Continuing Education Programs

Continuing Education programs and services provide adults opportunities to pursue learning for life by participating in a variety of non-credit programs or courses suited to individual needs. Courses are practical in nature and are based on individual needs, goals, and/or lifestyles regardless of previous education and training experience. Courses are open to all adults 18 years of age and older. Persons 16-17 years of age may be admitted if space is available.

Workforce development education and training opportunities are provided through courses which train individuals for job advancement and/or skill building that can enhance one’s present career or prepare for entry into a new career. In addition, courses of general and personal interest are offered that assist adults in better understanding their roles in today’s changing world.

Continuing Education courses are offered on campus, off campus, and via distance education. The majority of courses are held during the evening hours but may be scheduled at other times for the convenience of those adults participating.

Numerous workshops, seminars, and cultural arts opportunities are scheduled to meet special needs and interests; this is in addition to the large number of courses scheduled each semester. We encourage you to visit our website (www.davidsonccc.edu) under the Continuing Education tab to obtain information about current programs. For further information, call 336.224.4550.

Tuition & Fees

Continuing Education courses normally carry a registration fee varying from $70 to $180 per course, depending upon the type of course offered. Self-supporting courses may be higher.

Cost of Enrolling

Standard Continuing Education course fees are based on course length and the category in which a particular course is placed. Policies and fees are subject to change at any time during an academic year.

Fee Categories

Job related courses for public law enforcement personnel, firefighters, emergency medical, or rescue personnel (paid or volunteer)

*Per G.S. 115D-5(b)(2): Eligibility for waivers is based on affiliation with an authorized volunteer, municipal, county, or State organization. All courses must support the organizations’ training needs.

Refund Policy

A full refund (100%) of tuition and fees is granted when the student officially withdraws from a course prior to the first meeting or when the College cancels a course. Except for self-supporting and contact hour courses (see below), a student who officially withdraws from a course prior to the 10% date of  the course will receive a 75% tuition refund, but fees will not be refunded. To officially withdraw from a course, a student must contact the program coordinator. No refunds are granted after the 10% date.

Self-Supporting Courses

Continuing Education Self-Supporting Courses are those courses that rely on fee payments from students enrolled in the course for support of the instructional salaries, supplies, and administrative overhead costs. Since these courses are taught only when a sufficient number of individuals register and pay for the course, no refunds can be granted after the course has begun.

Contact Hour Courses

Continuing Education Contact Hour Courses are those courses that have open entry/open exit dates and times. These courses may be offered in learning laboratories or may be self-paced as the individual progresses at his/her own pace. An individual who officially withdraws from a contact hour course within 10 calendar days after first entering the course will receive a 75% tuition refund but no fees will be refunded. No refunds are granted after this time.

Awarding Credit for Continuing Education Units

The awarding of curriculum credit for completion of continuing education is built upon a series of mutually supporting forms.  These forms are found below.

1. A Continuing Education Course of Study to Curriculum Credit Equivalency form is created for any course designated for articulation credit.  Course competencies are identified, to include a comprehensive demonstration of all learning outcomes.  This form becomes valid when the Chief Academic Officer deems that equivalency to the designated curriculum course has been met.
2. A Continuing Education Justification of Faculty Qualifications form records all courses in which the designated faculty is credentialed to teach.  All relevant credentialing documentation for the designated faculty is attached to the form. This form becomes valid once signed by the Chief Academic Officer.
3. The Continuing Education Instructor Verification Form is completed for each student at the conclusion of an identified course and identifies specific competencies addressed in the course, to include a comprehensive evaluation of student outcomes.  The competency evaluation must be attached to the form.
4. The Course Articulation Cover Sheet specifies the unique course section, course name, and aligned curriculum course.

• At the conclusion of the course, all documentation is forwarded to Student Records & Registration for articulation of credit.  Upon awarding of credit, the articulation packet is returned to the office of Continuing Education Audit and Reporting.  

Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Adults have the opportunity to attain skills for personal use and to broaden their general education through cultural enrichment. Through participating in Continuing Education courses, individuals can explore new interests, attain new skills, further develop previously acquired skills, and pursue study in different areas. Continuing Education courses are classified as “non-credit” courses, meaning they do not earn college credit hours and generally require no prerequisites for entrance; however, courses denoted with an * in the following lists do have a special admissions process.

The list that follows is intended to serve only as a sample of the course and programs, which may be offered. Classes are formed on a continual basis as interests and needs are determined for persons 18 years of age and above.

