Penn Foster

David November 26, 2007 at 10:06 p.m.

There course material is VERY OUTDATED! I am taking mechanical engineering. A lot of the books talk about and show stuff from the '60s!

Mike February 7, 2008 at 5:47 p.m.

Penn foster is great!

Kent March 20, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.

Stay away from Penn Foster. If you fail any class, ANY class, you're done. No academic probation, nothing. You have no chance of continuing. In order to do so, you must retake that class at another institution and then hope the credit will transfer over to Penn Foster. I've never seen any school that doesn't give their students a shot to improve their grades, especially in subjects they are having difficulties with. I can't recommend this place to anyone.

Terry May 21, 2008 at 12:59 a.m.

I am in the AS in Marketing program at Penn Foster College and I have had a great experience. I am currently in the second semester, and I have found the study materials and textbooks to be comparable to those that I used when I attended a state university. I highly recommend Penn Foster College.

By the way, yes there have been graduates of Penn Foster College. I located several through a Google search. Nearly 18 million people have attended this school since it was first established in the 1800s. There are currently about 200,000 students using attending the school.

Despite what a previous poster said, I failed two semester final exams during my first semester, and I was allowed to retake the exams. I passed both with perfect scores on the second try.

Marcia May 29, 2008 at 7:56 a.m.

5/29/08 - Hi their, I am considering attending Penn Foster Distance learning in "Medical Coding & Billing"/ "Professional Paralegal". Is anyone out there studied any of these programs with Penn Foster?, if so, please let me know about your experience. Also, let me know if any jobs are obtained from their schooling.

By the way, Terry you did not respond to Tina's question. Will you be courteous by doing so.
I am wondering how comes no reviews have been done on Penn Foster. Is it that they are so good in what they do? Someone, please reply to me let me know the answers a.s.a.p. Thanks

Lily June 17, 2008 at 5:32 p.m.

I am enrolled in Penn Foster for their Veterinary Technology program. The school work is very informative and helpful; however, the customer service department is not the best. They are very slow about processing payments and shipping out your books (it usually takes 3 weeks or longer to receive books for each semester). On their website it says it can take as little as 6 months to complete the program; however, I have been enrolled for over 6 months and have just finished my first semester because of how long it takes them to mail out the books, process my payments, and mail/grade the proctored exams.
It's a good school as long as you have plenty of time to wait on your materials.

allison June 24, 2008 at 4:37 p.m.

Are there any sites that graduates from Penn Foster College are apart of

Jess July 30, 2008 at 6:09 p.m.

I am interested in Penn Foster's Interior Decorating Program, but am very skeptical about whether or not it's a phoney school or if its legit. I read somewhere that you shouldn't go to a school that's not accredited by the National Education Association (NEA) and it doesn't appear that Penn Foster is accredited by them. Penn Foster seems a little shady and gimmiky if you ask me.

Babe August 31, 2008 at 6:45 a.m.

I am currently attending Penn Foster to get my diploma in Medical/Billing Coding. In the textbook they sent me, they (Penn Foster) mention AHIMA accreditation, but after researching the AHIMA website, Penn Foster is not one of the approved schools. I am really nervous now because I am attending this school in hopes of passing and being able to take the state test for certfication. Has anyone else graduated from Penn Foster and went on to take the state test? BTW I am in California.

azizuddin September 25, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.

I am currently studying associate engineering at Penn foster. I never know before about Penn foster otherwise i would have started earlier. I am in first semester and so far i am feel comfortable. dears, i need to know the pattern of semester exam.

Britt October 11, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.

Hi, I am currently taking MA courses at Penn Foster and I'm just wondering if it is legit or not. Any graduates with jobs in their areas?

Shanel October 15, 2008 at 6:23 p.m.

Ive been attending this school since June and it has been a great experience for me. Im suprised at some of these post stating that the books take too long and the material is out-dated because it has not been for me. Ive noticed that a lot of people that have complaints have either given up on their program or have not graduated. As for pass/fail you do not get booted if you fail a class, they give opportunities for improvement but only once. The customer service could be better but i can tell they are working on it. When my work is to be graded by an instructor grades in a timely fashion. I believe ones success depends on dedication and will. When it comes down to getting a job after graduation, you have to sell yourself anyway, not the school. If you can pass the certification exams for your field who is to say that success isnt possible? I am studying health information technology, and would love to have contact with fellow students. I am still interested to know if anyone has had any other RECENT experiences with the school people should know about.

Pennylane October 16, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.

I was just wondering if anyone had taken Penn Fosters Dog trainer degree courses. that is what I am interested in, but I have yet to find a review from anyone who took this course. Please help if you can

Chad October 17, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.

I took a web design certification and it went pretty smooth, it was basic but I did learn what I needed to know for personal web design projects. I am currently thinking about taking the Associate course for Computer Technology and wondered if anyone had taken it? Does it have updated study material? In the technology world it is hard to keep up and important to have updated information.

Lea October 21, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.

Hi, I just requested information from Penn Foster regarding their Medical billing/Coding program. I'm still hestiant to sign up. At the moment I am attending a community college. I really dislike classrooms and feel that its a waste of time when I can work more and attend school at home. Any suggestions? Thanks

Lou October 27, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Hi - is anyone going to post that actually graduated from this place.

Suntam October 31, 2008 at 1:23 p.m.

I am intersted in the Dog Grooming progam does anyone have any comments on this program

Mike November 3, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.

I was very interested in obtaining my education with Penn Foster until I called for information and the "enrollment advisor" was trying to squeeze money out of me right then and there as opposed to letting me get back to her. That right there was red flags

gd November 10, 2008 at 8:03 p.m.

dose anyone know if the high school program that they have there any good or would i just be wasting my money? and has anyone graduated from there? please someone answer.

Tracy November 12, 2008 at 5:32 p.m.

Hi, I am currently looking into enrollying with PFC. I am really interested, as I have trie a 1 1/2 of community college, and I can't take it. And my grades have been HORRIBLE, where when I was in high school I got great grades. I can't handle the stress of a "real" college, so I want to attend one online. I want to get an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and a Diploma in Court Reporting. I want to do Court Reporting for my career. And hope to get a job after I'm done with school. So far with reading other's experiences PFC doesn't seem to be that good. Can anybody else suggest a good online college for want I want to do for my carrier. And I would like it if that college would offer an Associates in Court Reporitn, not just a diploma that way I have one in Criminal Justice, and Court Reporting to help me get a better chance of a job.

Thank you and feel free to post here, or e-mail me at blueflames615@pacbell.net which e-mail would probably be better for me

DA November 12, 2008 at 6:20 p.m.

Wish to do MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION with Penn Foster? Any advice for me? shld i go ahead? pls somebody pls let me know

Ange November 21, 2008 at 3:02 a.m.

