS in Accountancy (designed for CPA exam preparation), MS in Financial Planning (CFP Board-registered), MS in Organizational Leadership, MS in Human Resource Management (SHRM-aligned), and MS in Digital Marketing. Credit requirements range from 45 to 60 hours, with estimated totals between $19,890 and $26,520.

Education

Education is one of National University’s deepest program areas, particularly for students seeking California teaching credentials. The MA in Teaching leads to a California preliminary teaching credential and is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The MS in Educational Administration leads to a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. The MS in Special Education can lead to an Education Specialist credential. All credential-track programs require in-person clinical or field experience components. The MEd in Learning and Teaching and the MS in Instructional Design are fully online and do not lead to credentials — they’re designed for practicing educators or professionals entering instructional design. The MS in Educational Counseling prepares students for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential.

Psychology & Counseling

This is arguably National University’s strongest subject area in terms of accreditation quality. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited — a critical credential for students pursuing Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) status, as many states and employers require or prefer CACREP graduates. The MS in Marital and Family Therapy holds COAMFTE accreditation and meets California LMFT licensure requirements. Students interested in family therapy programs should note this accreditation distinction. The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis follows an ABAI-verified course sequence for BCBA certification. The MA in Counseling Psychology meets LPCC requirements in California, and the MA in Psychology offers a non-licensure track for career advancement or doctoral preparation. All counseling and therapy programs require supervised clinical hours. Browse broader options at our psychology programs hub.

Nursing

National University offers three MSN tracks , all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Family Nurse Practitioner track is the most clinically intensive, requiring significant clinical placement hours and a BSN plus active RN license for admission. The Nurse Educator track requires practicum hours in educational settings. The Informatics track is fully online and sits at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Nursing programs carry a higher per-credit rate of $585, with estimated totals ranging from $26,325 to $31,590. Students exploring BSN-to-MSN or RN-to-MSN pathways should verify admission prerequisites directly with NU.

Healthcare

Beyond nursing, NU offers a fully online Master of Healthcare Administration (54 credits, ~$23,868) with no in-person requirements, a Master of Public Health with an applied fieldwork component, and an MS in Health Informatics focused on healthcare data and technology systems.

Social Work

The Master of Social Work at National University is CSWE-accredited , which is essential for students pursuing clinical social work licensure. The program requires supervised field placement hours and offers advanced standing for students who hold a BSW. At 60 credits and an estimated $26,520, it’s comparable in cost to many nonprofit MSW programs.

Criminal Justice

The Master of Criminal Justice Administration is fully online (54 credits, ~$23,868) and designed for working law enforcement and criminal justice professionals seeking leadership roles. See how it compares to other options in our criminal justice programs guide.

Cybersecurity

NU’s MS in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (54 credits, ~$23,868) is notable for its designation as an NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense — a federal recognition that a relatively small number of institutions hold. The program is fully online.

IT & Data

The MS in Data Science (45 credits, ~$19,890) covers machine learning, data analytics, and visualization. Fully online with no in-person requirements.

Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (54 credits, ~$23,868) focuses on government and nonprofit management and is fully online.

National University occupies a specific niche among large-enrollment, broad-access online master’s providers. Understanding where it sits relative to comparable institutions helps clarify whether NU’s particular tradeoffs align with your priorities.

Comparison

National University vs. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is the closest comparison in terms of scale and market position. Both are nonprofit, regionally accredited, and serve large online student populations with rolling admissions. SNHU’s per-credit graduate tuition tends to run lower in many programs, and its brand recognition is arguably broader due to aggressive national marketing. However, NU differentiates through its one-course-per-month format (SNHU uses 8-week terms with multiple concurrent courses), stronger military infrastructure, and specific programmatic accreditations that SNHU doesn’t always hold — particularly CACREP for clinical mental health counseling and COAMFTE for marriage and family therapy. If licensure-track counseling is your goal, that accreditation difference is significant.

National University vs. Western Governors University

Western Governors University offers a fundamentally different learning model: competency-based education with flat-rate tuition per six-month term. For highly self-directed learners who can move quickly through material, WGU is often substantially cheaper. NU uses a traditional credit-hour model with instructor-led courses and offers a more conventional graduate classroom experience. NU also carries programmatic accreditations (CACREP, COAMFTE, CCNE) in areas where WGU may not hold equivalent credentials. Students who want structured pacing and live instruction will likely prefer NU; students who prioritize cost and self-paced progress may prefer WGU.

National University vs. UMass Global

University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University) is the most direct competitor. Both are California-based, military-friendly, WASC-accredited, and serve overlapping student demographics. The key differences are programmatic: NU’s program catalog is broader, and NU holds CACREP and COAMFTE accreditations that UMass Global does not. UMass Global leverages the University of Massachusetts brand and may carry more name recognition outside California. For students choosing between the two, the decision often comes down to specific program availability and accreditation requirements.

National University is

Best For

National University is an especially strong fit for these specific student profiles:

  • Military-affiliated students and veterans. NU’s infrastructure for military learners isn’t an afterthought — it’s foundational. Yellow Ribbon participation, military tuition assistance acceptance, flexible start dates that accommodate deployment schedules, and decades of experience serving this population make NU one of the more genuinely military-friendly nonprofit options. Students using GI Bill benefits will find the rolling monthly enrollment particularly accommodating.
  • Working professionals who thrive with a one-course-at-a-time format. If you’ve struggled with — or are concerned about — balancing multiple simultaneous graduate courses alongside a full-time job and family responsibilities, NU’s model of taking one four-week course at a time directly addresses that challenge. This isn’t just a scheduling convenience; it fundamentally changes the cognitive load of graduate study.
  • Students seeking CACREP or COAMFTE-accredited counseling programs that can be completed largely online. CACREP accreditation for clinical mental health counseling and COAMFTE accreditation for marriage and family therapy are increasingly important for licensure reciprocity across states and for employer preference. NU holds both — a combination that’s surprisingly rare among large online providers.
  • California-based students who need CTC-approved credentials. If your goal is a California teaching credential, administrative services credential, or pupil personnel services credential, NU’s education programs are specifically designed for this pathway and approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
  • Students who need year-round rolling enrollment with no semester deadlines. If you’re ready to start now — not in September or January — NU’s monthly enrollment cycle means you’re never more than a few weeks from beginning your program.