Community Enrichment & Self-Supporting Programs

Community service and self-supporting programs are designed to meet personal growth, recreational, and enrichment needs of students. Community service and Self-supporting courses require that all students pay a registration fee.

The brief list that follows is intended to serve only as a sample of the courses and programs, which may be offered. Classes are formed on a continual basis as interests and needs are determined for persons.

For additional information, please call 336.224.4550. We welcome proposals for new continuing education course ideas. If you have a particular area of expertise, skill, talent, or hobby, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for courses that would be of interest to others and would translate effectively to the classroom. For information on submitting proposals, please contact us 336.224.4550.

Summer Campus

DCCC offers summer camps to keep your elementary, middle, or high school student active all summer long. Our summer camps help children develop life-long skills, creative, artistic, and academic skills. These camp experiences work to build confidence and self-esteem by exposing attendees to scenarios which require problem solving, overcoming obstacles, and successfully learning how to deal with many different situations.  Sample camp offerings include:

For additional information, call 336.224.4550.

Health & Public Safety Continuing Education

Employees or persons seeking entry into health-related fields can choose from a variety of Continuing Education opportunities offered at the Davidson and Davie campuses. These courses have special admissions requirements. To apply for these courses students must call 336.224.4791. Course offerings include:

Criminal Justice Training

Citizens of the Piedmont Triad region are served by a large criminal justice community including local and state law enforcement agencies, the Division of Prisons, and the Division of Community Corrections. The College offers a wide spectrum of courses to address the educational and training needs of current criminal justice professionals: law enforcement, corrections, and court personnel.

In-service training programs are offered to enhance the career and personal development of criminal justice professionals. DCCC provides advanced, high quality, state-of-the-art training in response to the ever-changing needs of the criminal justice community. Sample course offerings include:

Emergency Medical Training

Accidents and illnesses often strike suddenly and without warning. The quick response of persons trained in emergency medical care can mean the difference between life and death. In response to the need for pre-hospital emergency care, the College provides training in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the general public in addition to providing intensive emergency medical courses designed for professional EMS personnel. Emergency medical courses are offered at child care centers, churches, area industries, nursing homes, schools, rescue squads, fire departments, and on the College campus.

Emergency medical training is provided in the following areas:

*Courses have special admissions requirements; 336.249.8186.

Fire & Rescue Training

The growing Piedmont area of North Carolina requires the expansion of firefighting and rescue units and an upgrading of fire personnel. The need for better-trained personnel, knowledgeable in the latest techniques, is met through training provided by College. There is no charge to fire and rescue personnel for these courses.

Fire Service Training sessions are often held in the local fire and rescue departments, allowing men and women to be trained as an organized group utilizing equipment they would ordinarily use in controlling emergency scenes.

NOTE: College policy reflects the recommendations of the NC Fire and Rescue Commission’s Junior Member Standard (2nd Edition, May 2009). Please contact the College’s Fire/Rescue Coordinator for additional information at 336.224.4802.

Some of the more popular fire and rescue courses include:

License/Certification Preparation & Renewal

Continuing Education courses are available at the Davidson and Davie campuses to prepare participants for licensure/certification and/or renewal in the following areas:

Corporate Training

A wide range of business and industry services are available to employers in the College’s service area. Each service may be developed to meet the specific needs of the employer.

As part of these services, training needs assessments are available to business and industry. Review of the gaps between desired workplace skills and performance and existing workplace skills and performance help determine appropriate training programs to impact employee growth and productivity.

Sample offerings include:

• Customer Service
• Leadership Development
• Self-Management Work Teams

For additional information, call 336.224.4550.

WorkKeys™

WorkKeys is a nationally recognized and approved job skills assessment system developed and administered by ACT, Inc. The various assessments measure competencies in “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. The WorkKeys Center offers skills review, job profiling, assessment of employees or job applicants, and scoring services. For additional information, call 336.224.4550

Career Readiness Certificate Program

The College works directly with the North Carolina Community College System to offer the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) Program on a state and national level. Based on the WorkKeys system, CRC is a portable credential for potential employees and employers.

Employers are increasingly concerned with ensuring that both potential and incumbent employees have the skills necessary to thrive in today’s workplace. More than 80% of all jobs are projected to require skills beyond those earned in high school.

For an executive contemplating moving a business to North Carolina, expanding an existing company or even just sustaining operations in a fiercely competitive environment, the skill level of the available workforce is often a deciding factor. As a result, both job seekers and incumbent workers are increasingly called upon to demonstrate a more advanced set of skills or at least the ability to develop those skills through on-the-job training.

