Full Description

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a provider of online postsecondary education services focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in its disciplines of education, business, and healthcare. In addition to its online programs, the Company offers ground programs at its traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and onsite at the facilities of employers. During the year ended December 31, 2008, 89.1% of the students were enrolled in its online programs, and 52.9% of its students were pursuing masters or doctoral degrees.

The Company primarily focuses on recruiting and educating working adults, whom it defines as students age 25 or older, who are pursuing a degree while employed. During 2008, 91.6% of its online students were age 25 or older. The Company holds accreditations for certain programs from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. offers the degrees of Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science, and a variety of programs leading to each of these degrees. It also, offers certificate programs, which consist of a series of courses focused on a particular area of study. In May 2008, it offered its first doctoral degree program, a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership.

The Company offers academic programs through its four colleges: the College of Education, the Ken Blanchard College of Business, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts. During 2008, the Company offered 76 academic degree programs. It has established relationships with health care systems, school districts, emergency services providers, and other employers through which it offers programs onsite. The programs are offered through three 16 week semesters in a calendar year, with two starts available per semester for its online students and its professional studies ground students and one start available per semester for its traditional ground students. During each semester, classes may last for five, eight, or 16 weeks. The Company offers support services, which include academic, administrative, and library services.

The Company competes with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, Azusa Pacific University, Baylor University, and Seattle Pacific University, Capella University, University of Phoenix, and Walden University.