Friday, August 28, 2009

Kaplan College

It is becoming very popular for working adults to go back to school in order to earn an advanced degree or take certificate classes that will help them get ahead in their careers. Kaplan College is one of the largest distance learning universities offering programs for students. It's one of the only distance learning universities that is fully accredited and offers both Bachelor's and Master's degree programs.


Function


Kaplan College is an online school that offers career diplomas and degrees through a distance learning medium that is more affordable and easier to utilize for working adults than a traditional college may be.


History


Originally three different college programs, Kaplan College, Quest College, and the American Institute of Commerce, Kaplan University was founded in 1937 as a brick and mortar school. It has since consolidated its programs and expanded its campuses to include locations across the United States, as well as an expansive online campus.


Features


Kaplan offers Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees in most of their available programs. The programs they offer include arts and sciences, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information systems and technology, legal studies, and nursing. The also offer "certificate" programs in business, healthcare, and information technology.


Financial aid funding is acceptable to use to pay for your program, and you can also apply for a Kaplan University scholarship if they are still available at the time you enroll. Fees for programs are on a per credit basis, and the overall cost depends on the program you are entering. Masters degrees in criminal justice, nursing, and education cost the least amount while Masters of science and business administration cost the most. Study materials for programs include books and software, as well as interactive online seminars, online quizzes, the ability to discuss topics with advisors, discussion boards and forums, and a large online library.


Geography


While most of Kaplan's programs are available online, students located in Lincoln or Omaha Nebraska can attend on-campus classes, as can students located in areas of Iowa including Davenport, Cedar falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, and Mason City.


Considerations


The eligibility requirements to enroll in Kaplan tend to be more strict than those of other distance learning schools. All students are required to have a high school diploma or GED. Graduate program students must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, as well as a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Tags: distance learning, Kaplan College, criminal justice, distance learning universities, Kaplan University, learning universities