McKinley College

 

 

McKinley College offers a variety of accredited Associate Degree programs designed to help students pursue opportunities in a new career field. The school aims to provide affordable educational options to students. The costs associated with all textbooks are included in the tuition, allowing students to properly prepare to provide the funds required to complete the program.

The faculty members have experience working in the field associated with the discipline that they teach and also have educational credentials to support their area of expertise. Mentorship and career advice are available to interested students, providing an additional level of support while they complete their courses associated with their selected program.

Students receive job placement assistance upon program completion and can continue to use the services to support their career well after graduation. Unlike some other institutions, students can enroll and begin their classes year-round. This allows students to pursue their education when the right moment comes, regardless of the day or month. Admissions are processed every business day, allowing students to begin coordinating their educational pursuits in less than one business week.

History of College
Weston Distance Learning, the eventual parent company of McKinley College, was founded in 1981. Initial offerings included a variety of certificate courses. To meet the need for affordable Associate Degree programs that were focused on career development, a new division was created. McKinley College was founded in 2005 as a new division of their parent company, Weston Distance Learning. The institution strives to keep costs low to help students reach their career goals without the high cost associated with some other institutions.

Accreditation
McKinley College is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is associated with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is approved by the United States Department of Education. The school is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board, and is a member of the Colorado Association of Career Colleges and Schools (CACCS) and the Better Business Bureau. The Pharmacy Technician program is also approved by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Admissions Requirements
All prospective students must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, all students must be able to read and write in English. Credits earned at another accredited institution of higher learning may be eligible for transfer towards an Associate Degree with McKinley College.

Tuition and Fees
McKinley offers courses at a rate of $175 per credit hour when tuition due is paid in full. Interest-free payment plans are available to all interested students with a per credit hour rate of $185. Shipping and handling of relevant materials are set at $8.99 per class, and technology charges are assessed at $3 per credit hour. The cost of all required textbooks is included in the base tuition. One-on-one instructor assistance and unlimited career support for graduates is also included.

McKinley College does not accept traditional financial aid, including Pell Grants. However, military educational benefits, such as GI Bill, VRAP Eligible, and MyCAA benefits are accepted. Additionally, all active duty military members, military spouses, honorable discharge and retired veterans and their spouses, are all eligible to receive a 25 percent discount on tuition


Class Structure
Courses are offered in structured 8-week term formats as well as 4-week mini terms. This allows students to choose the best options based on their personal situation and gives them the opportunity to work more quickly when appropriate. Associate Degrees can be completed in as few as 16 months if the student chooses to take a full course load and proceed as quickly as possible. Even though the accelerated pace is available, it is not a requirement.

Since the classes are online, students may access their classroom at any time that is most convenient for them and their schedules. Students can choose to learn from home, allowing many to complete their work in a more comfortable environment than a traditional classroom. Students who already possess the knowledge that would be covered in certain classes may have the opportunity to take a Challenge Exam. If the student is successful in passing the Challenge Exam, they can test out of the class requirement. This prevents students from taking and paying for classes that don’t include information that they don’t already know.

Degree training Programs
The Associate Degree programs are designed to be completed in as few as 16 months, allowing students to complete their education and start their careers more quickly than some other educational institution offerings. Programs are designed to focus on core competencies related to the student’s chosen major and eliminate the need to complete any unnecessary electives. This lets students focus on gaining the knowledge and skills that will help them excel in their new career without having to spend time on extraneous courses with limited professional value.
Graduates from the various Associate Degree programs may be able to transfer their credits to continue their education by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree. Articulation agreements guarantee that credits will transfer to certain schools, some of which offer discounts to McKinley College graduates. By completing classes at McKinley before transferring to a Bachelor’s Degree program, students may even save money when comparing the cost of their Associate Degree to comparable courses at a four-year institution.

Accounting Degree
Students interested in becoming an accounting professional can learn the skills required to perform in their new career field. Classes cover a range of topics including accounting, marketing, economics, business law, payroll processing, and tax accounting. Program graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of industries including finance, retail, government, and non-profit organizations.

Business Management Degree
The Business Management program provides students with the information and experience they require to assume leadership positions in a variety of businesses and industries. Coursework includes studies in the areas of accounting, marketing, economics, business law, finance, and business strategy.

E-Commerce Degree Program
E-Commerce professionals help businesses design, implement, and manage their online businesses and accompanying strategies. This allows the business to maintain a strong online presence in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Classes include topics such as strategic internet marketing, e-Commerce, marketing strategy, entrepreneurship, sales principles, and consumer behavior.

Entrepreneurship Degree
For students interested in pursuing their goals to own and operate a business, the Entrepreneurship program provides the fundamental skill necessary to make those dreams a reality. Students will learn skills in key areas related to operating and managing a business including management, accounting, marketing, business strategy, e-Commerce, and entrepreneurial financing.

Fashion Merchandising Degree
A degree in Fashion Merchandising allows students to turn their passion for fashion into a career. Classes cover both the creative and business sides of the industry, allowing students to gain knowledge in areas such as fashion textiles, visual merchandising, fashion design, retail buying, consumer behavior, brand management, and marketing principles.

Financial Services Manaement Degree
Students interested in the world of finance can pursue a degree in Financial Services Management. Classes cover a variety of topics including accounting, tax preparation, economics, banking, personal finance, risk management, and insurance. This provides students with a solid foundation upon which to begin their finance careers.

Human Resources Degree
The Human Resources degree combines strong interpersonal skills with a variety of techniques to help businesses better manage their employees. Graduates may have job duties ranging from conflict management to benefits administration. To properly prepare students to work in the field, classes include information on recruiting, staffing, payroll preparation, labor relations, workplace psychology, employee benefits, and employee training and development.

Marketing Degree Program
Marketing professionals help businesses and organizations create interest in their products and services. Students in the Marketing program will attend a variety of classes including sales principles, marketing research, economics of business, business law and ethics, consumer behavior, and advertising.

Health Information Technology Degree
For students interested in working in the ever-growing healthcare industry, the Health Information Technology program can provide the skills necessary to obtain entry-level positions in a variety of medical facilities. Classes cover key areas like medical terminology, computer applications, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic coding, and health information legal issues.

Medical Specialties
The Medical Specialties program prepares students to potentially pursue careers in five different areas. The degree plan includes the study of medical diagnostic coding, medical insurance billing, pharmacy technician duties, electronic medical records, and general patient safety and comfort.

Social Work
Students interested in providing services to members of their community may enjoy the Social Work program. Coursework covers topics such as multicultural issues, abnormal psychology, behavior modification, principles of sociology, and social welfare.

Individual Courses Offered
Along with Associate Degree programs, McKinley College also offers a variety of individual courses to help potential students meet their educational needs. These classes can help supplement their current knowledge in their current career or provides students attending other educational institution access to classes that might not otherwise be available. Individual classes are available across all of the disciplines covered in the Associate Degree programs. Students can choose to attend individual courses in the areas of accounting, business, computers, English, fashion merchandising, general education, health information technology, human resources, marketing, math, psychology, science, social work, and sociology.