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.
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
Introduces the use of computer, digital and information literacy skills in the workplace. Focuses on familiarizing learners with very basic keyboarding functions and word processing. Covers components of the Web and accessing a website using a browser. Develops critical thinking skills through evaluating online sources of information, comparing styles of communication as well as group problem-solving and discussion. Includes topics such as work readiness skills, workplace communication, the job search and interview process and career preparation.
This course provides students with an introduction to basic digital skills needed for today’s workforce. Includes an overview of operating systems, cloud-based word processing, spreadsheets, presentation applications, collaboration and remote work basics and online job seeking strategies.
Explore strategies to make your resume stand out, craft compelling cover letters, and follow up effectively. Learn how to design, format, and save your resume in cloud-based platforms for easy access from any device. You will also learn how to save and share your resume in formats like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and PDF. Get the tools you need to land your next opportunity.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to advance your career through the power of basic business math. This interactive class covers whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, simple equations, and percentage formulas with examples of commissions, markups and markdowns, discounts, sales tax, simple and compound interest, and installment loans. Practice with bar, line and circle graphs, and follow with just a touch of statistics: averages, medians, modes, and more. Real-world scenarios and group discussions make this class enjoyable and meaningful. Boost your confidence and pave the way for new opportunities!
Enhance your career with clear communication and persuasive writing. This course equips you with strategies to structure ideas logically, convey diplomacy in correspondence, and craft compelling discussion points in a business context. Learn to analyze your audience, organize content, and employ persuasive techniques for impactful communication.
Elevate your communication skills for your professional life and step into a world where your words leave a lasting impression. You will review the rules of grammar, identify common errors, and learn to streamline your ideas and messages. You will practice creating presentations and reports using proper grammar and a polished writing style. Whether you are a native or non-native English speaker, if you're interested in enhancing your grammar skills for more effective communication in formal and informal business settings, this class is for you.
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.
By the time you complete this digital badge, you will be skilled in the Canva graphic design application. Through this journey of creative expression and digital artistry using Canva, you will be able to confidently navigate the application's user-friendly interface. You will create captivating projects by seamlessly incorporating elements, images, and animations. Moreover, you will learn to unleash the power of Canva's advanced features, crafting dynamic videos, gifs, animations, presentations, and eLearning assets with finesse.
The Office Essentials Digital Badge program is designed to provide learners with essential skills and knowledge in using Microsoft 365 applications, including Windows 11, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Participants will gain proficiency in these core tools, enabling them to effectively create, manage, and collaborate on various tasks and projects.
The Office Management Essentials PLUS Digital Badge program is designed for individuals looking to enhance their proficiency in essential office tools, with a focus on Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams. Learners will acquire proficiency in office technology integration to streamline workflows and improve productivity. Instruction in these courses utilizes Microsoft 365, however, information presented is also appropriate for users of the desktop versions.
Prerequisite: Completion of Microsoft 365 Office Essentials digital badge or equivalent experience is required to enroll in this program.
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.
Explores beginning fundamentals of photography, its history, and the development of photography in both commercial and creative usage. Presents a past and present use of photography focusing on techniques and applications in a conventional camera-based environment emphasizing the digital photographic arena.
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.
This course sets the stage for your future studies in accounting, equipping you with essential knowledge to understand and analyze financial reports. You will gain a solid foundation in key accounting concepts and explore accounting as an information system that generates financial statements for external users. Learn how transactions and economic events impact a business's financial condition and operating results.
Topics include: Basic accounting concepts and terminology, the accounting equation, financial statements, accrual and cash basis, and the accounting cycle. The course assumes a corporate form of organization.
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
Prepare for emergencies with this hands-on American Heart Association (AHA) CPR class designed for healthcare workers and students aspiring to work in clinical settings. Learn to assess cardiovascular risks, perform CPR, use an AED, and assist choking victims of all ages. You will practice the techniques and must demonstrate competency in CPR and AED use for adults, children, and infants. Upon passing, you will earn an AHA Healthcare Providers CPR card, valid for two years.
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.
