NU Editorial Contributors
National University Editorial Contributors include writers, editors, and academic professionals who are experts in creating high-quality educational content that is timely, accurate, informative, and easy to understand. All contributors who develop content for National University follow strict guidelines to ensure they provide credible and authoritative information that is independent, free from advertiser influence, and aligns with the high standards our readers and students expect from National University.
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Articles by NU Editorial Contributors
September 2, 2019Tools & Tactics: A Look at Crime Scene Investigation Training
It’s no surprise that crime scene investigation is a growing and competitive field. That’s partly because movies and TV shows have built a considerable mystique around the profession, but also because increasingly, people pursue careers because they want to make a difference in their communities. The importance of crime scene investigation can’t be understated. It’s ...
August 26, 2019How To Become a Certified Autism Specialist
The Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) is an advanced professional credential issued by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) that recognizes educators, healthcare professionals, and clinicians who have demonstrated specialized expertise in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder, designed for professionals with regular contact with autistic individuals rather than as an entry-level designation.
August 19, 2019Becoming a Fingerprint Analysis Pro
Becoming a professional fingerprint analyst, formally known as a latent print examiner, requires a foundational degree, specialized training, supervised casework experience, and professional certification before work product is court-admissible.
- August 14, 2019
NU’S Teaching Through Engagement (TTE) Model is Key to Successful Online Learning
At Northcentral University, we reject the “sage on stage” model of teaching – where a professor stands in the front of the room and lectures. It was never very effective in the traditional classroom, and is disastrous in an online course. Instead, we use a model, unique to NU, called Teaching Through Engagement (TTE), © ...
August 12, 2019What is an MBA in Supply Chain Management and Logistics?
An MBA in Supply Chain Management and Logistics combines advanced business strategy with specialized operations knowledge, preparing graduates for executive and consulting roles overseeing global logistics networks, procurement, demand planning, and the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain into supply chain operations.
August 8, 2019Criminalistics: Adding a Specialization to Your Master in Forensic Science Online
Not all superheroes wear capes. Some of them wear lab coats. If your superpower is science (either chemistry or biology at the undergraduate degree level), you could be joining the fight against crime and solving real-world mysteries with a master in forensic science online degree specializing in criminalistics at National University. The criminalistics specialization of ...
August 5, 2019Careers in Human Resource Management
Human resource management careers span a wide range of specializations, from talent acquisition and recruiting, compensation and benefits design, and employee relations, to HR information systems and people data analytics, and learning and development program design, with professionals building expertise in one or more of these functional areas across industries including technology, healthcare, finance, and nonprofit.
August 1, 2019On the Job: Performance Psychology
Have you ever wondered how your favorite baseball player felt as they approached the field, bat in hand? Are you curious about how the MVP in your favorite sport is able to consistently reach peak performance? Lauren Abarca, mental conditioning coach for the New York Yankees, had the very same thoughts, which led her to ...
July 29, 2019How to Become a Probation Officer
Becoming a probation officer requires a bachelor's degree, a clean background, and completion of a state or agency training academy, with federal positions typically requiring a master's degree or equivalent specialized experience. Core eligibility requirements include a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a behavioral science; passing a background check, drug screening, and in many jurisdictions a polygraph.
July 25, 2019Ask the Expert: What’s On TV vs. What You Really Learn in a Master’s in Forensic Science Online [Updated 2026]
An online Master's in Forensic Science develops the specialized scientific expertise and professional competencies required to manage, analyze, and testify on forensic evidence, bridging laboratory science with courtroom application and preparing working professionals for advancement in forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, and expert witness roles.
July 22, 2019What Is the Study of Human Behavior?
Behavioral science is broadly defined as any discipline, including psychology, sociology, and anthropology, that relies on systematic experimentation and observation to study human actions and reactions in a scientific way. The field investigates the interplay between biological predispositions and environmental influences, examining why people make decisions, how groups form and function, and what drives behavior at both the individual and societal level.
July 1, 2019Preparing for the CSET Multiple Subject Test
The CSET Multiple Subjects exam consists of three subtests that can be taken together in a single five-hour sitting or individually: Subtest I (Reading, Language, Literature, and History/Social Science), Subtest II (Mathematics and Science), and Subtest III (Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Human Development).
June 27, 2019Beyond the Classroom: The Online Master’s Programs at National University
National University offers more than 20 online master's degrees designed for working adults, with a distinctive four-week course format that allows students to complete one class at a time, a structure built around the schedules of professionals balancing education with career and family responsibilities. Rolling admissions and no application fee make entry accessible year-round without standardized test requirements for most programs.
June 20, 2019What Is Developmental Psychology?
Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why humans grow, change, and adapt across the entire lifespan, examining physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development from conception through late adulthood. The field aims to describe, explain, and optimize human development, with researchers studying normative milestones alongside atypical patterns to detect delays, learning disabilities, and mental health issues early.
June 17, 2019What Can You Do With a Master’s in Gerontology?
A Master's in Gerontology is an interdisciplinary graduate degree examining the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of aging, preparing graduates for leadership roles in healthcare administration, policy and advocacy, care management, and research focused on older adult populations. Career paths include managing senior living facilities, hospitals, and specialized care settings; developing and advocating for policy and programs serving older adults through government agencies and nonprofits; coordinating medical, social, and financial services for older adults and their families; and conducting research on longevity and quality-of-life interventions in academic or institutional settings.
June 13, 2019How to Choose: Criminal Justice Administration Degree or a Juvenile Justice Degree?
The choice between a Criminal Justice Administration degree and a Juvenile Justice degree depends on whether your goal is leadership within the adult criminal justice system or specialized work with at-risk youth, two meaningfully different career directions that share some foundational coursework but diverge significantly in application.
June 10, 2019Get to Know the NU Veteran and Military Community Center!
Plenty of colleges and universities have a Veterans center – a place where Veterans and active duty service members can use a computer, contact the VA office or find out a bit more about GI benefits. But there is at least one thing that separates the NU Veteran and Military Community Center at Spectrum Campus ...
- June 3, 2019
What Is Forensic Serology?
Forensic serology is the detection, identification, classification, and study of various bodily fluids, including blood, semen, saliva, and urine, and their relationship to a crime scene, with forensic serologists also involved in DNA analysis and bloodstain pattern analysis. Serology and DNA analysis are closely aligned: serology identifies what type of fluid is present, while DNA analysis matches those fluids to a specific individual, two steps that are typically handled by the same forensic team and taught as a single discipline.