You have many opportunities ahead of you, and 51社区 is a great place to start. Through the Paths to College and Career program, you can think about your future in a new way, explore career fields, and take advantage of intensive training. Paths to College and Career non-credit courses are FREE to you if you qualify for a scholarship, and additional financial aid is available when you are ready to take the next step.
Individuals who may qualify for assistance include adult students (18 and older) who are unemployed or underemployed and lack sufficient skills to find suitable employment. The program targets those pursuing careers in health care, transportation and warehousing, business management, information technology, and manufacturing.
Click on the plus (+) icons below to learn more about the support services and courses available:
The Guided Basic Skills Tutoring Lab is a free individualized, self-paced basic skills tutoring using educational software. A teacher is available to help you get started and provide additional support.
Mondays
Thursdays (closed April 2nd)
Paths to College and Career participants may be eligible for financial assistance toward:
For more information, please visit Credit for Prior Learning.
Equips skilled immigrants and refugees with the tools and knowledge to navigate the U.S. professional job market and higher education systems effectively. Helps participants develop personal and professional narratives, understand cultural and legal contexts, and deploy digital research tools for career advancement.
Introduces the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to use the Internet and build basic web pages. Covers introductory functions of the web, Internet communications, and project management concepts. Explores social networking tools and the use of multimedia on the web. Discusses industry career opportunities. Applies toward academic credit for WEB110 Internet Fundamentals upon successful completion.
Gives students a well-rounded view of some of the professional skills needed in today鈥檚 workforce. Covers topics to help students learn how to communicate well and manage time. Reviews the principles of equity and inclusion and how to collaborate with others with different points of view. Teaches students about leveraging technology, solving problems and the principles and practices of strategic innovation.
Covers fundamentals of professional digital image-editing software (Adobe Photoshop). Emphasizes skills to manipulate photos using current software tools and special effects filters. Explores program tools, color correction, channels, layers, and masks. Computer skills are required for success in this course. Upon request this course can be converted to college credit for course GRA103.
Teaches the fundamentals of the graphic arts industry. Uses industry based software to create professional layouts for print media. Introduces basic operations of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign will allow for the hands-on development of documents. Explores graphic arts workflow, various printing methods, typography, design elements, color management and the many career possibilities the industry has to offer.
Provides a comprehensive and practical mastery of JavaScript (JS), one of the core programming languages for web development. Demonstrates how to apply JavaScript to create dynamic web pages and simple web applications. Provides a well-rounded understanding of the language through hands-on coding examples and app creation. Knowledge of HTML and some programming experience is recommended.
Describes tools and functions within the current software. Demonstrates creating illustrations, working with type, color, and all tools needed to create multi-colored illustration and separation. Applies techniques to create illustration files for use in digital print production. Applies vector graphics software and its applications to the graphic arts industry. Computer skills are required for success in this course.
Learn the fundamentals of payroll accounting including the preparation of payroll records and tax returns for old age benefits and employment insurance. Learn to construct a Quarterly Federal Tax Return, Employer鈥檚 Annual Unemployment Tax Return, and Illinois Employer鈥檚 Contribution Report. Upon request this course can be converted to college credit for course ACC155 and partially fulfills the requirement to earn the Accounting Bookkeeping Clerk Certificate for college credit.
Whether you鈥檙e a business owner or someone who needs to know how to use QuickBooks in your employer's company or organization, this course will deliver the skills you need to perform. Learn how set up, backup and store company files; create custom reports and graphs; prepare budgets and payroll; and track changes in your financial accounts. Students should have knowledge of accounting and have taken LBS 8010, Intro to Accounting, or have approval from the College. Upon request, this course can be converted to College credit. This blended course combines online and campus instruction.
Provides instruction to students to meet the 36-hour IDPH requirement for activity directors, activity aides/assistants, and others involved with long-term care residents. Instructs participants on how to develop unique programming to meet the recreational needs of residents with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and related dementias, intellectual disabilities, and serious mental illness
Equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to assist in dental procedures. Provides hands-on practice and classroom instructions to key topics such as chairside assisting, infection control, and radiology.
