Kaplan University
Overview of Kaplan University
Once the sleepy-sounding American Institute of Commerce, based in Davenport, Iowa, this venerable business training school was absorbed by the Kaplan test preparation juggernaut in November 2000 and promptly re-arranged into Kaplan University. The transformation since the merger has been thorough and complete: with 25,000 full- or part-time students, all taking courses online, Kaplan University is now about the size of a state university and offers certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in one or more of more than a dozen different career training regimens, as well as Masters of Science degrees in Business, Education and Criminal Justice. Some of its degree-granting programs can be completed in as little as a year. In September 2006, Kaplan University announced an interesting twist to its online MBA program, which is now being offered in a novel collaboration with Newsweek magazine. Both companies are owned by the Washington Post.
Points of Distinction
- Extensive, diverse online study offerings
- Degrees available in as few as twelve months
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Areas of Study
Kaplan University is divided into numerous schools, among them Business, Arts and Sciences, Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Nursing, Education, Health Sciences, and Information Systems and Technology. Together, they offer courses in seventy-five separate degree-granting programs. The university awards professional certificates and associates and bachelors degrees in all fields of study, and masters degrees in Business, Education and Criminal Justice.
Admissions
While Kaplan University’s admissions are essentially non-competitive, prospective students are required to show proof of a high school diploma (or GED substitute) and they must submit to an interview with admissions personnel. Openings are available year-round.
Kaplan University Faculty
In 2007, they numbered more than 1500 teachers, giving Kaplan University a student-teacher ratio of roughly 16:1. The university employs professors with long-standing exposure to both the theory and practice of business, as well as real-world experience in the subjects that they teach.
Student Body
The Higher Learning Commission estimates that 80% are part-time and that three-quarters are women. Many are looking for either a career boost or a solid and marketable skill. All courses are taken online.
Student life
Since Kaplan University is an online school, student interaction is largely limited to web-based correspondence. The school provides tools for students to converse online amongst themselves and with instructors. Many students at the university are working their way through school and require the flexibility that an online education can offer.
Programs of Study
(Note: Not all programs are necessarily available at all locations.)
Accounting
- Accounting
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
- Accounting and Finance
- Auditing
- Insurance General
Administration
- Education General
- Educational Leadership and Administration General
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Career Skills
- Literacy and Communication Skills
Communication
- Communication and Media Studies Other
- Mass Communication/Media Studies
Computer Networking
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications General
- Computer and Information Systems Security
- System Networking and LAN/WAN Management/Manager
- System Administration/Administrator
- Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster
Counseling
- Clinical Child Psychology General
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Criminal Justice
- Corrections
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
- Criminal Justice/Police Science
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Forensic Science and Technology
- Juvenile Corrections
- Securities Services Administration/Management
- Security and Loss Prevention Services
Engineering Design
- Computer Engineering General
Family and Consumer
- Foods Nutrition and Wellness Studies General
Fashion Design
- Design and Visual Communications General
Finance
- Accounting and Finance
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Finance General
- Financial Planning and Services
Graphic Design
- Design and Visual Communications General
- Graphic Design
Health and Human Services
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences General
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
History
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Hospitality Management
- Hospitality Administration/Management General
- Hospitality Administration/Management Other
- Tourism and Travel Services Management
Information Technology
- Computer Programming Specific Applications
- Computer Programming Vendor/Product Certification
- Computer Programming/Programmer General
- Computer Science General
- Computer and Information Sciences General
- Computer and Information Sciences Other
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Other
- Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
- Information Technology
International Studies
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Other
Law
- Advanced Legal Research/Studies General (LL.M. M.C.L. M.L.I. M.S.L. J.S.D./S.J.D.)
- International Business Trade and Tax Law (LL.M. J.S.D./S.J.D.)
- Law (LL.B. J.D.)
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Other
- Legal Studies General
Management and Administration
- Business Administration Management and Operations Other
- Business Administration and Management General
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Finance General
- Financial Planning and Services
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration General
- Insurance General
- Logistics and Materials Management
- Management Science General
- Office Management and Supervision
- Operations Management and Supervision
Marketing
- Management Science General
- Marketing/Marketing Management General
- Retailing and Retail Operations
- Sales Distribution and Marketing Operations General
Medical Assisting and Nursing
- Dental Assisting/Assistant
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training (LPN LVN Cert. Dipl AAS)
- Medical/Clinical Assistant
- Nurse/Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant
- Nursing Other
- Nursing Science (MS PhD)
Medical and Dental Administration
- Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician
- Health Unit Coordinator/Ward Clerk
- Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
- Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
- Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
- Medical Office Management/Administration
- Medical Transcription/Transcriptionist
Multimedia and Web Design
- Computer Software and Media Applications Other
- Web Page Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
- Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster
Paralegal
- Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Philosophy
- Behavioral Sciences General
Psychology
- Clinical Child Psychology General
- Psychology General
Teaching
- Curriculum and Instruction General
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Education General
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
- Educational/Instructional Media Design General
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Special Education and Teaching General
- Teacher Education Multiple Levels
- Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods Other
Technologies
- Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Other
- Computer Hardware Technology/Technician
- Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology
Visual Arts
e-Business/ e-Commerce
- Business/Commerce General
- Management Information Systems General
