Pennfoster Reviews

Accredited College, High School & Career School Online | Penn Foster

3.57
139 reviews
Great Rating
Based on 139 user experiences
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G

Good classes ball dropped

I had two deal breakers for me with Penn Foster On the positive spectrum the classes were easy to study for and navigate I had no struggles working at my own pace and would even say that it s a huge huge plus Penn Foster is not accredited My program said medical assisting in the title and had nothing to do with medical assisting It was a waste of my time and effort thinking I was signing up for something to do with medical assisting I wish the information was more easily disclosed
K

Not Suggested

Almost impossible to get ahold of your instructor to ask questions Some projects are confusing and not clear as to what you re suppose to do and graders are very harsh even though you add everything you re suppose to Im transferring and have been able to talk to my other college 100x more and easier than Penn foster
J

Adequate but not great

Although the self paced training was convenient and easy to follow the material was way outdated It also took an act of God to get a response to a question Lack of communication was an issue as well When a section of an assignment I submitted was garbled instead of letting me know and giving me the chance to resubmit it the teacher simply gave me a 0 Not cool
M

Paying out of pocket for a school that does not do much to help you as an individual is not worth it

Penn Foster is a good school that allows flexible hours for students who want to work on their own schedule However there are a few problems that I have already experienced being in the Vet Tech program The professors and school staff don t really care about you and your situation as a person It is so unfortunate that we are paying them out of pocket for them to treat us with no compassion Here s what happened I needed to complete a clinical externship and I couldn t get my final exam done in time by the time my local clinic accepted my application Penn Foster and their staff seem to forget that we do not live in a perfect world So they didn t accept my externship site because of the final exam I had due and because of my lack of health insurance Mind you I was not working at the time to pay for insurance and the market was closed to the public Oct 2022 I tried telling them that and that I was denied Medicaid They could care less and didn t even sympathize They just said We need your proof of insurance or you cannot do your externship Well time did not stop for me surprise surprise I finished my 400 hour externship at my local clinic unable to turn any assignments in to the school because they rejected me Now I have to wait to find another site again and do everything again
M

I finished the entire course I was

I finished the entire course I was excited to get my diploma but within that same time my entire family caught the coronavirus even the children 6 3 4 and 15 I called to explain what was going on and asked can they remove the late fees I mean things do happen in life I thought they would at least work with me 2 weeks after my daughter and i was in a terrible car wreck I broke my legs pelvis and both arms I called them again to at least work with me on my payments they have no sympathy they told me it was nothing they can do i was turned over to a collection agency So now I may never get my diploma
M

Stay on top of them

Stay the on them is all i gotta say Don t give them a chance to try and lie or Minipulate you into believing them in any Situation stay on top of them and trust instincts When you know you are right stand you ground
W

Pharmacy technician pro

Pharmacy technician program has the correct learning material to learn the job The issue I have is it says in the class that there is option for text book I got text books throughout the course but the last class did not have a book I do not like to use ebook If I would have been told it was mostly ebook I would not have signed up for this I am out of money for a worthless program Also videos need to be done which I am uncomfortable to be on a film I wish the enrollment person told me this or if it was written in the information area
N

Frustrated students

Over all poor I mean I think its all well structured my Job Corps center uses this and everyone except one student is whining about how the over all program goes about executing things My fellow students and I all dislike the exam system and how it works and on top there are complaints about there accounts not working I represent many when I say these words the people I work and learn hard beside
Y

Hold on my Account

I paid in full for my program transfered my old college credits took some assesments and still they put a hold of starting my program I don t even know the reason why I have a hold on my account Very frustrating as I ve called and messaged twice I am 31 years old and work full time I am trying to catch up to some of my accredited peers in my field First time student to Penn Foster and this is how it begins
K

Well I was so excited to get my high

Well I was so excited to get my high school diploma I ve done 54 hours of studying and taking exams I start very early in the morning because before signing back up I ve always gotten up at 3 in the morning and start my day and now my lessons about 4 am I m study and take notes until noon I ve been this way all my life getting up early Long story short signed into my portal to start my lesson s this morning and saw the bell in the right hand corner of the home page and clicked on it and it said read the honesty policy from Penn Foster It threw me off and made me feel a certain type of way as if I m dishonest about something I feel if they feel that way call let s talk about it do zoom face to face because that s serious I ve never ever in my 56 years of life been called dishonest that s my reputation being tarnished I felt let s do a zoom talk if it s that serious and let me know if I did something to make them think that I m dishonest Now my spirit is broken I sat up a date two weeks ago to speak to an instructor and the instructor never got in touch with me I waited that day it was supposed to start at 11 00 i never heard from not one instructor now I think their saying I m dishonest apparently I ve learned so much for the lesson things I ve haven t heard of and I was so pleased I m passing my digital exams because it s almost like common sense so for them to say something about honesty policy I can t wait to see how dishonest they think I am when the real lessons like math and science some of the digital was hard for me Yes I take notes and write everything down because I can remember better that s my way of learning I m paying for this and I m on a fix income and now to be accused of being dishonest that really took me back now I m wondering what to do I was always told by my family that I m honest to a fault This really got me thinking twice about Penn Foster I really love this way of getting my diploma I get up everyday looking forward to do my lessons but now I don t know I don t like being called dishonest at all

About Pennfoster

Penn Foster offers self-paced, affordable programs in our high school, college & career school. Your education is here. Learn about our programs today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Penn Foster is a nationally accredited online institution with over 130 years of history, providing flexible, self-paced education. It offers career-focused training, high school completion, and professional development programs. Its mission is to make education accessible and affordable, helping individuals gain skills and credentials for career advancement or new professional paths.

Penn Foster structures its programs into several categories: Career Diplomas and Certificates for rapid workforce entry in fields like Veterinary Assistant and HVAC Technician; Associate and Bachelor's Degrees in areas such as Business Management and Information Technology; a High School Diploma program for secondary education completion; and Professional Development courses, including continuing education units (CEUs) for skill updates or licensure requirements.

Penn Foster's learning model is entirely online, allowing students to study on their own schedule from any location with internet access. It features digital textbooks, interactive lessons, multimedia content, and hands-on projects or externships for certain programs. Students progress at their own pace and have access to dedicated instructors, academic advisors, and an online student community for support throughout their education.

Yes, Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Many individual programs also hold industry-specific approvals. Accreditation ensures that the institution meets established standards of quality and that its credentials are widely recognized, which can be important for employment or further education.

Penn Foster focuses on affordability through a transparent pricing model. It often offers low monthly payment plans and all-inclusive costs that cover tuition, books, and learning materials. This approach aims to reduce financial barriers, making education more accessible to a wide range of students seeking career or academic advancement.

About Pennfoster

Penn Foster: An Overview of Online Career and Academic Education

Penn Foster is a nationally accredited institution providing flexible, self-paced online education to students across the United States and globally. With a history spanning over 130 years, it has evolved from a correspondence school into a leading digital educator, focusing on career-focused training, high school completion, and professional development. The institution's core mission is to make education accessible and affordable, empowering individuals to gain the skills and credentials needed to advance their careers or embark on new professional paths.

Educational Programs and Offerings

Penn Foster structures its programs into several key categories to meet diverse learner needs:

  • Career Diplomas and Certificates:These programs are designed for rapid entry into the workforce. They cover a wide array of trades and vocations, including Veterinary Assistant, HVAC Technician, Electrician, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, and Diesel Mechanics. Programs typically emphasize practical, job-ready skills.
  • Associate and Bachelor's Degrees:For those seeking more comprehensive academic credentials, Penn Foster offers accredited online degrees in fields such as Business Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Information Technology, and Health Services. These programs combine foundational knowledge with career-specific coursework.
  • High School Diploma:The Penn Foster High School program provides an accredited path for adults and teens to complete their secondary education online. It offers a standard curriculum with elective options, allowing students to graduate with a nationally recognized diploma.
  • Professional Development:The institution also offers individual courses and continuing education units (CEUs) for professionals looking to update their skills or meet specific licensure requirements.

Learning Experience and Student Support

The Penn Foster learning model is built around flexibility and student support. Courses are entirely online, allowing students to study on their own schedule from any location with internet access. Learning materials include digital textbooks, interactive lessons, multimedia content, and hands-on projects or externships for certain programs. Students progress at their own pace, with dedicated instructors, academic advisors, and a supportive online student community available to provide assistance, answer questions, and offer encouragement throughout the educational journey.

Accreditation and Affordability

Penn Foster's credibility is underscored by its accreditation. The institution is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Many individual programs also hold industry-specific approvals. A hallmark of Penn Foster's approach is its focus on affordability. The institution utilizes a transparent pricing model, often offering low monthly payment plans and all-inclusive costs that cover tuition, books, and learning materials, aiming to reduce financial barriers to education.

Career Services and Outcomes

Understanding that education is a means to an end, Penn Foster provides career services to its students and graduates. These resources can include resume writing tips, interview preparation guidance, and access to job search tools. While job placement is not guaranteed, the curriculum is developed with input from industry professionals to align with current market demands, aiming to equip students with relevant and sought-after skills.

In summary, Penn Foster.edu serves as a gateway for self-motivated individuals seeking a practical, flexible, and cost-effective route to career advancement or academic completion. By leveraging a long-standing tradition of distance education with modern online learning technology, it caters to working adults, career-changers, and those needing a non-traditional educational path to achieve their personal and professional goals.