From Finance to Healthcare, Student Retrains for Growing Field
After a decade of working in the financial field, Pamela Campbell suddenly found herself without a job. Although being laid off was a shock to her, it also brought a welcomed opportunity for a new start. Pamela realized that she wasn’t happy in finance anymore and felt like she needed a change in her career, and now was the perfect time to go back to school for training in a new field.
Since several of her family members worked in the medical field, Pamela thought she would look into it and liked the projected growth for the career and the many opportunities in different aspects of healthcare. “I wanted to do more behind the scenes,” she explained, “I wanted to be in a management position.” She found the health information technology (HIT) degree program at the Cleveland Campus would help her in that goal and took the next big step by walking through the doors of the campus.
“I was afraid,” she admitted, “I thought I was too old; I thought I wouldn’t fit in; I thought I would be so far behind that I wouldn’t be able to catch up.” But she proved all her fears and doubts wrong, making the Dean’s List in her very first term. She attributes much of her success to the positive attitude of the National College community, the “yes-you-can attitude,” she calls it. She said that it was the instructors that gave her confidence in her abilities. “The way they teach,” she explained, “they’re for you – they want to help you.” It helped that she had that same support from her two grown children: “They were truly excited,” she says with a smile, “They have been encouraging me for years to go [to college].”
Now almost through her first year, Pamela states: “I’m really enjoying it.” Despite it being completely different than what she is used to in finance, she has found the HIT training engaging and exciting. “I’m looking forward to the externship,” she shared, “I want to get in the field.” But she doesn’t plan on stopping there. After she starts her new career, she plans on continuing her education and working towards a bachelor’s degree.
The next big step for Pamela will be graduation in 2013: “I’m looking forward to the year 2013 to see what my future is for that year,” she said. Remembering what it felt to take those first frightening steps into the campus, Pamela encourages other students who are considering returning to school and feeling unsure. “It’s your future – your career,” she said, “It took me ten years to walk through the door… You can do it.”
Accreditation
The Roanoke Valley Campus of National College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. The Louisville, Bristol, Danville (VA), Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Indianapolis, Parkersburg and Princeton Campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. All other campuses of National College are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees and diplomas.
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, founded in 1912, is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Its accreditation of degree-granting institutions is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The mission of ACICS is to advance educational excellence at independent, nonpublic career schools, colleges, and organizations in the United States and abroad. This is achieved through a deliberate and thorough accreditation process of quality assessment and enhancement as well as ethical business and educational practices whereby ACICS attempts to maintain minimum standards, policies, and procedures leading to institutional effectiveness.
The Council's evaluation and accreditation activities are directed to post-secondary institutions offering non-degree programs and degree programs through the Master's degree level that are designed to train and educate persons for careers or professions where business applications, business concepts, supervisory or management techniques, or professional or business-related applications or disciplines support or constitute the career or professional activity.
National College is also approved for the training of Veterans and Vocational Rehabilitation students, and is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. The Virginia campuses are recognized by the State Council of Higher Education; the Kentucky campuses are licensed by the Kentucky Council on Post-secondary Education; the Tennessee campuses are authorized for operation by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The Dayton Area Campus, Columbus Campus, Cincinnati Campus, Stow Campus, Cleveland Campus and Youngstown Campus have received the Certificate of Registration and Program Authorization from the State of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools located at 35 East Gay Street, Suite 403, Columbus, OH 43215, and can be reached at (877) 275-4219. The Ohio registration number for the Dayton Area Campus is 04-01-1700B, 08-11-1884B for the Columbus Campus, 04-05-1718B for the Cincinnati Campus, 07-01-1811B for the Stow Campus, 09-07-1905B for the Cleveland Campus and 07-03-1816B for the Youngstown Campus. The Indiana campuses are regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 W. Washington St., Room E201, Indianapolis, IN 46204, and can be reached at (317) 232-1320 or toll free (800) 227-5695. Advertising code is AC-0054. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has assigned the Princeton, West Virginia Campus of National College the status of Category II to offer degree programs and has assigned the Parkersburg, West Virginia Campus the status of Category III to offer degree programs.
Contact Information
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4241
Tel: (202) 336-6780
Fax: (202) 842-2593
E-mail: info@acics.org
Web Site: www.acics.org
Common Questions
Considering a career education at National College? Here are the answers to some common questions.
Q: I don't want to get lost in the crowd. How big are the classes?
A: National College doesn't treat a student as just another body. We offer small classes in a friendly environment, with an average of about 15 students per instructor.
Q: How much time would it take me to complete a career program at National College?
A: We offer four educational levels to fit the needs of people at various points of their careers, starting with several short-term diploma programs that can be completed in just nine months to a year. Associate's degree programs take about two years. Bachelor's degree programs build on the Associate's degree and may require another two years to complete. The Master of Business Administration may be completed in as little as 18 months.
Q: If I find myself struggling in some classes, can I get extra help?
A: We want to be sure our students have all the tools they need to get the most out of their education. For students who need a little extra help with their studies, we can arrange for individual tutoring at no extra charge.
Q: Will my National College education really prepare me for the real world?
A: We focus on the skills necessary for your chosen field, tailoring our programs to fit the demands of today's employers. What's more, our instructors are practicing professionals in their fields, and their knowledge and experience help prepare our students to enter the job market with confidence.
Q: What assistance is available to help me find a job after graduation?
A: National College has an excellent reputation with employers, and we take pride in assisting in job placement for our students. Plus, our Career Center is available as a resource for all our graduates throughout their professional lives.
Q: I am concerned about paying for a college education. Can I get help?
A: A number of options for financial assistance are available for those who qualify, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Our student services representative will sit down with you to determine which resources you can take advantage of, eliminating the confusion of applying for aid.
