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- Must be 18 years of age or older
Penn Foster Career School
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General Information About Penn Foster Career School
Thomas J. Foster founded Penn Foster Career School more than 100 years ago to meet the need for distance education with a focus on vocational programs. The school began as a correspondence school for coal miners and today has educated more than 13 million adult learners.
Penn Foster specializes in vocational training and high school diplomas. All of the schools programs are designed to propel graduates directly into the workforce. In addition to high school diplomas, the school offers certificates and career diplomas as well as select associate and bachelor's degrees. All study is completed from home.
Areas of Study at Penn Foster Career School
- Automotive
- Business
- Legal Studies
- Education
- Health Services
- Technology
- Engineering
- Creative and Design
- Trades
Enrollment Process and Information
Students interested in enrolling in a Penn Foster program can call the college's toll-free number to speak with an enrollment advisor. The advisor will send the prospective student a free college program catalog; program information is also available on the school website. Applicants can complete the online interest form to begin the enrollment process. After completing the form, they will receive specific information about their program of choice.
Financial Aid Information
Penn Foster offers zero percent financing for program tuition. Coupons that allow students to sign up for a program at a discounted rate are occasionally available. All program materials, including textbooks and learning aids, are provided by the college as part of a program's cost.
Career Services
Program alumni can use Penn Foster's career resources to find a job. The school makes certified professional resume writers available to all graduates who would like one-on-one resume writing advice. Graduates can also get help writing cover letters, submitting resumes electronically and preparing for an interview. Job listings are available through Penn Foster's employment search program.
Penn Foster Career School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Penn Foster Career School is regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is also a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Penn Foster Career School is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Penn Foster Career School offers the following degree programs:
Automotive
Students interested in working in automotive maintenance and repair receive hands-on training through Penn Foster's automotive program. Career diploma programs are offered that prepare students for a career in a little as a few weeks. Students choose from the following programs of study:
- Automotive HVAC Essentials Certificate
- Auto Repair Technician Career Diploma
- Diesel Mechanics & Heavy Truck Maintenance Career Diploma
- Motorcycle Repair Technician Career Diploma
- Small Engine Repair Career Diploma
Business
Penn Foster's business program offers four career diploma programs to get students started in the field of business. Students learn real-world skills in marketing and sales, office technology, accounting and business management. The following fields of study are available through Penn Foster's business program:
- Certificate - Microsoft Office 2016 (with software)
- Certificate - Microsoft Office 2016 (without software)
- Retail Supervisor Career Diploma
- Starting Your Own Business Certificate
- Virtual Assistant Career Diploma
- Accounting Essentials Certificate
- Business Security Certificate
- Human Resource Management Essentials Certificate
- Certificate - Property Management
- Administrative Assistant Career Diploma
- Bookkeeping Career Diploma
Creative/Design
Creative individuals have several options for study through Penn Foster's creative/design program. The following programs are available, which prepare students for careers in art and design, bridal consulting, catering, event planning, fashion, floral design, interior decorating and writing.
- Public Relations Certificate
- Spanish Certificate
- Computer Graphic Artist Career Diploma
- Dressmaking & Design Career Diploma
- Freelance Writer Career Diploma
- Web Page Designer Career Diploma
Engineering
Students interested in engineering can learn the necessary CAD drafting skills through Penn Foster's engineering programs.
- AutoCAD Essentials Certificate
- Drafting with AutoCAD Career Diploma
Health Services
Penn Foster's health services program offers options related to the fields of health care, pharmacy, dental assisting and veterinary assisting.
- Career Diploma - Child Care Professional
- Personal Caregiver Skills Certificate
- Child Psychology Certificate
- Electronic Medical Records Certificate
- Health Information Management Certificate
- Medical Terminology Certificate
- Certificate - Natural Health Care for Pets
- Sports Nutrition Certificate
- Dental Assistant Career Diploma
- Medical Billing & Coding Career Diploma
- Medical Transcriptionist Career Diploma
- Optician Career Diploma
- Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma
- Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma
- Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma
Legal Studies
Students can prepare for challenging and exiting careers as legal secretaries, legal transcriptionists, paralegals and private investigators through Penn Foster's legal studies program. Students learn valuable skills in legal writing and research, legal terminology, transcription methods, surveillance and reporting techniques.
- Advanced Paralegal Applications Certificate
- Real Estate, Wills and Estates for Paralegals Certificate
- Legal Secretary Career Diploma
Technology
Overlapping with the creative/design program, the technology program at Penn Foster offers programs in art and design, electronics, Web and computer programming, computer repair and telecommunications, providing hands-on training and preparing graduates for a variety of rapidly growing technology fields.
- Computer Programming Languages Certificate
- Electronics Technician Career Diploma
- PC Maintenance & Repair Career Diploma
Trades
Students interested in quickly and conveniently learning a new trade can pursue a wide variety of programs through Penn Foster's trades program. Students can choose from many different programs, which provide hands-on training in a broad range of trades.
- Guest Service Agent Diploma
- Pet Grooming Certificate
- Caterer Career Diploma
- Certified Wedding Planner Career Diploma
- Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Career Diploma
- Gunsmith Career Diploma
- HVACR Technician Career Diploma
- Home Remodeling & Repair Career Diploma
- Career Diploma - Landscaping Technology
- Locksmithing Career Diploma
- Wildlife & Forestry Conservation Career Diploma