Topics include:
Presents the effects of various components of the cannabis plant and how the body responds to cannabis-based medications and therapeutic treatments. Teaches about the history of medical cannabis and studies the role of the Endocannabinoid system, in addition to the therapeutic effects of various methods of cannabis administration. The course will also address the fundamental pharmacological properties of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as they influence routes of administration, drug distribution, drug levels in the body, and adverse reactions to cannabis use.
Prepare for the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®), intended for use primarily with adult health science program applicants to measure entry-level academic readiness of health science program applicants. In this class, Sylvan Learning Center experts will review key topics—reading, math, science, and English—and share test-taking strategies to help boost your score and build confidence.
The TEAS® test is used for admission to Harper's Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing Certificate, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Radiologic Technology programs. Program admission requirements are subject to change.
The TEAS® test is a computer-based test that contains four sections:
Explore AI applications in diagnostics, imaging, drug discovery, and patient monitoring while addressing data challenges and ethical considerations like bias and privacy. Through hands-on experience and case studies, you will explore and design innovative AI solutions for healthcare challenges and gain insights into emerging trends like personalized medicine and robotic surgery.
This engaging course was designed for healthcare professionals, technologists, and students seeking careers in the medical field.
Learn how AI can transform your business processes and decision-making. Explore applications in marketing, sales, operations, and strategy, and get hands-on experience and practice with tools for analytics, chatbots, and logistics. Design a chatbot workflow, tackle ethical challenges, and create actionable implementation plans. Through real-world case studies and practical activities, you’ll gain the skills to leverage AI for a competitive edge and drive innovation in your organization.
Reinforces knowledge of Agile principles and skills, including best practices in implementing an Agile environment. Focuses on course material intended for the experienced Agile Professional seeking to prepare for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner® certification exam. The course is led by a PMI certified Instructor and will meet the Education PDUs required by the Project Management Institute. Recommended Preparation: Agile experience and secondary degree.
This course provides an in-depth understanding of current AI applications in marketing and offers hands-on strategies for leveraging AI in your own campaigns. Participants will utilize data analysis, customer segmentation, predictive analytics, and content personalization to develop practical skills and insights that empower professionals in this rapidly evolving digital world. Participants will also enhance their proficiency in utilizing AI to deliver targeted, data-driven, and innovative marketing strategies.
Earns a Digital Badge
This badge consists of four practical skills-building workshops led by industry professionals
who will equip you with tools to improve your productivity and elevate your business.
Gain cutting-edge insights, master essential business strategies, and position yourself
for growth in today’s competitive market.
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. Recommended Preparation: Project Management and Technical Business Writing experience.
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.
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.
Provides students with the tools and resources needed to sit for the General Knowledge, Passenger and Air Brakes written Examinations as administered by the Illinois Secretary of State, Commercial Driver’s License Division. Helps students gain a thorough understanding of the current laws, rules, and regulations that govern the operation of a Class B Commercial Motor Vehicle. Requires that students complete a pre-test to determine their mastery of instructions provided and their preparedness for State exams, which is required prior to sitting for the written examination.
This course is designed to provide students with the tools and resources needed to become safe and effective forklift operators. Upon completion of the program, students will have working knowledge of the basic use of lift truck as well as the ability to safely inspect and operate lift trucks. The curriculum includes theory and practical training. Upon successful completion, students receive a National Safety Council Forklift operator card and Certificate of Completion from Harper College.
The Supply Chain Specialist Badge reinforces knowledge in the supply chain management process, manufacturing principles, and distribution and warehousing practices. Completers of these 3 classes will have learned the controls used to ensure needs are fulfilled in a satisfactory and cost-efficient manner and understand importance of an effective and ethical supplier relationship to the achievement of supply chain goals.
Learning outcomes:
Unlock the potential of AI with Microsoft Copilot in this class designed to boost productivity and streamline your workflow. You’ll learn how to seamlessly integrate Copilot into everyday tasks, transforming the way you use Microsoft tools to improve decision-making and efficiency. By the end of the course, you’ll confidently apply AI-driven insights to enhance your work and drive innovation within your organization.
