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
September 23, 2025Top 5 Reasons Adult Learners Benefit From Finishing Their Degree
Finishing a degree as an adult learner delivers six distinct advantages: higher lifetime earning potential and salary negotiation leverage, layoff protection during industry consolidations and technological disruptions, access to leadership and executive roles that require formal credentials, career pivot credibility that allows employers to confidently hire into a new field, specialized professional networking with faculty and peers that generates long-term mentorship and collaboration, and the personal confidence and role-modeling effect of completing what you started.
September 16, 2025Explore Careers in Forensic Science: National Forensic Science Week 2025
Forensic science careers combine scientific analysis with criminal justice, with professionals applying biology, chemistry, digital technology, and medical expertise to collect, analyze, and interpret evidence for legal proceedings. Core specializations include forensic biology and DNA analysis, which identifies individuals through biological evidence such as blood, hair, and bone; digital forensics, which recovers and analyzes data from devices, cloud storage, and networks; trace evidence and toxicology, which examines microscopic materials and identifies drugs or poisons in biological samples; and forensic pathology and anthropology, which determines cause of death and identifies human remains in homicide and mass fatality cases.
September 12, 2025What Is Industrial-Organizational Psychology?
Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is the scientific application of psychological research and methods to workplace issues, studying productivity, employee selection and testing, organizational dynamics, and work-life quality to help organizations and the people within them function more effectively. The field has two distinct but complementary sides: the industrial side focuses on personnel functions such as hiring, assessment, training, and performance evaluation, while the organizational side examines how culture, leadership, motivation, and structure influence employee behavior and organizational outcomes.
September 8, 2025How to Become a Marriage Counselor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) is a multi-stage process that typically takes seven to nine years: four years for a bachelor's degree, two to three years for a master's degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) or a closely related field, and one to two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience. In California, where NU's programs are primarily based, the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) oversees licensure, requiring candidates to register as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and pass both the LMFT Law and Ethics Exam and the LMFT Clinical Exam before receiving an independent license.
September 5, 2025Completing Your College Application as an Adult Learner in 10 Steps
Completing a college application as an adult learner is a different process than applying directly from high school, the evaluation centers on professional maturity, life experience, and readiness for academic work rather than standardized test scores, which most institutions waive for applicants aged 25 and older.
September 2, 2025What is Natural Environment Teaching? A Guide to NET
Natural Environment Teaching (NET) is an evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) method that embeds skill instruction into everyday routines, play, and settings where a child naturally spends time, such as homes, classrooms, and playgrounds, rather than structured table-based drills. NET follows the child's lead: therapists capture moments of natural motivation and use them as teaching opportunities, with reinforcement typically coming from the activity or item itself rather than an external reward.
August 26, 2025Financial Aid for Adult Learners: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Adult learners have access to the same federal financial aid programs as traditional students, with one significant advantage: students aged 24 and older are automatically classified as independent on the FAFSA, meaning financial aid eligibility is based on the student's own income rather than parental finances, which often results in higher need-based aid awards. The FAFSA is the essential first step, unlocking eligibility for federal grants that do not require repayment, including the Pell Grant.
August 22, 2025The Best Online Degrees for Career Change After 30
The best online degrees for career changers after 30 share three characteristics: strong job growth and salary potential, flexibility for asynchronous study that fits around existing employment and family obligations, and transferable skills that let learners apply prior professional experience rather than starting entirely from scratch.
August 19, 2025Step-by-Step Dissertation Guide
A dissertation follows three sequential phases: preparation and proposal, research and drafting, and finalization and defense, with each phase building directly on the previous one and committee approval required before advancing.
August 8, 2025The Future of Social Work: Trends and Innovations
Social work is entering a period of significant transformation, driven by an aging population, an escalating mental health crisis, and the integration of digital tools into practice, creating both expanded demand and new professional competencies.
- August 6, 2025
Computer Science vs Information Technology
Computer science (CS) and information technology (IT) are closely related but serve different purposes in the technology ecosystem: CS focuses on creating technology, designing software, developing algorithms, and advancing computational theory, while IT focuses on implementing and managing that technology within organizations. CS professionals need strong programming, mathematics, and problem-solving skills to design systems from the ground up, while IT professionals apply network management, systems security, and data management skills to support day-to-day organizational operations.
August 4, 2025Probation Officers: Supervising and Supporting Rehabilitation
A probation officer is a criminal justice professional who supervises individuals sentenced to probation in lieu of incarceration, monitoring compliance with court-ordered conditions, connecting clients to rehabilitation resources, and reporting progress or violations to the courts. The role sits at the intersection of law enforcement and social work, requiring both the authority to enforce supervision conditions and the interpersonal skills to support successful reintegration. Core responsibilities include tracking compliance through drug testing, electronic monitoring, and curfews; conducting risk assessments and developing individualized supervision plans; connecting clients to mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and employment services; and initiating violation proceedings when court-ordered terms are breached.
July 30, 2025How to Become a Digital Forensic Investigator
Becoming a digital forensic investigator requires a foundation in computer science, mastery of forensic methodologies, industry-recognized certifications, and hands-on experience, following a pathway that typically begins in IT before specializing in forensic investigation. The standard steps are: earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, digital forensics, or criminal justice to build foundational knowledge in operating systems, networking, and programming; gaining entry-level IT experience as a support specialist, network analyst, or systems engineer to develop the system architecture knowledge forensic work requires; and obtaining industry certifications including the CFCE (Certified Forensic Computer Examiner), GCFE or GCFA (GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner/Analyst), or CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator) to validate technical expertise to employers.
July 24, 2025How to Become a Software Engineer
Becoming a software engineer requires mastering foundational programming concepts, building a portfolio of working projects, and choosing an education pathway suited to your timeline and goals. The three main pathways are a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering, the most consistently preferred route among top-tier employers, an accelerated coding bootcamp offering three to six months of intensive hands-on training, or structured self-study using platforms. Regardless of pathway, the non-negotiable steps are the same: learn a foundational language (Python or JavaScript are the most beginner-accessible), understand core concepts including data structures and algorithms, and build real projects hosted on GitHub that demonstrate applied skill.
- July 18, 2025
From High School Teacher to Community College Professor
Transitioning from high school teaching to a community college professorship offers increased academic autonomy, adult learners, and a shift in focus from behavior management to deep content engagement, but securing a position requires meeting specific education and experience benchmarks that differ from K–12 credentialing.
July 10, 2025Why Is Project Management Important?
Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements, the discipline of planning, organizing, and executing the tasks needed to turn an idea into a tangible deliverable. It matters because it helps ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the expected quality of work, while identifying and mitigating risks, managing resources effectively, and keeping stakeholders aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
July 8, 2025What Does a Criminologist Do?
A criminologist is a social scientist who studies the causes, patterns, and consequences of criminal behavior, analyzing data about offenders, social conditions, and systemic factors to help reduce crime and inform public policy, rather than investigating individual cases. Core responsibilities include analyzing the behavior and methodology of criminals to predict or prevent additional crime, reviewing how law enforcement tactics affect crime rates, studying demographic data, and developing criminal profiles used by law enforcement agencies.
June 24, 202549 Adult Literacy Statistics and Facts for 2026
Adult literacy remains a foundational pillar for personal advancement and economic opportunity in the United States. While millions of adults continue to face challenges with basic reading and comprehension, improving literacy skills is closely linked to better employment prospects, higher earnings, and stronger family and community outcomes. A study from OECD showed literacy and numeracy ...