Frequently Asked Questions
Are continuing education programs accredited?
Do I have to submit all of the application documentation, or can I register first?
Why do I have to submit an application and provide shot records?
Do I need to be admitted to Collin College to take a CE course?
Is the exam fee included in the course tuition?
Do I receive a certificate when I'm finished?
How much time will I spend outside of class studying?
Do I have to do an externship?
What if I've already taken a similar course to one in the program?
A: There are many area career college that have similar programs to ours. The most popular are in Billing, Coding, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Pharmacy Technician. Our programs are similar to theirs in the following ways:
- Both include instruction designed to teach students skills and required knowledge to be successful in the industry
- Ours, and most others, lead students towards national certification
The courses at Collin College are different from most other career colleges in the following ways:
- Collin College is a non-profit, public educational institution. Most career colleges are for- profit, private companies who offer educational courses.
- A percentage of the total revenue for Collin College is received through tax dollars, so the full cost of operating the college does not have to be collected through tuition. This allows us to keep the cost of education low.
- Our main goal in CE is to train students with the skills and education needed to get a job and perform well. We keep the training courses as short as possible to help you be able to enter the workforce as quickly as possible.
A: Collin College is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. More information about college accreditation can be found at http://www.collin.edu/aboutus/.
A: For most of our courses, there is open enrollment. That means you simply choose which course you want, register and pay for the class. You can register online, over the phone at 972.985.3711 or at the Courtyard Center. For the following healthcare courses, there is an application which must be completed and submitted with supporting documents.
- Nurse Aide Training
- Phlebotomy Lab
- Nursing Refresher
- Dental Assistant Training
- Electrocardiography
- All Externships
A: You must submit all of your documents and be approved for the course before you will be given approval to register. Once you submit a completed application and are approved, a space in the class is held for you. You must register at least two (2) days prior to the class beginning, or your spot may be given to another student.
A: The application and shot records are required so the college can ensure the safety of all students and any patient in a clinical setting that our students may contact. We follow guidelines set by the state and local governing bodies when setting requirements for vaccine documentation.
A: No, college admission is not required for CE courses. However, you do have to apply to the continuing education program to take a CE course.
A: No. Payment for each class is due in full when you register. Information on how to make a payment can be found on the Payment Information page.
A? Yes. Instructions on applying for financial aid are available on the Financial Aid page.
A: Textbook information is located on each course page in the right-hand column of the page. You can purchase books at the Courtyard Center Bookstore or through the vendor of your choice.
A: No. Exam fees are separate and should be paid directly to the certification provider.
A: While we do not offer any formal job placement, we do have several mechanisms to help you find a job after completion of your coursework. These mechanisms include the following possibilities.
- Participating in an externship is a great way to enter the workforce as a student and prove your skills to a potential employer. If they are not able to hire you, they can write you a good letter of recommendation.
- Employers call us quite frequently when they are searching for employees. They are aware when they call the school that students will have no experience. We pass the job posting information along to teachers and students who are in our classes.
- We have contact with placement agencies and recruiters in the area who can also assist you in finding employment.
- Collin College has an amazing Career Center on each of our campuses. Their contact information is available at http://www.collin.edu/studentresources/career/index.html
A: Some of our courses are Certificate Series courses. When you have completed all of the courses in the series, you will need to email your name, the name of the certificate series you completed, and your mailing address to cehealthcare@collin.edu. We will pull your transcript and issue you a certificate. We do not issue certificates for individual courses. If at anytime you would like proof of completion of a course, you may request an official transcript by calling 972.985.3711.
A: Plan to spend about an hour outside of class for every hour that you are in class. For online courses, the number of hours listed for the course is equivalent to classroom hours. You will probably spend additional time studying and completing your assignments.
A: Most externships are optional. However, some externships are required for certification. Please see each course page for details. Please check the externship page for additional information.
Q: What if I've already taken a similar course to one in the program?
A: If you have taken a course that is similar to one in a program, or if you have equivalent work experience, please let us know by completing the form available here. Please pay special attention to the requirements listed at the top of the page.