North Carolina Central University: A Comprehensive Overview of Academic Programs
North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a top-ranking historically black university located in Durham, North Carolina, adjacent to Research Triangle Park, offers a wide array of academic programs designed to empower students and foster success. With a diverse student body of over 8,000 scholars, NCCU provides personalized guidance, innovative programs, and a supportive community. The university's commitment to academic excellence and student success is evident in its diverse offerings, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral programs, as well as its focus on research and community engagement.
Undergraduate Programs: A Foundation for Success
NCCU offers bachelor's degrees in nearly 100 fields of study, providing students with a solid foundation for their future careers. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their chosen fields. Any undergraduate student has the option to declare a minor in an academic area offered through the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, and College of Health and Science, School of Business and School of Education. The minor will consist of not less than 20 semester hours designated by the college’s/school’s departments and programs. Some majors also offer several areas of concentration, allowing for further specialization.
Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
Recognizing the needs of adult learners and those balancing work, family, and university, NCCU offers several top-ranked online bachelor's degree programs through NCCU Online. These programs provide a flexible and convenient way to earn or complete a degree and advance a career. Some of the online bachelor's degree programs include:
- Behavioral and Social Sciences, B.S.
- Criminal Justice (Vance-Granville Community College), B.S.
- Criminal Justice, B.S.
- Early Childhood Education B-K, B.S.
- Elementary Online (Literacy), B.A.
- Elementary Online Second Degree Program, B.A.
- Health Administration, B.S.
- Middle Grades Education Online (6-9), B.A.
- Middle Grades Education Online 2nd degree, B.A.
- Psychology, B.S.
- Public Health Education Online, B.S.
- Online Bachelors in Business Administration, B.B.A.
Traditional Bachelor's Degree Programs
In addition to the online offerings, NCCU provides a wide range of traditional bachelor's degree programs, including:
- Environmental and Geographic Sciences, B.S.
- Flight Path Program B.S. Hospitality & Tourism Administration, B.S.
- Information Technology, Flight Path Program B.S.
- Kinesiology, B.S.
- Nutrition and Dietetics, B.S.
- Computer Science and Business, B.S.
- B.S. of Information Technology with a Concentration in Information, Communication and Technology, B.S.
- B.S. of Information Technology with a Concentration in Cybersecurity, B.S.
Dual Degree Programs
For students seeking a unique academic experience, NCCU offers dual-degree programs in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, Duke University, and North Carolina State University (N.C. State). In these programs, students attend NCCU for approximately three years and then transfer to one of the partner institutions for approximately two years. After completing the academic requirements of both institutions, students receive a bachelor's degree from NCCU and a designated bachelor's degree from the partner institution.
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The total study program at NCCU shall have a minimum number of hours equal to 3/4 (93 semester hours) of the total hours required by the university for the award of the bachelor’s degree. The student shall not be admitted to Georgia Tech,Duke University or N.C. State with full fourth-year standing until this requirement is met. The student pursuing the Dual Degree Program may be jointly enrolled at both institutions. He/she will remain on special standing at Georgia Tech, Duke or N.C. State until he/she meets the 3/4 requirement at NCCU. Special student standing will not prevent the student from enrolling in any course at Georgia Tech for which he/she has met the prerequisites.
To obtain the full fourth year standing the Dual Degree Program student must have, in addition to the 3/4 requirement at NCCU, the recommendation of the dean of his/her college or school and must have a grade point average and specified test results which would indicate that he/she could satisfactorily complete the degree requirements at Georgia Tech, Duke University or N.C. The Dual Degree Program student will be required to complete a Georgia Tech, Duke or N.C. State study program which equals the number of credit hours required of normal juniors and seniors enrolled in the standard curriculum for the particular degree being sought. If the official study program at Georgia Tech, Duke or N.C. State for the Dual Degree candidate includes free electives and the candidate has excessive hours of credit at NCCU, he/she may petition that these excess hours be used as transfer credit to Georgia Tech, Duke or N.C. State. Such transfer credit shall not exceed more than one-half of the official study program at Georgia Tech, Duke or N.C.
Graduate Programs: Mastering Your Path
The NCCU School of Graduate Studies offers over 30 graduate programs, catering to students seeking to pursue groundbreaking research or elevate their careers. These programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen fields. The NCCU School of Graduate Studies offers over 30 graduate programs, including our Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences and Ed.D. in Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision.
Certificates: Customizing Your Learning Experience
NCCU offers both for-credit and continuing education certificates, allowing students to customize their learning experience to fit their interests and needs. These certificates provide focused training in specific areas, enhancing students' skills and knowledge.
Distance Education: Learning Without Limits
NCCU offers a robust distance education program that provides students with the opportunity to choose from seven undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This program allows students to achieve a world-class education from any location, making it ideal for those with busy schedules or geographical limitations.
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The Division of Extended Studies is composed of four units: Distance Education and e-Learning, Continuing Education, Summer School and Special Students.
Research Institutes and Centers: Fostering Innovation
NCCU is home to several research institutes and centers that provide students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. These institutes and centers focus on a wide range of areas, including biomedical research, biomanufacturing, homeland security, and dispute resolution.
Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI)
NCCU's Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI) is comprised of researchers from multiple disciplines that investigate mechanisms of disease and health issues that disproportionately affect minority and underserved populations. The JLC-BBRI is in a 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building supporting faculty, research scientists, staff, and students who are focused on (1) cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, (2) neuroscience, (3) cancer, and (4) nutrition.
Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE)
The Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) Center of Excellence is part of NCBioImpact, a state initiative for workforce development. BRITE’s mission is to provide the biomanufacturing industry with skilled scientists who are prepared for careers in biopharmaceutical science and management. The pharmaceutical sciences degree is now available through the College of Arts and Sciences. This program was approved by UNC-GA in 2007 and offers B.S., M.S and Ph.D. BRITE has 10 tenure-track faculty members and 39 staff members. Research programs at BRITE include drug discovery and drug biomanufacturing initiatives. BRITE faculty members’ research interests include diabetes, cancer, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. BRITE is home to a library of more than 300,000 small molecular compounds that are used in research and drug discovery. BRITE provides research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at NCCU.
Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change (ICESC)
The Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change (ICESC) was created in 2006 to increase the level and effectiveness of civic engagement on the campus and in the surrounding community. Voter empowerment includes all levels of voter participation, including registration to vote, voter education, voter turnout, and election-protection initiatives. The institute supports the work of the student-led Civic Engagement Task Force and other student organizations on NCCU’s campus. Policy issues are promoted and publicized through the institute, which sponsors forums, panel discussions, and analyses. The institute aims to highlight the impact that specific policies have quality of life.
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Institute for Homeland Security and Workforce Development
The Department of Criminal Justice at North Carolina Central University created the Institute for Homeland Security and Workforce Development to help communities educate emergency personnel and citizens about homeland security and disaster preparedness. Evidence-based research is a major cornerstone of institute programming. In addition to conducting seminars and classes, the institute engages in ongoing research to examine and provide intelligence-gathering resources for law enforcement and to improve emergency preparedness for organizations across the state.
Dispute Resolution Institute
The mission of the Dispute Resolution Institute at NCCU School of Law is to advance the theory and practice of dispute resolution in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation between individuals and groups in conflict. The legal system’s increasing resort to non-adversarial methods of resolving legal disputes is not simply dissatisfaction with litigation but reflects a broader and growing interest in finding new ways to respond to conflict. The Dispute Resolution Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum open to all NCCU Law students. Students who complete at least 12 DRI courses credits may receive a certificate or an advanced certificate, in dispute resolution.
Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI)
The Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI) was established in 1999 by Senate Bill 399. JJI works in collaboration with other juvenile justice agencies and programs to influence juvenile justice policies and practices through research and technical assistance. JJI affords criminal justice majors experiential activities in the community that give them an opportunity to use their academic knowledge to address real community problems.
Center for Science, Math, and Technology Education (CSMTE)
The Center for Science, Math, and Technology Education (CSMTE), was established by the Board of Trustees in February 2005 with Dr. Sandra L. Other programs under the umbrella of the center are designed to reinforce and nurture students’ research experiences and competitiveness in the sciences during the college years (e.g. MARC, NASA, BBRI Cancer Program, and BRITE). The center has provided technical assistance to the Uganda Prisons Service, UNAFRI (United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders) and supports other international outreach efforts. The center houses the NCREAP (North Carolina Re-Entry Action Project), an advocacy initiative to support the re-entry of individuals back into their communities after incarceration.
Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST)
The National Science Foundation-designated Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology - Computational Center for Fundamental and Applied Science and Education is based on five interdisciplinary research projects: nanotechnology, nuclear physics, hypernuclear physics, robotics, geophysics, and seed projects that have as the common component advanced computational methods. In addition to the primary mission of the CREST Center, which is to carry out cutting-edge fundamental and applied research, an equally important goal is development of novel cross-disciplinary undergraduate and graduate educational programs at NCCU. CREST remains current with fundamental advances in science and research opportunities for faculty, postdoctoral fellows and students. Stipends, tuitions, travel funds, summer internships, seminars, and tutoring for undergraduate and graduate students are provided.
NASA University Research Center for Aerospace Devices Research and Education (NASA-CADRE)
The NASA University Research Center for Aerospace Devices Research and Education (NASA-CADRE) provides a framework for competitive, multi-disciplinary science, and engineering research that will advance NASA science programs. The center combines state-of-the-art research and development to meet technological challenges, leverages newly developed experimental techniques, and theoretical methods to meet confluence of needs in the scientific community and industry for advanced sensing systems, fabrication of new materials, design of new devices, understanding of fundamental astrophysical processes, and address some of the most important questions in modern astronomy, physics, and materials science. NASA University Research Center’s overall mission is to leverage our strong theoretical and experimental programs to advance the frontiers of fundamental and applied research while educating a new cadre of STEM students. The Center provides opportunities for students to participate in research at NASA centers, National Laboratories, and to have internships at domestic and international collaborative research and industrial institutions and universities. The center provides research infrastructure and opportunities, stipends, tuitions, and travel funds for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, the program provides or sponsors standardized test prep workshops, trips to health care agencies, medical centers, medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health schools and colleges as well as scheduling networking opportunities, recruitment seminars, and clinical shadowing throughout the academic year. Julius L.
Academic Resources and Support
NCCU provides a range of academic resources and support services to help students succeed. These resources include:
- Undergraduate/Graduate Council details
- Academic action forms
- Personalized guidance
- Innovative programs
- A supportive community
A Community-Engaged University
NCCU is identified as a Community Engaged Institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university is committed to offering flexible, top-ranked programs for adult learners, those returning to college after an absence, and those who desire online or in-person options.
Athletics
NCCU student-athletes are part of 15 Division I programs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
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