Kaplan University Online

Kaplan University Highlights

• Over 37,000 students
• Online education is a major focus
• Established in 1937
• Regionally accredited, which is the most widely recognized and universally accepted accreditation within the U.S., by the Higher Learning Commission

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers graduate, undergraduate, and continuing professional education through its online programs and its onsite campuses. Areas of study include education, business, technology, arts, healthcare, criminal justice, and law. Degrees include masters, bachelors, associates, and professional law, as well as certificate programs.

The school focuses on providing its students a general education, student-oriented services, and academics within a practical setting. Its instructional approach applies adult learning theory. The majority of Kaplan's students are pursuing degrees via the school's online and distance learning programs, where the school strives to bring a real-world philosophy into the classroom.

Kaplan University was founded in 1937 and is a part of Kaplan Higher Education, which offers a broad array of secondary and post-secondary educational programs.

Kaplan University Academic Programs

Kaplan University is organized around several areas of study, including:

• School of Arts and Sciences – This school's communications degrees prepares students for opportunities in fields such as public administration, advertising, public relations, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics, social services, opinion and market research, ministry, fundraising, civil service, business, marketing, and publishing. The school's Bachelor of Science in Psychology positions graduates for opportunities in related fields and sets a foundation for pursuit of related graduate studies. The school's Interdisciplinary Studies (ASIS) degrees enables students to create customized programs.
• School of Business – Teaches the hands-on expertise and analytical skills that prepare students for making sound business decisions. The school emphasizes comprehensive coursework backed by instructors that are practicing professionals in their fields. Online programs offered include those related to marketing, business security and assurance, finance, information systems, health care, international business, operations, human resources, and other areas. The school offers online degree options that can be completed in a year.
• School of Criminal Justice – Prepares students for new careers and career advancement within the rapidly growing law enforcement and security professions. This school's online programs offer coursework for law enforcement, forensic psychology, crime scene investigation, private security, and others.
• School of Education – Designed to deliver rigorous instruction in an online environment that nurtures the development of knowledgeable and committed teachers and administrators.
• School of Health Sciences – The school's bachelor and associate degrees ready students for health care industry careers by providing them a combination of an in-depth academics foundation and real-world expertise.
• School of Information Systems and Technology – This school's online degrees and certificates are built to fit the individual goals of its students. Areas of focus can include Web development, information technology, wireless networking, or areas of interest. Instructors are practicing professionals in their fields. The school is guided by the observation that IT professionals that can effectively manage people, data, and machines are of high value in the industry. The school orients its online IT programs to help students gain the expertise, communication skills, analytical skills, creativity, and technical proficiencies needed for successful IT careers.
• School of Legal Studies – Offers online paralegal degrees and certificate programs that are built to deliver an in-depth training taught by practicing experts. The school's legal studies programs provide a foundation for helping students get ready for law school or for advancing their careers in business, government, health care, or legal services. Kaplan University's online paralegal programs offer a focus on personal injury, dispute resolution, or other areas.
• School of Nursing – With the strong demand for health care services expected to continue, Kaplan University's online nursing degree programs are designed to prepare students through comprehensive coursework that facilitates their critical thinking, communication capabilities, and technical skills. Students can focus on nursing, health care management, and other areas. The school's faculty are practitioners in their fields with the appropriate professional qualifications.
• Business and Finance Certificates – Kaplan offers online business and finance certificate programs that encompass financial planning, project management, six sigma, risk management, or executive coaching.
• Health Care Certificates – Kaplan's online health care certificate options include programs for case management, medical coding, medical billing, pharmacy technician, geriatric care management, life care planning, forensic nursing or legal nurse consulting.
• Information Technology Certificates – Online IT certificate programs include Microsoft certifications, Cisco certifications or information systems security.

Learning Options at Kaplan University

Kaplan University strives to take full advantage of the flexibility and interactivity enabled by online, Internet driven education. Some of the capabilities enabled by Kaplan's online educational environment include:

• Interactive seminars between classmates and educators
• Online quizzes that provide immediate feedback and reinforcement on what has been learned
• One-to-one teacher to student feedback
• Ongoing discussion forums that facilitate interaction between classmates and instructors
• Web research assignments that make use of online research resources

Faculty

With Kaplan Universities online programs, the school is in a position to cast a wide geographic net in its recruitment of faculty that are leading educators and experienced business professionals.

Student Life

Students have a wide range of activities and organizations in which they can participate for both online and onsite campuses. Kaplan University places a strong emphasis on student interaction as an important part of the overall academic experience. The school encourages interaction through the design of facilities and class organization. For example, class work includes group assignments and other collaborative activities. Academic advisors are available both online and onsite to help students join study and special interest groups.

The University's Career Services is available for all eligible graduates. Kaplan's Career Services staff helps with job searches, resumes, cover letters, interviews, negotiating job offers, and other search activities. The staff works with students via an online Web site.

Kaplan University's onsite libraries include collections of books, professional journals and periodicals, audiovisuals, computer workstations, and other materials. Students and faculty also can access area libraries via interlibrary loan services. Online and onsite students have access to comprehensive library services via Kaplan's relationship with the UAH Salmon Library at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama. The school's many tens of thousands of volumes of books, e-books, documents, online periodicals, online research databases, and hard-copy journals are available to all online and onsite Kaplan students and faculty.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Kaplan University has a full disclosure policy for its admissions. The school works with applicants to provide them with the information they need about enrollment, programs, funding, financial aid, and other aspects of student life. The school's Admissions Advisors review each student's interests to assist in mapping out career paths within the university's programs. Once admitted, students work with Academic Advisors until graduation.

Specific admission requirements vary by program. For online programs, master degrees require at least a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university and a GPA of 2.5. Online undergraduate and certificate programs need at least a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

For financing educational programs, Kaplan University works with students to process their enrollment even if all funding details are not known. Financial Aid Advisors are available to help as needed to identify funding options. These options can include federal grants, federal, state, and private lending programs, military financial aid, and employer reimbursement. Kaplan also offers scholarships to eligible undergraduate students. A Kaplan software program helps students to detail the actual costs of their selected programs.