OVERVIEW

Grand Canyon University is a for-profit liberal arts college in the United States. Owned by Grand Canyon Education, the university if a Christian one providing both campus and online learning programs for undergraduate and graduate students. It has an enrollment of about 40,000 students at present.

The university was founded in 1949 as a nonprofit higher education institution, and was purchased by Grand Canyon Education in 2004, as suffering existential financial and other difficulties. Since then, it has been a for-profit college, and the first for-profit Christian college in the States as well. Its original campus is located in Prescott, Arizona, and it relocated to the present campus in Phoenix in 1951.

The university offers certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctorate programs. Before graduation, students are required to take some basic courses including arts, foreign languages, sciences, humanities, history, mathematics, social science, English, and philosophy.

The mission of Grand Canyon University is:

Grand Canyon University prepares learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian heritage. The curriculum at GCU is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed in the contemporary job market. Students are challenged to develop these tools and to push their intellectual limits in order to become successful in their careers. In addition, the curriculum fosters personal discovery so that students realize within themselves the elements of compassion and accountability. A uniquely important element of the GCU mission statement is the defining attribute of its Christian heritage. The GCU community defines its culture by the way its members reflect a committed relationship with Christ and creates the GCU experience in a manner that reflects His teachings to support students and graduates through a successful life journey. These normative Christian values are integral to the development, maturity, and education of ethical and morally respectable citizens who continue on the path of life-long learning. Each element or objective of the GCU mission statement is uniquely addressed in the GCU curriculum and by the GCU culture, which shapes a rich learning environment from which students graduate with professional and life skills. When learners graduate from GCU, our expectation is that they will be global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders.

ACCREDITATION

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, and is also accredited by Arizona State Private Post-Secondary Education. In addition, some other accreditations are conducted on the programs it offers.

ACADEMICS

The university comprises seven colleges:

1. College of Arts & Sciences
2. College of Theology
3. College of Doctoral Studies
4. College of Education
5. College of Fine Arts and Production
6. Ken Blanchard College of Business
7. College of Nursing

The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:

1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
2. Business Administration and Management
3. Human Resources Management and Services
4. Elementary Education and Teaching
5. Psychology

Grand Canyon University was recognized as a top 5 online colleges and universities for entrepreneurs by Fortune.

As a Christian college, Grand Canyon University provides a quality education from the context of the Christian heritage for both traditional students and working professionals as well. Ministry works as an important component of the students’ experience. A variety of experience is provided to strengthen the faith of the students, and help them make friends with others who share the same values and live out their faith.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Application to Grand Canyon University needs to be done online. With a registered online account, applicants can submit their application with the information required. As GCU is a less selective college, once your application is submitted online, further steps will be informed when the Enrollment Counselor gets in touch with you.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

The tuition and fees for the 2011-2012 academic year is USD 16,500, and it takes about USD 12,000 for room and board on average.

At Grand Canyon University, need-based financial aids are available for all full-time students.  And students can also choose Title IV Stafford Loans or payment plans. Besides, various grants and scholarships are offered ourside of the institution as well.