Prairie State College

This certificate program will provide students with theoretical background and psychomotor skills needed to provide basic bedside care. CNA competencies are enhanced by instruction in communication strategies and human behavior. This will prepare the bedside care provider to improve his/her ability to interact with clients, families and other members of the health care team.

The Nursing Assistant Training Program has been designed to provide students with the theory and skills necessary to give basic patient care in a nursing home or hospital. The course includes instruction in basic bedside skills such as bed baths, moving and lifting, enemas, and other techniques. Students will receive practice in a lab setting and in a nursing home. Successful completion of this program qualifies the student for the Illinois Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate and to take the state approved Competency Examination.

This section provides students with the knowledge and skills related to the medical office duties of the medical assistant. The chapters on electrocardiogram (EKG) and phlebotomy concepts are not covered in this section.

The dental assisting certificate program will prepare students with skills necessary to perform a variety of tasks required to provide quality care in the field of dentistry such as handling of dental materials, exposing radiographs, treatment room and patient preparation and performing office management skills. Clinical internships are completed off-campus at area dental offices under the supervision of dentists and dental assistants. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examinations.

The Dental Hygiene Program at Prairie State College is a (4 semester and 2 summer sessions) 82-credit hour career program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree.

This section explores the specific knowledge and skills related to cardiovascular anatomy and physiology and performance of a 12-lead EKG test. Students learn how to accurately place leads on the patient, run the EKG machine, perform basic measurements using the EKG strip, and identify normal tracings of the heart’s electrical activity, as well as identify common dysrhythmias.

This section provides the students with the knowledge and skills related to collecting specimens for lab services including hematology, urinology, and other tests performed on body fluids. Students learn to perform a venipuncture procedure on adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients.

Medical administrative assistants play an important role in the efficient delivery of healthcare services. The Medical Administrative Assistant healthcare vocational certificate courses at Prairie State College (PSC) introduces students to a variety of responsibilities such as organizational skills, industry-relevant knowledge, and technology to efficiently manage the front office of a healthcare service provider.

Some of the responsibilities include updating and filing patient medical records, completing insurance forms, and making arrangements for hospital and laboratory services. Additional tasks include answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, billing, and bookkeeping.

The Prairie State College Medical Billing/Coding Specialist healthcare vocational certificate courses prepares students to work in a variety of health care settings. Settings include: hospitals, physician offices, outpatient care centers, and home-based organizations.

The demand for pharmacy professionals is increasing each year in response to the growth of an aging population and the development of new prescription drugs. Prairie State College’s (PSC) Pharmacy Technician healthcare vocational certificate course provides students with the necessary training and tools needed to enter the pharmacy field.

This program prepares students to work as surgical technologists in the operating room, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical care centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories, physician’s offices, or central supply units. Surgical technologists work under medical supervision to facilitate safe and effective performance of invasive surgical procedures aimed at optimizing patient safety. This program meets nationally established standards for Surgical Technology. It has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduates may sit for the Surgical Technologist national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

This program prepares students to work as surgical technologists in the operating room, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical care centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories, physician’s offices or central supply units. Surgical technologists work under medical supervision to facilitate safe and effective performance of invasive surgical procedures aimed at optimizing patient safety. Graduates may sit for the Surgical Technologist national certification exam administered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

This program continues the study of fire department organization, fire behavior, safety issues and rescue techniques begun in Firefighter II. Students with valid Firefighter II certification prepare to sit for the State Fire Marshal Firefighter III and Rescue Awareness certificate exams.

This program is designed for students seeking employment in fire service by preparing them for the State Firefighter II certification exam. Students receive training in areas that include fire behavior, safety, fire control, communication, hazardous materials, and fire prevention. Students demonstrate basic firefighter skills such as the use of ladders, hose, ropes, and breathing apparatus in a supervised setting.

This curriculum prepares the student for employment as a volunteer, paid-on-call part-time, or full-time municipal firefighter.

The Firefighter/EMT certificate will provide the beginning student in the emergency response occupations with fundamental skills in basic fire fighting techniques and emergency medical care. Both areas have independent certification exams that must be successfully completed to obtain employment in the field.

