Professional Development

Training is offered for industry recognized certification, certificates and continuing education units for: real estate, Certified Financial Planning, supervisory/management development, small business management, international trade, meeting planning, health services, cosmetology, volunteer management, refrigerant handling EPA/CFC Certification, non-profit management and teacher development.

In conjunction with professional training, Harper College provides career guidance and assistance through community career counseling and workshops, industry specific job fairs and Workforce English as a Second Language (ESL).

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Developed by the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, this curriculum covers all aspects of test preparation to take the CFP examination in readiness for the comprehensive CFP certification exam. CFP applicants must also have three years full-time relevant work experience.

Real Estate
This program is designed for those who desire to excel as licensed real estate salespersons or those who wish to expand their career opportunities to include managing or owning a real estate business. Also offered are courses in appraisal and home inspection.

International Trade
The professional and the beginner in international trade will gain insight into all aspects of the importing and exporting industry. Course topics include: adherence to import regulations, a custom broker’s exam review, export documentation, letters of credit and export finance, spotlighting specific world business sectors and the appropriate protocols for conducting international business.

Management Development Program
New supervisors/managers and those wishing to update their supervisory, leadership and teambuilding skills will gain the knowledge and confidence to succeed. This curriculum may be taken as individual seminars or as a certificate program.

Small Business Management Center
Both start-up and seasoned businesses will benefit from workshops led by successful entrepreneurs. They cover finance, marketing, legal questions, business plan development, consultant practice development and home-based business issues. Appointments to discuss personal business issues can also be arranged with a Small Business Counselor.

B.A.S.S.E.T.-Alcohol Awareness
The State of Illinois requires that all present and future employees of the food service industry who wish to serve liquor complete this training. This course covers alcohol-related laws, potential liabilities, and medical emergency techniques.

Food Standards and Sanitation
This program provides reviews in English and Spanish for the Food Service Sanitation Exam, as well as HACCP training and food service sanitation essentials for kitchen staff. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires a Certified Food Service Sanitation Certificate holder on every shift in a food service facility.

Teacher Development
Harper College offers a variety of programs for teachers or for people interested in working in the academic environment. Harper is an approved provider for teachers seeking continuing education units to become re-certified in the state of Illinois. Also offered are workshops for those interested in becoming a substitute teacher or classes to help you review for the Illinois Basic Skills Test.

Meeting Planning
Students will learn the skills necessary to plan, promote, and execute successful meetings and conventions. This certificate program is intended for those with no meeting planning experience and those looking to hone their existing talents.

Healthcare
Harper College provides courses and seminars for health care professionals seeking to earn continuing education units. Career education is offered for Allied Health Care, Dental Hygiene, Dietetic Technician, Nursing and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Cosmetology
In connection with the Arlington Academy Cosmetology Career Center, this evening program prepares candidates for the Illinois Licensing Examination for Beauticians. The 1500-hour curriculum covers theoretical and practical aspects of hair dressing and treatment, skin and nail care, and personal grooming.

High school students in Districts 211 and 214 may take these courses through the Northwest Suburban Career Cooperative for high school credit and should contact a high school counselor for additional details.

Volunteer Management/Non-Profit Management
Earn credentials and improve your professional skills in volunteer recruitment and management. This is a certificate program that is endorsed by the Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA). Two levels of certification require basic and enrichment coursework with a final paper for the basic certificate and a project paper for the advanced certificate.

Refrigerant Handling
Harper College is certified by the EPA to administer the official technician certification examination for handling and recovering refrigerants at all technician levels. In addition to administering the EPA exam, the College is authorized to provide the test preparation workshop.

Cardiac Ultrasound Technology
The Cardiac Ultrasound Technology program is to focus and to prepare you for a position as a cardiac ultrasound technician. Skills learned in the hands-on training will enable you to assist physicians in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with heart and vascular irregularities. For further information on the program or to discuss admission, please call Dr. Will Hoffman at 847.925.6486.

Test Reviews
Included in this series are the Basic Skills Test Review, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, ACT and offerings related to test anxiety.