Non-Traditional Learning Opportunities
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Non-Traditional Learning Opportunities
<>In most accredited schools, one must be 18 to attend. With the non-accredited study programs, most accept students as young as 14 years old. I believe the reason for this is, the non-accredited study programs provide the student with a career diploma and valuable hands on experience, qualifying them to work. However, the child labor laws in most states will not allow children younger than 14 to be employed, so I believe that is why they don't offer the study programs to younger children. My 12 year old was ready to complete one of these programs but had to wait until 14 because of this requirement.
The following is a list of organizations which our children completed a study program in, or we at least investigated before narrowing down our choices.
Accredited Degrees - personally I was not interested in one of these because I feel accredited institutions contribute to the perpetuation of institutional myths of our society, and are just teaching the "accepted" knowledge they want to program our children with. But here are the main ones which we investigated:
Capella University - includes degrees in Technology, Psychology, Business, Education and Human Services.
University of Phoenix Online - includes Associates, Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age. Applicants must have a GED or be employed in order to apply. However, they state that those who do not meet these requirements may still apply and send a letter to the Student Appeals Committee telling why this requirement should be waived. My husband received the Associate of Arts in General Studies from this University.
Bachelors Degrees
Business/Accounting
Business/Administration
Business/e-Business
Business/Management
Business/Marketing
Information
Technology
Science in Nursing
Graduate Degrees
Master of Arts
Organizational
Management
Education with a
Specialization in Curriculum
and Technology
Master of Business
Accounting
Business
Administration
e-Business
Global Management
Technology Management
Master of Science
Computer
Information
Systems
Nursing
International
Distance Learning Course Finder - world's largest online directory
of e-learning courses from 130 countries. This universal distance
education
resource has information on over 55,000 distance learning courses and
programs
offered from a multitude of universities, colleges and companies.
Allied
Business Schools - Has specific courses for California Real Estate
Licensing, as well as National Appraisal Licensing courses. Also
has nationally accredited business courses needed to become a Legal
Secretary,
Medical Billing and Coding, Computerized Financial Accounting, and much
more.
Accredited, Career Diploma Programs
Professional Career Development Institute - 46 diploma programs, including:
Accounting
Animal Care
Specialist
Auto Mechanics
Bridal
Consulting
Carpentry
Child Day
Care
Computer
Programming
Computer
Repair - my 18 year old is taking this one and loves it!
Conservation
Electrician
Electronics
Specialist
English As
A Second Language
Fashion
Merchandising
Financial
Planning Specialist
Fitness
Floral Design
Gourmet
Cooking
and Catering
Gunsmithing
Heating/Air
Conditioning
High School
Diploma
Home Inspection
Hotel/Restaurant
Management
Interior
Decorating
Jewelry Design
and Repair
Landscape
Design
Legal
Transcription
Locksmithing
Medical Billing
Medical
Transcription
Medical and
Dental Assisting
Motorcycle
Repair
Nutrition
Specialist
Paralegal
Personal
Computer
Training
Pharmacy
Technician
Photography
Plumbing
Private
Investigator
Property
Management
Real Estate
Appraisal
Small Business
Management
Tax Preparation
Teacher
Assistant
Travel
Web Site Design
Writing
Children's
Books
London School of Journalism - Become a Journalist or Learn Creative Writing. I don't know whether these are accredited or non-accredited. Programs include:
Journalism and
Newswriting
Thrillers - Writing
a Bestseller
Freelance and
Feature
Writing
Poetry
Subediting and Design
Improve Your English
Internet Journalism
(complete)
English for Business
Internet Journalism
(short course)
Enjoying English
Literature
Media Law
Understanding
English
History
Short Story and
Novel Writing
Writing for Children
Cartooning
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Home study course in bird biology. Learn about bird behavior, ecology, conservation, and many other subjects.
Non-accredited Programs
The School of Natural Health Sciences - Provides accreditation through the National College of Holistic Medicine, however, this "accreditation" is not necessarily accepted in "traditional" colleges and schools. However, after completeing their program, you qualifications are supposed to entitle you to "practice" and you can get professional insurance coverage. I don't know if the insurance coverage works if you practice in some country other than the UK. I plan on completing this program myself one day. This school is in the UK but they can send you the course materials by email. Courses include: acupressure, anatomy and physiology, aromatherapy, advanced aromatherapy, child psychology, color therapy, crystal healing, drug and alcohol counseling, flower remedies, advanced flower remedies, herbalism, advanced herbalism, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, advanced hypnotherapy, Indian head massage, iridology, kinesiology, nutrition, advanced nutrition, philosophy, professional relaxation therapy, psychotherapy and counseling, advanced psychotherapy, reflexology, advanced reflexology, shiatsu, stress management, advanced stress management, sports nutrition, sports psychology, yoga beginners, and more.
Thomas Education Direct - Education Direct is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Education Direct and the Center for Degree Studies are licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools. But this is not the same as being accredited by the state regents. This is the program my 14 year old is completing in photography. Their programs include:
* Administrative
* Building Trades
* Computers
* Creative/Design
* Education
* Electrical/Electronics
* Engineering
* Legal/Medical
* Management
* Mechanical
* Security
* Travel and Hospitality
The photography program and the dog obedience trainer program are both a part of the Creative/Design area. The different programs that fall under the categories above are too numerous to list. Suffice it to say, I found several areas that both my kids were interested in and plan to take. You can also get a high school diploma (if you want one) and degree programs too. But I personally think that with kids, unless they just LOVE academics, it's better for them to take a career diploma program. When my 18 year old asked about what college was like so he could decide if he wanted to go, I told him that at least two years would be spent taking a repeat of high school courses: english, math, science, history......that was the deciding factor for him. He wanted real career training, not busy work. The good thing is, you don't have to have a high school diploma or SAT or ACT tests to do these. Anyone can complete them and train for a career.
There are many
more programs than these, but this is a start. I will add other
quality
programs as I find them.
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