Penn Foster is an accredited online college offering Bachelor Degrees and Associate Degrees, as well as Vocational Career Training Certificates and High School Diplomas. Penn Foster’s online education can save you thousands of dollars when compared to traditional colleges and other online schools. Penn Foster’s online degrees are best for those who are hoping to make a career change. The vocational certificates are best for those who need additional training in their chosen field or want an official document to backup knowledge already acquired through life or work experience.
Who should not take online classes at Penn Foster College?
If you are looking for a top-notch education or expect personal attention from an instructor, you should definitely look elsewhere. Most complaints regarding Penn Foster classes are from people who, in my opinion, expect too much from a budget online school. If you expect an online education that may cost less than $1,500 to be as good as a 4 year degree from Harvard, you will be quite disappointed in Penn Foster. Many also complain about instructors not replying to emailed questions in a timely manner.
Who should take online classes at Penn Foster College?
Anyone who has realistic expectations will find Penn Foster’s online degrees and certificates to be a convenient and affordable way to get an education. Most courses can be completed at your own pace, so these online classes are great for those who have full-time jobs or children. Penn Foster’s online classes are also a great way to speed through a course to earn a degree or certificate in half the time it would take at a traditional school. You must be able to work independently and be disciplined enough to complete the course
What are classes like at Penn Foster College?
Text books, workbooks, and supplies are needed for most classes and are usually provided by the school. Some courses, such as Automotive Repair or Web Design, require you to have tools or software not provided, but the website and information packets will let you know before you enroll, so there are no surprises half way through the course. Class work can easily be completed in your spare time and exams can be completed online or by mail. As soon as you are finished with one section of coursework, you will be mailed what is needed for the next section.
Is financial aid available for Penn Foster College?
Yes, financial aid is available because Penn Foster is an accredited school. Penn Foster also offers several payment plan options; some as low as $30 a month. There’s also a secret to save money on tuition costs: the tuition prices are negotiable. You can either call and speak to someone to negotiate prices or when you request information on the online certificate or degree you are interested in pursuing, wait for additional mailings. Each time Penn Foster sends more information, the tuition price drops.
What online degrees are available at Penn Foster College?
At this time, only two Bachelor’s degrees are available, Business Management and Criminal Justice. There are 20 Associate degrees, including Accounting, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Design, Medical Assistant, Paralegal Studies, PC Maintenance Technology, and Veterinary Technician. There are currently 41 Vocational Certificates available in the fields of Business, Health Services, Technology, Trade/Education, and Automotive. Currently, 60 Career Diplomas are available for specific training in a wide variety of careers, including Bookkeeping, Dog Training, Dressmaking, Freelance Writing, Gunsmithing, Medical Transcription, Plumbing, and Private Investigating. Visit PennFoster.edu for a full list of online degrees and online certificates available.
Sources: Personal experience and PennFoster.edu
