NU Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Accelerate Your Degree with Norwich
We've created the NU Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to make it easy for you to find answers to the top questions we receive from prospective students. If your questions are not answered here, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable admissions advisors.
NU Online Frequently Asked Questions
Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100,
Burlington, MA, 01803-4514
Phone: (781) 425-7785
E-Mail: info@neche.org
No. You will receive the official, traditional diploma of Norwich University.
Our programs are delivered through a state-of-the-art, online learning platform that allows you to access program content, contribute to class discussions, and communicate with faculty and other students at any time from anywhere in the world. Assignment due dates are fixed and spread out over the weeks of the course or seminar. Throughout your program, you’ll have access to 24/7 help desk support in case you encounter any technical issues with our virtual classroom experience.
Our programs are designed for working adults who need to balance their studies with the demands of work and home. You should plan to spend an average of 20 hours per week on coursework, although some students may find it takes them less time while others will need more. Our students find time for their studies at opportune moments throughout the day: after their children’s bedtime, before the family gets up in the morning, during spare moments at the office, or while waiting in an airport. Many students find their cohort to be a tremendous source of support with regard to managing their time and course load. Weekly discussions play out on discussion boards and can be contributed to at any time during the week. Your instructor and student services advisor will help keep you on track.
Below is a visual sample plan that can provide guidance on how your online coursework may fit into your life.
As an adult learner, you bring a lot to the table. And at Norwich, we take your experience seriously. If you have credit from previous college coursework, credit for prior learning, have earned certifications or have accumulated training experience, there are many options available! Learn more at the links below.
Norwich University complies with VA regulations and guidelines as they pertain to transfer credits.
Please visit the Tuition Information page to see the most current tuition and related fees for each of our degree programs, or contact one of our admissions advisors. We also provide resources to help you explore financial aid options, scholarships and special tuition pricing for military service members, military spouses, Veteran's, and first responders.
Yes. Norwich University alumni and their spouses, parents, and children are eligible to receive our Alumni Scholarship for any of Norwich's online master's degrees and graduate-level certificates (except for the Certificate of Teaching and Learning). The scholarship is awarded for each term of enrollment at $425 per term and is applicable only toward tuition costs.
Loans, grants, Veterans benefits, and scholarships are available for the bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degree programs. U.S. citizens and permanent residents have full access to federal financial aid, though students are encouraged to first seek tuition assistance from their employers.
The online application through FAFSA can be completed within an hour and signed digitally with your PIN. Once your FAFSA application is completed, our bursar’s office will do the rest. Many students take advantage of the unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, regardless of their income level. Veterans benefits such as the Montgomery GI Bill® are also accepted as tuition payment. See the financial aid section for the most current information.
For more information please visit: Paying for your Education
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Many employers offer professional development benefits to offset the cost of a degree or certificate program. Check with your supervisor or human resources department to learn more about the benefits available at your organization.
Master’s degree programs begin four times a year and bachelor's programs have six starts.
Please reference our Academic Calendar for a list of upcoming admissions dates by program, or check with your admissions advisor to determine when you will be able to start.
To apply for one of our programs, fill out our online application or speak with one of our admissions advisors to get started.
Online students are not provided with student IDs at this time. Students can request enrollment confirmation through the Registrar’s office by calling 802-485-2035 or by emailing registrargrad@norwich.edu.
A student services advisor will assist you during your time at Norwich Online. Your advisor will remain your point of contact throughout your program and will help you access on-campus services. You will also be able to work closely with the bursar and financial aid offices, the Kreitzberg Library, the help desk for any issues within the online learning environment, and the Career Services Center.
Learn more about the student support services that are available.
The College of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Norwich University is committed to providing an accessible academic community. We welcome qualified students with disabilities and offer accommodations and services to students with a wide range of documented disabilities including mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory or physical disabilities. If you are a student with a disability, connect with our ADA Coordinator and we will engage you in an interactive process to provide you with an equal opportunity to partake in, contribute to, and benefit from our rich academic programs.
Accessibility and ADA contact information can be located here.
In order for the Norwich University Online programs to run quickly and efficiently, your computer must meet certain minimum hardware and software requirements, which are linked to below. If your system does not meet or barely meets the minimum requirements, the online learning software may run slowly or not at all.
While there is no “typical online student” at Norwich University, our approximately 1,200 current students do share our passion for public service and are committed to furthering their field and contributing positively to their community. The majority are working adults with busy schedules and a strong desire to increase their knowledge and skills.
Our student body is diverse and global in nature, logging in from 6 of the world’s 7 continents on any given day. Our programs benefit from our graduate students’ array of professional settings: from small start-ups, large corporations, prominent NGOs, federal government, smaller municipalities, and everything in between. About 30% of the enrollment in our master's programs has a military affiliation.
There are no residency requirements for our degree programs.
When personal and professional circumstances get in the way of one's studies, Norwich University understands that you may need to step out and resume your studies at a different time. When a temporary leave is necessary, our student services advisors and faculty will work with students to find a solution that accommodates their situation and maintains the integrity of their studies.
We provide a flexible environment for our students, and our student services advisors help to ensure that students complete their degrees on time.
Contact your Student Support Advisor to more information on leaving and returning to your program.
We are always exploring the possibility of new offerings and degree programs, but at this time, we have no plans to offer degrees above the master’s level.
The academic rules and regulations may be found in the Online Programs Catalog.
Once you have submitted a completed application package (you could link to the admissions page there if you wanted), you will receive an admissions decision within 4 business days.
If admitted, you will receive more information on next steps in the enrollment process, including assignment to a Student Support Advisor.
Dual enrollment in Norwich’s graduate programs is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and is not typically something we suggest. However, we offer options allowing students to seamlessly transition from one graduate program to another by providing accelerated track options.