Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Penn Foster College group has just held their first in person graduation ceremony since the Covid-19 pandemic. The online school offers a variety of self-paced and affordable diploma and certificate programs.
Some programs prepare students for professional certification exams in trade occupations. Check with your state’s licensing/regulatory bodies for more information.
Degrees
Penn Foster offers a variety of nationally accredited certificates and degrees, as well as vocational courses that can help students start a new career or brush up on their skills in an existing one. Their programs are designed to meet the needs of working students and adults with busy schedules. Many of their programs are geared toward trade occupations such as medical billing and coding, or veterinary technology.
Penn Foster’s online college degree programs are available at an affordable price, and the student can study when it is convenient for them. They also offer a number of payment plans that break the cost down into manageable monthly payments. Their programs include lessons and learning aids that are shipped directly to the student’s home. The college has an open admission policy, and there are no enrollment deadlines. In addition, most of their courses have ACE evaluated credits that may transfer to other colleges and universities. This is important if the student plans to continue their education at a higher level in the future.
Courses
Penn Foster offers a number of self-paced online career training programs. These include a unique high school program, bachelor’s and associate degrees, and career diplomas in areas like education, veterinary technology, business management, criminal justice, design and health care.
The college has an accrediting body and a variety of programs that are designed for busy life schedules. Students can enroll online, by phone or via mail. After enrollment, students will be sent their account IDs and access to the Penn Foster student website.
Unlike other colleges that have traditional classrooms, Penn Foster has virtual classrooms where instructors and support staff are available to help students through the curriculum. The school does not offer federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants or FAFSA benefits, but does offer a range of monthly payment plans and military tuition assistance benefits. Courses are delivered by a combination of video, audio and text and are easy to fit into busy schedules.
Instructors
Students are taught by instructors with a wealth of knowledge and experience in their subject areas. The school has partnerships with organizations in fields such as early childhood education, where students can complete an externship with Learning Care Group or Bright Horizons Family Solutions. It also has relationships with business and vet tech programs to help students find work after graduation.
Students must abide by the Student Code of Conduct when studying at Penn Foster. It states that students should treat fellow students, faculty and staff with courtesy and respect and comply with directions from school officials in the performance of their duties. They should also avoid cheating, which includes presenting work or answers that don’t represent their own efforts.
One downside of Penn Foster is that it doesn’t hold the regional accreditation enjoyed by many traditional colleges, which may be a problem if you plan to transfer or pursue a higher degree in the future. In addition, the college doesn’t accept federal financial aid, which could be a big barrier to those who need it most.
Student Support
Penn Foster offers online support services for students, including tutoring and technical assistance. The college also provides online resources for career planning and job-searching, including a nationwide search engine and advice on interviewing. Students can access these resources through the student portal. Students can reach out to staff and faculty via chat, text, email, or phone for help with their studies.
The college’s online undergraduate degrees, high school diplomas, and career training programs are available at a fraction of the cost of traditional universities. Its tuition rates are low, and students can choose from monthly payment plans with zero interest. The college accepts military benefits and offers ACE credit transfer for many of its courses.
The college does not offer federal financial aid, which may be problematic for students who want to transfer to a four-year university later on. However, it is an excellent choice for students who need a flexible, affordable education and aren’t interested in taking out loans.
