Penn Foster Career School
Overview of Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School was originally the brain child of Thomas J Foster back in 1890. Even back then the focus was on distance education, and the school enrolled more than 250,000 students in its first decade. Today, the school is a leader in online education, and as of 2007 has enrolled more than 13 million students. Penn Foster offers more than 80 different programs across a wide range of careers. These programs culminate in either a certificate of a diploma.
Penn Foster Career School is closely tied to Penn Foster College, which offers Associates degrees that can be earned online, and Penn Foster High school that enables students to get their high school diploma online. All of the schools enable students to learn online, in print, or a combination of both methods.
Penn Foster Career School is accredited by the following organizations:
- The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (high school and vocational-technical programs)
- The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
- The Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Points of Distinction
- Proven career-focused training for more than 115 years
- Complete flexibility in fitting education into your schedule
- Low tuition costs
- Interest-free monthly payment plans
- Online or print-based learning, or mix and match
Areas of Study
The school offers more than 80 programs covering a diverse range of career opportunities, including: Appliance repair, auto mechanic, computer and web careers, health care trades, legal support roles, and teaching. See below for a complete list of programs.
Penn Foster Career School Selectivity
The school has an open admissions process, so becoming a student there is relatively easy. All that is required is a simple application
Penn Foster Career School Faculty Quality
The faculty at the school is made up of industry professionals who have direct and practical experience in the application of the course material. This fits with the hands-on focus of the school.
Penn Foster Career School Student Body
Because of the wide range of programs offered, students at the school come from all walks of life. There are also a significant number of international students.
Penn Foster Career School Student Life
As all courses are offered online or via printed material sent to the student's home or office, there is minimal interaction between the students.
Programs of Study
(Note: Not all programs are necessarily available at all locations.)
Accounting
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
Advertising
Agriculture
- Animal Training
- Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming
Architecture
- Architectural Engineering General
- Landscape Architecture (BS BSLA BLA MSLA MLA PhD)
Automotive Marine and Aviation
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
- Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician
Communication
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician and Assistant
Communications
- Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician and Assistant
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
- Drafting and Design Technology/Technician General
Craftsmanship
- Furniture Design and Manufacturing
Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice/Police Science
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Securities Services Administration/Management
Culinary Arts and Pastry
- Cooking and Related Culinary Arts General
- Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Engineering Design
- Architectural Engineering General
- Electrical Electronics and Communications Engineering General
Environmental Science
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Forestry General
- Natural Resources/Conservation General
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management General
Equipment Repair
- Gunsmithing/Gunsmith
- Locksmithing and Safe Repair
- Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies Other
- Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking
Family and Consumer
- Child Care Provider/Assistant
- Child Care and Support Services Management
- Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- Home Furnishings and Equipment Installers
- Human Nutrition
Fashion Design
- Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- Fashion/Apparel Design
Finance
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Small Business Administration/Management
Graphic Design
HVAC Electrical Construction
- Appliance Installation and Repair Technology/Technician
- Carpentry/Carpenter
- Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
- Electrical Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
- Electrician
- Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology/Technician
- Plumbing Technology/Plumber
Health and Human Services
- Athletic Training/Trainer
- Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist
- Health and Physical Education General
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
Hospitality Management
- Hospitality Administration/Management General
- Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
- Restaurant Culinary and Catering Management/Manager
- Restaurant/Food Services Management
- Tourism and Travel Services Management
Information Technology
- Computer Programming Specific Applications
- Computer Programming Vendor/Product Certification
- Computer Programming/Programmer General
- Computer and Information Sciences General
Interior Design
Journalism
- Journalism General
- Journalism Other
Language
- English Composition General
- English Language and Literature General
- Technical and Business Writing General
Management
- Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services Other
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
Management and Administration
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science General
- Business Administration Management and Operations Other
- Business Administration and Management General
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- Restaurant Culinary and Catering Management/Manager
- Small Business Administration/Management
Medical Assisting and Nursing
- Dental Assisting/Assistant
- Nurse/Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
Medical and Dental Administration
- Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
- Medical Transcription/Transcriptionist
Multimedia and Web Design
- Animation Interactive Technology Video Graphics and Special Effects
- Computer Graphics
- Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
- Web Page Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
Paralegal
- Court Reporting/Court Reporter
- Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Photography and photo journalism
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Journalism General
- Journalism Other
- Photography
Science Technologies
- Computer Installation and Repair Technology/Technician
Sciences
Teaching
- Agricultural Teacher Education
- Biology Teacher Education
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- Teacher Assistant/Aide
Technologies
- Telecommunications Technology/Technician
Visual Arts
- Commercial Photography
- Fashion/Apparel Design
- Fiber Textile and Weaving Arts
- Fine/Studio Arts General
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Painting
- Photography