Embrace the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence and equip yourself with the skills to lead in tomorrow's digital landscape. Gain insights into emerging technologies, essential AI skills for career success, and how AI impacts your daily life. In this class you will explore AI applications, development challenges, and unlock the inner workings of this cutting-edge technology.
Explores common trade applications of Artificial Intelligence, including novice, intermediate, and advanced levels. Utilizes linear regression for predictive maintenance and employee attrition predictions. Covers how to detect insurance fraud and analyze quality assurance systems. Prerequisite: Artificial Intelligence I (LEM8002)
Explores common trade applications of Artificial Intelligence, including novice, intermediate, and advanced levels. Utilizes linear regression for predictive maintenance and employee attrition predictions. Learns how to detect insurance fraud and analyze quality assurance systems. Prerequisite: LEM8002 Artificial Intelligence Foundations or equivalent experience.
Covers the creation of basic 2D drawings using drawing and editing tools, organization of drawing objects on layers, addition of text and basic dimensions, preparation for plotting and more sophisticated techniques for drawing setup and productivity. Designed for new users of AutoCAD software.
Covers the creation of 3D models to help visualize and present designs. Includes visual styles, model walk-throughs, materials, lighting, and electronic distribution. Students will need some experience using AutoCAD software prior to enrollment.
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.
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.
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.
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. Must have completed A+ or related experience.
Introduces standard networking terms, concepts and devices. Focuses on the selection, connection, configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco switches and routers as they are commonly used in small- to medium-sized networks. Helps students prepare for theCCNAA certification exams. Must have CompTIAA A+ training or equivalent experience prior to enrollment.
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.
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.
Explore the world of cyber attackers, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches and data exfiltration. This course offers a non-technical exploration of common exploit methods and security vulnerabilities in IT and network infrastructures. You will learn how penetration testing can identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of cyber threats and safeguarding confidential information.
Learns that with increasing numbers of IoT devices being connected to the Internet, cybersecurity has become a vital requirement for the safe, reliable, and secure operation of those devices. Introduces cybersecurity topics in general: what is the purpose cybersecurity, what are the cybersecurity threats, and how to protect against them. Examines in detail some key components of cybersecurity like encryption and the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Analyzes and applies cybersecurity specifically in the Smart Energy DER use case and the IEEE 2030.5 communication standard.
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.
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.
Explores the basics of web design and web development skills including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. Demonstrates how they are used together on a website. Prerequisite: Introduction to Computers Using Windows or equivalent experience.
If you are considering a career in Information Technology (IT), or want to gain a solid understanding of IT to help with your professional career, this course will provide you with the foundational knowledge on personal computers and Information Technology concepts. Explore which devices, operating systems and computer applications are commonly used at the workplace. Focus will also be applied to more advanced IT topics such as Networking, Databases and Security Concepts.
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.
Explores complex areas of Python programming. Discovers how to use this knowledge to work with data structures. Develops custom scripts, GUI applications, and portable exe programs. Recommended Preparation: experience with Python or object-oriented programming.
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.
This course provides an essential foundation in statistics and data analysis, covering topics such as statistics, variables, and probability. Participants will learn to apply statistical principles such as central tendency measurement and distributions. This course demonstrates how to handle data, the central limit theorem (CLT), analysis, regression and statistical forecasting, and provides a fundamental grasp of statistical methods with practical applications.
In this workshop, you'll learn to design and build intelligent conversational agents using Python. Through hands-on projects, you'll create chatbots capable of handling tasks like customer support and FAQ automation. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to develop custom bots that engage users and streamline communication across platforms.
This course utilizes Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib to handle complex data operations efficiently. Provides opportunities to prepare, clean, and structure data for analysis, uncover patterns, and present findings using compelling visualizations. Demonstrates practical, hands-on experience through real-world datasets and projects.
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.
In this AI Tool Set Comparison class, you'll dive into the features, strengths, and applications of Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Google Gemini. Learn how to evaluate and integrate these tools into your workflows to boost efficiency and innovation. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to choose and apply the right AI tool for your specific business needs.
Contact the Paths to College and Career Program at paths@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6000, Extension 2287 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.