Harper College will be closed Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
You have many opportunities ahead of you, and Harper College is a great place to start. Through the Paths to College and Career program, you can think about your future in a new way, explore career fields, and take advantage of intensive training. Paths to College and Career non-credit courses are FREE to you if you qualify for a scholarship, and additional financial aid is available when you are ready to take the next step.
Individuals who may qualify for assistance include adult students (18 and older) who are unemployed or underemployed and lack sufficient skills to find suitable employment. The program targets those pursuing careers in health care, transportation and warehousing, business management, information technology, and manufacturing.
Click on the plus (+) icons below to learn more about the support services and courses available:
The Guided Basic Skills Tutoring Lab is a free individualized, self-paced basic skills tutoring using educational software. A teacher is available to help you get started and provide additional support.
What Career is Right for You? (CPE - LCE8000)
You may also check out this online career workshop or attend a virtual live career workshop where you will take career assessments, learn how to understand the results, and see how they relate to Areas of Interest and Programs of Study at Harper College. Click here to download a flyer with more information.
Paths to College and Career participants may be eligible for financial assistance toward:
Learn More about Credit for Prior Learning at harpercollege.edu/start/credit-for-prior-learning
Learning Advanced Excel contains these tools that can help you prepare your worksheets accurately, examine your data for authentication, and then find those answers to your most difficult questions. This course will help you learn these required business functions along with the tools required to analyze data efficiently within the workplace. Save time for yourself by protecting your valuable data and know with assurance that the entered data is accurate without any errors. By completing the course, discover how to attractively visualize your data into meaningful information with confidence.
This course will teach participants the strategies and techniques needed to conduct a successful online job search. Participants will learn how to use online job search tools and resources to find job opportunities that match their skills and interests, and how to effectively communicate their qualifications to potential employers. The course will cover a variety of topics, including resume writing, online networking, job search websites and applications, and interview preparation. By the end of this course, participants will have a solid understanding of how to conduct an effective online job search and be prepared to successfully navigate the job market.
Introduces the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to use the Internet and build basic web pages. Covers introductory functions of the web, Internet communications, and project management concepts. Explores social networking tools and the use of multimedia on the web. Discusses industry career opportunities. Applies toward academic credit for WEB110 Internet Fundamentals upon successful completion.
Gives students a well-rounded view of some of the professional skills needed in today’s workforce. Covers topics to help students learn how to communicate well and manage time. Reviews the principles of equity and inclusion and how to collaborate with others with different points of view. Teaches students about leveraging technology, solving problems and the principles and practices of strategic innovation.
Introduces the use of computer, digital and information literacy skills in the workplace for Continuing Professional Education students. Focuses on familiarizing learners with very basic keyboarding functions and word processing. Introduces components of the Web and accessing a website using a browser such as Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. Develops critical thinking skills by evaluating online sources of information, comparing styles of communication and group problem-solving and discussion. Topics may include work readiness skills, workplace communication, job search and interview process and workforce/career preparation.
Covers fundamentals of professional digital image-editing software (Adobe Photoshop). Emphasizes skills to manipulate photos using current software tools and special effects filters. Explores program tools, color correction, channels, layers, and masks. Computer skills are required for success in this course. Upon request this course can be converted to college credit for course GRA103.
Teaches the fundamentals of the graphic arts industry. Uses industry based software to create professional layouts for print media. Introduces basic operations of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign will allow for the hands-on development of documents. Explores graphic arts workflow, various printing methods, typography, design elements, color management and the many career possibilities the industry has to offer.
Describes tools and functions within the current software. Demonstrates creating illustrations, working with type, color, and all tools needed to create multi-colored illustration and separation. Applies techniques to create illustration files for use in digital print production. Applies vector graphics software and its applications to the graphic arts industry. Computer skills are required for success in this course.
Learn the fundamentals of payroll accounting including the preparation of payroll records and tax returns for old age benefits and employment insurance. Learn to construct a Quarterly Federal Tax Return, Employer’s Annual Unemployment Tax Return, and Illinois Employer’s Contribution Report. Upon request this course can be converted to college credit for course ACC155 and partially fulfills the requirement to earn the Accounting Bookkeeping Clerk Certificate for college credit.
Prerequisite ACC100, ACC101, LBS8010, or LBS8011.