I agree with Shanel...most of these negative comments are coming from people with terrible grammar! No person who actually (intelligently) researched the school, researched their chosen program, and read over the entire contract should have any problem with this school. It's each student's responsibility to know what he/she is getting into.

Samantha November 21, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.

I am thinking about going to Penn Foster and doing there wildlife/forestry conservantion course. The information sound good that they sent me but I am not sure I want to try there school because I have never really heard about them so I dont know anything about them. How would I find out more about this school and if it is a good idea to spend the money or should I go somewhere else

Miss B November 26, 2008 at 6:18 p.m.

I have been attending PFC since mMay of this year and everything has taken a turn for the worst. At first everything was going great. Now I have taken my finals and had issues with the school and its curriculum. They gave me a failing grade and sent me the make up and when I asked them to send my my failed exam or email it to me they said they couldn't. They told me to call the school but whenever I did, no one was ever available. I emailed them and came to find out that they gave me the wrong grade and changed it. So if I never questioned them about it I would have still been stuck with the grade I had before? Now they are sending waivers so that students can't get a refund. From since last month they were supposed to send me about $150 because they gave me credit for a class and I have not received it up to this day. I will not be going back to them for another semester. If you have the money and time, try to go to another online school. Many people have been scammed and ripped off by PFC. I am not about to be another one!

Mary November 30, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.

I completed Penn Foster's high school program within 4 months. They complained and accused me of cheating. Be warned: They do not accept rapid progress. Overall their courses were very detailed and their learning materials are high-quality. You shouldn't have a problem passing if you take your time to read through the material. They will not give out your student information, and they refuse to call your previous high school to request a transcript. Don't bother trying to get credits for subjects you've already learned. PF is a good school, but they need to focus on improving their student services.

Word of advice, do NOT take their college classes!! They are overpriced and outdated. Look up Athabasca University instead.

Nathalie December 5, 2008 at 5:57 a.m.

I am thinking about going to Penn Foster and doing there legal secretary course. but yet i find my self wondering if this school is really accredited or if i'm just going to end up throwing my money away. if there is someone who actually graduated from Penn Foster and had luck finding a job can you tell me what your experience was like or could some recommend me another school i would really appreciate it.

Troey December 11, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.

Corey-
Ive been an electricians apprentice for 5 months and was looking into this course just to make me better at my job. I'm wanting a course that starts at the bottom for me so I can do it in the evenings and won't feel over my head. How long do you estimate it'll take you to finish? How easy is the material to comprehend?
Thanks

Ayanna December 16, 2008 at 2:42 a.m.

I'm am taking the Interior decorating Program, my lession avarge is 93 so i'm passing and will continue on with this course. I was thinking of going to the The Art Institute for Interior Design after i graduate Penn Foster. I choose this intrior decorating program at PFC because i couldn't aford the REALLY high tuition fees at the Arts Institute, they are crazy but a good design school. So i believe i will find a better job if i go to A.I

But who knows in the Economy if any of us will even find a job!!!

Keith Cole December 16, 2008 at 4:19 p.m.

Hi- I am currently taking 2 degree programs from Penn Foster. I am enrolled in the AAS in Veterinary Technology and the AAS in Medical Assisting. I had a "Career Change" and I am switching from the veterinary medicine field, into "people" medicine. I found these courses to be very helpful and informative. ALTHOUGH their Customer Service Dept is awful.. you can expect to wait about 3-9 days for a reply to your emails.. Once I would take the exam (the "trigger" exam) it would take about 6 days for my material to get there, which wasn't bad.

I have received 4 text books so far, and they have all been published since 2007, so the material for the Vet Tech and Med Ast is up-to-date.

The tests aren't hard either. I am only 17 years old, and I have a low A average.. study is the key.

So far, my experience with PFC has been awesome.. just wish their customer service dept. was better.

Gary December 19, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Has anyone taken the Plumbing or Electrical program?

Shannon December 22, 2008 at 6:47 a.m.

I got enrolled in the veterinary technology program and after what seemed like FOREVER I called to figure out where the heck my books where, and nobody seemed to know the answer! SO I was done messing with them and asked for my money back, which is really disappointing because I was really looking forward to the program.

Kristen December 25, 2008 at 3:14 p.m.

I was interested in attending PFC for the vet. tech. program but other schools I have looked at have mentioned a "clincial" rotation near the end of the program, and I have not seen anything of such mentioned in the program notes for PFC. Does this mean I have to do that part on my own or do they just not require that?

Also, are the prices actually legit? I've been reading about all the problems others have had about trying to recieve thier money back, but I am finding hard to believe that the whole program is less than $800. Is this by instructional set? Or are thier hidden fees? or is it really a dream come true.

Thanks for your time and input

Sylvia December 28, 2008 at 12:21 a.m.

I am in Court Reporting program. I am doing okay. The only problem that I have is not enough time to practice my steno-machine. The school gave me everything I need to get the course done. Every single test is in the back of your workbook. It's up to you not to cheat. You are not going to get any where cheating. I am the point of having to take my proctor exam but I know I am not ready. I work full-time and have 4 kids. Three of them are in sports so my husband and are constantly running. So it is hard for me to study and practice my steno.
They have been very good to me. You can call and talk with your instructor. Every course has one. If he can't get to right away they do call you back.

It is what you put into it. If you don't put nothing into it, you get nothing out of it. The place I am currently employed the office personal use Penn Foster. So I know they are real.

Good luck and if anybody out there has taken the proctor for Court Reporting send me an email with any advice.
smerila_6@yahoo.com

GM December 29, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.

Has, or is anyone currently enrolled in the Accounting program? What's your experience with it? Would you recommend it to someone with a full time job, three kids, a wife, and active in church?

cupcakequeen January 3, 2009 at 10:47 p.m.

i have been attending pennfoster for a little less than 3 month in the vet tech programm. more than half way done with my first sem. and got a paid internship wow... love it but see i do spend about 5 to 8 hours a day learning.. get real study..

Frank S January 6, 2009 at 4:20 a.m.

Penn-Foster is little more than an unaccredited degree mill. If you find open book multiple choice tests challenging, then this may be the "school" for you. Don't take my word for it. Penn-Foster requires you to cancel your enrollment within 7 days of applying, or before you've had time to check out the material. They believe that strongly in what they sell. It is best to avoid them and check out a real school.

eskimojoe January 10, 2009 at 4:42 p.m.

has any one taken the motorcycle repair course, any information would be greatly appreciated.

Phoenix January 14, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.

