American Sentinel University is one of the first universities to offer courses completely online. Since it began in the late 1990s, American Sentinel has been a pioneer in distance education. The school was founded by Rick Oliver, the recently retired chancellor of Vanderbilt University, and several others with an interest in starting an institution of higher learning that offered flexibility to students. Much of the success of the college is due to Vanderbilt University where Dr. Oliver was a professor at the Owen Graduate School of Management.
In 2004, American Sentinel University moved to Denver and, in 2005, Sentinel University, an online nursing school, was founded. In addition, the American College for Computer Information Sciences in Birmingham, Alabama was acquired, forming American Sentinel University. The mission of the school was to provide innovative degree and certificate programs to enhance professional and civic lives of those who attended.
Today, the school offers 12 degrees in four areas which include nursing and healthcare, informatics, management and technology.
American Sentinel University Accreditation Details
American Sentinel University has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2006. This accreditation indicates that the university meets or exceeds standards set forth by the accrediting agency that indicate excellence in education. In addition, specific programs are accredited by the following industry-specific organizations:
- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- American Association of Nurse Executives
- American Organization of Nurse Executives
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
American Sentinel University Admissions Requirements
In order to apply for an undergraduate program at American Sentinel University, prospective students should complete an application online or mail in a printed version. Students must submit a current resume, statement of professional accomplishments and goals along with their application. Official transcripts are also required. Students entering the BSN program must provide a copy of their active and unencumbered nursing license.
Applicants for the non-nursing Master's degree programs must submit an official application and provide evidence that they have earned a Bachelor's degree or higher at an accredited institution. All students must have transfer credits reviewed and certified by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services member organization. The report must be sent to American Sentinel University. MSN applicants must submit a copy of their active and unencumbered nursing license as well.
Students who wish to enter doctoral programs at American Sentinel University must submit an application, a current resume and proof of employment. Students who are unemployed must provide proof that they have access to a healthcare facility in which to complete classroom assignments. Students must have a minimum of two years of experience or leadership in nursing education for the Educational Leadership Specialization in the past five years or a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in a managerial or executive nursing leadership role in the pasts five years for the Executive Leadership Specialization.
What Careers Are Available with a Master's in Nursing?
American Sentinel University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Bachelor's degree programs at American Sentinel University is $380 per credit hour. Master's degree tuition is $495 per credit hour and doctoral programs are $690 per credit hour. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships or military benefits. Nurses who are pursuing their Doctor of Nursing Practice may qualify for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program that provides a "forgiveness" opportunity after a qualified period working in a nursing facility at an accredited school. In order to qualify for any financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
American Sentinel University also accepts employer reimbursement, general educational alternatives and has many educational partner programs available that can also assist with paying for higher education.
American Sentinel University Online Degree(s) Available
Healthcare MBA Program
The online Healthcare Master of Business Administration at American Sentinel University prepares current and future healthcare professionals to lead in an industry that is rapidly growing and changing. The program provides students with the fundamentals of business as they apply to the healthcare sector. Students must have a bachelor's degree or higher to enter the program. The program is offered completely online and may be taken in either a course-based or project-based format. The course-based format requires students to complete 12 courses in a structured curriculum and the program takes up to two years to complete. The project-based format allows students to complete four projects in four competency areas. This allows for self-directed learning so that the student can complete the program in less than one year.
Master's in Business Intelligence and Analytics Program
The Master of Business in Intelligence and Analytics prepares students to use business intelligence to make strategic decisions and identify methodologies that will improve operations and process in a healthcare setting. The program is offered entirely online and teaches students to use data to understand, improve and quantify business operations. Courses offered as part of the degree program include:
- Data Analytics
- Balanced Scorecards and Performance Dashboards
- Business Performance Management
- Business Intelligence and Analytics Systems Tools
Graduates have the tools and skills necessary to assess the organization's business and healthcare case for business intelligence and analytics systems. In addition, students learn to formulate business intelligence and analytics systems along with process requirements. Students understand how to organize business intelligence and analytics team responsibility requirements while correlating business and healthcare functions related to both business intelligence and analytics applications.
MSN Nursing Leadership and Management Program
The Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management Program at American Sentinel University prepares nurses for leadership roles that require implementation of human resource principles. Students develop an understanding of internalized organizational and management concepts. The program was named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs. Students are prepared to assume roles in nursing administration and health information management in order to manage resources, collaborate with other professionals and apply technology, information systems and critical thinking skills to their positions.
American Sentinel University began with a mission to offer higher education to adult learners who require flexibility to advance in a current career or want to move into a new career. American Sentinel University offers online programs that allow those who may have work, family or social obligations that make it difficult for them to attend traditional classrooms to achieve their higher education goals.