Frequently Asked Questions

Grantham University was founded in 1951 by WWII Veteran Donald Grantham, whose desire was to help fellow veterans improve their lives through higher education. Learn more about Grantham’s history.

Yes, Grantham University has been nationally accredited since 1961 by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Grantham also has programmatic accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), as well as from ABET, and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In addition, Grantham is recognized by or aligned nationally with higher education and professional groups. Read more about our accreditations and affiliations.

We offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels in fields such as business, nursing, allied health, criminal justice, engineering technology, and computer science and more. All courses and programs exist completely online, in a convenient and flexible format.

Every course at Grantham University is 100% online, and most courses start monthly and last eight weeks. Students sign in (via our student portal) to the popular learning management system Blackboard Learn, where they participate in discussions with classmates, submit assignments and take exams. There is no one required time to attend class, and students complete work on their own schedule. Students must have regular access to a computer with these requirements and specifications.

Everything an incoming student needs to apply to Grantham University is addressed on our website’s admissions section. Our admissions experts are also available via live chat, email or phone call. Students should expect a simple and efficient process, with no SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT or standardized test requirements for admission.

Prospective students are responsible for reporting all previously attended colleges and universities for which they wish to have earned credits evaluated for transfer into a Grantham University degree program. Students wishing to transfer credit must have official transcripts on file and evaluated prior to course registration. Students/alumni seeking a copy of their official transcripts from Grantham can order the transcripts through our Transcript Ordering Center.

Yes. Grantham University evaluates learning inside and outside the classroom – including previous college courses, corporate or military training, certifications and more – to help students save time and money in earning their Grantham degree. In order to see if you are eligible for transfer credit based on prior education you will need to submit transcripts for evaluation. This includes your JST if you are a military student. For a Prior Learning Assessment to see if your experience outside the classroom is eligible, your student advisor can guide you through that process. More information on our transfer credit policies and procedures.

At Grantham University, we work to keep costs as low as possible for students. At $295/credit hour for undergrads and $350/credit hour for grad students, our tuition rate is lower than many other institutions. For qualifying students, a special military (or civil servant) rate reduces costs further, while additional scholarship and grant opportunities can also keep costs down for select students. Grantham is also approved to offer Federal Student (financial) Aid.

Grantham University helps veterans maximize their Veterans Administration benefits, and active duty and reserve service members make the most of their Tuition Assistance benefits. Grantham’s military programs for active duty service members, veterans and military spouses also include a textbook and software grant, among other benefits. Additionally, Grantham offers a $250/credit hour discounted military and veteran rate.

Grantham University is proud to offer numerous legacy, memorial and partner scholarships. The scholarships range from industry/school specific (e.g., business or nursing students), to those for military students or government employees. On a related note, Grantham partners with associations, community groups and corporations of all types to offer their member-students tuition discounts and other benefits.

For IT or technical help, visit our Technical Frequently Asked Questions page.

Yes, Grantham University accepts all students who qualify, including those living inside or outside the United States or its properties. In short, there are no restrictions on citizenship, residency or status. However, prospective Grantham students with secondary or previous education in a foreign country must demonstrate English language proficiency. And any foreign transcripts (high school, college, etc.) must be evaluated by an authorized party.

The length of time to earn a degree from Grantham University depends on many factors, including (but not limited to) the level of degree, amount of hours in the program, and whether the student persists without any “breaks” from one term to the next. Transfer credits, of course, can shorten the process. Speak with an admissions advisor who can help you determine the length of the program you are interested in.

Grantham’s primary goal is student success. We want all of our students to do well in class, and to graduate, so they can achieve their goals. Our Student Advisors provide a high level of support starting prior to your first day in class and then on a minimum of a weekly or bi-weekly check in after you start. Our instructors will provide you individual support or access to resources you need. In addition, Grantham offers 24/7 tutoring in many classes, at no additional cost. Our dedicated career services staff are experts in helping create ideal job candidates and will begin working with you during your program and continue to support your job search needs after graduation.

Yes, the catalog and student handbook are accessible online to everyone. This catalog contains information on Grantham’s background, as well as policies, procedures, program information and course descriptions. It is an essential resource for students.

Students have the opportunity to experience abundant success after completing their Grantham education. Because Grantham is accredited, employers know that Grantham-educated applicants received proper academic and professional development training in school. Programs offered by the Mark Skousen School of Business at Grantham University have received accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).¹ This includes bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting, along with master’s degrees in business administration, business intelligence and performance improvement. IACBE accreditation ensures that these programs continuously meet quality standards, promote legal and ethical standards throughout, and have established strong career outcomes.

The Master of Business Administration in Project Management is also recognized and approved as a Registered Education Provider by the Project Management Institute (PMI)^®.² This designation is given to top project management programs that have gone through rigorous review and have met or exceeded the standards set by the PMI. Registered Education Provider status demonstrates a commitment to professional development and skill training of the PMI talent triangle—project management, leadership and strategy. In order to keep this designation, faculty must keep curriculum up to date with the latest PMI information and learning methods. Holding this accreditation means that students are able to become certified as a Project Management Professional^®.

