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Articles by National University
- October 23, 2018
The Early Childhood Credential: Online Certificate Option
An early childhood credential authorizes educators to teach and care for children from birth through age eight, including preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and early elementary settings, with requirements that vary by career goal, setting, and state.
- October 23, 2018
Boost Your Career With an AA in Business Administration
If you’re looking to take a big step forward in a wide variety of jobs in the business world, you don’t necessarily need to earn a four-year degree. An Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration can help you advance your career in less time and with less cost. The degree can also set you ...
- October 23, 2018
The Federal Pell Grant Program and Your Education
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based subsidy from the U.S. government that provides financial assistance to low- and moderate-income undergraduate students without requiring repayment, except under specific circumstances such as early withdrawal from a program.
- October 23, 2018
How Much Does A Masters Degree Cost?
A master's degree in the United States typically costs between $30,000 and $120,000 in total tuition, with the national average sitting around $62,820, but actual cost varies significantly by field, institution type, and format.
- October 23, 2018
How To Become An Elementary School Teacher In California
Becoming an elementary school teacher in California requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, completion of a CTC-approved Teacher Preparation Program including at least 600 hours of student teaching or fieldwork, passing foundational skills and subject-matter assessments, and meeting additional state requirements before applying for a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
- October 23, 2018
How To Go Back To School As A Single Mom
In 2014, Cassie Olinski found herself in a difficult position. She was facing an unexpected divorce, and as a soon-to-be-single mother to an 8-year-old son with special needs, she knew it would be difficult for her to make ends meet with no degree and limited job options. After some hunting, she managed to find a ...
- October 23, 2018
How to Study for the CSET: 8 Tips
Passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) requires preparation, hard work, and practice, not last-minute cramming. National University recommends starting preparation one to three months before the test date and building a structured study plan that covers all key content areas before sitting for any subtest.
- October 23, 2018
Interpersonal Communication: Building Stronger Relationships
Interpersonal communication is the exchange of information between individuals through verbal and nonverbal messages, a process involving a sender who conveys a message and a receiver who interprets it, with feedback facilitating understanding. It occurs across a range of settings, from face-to-face conversations to mediated channels like email, video calls, and text, with direct communication enabling richer nonverbal exchange and immediate feedback that mediated formats cannot fully replicate.
- October 23, 2018
Law Enforcement Education: Career Boosting Options
Law enforcement education combines formal academic credentials with state-certified academy training, with a high school diploma or equivalent serving as the minimum for most local departments, while college degrees increasingly provide a competitive advantage for hiring, promotion, and access to federal agency roles.
- October 23, 2018
Finding the Best Military-Friendly College
You’ve served your country. You still may be serving, in fact. And, now, you’re ready to begin a new adventure. Whether you’re returning to the classroom after many years, or you’ll be attending college for the first time, you’re no doubt excited about the personal and professional opportunities that come with earning a degree. As ...
- October 23, 2018
How Military Tuition Assistance Can Fund Your Education
You joined the United States military to serve your country and build your character. Your military service allowed you to do that and so much more. Now it’s time to move forward and further your education, a decision that can impact your future in a big way. But perhaps you are not sure where to ...
- October 23, 2018
The Online MFA: Creative Writing
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is the terminal degree in creative writing, the highest practice credential in the field, focusing on the development of original work in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or screenwriting through intensive workshop-based instruction and mentorship from published faculty.
- October 23, 2018
Universities in Southern California: Online Degrees at National University
Need a flexible way to take your career to the next level? It’s time to start thinking about online degrees. Among universities in Southern California, La Jolla-based National University is consistently ranked in the top five online colleges. Given the increasing demand for online education, National University has been at the forefront for 20 years, ...
- October 23, 2018
What Can You Do With Pre-Law Degree
A pre-law undergraduate background is not a single major but a preparation pathway, developing critical reading, persuasive writing, logical analysis, and research skills that transfer across legal, government, corporate, and public service careers. Because law schools accept students from any undergraduate major, a pre-law background creates flexibility: graduates can pursue law school, enter legal support roles immediately, or apply their analytical skills across a wide range of non-legal fields. Legal and courtroom roles include paralegal and legal assistant positions supporting attorneys with document drafting, evidence organization, and case research; mediator and arbitrator roles facilitating dispute resolution outside the courtroom; and legal secretary positions managing client correspondence and court filings.
- October 23, 2018
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Sociology? [Updated, 2026]
A bachelor's in sociology develops highly transferable skills, qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, cultural competency, and critical thinking about systemic social problems, that are valued across social services, human resources, public policy, market research, criminal justice, and increasingly, technology and UX research. Sociology professionals with a bachelor's degree commonly work as market research analysts, public relations specialists, and social science research assistants, with BLS median annual salaries in the $69,780 to $76,950 range for these roles.
- October 23, 2018
What Can You Do With A Bachelor’s In English
A Bachelor's in English is a versatile 120-credit, four-year degree that develops advanced reading comprehension, critical thinking, and persuasive writing skills, with concentrations typically available in literature, creative writing, and professional and technical writing, each preparing graduates for different career tracks.
- October 23, 2018
What Is A Bachelor Of Arts Degree?
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a four-year undergraduate degree rooted in the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing humanities, social sciences, and the arts alongside a broad general education. BA degrees emphasize liberal arts, communication, and critical thinking, offering flexibility and broad career paths in business, media, education, and public service. Most BA programs in the United States require approximately 120 credit hours and commonly include coursework in literature, history, philosophy, foreign language, and social sciences.
- October 23, 2018
What Is A General Studies Degree
A general studies degree is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that allows students to explore multiple subjects, drawing from humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics, rather than committing to a single specialized major. It emphasizes transferable skills including critical thinking, communication, research, and adaptability, making it particularly well-suited for adult learners consolidating credits from multiple institutions, career changers seeking a broad foundation, and students who want to make degree progress while still exploring their direction.