Not a Best Fit For

National University is not the right choice for every prospective master’s student. These are the honest tradeoffs:

  • If brand prestige and selectivity matter to you. National University is not selective in its admissions — most programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree and a reasonable GPA. For students in fields where employer perception of institutional prestige heavily influences hiring (investment banking, management consulting, certain policy roles), a more selective or traditionally ranked institution will likely serve you better. NU’s value proposition is accessibility and flexibility, not exclusivity.
  • If you prefer traditional semester-based pacing. The one-course-per-month format is a genuine advantage for many students, but it doesn’t suit everyone. Four-week courses move fast. If you prefer a slower, semester-length immersion in material — especially in research-heavy or theory-dense programs — the compressed timeline may feel rushed.
  • If AACSB accreditation is a priority for your business degree. NU’s business programs carry ACBSP accreditation, which is a legitimate programmatic accreditation, but it is not AACSB. For students targeting employers or graduate programs that specifically require AACSB-accredited credentials, this is a meaningful difference. ACBSP and AACSB have different evaluation standards, and AACSB is generally regarded as the more selective of the two.
  • If you’re outside California and need state-specific teaching credentials. NU’s education programs are tightly aligned with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requirements. While the academic credits may transfer, students in other states should verify that NU’s credential programs meet their state’s specific licensure or endorsement requirements before enrolling. Credential reciprocity is not guaranteed.
  • If minimizing cost is your top priority. At ~$442 per credit for most programs, NU is not expensive by nonprofit graduate school standards, but it’s not the cheapest option either. Western Governors University and several state university systems offer lower per-credit or flat-rate tuition. Students for whom the total cost is the deciding factor should compare carefully. Resources like student loan forgiveness programs or scholarships for international students may also factor into the calculation.

These four programs represent National University’s strongest online master’s offerings based on accreditation quality, career relevance, and distinctiveness in the market:

This is arguably NU’s most competitively positioned program. CACREP accreditation is increasingly the gold standard for clinical mental health counseling licensure across states, and many large online providers don’t hold it. The 60-credit program requires practicum and internship hours and prepares graduates for LPCC licensure. For students serious about clinical counseling careers, the CACREP credential meaningfully strengthens both licensure applications and employer perception.

National University uses rolling admissions for virtually all of its online master’s programs, with new cohorts starting every month. There are no fixed application deadlines, and most programs do not require the GRE or GMAT.

General requirements for most programs:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 (some programs require 3.0)
  • Official transcripts
  • No standardized test scores required

Program-specific prerequisites:

  • Nursing (MSN): BSN and an active, unencumbered RN license required. Clinical programs may require background checks and immunization records.
  • Counseling and therapy programs: May require prerequisite coursework in psychology, a personal statement, and, in some cases, an interview.
  • Education credential programs: May require proof of subject-matter competency and passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent.
  • Social Work (MSW): Advanced standing requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.

Admissions are generally accessible — National University is not a selective institution. The emphasis is on meeting baseline academic requirements and program-specific prerequisites rather than competitive GPA cutoffs or test scores. Students can typically receive an admissions decision within days.

CategoryRate
Standard Graduate Tuition~$442 per credit hour
Nursing Program Tuition~$585 per credit hour
Estimated Program Cost Range$19,890 – $31,590 (varies by program credit requirements)
FeesAdditional technology and course fees may apply
Financial AidFederal financial aid, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement accepted
Military BenefitsYellow Ribbon Program, military tuition assistance, GI Bill accepted

At $442 per credit for most programs, National University’s graduate tuition sits in the mid-range among nonprofit online institutions. It’s notably lower than premium-priced institutions like George Washington University or Northeastern University, but higher than flat-rate or discounted models at Western Governors University or some state university systems.

The nursing programs’ $585 per-credit rate is worth noting separately — the FNP program, at 54 credits, runs approximately $31,590 before fees, which is competitive with other CCNE-accredited FNP programs but represents a meaningful cost premium over NU’s standard rate.

Military-affiliated students benefit from Yellow Ribbon participation, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs beyond the GI Bill cap. NU also accepts military tuition assistance and has a dedicated military student services staff.

Scholarship opportunities exist through NU’s institutional aid programs, though the university is less known for large merit scholarships than some competitors. Students should also explore federal loan options and student loan forgiveness programs that may apply to graduates entering public service, education, or healthcare roles.

National University’s programs overlap with several OMC ranking categories. These guides can help you compare NU against other institutions in specific subject areas:

  • If you’re evaluating NU’s MSN tracks, our online MSN programs ranking compares nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and informatics programs across accredited institutions.
  • For the MSW, see how NU’s CSWE-accredited program stacks up in our online MSW programs guide.
  • Students considering the MHA should review our online MHA programs ranking for a broader view of cost, format, and career outcomes.
  • The Master of Criminal Justice Administration can be compared against other options in our online criminal justice programs ranking.