I have been taking the Travel & Tourism Specialist program though Penn Foster since November 2008. So far my lessons have been easy and I have enjoyed them, but lately the lessons are getting harder, and to be honest most of the questions on each exam are so blunt that sometimes you have to re-read parts of the lesson to figure out what the answer is. I admit Penn Foster is a good school, but the way they ask their questions could be better, so people get a more better understanding of what they are looking for. There have been a few questions that were so mind blowing and confusing that I had to guess. Overall I would recommend Penn Foster, some of the material is old like I don't know anyone these days who still fills out airline tickets, everything is done on the computer.

catherine January 19, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.

has anyone taken the pharmacy technician program??or heard any reviews on it?

Monique January 27, 2009 at 4:42 p.m.

I am thinking on enrolling in the Court Reporting Association program through Penn Foster, and I want to know if this college is accreditable and trustworthy before I send my money. Also, will I be able to find employment on their website like they say on the phone.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or complaints that I should know about before I commit.

Ann February 4, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.

Hi, I graduated from Penn Foster, finally achieved my High School diploma after so many years of trying in the brick and mortar settings. The course work is not as easy as some may think but with dedication and determination you can achieve anything. I failed two course exams and took those over with a passing grade of a c,even if you do better then a c that is all your allowed for failing the first exam,at least you recieve a passing grade however, you do have an opportunity to retake the exam and I believe if you fail the second time you can ask for a review at a later time. I found the experience to be absolutely wonderful throughout my studies with the exception of contacting administration via email, calling would be a better option. The materiels were shipped asap and I had no complaints with the time of delivary. The course materiel was easy to follow, nice clean layout but again you have to be dedicated to your studies because they do not hand over the abilities needed to understand and absorb information, that is for you alone to achieve. I love Penn Foster and am looking into continuing my studies, perhaps in Early Childhood Education, havent made up my mind as of yet because I have to be totally dedicated in this journey. Good luck to all and try elearners for more comments on grads from Penn.
Satisfied student, thanks and good luck to all.
Ann

David February 4, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.

Penn Foster use to be that old matchbook college ICS.
The Idiots changed the name because they where always being sued, because all they want to do is take your money.
They suck Period. Cant wait till they go out of business.

Lynn February 6, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.

Wow, I never thought of it that way, So I would save on the worry of finding a babysitter, making sure I have gas in the tank, dealing the traffic and parking and paying high interest on loans, that is a no brainer. I heard you pay as you go. Is that true? Sheesh, I should look into it. Thanks for the transperancy that I never thought about tammy.

Lynn G

neloh February 7, 2009 at 11:53 p.m.

i,m take pennfoster eletrician program and my g.p.a is 95% ,i what to continue with my education shoulde i take the a.a electrical egineering program@ penn foster?

Rebecca February 9, 2009 at 11:41 p.m.

I am trying to find out how the Career Diploma Program for AUTO (CAD) is at Penn Foster. I don't want to waste my time, and I definately don't want to learn material that is not up to date.

sb February 11, 2009 at 1:04 p.m.

hi Ann,how long did it took u to get the high school diploma is it ok if we take addmission in a school after getting this diploma like art school n all..plz reply

Army Soldier February 13, 2009 at 5:39 p.m.

Hello! I'm in the U.S. Army (Active Duty) and have decided to take Penn Foster certificate and diploma programs that compliment my Army MOS (job) which is Human Resources. I have started by taking the PC Fundamentals certificate program. Penn Foster has made it easy to log on and access your study unit(a PDF file which has all the information you need to take the exam for the current subject). After going through the study unit you open up the exam and start testing.

Your grades are posted immediately and you are able to move onto the next section as long as it's unlocked. If it's not unlocked it may take a couple days for everything to go into the system and unlock. For the most part it's work at your own pace, unless the next module/instruction isn't unlocked. Penn Foster gives you the ability to learn and get an education without a strict deadline. The faster you finish your work, the faster your going to graduate from your program.

Penn Foster is an affordable, accredited, and legitimate school. It has certificate, diploma, and degree programs to fit your need. Beware though, don't think just a simple certificate will be powerful like a degree. I'm personally planning on taking these certificates: PC Fundamentals (currently taking), English: Reading and Writing Comprehension, Microsoft Office, Spanish, Human Resources, and maybe Business Management. I plan on taking these diplomas: Administrative Assistant, and maybe Small Business Management.

The combination of different certificates and diplomas can be just as powerful if not more powerful than a degree. Penn Foster does update their school ever so often with new programs that they make available. Who knows, the list of programs I wish to take may expand because of new programs that might be available.

Don't sleep on Penn Foster. You will be hard pressed to find something as affordable, structured, and accessible.

Carla February 18, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.

Has anyone taken the Bookkeeping certification course? I am intrested in signing up but there are so many mixed comments about this school that i'm a bit hesitant. Pleas Help!!???

Thanks!

Onerios February 20, 2009 at 4:15 a.m.

I almost laughed while reading these posts. I seriously doubt if all the positive posts here are from actual Penn Foster students.
This is damage control, and employees of Penn Foster are paid to search the web for negative comments and to reply to them. I see maybe three or four actual people posting the positive comments multiple times. The syntax, spelling, and grammar are all remarkably the same. This is a no-brainer.
For a look on how Penn Foster recruits their course instructors, go to one of their many websites, Edu2go, etc. They state that while a college degree is encouraged to develop online classes for them, it is not a requirement. What does that tell you? The instructors are also required to sign a secrecy pledge, so no other schools will know the “secrets” of their training methods. Quite not so incidentally, that would also apply to former instructors not talking about how the students are getting ripped-off. And also, the comments from the instructors are also quite informative. There are plenty of instructors praising the school for the lucrative money making opportunity.
Penn Foster has been around for 100 years that much is true. The internet however has not. Are any of you old enough to remember those ads for mail order certificates/degrees on the back of magazines and match covers? How legitimate did they turn out to be? That was Penn Foster before the internet. Do you know anyone, anywhere talking about his or her degree from them?

To the current students-good luck, you will need it if you are serious in landing a job or starting a career with this company being your only source of education. Penn Foster seems to be just as fine as any online school available for enrichment courses, but I wouldn't bet the bank on getting a quality education from them. Any thoughts as to WHY they are far cheaper than other online schools? Do you actually think that they offer there courses so inexpensively because they want to help out people? Think about it. Think for yourself.

Greg February 21, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.

Seems to me that maybe Onerio works for some other online school. Being in business for over 100 years is not and easy even if you sold courses on matchbooks or even milk cartons. I would think that you have to be doing something right.

Tony February 24, 2009 at 2:17 a.m.