This program prepares students to meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requirements to be an Early Childhood Education Center Director. Students must also have completed two years of college credit. Since PSC is an entitled institution, these courses can be used to meet Illinois Gateways Director Credential 1 requirements.

This program prepares students to meet basic requirements for day care teacher approval. DCFS requires two years of college credit in any area including at least 6 hours in Early Childhood Education. Students completing this work are eligible for entry-level teaching in early childhood programs.

This program teaches the practical skills necessary to provide direct care to young children in day care and preschool centers, home day care sites, and community-based centers. Students are prepared for employment as teachers and child care assistants, and other entry-level positions in the child care field.

The Child and Family Studies Associate in Applied Science degree program is designed for individuals who want to work directly with young children and their families in early care and education programs, human service organizations, or professional development services. The program provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

This program is designed for part-time students already employed in the fields of law enforcement, corrections and private security. The curriculum prepares students to advance their careers as public police officers and investigators, correctional officers, 911 telecommunications, or private security officers and investigators.

Learn, Serve, Protect
Our nation needs qualified and talented people to serve in our criminal justice workforce. These careers are exciting and fast-paced. Criminal justice careers range from police officers patrolling and protecting our neighborhoods, and detectives who investigate crimes, to crime laboratory technicians responsible for analyzing evidence, federal agents working in investigation and homeland security, 911 operators, as well as correctional officers who work in our nation’s prisons. In short, in the criminal justice field, there are many different ways for you to help make a difference in your community.

Whether you want to enter this exciting field, or advance your current career, Prairie State College (PSC) has the classes that you need. Through an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), a Technical Certificate, or an Associate in Arts (A.A.) transfer degree that will help lead you to a Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, you can be a part of a growing profession that will help you attain your career goals, and at the same time, help make our communities better.

The EMT program provides students with the knowledge and skill needed to handle the critically ill and injured in a pre-hospital care environment. Areas covered include cardiac arrests, fractures, injuries, and childbirth. Students are prepared for the certification exam, which requires them to be at least 18 years of age. Students may obtain an information packet about prerequisite physical examination and immunizations from the Nursing Department at Prairie State College prior to the start of the course. Students must score a 78 or better on the reading portion of the COMPASS Placement Test to enroll in the course.

The Firefighter/EMT certificate will provide the beginning student in the emergency response occupations with fundamental skills in basic fire fighting techniques and emergency medical care. Both areas have independent certification exams that must be successfully completed to obtain employment in the field.

Now you can get your certificate training right from the comfort of your own home. These online, comprehensive certificate courses prepare students for careers in several different legal fields. Our online partner is an expert in providing the most up-to-date curriculum to make our students very competitive in this job market. This may be just what you were looking for.

The Paraprofessional Educator Certificate program provides a foundation of important skills and standards that prepare paraprofessionals to work in non-Title I programs. Professional Education core requirements are combined with general education and special emphasis electives. Paraprofessionals who possess college credits that, when combined with this certificate total 60 credit hours, meet requirements of NCLB and are eligible to work in Title I positions.

This short-term program trains students to function as front end mechanics. Students learn to align and balance wheels, as well as repair steering mechanisms and suspension systems.

Students in this program are trained to work on drum and disk braking systems, parking brakes and their hydraulic systems. Students learn to inspect, adjust, remove, repair and reinstall brake shoes, disk pads, drums, rotors, wheel and master cylinders, and hydraulic fluid lines.

This short-term program trains students to diagnose Drivability problems. Students learn the basics of the engine, engine performance, how the electronics work, as well as the computer system functions of the vehicle. Students are taught to adjust the ignition timing and valves, and adjust or replace spark plugs or other parts to ensure efficient engine performance. Electronic test equipment is used to adjust and locate malfunctions in fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems.

This short-term program trains the student to function as an engine mechanic. Students learn to overhaul engines, as well as service the electrical needs of the engine.

This short-term program prepares technicians to install and repair air-conditioners as well as service components such as compressors and condensers.

