Blog
At National University, we strive to make higher education accessible to all adult learners. View our blog articles below that provide insights and information to help navigate your education path.
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August 26, 2025
Financial Aid for Adult Learners: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Reviewed by Megan McQuiston Associate Director, Financial Aid Quality Assurance 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, ...
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August 22, 2025
The 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. Sound familiar? In spring 2024, nearly 2.5 million students aged 30+ enrolled in an undergraduate program. And with good reason — the average person ...
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August 19, 2025
Step-by-Step Dissertation Guide
Academically reviewed by: Andy Riggle, PhD, Associate Vice-President, Educational Services and Assessment Support 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 ...
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August 12, 2025
13 Highest-Paying College Majors in 2025
Think only STEM majors make good money out of college? It’s true they do well, but majoring in business or finance could also be your ticket out of living paycheck to paycheck. Getting your bachelor’s is smart; on average, you’ll make 68% more per week than someone with a high school diploma. But if you ...
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August 8, 2025
The Future of Social Work: Trends and Innovations
Written by Robyn L. Hudson, LCSW, PhD, Professor, MSW Program Director 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 ...
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August 4, 2025
Probation 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. And it’s probation officers who ...
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July 30, 2025
How 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 ...
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July 24, 2025
How 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, ...
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July 15, 2025
Marketing & SEO Jobs: Growth Trends and Insights
Key Findings From the Study Despite the explosion of digital marketing roles, many professionals are still struggling to match their skills with the right markets. A new study from National University reveals that the rise of SEO and AI has fundamentally changed marketing employment, but most professionals aren’t yet optimizing their careers for this reality. ...
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July 8, 2025
What Does a Criminologist Do?
What Does a Criminologist Do? Roles and Responsibilities When you hear “criminologist,” do you picture Sherlock Holmes piecing together clues at a crime scene? Or do you see someone in a lab, poring over DNA evidence and fingerprints? If so, you’re not alone, TV and movies have blurred the lines between police work, forensic investigation, ...
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June 24, 2025
49 Adult Literacy Statistics and Facts for 2025
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. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ...
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June 16, 2025
MPA 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 ...
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June 6, 2025
What Do Special Education Teachers Do?
Academically reviewed by Dr. Susanne James, Department Chair, Special Education 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 ...
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June 5, 2025
71 MBA Statistics and Trends for 2025
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains a pivotal force shaping the landscape of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial success. As we venture into 2025, understanding the evolving trends, demographics, and outcomes associated with MBA programs becomes crucial for prospective students, educators, and industry professionals alike. Our post, 71 MBA Statistics and Trends for 2025, offers ...
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June 3, 2025
Navigating Maze Of Federal Financial Aid
Navigating through the many federal financial aid options can seem like an interminable roadblock when they are thinking about going to college. Yet, there has never been a better time to consider completing a degree or pursuing a new one. And technology is the biggest reason why. The world once imagined by science fiction has ...
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May 30, 2025
59 AI Job Statistics: Future of U.S. Jobs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the U.S. job market, sparking widespread conversations and concerns about AI and job loss, AI taking jobs, and how many jobs AI will replace. This statistical roundup compiles the latest data and trends on AI replacing jobs, job loss statistics, and the broader impact of artificial intelligence on employment. ...
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May 23, 2025
What Is a DHA Degree?
Understanding the Doctor of Healthcare Administration If you’re considering a doctoral program in healthcare, you may not have explored the Doctor of Health Administration, or DHA. As a terminal degree, the DHA is designed for healthcare professionals aiming for executive leadership roles, such as CEO or CFO of a hospital. Unlike research-based PhD programs, a ...
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May 17, 2025
Dissertation vs. Thesis: Key Differences Explained
Academically reviewed by Andy Riggle, AVP, Office of Graduate Studies While researching graduate degrees, you may have come across articles mentioning a thesis or a dissertation. They might sound like two sides of the same coin, but they’re not quite identical. A dissertation is an extensive piece of original research completed as part of a doctoral ...
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