Post University

First established in 1890 as the Matoon Shorthand School in central Connecticut, Post University has evolved into a major for-profit private higher learning institution owned by Post Education Incorporated. From its main physical 58-acre suburban campus in Waterbury, Post delivers a wide array of daytime, evening, and online programs. Courses can also be taken at satellite centers in Wallingford and Danbury. Annually, Post University enrolls around 7,300 students. According to the Noel-Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey (ASPS), Post scored 13 percent higher than the national average on student satisfaction. Post University offers a student-faculty ratio of 23:1 for a small, close-knit classroom community.

With a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, Post has received several notable nods of online learning recognition. The U.S. News and World Report ranked Post University as having the 119th best online bachelor's programs and 174th best online graduate education degrees in the United States. GI Jobs magazine has consistently selected Post as a "Military Friendly School." Military Times EDGE also ranked Post #8 in its Best Colleges for Vets list. Post University has maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau with five years of continuous accreditation. The Connecticut Quality Improvement Award (CQIA) Partnership granted Post the 2015 Silver Innovation Prize too.

Post University Accreditation Details

At the institutional level, Post University is formally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), one of six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Post is licensed by the Connecticut Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education. Discipline-specific accreditations have been pursued by several academic departments. For instance, business degrees have approval from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Teaching degrees meet the standards of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).

Post University Application Requirements

Due to Post's selective acceptance rate of 63 percent, incoming graduate students will need to fulfill certain criteria before enrollment. Online master's students must already hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college. Having a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 is preferred, but significant work experience can override low grades. Applicants with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 will need five or more years of experience. GRE scores aren't mandatory, yet they'll be reviewed in admissions decisions. The School of Education gives preference to teachers with valid state certification. International learners must obtain a minimum iBT score of 80 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS.

Prior to the August 1st, December 1st, and April 1st deadlines, interested graduates looking to enroll in an online master's program at Post University must send the following documents:

• Completed graduate application form
• Official sealed transcripts from each college
• Two letters of recommendation
• A current resume or CV
• One-page personal interests essay
• Graduate entrance exam scores
• Payment for the $40 application fee (if not waived)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online tuition at Post University varies from program to program. Most undergraduate programs cost $570 per credit hour, but associate's and bachelor's degrees in education are just $505 per credit hour. Online master's degrees in education will cost $570 per credit hour. Certain online graduate certificates are available at $730 per credit hour. For the 33-credit online M.Ed., students can expect to spend an estimated total of $18,810 in tuition. Billing is done online through the Office of Student Accounts with flexible monthly payment plan options available. Extra costs like books, supplies, and fees aren't included.

For help covering these expenses, 54 percent of Post University students receive some form of financial assistance. After filing a FAFSA form, financially needy learners could receive free money through the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Connecticut residents may qualify for the College Access Grant, Capitol Scholarship, or Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver. Minority educators should apply for the Grant/Weisman Teacher Scholarship. Borrowing money via Perkins, Stafford, Direct, and Grad PLUS loans should be pursued carefully to minimize debt. Veterans tuition benefits are readily available through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Scholarships are also abundant, such as the Honors Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, J.P. Morgan Chase Scholarship, Malcolm Baldridge Scholarship, and All One Family Scholarship.

Online Degree(s) Available

Post University is highly regarded for delivering student-focused, career-driven education online with 24/7 technical support. Currently, there are 22 online master's programs available with flexible eight-week sessions to fit any working professional's busy schedule. Online students at Post benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with industry experts in an engaging virtual classroom. Education majors can pursue the following online master's degrees:

M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology

Centered on the billion dollar e-learning industry, the M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology program at Post gives graduates the technical tools to provide integrative online learning experiences. The 33-credit program is ideal for classroom teachers, higher education faculty, museum educators, corporate trainers, and instructional technology specialists. Students take online coursework in learning measurement, digitally mediated teaching, cognitive science, educational technology, computer instruction, and diverse learning. A culminating master's research capstone is mandatory.

M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration

The M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration program is delivered fully online for Post University graduate students seeking to build the specialized knowledge and strategies to lead post-secondary education services. Individuals explore various higher education delivery models to facilitate better college recruitment, retention, and graduation. Within the 33-credit curriculum, students will uncover pressing administrative issues involved in teaching traditional and non-traditional learners on university campuses. Most students finish the program, including the applied capstone, in 30 months.

M.Ed. in TESOL Education

For today's increasingly diverse K-12 classrooms, the M.Ed. in TESOL Education program is available fully online at Post to prepare teachers for bridging cultural borders and teaching English as a second language. Educators are trained in language pedagogy, language acquisitions, learning assessment, and TESOL teaching methodologies to teach multicultural youth. Graduates of the 33-credit program better understand how diversity impacts student achievement to enhance multi-lingual learning. In the final term, teachers will engage in action-oriented educational research studying aspects of literacy.

Teachers may also be interested in pursuing the online B.S. in Child Studies, General M.Ed., Graduate Certificate in Educational Administration, or Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching from Post University.