I am just going to my local community college, even if the accounting degree is a good one, it seems that I will still be laughed out of it with a Penn Foster degree....

nana February 25, 2009 at 2:21 a.m.

i am taking penn foster civil engineering course, i find it rather nice, not easy though, but nice i work as a E.A.1 now thats (engineer asst.1) for a state govt agency. i'm real and pf being around for over 100 yrs atest that they know what they are doing.now when i finsh my studies i have been accepted to university of maryland engineering school. i was told by U of Maryland that schools like penn foster are vital to them and it helps to get a good knowledge of what to expect when i come there. thanks penn foster. I work for maryland dept of tranportation. geotech div.

carolyn February 26, 2009 at 12:06 a.m.

is there anyone else who did the teacher's aide program?? or early childhood associate's degree???

Kianta March 3, 2009 at 1:58 a.m.

I decided that I wanted to be a paralegal, so after taking a legal secretary course at a vo-tech, I decided to go to Penn Foster. I started in August 2008. I'm more than half way finished and I'm enjoying the course. Finding a job in the legal field will be difficult no matter what education you have. Usually, a law firm will test you to see what you know. I just had an interview last Thursday and am optimistic about it. Hope this helps anyone considering going to Penn Foster.

Vicky March 4, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.

Hello everyone!

I would like to take the dressmaking&design course.Im really into fashion i ve portfolio i was going to attend iadt college but i dont have 50.000$ for that and im an international student just came from europe and i cant do the student loan yet. And as we can see the economy is not really good also i dont know who is going to have the money to pay a stylist/designer.And this course for 780$ rally cheap and they give me a sewing machine too and books?diploma?sounds really good! Is Anybody also attending this course? pls write me back! thx

shanon March 10, 2009 at 3:33 a.m.

I am 24 years old and attending pen foster. I was home schooled in California and finished that program but the teacher that tought me left the year I had graduated. He had never turned my final grades into the school that I was studying at. I had ended up reciving a copy of a diploma from him when I was 17. Recently I applied for a job that involved a backround check and found out that I did not have a valid high school diploma.
I signed up for Penn Foster and the experience has been great. Im almost finished after four months. I asked my current employer if they would accept a deploma from Penn Foster and they said yes.
I failed one test beacuse I picked up the wrong awnser sheet but and they let me make it up. Although the highest grade they let me get on a makeup exam was a 70 out of 100 I did it. They will also give me the option to pay $25 to take a different course that is related to get a higher grade at the end of the program.
The customer service is not verry helpfull. You have to call the counseler and speek with them directly if you have an issue. They are the most helpfull. All of the information about the course can be found online and so far I have only had to deal with their call center once. If you read the first and second book they send you it will tell you everything you need to know about the school and how the proscess works.
Most of the books are broken down into the simplest terms that make it easy to understand. The books are designed for people who are capible of teaching themselves. Beacuse home school is not for everyone I would only recomend it if you are self motivated and can work in a home schooled enviorment.

Tye March 11, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that Penn Foster is not accredited or calls them a diploma mill. They obviously haven't done their homework on the subject. All it takes is a simple search on the US Department of Education website to verify accreditation. Penn Foster is regionally accredited for high school and vocational programs and nationally accredited for academic programs. Many of their academic courses are also ACE approved and can be transferred to most regionally accredited schools out there. Yes, there are online degree scams and mills out there, but Penn Foster is not one of them.

kouzoulos March 12, 2009 at 7:15 a.m.

Additional Penn Foster Career School institutional and faculty memberships and affiliations include:

* American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
* American Association of Community Colleges
* American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
* American Association of Medical Assistants
* Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
* American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
* American Medical Technologists
* American Society for Engineering Education
* American Society of Mechanical Engineers
* American Society of Travel Agents
* Association of Bridal Consultants
* Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
* Association of Veterinary Technician Educators
* Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
* Electronics Technician Association
* The Humane Society of the United States
* Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers
* International Association of Administrative Professionals
* International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians
* International Society for Technology in Education
* National Association of Legal Assistants
* National Association of Photoshop Professionals
* National Federation of Paralegal Associations
* Northeast Veterinary Technician Education Association (NEVTEA)
* Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA)
* Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
* Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association
* Professional Grounds Management Society
* SAE (The Engineering Society for Advancing Mobility - Land, Sea, Air and Space)
* Society of Broadcast Engineers
* Veterinary Technicians & Assistants Association of Pennsylvania (VTAAP)

kouzoulos March 14, 2009 at 8 p.m.

I had always within 48H an answer for each request...Did you use you student page contact form?

I had never a problem with them.I took the telecommunication diploma courses and I'm very satisfied, I'll go back again for another IT diploma.

calah March 16, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.

Penn Foster will not send me my high school diploma, because i did'nt meet the standards for it. I don't understand why!!!!
I made a B as my overall grade. What am I supposed to do?!!

kouzoulos March 17, 2009 at 7:18 a.m.

Calah, did you pay at full your tuitions? If not, you should do it first and then they will send you your diploma

USAF Wife March 20, 2009 at 5:47 p.m.

PF seems to be a good school for the amount of money you pay. A highly competitive school wants to charge 15,000 for the same degree (Associates in Criminal Justice) that I can get through PF for 6,430 and that I can do in less time (If I so choose to move quickly through the courses). Also, PF allows you up to 12 months per semester which is great for those who need the extra time. Other schools give you around 9 weeks to complete two classes. I am enrolling in PF here soon so I can further my opionion on them.

AR March 25, 2009 at 10:55 p.m.

I dont know now i was thinking about attending Penn foster, but after seeing all the reviews i am not sure anymore.....

Natalie March 27, 2009 at 3:40 a.m.

I have carefully researched anything and everything that I can in regards to this school and it took me months to finally decide on enrolling. I read every single one of these reviews and some of them made me very skeptical but after becoming a student myself, I now have an opinion of my own and I think this school is great! I want to assure anyone reading this that, I'm a real person, living in Chicago and consider myself to be very well educated to begin with. I currently work as an Admissions Advisor for another online school so I understand the ins and outs of education and the importance of accreditation. I'm currently enrolled in the Paralegal Degree Program and love it! I can understand where some of the bad reviews are coming from, but I can clearly see that they must be from individuals who do not understand the concept of online learning. YOU are the one who is held accountable for your progress and all that you get out of your learning experience. This school is very cut and dry. They give you the study material and then you take an exam. Once you complete your exam, you move onto the next.I'm retaining the information that I'm reading because I'm taking it upon myself to actually study it, highlight what's important and take notes. With this school, you are your own teacher and are in charge of your progression. Nothing is holding me back (like shipped materials) from moving onto the next lesson when I am ready to. The payments are great and affordable, no one is stealing my information, over charging me or turning me away when I ask for help. I know this is a long posting,but I hope it helps those of you looking at this school and basically do your research - don't just take my word for it. Before I enrolled, I looked into every aspect of their accreditation and what the requirements of my chosen occupation were and they all matched up. The only thing is that their Paralegal Program is not accredited by the ABA - but I already know that because I did my homework. I also called law firms and asked if a degree from this school was acceptable and they all said yes. Again, I'm a smart person, I work in admissions for another major Regionally accredited university and I know what I'm talking about. If anyone wants to contact me for questions, you can email me at LeeLeePellegrino@aol.com and I promise to respond! I know this is a big, scary decision and will offer any help that I can! (also for those of you wondering why I enrolled with Penn Foster and not the University I work for, its a financial issue. Not to get too personal, but I basically don't qualify for Financial Aid right now due to previous student loans that I still owe money on - which is another reason why I'm so glad Penn Foster exists. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be back in school) So good luck to everyone!! :)

Kev March 30, 2009 at 10:09 p.m.

