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Things to Ask Vocational School Programs
Once you have decided on the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you wish to attain, either online or on campus, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are a large number of technical schools in the Madison WI area and throughout the Country to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a checklist of key qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first two aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Many Madison WI area technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states require that the training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One indicator to help measure the quality of a vocational school near Madison WI is how long it has been in business. A negatively rated or a fly by night school normally will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist graduates secure apprenticeships or employment in the Madison WI area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Madison WI area specialists in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Madison WI company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is in Wisconsin and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Madison WI, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.