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Articles by NU Editorial Contributors
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
Going back to school as an adult learner? You’ll be joining the roughly 2.9 million adults enrolled in undergraduate degrees, which translates to about 23% of undergrad students. Whether you’re aiming to advance your career, change paths, or want to go purely for personal reasons, you’ll need to explore your financial options. College can be ...
August 22, 2025The Best Online Degrees for Career Change After 30
Stagnant career growth. Job burnout. Desire for new challenges or pursuit of a passion. These are the top reasons people over 30 are going back to school to reboot their careers. In spring 2024, nearly 2.5 million students aged 30+ enrolled in an undergraduate program. The average person changes jobs roughly a dozen times over ...
August 19, 2025Step-by-Step Dissertation Guide
Introduction to the Dissertation/Applied Doctoral Project Process Completing your dissertation or applied doctoral project (ADP) is a significant milestone. Still, without a clear roadmap, it can quickly become overwhelming. This guide walks you through the entire process step-by-step, from choosing the perfect topic to preparing your defense or professional presentation and submitting your completed work. ...
August 12, 202513 Highest-Paying College Majors in 2026
The highest-paying college majors in 2026 are concentrated in STEM and healthcare, with engineering and computer science fields consistently leading by starting salary. According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and NACE's 2025 First Destinations Survey, starting salaries for top-paying majors range from $65,000 to over $90,000, with Petroleum Engineering at the top, followed by Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
August 8, 2025The Future of Social Work: Trends and Innovations
The field of social work is undergoing profound change, driven by complex societal needs, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on ethical, culturally responsive practice. As social workers respond to challenges like systemic inequality, mental health crises, and the growing needs of aging and underserved populations, innovation is emerging alongside a steadfast commitment to the ...
- 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
By the end of 2022, an estimated 2.9 million adults in the U.S. were on probation. That’s a staggering number, but it’s down from 3.9 million in 2012. Unlike incarceration, probation allows offenders to serve their sentences under supervision while maintaining jobs and staying connected to family and community support. Probation officers who make that ...
July 30, 2025How to Become a Digital Forensic Investigator
Digital Forensics’ Impact What do the Enron scandal and a notorious serial killer have in common? Both were exposed by a digital forensics investigation. Experts in this field track the digital evidence that criminals leave behind and help bring them to justice. If you’re curious about the cases we mentioned or have ever wondered how ...
July 24, 2025How to Become a Software Engineer
How to Become a Software Engineer: A Complete Guide Could you imagine a world without Google searches or binge-watching your favorite Netflix shows? Software engineers are the architects behind the biggest platforms and applications that keep the modern world spinning. As we become more reliant on technology to run everything from banks to healthcare systems, ...
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 recent study from OECD showed literacy and ...
June 22, 2025What Can I Do with a Strategic Communication Degree? [Updated 2026]
An ordinary communication degree teaches students a variety of highly marketable skills; but a BA in Communication degree with a concentration in strategic communications or a Master in Strategic Communications further specializes those skills with an even greater emphasis on professional communications theory. From improving internal communication to enhancing marketing campaigns, graduates with a strategic communication ...
June 16, 2025MPA vs. MPH: Which Degree Should You Choose?
MPA vs. MPH: Which Degree Should You Choose? Passionate about serving the public, but not sure which degree path to take? Both a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) are excellent ways to make a meaningful difference in your community or society at large. Starting your journey begins with ...
June 6, 2025What Do Special Education Teachers Do?
What Do Special Education Teachers Do? Across the United States, millions of children rely on special education services to thrive in school and beyond. For these students, special education teachers serve as educators, advocates, and champions for inclusion. These dedicated professionals provide the support necessary for students with disabilities to meet academic, social, emotional, and ...
May 23, 2025What Is a DHA Degree?
A Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) is a professional doctoral degree designed for experienced healthcare administrators seeking executive leadership, policy, or consulting roles. DHA programs prepare healthcare leaders to manage, streamline, and improve the performance of medical organizations, including hospitals, private clinics, and long-term care facilities, and are typically completed in four to five years, often in hybrid or fully online formats to accommodate working professionals.
May 10, 2025Dissertation Defense Guide: How to Present Your Research
A dissertation defense is a formal presentation in which doctoral candidates present their research findings to a faculty committee, an oral examination that assesses the candidate's ability to articulate their research, justify their methodology and results, and address committee questions with clarity and confidence. Most defenses are scheduled for approximately two hours and are open to the public, though formats, time limits, and protocols vary by institution and department.