Majority Of Learners At Northcentral University Say School Meets Or Exceeds Their Expectations, Survey Shows

For the third time in seven years Northcentral University has administered the Noel Levitz Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL) to its student body to determine overall levels of satisfaction with their learning experience and, according to the highlights announced today, more than 83% of those surveyed report that their expectations are being met or exceeded by the University.

In fact, according to Dr. Clinton Gardner, President of NCU, the average Northcentral University Learner is far more likely than the average online student to own his or her own home, to be employed full-time and to be married with children. The PSOL reveals that 82% of Northcentral Learners own their own home, 89% are employed in a full-time job, and 47% are married with children. These statistics are much higher than the national averages, for online students, who stand as 53% homeowners, 65% employed full-time and 36% married with children.

“Ours is a community of working professionals who are here to either advance their career or effect a positive career change,” Dr. Gardener said. “They take their studies seriously, and they hold their university to a very high standard. We are very pleased to earn such a high level of Learner satisfaction.

“The administration, faculty, and advisors of Northcentral University are totally dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement in every area of University life,” Dr. Gardner said. “We rely upon the Noel Levitz PSOL to help us assess our strengths and identify our weaknesses as we move toward our goal of providing Learners with the highest quality of higher education. We are very pleased to see that our commitment to continuous improvement is being recognized by our Learners, but we also understand that much work remains to be done if we are to continue to meet or exceed the expectations of all of our Learners.”

The Noel Levitz Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL) was administered in July 2010 to a sample of 4,580 Northcentral University Learners. The survey received a response rate of 42%, yielding a sample size large enough and the response rate high enough for the University to portray the results as representative of the overall Learner population. The survey was previously administered in 2003 and 2006, enabling both trend and national comparative analysis. Among the strengths the 2010 survey identified are the rigor and breadth of the University’s course offerings, the quality of its online library, the caliber of academic advisors and enrollment specialists, the flexibility of monthly course starts, and the convenience of the registration process. Equally important to the University’s long-term planning process, the levels of satisfaction were consistent across all degree programs.

“From course offerings to resources to advisors the 2010 survey results demonstrate why, when asked, the vast majority of those surveyed said that they would, if given the chance, enroll all over again at Northcentral University,” Dr. Gardner emphasized.

The survey results also paint a portrait of a Northcentral University Learner community that is in many ways different from its peers. The Northcentral community tends to be older (with 34% falling between the ages of 45-54), evenly split between women and men (51%-49% women to men), employed full time (89%), homeowners (82%), married or married with children (71%), and increasingly diverse (62% White, 16% African American, 6% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 4% Hispanic) — and serious about their studies. According to the survey, Northcentral Learners study between 7 and 18 hours per-week.

Over the last year Northcentral University has implemented a number of ambitious initiatives to simplify and improve the educational experience for all of its Learners. Most recently, in January 2011, the University greatly simplified its tuition and fee structure program, moving to all-inclusive model that includes all costs associated with the delivery of a degree program with the exception of textbooks. At the same time, the University has doubled the size of its enrollment and admissions counseling staff to better respond in real-time to prospective and current Learner needs. Simultaneous with the staff expansion, the University implemented an enhanced call routing process that enables Learners to have faster access to the advisors who can answer their questions.

To better meet Learner requests for increased registration flexibility, Northcentral University has also changed course starts from monthly dates to weekly dates. Finally, this year the University will unveil a totally new Learner Portal that will make interaction with faculty a much more intuitive user-friendly experience.

“Ours is a very serious community of working professionals who hold this University to the very highest standards,” Dr. Gardner concluded. “As they should. We are viewed increasingly by working professionals as the preferred way to advance their career. We will continue to innovate every area of our academic and services support programs to continue to earn the respect of our Learners.”

The Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL) was developed by Noel Levitz, an enrollment management consulting firm (www.noellevitz.com) and was first administered in 2001. The survey was designed specifically for the distance learning community. Using a standardized instrument like the PSOL ensures a high degree of validity and reliability and allows for national comparisons with an institution’s peers. As of 2009 the Noel Levitz PSOL had been administered to more than 130 institutions and completed by over 105,000 Learners. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the comparison group for Northcentral University consisted of 84,067 Learners at 97 institutions who administered the PSOL between Fall 2007 and Spring 2010. The survey consists of 73 questions.

About Northcentral University: Since its founding in 1996 Northcentral University has pioneered a distinct approach to online Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post Graduate education that is dedicated to teaching individuals rather than classes. Combining the power of the Internet with an unparalleled faculty mentored approach, Northcentral offers students the flexibility to cost-effectively study on their own schedule using their own individual style while receiving personalized attention from course instructors whenever it is needed. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the for profit, 100% online university currently serves nearly 9,000 students worldwide, offering Bachelor, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, and Behavioral and Health Sciences.

