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
July 7, 2026Is a Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Right for You?
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is the hybrid discipline combining electrical engineering and computer science, bridging hardware and software to design modern technology including semiconductors, AI systems, robotics, and wireless networks, with professionals working across scales from nanoscale microchips to global power grids
July 1, 2026How to Choose an Online University for Working Adults
The best online universities for working adults prioritize asynchronous coursework that fits around unpredictable work and family schedules, generous transfer credit policies that recognize prior learning and reduce time to completion, and accelerated degree-completion formats that allow working professionals to earn credentials without a multi-year pause from their careers.
June 19, 2026The MFT Practicum: Navigating the Exciting Leap Into Real Clinical Work
An MHRM (Master of Human Resource Management) and an MBA serve different career tracks: the MHRM provides deep, technical expertise in organizational psychology, talent acquisition, labor law, and HR analytics for those committed to HR leadership, while the MBA provides broad business training across finance, marketing, operations, and strategy for those seeking executive flexibility across functions and industries.
June 9, 2026AI in Marketing Campaigns: The Rise of AI-Driven Campaigns
AI in marketing integrates machine learning, generative models, and predictive analytics into campaign planning, content creation, and execution, moving brands from static, broad advertising to dynamic, hyper-personalized customer journeys while automating repetitive data-driven tasks. Three core technologies drive this shift: generative AI for rapidly creating and testing variations of ad copy, images, and video; predictive analytics for analyzing historical purchase behavior to anticipate consumer needs and optimize media buying; and agentic, automated AI for orchestrating multi-step customer journeys including automated follow-ups and real-time ad-spend adjustments.
June 5, 2026How to Become a BCBA: Education, Certification, and Career Steps Explained
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) requires a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, education, or psychology from an ABAI- or APBA-accredited program (or a verified course sequence if the master's is in a different field), The minimum hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the national BCBA exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
June 4, 2026Online Courses: The One Course a Month Option
Online courses cover the full spectrum of educational goals, from short-term professional certifications and career-ready skills training to full college credit sequences and accelerated degree programs, with the defining advantage being the ability to learn on your own schedule without geographic or commuting constraints.
May 23, 2026How To Become A Teacher In California
Becoming a public school teacher in California requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, completion of a CTC-approved Teacher Preparation Program, passing the CBEST for basic skills and the CSET for subject matter competency, a fingerprint-based background check through LiveScan, and applying for a Preliminary Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
May 22, 2026Are Working Adults the Key to Southern California’s Next Wave of Job Growth?
Southern California's next wave of job growth is increasingly tied to one underutilized workforce asset: the more than 6 million Californians under age 65 who have some college education but no credential, adults who are close to completing a degree or certification but haven't crossed the finish line, and whose productivity and earning potential remain below what their experience and partial education could support.
May 20, 2026What is Differential Reinforcement? Exploring Applications
Differential reinforcement is an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategy that rewards specific desired behaviors while withholding reinforcement for interfering behaviors, a positive, individualized, and evidence-based approach to shaping more functional responses. Rather than relying on punishment to suppress unwanted behavior, it works by removing the reinforcement that sustains that behavior while making the desired alternative more rewarding.
May 17, 2026Dissertation vs. Thesis: Key Differences Explained
In American academic usage, a thesis is a research project required for a master's degree, while a dissertation is an extensive original research project completed as part of a doctoral program, the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but their purposes differ significantly. A thesis demonstrates mastery of existing knowledge in a field, typically through a literature review and analysis of existing research. A dissertation goes further: it requires original contribution, new knowledge, theories, or methods, to the field of study.
May 15, 2026AI, Skill Gaps, and the Fear of Being Left Behind in the Workplace
Workers are not just afraid of losing jobs to AI, they fear professional obsolescence, and the anxiety is grounded in a real structural problem: most organizations expect employees to master AI independently while providing little to no structured training, leaving workers caught between pressure to keep up and uncertainty about how to do so.
May 12, 2026Community Mental Health: Why It Matters in Public Health Today
Community mental health is a local system of care that provides treatment, prevention, and support services where people live and work, making mental health care accessible, affordable, and tailored to a specific population's needs rather than concentrating care in isolated institutions that many people cannot easily reach.
May 9, 2026What is Organizational Leadership?
Organizational leadership is a management approach focused on guiding entire organizations or major divisions toward long-term goals by setting a clear vision, shaping strategy, and motivating people across every level of the company. Unlike traditional management, which centers on day-to-day oversight and execution, organizational leadership emphasizes big-picture direction, culture-building, and decision-making in the face of change.
May 7, 202611 Types of Business Degrees and Career Pathways
Business is the most conferred bachelor's degree field in the United States and among the most versatile, preparing graduates for roles across finance, marketing, management, human resources, supply chain, healthcare administration, and technology. Business degrees are available at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, each offering different time commitments, career opportunities, and salary potential.
April 30, 2026What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do? Roles and Responsibilities
A forensic psychologist is a licensed doctoral-level psychologist who applies psychological science to legal and criminal justice matters, assessing defendants, advising courts, and bridging the gap between mental health expertise and legal decision-making. Core responsibilities include evaluating defendants for competency to stand trial, risk of future violence, and mental state at the time of an offense; providing expert testimony; consulting with law enforcement; and conducting psychological evaluations in civil cases such as child custody, personal injury, and civil commitment proceedings.
April 28, 2026Balancing Work and Grad School: How NU’s Online Format Helps
You can work full-time, show up for your family, and earn a graduate degree. It's not easy, but with the right format, it's absolutely achievable. National University's online programs are built specifically for adults who are doing it all, with asynchronous coursework, short course cycles, and support services designed around your life, not the other way around.
April 25, 2026What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Why It Matters
Social emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development through which young people and adults learn and practice skills that set them up for academic success, fulfilling careers, healthy relationships, and responsible civic engagement. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the leading nonprofit authority on SEL, founded in 1994, defines five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
April 21, 2026Will Military Service Help Me Get into College?
Yes, military service is a significant asset in college admissions. Veterans bring a distinct application profile that demonstrates discipline, leadership, maturity, and real-world problem-solving experience that traditional applicants cannot replicate, and admissions officers at veteran-friendly institutions actively value these qualities in their review process.