Frequently Asked Questions

NUVHS is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Unlike public schools, NUVHS receives no government funding. NUVHS is a tuition-based institution dedicated to providing a quality education to all students. Tuition ranges from $310 to $395 per course depending on the format. Please refer to the NUVHS Textbook List to determine if your course requires the purchase (or rental) of a traditional hard copy textbook. Students are responsible for costs associated with course required textbooks. Some online courses require a $60 Materials Fee. Please refer to the current NUVHS Course Approval Chart for a list of specific courses. For all NUVHS students, there is a non-refundable admissions application fee of $60. NUVHS offers scholarships for individual students. For current tuition rates and scholarship opportunities please click here.

Yes. Committed to the provision of quality programs for students, NUVHS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and AdvancEd. NUVHS has also received approval from the University of California (UC) as an online course provider and has numerous individual course approvals for “a-g” college entrance requirements. All core courses and the diploma are approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

As an online high school NUVHS completed a two-step process for UC approval of “a-g” coursework. The school was first approved as an online course provider in 2008, allowing part time students to complete coursework with NUVHS and transfer courses to their primary high schools in order to meet “a-g” requirements. The second step involved submitting each individual course for approval. NUVHS has received “a-g” approval for 39 semester courses and has re-submitted coursework each year for additional approvals. Meeting “a-g” requirements ensures that students are academically prepared for college level coursework and have a strong foundation across all subject areas. To view NUVHS’ “a-g” approved courses please see the Course Approval chart on the right hand side of this page.

NUVHS received approval for all core courses from the NCAA in early 2009, allowing student athletes to meet initial eligibility requirements for participation in college athletics. NUVHS was approved for all core courses and the diploma. To view the list of NCAA approved courses, please visit the page for NCAA approved courses.

By taking online courses students can study where, how and when they want. Courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The typical NUVHS student spends between 12 and 15 hours per week to complete a variety of lectures, assignments, discussion boards, quizzes and projects. While work can be completed in a flexible format, all required work must be completed on or before the published term end date.

If the trouble is related to course content, students should contact their instructor via email using the “Email” tab at the top of their course homepage. Instructors respond within 24-48 hours. If the trouble seems to be technical, students may contact the online help desk at (888) 892-9095 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The online help desk services are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. All other questions should be directed to our administrative offices at 866-366-8847 or [email protected].

Yes. All NUVHS courses are completed for credit and evidence of such can be provided in the form of an academic transcript. Five credits are awarded for each NUVHS course, the equivalent to a traditional high school semester-length class. Full-time NUVHS students earn credit towards their diploma by following the graduation requirements as stated in the Student/Parent Handbook. The NUVHS Student Services Team will assist part-time students and their parents in completing the transfer of credit from NUVHS to the student’s primary high school. However, it is strongly recommended that students obtain written approval from their primary high school before beginning an NUVHS course since each district or school sets their own policies for course transfer.

Many students enroll with NUVHS as part-time students, hoping to complete one or two courses to raise a low grade or complete a course that is not available onsite at their primary high school. Courses completed with NUVHS meet California and national standards and can often be transferred from NUVHS to the student’s primary high school for credit. In order to see if your student’s high school accepts NUVHS courses in transfer, please meet with a counselor at the primary high school to have the Course Transferability Verification form completed. This form is available here.

Part-time students usually take only one to two courses at any given time, depending on their current academic schedule at their primary school and their extracurricular commitments. On average, a full-time NUVHS student will take twelve courses per academic year in order to meet graduation requirements. Full-time student schedules are determined on an individual basis and may vary. Students should be cognizant of the high level of work required in NUVHS courses as well as the term end date when choosing courses to complete.

The student or their parent/guardian must notify an NUVHS administrator of the student's intent to withdraw via email or telephone. Instructors cannot process student withdrawals. The NUVHS administrative staff and instructors are available to assist students and their parent/guardian in exploring alternatives that may allow the student to successfully complete the course in lieu of withdrawing. Refund calculations are based on the date and time a parent/guardian informs NUVHS of their intent to withdraw his/her student from an NUVHS class. More information regarding the NUVHS refund policy may be found here.

All NUVHS courses are academically rigorous and considered college preparatory and will cover an entire semester’s worth of material. As such, it is important that students understand the need to set aside time to not only engage with their instructor but complete all of the required assignments. A complete summary of Grade Eligibility Agreement is available as a downloadable document on this page.

Yes. California credentialed teachers work closely with students in each course to provide guidance and frequent feedback as students’ progress through the curriculum. NUVHS teachers are content area experts in the fields that they teach and many are classroom teachers during the day. Teachers are available by email when students have questions or they can arrange a time for a live phone conference or online chat. Emails are generally returned within 24-48 hours.

NUVHS courses all have assignments that students upload right in the course. These assignments are received, graded and returned to the student by the teacher who also posts the student’s grade to an online gradebook. Courses also contain quizzes, tests, discussion boards and a culminating project.

The majority of NUVHS courses are available. Student-Teacher communication occurs regularly within the internal course messaging tool. Additionally, students can arrange a time for a live phone conference or online chat. Please keep in mind that teacher response time is 24 to 48 hours Monday-Friday PST, excluding holidays.

Asynchronous discussions, or "threaded discussions," are intended for students to post messages at their leisure, or as otherwise instructed by their teacher. Synchronous discussions, or online "chats" are intended for all students and their instructor to be present to communicate in "real time."

If a student cannot log into an online course, she or he should contact the NUVHS help desk directly at (888) 892-9095 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The help desk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students may also contact NUVHS student services at (866) 366-8847 or via e-mail at [email protected]between 7am and 12 midnight PST every day.

Upon enrollment at NUVHS, each student will be assigned a unique nine-digit student ID number and six-digit password. Students have the ability to change their passwords but cannot change the student ID. This will serve as their unique identifier throughout their enrollment with NUVHS. Students who are having problems with their passwords can contact the administrative offices at (866) 366-8847 or via e-mail at [email protected].

For convenience, there is a "Login" button on the NUVHS homepage. Students may also access their classes from any page on the website by clicking on "Login" located in the top right of each website page. Students also receive this link in their first day of enrollment and NUVHS recommends bookmarking this page for future reference.

Yes, accommodations can be made to meet the student’s learning needs. NUVHS requires that students who have a documented disability submit their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan to the Associate Director of Education for review prior to their enrollment.

National University Virtual High School (NUVHS) offers a wide range of options for students. At NUVHS, students can complete a semester course in as little as four weeks or as many as 18 weeks. Students can catch up on missed credits, take a subject not offered at their traditional school, improve their technology skills, solve a scheduling conflict, try a different method of learning, or supplement their learning activities if they are homeschooled or temporarily home bound. Full-time students at NUVHS can focus on a few subjects at a time – while still covering the classes they need in the school year. NUVHS is also a convenient option for amateur athletes and actors who need to complete their education in a flexible environment in order to meet demanding schedules.

Successful completion of a NUVHS college-prep or AP course requires that students have continuous access to a desktop or laptop computer with high-speed Internet access, preferably in the home. If students don't have a computer with reliable Internet access at home, they can use computers at their primary high school, public library, internet cafes and community centers. NUVHS online courses can’t be completed using an iPad or smart phone.

Early registration is strongly encouraged so that students are able to begin their classes with the appropriate textbooks and materials. This is particularly important due to the accelerated format of NUVHS courses. Please refer to the NUVHS Textbook List to determine if your course requires the purchase (or rental) of a traditional hard copy textbook. Students are responsible for costs associated with course required textbooks. Some online courses require a $60 Materials Fee. Please refer to the current NUVHS Course Approval Chart for a list of specific courses.