Penn Foster

Penn Foster: self-paced online education in the United States

Penn Foster is an American educational institution that provides online education with programs designed for students to progress at their own pace, with no fixed start dates or exam deadlines. Its offerings range from the high school diploma to associate and bachelor's degrees, as well as career-oriented professional training certificates and diplomas.

The institution states it has more than 133,000 active students and presents itself as a center with recognized certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Course access is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from a computer, tablet, or mobile device.

Areas of study and credentials

The catalog is organized into major subject areas, each with several levels of credentials:

• High School: high school diploma, with optional pathways in healthcare and HVAC, a variant that combines the diploma with English language training, and a specific option for adult learners.
• Automotive & Engine Repair: automotive repair technician, diesel mechanics and heavy truck maintenance, motorcycle repair, and small engine repair.
• Business: accounting associate degree, business management (associate and bachelor's), administrative assistant, bookkeeping, and tax preparation.
• Computers & Electronics: AutoCAD certificate, computer information systems associate degree, electronics technician, and IT support specialist.
• Child Care & Education: CDA credential prep, child care professional, child psychology certificate, and early childhood education associate degree.
• Criminal Justice & Legal: criminal justice associate and bachelor's degrees, legal secretary, paralegal, paralegal studies associate, and private investigator.
• Design & Creative Services: dressmaking and design, event planning, interior decorator, interior design (associate), graphic design (associate), and wedding planner.
• Healthcare: medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, medical billing and coding, dental assistant, optician exam prep, and pharmacy technician, among others.
• Skilled Trades & Industrial: construction trades, gunsmith, HVACR technician, industrial electronics and electrical maintenance (associate), plumber, and residential electrician.
• Fitness & Nutrition: fitness and nutrition certificate and gourmet cooking certificate.
• Travel & Hospitality: caterer, guest service agent, hotel and restaurant management, and travel agent.
• Veterinary: dog obedience trainer/instructor, pet grooming, veterinary assistant, veterinary practice management, veterinary technician (associate), and veterinary technology (bachelor's).

Featured programs and duration

Among the programs the institution presents as most in demand are the veterinary technician associate degree, with nine months per semester and fees from $75 per month; the medical billing and coding diploma, ten months and from $59 per month; and the HVACR technician diploma, five months and from $59 per month.

The catalog includes other pathways with indicative durations and fees: medical assistant (11 months), IT support specialist (3 months), dental assistant (3 months), residential electrician (7 months), pharmacy technician professional (13 months), veterinary assistant (12 months), administrative assistant (6 months), bookkeeping (6 months), tax preparation (4 months), pet grooming (2 months), and starting your own business (3 months). Most of these programs start at a monthly fee from $59, while pet grooming and starting your own business start at $50 per month.

The institution also offers individual courses for those looking to begin higher education, earn credits toward a degree, or learn a new skill.

Training for businesses and organizations

Penn Foster works with hundreds of employers to meet their internal training needs, a line of activity aimed at organizations seeking to train their workers.

Institutional structure and locations

The activity is organized into several divisions with their own locations: Penn Foster Career School, Penn Foster College, and Penn Foster High School. The institution is part of a group that also includes Ashworth College, New York Institute of Art & Design, and New York Institute of Photography.

Accreditation and student services

The institution states that its certificate, diploma, and degree programs are recognized and maintains a specific section on accreditation and affiliations. Student resources include academic guidance materials, policies and admission requirements, tuition and payment options, student stories, military benefits, faculty information, and frequently asked questions.

The site also publishes support content on study and career, such as guides on how online school works, high school diploma requirements by state, career paths in specific sectors, or professional exam preparation.

Locations

Penn Foster Career School location: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505, USA · Phone: 1-800-275-4410

Penn Foster College location: 3133 West Frye Road, Suite 215, Chandler, AZ 85226, USA

Penn Foster High School location: 315 Deaderick Street, 17th Floor, Suite 1721, UBS Tower, Nashville, TN 37238, USA