In Grantham’s School of Nursing, undergraduate and graduate programs are both accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).³ The program provides a pathway for a registered nurse to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing program contains the following areas of emphasis for narrowing a career choice: case management, nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing management and organizational leadership.

Grantham University offers over 50 online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. All classes are offered through the Blackboard learning management system in an eight-week format. Many courses have monthly start dates and no scheduled class times. In other words, students can study when and where they choose.

Military service members can receive special benefits when pursuing a degree program at Grantham, including potential course credit for prior military experience. Tuition is available at just $250 per credit hour for active duty military students, veterans and their spouses and children (of any age). Plus, military students do not pay any technology or book fees. Grantham also offers a military-to-civilian transition program to help students with resume building and interviewing. For active military, tuition assistance has been approved for use at this institution.

After completing a Grantham University education, graduates are more likely to see salary increases and promotions in their careers. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree adds approximately $584⁴ to an employee's weekly paycheck when compared to employees who have only a high school diploma. Graduates with master’s degrees will typically advance in their career, gaining a competitive advantage with an accredited degree in a specialized field. Essentially, paying into an education now acts as an investment into a more exciting and lucrative career in the future.

Attending college is one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your future. When exploring where you want to apply, there are several factors to consider. First, see if the university has received accreditation from an established association. This includes regional and faith-based accreditation. Over 60 accrediting organizations are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Grantham and certain programs available through Grantham are currently recognized by the following accrediting bodies:

It is important for prospective students to determine what kind of values, outcomes and curriculum each institution can offer them. These should align with the student’s personal, academic and career aspirations. Grantham's mission is to provide relevant educational programs that are accessible from around the world. Our values include staying affordable, a commitment to diversity, honoring those who serve in the military and maintaining integrity.

Grantham University received its accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in 1961 and has maintained accreditation through reevaluation. According to the DEAC annual report from 2019, 92 percent of students achieved their learning goals and 93 percent would recommend Grantham University.⁵

Students are not given a computer or laptop from the university. Annual scholarships are available that can reduce tuition or cover the costs of academic material, such as computer hardware and software. There are additional ways to save on education costs, such as reduced rates for military and prior learning transfer credit.

It is recommended that students have a computer or laptop for primary educational use. The computer needs an updated Windows or Mac operating system (at least a Windows 8 or Mac OS 10.12 is required). Necessary software may include Adobe Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, Java Runtime Environment and an up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari. High-speed internet access of at least 1 Mbps is recommended, and in some courses, a webcam may be required.

While some course material is accessible on mobile devices, there may be incompatibility when working on assignments or taking quizzes. Other materials such as readings and online discussion boards are usually available on a range of devices.

E-books are typically used in Grantham courses and can be accessed on a variety of devices, including mobile phones and tablets. When pursuing computer engineering courses or similar programs that require computer applications, Windows OS tends to be most compatible. Students utilizing Apple products may have to install emulation software to run Windows apps. When taking exams at Grantham, students use a proctored online service that requires a webcam to monitor student behavior.

All course material is distributed through a learning management system. Grantham University uses the Blackboard environment. Students can log in and access course materials to aid in their studies, complete assignments and quizzes, and participate in discussion boards or chatrooms with other students.

Every university has their own rules and guidance for accepting transfer credit. At Grantham, students must submit official transcripts (transcripts that are sent from the institution itself) before registering for courses. Grantham also recognizes other forms of transfer credits, such as passing an equivalency exam to test out of specific courses, foreign transcripts after they are translated and evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, and military training recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Grantham University’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program may accept prior organized learning as transfer credit. Recognized prior learning includes sponsored and unsponsored education. Sponsored education is typically completed through a certification or training programs from an employer. Unsponsored education may include work such as internships or volunteering. Students can receive up to 25 percent of their credits from PLA. PLA and transfer credits can be used in tandem to account for no more than 75 percent of a degree program.

Prospective students must contact Grantham University to determine if their prior credit or learning experience can count toward their degree program. In some programs, no PLA credit is accepted. Once students submit documentation of the potential PLA credit, Grantham will decide whether the credits will be accepted and contact the student with the decision. Students can appeal the decision if needed. There are additional fees associated when submitting PLA credit.

Most students will not have a problem transferring general education credit from one institution to another. Unless there are specific or unique differences in the courses, general education courses are typically accepted at many institutions. The transfer eligibility for electives and major-specific courses may vary. There are some cases where students may transfer to a different school while pursuing the same major, but some courses still will not count toward the degree. Students should determine if there are specific grade requirements that need to be met in order to transfer courses. For example, a course completed with a D+ or lower will likely not be accepted by another institution.

It may also be helpful to look at institutions that have articulation agreements or affiliations with other schools or programs. This link creates a pathway for students to seamlessly transfer credits between schools.