This short-term program trains the student for positions in parts management. Students learn the parts management system as well as basic business management techniques and introductory computer skills.

Service management specialists are the link between the customers seeking repair or maintenance for their vehicles and the technicians who perform the work. Students are trained to write repair orders, inspect vehicles to determine work that needs to be done, determine costs of the work, and prepare itemized estimates. In addition, students learn basic computer skills and basic business management skills. After gaining experience in entry-level positions, successful students can go on to the management/supervisory levels in auto shops.

This program prepares students for employment in automotive servicing and repair, engine testing, automotive field services, and automotive parts and shop management.

This program provides the balance of theory and practical knowledge necessary for students preparing for careers in the automotive technology industry. Service technicians are trained to maintain and repair cars, vans, small trucks, and other vehicles. Using both hand tools and specialized diagnostic test equipment, they learn to pinpoint problems and make necessary repairs or adjustments. In addition to performing complex and difficult repairs, technicians handle a number of routine maintenance procedures such as oil changes, tire rotation and battery replacement. Technicians also interact with customers to explain repair procedures and discuss maintenance needs.

This short-term program trains mechanics to work on gear trains, couplings, hydraulic pumps, and other parts of automotive transmissions. Because these are complex mechanisms and include electronic parts, their repair requires considerable experience and training, including a knowledge of hydraulics.

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry-level CAD Drafters. Students will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to produce drawings, diagrams, charts, etc., using the Auto-CAD software. Hands- on experiences will include CAD system operation, drawing set-up, original drawings, copy, and modification of existing drawings and plotting.

This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a CAD Technician and Designer. It provides a concentrated exposure in computer-aided drafting and design. This program is especially suitable for those currently employed in the field of mechanical design to update their design skills in the context of CAD systems. Persons seeking positions such as checker, layout designer, specifications writer, mechanical design technician, and CAD technician or designer will benefit from this program.

This certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions in mechanical drafting and CAD. The skills developed will enable the student to work as a drafter, dealer, technical illustrator, and CAD operator.

This program prepares students for careers as drafters, mechanical designers, and CAD technicians. Areas of potential employment include drafter, dealer, layout designer, design technician, CAD operator, and CAD technician. The courses emphasize basic drafting and drawing skills, design and analysis of mechanisms and mechanical parts, and the use of CAD systems to draw, design, and analyze mechanical devices.

This program prepares heating and cooling technicians to work on systems that control the temperature, humidity, and air quality of enclosed environments. Students learn to assemble, install, maintain and service climate control equipment. Typical entry-level positions include service technicians, new installation technicians, and sales positions.

The curriculum prepares students to perform various welding jobs for maintenance manufacturing machines. The training also prepares students to custom build devices by working from machine drawings and specifications.

The curriculum prepares students to perform various welding jobs for maintenance manufacturing machines. The training also prepares students to custom build devices by working from machine drawings and specifications.

This certificate program is designed to concentrate on welding skills utilizing processes that are most widely employed in business and industry. The welding proficiency and knowledge gained in this program supplement most skilled construction trades.

This program is designed to prepare people to be CNC Programmers/Operators. The curriculum emphasizes programming and operation of both milling and turning CNC equipment. Additionally, the student will receive instruction in these important related areas: machine tool operation and applications, mathematics, and drafting/CAD.

This program prepares students to enter machinist craft fields. Machinist training teaches students to custom build metal devices in both a job shop or a manufacturing establishment.

This certificate program is designed for individuals who do not seek the associate degree, yet still want the technical skills and knowledge necessary for successful employment in the field of manufacturing. The curriculum provides instruction for such occupations as machine operator, machinist, and CNC operator.

This program prepares personnel for a wide range of manufacturing related occupations. These include machine operator, machinist, CNC operator, CNC programmer, and robotics programmer. Coursework includes basic machine shop operations and processes, CNC machine operation and programming, CAD/CAM fundamentals, robotics and automated manufacturing applications. This program prepares technicians to operate, program, design and install manufacturing, assembly and materials handling equipment. Students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this program should consult an enrollment advisor regarding transfer information.

