NU Editorial Contributors
National University Editorial Contributors include writers, editors, and academic professionals who are experts in creating high-quality educational content that is timely, accurate, informative, and easy to understand. All contributors who develop content for National University follow strict guidelines to ensure they provide credible and authoritative information that is independent, free from advertiser influence, and aligns with the high standards our readers and students expect from National University.
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At NU, we rely on expert feedback and knowledge to craft and vet the information we present to our learners and staff. Learn more and get some process information about the curation of our blogs, how we ensure accuracy, and what to expect from our written materials.
Articles by NU Editorial Contributors
- December 9, 2025
How to Become a Network Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide
The 2021 global outage of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp created havoc for the nearly 3 billion users who relied on them. It was caused by a network misconfiguration during routine maintenance and errors in Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), a key set of rules for routing internet traffic. The outage only lasted about six hours, but ...
- December 3, 2025
Can You Really Get a Good Job with an Online Degree?
Online learning is decades old and gained traction in the 1990s thanks to expanded accreditation and participation by major universities. Online enrollment has steadily increased since then and surged during the COVID lockdowns. As of 2023, 53.2% of students in postsecondary institutions were enrolled in at least one online class. Old stigmas and misconceptions about ...
- November 25, 2025
Is Getting a Certificate Worth It? What the Data Says
According to a 2025 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, students earning traditional college degrees have declined, while certificate completions are trending upward. Certificate completion has hit a 10-year high for the third consecutive year, while bachelor’s and associate degree attainment have declined for the same period. So, certificates are on the rise, ...
- November 20, 2025
5 Reasons to Earn a Doctorate Degree
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been thinking about taking the next step in your academic or professional journey. Maybe you’re at a crossroads, asking yourself whether a doctoral degree is the right move. It’s a major commitment, but one that can open doors, deepen your expertise, and position you to make a meaningful ...
- November 17, 2025
Ranking The Best College Degrees for Employment in 2025
A new report by National University evaluates 74 college majors to identify the best degrees for graduates entering the job market in 2025. As students face a rapidly changing economy, choosing the right degree has never been more important. This analysis utilizes unemployment rates, underemployment rates, and projected job growth through 2033 to rank 74 ...
- November 10, 2025
What Are the Most Future-Proof Careers in Southern California?
A new report by National University shows that Southern California’s 9.8 million worker economy presents a compelling case for non-tech career resilience in an age of technological disruption. While the region hosts significant technology employment, over 90% of SoCal jobs exist outside traditional tech sectors, creating strong career opportunities. Findings: Current Tech Employment Reality Tech ...
- November 6, 2025
Can Music Help You Study and Focus? [Updated 2025]
Wouldn’t it be great if tuning into your favorite playlist helped you to knock out that algebra problem or memorize all those dates for your American history exam? Unfortunately, tuning into Spotify isn’t quite that powerful. But research does show that music produces several positive effects on your body, including reducing stress, easing test anxiety, ...
- November 4, 2025
Is National University Legit? Accreditation and Quality Explained
National University holds regional accreditation from the same governing body as Stanford, UCLA, and other respected institutions in higher education. As a private, nonprofit university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), National University meets the same rigorous institutional standards as the most prestigious universities on the West Coast. Founded in 1971 ...
- October 31, 2025
Teaching Cybersecurity Ethically in a Digital Age
According to a 2025 global threat report by CrowdStrike, digital threats are evolving rapidly, and the professionals trained to defend against them must evolve just as quickly. The report highlights “surging cyber threats, evolving adversary tactics, and record-breaking attack speeds.” Yet amid this acceleration, one truth remains clear: technical skill alone isn’t enough. The growing ...
- October 28, 2025
How To Pay For College: Financial Aid and Scholarship Tips
At National University, we’re committed to making higher education accessible for every adult learner. This guide, “How to Pay for College,” walks you through the full range of financial aid options, helping you discover the resources and support you need to fund your education and reach your goals. Key Takeaways: How To Pay For College ...
- October 21, 2025
Certificate vs. Degree: Pros, Cons, and Career Outcomes
How do you stand out in today’s job market with more people in the workforce and employers dropping requirements for degrees? From 2014 to 2023, the number of roles that went from degree to skill-based hiring almost quadrupled. However, despite the hype, this shift has only resulted in real opportunities for about 1 in 700 ...
- October 18, 2025
Essential Skills and Career Paths for Today’s Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybersecurity threats touch almost every organization with data to protect. As work, school, banking, and even healthcare move online, the demand for professionals who can defend systems and information has surged, and it isn’t slowing down. Recent estimates suggest a global cybersecurity workforce gap of about 4.8 million professionals, indicating that organizations worldwide still don’t ...
- October 15, 2025
9 Tips to Prepare for Your Doctoral Degree Journey
Pursuing a doctorate demands rigorous study, focused research, and long-term dedication that will impact nearly every area of your life. It requires sacrifices and reshuffling priorities, but thoughtful planning can set you up for both academic and personal success. This article covers essential preparation areas, from choosing the right program and building research skills to ...
- October 7, 2025
What Is a Clinical Social Worker? Understanding the Role
Clinical social workers are on the frontlines of supporting individuals, families, and communities through life’s toughest challenges. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 750,000 social workers in the U.S. today, making them one of the largest groups of professionals providing mental health care and social support nationwide. Yet, despite their huge ...
- October 3, 2025
BA vs. BS Degree: What’s the Difference?
Is earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree easier than getting a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree? Is a BS only for STEM fields? The answer to both of these common myths is a resounding no. While both degrees have their own strengths and challenges, the best choice depends on your interests and goals. The ...
- September 30, 2025
How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: A Step-by-Step Guide With infant mortality rates on the rise in the U.S., the need for skilled labor and delivery nurses and improved maternal and infant care has never been more urgent. Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses provide a safe and supportive birth experience, combining expert medical ...
- September 26, 2025
20 Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees of 2025
You don’t need a graduate degree to earn six figures these days. Many bachelor’s degree graduates can attain that early on in their careers if they pick the right major. College is expensive, but you can get your money’s worth by selecting a high-demand field, building the skills employers want, and gaining practical experience through ...
- September 23, 2025
Top 5 Reasons Adult Learners Benefit From Finishing Their Degree
Would you ever turn down a million dollars? You could be doing just that if you don’t finish your degree. Studies estimate that people with college degrees have $1.2 million more in median lifetime earnings than those without. And it’s not just about getting a bigger paycheck. Earning more also often leads to a longer ...