Whether you’re a business owner or someone who needs to know how to use QuickBooks in your employer's company or organization, this course will deliver the skills you need to perform. Learn how set up, backup and store company files; create custom reports and graphs; prepare budgets and payroll; and track changes in your financial accounts. Students should have knowledge of accounting and have taken LBS 8010, Intro to Accounting, or have approval from the College. Upon request, this course can be converted to College credit. This blended course combines online and campus instruction.
Provides instruction to students to meet the 36-hour IDPH requirement for activity directors, activity aides/assistants, and others involved with long-term care residents. Instructs participants on how to develop unique programming to meet the recreational needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, intellectual disabilities, and serious mental illness
This 66-hour course prepares students to work under the supervision of a pharmacist. The course will focus on the foundational principles and concepts for successful participation in the pharmaceutical field. Topics include medications, federal requirements, patient safety, quality assurance, order entry, and order processing.
This program is for U.S. registered nurses who have been out of clinical practice for five or more years or for those trying to renew or obtain an Illinois state license. Gain practical, hands-on skills and confidence in a program with 68 classroom hours and 80 clinical hours (includes orientation). Ideal for registered nurses working in non-hospital settings, nurses returning to the workforce, or nurses who want to further their education in the most current medical practices.
This program provides a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, guiding students from ideation to the development and presentation of a business concept. In this 40-hour program, students will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, conduct market research, and design viable business models. Topics include financial planning, legal considerations, marketing, sales strategies, and product development. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, team development, operations management, and strategies for scaling and managing risk. The course culminates in final pitch presentations, preparing students to effectively communicate and execute their entrepreneurial visions.
Provides students business analysis knowledge and an understanding of the Systems Development Life Cycle. Examines strategies for analyzing business processes and demonstrates how to apply concepts and practical techniques. Teaches how to solve complex issues to analyze business and user needs, document requirements, and translate in system requirement specifications. Works with Microsoft Visio.
Teaches experienced project managers who desire to increase their project management skills how to apply a standards-based approach to project management. Offers a job-related approach to successful project management across application areas and industries. Prepares students for the Project Management Institute, Inc. Project Management Professional Certification. Recommended preparation: Project management experience.
Reviews the many aspects of handling trade internationally and discovers the basics of what trade is and how companies utilize it. Discusses the particulars of processes, legality, and oversight for import procedures. Gains the skills and knowledge about how the entire company contributes to the international trade process. Learns about export regulations and 19 Code of Federal Regulations requirements.
The PMI Agile course will teach you to use an Agile approach to effectively manage a project's schedule, scope, budget, quality, and team. Additionally, you will learn related effective methods and best practices you can apply to your team and with customers. By course completion, you will have the skills and knowledge to take the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) ® certification.
Covers the duties of those responsible for implementing, managing, and maintaining computer systems and a networking architecture in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud environment platform as well as preparing students to take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification exam. Supports an array of cloud service models, including Infrastructure-As-A-Service, Platform-As-A-Service, and Software-As-A-Service. Introduces the tools and knowledge needed to support existing cloud resources incorporated in these service models or on-premises resources that will eventually migrate to the cloud.
Teaches how to implement and manage the operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built on Microsoft Azure data services and Microsoft SQL Server. Explores how to use a variety of methods and tools to perform day-to-day operations, including applying knowledge of using T-SQL for administrative management purposes. Prepares for Microsoft certification exam DP-300. Recommended Preparation: basic knowledge of the Microsoft Windows operating system and its core functionality; working knowledge of relational databases.
Identifies foundational level knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure. Covers general cloud computing concepts as well as general cloud computing models and services such as Public, Private and Hybrid cloud and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service(PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Explores some core Azure services and solutions, as well as key Azure pillar services concerning security, privacy, compliance and trust. Prepares for Microsoft certification exam AZ-900.
Cisco CCNA Network Specialist digital badge earners understand standard networking devices, terms, and concepts. Participants demonstrate the ability to select, connect, configure, and troubleshoot Cisco switches and routers, as they are commonly used in small to medium-sized networks. Badge earners know how to install, operate, configure, and verify a basic IPv4 and IPv6 network, including configuring a LAN switch, configuring an IP router, and identifying basic security threats.
Prepare for a career as an information technology (IT) professional or personal computer (PC) technician. Learn how to install, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, optimize, and perform preventive maintenance of personal computer hardware and operating systems. This course helps prepare you for theCompTIAA A+ certification examinations in order to become aCompTIAA A+ Certified Professional. Prerequisites: Be able to browse and search the Internet, operate a personal computer, and work with operating systems such as Microsoft Windows.