California Board Of Behavioral Sciences Approves Northcentral University's Marriage & Family Therapy Master's Program

Underscoring the quality of its 100% online Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) master’s degree program, Northcentral University today announced that the program is now approved as meeting the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist set by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

In doing so, the University joins a select number of regionally accredited online universities, and the first university based outside of the state of California, to meet the rigorous standards established by the BBS, according to Dr. Branden Henline, Chair of Marriage and Family Therapy Programs. The MFT master’s level program began as a specialization in psychology in 2004 and was introduced as a new master’s degree program by the University in January 2010. The University also launched an MFT doctoral degree program at that time.

“We have worked hard to design a curriculum and clinical training process that sets new standards for MFT education,” Dr. Henline said today. “We are pleased, but not surprised, that our programs meet the education requirements for licensure by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. With this achievement, we are truly breaking down the barriers to online Marriage and Family Therapy education and training.”

What’s more, according to Dr. Henline, while a select number of other regionally accredited online universities have been approved by BBS, Northcentral University is unique in that its program does not require periods of physical residency on campus. “This provides our Learners with an enormous degree of flexibility. They do not have to disrupt their professional life, family schedules, or incur costly travel expenses in order to complete their degree program. And, while most universities only offer master’s level training, we also offer a doctoral level program with several specialization options.”

Northcentral University’s MFT graduate programs broke new ground in higher education when they were first introduced in January 2010. Other marriage and family therapy degree programs have residency requirements, which can be costly and difficult to schedule. Some programs that appear to be focused on marriage and family therapy are in fact generic counseling programs that offer a few courses in family therapy. “Marriage and family therapy is a unique profession and requires a curriculum that is clearly focused on training MFTs. Northcentral University offers genuine family therapy training with a course-by-course focus on MFT practice. By granting approval for the education requirements for licensure, the Board of Behavioral Sciences has recognized that our dedication to these specific material subjects puts us ahead of other online programs.”

Northcentral University's clinically-focused Marriage and Family Therapy MA and PhD degree programs can lead to a career as a licensed therapist and can prepare students for therapeutic and educational careers in a variety of settings including private practice, mental-health centers, public-service agencies, correctional institutions, the military and schools.

These degrees provide an integrated learning experience that explores family and couple dynamics, family therapy models and interventions, therapy with children and adolescents, couple’s therapy, working with people in crisis, issues related to gender and diversity, individual and family development, ethics and current research in family therapy. Degree requirements also involve ongoing clinical work and supervision. The degree offerings prepare students for a professional practice consistent with their personal goals. The fact that the coursework is designed to meet the BBS’ rigorous requirements ensures that the education and training received reflects the highest academic and ethical standards.

Northcentral offers the following MFT graduate degree programs:

* Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program develops the personal and professional skills necessary for an effective practice and is designed to meet national standards so graduates can seek licensure in the area where they reside. Individuals are encouraged to review their own local licensure regulations in order to ensure that this program meets their needs.

* Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program offers advanced clinical education and training, opportunities to develop specializations tailored to individual interests, research coursework and opportunities, and supervision training and experience. As a PhD graduate, individuals will be prepared to carry out advanced clinical work and supervision and/or education and research in the field of marriage and family therapy. Doctoral Specializations are available in General Family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy, Couple Therapy, Medical Family Therapy, and Therapy with Military Families.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences is dedicated to protecting Californians by promoting consumer awareness, advocating for improved mental health services, and setting, communicating, and enforcing standards. The Board of Behavioral Sciences is a California state regulatory agency responsible for licensing, examination, and enforcement of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). In addition, the Board regulates Marriage and Family Therapist Interns (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW), Continuing Education Providers (PCE), and MFT Referral Services (MRF).

The Board also works alongside other mental health agencies and organizations to advocate for increased consumer awareness and access to mental health services. The Board’s outreach program provides information to consumers, licensees, registrants, and students on consumer rights, California licensing requirements, and other Board related activities. The Board is composed of 12 members; seven (7) public members, two (2) Licensed Clinical Social Workers, one (1) Licensed Educational Psychologist, and two (2) Marriage and Family Therapists. Nine (9) members are Governor appointed. The Speaker of the Assembly appoints one (1), and the Senate Committee on Rules appoints another.

About Northcentral University: Since its founding in 1996 Northcentral University has pioneered a distinct approach to online Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post Graduate education that is dedicated to teaching individuals rather than classes. Combining the power of the Internet with an unparalleled faculty mentored approach, Northcentral offers students the flexibility to cost-effectively study on their own schedule using their own individual style while receiving personalized attention from course instructors whenever it is needed. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the for-profit, 100% online university currently serves nearly 10,000 students worldwide, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, and Behavioral and Health Sciences.