Why Choose Penn Foster?

Bachelor's Degree - Complete in as little as 8 months per semester*

Take the next step in your career and increase your earning potential with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences Degree in Veterinary Technology.

The Veterinary Technology Bachelor of Applied Science Degree Program is designed to help those who’ve completed an Associate Degree in Veterinary Tech prepare to accelerate their career in the animal care field. Further develop your knowledge of animal sciences while learning the career and leadership skills that can help you take the next steps toward becoming career confident in either a clinical or practice management track. Your courses include:

• Advanced Veterinary Pharmacology
• Preventative Health Care & Integrative Medicine for Animals
• Equine Medicine and Nursing

And you’ll earn your Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology around your schedule, wherever you are!

Penn Foster College is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and is authorized to award Bachelor of Science Degrees. Penn Foster College. is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in Washington, D.C. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 11/2020 - 10/2021, excluding withdrawals.

Associate Degree - Complete in as little as 5 months per semester*

Study Health Care Management — at home, at your own pace, with Penn Foster College.

There are certain skills that can help you begin a career in Health Care Management. The Penn Foster College Health Care Management Associate Degree Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently.

You’ll learn about:

• Law and Ethics in Medicine
• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Electronic Medical Records
• Health-Care Statistics

And you’ll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!

Gain the relevant skills and knowledge that can help you take the first steps toward pursuing this exciting career. And with Penn Foster College, you can learn them when and where it is convenient for you!

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 11/2020 - 10/2021, excluding withdrawals.

Associate Degree - Complete in as little as 6 months per semester*

Earn your Associate Degree in Medical Assisting online and at your own pace. Learn the essential skills needed to begin your career quickly and conveniently when and where it works best for you.

The Penn Foster College Medical Assistant Associate Degree can help you prepare to sit for these industry certifications:

• The Registered Medical Assistant certification (RMA) offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate (CCMA) offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• The National Certified Medical Assistant certificate (NCMA) offered by National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) offered by American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

And you'll earn your Medical Assistant Associate Degree at home — no classroom needed!

Earn your Associate Degree by studying in the comfort of your own home and at your own convenience. Discover how you can play an important role in the care and well-being of patients with our Medical Assistant Associate Degree program. Learn healthcare concepts that you will use regularly in your medical assistant job, including medical terminology, coding, and transcription. Then, apply your knowledge in a real world setting with an externship in a medical setting. Study on your own schedule at a price that fits your budget, with credits starting at just $79.

Penn Foster College is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and is authorized to award Associate of Science Degrees, Bachelor of Science Degrees, Undergraduate Certificates, and Career Diplomas.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 11/2020 - 10/2021, excluding withdrawals.

Associate Degree - Complete in as little as 9 months per semester*

Earn your Associate Degree as a Veterinary Technician — at home, at your own pace.

Develop the skills needed to help you begin your career as a veterinary technician. With Penn Foster, you can learn these skills quickly and conveniently with online, self-paced courses.

Our courses include: 

• Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Medical Mathematics
• Veterinary Office Management
• Animal Nutrition
• Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging
• ...and much more!

And you’ll earn your Associate Degree at home – no classroom needed!

Earn your degree in the comfort of your home and at your own convenience. With Penn Foster, you’ll study the fundamental topics needed to become a veterinary technician, gaining real-world experience that can help you take the first steps toward pursuing a career, including:

• How to handle and restrain animals, large and small
• Small and large animal nursing
• First aid, routine and emergency care, as well as veterinary surgical procedures
• How to operate your own animal care business

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 11/2020 - 10/2021, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 3 months*

Learn the skills to help you become a Dental Assistant - at home, at your own pace.

As a Dental Assistant, you'll need to know how to manage the medical office, schedule appointments and update patient records. The Penn Foster Dental Assistant Program can help you learn these skills and many more.

You'll get hands-on training in:

• Dental terminology and anatomy, preventive dentistry and nutrition
• Disease transmission, pathology, and dental emergencies
• Radiology and pharmacology
• Business administration for the Dental Assistant

And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!

Through the online Dental Assistant Training Program, you’ll learn skills to help you take the first step to enter a field with very good job opportunities – all at your own pace.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 9 months*

Earn your Home Health Aide Career Diploma at home, at your own pace. There are certain skills that can help you begin your path towards a career as a home health aide. With Penn Foster, you can learn these skills quickly and conveniently.

Our courses include:

• Introduction to the Home Health Aide Role
• Therapeutic Communication Skills
• Home Care Procedures
• Nutrition
• Meeting Clients’ Needs
• Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality
• ... and much more

And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!

