- How do I register?
- How much do the courses cost?
- How long does it take to complete a course?
- Do I have to buy additional materials?
- Can I get financial aid?
- What happens when I complete the course?
- Am I guaranteed a job?
- Who will be my instructor?
- What do I have to have in order to take an online course, and what are the system requirements?
- Can I use a Mac or an iMac, and just what is an IBM PC?
- How can I get more information on the course?
- When can I start the course?
- Do the Microsoft and CompTIA programs get me prepared for actual certification?
1. How do I register?
You may register for any of these online programs using any of the five registration options supported by our office, including online, by phone, by fax, by mail, or by stopping by our office. For more information about the registration process and options, click here.
2. How much do the courses cost?
Each of the courses are individually priced. Course fees are listed beneath each description and range from $599 to $4395 depending on number of contact hours and material costs.
3. How long does it take to complete a course?
All of our courses are self-paced and open enrollment. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. When you register for a course, you are given an initial 90 days to complete the course. If you need more time, extensions are available.
4. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All materials are included. The cost of materials will be covered by your tuition. Materials will be shipped to you via UPS ground service upon registration.
5. Can I get financial aid?
GES courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. You may, however, be eligible for one of the two following loan opportunities:
- If you have good credit and are employed, you may be qualified for financial aid through TERI .
- GES also provides a loan opportunity for students. Simply go to www.collegeloanapplication.com to apply for an easier qualifying loan at a slightly higher rate. Click here for more information on this loan program.
6. What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from Purdue University North Central. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.
7. Am I guaranteed a job?
These courses will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Potential students should always do research on the job market in your area before registering.
8. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.
9. What do I have to have in order to take an online course, and what are the system requirements?
In order to take our online courses, you must have access to a computer and the Internet (a normal dial-up connection is fine). You can access the course contents from any web-enabled computer. There are no necessary plug-ins. You do not have to use the same computer to log-in to the course every time. We recommend that you have a word processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer. ** Not all programs are compatible with the Vista Operating System at this time! Please check PC requirements for any class you are interested in taking.
10. Can I use a Mac or an iMac, and just what is an IBM PC?
Yes, you can use a Mac computer for every course except AutoCAD, Medical Transcription and Administrative Medical Specialist. The AutoCAD program is only available for PC's; the Medical Transcription course utilizes special files from a diskette and MS Word forms; and the AMS class includes standard medical billing software that is only for the IBM PC (although the online portion of the class can be accessed with a Mac). A note about iMacs: they have a slightly smaller screen which sometimes makes it hard to see the entire online class web page, which causes the viewer to need to scroll around to see the entire class lesson.
NOTE: What is an IBM or IBM clone PC? For the average user, this is any standard desktop computer that is not an Apple or MacIntosh PC. IBM and IBM clone PC's run some version of Windows as an operating system, and come in many brands other than just IBM, such as Dell, Gateway, and Compaq just to name a few.
11. How can I get more information about a course?
If you have any questions about a particular course or want to know if there is any additional information available, feel free to call the Office of Continuing Education at (219) 785-5343 or toll free (within Indiana) at (800) 872-1231. You can also email us at conted@pnc.edu or stop by our office, room 104 in the Library Student Faculty (LSF) building.
12. When can I start the course?
These courses are all open enrollment. You can register and start the course as soon as you are ready.
13. Do the Microsoft and CompTIA programs get me prepared for actual certification?
These online IT programs provide students the training for the exam. Once you complete your online certification coursework, it's time to take your certification exam. Microsoft, CompTIA, and LPI certification testing is administered by third-party vendors such as Prometric and Virtual University Enterprises (VUE), two leading providers of technology-based testing. Both offer a network of computer-based testing centers with thousands of locations worldwide. Exam costs range from $70 to $125. Once you have selected the exam you plan to take, you can register with Prometric or VUE online or via phone. For more information about Prometric, visit www.2test.com, and for more information about VUE, visit www.vue.com
You can schedule a Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam by calling the Office of Continuing Education at 219-785-5343 to set up a date and time. All exams are $70. |
