Penn Foster Career School

The mission statement of Penn Foster Career School states its objective as enabling adult learners to access fully-supported educational programs to earn career diplomas. Penn Foster Career School has a history of over 100 years in providing distance learning for adults.

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The Distance Education and Training Council, a national accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education, has bestowed accreditation upon Penn Foster Career School. The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools also accredits it. The Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools has licensed Penn Foster Career School. Penn Foster is authorized for veterans' education benefits.

Penn Foster Career School presents a Child Day Care Management program. Seven instruction sets include material regarding child development, establishing a day care, learning strategies, program planning, and caring for school-aged children. Penn Foster states the program can be completed in a minimum of seven months.

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate has three components, each consisting of 45 hours: Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education; Child Growth; and Development and Health, Safety and Nutrition for Young Children. Students must also have 480 hours of child care experience during the previous five years to receive the certificate.

The Child Psychology Certificate program has four instruction sets: Learning Strategies and Child Development, Essentials of Psychology, Child Psychology, and Abnormal Child Psychology. Penn Foster specifically states completion of this program does not qualify students as mental health professionals or child psychologists. It is intended to be supplemental to Early Childhood Education.

The Teacher's Aide program consists of seven instructional sets, including lessons pertaining to learning, classroom and teaching strategies, child development, curriculum content, and teaching special education programs.

Courses in the programs are self-paced; however, students must complete their curriculum within two years. Students must obtain an overall percentage of 70 to successfully graduate from their program. Students can commence their studies upon enrollment.