Kaplan University is a private, for-profit online university with over 70 physical campuses across the United States.
One of the largest online universities in North America, Kaplan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
This article will give an overview of Kaplan University, detail its online degree programs, and explain how its distance learning works.
Kaplan University – Benefits of Online Education
Students often consider online degree programs because they present more flexibility than can be found in traditional, campus-based settings. Below are some of the benefits offered by Kaplan University:
- Flexible scheduling which provides students with the opportunity to attend classes at a time of their choosing;
- A strong cadre of online academic and career advisors to assist with online learning and post-graduation job searches;
- A solid offering of liberal arts programs to go along with its business and science-based programs;
- Student-centered learning which takes into consideration multiple intelligences;
- An online course structure which presents asynchronous courses as well as time to meet personally with instructors and professors;
- A broad range of technological resources which include online libraries, tutorials, and technical seminars.
Learning at Kaplan University can also have the benefit of being lighter on a student's wallet, as online learning is often much less expensive than traditional, campus-based colleges. In particular, students do not need to pay for expensive peripheral costs (such as student housing and textbooks) when enrolled in an online university.
In addition, now that changes have been made to the federal rules which govern how federal financial aid is disbursed, students who attend online college are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants.
Kaplan University – Campus and Online University Structure
There are over 100 online degree programs – including a range of online Associate's degrees, online Bachelor's degrees, and online Master's degrees – offered through nine academic schools:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business and Management
- Concord Law School
- School of Criminal Justice
- Graduate School of Education
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Information Systems Technology
- School of Legal Studies
- School of Nursing
Regardless of the school, students who utilize the online university learning structure meet with professors both in real time and asynchronously via the internet. This structure allows students to complete work via online forums and provides students with the flexibility to attend live classes when convenient.
Kaplan University has a user-friendly online database which provides students with a single location from which to do any of the following:
- Check grades;
- Find syllabi and current assignments;
- Turn in completed assignments;
- Manage papers, documents, and coursework.
Students are also able to use instant messaging to get in touch with both professors and classmates when questions arise. This also helps facilitate group learning and tutoring.
While some students choose to attend the university traditionally by attending its campus-based courses, most enrolled students are full online university participants. Regardless of which learning format a student chooses, all of the educational programs and degrees (detailed in the next section) are available.
Kaplan University – Online Degree Programs
Kaplan University offers over 100 online degree programs through its nine academic online schools, including a number of Associate's degrees in:
- Human Services
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Fire Science
- Health Information Technology
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Transcription
- Information Technology
- Paralegal Studies
- Public Administration
Additionally, online Bachelor's degree programs are available, many of which have multiple concentrations, and include:
- Communication
- Human Services
- Liberal Studies
- Professional Studies
- Psychology
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Fire & Emergency Management
- Fire Science
- Health and Wellness
- Health Information Management
- Health Science
- Nutrition Science
- Information Technology
- Environmental Policy and Management
- Legal Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Public Administration and Policy
- Nursing
A number of online Master's degree programs are available through the nine academic schools as well, and include:
- Business Administration
- Accounting
- Management
- Criminal Justice
- Teaching (noncertification outside of Iowa)
- Education
- Information Technology
- Legal Studies
- Nursing
All of the above online degree programs are available for students using the online learning format.
Kaplan University – Online University Technology Requirements
Technology plays a large part in online education, and students must have computer access and the necessary hardware to participate.
Below are some of the current technology requirements for online students at Kaplan University:
- A fast and stable internet connection;
- Microsoft Office 2003 or later;
- Current antivirus software;
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Firefox 2.0 or later, or Safari 2.0 or later;
- Access to a printer and fax machine.
Kaplan University has more technology requirements, many of which are available as free downloads upon enrolling.
Kaplan University – Distance Learning Which Offers Flexibility
Kaplan University provides a wealth of Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, and Master's degrees through its online platform. With a broad range of student resources, student support services, and a well-developed online organizational model which caters to different learning styles, Kaplan University is a solid choice for those students looking for a flexible online degree.
For more information, reference Kaplan University's online degree program guide, from which the information for this article was gleaned.
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David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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