I was wondering if anybody had info if the A/S degree in CRJ?
Will the Mass State Police accept it as a real degree so you can get sworn in as a Special State Police Officer?
Under their guidelines, you need the reserve academy and a degree to get sworn. Anybody run into this yet?

Melissa March 31, 2009 at 11:31 p.m.

Is anyone on here familiar with the online discussion required for some of the courses? I was wanting to know when my passing grade would show up? And I entered the online discussion group for the first time and waited for instuctor but nothing happened for half an hour, it did however update the students coming in and out but slides never changed or anything. Thanks to anyone who might be able to help me!!

nobody April 2, 2009 at 3:06 a.m.

nobody, i repeat, nobody go to this school. you will have a hard time transfering credits to other schools, and will be at a lost to get help. if you are in traditional school and thinking about quitting, do not. you will make the biggest mistake of your life.

SRXIII April 2, 2009 at 10:15 p.m.

HAS ANY ONE ATTENDED THE HOME REPAIR AND REMODELING COURSE IF SO CAN YALL GIVE ME INFO ABOUT IT, GOOD OR BAD IT DOES NOT MATTER. THANK YOU

carla April 3, 2009 at 2:50 a.m.

okay first i wanna say ppl who say "oh tha neg comments are by ppl who could handle online learning or didnt know the facts first" WHATEVER dude the school is a scam. They have the most outdated cheap "books" i have ever seen. They are like paper copys or something. Dont waste ur time or money on this crap. I did learn from me i should have listened ot the negative comments but didnt.

Kev April 3, 2009 at 9:10 p.m.

I hear all the frustration that people have, I really do! The question is whether the degree helped them at all??? I am not looking for info on how frustration it was to get in touch with people, just want to know if/when you finished your degree, was it recognized by any industry that you were working/looking for. I understand that the credits might not transfer, but some people are just looking for the associates and nothing else. Thanks

Jess April 4, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.

Wow, I took a couple of classes at Penn Foster when I was in high school to get a few extra credits, and everything worked out fine.. it was easy, and I finished it sooo fast, which was great.. transferred the credits to my high school, and there you go. I was looking into it for college, however, and I think the reviews have pretty much scared me away! It's good for high school, but I guess I'll be looking into colleges where i live from now on.. :)

Jennifer April 6, 2009 at 2:17 a.m.

I started the veterinarian technician program last May and wanted to be done in 6 months but due to a couple personal problems it took longer than expected. I've got 2 tests to go then I'm done with my 1st semester. I have not had any problems with the school, it usually takes a week for me to receive my new books, my payments are drawn off the bank account every month with no problem. I would definately recommend this school to anyone that wants to move ahead and continue their education.

Kev April 7, 2009 at 12:09 a.m.

Anybody complete the CRJ in Massachusetts yet?

reason for worry April 7, 2009 at 3:33 p.m.

AJames, i'm glad to here from some advocate, yet at the same time I worry about finding a job with this nationally accredited degree. the school is not regionally accredited, and im concerned how employers will see it.they generally favor traditional degrees over online ones

Ron April 9, 2009 at 6:18 p.m.

I know 2 people who had no problems getting into colleges with PF H.S. Diploma's. Great School and I am taking the Criminal Justice Degree . Had no problems yet .

Bob April 10, 2009 at 4:51 p.m.

I have read in several posts that Penn Foster College is a degree mill. They then go on to say that they used to do business under a different name and would sell illegitimate degrees and certificates to people. I would like to clear this up by saying that Penn Foster is a legitimate school and it is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. If you would like to see proof go to DETC.org - Click on Accredited Institutions - Click Institution Search and search the state of Arizona.

So the school isn't fake, phew. Maybe that relieved a few people.

One more note I would like to add ... Penn Foster grants many degrees. A few of them may be useful, but I wouldn't recommend going there for say ... ENGINEERING or CIS. If you have an associate in engineering or Computer information systems you are probably not going to get a job with it. Why? Because you are competing with people who received degrees from community colleges and universities. Also, many employers require a bachelors in CIS to get an IT job.

Good degree offerings from Penn Foster would be Paralegal, Veterinary Tech, Medical Assistant, and HEALTH information technology. What do all of these degrees have in common? They qualify you to take exams to get CERTIFIED. Certified Paralegal, Certified Vet Tech, Certified Medical Assistant, and Certified Professional Coder. So when you apply for work you will have a document that says, "I am a professional." Where you studied prior to the certification is not what they will be emphasizing, the certification speaks for itself.

If you are there for any other degree I would recommend going to the official DETC website and looking for a more recognized online university to transfer your credits to. They have lists of every institution they accredit and you can find them by school type, region, country, and subject. In the end, however, I would say that your best bet is to go to a traditional college.

Hopefully this shed some light on the good side to Penn Foster. It is an ok institution, but for many who thought they found an easy way up ... don't let your hopes soar too high. Advancement is only realized by those who maintain a spirit of initiative, hard work, and persistence.

AJames April 16, 2009 at 4:35 p.m.

Bob,

I would disagree on the point of not being a good school to take CIS. Yes, I am a CIS student first off, it is great to get your associates degree at PF because it is so cheap. Then there are several other online colleges that will transfer all your credits from Penn Foster into there bachelors program. Depending on the school you can save 10s of thousands of dollars by going to PF first. I have a ways to go, but one I am looking at is Western Governor's University. They accept PF credits and it will save me around $10,000 to have my PF degree first.

Alex G. April 19, 2009 at 1:49 p.m.

Hi. I am currently a student of Penn Foster and I only have 4 exams left until I receive my Pharmacy Technician diploma. The total cost of the program was a little over $500 and includes a work experience option. So far my over all experience has been a very good one.