Earn your career diploma in the comfort of your home and at your own convenience. With Penn Foster, you’ll study a wide range of topics and gain real-world experience that can help you work in a variety of settings, including private homes, hospice agencies, and community settings.

Some states may require additional training or licensure to obtain a position in the field at certain agencies.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 4 months*

As a Medical Administrative Assistant, you’ll need to know how to manage the medical office, schedule appointments, and update patient records. The Penn Foster Medical Administrative Assistant Program can help you learn these and other fundamental skills needed to succeed in your career. Train quickly and conveniently!

You’ll get hands-on training in:

• Law, Ethics, and Medicine
• Administrative Procedures and Practices
• Advanced Medical Terminology and Pharmacology
• Keyboarding and Word Processing

Learn administrative duties such as updating medical records, filling out insurance forms, and scheduling appointments. Also, learn clinical responsibilities like taking medical histories, preparing laboratory samples, and explaining treatments. Get the training that can help you begin your career in this exciting profession!

As a trained Medical Administrative Assistant, you can work at a pharmaceutical company, insurance company, doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. As an administrative specialist, you can also work as an insurance clerk, medical records clerk, admission clerk, or receptionist.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 11 months*

Penn Foster’s Medical Assistant Career Diploma offers an affordable, online option for students to become a Certified Medical Assistant without the need to enroll in a full associate degree program.

The Penn Foster Medical Assistant Career Diploma can help you prepare to sit for these industry certifications:

• The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate (CCMA) offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• The National Certified Medical Assistant certificate (NCMA) offered by National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) offered by American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

And you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through virtual simulations.

While learning online through Penn Foster’s self-paced program, students will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through simulations and a clinical lab. You’ll cover foundational courses and build knowledge in lessons such as Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Clinical Procedures. You can study on your own schedule, fitting your education into your budget with a customizable monthly payment plan.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 10 months*

Learn medical billing at home with the Medical Billing and Coding training program from Penn Foster College.

• Revised program includes ICD-10 coding
• Digital textbooks with online student resources
• Includes optional webinars and discussion boards
• Instructor with industry-critical credentials — AAPC/AHIMA certified
• Cost of the Certified Billing and Coding specialist exam and exam prep study package covered by Penn Foster

As a Medical Billing and Coding Professional, you'll need to know how to manage records and file claims, prepare insurance forms, and handle billing. The Penn Foster Medical Coding and Billing Program can help you develop these skills. Whether you work for a clinic, doctor's office, hospital or private billing service you can pursue a career you can be proud of!

You'll get hands-on training in:

• Law, Ethics, and Medicine
• Body Systems Terminology 1 and 2
• Electronic Medical Records

Learn administrative duties such as filling out insurance forms, updating medical records, and scheduling appointments. Get the training that can help you begin your career in this exciting profession! As a trained Medical Billing and Coding Professional, you can work at a physician's office, a rehabilitation center, clinic, or private billing service. Medical coding and billing services are in demand by physicians and other health care providers around the nation.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 7 months*

There are certain skills that can help you become a Medical Transcriptionist. The Penn Foster Medical Transcriptionist Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently!

You'll get hands-on training in:

• Medical Terminology
• Creating and Maintaining Medical Records
• Advanced Medical Terminology and Pharmacology
• Keyboarding and Word Processing

You’ll also learn essential skills like interpersonal communication, written communication, and more – all online. Through our Medical Transcription Training Program, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills that can help you prepare to take the next steps toward a rewarding, entry-level career in the healthcare field at the pace that works for you!

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 11 months*

Prepare for industry certifications and learn how to fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses with the Optician Exam Prep training program from Penn Foster.

As an Optician, you’ll help select and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses for people with eye problems following prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. The Penn Foster Optician Exam Prep Program will help you develop knowledge and skills relevant to working in this profession as well as prepare you to sit for industry certifications. Whether you work in an optical dispensary or laboratory, an optometrist’s or ophthalmologist’s office, a hospital or clinical setting, or a retail optical store, you’ll have a career you can be proud of!

You’ll receive training in:

• Optical Fundamentals
• Ophthalmic Dispensing
• Contact Lens Dispensing
• Professional Practice and Certification Review

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 4 months*

Earn your Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma at home, at your own pace.

Penn Foster Career School’s Pharmacy Technician Diploma program can help you prepare to take the PTCE and sit for the NHA ExCPT. With next generation program updates, from interactive lessons to simulations that allow you to apply what you learn to real-world tasks, the Pharmacy Technician Career Diploma can help you take the first steps toward an entry-level career in the pharmacy field.