This 66-hour course prepares students to work under the supervision of a pharmacist. The course will focus on the foundational principles and concepts for successful participation in the pharmaceutical field. Topics include medications, federal requirements, patient safety, quality assurance, order entry, and order processing.
Topics Include:
*Must attend all sessions
Restart your career as a registered nurse in this refresher course. The first part of this unique program utilizes a blended approach to help you hone your critical thinking skills as you become familiar with the most current trends in nursing care. During the second part of the course, the Nursing Field Experience provides the opportunity to put theory into practice in a clinical setting. If you have been licensed in the US and desire to return to a patient care setting, this course is for you. Twenty CEs are awarded for RN license renewal in Illinois.
This program provides a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, guiding students from ideation to the development and presentation of a business concept. In this 40-hour program, students will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, conduct market research, and design viable business models. Topics include financial planning, legal considerations, marketing, sales strategies, and product development. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, team development, operations management, and strategies for scaling and managing risk. The course culminates in final pitch presentations, preparing students to effectively communicate and execute their entrepreneurial visions.
*All 5 courses must be taken to earn the badge
The Office Essentials Digital Badge program is designed to provide learners with essential skills and knowledge in using Microsoft 365 applications, including Windows 11, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Participants will gain proficiency in these core tools, enabling them to effectively create, manage, and collaborate on various tasks and projects.
Teaches experienced project managers who desire to increase their project management skills how to apply a standards-based approach to project management. Offers a job-related approach to successful project management across application areas and industries. Prepares students for the Project Management Institute, Inc. Project Management Professional Certification. Recommended preparation: Project management experience.
Learn food safety practices to protect individuals from food-borne illness and gain the knowledge needed to become certified as a Food Service Sanitation Manager. This course is a nationally approved, ANSI accredited course and is designed to meet the requirements of local, state, and federal guidelines. As part of the course tuition and fee, students will receive a course manual and scantron for the exam on the day of class. The exam will be administered in the last 2 hours of the course. With prior arrangement, the exam can be taken in Spanish.
This course is designed to provide students with the tools and resources needed to become safe and effective forklift operators. Upon completion of the program, students will have working knowledge of the basic use of lift truck as well as the ability to safely inspect and operate lift trucks. The curriculum includes theory and practical training. Upon successful completion, students receive a National Safety Council Forklift operator card and Certificate of Completion from 51社区.
Provides a comprehensive exploration of a career in the manufacturing and welding industry. Covers an overview of industry terminology and skills and training and career pathways. Offers hands-on experience with welding and blueprint reading. Covers manufacturing processes and how each one is used in the industry.
Student will review the many aspects of handling trade internationally, discover how companies utilize it and how the entire company contributes to the international trade process. This course discusses the particulars of processes, legality, and oversight for import procedures. Students will learn about export regulations and 19 Code of Federal Regulations requirements.
The PMI Agile course will teach you to use an Agile approach to effectively manage a project's schedule, scope, budget, quality, and team. Additionally, you will learn related effective methods and best practices you can apply to your team and with customers. By course completion, you will have the skills and knowledge to take the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) 庐 certification.
Explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to evolve rapidly with numerous applications across many industries. Learns how the AI Project Cycle is an iterative approach to building AI solutions in this interactive course. Gains knowledge of machine learning tools and python packages. Prepares students for AI for business solutions and other emerging applications and technology.
Recommended to first take CE Introduction to Artificial Intelligence or equivalent experience.
*The first and last class are in-person at the Palatine campus. The rest are asynchronous.
Explores common trade applications of AI, including novice, intermediate, and advanced levels. Utilizes linear regression for predictive maintenance and employee attrition predictions. Learns how to detect insurance fraud and analyze quality assurance systems.
Recommended to first take LEM8002 Artificial Intelligence Foundations or equivalent experience.
*The first and last class are in-person at the Palatine campus. The rest are asynchronous.