North Carolina’s Career Readiness Certification (CRC) is designed to meet the needs of both employers and job seekers in this transitioning economy.

• For employers, the CRC offers a reliable means of determining whether a potential employee has the necessary literacy, math, and problem solving skills to be job-ready.
• For job seekers, the CRC serves as a portable credential that can be more meaningful to employers than a high school degree or a resume citing experience in a different job setting.

There are three levels of certification:

• Gold Level - Qualifies an individual for 85% of all jobs
• Silver Level - Qualifies an individual for 65% of all jobs
• Bronze Level - Qualifies an individual for 30% of all jobs

For additional information, call 336.224.4550 or visit North Carolina’s Career Readiness Certification.

Human Resources Development Program

Success in the workplace for every individual is the mission of the Human Resources Development (HRD) program. Through employability skills assessment and workshops, the program provides opportunities to help adults understand their strengths and personal assets and how to apply these to their current and future jobs. Subjects covered include exploring career options, career planning, workplace computer skills, job search strategies, effective resumes, and interviewing skills. The goal of the HRD program is to motivate and create enthusiasm in adults enabling them to become successful employees. Tuition and fees for HRD courses may be waived depending on employment status and income. For additional information, please call 336.224.4550. Sample course offerings include:

• Basic Computer for Employment
• Pathways to Hospitality & Tourism
• Intro to Direct Care Work
• Direct Care Basics
• Pathways to Event/Convention Planning
• Customer Service Defined
• Workplace Computer Skills
• Employability Lab

Customized Training Program

The purpose of the Customized Training Program is to provide customized training assistance in support of full-time production and direct customer service positions created in North Carolina, thereby enhancing the growth potential of companies located in the state while simultaneously preparing North Carolina’s workforce with the skills essential to successful employment in emerging industries.

The program is targeted toward businesses that are:

• Making an appreciable capital investment;
• Deploying new technology;
• Creating jobs, expanding an existing workforce, or enhancing the productivity and profitability of the operations with the State.

Each of the College’s customized training programs is customer driven. The College works with the customer to determine course content, schedule, methodology, and location based on the customer’s needs and preferences. Training programs can be developed to upgrade the skills of the existing employees or to train participants for potential employment. These customized programs are developed to impact employee growth and productivity.  For additional information, contact the Director, Business & Industry at 336.224.4589.

Small Business Center

The purpose of the DCCC Small Business Center is to provide counseling and training for existing and prospective small businesses in Davidson and Davie Counties. The mission of the Small Business Center is to provide high quality and readily accessible assistance to small businesses in order to guide and assist start-up businesses, expand existing small businesses, and increase their rate of success.

Throughout the year, and often in partnership with other local agencies, the Small Business Center offers seminars, workshops, and courses on a wide variety of topics to help small businesses be successful. Qualified presenters, who are experts in their field, are used to meet training needs for small businesses. Examples of classes, many of which are free, include the following:

• Setting Up and Starting a Small Business
• Writing a Business Plan
• Cash Management
• Grant Writing
• Record Keeping & Financial Planning
• Marketing including LinkedIn
• Obtaining a Loan

The Small Business Center also offers confidential business counseling at no cost. Business counseling through the Small Business Center offers individuals a sounding board for ideas and concerns regarding starting a business as well as managing existing business concerns.

In addition, the Small Business Center has a Resource Center, which is a library of professional resources that are available for existing and prospective small business owners. The Resource Center contains business-related books, videos, and a computer with Internet access.

For additional information about Small Business Center services, contact the Small Business Center Director, at 336.224.4557.

Leadership & Management Development Training Programs

Leadership and management development training programs can be customized to meet employers’ needs and the needs of their employees. The College’s courses are designed to offer practical applications to current needs of business and industry and to enhance the personal growth and development of individual employees.

The list below represents only some of the more popular courses and special programs available through continuing education to businesses and industries in the area:

The duration and scheduling of these courses can be tailored to company and employee needs; courses typically meet for two or three hours per session at a DCCC campus, on the worksite, or at a predetermined site. For additional information please call 336.224.4550.

Seminars & Workshops

The College sponsors or co-sponsors special seminar-type programs (for example, the annual Emergency Services College), which are offered in an effort to create a highly concentrated emphasis on a particular subject area. Suggestions and recommendations from business and industry are encouraged for the planning and scheduling of these programs.

The College is host to a number of local and state groups that conduct seminars and conferences. The centrally located campus and modern conference center is ideal for one day or week long conferences. Lodging facilities and restaurants are located nearby for out-of-town participants. For more information about booking the DCCC Conference Center, please call 336.224.4632.