Purdue University Global provides an accessible online route to gain qualifications that can further your career. Ideal for busy people who want to study remotely, Purdue Global still offers a high level of student support, both academically and in helping you make progress at work. With a free three-week trial, you can test it out with no commitment. And there are plenty of options for financial aid, including experiential credits.
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Best for |
Professional studies for busy career people |
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Financial aid available |
FAFSA, student loans, grants, military tuition assistance |
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Available degrees |
Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, certificates, doctoral degrees |
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Number of majors/programs available |
175+ |
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Outstanding features |
Experiential credits; accredited programs; specialist career center |
Purdue University Global is a nonprofit organization offering online education. An offshoot of the respected Purdue University system, based in Indiana, Purdue University Global was launched in 2017. It’s a great way for busy people to study for a degree relating to their current or desired profession. If you are looking for an online university, Purdue University Global could be the right choice for the following reasons.
Studying with Purdue Global gives you the power to get your degree or certificate from anywhere in the world. Live seminars and classes are held virtually and allow you to interact with instructors and other learners.
Purdue Global takes an active approach to student support. The faculty offer one-to-one mentoring, and you can access free tutoring to support your academic progress.
Purdue Global is a great way to build your professional skills. Its 175+ courses and programs are focused on what you need for a range of careers, from criminal justice to nursing. The university also puts an emphasis on your career, with dedicated support from the Center for Career Advancement. If needed, you can get a competency report for your employer to show off your work-related skills.
If you’re not sure if this kind of learning is for you, Purdue Global gives you the chance to trial its courses for free. You get 3 weeks of study with no fees or commitment, during which time you can sample the course content and virtual classroom. If you decide to drop out during this time, there is no tuition cost payable.
Although university courses can be expensive, Purdue Global provides a variety of ways to reduce the cost of your studies. First, you can get credits for prior work experience, giving you a tuition grant of up to $1,500. There are also credit transfers available from previous degrees or assessments. Service members, veterans, and military spouses are eligible for reductions (up to 55%, 38%, and 10%, respectively). You may also be able to make a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Purdue University Global offers over 175 programs over a wide range of subjects:
Qualifications are available at many levels, from associate’s degrees all the way to doctoral degrees. You can also take non-credit courses in professional skills to enhance your career.
Purdue University Global has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (recognized by the US Department of Education). Particular programs also have their own accreditation from the relevant bodies. See the Purdue University Global website for more details.
“Being enrolled in an online institution, we have been granted a fantastic opportunity to engage with many individuals who each bring their own experiences, knowledge, and perspectives to the table. Student Life provides students with endless opportunities for this engagement surrounding multiple topics of interest, allowing us to learn from one another and grow together. I am proud to be a Purdue Global student!” - Dihana Hansch
“I actually moved three times during my undergraduate degree. The online platform helped with keeping me in one university, not switching around, and not trying to transfer classes to each different school...I enrolled back in [the University] because the school exceeded all of my expectations. If I needed anything, the professors and advisors were always there.” - Teresa Heier
“The entire program was very interactive...I could interact with other students. I could interact with my professors. There were smaller class sizes, and that really helped me because I felt kind of like it was a family.” - Wendy Buice
The university offers a range of support services for students, both academically and outside their studies. The Academic Success Centers give free tutoring and seminars in math, science, and writing. You can also access the Purdue Global Library, which provides electronic resources, including e-books and journals, through its website. Librarians are on hand to help you through email, chat, or one-to-one meetings.
Another valuable source of support is the Center for Career Advancement. They provide a range of career-focused resources and opportunities. For example, it offers regular employer spotlights, a CareerNetwork platform where you can find and apply for jobs, and mentoring through one-to-one career discussions.
If you need accommodations for a disability, you can seek support from the Student Accessibility Services. If appropriate, you may be able to access course materials in a format to suit you, plus extended time for assessments and auxiliary aids.
Studying at Purdue University Global is a great way to enhance your career, especially if you’ve got a busy lifestyle. Online learning via Purdue Global’s virtual classrooms makes its qualifications accessible. You’ll also get access to a host of online resources through the library, and you can even join student organizations to get to know other learners. If you’re not sure whether this type of study will suit you, the three-week trial period with no financial commitment gives you the opportunity to test it out.
Although the high cost of tuition fees needs to be considered, Purdue Global has a lot of avenues to financial aid, including for veterans. Additionally, its experiential credits help you turn your existing work experience into an asset. And the career support available from the Center for Career Advancement will help you maximize the progress you can make during and after your studies. If you’re looking for an online university, Purdue University Global is certainly worth consideration.