This program provides the electronics foundation for servicing computers and related electronics equipment.

This program prepares students to work with the electronics components of computers and related equipment.

Industrial Electricians are prepared to troubleshoot and maintain electrical devices used in a manufacturing industry; install electrical machines and wiring; and wire electrical panels.

The industrial electrician degree program prepares students for work as electricians in industry. To meet the demands of changing technology, training encompasses electronics as well as electrician skills. Students pursing the A.A.S. degree on a full-time schedule will be prepared for entry-level positions as industrial electricians. This training has been approved by the United States Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.

Industrial Electricians are prepared to troubleshoot and maintain electrical devices used in a manufacturing industry; install electrical machines and wiring; and wire electrical panels.

The industrial electrician degree program prepares students for work as electricians in industry. To meet the demands of changing technology, training encompasses electronics as well as electrician skills. Students pursing the A.A.S. degree on a full-time schedule will be prepared for entry-level positions as industrial electricians. This training has been approved by the United States Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.

This program trains students for a company’s individual workplace needs. Students complete a core program and then focus in one or several technical areas.

This program trains students to move and install various metalworking machines according to a firm’s management requests. Millwrights are high-skilled workers trained to dismantle, operate, repair, or lubricate industrial machinery. They are skilled in the use of basic tools and machinery and can read blueprints and schematic designs.

This program provides a foundation in design and computer art and experience with specialized software and techniques required to work in the field of digital design. Students are prepared for entry-level or freelance work in electronic and print media.

This program is designed to give students the basic practical and theoretical skills necessary to work as assistants and technicians in the music industry.

This program builds a technical and visual foundation using photographic techniques while encouraging students to become effective communicators with their cameras.

This program prepares students for the rapidly changing world of computers, computer applications and the office environment. After completing introductory courses, students may choose one of the following options: administrative assistant, networking, programming, or Webmaster. Career opportunities vary according to the option selected.

This program covers the fundamentals of computer networking with an emphasis on network security, network defense and data integrity. It prepares students for jobs in network administration and network security. Students are prepared for a range of industry certifications.

This certificate prepares students for entry-level positions such as network administrator, network analyst, and network engineer. A computer networking specialist must have extensive knowledge of network connectivity, protocols, network security devices, and network media, including wireless or fiber optic, and common operating systems (Windows, Linux, and UNIX). Students will examine planning, installation, maintenance, repair, and design of local area networks. This program helps students prepare for the MCP, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Linux+ industry certifications.

This program prepares students for the rapidly changing world of computers, computer applications and the office environment. After completing introductory courses, students may choose one of the following options: administrative assistant, networking, programming, or Webmaster. Career opportunities vary according to the option selected.

This program prepares students for the rapidly changing world of computers, computer applications and the office environment. After completing introductory courses, students may choose one of the following options: administrative assistant, networking, programming, or Webmaster. Career opportunities vary according to the option selected.

This program is designed for students who need to update their skills and knowledge of programming languages. Objectoriented and event-driven languages, as well as traditional structured languages, are included in this curriculum. Some career opportunities include various levels of programmer analyst such as Visual Basic programmer, C++ programmer, JAVA programmer, object-oriented programmer, and user interface designer.

This program develops Web design skills with an emphasis on graphic design and digital media, including animation.

This program prepares students to work in career fields of computer support, maintenance, and repair. Students will receive training in computer hardware, software, and first-level troubleshooting support. Students will learn about computer hardware components and system operating systems. Jobs can be found in career fields such as PC Support Technician and Computer Help Desk. This program also prepares students for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals and A+ industry certifications.

This program prepares students for entry-level positions in PC installation, maintenance, and repair professions. Common career titles include PC support technician, hardware specialist, and help desk support specialist. Students will examine PC software, including operating systems, network management, and desktop utilities. This program also prepares students for the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications.

This program covers the fundamentals of computer networking with an emphasis on network security, network defense and data integrity. It prepares students for jobs in network administration and network security. Students are prepared for a range of industry certifications.

This program develops Web design skills with an emphasis on graphic design and digital media, including animation.