North Carolina Central University is the nation's first public liberal arts institution founded for African Americans. The mission of the university is to prepare students academically and professionally to become leaders who will advance the consciousness of social responsibility in a diverse, global society. While continuing to serve its traditional clientele of African American students, NCCU has broadened its commitment to meet the educational needs of a student body in a diverse educational and cultural environment, and it vigorously recruits and strives to diversify its enrollment.

NCCU seeks to encourage intellectual productivity and to enhance the academic and professional skills of its students and faculty. Although the university continues to maintain its strong liberal arts tradition, today it is a comprehensive university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to baccalaureate and master's degrees in its colleges of Liberal Arts, Science and Technology, Behavioral and Social Sciences and its schools of Business, Education, and Library and Information Sciences, and a professional degree in the School of Law.

The primary focus of NCCU is teaching. The university recognizes, however, the mutually reinforcing impact of research and service on effective teaching and learning, and encourages and expects faculty and students to engage in scholarly, creative, and service activities that benefit the community.

NCCU is located in Durham (population: 218,000), one of the three cities anchoring the internationally renowned Research Triangle Park. Highlights of Durham's highly diversified economy include medical innovation and high technology.

Core values

• Excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and creativity
• Access to education and effective development opportunities
• Promotion of citizenship, service, and social justice
• Appreciation of and respect for diverse perspectives
• Superb customer service
• Commitment to life-long learning

NCCU distance education programs are offered through various media—videoconferencing, Internet, face-to-face, and, soon, television so that your learning can fit conveniently into your professional and personal schedule. Through NCCU Distance Education, you will receive a level of personal attention and individualized support not found in many traditional programs. Remember that online learning is not easy. Your professor will demand at least the same quality of work as well as number of hours as would be required from you in face-to-face classroom.

Many of our distance education students have family, work, and other responsibilities that may not allow them to come to our campus regularly because of schedule, location, or time limitations. Distance education helps to fulfill NCCU's mission by offering certificates and degree programs that meet the needs of a diverse group of students. Our faculty members are committed to serving your learning needs and can be reached by email, fax, phone, or other web-based technologies. Online learning is convenient- you rarely, if ever, have to commute to campus, and you can attend class at your convenience—either early in the morning, late at night, or anytime in-between. Just remember, no matter when you decide to study, your professor will hold you accountable to meet course deadlines and follow instructions on assignments—so study hard, and have a great term!