Online education is becoming extremely popular these days. Penn Foster is very popular among many citizens working to earn a high school diploma. However, if one tries to earn a Penn Foster diploma in New York State, it will be important to determine how colleges and employers view it.
Key Highlights
- Many CUNY colleges don’t accept Penn Foster diplomas.
- Some private colleges accept Penn Foster diplomas.
- Penn Foster diplomas are recognized by employers, emphasizing skills.
What is Penn Foster?
Penn Foster is an accredited online college which offers numerous vocational programs and high school diplomas. Because students can complete their work at any pace they desire, this school really works for the less-than-vacation-time consumer. However, the degree to which on-line diplomas are accepted varies significantly, especially in a large and diverse state like New York.
Read More: How Many Exams Are In Penn Foster High School
New York Accreditation of Penn Foster Diplomas
Public Colleges and Universities
Many of the graduates are not far at all from college, where they could have acquired more education. However, if it was Penn Foster that conferred your high school diploma, problems could arise in admission to New York’s public colleges; especially those in the CUNY system.
There have been reports that most of the CUNY colleges are not willing to accept a Penn Foster diploma. Mainly because CUNY schools traditionally require that a student have a diploma from some regular public high school in New York State. This can make it hard for students with a Penn Foster diploma when they want to apply to such colleges.
Private colleges and universities
Moreover, some private colleges in New York accept the Penn Foster diploma. In fact, several schools like Manhattan College have taken students who only have this diploma. Thus, one can be assured that there are choices for graduates who want to continue their education.
Acceptance policies can actually vary really differently at private colleges, so it’s useful to do your own individual research on what each school requires. Some accept rules more loosely than others, and talking directly to admissions offices can really explain their views on online diplomas.
Jobs Vacant
Sure, university-level acceptance of Penn Foster diplomas is not complete, but one shouldn’t forget that they are usually accepted for work purposes. Most employers do not make distinctions in terms of the type of diploma; graduates can seek jobs in virtually many sectors. Many employers want skills and experience rather than a specific type of diploma when applying for customer service, retail, or some trade jobs.
Colleges That Accept the Penn Foster Diploma in New York
- SUNY Empire State College
- Excelsior College
- Monroe College
- Berkeley College
- Touro College
- Mercy College
- New York University
- Sanford Brown Institute
Note: These institutions have been noted for accepting the Penn Foster High School diploma, indicating their recognition of its accreditation and legitimacy.
Read More: How Fast Can You Finish Senior Year On Penn Foster
Advice to Students
Institutional Research
For students with a Penn Foster diploma or considering the same, the best course of action would be to look for colleges or universities available. Here’s the step-by-step procedure:
- Call admission offices: You can approach the college’s admission teams whose information you would like to acquire. Proceed to inquire from them if they honor Penn Foster diplomas. This will save time and allow you to identify schools that suit your needs for education.
- Explore Other Options: If you discover that most colleges do not accept your diploma, then look for another alternative. Obtain a GED. This is because, actually many students who have issues with their high school diploma end up obtaining a GED in order to meet the requirements of the college.
- Evaluate your goals: Consider your long-term goals, whether college is a necessity to you, or the benefits of obtaining a GED instead of a Penn Foster diploma may be valued more in some aspects. Also, consider your job goals; some jobs count experience and skills more than formal education.
Conclusion
There are both pros and cons to accepting Penn Foster diplomas in New York State. While public colleges, especially those in the CUNY system, do not accept diplomas from Penn Foster, leaving the student in an almost impossible position to pursue other paths to further education, more than half of private colleges accept Penn Foster diplomas, providing good options for access to higher education levels.