Originally I had enrolled in the medical transcription course but after having immediate access online to the course work I decided that the program just wasn't for me. I called the school within the first 7 days and was refunded my deposit right away and that was the end of it. A few months later I returned to the school's website to research the other programs they offer and finally decided that the Pharmacy Technician program was just right for me. When I tried to log on the page said there was an issue and I had to call customer service. It turns out that someone with the same name (my name is very common) owed them a balance but because I had a different social security number, they were able to verify that I was a different person and a few hours later I had access to my homepage. My experience dealing with them over the phone has been very pleasant and the two women I spoke with were very friendly and polite. I can't complain!

I received my first shipment of study units pretty quickly. Through out the course there were even times when I finished a module one morning and the next set of study units were sitting on my porch the very next! I even received a counting tray and spatula with one shipment to practice counting pills at home to improve accuracy and speed.

As far as the course work goes, it is very simple. I have an average grade of 95%. You don't have to be a genius to study the different units and pass the multiple choice questions that follow. I've managed to do so while pregnant and running around after a toddler! Though it's easy to pass, you should take the course work seriously if you plan to sit for the certification exam. I definitely plan on it and I am so excited about finishing!!

As far as the Pharmacy Technician program goes, this on it's own won't be enough to get the highest wage available. Certification and work experience are definitely two big things to take into consideration. While I wait to get certified, I plan on getting a part-time job working in a community pharmacy. Once certified, I will start looking for jobs in hospital pharmacies. In the mean time, taking this course has been the best thing I could have done toward my goal. You don't NEED to go to school to become a Pharmacy Technician, but employers will take you much more seriously once they see you took the time and money and invested it in educating yourself.

I recommend Penn Foster. I do warn that you should always do your research before investing in anything. Also, remember that you get what you pay for ;)!

Kev April 27, 2009 at 12:29 a.m.

Anybody...Anybody here from Massachusetts get the CRJ degree?

courtellis May 3, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.

Hey before you make a bad judgment about an education source, at least have the focus to ensure that good research is being done. Listed below are some of the institutions that have accepted Penn Foster College credits according to our recent survey:

American Intercontinental University
American Military University
American Public University
Ashworth University
Augusta Technical College
Bellevue University
Berkeley College
California Coast College
Central Pennsylvania College
Clara County Community College
Cochise College
College of Southern Maryland
Columbia College
Columbia Southern University
Community College of the Air Force
Edinboro University
Excelsior College
Florida State University
Franklin University
Georgia Southern
Johnson State College
Kaplan University
Kennedy Western University
Madison University
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Montgomery Community College
Mountain State University
Ottawa University
Peru State College
Saint Joseph's College
Southwest University
St. Andrews Presbyterian College
St. Leo University
Thomas Edison
Trinity International University
Troy University
TUI University
University of Charleston
University of Maryland
University of Missouri
University of Oklahoma
University of Phoenix
Western Governors University
Isn't that just a lovely list!?; But Wait; there's more.... here are some memberships and affiliations

Additional Penn Foster College
I can do this all day and the bad part is I have never attended this school, but I do know graduates of this school. As a soldier in the U.S. military, I will tell you that it is very important for us to do our research when looking for higher education and credentialing. Our education offices and advisers can tell us what school is right for us and which ones are not. I would also like to add that folks like army soldier will get the job they are looking for because experience and education combined are everything!! the bad part is everyone on this site knows that, so stop half way studying and put your hearts into your education, no one is going to hand you anything!! The DOD does not allow non-accredited sources to play with us military folks.

Britany May 5, 2009 at 6:39 p.m.

I am looking into the Professional Bridal Consultants program at PFCS. Since there are no actual requirements, certifications, or qualifications that need to be met to become a wedding planner I feel comfortable with deciding to enroll on that basis. If it was something that required me to continue my education I don't think I would give it a try. PF is the only online school that works directly with the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) and I spoke with Carroll at ABC earlier today and she said that ABC basically writes the curriculum for PFCS and that actually PFCS even throws in some extra information.

All of this sounds great but I was wondering if anyone has ever done this program? If so, is it worth the time and money?

Also, the catalog for the program looked VERY outdated and when I asked the enrollment advisor about it she said "Well, it just wouldn't make sense to update everything with new pictures every year. That would just be too expensive." And I understand that but it looks like it hasn't been updated since the early 90's. So I want to make sure that this program is current and relevant to today's wedding market. ANY information would be greatly appreciated!

Kris May 11, 2009 at 3:20 a.m.

I have been enrolled in the Medical Transcriptionist program for 5 months and I enjoy it. My books have always been promptly delivered. I did notice that some of the books were slightly outdated but not enough to make it matter in my situation. I study an average of 1 hour a day and I am over the halfway point of finishing. I have turned in several research papers and reports and the instructors are strict and I appreciate that. They will let you know what you need to work on and what points you are strong at. On papers, sometimes it takes up to a week to receive the grade but you have to consider you are not the only student they have! PF is working for me!

KIMPEX May 14, 2009 at 5:39 a.m.

I love PF! I enrolled in the PC Maintenance & Repair program the ending of January 2009 and it's May and I only have 4 more exmas to complete, 20 questions each...I love it..I will get my career diploma..and from what I read here today that some of my credits will transfer over to the University that I normally go to. That's GREAT!!!!..I love it, I have learned sooo much..I never had a problem with them....I would advise anyone to attend Penn Foster, just make sure they get ALL the information they NEED first. By the grace of Jesus Christ, we can do ALL things through HIM!

Joann May 17, 2009 at 12:54 p.m.

I have been taking the court reporting course for a year now and am overall happy with the school, my material exc...I think my only concern is how long it really will take me to finish the course. Also, you feel very isolated and it would be nice to chat with other students about their progress exc.. Anyone wanting to chat, please email me. Thanks Joann
joannwhite38@netzero.net

Michelle May 26, 2009 at 2:39 a.m.

I am looking into enrolling into the Dental Assisting Program. I got ripped off by doing online before and don't want to be in a situation where 800 dollars later i have a phony degree and am jobless. If you could email me at michelle0xox2@live.com and just give me advice even if you have taken a different course. I haven't heard of anyone getting a degree with this school and having a job so if you have had an experience with the school if you could let me know thanks!! Please email me

Rich May 29, 2009 at 8:51 p.m.

has anybody taken the autocad class. i'am looking for the drawings for the structrual project to compare to because penn fosters project booklet is confusing. or is there a place i can get to for all the drawings.

Jay June 3, 2009 at 9:37 p.m.

Hi all, for the past month i have been considering taking the Anatomy and Physiology Certificate program. has anyone taken this course or heard anything about it? i have read almost all of these posts and am about 80% sure that i want to attend this school online, i just havent seen any post on this one program.

Peaches June 6, 2009 at 2:39 a.m.