Our courses include:

• Regulations for Drug Development
• Pharmacy Operations
• Label Preparation
• Prescriptions
• Basic Chemistry of Drug Molecules
• Medical Terminology
• ... and much more!

And you’ll earn your career diploma at home — no classroom needed!
Earn your career diploma in the comfort of your home and at your own convenience. Plus, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience with our partners CVS/pharmacy and Walgreens as part of your externship.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 13 months*

Take the first step toward a career in the healthcare field with Penn Foster College's ASHP/ACPE-accredited Pharmacy Technician Professional career diploma program! Acquire the skills and knowledge that can help you prepare to sit for important industry certification exams such as the PTCB and NHA exams with online lessons, interactive simulations, and presentations. You’ll be able to practice your skills in the real-world through your required externship.

Learn and develop skills with courses modeled against ASHP standards and requirements:

• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy Law and Regulations
• Pharmacy Compounding
• Practical Labs in Pharmacy Software Management
• Interactive simulations
• And a hands-on externship!

The Pharmacy Technician Professional Career Diploma offered online through Penn Foster College is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Penn Foster College is also licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 1 month*

The Penn Foster Physical Therapy Aide Program can help you learn to make a difference by helping patients recover from their injuries and return to their active lives! Train quickly and conveniently. 

Cover these topics and more:

• The role of the Physical Therapy Aide in patient recovery
• Common physical disorders
• Physical therapy treatments
• Exercise and mobility training

And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed! 
You'll get valuable information about physical therapy aide training issues from lifting techniques to environmental safety, plus a clinical work experience option. Penn Foster can help you gain the skills and knowledge relevant to starting this satisfying profession! Earn your Career Diploma at home in as little as one month or take longer if you wish. You'll learn the important skills you need to be a Physical Therapy Aide, including the language of physical therapy and medical terminology, and have a fundamental knowledge of common physical dysfunctions and disorders. 

Your program also features the latest information on therapeutic modalities, including deep heating treatments and cryotherapy, as well as common therapeutic exercises for strength and mobility. Strengthen your interpersonal skills and learn to communicate effectively with the rehabilitative team, other personnel, and most importantly, the patient.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 2 months*

Sterile processing technicians play a vital role on hospital services teams. The Penn Foster Sterile Processing Career Diploma can prepare you to qualify for a job in the field.

You’ll cover foundational training in topics like:

• Medical terminology
• HIPPA requirements
• Principles of aseptic technique
• Bloodborne pathogens

And you’ll learn at your own pace — from home!

Penn Foster’s online, self-paced Sterile Processing training prepares you to understand the role of sterile processing technicians. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level work as a sterile processing technician. The program focuses on introductory sterile processing concepts and professional proficiencies. It will prepare students like you to execute the necessary activities that are performed daily in the sterile processing department. Graduates of the program can sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam through the International Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), the cost of which is covered in your tuition.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Career Diploma - Complete in as little as 12 months*

Learn the skills that can help you take the first steps towards becoming a Veterinary Assistant at home, at your own pace. The Penn Foster Veterinary Assistant Program can help you make a difference. Your abilities can keep animals healthy, nurse them when ill — even save their lives! Train quickly and conveniently on your own time and at your own pace.

Learn how to:

• Obtain animal health histories and records
• Provide specialized nursing care
• Assist in surgical procedures
• Wash, feed, and care for animals, and much more

And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!

You'll get valuable information about animal-related issues from care and handling to veterinary practice and administration. It's like having your own personal Veterinary Assistant School. Earn your Career Diploma at home in as little as seven months, or take longer if you wish.

You'll learn skills relevant for working in the animal care field, including:

• How to handle and restrain animals, large and small
• The basics of first aid, routine and emergency care, as well as veterinary nursing procedures
• The fundamentals of cat, dog, and horse breeding, assisting in birth, and how to raise animal young.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 1 month*

The purpose of this two-part online course is to introduce you to the structure and function of the human body. The course begins with an introduction to anatomy and its various branches, followed by a study of chemical organization, cells, tissues, organs, and various body systems. In part 2, your studies continue with the study of the human body with emphasis on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. It also discusses special topics, including pregnancy, human development.

With Penn Foster’s Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Program, you’ll learn to:

• Identify basic anatomical structures and describe physiological functions
• Understand the major organ systems and their similarities
• Explain the process and mechanics of homeostasis

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 6 months*

Learn Child Psychology — at home, at your own pace with Penn Foster Career School.

