US Department of Defense
The mission of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country. The department’s headquarters is at the Pentagon. The DOD consists of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as many agencies, offices, and commands, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The DOD occupies the vast majority of the Pentagon building in Arlington, VA. The Department of Defense is the largest government agency, with more than 1.3 million men and women on active duty, nearly 700,000 civilian personnel, and 1.1 million citizens who serve in the National Guard and Reserve forces. Together, the military and civilian arms of DOD protect national interests through war-fighting, providing humanitarian aid, and performing peacekeeping and disaster relief services.
Department of the Army
Army Corps of Engineers
Department of the Navy
Marine Corps
Air National Guard
Army National Guard
US Department of Education
Department of Education website
Federal Student Aid
Education Statistics
Office for Civil Rights
Elementary and Secondary Education
Postsecondary Education
Special Education, Rehabilitative Services
Office of Vocational and Adult Education
US Department of Energy
Department of Energy website
The mission of the Department of Energy (DOE) is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. The DOE promotes America’s energy security by encouraging the development of reliable, clean, and affordable energy. It administers federal funding for scientific research to further the goal of discovery and innovation. The DOE is also tasked with ensuring America’s nuclear security, and with protecting the environment by providing a responsible resolution to the legacy of nuclear weapons production. The United States Secretary of Energy oversees a budget of approximately $23 billion and more than 100,000 federal and contract employees.
Bonneville Power Administration
Civilian Radioactive Waste Management
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Environmental Management
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fossil Energy
US Department of Homeland Security
The missions of the Department of Homeland Security are to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks, protect the American people, infrastructure and key resources, and respond to and recover from incidents that do occur. The third largest Cabinet department, DHS was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, largely in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The new department consolidated 22 executive branch agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS employs 216,000 people in its mission to patrol borders, protect travelers and our transportation infrastructure, enforce immigration laws, and respond to disasters and emergencies. The agency also promotes preparedness and emergency prevention among citizens. Policy is coordinated by the Homeland Security Council at the White House, in cooperation with other defense and intelligence agencies, and led by the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
US Coast Guard
US Customs and Border Protection
US Secret Service
Office of Immigration Statistics
National Cyber Security Division
Office of National Laboratories
Technology Transfer Office
US Department of Justice
Department of Justice website
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
DEA website
Immigration Review
FBI website
Federal Bureau of Prisons
National Drug Intelligence Center
US Marshals Service
National Central Bureau of Interpol
Parole Commission
U.S. Trustee Program
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Employment and Training Administration
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
US Department of Veterans Affairs
VA.gov
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for administering benefit programs for veterans, their families, and their survivors. These benefits include pension, education, disability compensation, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivor support, medical care, and burial benefits. Veterans Affairs became a cabinet-level department in 1989. Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation’s population approximately 70 million people are potentially eligible for V.A. benefits and services because they are veterans, family members, or survivors of veterans. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs oversees a budget of approximately $90 billion and a staff of approximately 235,000 employees.
Veterans benefits
Health Benefits Application
Disability Compensation
Pension Benefits
GI Bill
Vocational Rehabilitation
Home Loans
Life Insurance
Survivor Benefits
State Government Departments – 50 States
Legal Assisting
Paralegals assist attorneys by reducing case loads, investigating the facts of cases, interviewing clients and witnesses, and performing legal research. A paralegal may draft pleadings, deposition notices, subpoenas, briefs, and other legal documents. Further, job duties may include filing documents with the court, and assisting at hearings, administrative proceedings, and court trials. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent a client in court, establish legal fees, or sign any legal documents. Paralegals generally possess at a minimum, a 2-year associates degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a paralegal certificate. Paralegals with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or an associates degree combined with a paralegal certificate, generally have the best career prospects.
Paralegals must develop an understanding of legal terminology, and the rules of legal procedure. They must have excellent organizational skills in order to manage case files and multiple exhibits. Communication skills are paramount because paralegals must interact with clients, experts, court personnel and attorneys. Strong research and writing skills are necessary in drafting pleadings, research memos, and other documents. According to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the average paralegal salary is $50,496 per year. However, some experienced paralegals with special skills may earn in excess of $110,000 annually. Ranked as one of the 20 best jobs in America by CNN, job opportunities in the
paralegal field are plentiful, due to rising legal fees, and the fact that more clients are demanding the use of paralegals.
History Courses Online (free)
Brief Summary of World History
World Civilizations
The Medieval Period
1700-1900: Enlightenment and Revolution
Jewish History
History of Islam
Black Studies
History of Russia
Modern Russia
The 20th Century
History of New York City
Modern America
Riots, Strikes, and Conspiracies
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that new job openings in criminal justice will increase by 15% over the next decade. No matter what career you choose to pursue, you’ll have to pass a criminal history check. Further, more detailed investigation may be required, including a credit check, a summary of your employment history, a neighborhood survey, and a home visit. The median national salary for police officers is $62,000, while detectives earn an average of $78,000 yearly. Salary is dependent on location, which agency you work for, as well as the number of years of service.