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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Articles by NU Editorial Contributors
February 9, 2023How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator
A crime scene investigator (CSI) is a forensic professional who identifies, documents, collects, and preserves physical evidence at crime scenes, ensuring that evidence is collected following strict chain-of-custody procedures and is legally admissible in court. Core responsibilities include systematic scene documentation through photography, sketching, and mapping; evidence collection covering DNA, fingerprints, trace materials, weapons, and biological fluids; forensic analysis using techniques such as blood pattern analysis, impression casting, and chemical testing to reconstruct how events unfolded; and preparing technical reports and providing expert testimony in criminal trials.
January 19, 2023How to Become a Paralegal
Becoming a paralegal requires completing formal education through a certificate program, associate degree, or bachelor's degree, gaining practical legal experience, and pursuing voluntary professional certification to strengthen hiring potential. Employers consistently prefer training approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), which is the primary quality signal when evaluating paralegal education programs.
January 11, 2023Is Earning a Degree Your New Year’s Education Resolution?
As people reflect, grow, and aim to make 2023 a year of significant change, priorities take shape. Getting a degree may be your New Year’s education resolution, and National University is here to help. You may be asking, how do I get started and stay on track? First things first, understand that nothing can change ...
December 11, 2022Do College Credits Ever Expire?
College credits do not expire, once earned, they remain permanently on your transcript. The relevant question is not whether credits expire but whether a receiving institution will accept them toward a current degree program, which depends on the school's own transfer policies, the subject area of the coursework, and how much time has passed since the credits were earned.
December 2, 2022Mental Health During the Holidays
Between the tasks, celebrations, and family obligations, the holiday season can be a trying time for anyone. Whether you feel the holiday blues or are coping with feelings that aren’t merry and bright, taking care of your mental health during the holidays is important. Think of it as a gift you can unwrap for yourself! ...
November 29, 2022Everything Worthwhile Depends upon Consciousness
Authored By: Academic Program Director, Craig Chalquist, PhD Imagine if you were a fish who could study water. You could then swim where the current best carries you while avoiding turbulence and toxicity. You could know why some waters are warm and some cold, and what difference that might make to how you live. You ...
November 15, 2022What Does an Accountant Do?
An accountant is a financial professional who manages, analyzes, and reports financial transactions for individuals, businesses, and organizations, ensuring records are accurate, taxes are properly filed, and financial activities comply with applicable laws and regulations. Core responsibilities include preparing financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements; tax preparation, planning, and filing to minimize legal tax liability; auditing financial records to detect errors, fraud, or compliance gaps; overseeing bookkeeping for accounts payable and receivable; and budgeting and forecasting to support organizational planning and investment decisions.
November 10, 2022How to Support Veteran Employees
It’s critical to ensure your business has the bandwidth, resources, and capabilities to provide a Veteran-friendly environment. Take a few moments to ask yourself some questions that’ll help determine if your organization is Veteran-friendly. If your organization falls short, there is always room for improvement. We encourage you to read further and gain an understanding ...
October 25, 2022Learning Theories: Five Theories of Learning in Education
Learning theories are conceptual frameworks that explain how individuals acquire, process, and retain knowledge, serving as the foundational guides educators use to design instruction, structure learning environments, and select teaching strategies. While some sources identify as many as 31 distinct learning theories, most educational contexts focus on five primary frameworks: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, Humanism, and Connectivism.
- October 23, 2022
How To Become A High School Teacher In California
Becoming a high school teacher in California requires a bachelor's degree, passing the CBEST for basic skills and the CSET in your specific subject area for content knowledge, completing a CTC-approved teacher preparation program including approximately 600 hours of student teaching or fieldwork, and passing the CalTPA or edTPA performance assessment before applying for a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential through the CTC.
October 12, 2022Getting Clinical Skills in Human Sexuality Psychology
Gaining clinical skills in human sexuality psychology requires an existing foundation in clinical mental health practice, a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, plus an active state license, before pursuing specialized postgraduate training in sexual health assessment and therapeutic intervention.
October 9, 2022Inclusion in the Workplace
Workplace inclusion is a cultural and structural environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully, going beyond diversity representation to ensure that every person has genuine belonging, equitable access to opportunities, and an active voice in organizational decisions. Research grounded in social identity theory consistently shows that inclusion produces positive outcomes for both individuals and organizations, including improved performance, higher wellbeing, and stronger organizational commitment.
September 28, 2022Weighing the Pros and Cons of Online vs. In-Person Learning
The right learning format depends on career goals, lifestyle, and learning style, and neither format is universally superior. Online learning offers flexibility, lower cost, and global access, making it particularly well-suited for working adults: research shows approximately 50% of undergraduates and 69% of postgraduates who complete online courses are employed full-time, reflecting how flexibility drives format choice for most adult learners. An online degree is typically around $10,000 less expensive than an equivalent on-campus program, and over 60% of graduates post-pandemic have chosen online learning primarily for its affordability.
- September 19, 2022
What Do Electrical Engineers Do?
Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical devices, systems, and components, applying the physics and mathematics of electricity to build and improve technology across electronics and circuit design, electric power and energy systems, telecommunications, control systems, and robotics. Core competencies include advanced mathematics, circuit analysis, electromagnetism, and proficiency in tools such as AutoCAD, SPICE simulation software, and programming languages including Python, C++, and MATLAB, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering as the standard entry credential and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure available for those seeking advanced or independent practice roles.
- September 19, 2022
How to Become a Therapist: Your Questions Answered
Becoming a licensed therapist requires six to eight years: a four-year bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, followed by a two to three-year master's program, and approximately 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work before sitting for licensure examinations.
- September 12, 2022
Behavior Analyst: What Is a Behavior Analyst?
A behavior analyst is a trained professional who applies the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to assess, understand, and modify behavior, developing individualized, data-driven intervention plans and teaching functional skills across clinical, educational, and community settings. The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is the primary professional credential in the field, requiring a master's degree, supervised fieldwork hours, and passing the BACB examination, with a hierarchy of credentials that also includes the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) and the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
September 6, 2022Types of Nurses: 39 Different Types of Nursing Specialties [Updated 2026]
Nurses are organized into credential levels based on education and licensure, from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who assist with basic daily living activities after a brief state-approved training program, to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) who perform clinical tasks after approximately one year of schooling, to Registered Nurses (RNs) who coordinate care and administer complex treatments after completing an ADN or BSN, to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Clinical Nurse Specialists, who hold master's or doctoral degrees and can diagnose, order tests, and in most states prescribe medication.
- September 5, 2022
Doctorate Degree: What Is a Doctoral Degree?
A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree, signifying expert-level mastery and, in the case of research doctorates, an original contribution to a field's body of knowledge. There are two broad types: research doctorates, led by the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which require producing new knowledge through original research and a defended dissertation; and professional doctorates, such as the EdD, PsyD, DNP, DBA, and JD, which focus on applying advanced knowledge to complex, real-world problems in practice-oriented fields.