Career
Pathways
 What is a Career Pathways Certificate of Completion?
A Career
Pathways Certificate opens the door to a solid start in obtaining
your employment and educational goals. Each Certificate requires just
a few courses. You decide how far you want to go, at a pace that is
comfortable for you. The first Certificate gives you a competitive
edge when applying for an entry level position in a given industry
or career pathway. As you take each step in your career pathway, you'll
find that each new Career Pathways Certificate will give you an advantage
as you apply for better positions. These certificates eventually lead
to an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science Degree
- or even beyond! It's up to you how far you want to go.
What is a Career Pathways Roadmap?
A Career Pathways roadmap is a graphic display of the path from the first
certificate of completion to the two-year or four-year degree. The
roadmap's also include employment information. When you see a roadmap
in the program information on certificates of completion, click on
it for further information.
How do students enroll in Pathways?
All courses included in Pathways are college courses. Students register
for them through the usual Southwestern
admissions and registration process. Southwestern has an open admission policy
and welcomes students who wish to obtain a quality education.
How do students learn more about the certificates they want to pursue?
You can find more information about certificates by clicking on Career
Pathways Certificates.
Do students have to take a placement test?
Students who will be full-time, who will be pursuing a degree or certificate
program or receiving financial aid must complete placement tests prior
to registration. The placement test determines the student's
entry levels for reading, writing and math. If the student has prior
college work or has taken a placement test at another college or have
recent ACT or SAT scores, check with Educational Support Programs.
Placement Test
- Process
The placement test is given in Stensland Hall between the hours of
8:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and takes approximately
2 hours to complete.
- At the end of the testing session, the student will receive a copy
of the test results.
- The student's advisor or a counselor will discuss the results
and assist the student to select classes based on the student's
placement.
Note: High scores may allow the student to 'test out'
of some course work.
Placement tests are also scheduled by appointment through the local
Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry County sites in Brookings,
Gold Beach and Port Orford.
How can students prepare for the placement test?
The Adult Learning
Skills Program provides opportunities for students
to review or upgrade math, reading and writing skills at a variety
of times and locations. There also opportunities in Curry
County for reviews and upgrades at a variety of times and locations. In Curry
County, call 541-469-5017 for more information.
The fee for this assistance in both Coos and Curry Counties is $25 per
term.
What if the student has taken the placement test and wants to improve
their test scores?
The same assistance as listed above is available to students who have
taken the placement test and want to improve their test scores.
How do students pay for college credit while in high school?
Check with your high school guidance counselor for specific options,
which may include 2+2, dual credit, expanded options, personal payment
and other opportunities.
Are employers willing to assist employees in attaining the courses necessary
for the certificate?
Some employers are willing to provide flexible schedules, partial tuition,
and other support. For example, hospitals and other healthcare businesses
are funding professional development at higher levels now than in previous
years. Larger retail chains are willing to assist employees who show
management potential. See the individual employer for more information.
Is financial aid available for students studying toward a certificate?
Financial
aid may be available. If you have any questions, feel free to contact fao@socc.edu or (541) 888-7337 for assistance.
How much does it cost to get a certificate?
There are tuition
and fees for the courses within the certificates. The
cost varies depending upon how many courses are in the certificate.
When are courses offered?
Courses included in certificates of completion are offered at a variety
of times including daytime, evenings, and online instructions for viewing
class schedule in WebAdvisor.
- When in WebAdvisor, click on Prospective Students.
- Under Admission Information click on Search for Classes.
- Select the term that you plan to attend
- Select the Subject and the course number from the above 'Required
courses for this certificate.'
For example: If you are looking for ECE 154 Children's
Literature and Literacy, select the Subject Early Childhood Education
and the
course number 154.
(If you want to see all of the Early Childhood Education classes scheduled
during a specific term just select the term and the subject.)
- Click on Submit
Note: Class schedule is subject to change without notice.
If I am already working on a degree, can I receive certificates
within that degree?
Yes, you can acquire certificates that you have earned while working
on your degree. Once you have completed the specific courses for the
certificate, fill out the Graduation
Application, which is for applying
for certificates as well as for graduation with a degree.
How can I get more information or talk with a career counselor?
For more information contact:
Educational Student Support Services
Coos Bay Campus
1-800-962-2838 or 888-7405
advisingquestions@socc.edu
Curry County
541-469-5017
mbenoit@socc.edu - Brookings
jpretti@socc.edu - Gold Beach and Port Orford
For more information on state-wide Career Pathways, see Worksource Oregon.
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