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
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
- Accounting and Business/Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Accounting and Related Services Other
Administration
Advertising
Agriculture
- Animal Training
- Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming
Architecture
- Architectural Engineering General
- Landscape Architecture (BS BSLA BLA MSLA MLA PhD)
Arts Crafts and Leisure
- Home Maintenance and Improvement
- Writing
Automotive Marine and Aviation
- Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician
- 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
Computer Networking
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications General
Craftsmanship
- Furniture Design and Manufacturing
Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
- 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
- Computer Engineering General
- Construction Engineering General
- Electrical Electronics and Communications Engineering General
- Engineering General
- Industrial Engineering General
- Mechanical 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
Fashion Design
- Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- Fashion/Apparel Design
Finance
- Accounting and Finance
- Banking and Financial Support Services
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Finance General
- International Finance
- Public Finance
- 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
- Medical Informatics
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
High School
- Regular/General High School/Secondary Diploma Program
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
- Information Technology
Interior Design
Journalism
- Journalism General
- Journalism Other
Language
- English Composition General
- English Language and Literature General
- Technical and Business Writing General
Law
- Banking Corporate Finance and Securities Law (LL.M. J.S.D./S.J.D.)
Management
- Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services Other
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
Management and Administration
- Accounting and Business/Management
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science General
- Banking and Financial Support Services
- Business Administration Management and Operations Other
- Business Administration and Management General
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary
- Finance General
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- Human Resources Development
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration General
- International Finance
- Public Finance
- Restaurant Culinary and Catering Management/Manager
- Small Business Administration/Management
Marketing
- Accounting and Related Services Other
- Business and Personal/Financial Services Marketing Operations
- Marketing/Marketing Management General
- Sales Distribution and Marketing Operations General
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
- Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator
- Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician
- 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
- 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
- Education General
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
- English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- Teacher Assistant/Aide
Technologies
- Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician
- Civil Engineering Technology/Technician
- Telecommunications Technology/Technician
Visual Arts
- Commercial Photography
- Fashion/Apparel Design
- Fiber Textile and Weaving Arts
- Fine/Studio Arts General
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Photography