This course provides an in-depth understanding of current AI applications in marketing and offers hands-on strategies for leveraging AI in your own campaigns. Participants will utilize data analysis, customer segmentation, predictive analytics, and content personalization to develop practical skills and insights that empower professionals in this rapidly evolving digital world. Participants will also enhance their proficiency in utilizing AI to deliver targeted, data-driven, and innovative marketing strategies.
Covers the creation of 3D models to help visualize and present designs. Includes visual styles, model walk-throughs, materials, lighting, and electronic distribution. Students will need some experience using AutoCAD software prior to enrollment.
Covers the creation of basic 2D drawings using drawing and editing tools, organization of drawing objects on layers, addition of text and basic dimensions, preparation for plotting and more sophisticated techniques for drawing setup and productivity. Designed for new users of AutoCAD software.
Builds on the basic concepts of the AutoCAD Essentials course. Helps improve productivity when creating, annotating and printing drawings with AutoCAD. Subjects include boundaries, regions, templates, dimensioning, annotation, blocks, layouts, views, sheet sets, tables and an introduction to 3D models. PREREQUISITES: AutoCAD Essentials course recommended.
Covers the duties of those responsible for implementing, managing, and maintaining computer systems and a networking architecture in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud environment platform as well as preparing students to take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification exam. Supports an array of cloud service models, including Infrastructure-As-A-Service, Platform-As-A-Service, and Software-As-A-Service. Introduces the tools and knowledge needed to support existing cloud resources incorporated in these service models or on-premises resources that will eventually migrate to the cloud.
Teaches how to implement and manage the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built on Microsoft Azure data services and Microsoft SQL Server. Explores how to use a variety of methods and tools to perform day-to-day operations, including applying knowledge of using T-SQL for administrative management purposes. Prepares for Microsoft certification exam DP-300. Recommended Preparation: basic knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system and its core functionality; working knowledge of relational databases.
Identifies foundational level knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure. Covers general cloud computing concepts as well as general cloud computing models and services such as Public, Private and Hybrid cloud and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service(PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Explores some core Azure services and solutions, as well as key Azure pillar services concerning security, privacy, compliance and trust. Prepares for Microsoft certification exam AZ-900.
Cisco CCNA Network Specialist digital badge earners understand standard networking devices, terms, and concepts. Participants demonstrate the ability to select, connect, configure, and troubleshoot Cisco switches and routers, as they are commonly used in small to medium-sized networks. Badge earners know how to install, operate, configure, and verify a basic IPv4 and IPv6 network, including configuring a LAN switch, configuring an IP router, and identifying basic security threats.
Prepare for a career as an information technology (IT) professional or personal computer (PC) technician. Learn how to install, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, optimize, and perform preventive maintenance of personal computer hardware and operating systems. This course helps prepare you for theCompTIAA A+ certification examinations in order to become aCompTIAA A+ Certified Professional. Prerequisites: Be able to browse and search the Internet, operate a personal computer, and work with operating systems such as Microsoft Windows.
Learns how to build cloud sysadmin (systems administrator) skill set to confidently perform duties in any cloud administrator role. Explores upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as servers. Prepares students to sit for the CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam.
Covers the duties of those responsible for monitoring and detecting security incidents in information systems and networks, and for executing a proper response to such incidents. Introduces tools and tactics to manage cybersecurity risks, while promoting a comprehensive approach to security on the front lines of defense. Provides information on various types of common threats, including ways to evaluate an organization's security, collect and analyze cybersecurity intelligence, and handle incidents as they occur. Prepares students for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ exam.
Provides the fundamentals of scriting and programming in a database environment. This course demonstrates designing and modeling databases to complete database tasks. Participants will apply knowledge to install, configure, and maintain database software while establishing sound security. This course prepares students for the DataSys+ Certification Exam. An eBook, labs, and one exam voucher are included in the course fees.
Teaches planning, installation, and troubleshooting of networks in a business environment. Includes the OSI model, network card configurations, diagnosing network problems, and hands-on practice setting up a network environment. Must have A+ certification or equivalent prior to enrollment.