Has anyone taken the Web Design Certificate program? I just need to know. At the end of the day, it's really still my decision whether to enroll or not. I don't need a degree since I already earned my Bachelor's 6 years ago in another field. I just felt that I need to be more competitive by "upping" my game. The world is changing fast and I don't expect it to adapt to me - I need to do the opposite. Also, I am very comfortable w/ computers per se. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth June 12, 2009 at 7:51 p.m.

I just got my last grade for the medical transcriptionist certificate. I will let you all know if it is possible to get a job with it as soon as I find out for myself. I should have the certificate anyday.

rebekah June 23, 2009 at 10:58 p.m.

i live in west palm beach florida.
im thinking of doing the dental assistant program.
like so many of you im scared its a scam.
if anyone is in the program now, can you email me with more info. thanks.

rebekahxlillian@yahoo.com

civil construction guy June 29, 2009 at 10:36 p.m.

So as I have 15 years experience in civil construction I thought maybe it's time to get a degree. So I woud like to hear from anyone who has or is taking the civil engineering tech degree. Just wanted to know if the program is worthwhile and on the level.

Vic July 7, 2009 at 9:17 p.m.

The fact that some people like the school and some don't let's me know that it is legit. I would be more worried if all of you didn't like it or had a problem with it. Most jobs only want to know if you have a peace of paper stating that you read a book and was smart enough to pass a test. Unless you are becoming a lawyer or doctor where saying what school you got your degree from for most of us it does not matter.

I know of alot of people that are not promoted or even looked at because they don't have the paper stating they moved passed high school. I've done a couple of online schooling (Grantham University) and for the price I can't complain about Penn. It is what you make it, you can't believe what I get paid for having my degree and no one ever wonders or really care where I got it from as long as it can be verified.

Jazzy87 July 14, 2009 at 9:01 p.m.

I just enrolled in the Medical Office Assistant Program with Penn Foster. Is there anyone who has finished this program through Penn Foster? If so, what were your outcomes?Thanks.

kouzoulos July 19, 2009 at 7:53 a.m.

@Kristen,

it is just the theory but if you want to learn you should find a job to apply your knowledge...

It was the case for me...I graduated with a Diploma in Telecommunication, but I learned a lot of things when I was hired in a telecommunication company...

It is just for the beginning...A diploma or a Degree put the bases, thereafter it's up to you to enrich your knowledge by practicing.

regards
kouzoulos

Carrie July 22, 2009 at 9:01 a.m.

Boy, I don't really know what to think. I just know if you put in the time you will get the grade. Just wished we would hear some thoughts from actual graduates. I am interested in the Vet Tech. program. I must say the greatest advice I have heard was to check with local vets to see what their thoughts are on hiring someone with this kind of program. I'll let you know!

Natalie July 28, 2009 at 9:56 p.m.

Anyone enrolled in the dental assistant program how do you like it? Thanks a bunch!! rahandnat@hotmail.com

Anonymous July 31, 2009 at 2:03 a.m.

Penn Foster was a complete waste of my time and money. I enrolled in the Medical Office Assistant program a few years ago. The reason I decided to go there was because of how cheap it was. I ended up dropping out a few months later. I never really felt like I learned anything. I also felt like no one would take me seriously after I graduated with a certificate from Penn Foster. I'm glad I dropped out now. I've changed my mind about what I wanted to go to school for since then. I'm going to school through a university online now for my Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology. It might be more expensive, but at least I know that it will be more respected than a degree from Penn Foster.

gammy August 1, 2009 at 2:13 a.m.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW... im sad to hear about alll the people with bad experiences! i was very interested in their Interior Decorator program that my friend recommended!!!.. now idk what to do :(

Trine August 5, 2009 at 5:11 a.m.

I am truly sad to hear about all the negative comments on the Penn Foster College. The only thing I could say is that like any business you cant keep everyone happy, and as I could see most of the people with the negative comments are mostly people that have not even finished there courses. I took the Motorcycle Technician course and I could honestly say I learned more from that course than my actual classes in automotive technology in my local community college. What you learn is up to each individual. I received a career diploma from penn foster and it was not hard to find a job as a motorycle technician. I cant speak for everyone but, I am very pleased with the course I took as it was very helpful. I highly recommend the college and I am looking into taking the diesel mechanics course as well. All I could think that maybe not all the courses are updated and are alike I guess it depends on the instructor of the course. That does not mean all the courses are invalid or uninformative

Rachel C August 6, 2009 at 3:27 a.m.

I have been thinking about going to Penn Foster for my Dental Assisting Career Certificate for MONTHS now! But im really nervous it wont work out, that its not legit, that it wont instruct me well enough. Anyone here gone or going for Dental Assistant? If so, how is it working out for you (or how did it work out for you)???

Brian M. August 10, 2009 at 12:21 a.m.

I have just finished my final exams for the last semester of the Assoc. of Sci. in Finance degree. I already have a career in the field I've been studying working in commercial banking, so I can't say as to whether the degree will help me get a job, but so far my co-workers and managers have been very supportive of me continuing my education, and nobody has questioned my choice of college. Regarding accreditation, this is a legitimate nationally accredited school through the DETC, and therefore many regionally accredited (read B & M) schools will NOT accept the transfer credits. In an effort to help in this area, Penn Foster has had over 100 of it's individual courses reviewed and approved as acceptable by the ACE (Amer. Council on Education). Some reg. accredited schools may allow these credits to transfer, despite not normally allowing nat. accredited courses to transfer.
As for the course work being outdated, which I've read about several times mentioning the Engineering program, I've had no such problem in the Finance program. I found all of the textbooks I received were recently published and topically current. In no way do I feel my program was outdated or poorly designed. If anything, it's even more rigorous than when I started, as the outline has changed to require several more classes including College Algebra. I already have another assoc. degree from a traditional B&M school, and I feel the Penn Foster degree is easily comparable in terms of workload and required effort. The proctored final exams are no joke despite being open book/note, and can be brutally tough, particularly due to the recommended time constraints. So do not assume this is some degree mill that is only interested in getting you through the door.
Finally, please understand that in some fields such as medical transcribing, the applicant pool nationwide is absolutely saturated. This means getting a job will be a real challenge due the glut of applicants and NOT because you have a cert. from Penn Foster. Please study the current and projected employment stats for whatever field you wish to pursue, or you may find yourself with a cert./degree in a field that has hundreds of applicants per position on a regular basis.

bill c August 18, 2009 at 9:03 p.m.

has anyone done the motorcycle repair? how is it?

wannick mccants August 24, 2009 at 10:30 p.m.

What get me with some of these comment is that PF is not a University if you need that one on one attention then don't go to PF!!

RichieS September 1, 2009 at 3:57 a.m.

HI, I was looking to get into the electricians program. Has anybody completed this course? If so where you able to get a job in that field? and is it worth the time and effort? somebody please reply.

