What is EdTech (Education Technology)?

From healthcare and entertainment to engineering and transportation, technology has revolutionized every industry on a global scale, impacting not only businesses, but also families, students, and educators. Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, online education was already on the rise, with “enrolled college students who took at least one online class…edging up to 34.7 percent …

Types of Psychological Therapy

In modern medicine, the best medicine is often targeted to a specific condition or audience. So, too, is the best therapy. Each type of psychological therapy also has a list of necessary skills. There is not a single “psychotherapy,” but several subtypes. There is one-on-one therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, and a variety of theory-based …

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?

It is not uncommon for the casual observer — and patients, especially — to pose the question, “What is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist?” They are each scholars of psychology and can both be client-facing professions. They practice psychotherapy, obtain doctorates, are both trained to identify mental issues and disorders, and thrive on …

Essential Skills Needed to be a Forensic Psychologist

Set aside what you think you know about forensic psychology from popular media. The deep and dramatic analysis of criminal suspects and the profile-making process found in TV shows might have their place in some roles, but the application of forensic psychology in the real world is much broader and entirely more complicated.  It’s also …

Helping Students Overcome Social Anxiety in School

Anxiety disorders are among some of the most common mental health disorders in the United States — and it isn’t just adults who are affected. In addition to an estimated 40 million U.S. adults, anxiety has also been diagnosed in more than 7 percent of U.S. children and teenagers aged 3 to 17, according to …

Pros and Cons of Teaching Cyber School

COVID-19 has led to a surge in online learning, with record numbers of students attending school virtually in order to maintain social distancing. This unprecedented shift toward distance learning has presented a new and unique set of challenges to educators, demanding creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.   If you are planning on becoming an educator, it is …

ABA Psychology and Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more common than most people realize, affecting approximately 1 in 54 children throughout the United States. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), places that number even higher, estimating a figure closer to 1 in 40, or …

NSF Artificial Intelligence Grant

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY PART OF PRESTIGIOUS TEAM SELECTED FOR $20M NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT TO STUDY AI AND OPTIMIZATION LA JOLLA, CALIF. (August 2, 2021) — As part of an initiative to establish a series of artificial intelligence research institutes nationwide, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $20 million grant to a partnership of …

What is Sociological Imagination?

To put it simply, sociological imagination is an ability to connect personal experience with larger social structures, allowing us to link personal challenges to broader social issues. However, a simple definition doesn’t fully capture the scope of this modestly complex idea. What kind of personal challenges or social issues? How do they connect? Exploring a …

Sociological Theories of Crime & Deviance

What is crime, exactly? Why does it occur? What are some different types of crime? Why are some offensive behaviors considered crimes, but others are not? And what can we do to influence rates of criminal behavior in society? There are many sociological theories of crime, and each approaches these types of questions in a …

National University Honored with Excellence Award for Law Enforcement Training Programs Focused on Community Policing and Wellness

La Jolla, CA – July 23, 2021 – National University, a nonprofit university with a 50-year history of serving working adult learners, educators, and Veterans, has been honored, in conjunction with National Education Partners (NEP) with a D2L 2021 Excellence Award for a recently-launched program aimed at enhancing community policing partnerships. The award is open …

Popular Theories of Sociology

As the study of social relationships and systems, sociology has many theories that can help us to better understand and interact with the world around us. That includes competing theories that are attempting to explain the same phenomena, as well as theories that cover an incredibly diverse range of different social systems and issues. Fully …

Higher Education Visionary Carey Hilderbrand Joins National University System as Chief Marketing Officer

LA JOLLA, CALIF. (July 21, 2021) — National University System, a nonprofit network of education institutions that includes National University, Northcentral University, and City University of Seattle, today announced the appointment Carey Hilderbrand as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). As National University System’s CMO, Hilderbrand will utilize her more than 20 years of combined marketing and …

What is School Psychology?

School psychologists work with school-aged children and engage with children, youth, families, and school systems. With that in mind, school psychology could be considered a subset of child psychology. However, unlike child psychologists, school psychologists are not just concerned with individuals, but the systems and environments they are placed in. A school psychologist is, characteristically, …

The Importance of Mental Health During a Pandemic

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that over 17 million Americans, or about 7 percent of the population, suffered “at least one major depressive episode” during 2017. Anxiety, which frequently overlaps with depression, is even more prevalent in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), roughly 40 …

Helping Students Overcome Procrastination

Some students struggle to understand algebra. Others have trouble remembering history. Others excel when tasked with group projects but find it a challenge to study consistently. While each student’s skill sets and strengths are unique, there’s one obstacle nearly all of them face: the tendency to procrastinate. In fact, you might be surprised (and dismayed) …

Engaging Students in Distance Learning

As part of the ongoing effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, thousands of schools have transitioned toward distance education, replacing conventional classrooms with online courses, websites, and apps. Thanks to innovations in educational technology, or “edtech,” students can take tests, attend lectures, collaborate on group assignments, and participate in class discussions — all while …

Southern California-Based University Saves Students $25 Million and 14,500 Courses by Counting Prior Learning for Credit

National University’s Prior Learning Assessment innovations are dramatically reducing tuition costs and time to completion by automatically counting prior learning credits LA JOLLA, CALIF. (July 1, 2021) — National University, a private nonprofit university that serves a diverse population of more than 30,000 working adult learners, educators, and Veterans, today announced results from its successful …