Fast Track Careers
The Vernon College Continuing Education department plays an important role in the institutional mission of the college and in servicing our students and communities. Through Continuing Education, a wide variety of non-credit classes as well as associated services and college resources are provided to students of all ages within the twelve county service area. Fast Track Careers are designed to provide basic knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment opportunities or occupational upgrading. Personal enrichment classes are designed to appeal to the needs of the general public. Specialized contract and customized training courses for business and industry are also available.
Continuing Education class schedules are published online for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters for quick and easy access. Please visit the website at www.vernoncollege.edu/continuing-education-home to register for class or to see the upcoming class schedules. Persons may also contact the Continuing Education Offices on the Vernon Campus and/or Century City Center in Wichita Falls for more information.
In most non-credit Continuing Education classes, only grades of complete (C) or incomplete (NC) are given. Persons who register for and successfully complete non-credit Continuing Education classes are awarded Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) with 1 CEU being awarded for each 10 hours of instruction. Transcripts are maintained for all Continuing Education courses.
Occupational Skills Achievement Awards are available to successful completers of the following programs: Drilling Fluids (180 hours), Medication Aide (144 hours), and Truck Driving (160 hours). A more thorough description of the Occupational Skills Achievement Award can be found in this catalog.
Non–credit Career and Technical Education programs/classes offered through Continuing Education typically vary in length from one month to eighteen months and most provide some type of occupational certification leading to entry-level employment. Examples of some of the more popular Fast Track Careers include:
- Basic Firefighter Academy is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved program which is approximately 9 months in length and covers the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education curriculum. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the state certification exams to become Certified Firefighters in Texas. Admission to the Academy is required and enrollment is limited.
- Basic Law Enforcement Academy is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved program which is approximately 9 months in length and is offered at the Skills Training Center. The Academy prepares students to take the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) state certification examination. After passing the exam and upon employment with a Law Enforcement Agency, students are eligible to become Licensed Peace Officers in Texas. Admission to the Academy is required and enrollment is limited.
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is a 4-month program offered monthly at the Century City Center which includes both classroom and clinical educational experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the state licensure exam for Certified Nurse Aide. Prerequisites: full shot records (MMR, TD, Varicella, Hepatitis B), valid picture ID, and social security card.
- Culinary Arts and Hospitality Academy is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved program which is 9 months in length and is offered at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Academy in Burkburnett, Texas. Upon successful completion of the Academy, students receive 5 Certificates of Achievement in Culinary Arts/Hospitality and are qualified for a variety of positions such as Prep Cook, Chef/Kitchen Manager, Restaurant Manager, Assistant Catering Manager, Assistant Food & Beverage Director, among others. This program also allows for students the opportunity to become Manage First Credentialed.
- Phlebotomy is a 4-month, hands-on program offered at the Century City Center (Fall and Spring) which prepares students for a career in phlebotomy. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Phlebotomy certification exam. Registration is open to all students with necessary documentation in November, May, June, July however enrollment is limited. Prerequisites: full shot records (MMR, TD, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and TB), be 18 years old or older, and received a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Court Reporting is an 18-month program and the first online Continuing Education program. The program consists of 6 separate modules each containing 11 weeks of training. New start dates are available by calling the Continuing Education Department. This program prepares students for a career in areas such as: Courtroom Court Reporters, Freelance Reporters, Broadcast Captioners, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Texas Court Reporters Association certification exam.
- Massage Therapy is a 9-month hands-on program. This program follows the requirements through TDLR. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the Texas state exam through TDLR. This program will prepare students for careers working in: spas, franchised clinics, physician’s offices, hotels and fitness centers.
- Truck Driving program is a 5-week hands-on program offered at the Vernon Campus several times each semester which includes both classroom and over the road educational experiences. Vernon College is a registered Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration entry level driver trainer (ELDT) provider. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Texas Class A CDL exam and driving test. Prerequisites: 18 years or older and a 3-year clean driving record. For additional requirements, contact the Lead Truck Driving Instructor in the Continuing Education Department.
Non-credit Personal Enrichment classes offered through Continuing Education also vary in length and include a wide range of topics such as fitness and exercise, culinary, various arts and crafts, gardening, and hunter education. Additionally, classes are offered in a variety of educational and fun areas for children ages 4-13 during Kids College held each summer at both the Vernon Campus and Century City Center. Specialized activities and services for senior citizens are offered through the Emeritus Institute on the Vernon Campus.
Additionally, over 150 non-credit, interactive Online Courses such as Defensive Driving, Wedding Planning, Personal Finance, Grant Writing, and Basic Computer Literacy are offered through a partnership between the VC Continuing Education department and Education 2 Go. Courses begin monthly and can be viewed at http://www.ed2go.com/vernonedu/. Online enrollment is available with both Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Specialized non-credit courses to meet the specific training needs of area Business and Industry are also available through the Continuing Education Department at Vernon College. Classes may be customized with respect to topic, scheduling, and delivery methods to fit the needs of companies and their employees. To inquire about specialized courses and contract training opportunities, businesses may contact the Coordinator of Business and Industry Services on either the Vernon Campus or at the Century City Center.
Emeritus Institute, Vernon Campus
Operated through the Department of Continuing Education, the Emeritus Institute is specifically designed for persons sixty (60) years and older. The Chaparral Senior Activity Center, located on the Vernon Campus, offers many opportunities for senior adults, including both the Congregate Meal and the Meals on Wheels programs. In addition to a nutritious noon meal, participants also enjoy fellowship, games, and monthly evening socials. Other activities and services available through the Emeritus Institute include bus trips, health screenings, nutritional and exercise programs, transportation services, and continuing education classes designed specifically for senior adults.