Clarifies how to develop penetration testing skills that will enable the IT professional to identify information systems vulnerabilities by effectively applying remediation techniques for those vulnerabilities. Teaches how to offer recommendations for action to properly protect information systems and their contents. Prepares for CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam. Recommended: Intermediate knowledge of information security concepts, including but not limited to identity and access management (IAM), cryptographic concepts and implementations, computer networking concepts and implementations, and common security. Practical experience in accruing various computing environments, including small to medium businesses, as well as enterprise environments.
Gains the knowledge and skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, software development and database use. Learns to install software, establish basic network connectivity, and identify/prevent basic security risks. Obtains knowledge in the areas of troubleshooting theory and preventative maintenance of devices. Learns some of the basic principles and techniques of providing PC, mobile, applications, and network support. Prepares the student for the ITF+ certification exam.
Explores how to be part of new technologies that will shape how we live and work. Provides an understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud computing, big data, internet of things IoTT), augmented reality, virtual reality,blockchainn, digital privacy, and more. Designed to help students discover their tech path, from a basic understanding of emerging technology or to pursue a career or advanced training in this field.
Explores how artificial intelligence is impacting various aspects of society. Utilizes machine learning tools to provide students with knowledge of how to improve efficiency in the workplace and use cloud computing for networking and storage. Covers how the increased use of autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, and Generative AI tools like ChatGPT is revolutionizing how we interact. Examines the ethics of AI, including data bias and transparency, and provides an understanding of careers and educational pathways for this emerging industry.
Designed specifically as a web back end, MySQL is a database management system that powers many of today's high-traffic websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and Yahoo. This course will show you how to quickly and efficiently set up and administer a MySQL database. Using real-world exercises, you will become proficient in running SQL queries against the server and in customizing an SQL database using the tools in the MySQL tool kit.
Analyzes advanced SQL concepts, including complex queries with multiple joins, subqueries, and advanced functions. Applies indexing and performance optimization techniques to improve database efficiency. Designs database schemas and creates stored procedures, triggers, views, and stored routines. Prepares for Oracle 1Z0-071 Exam.
Explores complex areas of Python programming. Discovers how to use this knowledge to work with data structures. Develops custom scripts, GUI applications, and portable exe programs. Recommended Preparation: experience with Python or object-oriented programming.
Explores complex areas of Python programming. Discovers how to use this knowledge to work with data structures. Develops custom scripts, GUI applications, and portable exe programs. Recommended Preparation: experience with Python or object-oriented programming.
Badge earners understand predictive models that create business value from Big Data solutions. Participants recognize the technology (databases, query languages, architectures) and statistical techniques of Big Data Analytics. Badge earners have completed a hands-on Predictive Analytics project.
Prerequisite: Basic understanding of statistics, databases, and data management
Program objectives:
This course utilizes Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib to handle complex data operations efficiently. Provides opportunities to prepare, clean, and structure data for analysis, uncover patterns, and present findings using compelling visualizations. Demonstrates practical, hands-on experience through real-world datasets and projects.
This course describes how professionals can excel in process improvement and quality management by utilizing Six Sigma methodologies and tools. Participants will learn to identifiy core principles of Six Sigma, including DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) methodology, comprehensive statistical analysis, and practical examples of Six Sigma applications in various industries. This course provides essential knowledge and skills and prepares participants for the official Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
This course introduces the foundational skills needed to create web pages utilizing HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets CSSS), and an overview of theJavaScriptt language. Topics include web design best practices, web site hosting, internet protocols, graphics, media and security. Student will create a business-oriented web site as a class project.
Learn more about if you might qualify for the Paths to College & Career program, and how to apply.
Monday, April 13th at 7 PM
Tuesday, April 14th at 9 AM
Contact the Paths to College and Career Program at 847.925.6778 or paths@harpercollege.edu.
Information and offerings are subject to change. This program is made possible by the Illinois Community College Board's Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant.