Arcadia University

Yes, AU has online classes and online degrees — most of which are in the field of education. 

AU offers one online bachelor’s degree completion program in preK-4 education and three online master’s degrees that are primarily in education, including literacy studies and mathematics education. Additionally, AU offers two online doctoral degrees in physical therapy and several online graduate certificates.

AU is a good school because it has earned accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. MSCHE periodically reviews AU’s business practices and academic programming before it renews and confers accreditation. AU's accreditation demonstrates that its financial policies are ethical and it consistently provides rigorous, high quality education. It also means students can transfer credits from one accredited school to another.

OnlineU only includes accredited online universities on its site. 

Federal data provided by the U.S. Department of Education shows that AU has a 68% graduation rate, which is higher than the 57% midpoint for all four-year schools. This indicates that AU may be a good choice because students who enroll have a high likelihood of graduating with their degrees. AU supports its distance learners by providing remote access to its Learning Resource Network, writing center, and career services.

AU is known for providing a curriculum rooted in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) values. In support of these efforts, Arcadia developed the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action (CASAA) in 2021 as an interdisciplinary academic center that brings together individuals from the university and the local and broader communities to combat racism and promote social justice. CASAA aims to pursue research, build community, and provide resources.

It’s unclear whether there’s a general minimum GPA requirement at AU. However, each degree program may have its own minimum GPA requirements for enrollment. For example, students interested in the online preK4 program need a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered for enrollment. In general, it's always the best practice to speak to an enrollment advisor who can help you through the process. 

It is fairly easy to get into AU, as it accepts 74% of applicants. While AU considers entrance exam scores, they are not required. However, the student who are admitted into AU generally have combined SAT scores between 1030 and 1230 and ACT scores between 20 and 28.

Applying to college always requires planning to ensure you have enough time to get what you need to submit together. AU’s requirements for first-year students generally require the following:

• An online application 
• A $50 application fee
• Official high school transcripts or the equivalent
• Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
• Military transcripts, if applicable
• At least one letter of recommendation from a school counselor or academic instructor

Optional items are as follows:

• SAT/ACT scores
• A college essay
• A list of activities that can help when applying for a merit scholarship

If you’re still undecided, explore our list of the most popular online schools.