Have questions about Villanova University's Graduate programs? We've got answers. Please review the list below, and if you don't find what you're looking for, simply fill out the form to the left and one of our knowledgeable representatives will contact you soon.
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Absolutely! Millions of working adults have already obtained or are currently pursuing their degrees online, and are reaping the benefits. Your degree will be issued by Villanova University, and you’ll receive the same diploma as campus-based graduates. Villanova partners with Bisk – the nation’s leading facilitator of e-learning programs – to deliver online courses using state-of-the-art technology on a flexible platform. You’ll learn from the same professors who teach on campus, and view their lectures via streaming video. You can also access your lessons on MP3 or MP4 for offline study. You’ll enjoy regular interactions with your instructors and classmates through course-specific message boards, live chat and email. And you’ll demonstrate your mastery of the program curriculum through assignments and exams.
No. There is no difference between a degree earned online and one earned on campus, and your diploma will not contain any reference to the online medium of study. Your degree is awarded based on your successful completion of academic requirements and is not dependent on physical location.
There are three methods by which you can apply: call a program representative, chat with a representative online or proceed directly to the online application. From your first point of contact, you will be paired with a program representative who will support you throughout your academic journey and help you achieve your goals. Your representative will answer your questions, guide you through the online application process, help you keep track of your required documentation, assist you in choosing your courses and ensure you are off to a successful start.
You can apply anytime; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Villanova’s online degree program consists of six eight-week terms, which means you can start classes in two months or less once you have been accepted to the program or admitted under non-matriculated or conditional status.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree, have relevant work experience, and meet the required academic standards, you can apply to a Villanova University online graduate degree program.
For specific details on the Master of Public Administration program’s admission requirements, including matriculated, non-matriculated and conditional non-matriculated admission types, click here.
For specific details on the Master of Science in HR Development program’s admission requirements, including matriculated, conditional matriculated, non-matriculated and conditional non-matriculated admission types, click here.
As a Villanova University online student, you will be assigned a program representative who can answer your questions, explain the academic requirements and help you choose your courses. You can contact your program representative by toll-free phone, fax, email or regular mail.
Your Villanova professors are available to answer questions via email, message boards and virtual office hours. You can also reach out to your classmates, who are experienced professionals like you. With dedicated message boards, live chat and email, you can form virtual study groups to help and support one another. Finally, you’ll also have access to online library materials and services through Villanova’s Falvey Memorial Library. These include electronic books, online reference sources, interlibrary loan services, electronic document delivery services, assistance from reference and research librarians, and more. For additional details, visit https://library.villanova.edu/.
Yes. All courses and exams are conducted over the Internet. You never have to set foot on campus – unless you choose to attend your Villanova graduation ceremony!
Villanova’s faculty will evaluate your performance based on exam grades as well as assignments, case studies and/or presentations that vary by class. All exams and projects will be completed and submitted online.
Villanova University’s online graduate courses can be accessed by a personal computer with a current Windows® or Mac operating system, Internet access and a web browser. Please click here to view the minimum system requirements and download any required software that is not currently installed on your PC.
When you enroll in each course, you can order all of your course materials such as textbook(s) through Bisk and have them shipped directly to your address of record. If you have any questions, your program representative will be able to assist you with your order.
Accreditation signifies that a university provides a quality postsecondary education according to a state approval agency or other accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These regional or national accrediting bodies develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer assessments to determine whether individual institutions meet those standards. Accreditation is your assurance that your degree will be recognized and respected by potential employers and accepted by graduate schools.
Yes – Villanova is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; see www.MSCHE.org for details. The university and its programs have also been accredited by many other agencies, including the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), AACSB International, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the National Catholic Education Association.
Yes. Villanova University accepts many financial aid programs, including federal financial aid, military tuition benefits and employer-sponsored tuition assistance. Please refer to the Tuition & Financial Aid section of this site for additional details.
Yes. Villanova’s Master of Public Administration and Master of Science in Human Resource Development degrees are approved by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA). You may also be eligible for military tuition assistance (TA). Refer to the Military Tuition Aid page for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact your program representative or the education coordinator within your military unit.
Yes. Many employers offer tuition assistance programs to help employees expand their skills and pursue a degree. These types of programs may cover all or a portion of your course tuition, books, fees and/or other materials. Your program representative can help you determine if your employer is one of the thousands who offer tuition assistance for Villanova’s online courses.
You may transfer up to six graduate credit hours from an accredited university. Acceptance of transfer credits is at the sole discretion of Villanova University. Potential transfer credits will be evaluated to determine if the course is equivalent to one of the required courses that make up the online master’s degree. See the MS in Human Resource Development curriculum or the Master of Public Administration curriculum for more information.
Yes. Upon completion of your degree program – including all required courses and comprehensive exam – you are welcome to join your ground-based counterparts for the graduation ceremony on Villanova University’s handsome 260-acre campus, which is located just 12 miles west of Philadelphia. The commencement ceremony is held in May of each year. Contact your program representative for details, including the date and location of the ceremony for your graduating class.
State agency contact information for student complaints/concerns:Click here to see a list of state agency contact information sorted by geographic location.
Students can review course textbooks and all required materials on this website. Click here to search for your books.
Students pursuing an MPA degree must pass a comprehensive exam in addition to successfully completing the required 12 courses.
Beyond completing the 10 required courses, all degree candidates must also pass either the SHRM Assurance of Learning assessment or the PHR/SPHR/GPHR certification exam. You do not have to wait until the end of your degree program to take any of these tests, so plan ahead and schedule accordingly.
Classes in the Villanova University HRD M.S. program are 30 hours per class of either Business Management and Strategy or International recertification credit toward your PHR, SPHR or GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). After you have successfully completed these courses, please contact Villanova's HRD program administrator to request Program ID numbers at gradhrdoffice@villanova.edu for your recertification forms. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org.
If you have a disability that requires a special accommodation in order to participate in an online course, you must identify yourself as a person with a disability and request an accommodation from the University. Please contact an enrollment representative to initiate the identification process. Your enrollment representative will provide further details about the process for receiving special accommodations from the University.
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