Besim September 17, 2009 at 9:25 p.m.

hey everyone, I'm enrolled in Penn Foster Highschol, and so far It's great.

Mercedes September 20, 2009 at 1:55 a.m.

Hi all! im a penn forster high school student, and i all i can say is so far so good, but i read alot of post that im going to call the school tomorrow and asked them about. i dont want to pay all this money and be f****d so im going to call. i start the 2nd week in aug. and im half way done, i study all day and a night after my baby goes to sleep i finish my work i stay up until 5am finishing. im trying to start community in jan. so i going as good as i can i failed 3 exams but i just went over and read everything agian and got it together. im not going to sit here and complain, because maybe its some of your faults!! i hope everyone goog luck

Brooke September 26, 2009 at 4:51 p.m.

I want to hear from a graduate of PF. I am researching the Criminal Justice Associates Program. Please email me at angelicdawn777@yahoo.com if you have received an associates or better from PF. I can't figure out why NONE of the PF degree students are posting anywhere online! Thank you for your time.

lauren September 29, 2009 at 7:32 p.m.

I enrolled in April and finished my courses in less then 3 months. I took the fitness and nutrition courses and found it to be extremely simple, almost too easy to be legit. When I went to enroll in a college they told me that highschool diplomas from penn foster aren't accepted. Thank god I graduated from a real high school, but I'm furious about wasting almost $800 dollars on a fake certificate. I enrolled in penn foster because I'm a young mother and was very oblivious to this whole scam. NEVER TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT! Go to nbc.com and they'll give you a list of online schools that ARE in fact real. For anybody who is interested in earning their CDA, child development associates, you can always work at a daycare near your home and almost all of them offer classes for you to take to earn this degree.

Kita September 30, 2009 at 3:28 a.m.

I am currently considering the Associates Paralegal Program. I am stunned to hear all of the negative comments, But i am going to enroll and post comments after every class and even when I graduate to be able to give people more information. I have attended an online univ before so I'm familiar with the online enviroment. I was about to enroll for Kaplan until I figured out that the Degree will cost me $30,000 to pay back in student loans. It's just ridiculous to have to pay that much for an associates. I feel like you're paying for convenience and to log into class and have deadlines. I feel like if you didn't earn a degree from an ivy league school, all the other schools are looked upon the same. As long as you have the knowledge and can sit for the proper certifications if your field requires one - employers aren't concerned with where you received our degree. Just my thought.

vivian October 3, 2009 at 3:23 a.m.

i'm interestd in their physical therapay aide program. I already have a BA degree in psychology from UIC. Has anyone completed this program? Did you find a job?

Keith in Houston, TX October 18, 2009 at 7:26 a.m.

Response to RichieS: I would have to agree with some of the other posters on this page such as Christine. You must do your research. Find out which State agency in your state does the licensing/certification for Electricians. Read the information on their website about training requirements. Call them and ask questions, they are there to help you. This statement also applies to other career fields as well such as auto technician, Home Inspector, Home Appraiser. I know that for Auto Tech you would need to have the ASE certification to find a decent job. Here in Texas the agency that certifies electricians is the Texas department of licensing and regulation. If I wanted to be an Electician, I would go to the nearest community college and get into their program. I know that here in Houston at Houston Community College they have a great apprenticeship program. You attend classes and you work on actual jobsites under the guidance of a licensed Electrician for your hands on training. You actually get a paycheck as well.

As far as the distance learning schools: My opinion is that these are meant to be an alternative to traditional schools.
Traditional schools being the best choice, distance learning offers people who otherwise could not go to school the opportunity to earn a credential. For example: You already have a career and you are just too busy to attend class (OR) You live in an area where there is no Community College. I believe this was original intent of distance learning. So if you can't attend traditional on campus school then a distance learning degree is better than NO degree. That is my commentary, have a good day.
{Keith in Houston, Texas}

lala October 30, 2009 at 1:58 a.m.

PFC is alright with me. I think it is a wonderful investment and now days if you think about the money you will spend to do anything you will not be able to do it.. Look everyone PFC is not easy like everyone thinks. First when you start the reading and the work make you think that ooohhhh this is the way it will be but the more you advance the harder it gets... I'm getting to start my last semester to get my AS in criminal justice but I will tell you that it was not easy at all. The only easy part is when you are excelling but other than that it is not easy... What I have learned at PFC is that to try to do good on the study guide and so if you do not do as well on the final proctor exam you can still pass with no problem... I know it has been a whole lot of negativity but let me tell you something.. Can't make everyone happy at all and not every institution will accept PFC credits, but some will.. Now PFC has an agreement with Mountain State University and so you can check that out for yourself and guess what they are regionally accredited. So you have to do your own homework and stop blaming someone else... PFC is also ACE and that is a plus for everyone because you should be able to transfer to RA institution with no problem and go to their WEb and check it out... Look i have done a whole lot of research before I started and I'm almost to the end and I'm so happy i made that decision to take classes there...If you look at some of the other UN, you can see that our curriculum matches theirs... People stop talking if you have no facts and UNof Phoenix also take their credits... Talk to you all soon... And do not let anyone tell you not to go to PFC

Trixie November 1, 2009 at 1:39 a.m.

To Sandra who posted on 10/29: if you have signed an enrollment form Penn Foster can only charge you the amount that is specified in the agreement. They cannot charge you a "liability fee" unless that is part of your original agreement. I am having a similar situation with P/F.

Bea November 4, 2009 at 5:47 p.m.

Hello I understand there are different opinions on Penn Foster. I am interested in the Human Resources Management program but am still trying to do my research on this school. What has the school done for you? Do they offer financial aid? Any feedback is great. Please email me as well. I want to make sure this program is okay to get my certificate in that way i can also transfer to another college to receive my BA. Thanks.

bianca21strength@yahoo.com

Carolyn November 7, 2009 at 9:34 p.m.

I am interested in taking my associates in early childhood education! I want to kno wut people think of the program! Are the learning materials up to date or are they outdated?
After i finish my schooling from pennfoster and want to get my bachelors will they transfer my credits to a real college because i heard that they give people the run around with that!

Pablo November 18, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.

I regret my decision to enroll at PFC for Electronics Tech. Student services are prompt in their replies and so was the instructor. The books came relatively quickly and you could read the pdf's online while waiting for the printed stuff to show up.

The course mat'l/exams seamed too heavy on the trivia versus practical experience troubleshooting/calculating. No hands on lab kits either. The material/exams also had errors in it and it always seamed a battle to get the intructor to admit it. Last straw for me was his reluctance to admit to an obvious dead short in one circuit.

Hind sight is 20/20. If I had a do-over though, I would have used some of that $850 and bought a bunch of books from Amazon and various hands on electronics kits available around the web.