University of Potomac

Overview

University of Potomac was established in 1989 as Potomac Educational Foundation to operate an educational institution of higher learning. In 1991, it became Potomac College, a two-year, upper division degree-completion institution in Rockville, Maryland serving working adults who were currently employed and were seeking to complete their college degrees.

Working class time into your busy schedule is easy. Our classes can be taken on Saturdays, or two evenings a week. It is possible to earn up to nine credits every eight weeks. With the appropriate prerequisites, you may earn a Bachelor of Science degree in two years. And all the credits earned in our degree programs include a perfect balance of theory and practical application courses.

University of the Potomac offers instruction in two modes:

  1. Online delivery. These courses are delivered using Internet-based software in an asynchronous manner. This means that students can log on to their courses and work in them at any time during the day or night.
  2. Hybrid delivery. These courses are partially classroom-based and partially online.

Student Class Schedules

University of the Potomac offers students flexibility in attendance schedules. In addition to online courses, students can choose from day and evening hybrid course offerings meeting one day per week, Monday-Thursday and Saturdays on selected campuses. In addition, each course requires completion of extensive outside course work, up to twelve (12) hours per week, beyond required class meeting preparation (i.e., assigned text and supplemental readings, study for quizzes and examinations, etc.). At a minimum, outside preparation for undergraduate courses includes written assignment in weeks 1, 3, and 7 and discussion threads in the Learning Management System each week. In graduate courses, there are written assignments and discussion threads each week.

Accreditations & Approvals

 

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

The main campus of University of the Potomac is located at 1401 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, and is licensed to operate in the District of Columbia by the Education Licensure Commission of the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, formerly known as the State Education Office (SEO), is a high-performing, transparent agency that sets proactive policies, exercises vigilant oversight, and directs resources that guarantee residents educated in the District of Columbia are among the highest performers in the nation; fully prepared for successful postsecondary learning and employment in the creative economy.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

University of the Potomac’s Branch campus, located at 2070 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna, VA, 22182, is certified by The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (James Monroe Building, 101 North Fourteenth Street, Richmond, VA 23219: 804.255.2600) to operate in Virginia.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) makes higher education public policy recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly in such areas as capital and operating budget planning, enrollment projections, institutional technology needs, and student financial aid. SCHEV administers a variety of educational programs that benefit students, faculty, parents, and taxpayers. SCHEV serves as a catalyst to promote greater access, quality, affordability, and accountability throughout the system. SCHEV also helps policymakers, college administrators, and other concerned leaders work cooperatively and constructively to advance educational excellence.

Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)

University of the Potomac is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission to enroll Maryland students in the fully online distance education programs. MHEC is the State of Maryland’s higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and private colleges and universities and for-profit career schools. MHEC also administers state financial aid programs that affect students on a statewide basis. Click HERE to read the process for Maryland students to make complaints about the institution.

SEVP Certified

SEVP-certified school is a college, university, seminary, conservatory, high school, private elementary school, private middle school, other academic or vocational institution, or language training program in the United States that has applied for and received certification to enroll F and/or M nonimmigrant students.

University of the Potomac’s Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degree programs are approved by the Veterans Administration for veteran training. Also approved are the following certificate programs:

  • Advanced Certificates: Business Accounting, General Management, Government Contract Management, Health Systems Management, Information Systems Management, International Business, and Network Security Management.
  • Certificates: Accounting Clerical Support, General Business, Information Assurance, Information Network Security Management, International Studies, Office Application Support, Project Management.

The University is an approved member of the Service members’ Opportunity Colleges (SOC).

Campus

  1. Washington D. C. Campus
    • University of the Potomac
      1401 H Street, N.W., Suite 100
      Washington, D.C. 20005
  2. Northern Virginia campus
    • University of the Potomac
      2070 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite G100
      Vienna, VA 22182

Tuition fees

Tuition is charged on a semester credit hour basis. Books and supplies are not included in tuition charges. Students are charged 100% for any semester in which they continue past the ADD/DROP period before withdrawing. All non-tuition charges are non-refundable.

On-Campus International Students Tuition and Fees – Undergraduate Degree Programs

Cost per credit hour                                                                                           $750

Cost per class (3 credits)                                                                                   $2,250

Cost per semester (12 credits)                                                                            $9,000

2 Semesters = 1 Academic Year                                                                        $18,000

Technology Fee (per semester)                                                                          $450

Application Fee (one-time fee)                                                                           $150

Registration Fee (one-time fee)                                                                          $100

Tuition and fees for a first academic year based on above                                   $19,150

International (F-1) students are required to demonstrate that they have adequate funds to cover one year’s expenses before coming to the U.S. to study.

Estimated living expenses for one year                                                               $11,000

Estimated textbook expenses                                                                             $2,000

Financial statements must verify sufficient funds to cover the cost of the educational program and living expenses for one year prior to I-20 Form issuance                                               $32,150

On-Campus International Students Tuition and Fees – Graduate Degree Programs

Cost per credit hour                                                                                           $900

Cost per class (3 credits)                                                                                   $2,700

Cost per semester (12 credits)                                                                            $10,800

2 Semesters = 1 Academic Year                                                                        $21,600

Technology Fee (per semester)                                                                          $450

Application Fee (one-time fee)                                                                           $150

Registration Fee (one-time fee)                                                                          $100

Tuition and fees for a first academic year based on above                                   $22,750

International (F-1) students are required to demonstrate that they have adequate funds to cover one year’s expenses before coming to the U.S. to study.

Estimated living expenses for one year                                                               $11,000

Estimated textbook expenses                                                                             $1,250

Financial statements must verify sufficient funds to cover the cost of the educational program and living expenses for one year prior to I-20 Form issuance                                               $35,000

Online International Students Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for online international students (enrolled only into online degree programs) is the same as for domestic U.S. students.

Undergraduate programs cost per credit hour                                                      $541

Graduate programs cost per credit hour                                                              $721

Technology Fee (per semester)                                                                         $450

Application Fee (one-time fee)                                                                           $150

Registration Fee (one-time fee)                                                                          $100

International Students Tuition Scholarship Program

The International Students Tuition Scholarship is open to new international student planning on full time enrollment at the University of the Potomac. The scholarship can cover up to 50% of the normal international student tuition cost. The scholarship is available to first time undergraduate and graduate students, and can be renewed provided the student maintains an acceptable academic record. This scholarship only covers tuition charges. The student is required to pay all entry and semester fees. The scholarship can be renewed on an annual basis, based on the student meeting the University’s academic criteria. The scholarship can also be used for year round study. Note: Students are eligible for only one Potomac institutional scholarship at a time. The University reserves the right to discontinue any or all scholarships without prior notice.