You can learn Child Psychology at home! The Penn Foster Child Psychology Certificate Program provides a basic understanding of the principles of psychology and a more specific understanding of the psychological makeup of children and adolescents. You will learn about:

• Stages of growth and development for children up to the age of 12
• The relationship between biology and behavior
• Patterns of growth, change, and stability from conception through adolescence
• Childhood and adolescent disorders

And you’ll learn it all at home, at your own pace – no classroom needed!

Get more information today, Contact us or enroll online and you could be working on your first lesson – and taking the first steps toward a new career in a matter of minutes!

Learn Child Psychology for business and personal enrichment.

Why choose Penn Foster?

Our Child Psychology Certificate Program can help you take steps toward:

• Improve your child management skills.
• Understand how your own behavior affects a child in your care.
• Be a better, more caring, and effective parent or caregiver.

You will explore the methods and problems of research into children, some methods of therapy, and the application of new findings in family settings, play groups, day cares, and schools.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 3 months*

Earn your Electronic Medical Records Certificate with Penn Foster Career School!
The Electronic Medical Records Certificate program provides an overview on how to successfully manage electronic medical records (EMRs) in different health care settings. Students will learn EMR concepts, terminology, regulations, and procedures, and receive hands-on training using an electronic medical record.

Program Objectives
This program is appropriate for those looking to learn new job skills, refresh or refine existing healthcare knowledge, or improve occupational performance by possessing a better understanding of medical record management.

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 3 months*

Learn the skills that can help you become a Fitness and Nutrition expert — at home, at your own pace, with Penn Foster Career School.

The Penn Foster Career School Fitness and Nutrition Program can help you take the first steps toward a better or new career as a fitness trainer or nutrition staff member at a health club - or even start your own business as a fitness-nutrition specialist! Earn your certificate quickly and conveniently through online learning.

You’ll cover topics like:

• Fitness anatomy and physiology
• Flexibility training
• Exercise science terminology
• Personal health management and healthy eating habits
• Principles of muscle strength

And you’ll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 1 month*

Earn your Medical Terminology Certificate with Penn Foster Career School.

Common medical terminology is a critical part of the language used by healthcare practitioners. It is essentially a vocabulary that requires a uniform pronunciation, definition, and spelling of terms used by professionals. Individuals with medical terminology training are capable of analyzing and interpreting medical reports related to specific body systems.

Program Objective

This program is appropriate for adults interested in taking steps toward learning new job skills, refreshing or refining existing healthcare knowledge, or improving occupational performance by possessing a better understanding of medical terms.

Course Outline

This course discusses word construction and meanings that together characterize medical language. You must have access to the Internet to complete this program. In this course, you’ll learn to:

• Identify medical terms and words by their component parts
• Define the body structure and its systems, cavities, planes, and positions
• Explain the importance of medical terminology in healthcare professions
• Define and build the medical terms associated with the body systems

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Certificate - Complete in as little as 1 month*

Learn the skills to start your path toward becoming a telehealth services expert at Penn Foster with industry-recognized, career-focused training that you can complete at your own schedule on any device.

Expand your veterinary industry background and learn how to use telehealth services effectively with Penn Foster's online Veterinary Team Telehealth Career Certificate. Our self-paced, online courses allow you to study on your own time, using visual learning aids and interactive assessments. This training can help prepare you to take the next steps in your veterinary career, improving your understanding of state laws and regulations, improved client communication skills, and how to perform teletriage and recommend appropriate care.

Your lessons will include:

• Legal Regulations in Veterinary Telehealth
• Your Role in Telemedicine and Teletriage
• Emergencies in Teletriage

And the program can be completed in as little as one month, helping you open the door to new opportunities and better jobs!

*The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from 5/2021 – 4/2022, excluding withdrawals.

Prepare for an in-demand career and industry certification online through our self-paced, affordable Medical Coding Professional Training!

• Prepares learners to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
• Accelerate your career with the AAPC Practicode course, which allows you to be considered fully certified after passing the CPC exam.
• The cost of two CPC exam attempts is included with tuition.
• CPC exam practice tests included.
• Includes an AAPC membership.

The Medical Coding Professional Training Program is aligned to the knowledge you should know to sit for the CPC exam. Focused on coding, you’ll learn how to understand and use common coding systems such as ICD-10. You’ll also have access to the AAPC Practicode course, which can allow you to accelerate your career and fulfills the 2-year work experience requirement needed to be considered a fully certified professional coder.

You’ll get training in:

• Law, Liability, and Ethics for Healthcare
• Comprehensive Electronic Health Records
• Outpatient Coding

Designed with job-readiness in mind, you’ll prepare to take the next steps toward a career as a certified professional coder, medical billing and coding specialist, or certified medical coder – all from home, on your schedule! As a trained medical coder, you could find jobs working in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, insurance companies, and more!