Learns how to build cloud sysadmin (systems administrator) skill set to confidently perform duties in any cloud administrator role. Explores upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as servers. Prepares students to sit for the CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam.
Provides the fundamentals of scriting and programming in a database environment. This course demonstrates designing and modeling databases to complete database tasks. Participants will apply knowledge to install, configure, and maintain database software while establishing sound security. This course prepares students for the DataSys+ Certification Exam. An eBook, labs, and one exam voucher are included in the course fees.
Teaches planning, installation, and troubleshooting of networks in a business environment. Includes the OSI model, network card configurations, diagnosing network problems, and hands-on practice setting up a network environment. Must have A+ certification or equivalent prior to enrollment.
Provides vendor-neutral instruction on systems security, network infrastructure, access control, risk mitigation, cryptography, and organizational security. Covers workstation and server security, network vulnerabilities, risk assessments, monitoring tools, network security tools, authentication, rights and privileges, encryption, and disaster recovery. Helps prepare for CompTIA Security+ certification.
Gains the knowledge and skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, software development and database use. Learns to install software, establish basic network connectivity, and identify/prevent basic security risks. Obtains knowledge in the areas of troubleshooting theory and preventative maintenance of devices. Learns some of the basic principles and techniques of providing PC, mobile, applications, and network support. Prepares the student for the ITF+ certification exam.
Explores how to be part of new technologies that will shape how we live and work. Provides an understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud computing, big data, internet of things IoTT), augmented reality, virtual reality,blockchainn, digital privacy, and more. Designed to help students discover their tech path, from a basic understanding of emerging technology or to pursue a career or advanced training in this field.
Explores how artificial intelligence is impacting various aspects of society. Utilizes machine learning tools to provide students with knowledge of how to improve efficiency in the workplace and use cloud computing for networking and storage. Covers how the increased use of autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, and Generative AI tools like ChatGPT is revolutionizing how we interact. Examines the ethics of AI, including data bias and transparency, and provides an understanding of careers and educational pathways for this emerging industry.
Covers essential skills in data analytics and lays the groundwork for exploring and implementing advanced big data technologies. Delves into potential career trajectories and explores the existing education and certification pathways available in the field of data analytics.
Establish knowledge to become sufficient as a beginner Python programmer. Identify the benefits and usefulness of Python including excellent readability and uncluttered simple-to-learn syntax which helps beginners to utilize this programming language. Basic computer experience is required. Programming experience is preferred.
Designed specifically as a web back end, MySQL is a database management system that powers many of today's high-traffic websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and Yahoo. This course will show you how to quickly and efficiently set up and administer a MySQL database. Using real-world exercises, you will become proficient in running SQL queries against the server and in customizing an SQL database using the tools in the MySQL tool kit. Prerequisites: LCT0193 Intro to JavaScript Programming and LCT0292 Intro to PHP or equivalent experience.
Badge earners understand predictive models that create business value from Big Data solutions. Participants recognize the technology (databases, query languages, architectures) and statistical techniques of Big Data Analytics. Badge earners have completed a hands-on Predictive Analytics project.
Prerequisite: Basic understanding of statistics, databases, and data management
Program objectives:
This course describes how professionals can excel in process improvement and quality management by utilizing Six Sigma methodologies and tools. Participants will learn to identifiy core principles of Six Sigma, including DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) methodology, comprehensive statistical analysis, and practical examples of Six Sigma applications in various industries. This course provides essential knowledge and skills and prepares participants for the official Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
Demonstrates how tools connect to and transform massive amounts of data into visualizations, dashboards and interactive worksheets. Teaches how to identify and configure basic functions of Tableau. Helps to create views and customized data visualizations. Creates maps, dashboards, and stories. This course is intended for individuals using desktop or web-based data management tools to perform numerical data analysis.
Reports on data insights and trends with Tableau®. Learns to manipulate data with calculations to show insights, make visualizations interactive and perform statistical analysis. Learns to enrich visualization with advanced calculations and showcase data insights from statistical analysis. Recommended preparation: Tableau Desktop I or equivalent experience.
This course introduces the foundational skills needed to create web pages utilizing HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets CSSS), and an overview of theJavaScriptt language. Topics include web design best practices, web site hosting, internet protocols, graphics, media and security. Student will create a business-oriented web site as a class project.
Contact the Paths to College and Career Program at 847.925.6778 or paths@harpercollege.edu.
Information and offerings are subject to change. This program is made possible by the Illinois Community College Board's Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant.