Career Training Programs
Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online vocational degrees or vocational certificates and a detailed list of offered programs. Tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes are available by request. For information about campus-based schools, click on the 'On Campus Degrees' link above.
Vocational Ed – Quicker To Finish = Quicker To Work
What’s the difference between the auto engineer who designs the car and the auto mechanic who repairs it? They illustrate two equally important, but distinct career paths: the professional and the vocational.
Professional careers require significant investments in time and money to complete a four-year college education, if not more. Vocational jobs, on the other hand, require specific skills and knowledge that can be imparted in two years of comparatively low-cost training, sometimes with additional certification. Vocational careers are wide ranging. Some jobs are hands-on, while others require more brain power than physical strength. Many are a combination of both, like licensed practical nurses or dental assistants. It’s the quickest, most affordable way to get skilled training for in-demand jobs, with some opportunities for flexible hours and tuition reimbursement. In this tough economic market, what’s not to love?
When Should You “Go Vocational?”
People who crave practical learning, and jobs that will have them skill-ready upon graduation, will thrive in vocational careers. Most vocational programs require a certain amount of on-the-job experience while students learn – even a paying job, which can defray tuition costs. It will also appeal to people in professional careers who need to refresh skills or learn something new after being laid off. For this demographic group, especially, vocational degrees, vocational certificates, or vocational diplomas may be the most expedient road to future, fulfilling employment.
Pick Your Career Path Carefully
The future is rosy for certain vocational job paths, but not all of them. Computer programming, with its high salary range ($40,000-$113,000) might be tempting, but with many jobs being outsourced to India and other foreign countries, jobs are expected to decrease over the next decade. Among the hot careers on the vocational horizon are dental assistants, computer network systems analysts, and paralegals. Generally, vocational careers that require some education command better pay than those offering on-the-job training.
Listed below are online Career Training colleges and online Career Training schools complete with the programs offered. Information about tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes, and other options are available by submitting a request to the school. For information about campus-based schools with degrees in Career Training, click on the 'On Campus Degrees' link above.
Use the following if you are interested in help with locating a college or university with an online degree in Career Training.
Career Outlook for Vocational
The future is so bright for some vocational careers you’ll have to wear shades! Take a look at the following predicted job growth for vocational based careers:
Things look particularly good in the medical and health fields, but also in beauty, fitness, law and computers, according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. While many computer programming jobs are heading overseas, computer network systems analysts – who design, test and evaluate computer network systems – top the list with an anticipated 50% job growth by 2018. Hot careers in the medical field include physicians assistants (a 39% increase), dental hygienists and assistants (36%), medical assistants (34%), physical therapy aides (33%), occupational therapy aides (30%) and radiation therapists (27%). The health and beauty field will also see an upswing in hiring for skin aestheticians and aerobics and fitness instructors, with ten-year job growth anticipated at 38% and 29%, respectively. Love animals? Become a Vet Tech (36%). Attracted to law? Paralegals are expected to increase by 74,000 jobs – or 28%.
Salary Forecast for Careers in Career Training
A Little Education Goes A Long Way Towards Bumping Up Salary
In the current list by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., not all jobs require education – but those that require even a small amount show a significant improvement in salaries. A physical therapist aide, who receives only on-the-job training, makes about $23,000 per year. But a physical therapist assistant, requiring two years of study, averages a $46,000 salary. It’s the same in the dental field: a dental assistant can get training on job, and salaries average at about $32,000. A dental hygienist, who requires an associate’s degree, makes an average of $66,000. In other words: a little bit of education can go a long way towards boosting your earning potential. An added benefit is that you can probably work as a lower-paying dental assistant or physical therapist aide while earning your degree in either field, because both careers are anticipated to be booming. Some jobs might even offer partial or full tuition reimbursement, and plenty of career advancement.
Education Requirements for Vocational
Vocational Degrees Take One to Four Years to Complete
The majority of vocational careers require at least two years of study, or an associate’s degree. Some expect more - computer network administrators, for example, can be hired at the two-year degree level, but a four-year degree, ultimately improves your marketability and advancement opportunities. For the paralegal degree, training programs are one to five years a long (a certification program up to a master’s degree), but some law firms will also consider on-the-job training for bright candidates who are a quick study. Beyond the fact that the two-year degree takes less time and is often offered on a flexible schedule so students can work and attend school, the biggest advantage of an associate’s degree is its low cost. If you are attending an instate community college, or working on an online degree, you’ll pay as little as $300-$500 per credit, compared to an average of $1,000-$1,500 or more per credit at a traditional four-year university.
Accredited Colleges and Universities
Online Schools with related Career Training programs
Kaplan University

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BS in Fire and Emergency Management
Earn your bachelor's degree to pursue or enhance a career in fire services. The curriculum includes analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation, the role of the fire service within the community, and the technical, legal, and social aspects of arson. The degree serves fire service professionals seeking enhanced skills and a broad spectrum of knowledge in the field of fire science. It may be a good fit for individuals aspiring to become firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, first-line supervisors, or managers of firefighters.
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AAS in Fire Science
This program is designed to provide students with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics. Students completing the program can seek employment as firefighters, fire inspectors, and fire investigators, among other positions.
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BS in Fire Science
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BS in Fire and Emergency Management
Campus-based Schools with related Career Training programs