By Patsy Joyner
Columnist

In addition to two-year degree and yearlong certificate programs, Paul D. Camp Community College offers a number of Career Studies Certificate programs that take less than a year to complete. Designed to address short-term training needs of citizens in the College’s service area, the Career Studies Program options range from 9 to 29 credit hours. Following are two examples.

Legal Office (27 credit hours)

This program is designed to provide entry-level and specialized legal office skills for individuals preparing for positions in a legal office or for those presently in business who desire to increase their knowledge or update their skills.

Occupational objectives include positions in private law firms, mortgage companies, banks, title insurance companies, private corporations, government and administrative agencies.

Required courses include Word Processing I, three Administrative Support Technology electives, Business Law I, Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts, Business Communications, Records and Database Management, Legal Transcription, Law Office Administration and Management and Legal Transactions.

Pre-Nursing (28 credit hours)

The Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate offers foundational courses from the AAS in nursing

curriculum to prepare students for entry into the nursing program. Although completion of this certificate does not guarantee admission to the nursing program, the career studies certificate provides a curriculum that accurately reflects the intentions and goals of the students enrolled. Taking the sciences and college composition courses in advance may enhance students’ application status into the RN program.

This option includes all the courses within the nursing curriculum that can be completed prior to nursing program admission, with the exception of the Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts course. Although this course is not listed in this career studies certificate, computer competency is required for all associate degrees, and this course covers all the competencies needed. It may be completed prior to nursing program admission.

Courses in the Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate include College Success Skills, Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Introduction to Microbiology, College Composition I, Principles of Public Speaking, Introduction to Psychology I and II, Developmental Psychology and Bio-Medical Ethics.

Other programs

Other Career Studies programs at PDCCC include American Sign Language; Bookkeeping; Child Care I and Child Care II; Computer Support Specialist; Entrepreneurship in Small Business Management; Fire Science; Hardware and Software Support; Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; Industrial Maintenance; Industrial/Residential Wiring; Leadership’ Medical Office Specialist’ Nurse Aide; Professional Welder-Fabricator; Professional Welder-Pipe; Professional Welder-Plate; Religious Studies; and Word Processing Technician.

For more information on Career Studies Certificates and other options available at PDCCC, call 569-6700, or visit www.pdc.edu.