Normally, it would be tough for a school to host a class on dog grooming down the hall from a lesson on dental nursing. But such variety isn't an issue for Aim Redstone Consultancy. The online training academy offers courses on everything from journalism to accounting using interactive modules that students complete from home.

The classes delve into both creative and administrative realms, preparing clients for new careers with basic, intermediate, and advanced coursework. Depending on the topic, courses can take between 40 and 500 hours to complete, but students aren't pressured to progress at a breakneck pace. Instead, they can access their course at any time and move through it at their own speed. Many courses also award certificates upon completion, which can upgrade résumés and impress dinner guests when used as a place mat.