Program Spotlight: Continuing Education

  Jessyca Brown
  Monday, April 19, 2021 8:17 AM
  Academics

Hillsboro, TX

Community members looking to advance their professional skills or have a little fun learning something new this spring and summer have various affordable opportunities through the Hill College Continuing Education (CE) Department.

“We offer fast-track classes that allow interested individuals to take a regular continuing education class in as little as one day or participate in more in-depth programs that offer certifications like our health career program, which can be completed in less than six months,” said Hill College’s CE executive director Tammy Logan.

Featured CE courses beginning in April and May include basic instructor law enforcement certification, computer skills courses, and various enrichment courses.

Law Enforcement Basic Instructor Certification—Begins May 10

The Basic Instructor Certification course for law enforcement professionals runs Monday, May 10 to Friday, May 14 from 8 am to 5 pm at the Hill College Police Academy in Hillsboro.

This course is part of the CE department’s law enforcement in-service training program, which provides advanced training for local police officers. In addition to the Basic Instructor Certification course, the program offers 11 other courses on mental health, firearms, defensive tactics, special investigative topics, Spanish, child abuse, SWAT tactical skills and other legislatively required topics.

The Basic Instructor Certification course is designed to provide hands-on, professional development experience for new instructors to learn modern methods for effectively training adults and techniques for creating a productive learning environment in law enforcement instruction. As part of the course, participants will conduct two teaching exercises in which they will be evaluated by course instructors.

“This course is required for teaching most law enforcement courses,” said Hill College Police Academy Coordinator Mike Hughes. “We have some of the best instructors around, and participants will gain great teaching experience. Officers could possibly gain additional income by obtaining this certification.”

Taking the course at Hill College not only promises world-class instruction but tuition savings, as well. The 40-hour course fee is $269. The deadline to register is Friday, May 7. To enroll, participants must have two years of experience as a peace officer, telecommunicator or jailer; a bachelor’s degree and two years of teaching experience; or a graduate degree.

For more information about this course or other law enforcement in-service training courses, contact Hughes at mwhughes@hillcollege.edu.

Business, Computer and Enrichment Courses

Hill College’s CE department also offers a variety of business and computer courses for professionals who need upskilling or refresher courses in Excel, Word and QuickBooks. Beginner and advanced courses are offered in the computer courses and a general Introduction to Computer Systems course is also available.

“Technical and business courses that are offered in CE provide necessary skills for individuals to advance in his or her career,” said Logan. “At the end of each course, participants receive a certificate of completion that can be included on his or her resume.”

The next session of computer courses begins April 26. Each computer course is 12 hours of online coursework and costs $109.

Enrichment courses are also offered for community members looking to pick up a hobby or learn a new skill. Several featured courses being offered this spring and summer include gardening and photography.

Photography enthusiasts can learn more about the art of portraits and story-telling in two upcoming courses. The Art of the Camera Portrait course runs from May 11 to June 8 and is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 pm. Students will learn techniques for lighting, exposure measurements, location portraits, personality shoots, family portraits, activity and subject poses.

The Art of Camera Story-Telling runs May 15 to June 19 and is offered on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm. This photojournalism course teaches students how to tell a story through photos, and students will learn to plan a photo-story or document an event. Both courses are 18 credit hours and cost $157.

A variety of 2-hour credit gardening courses are also beginning in April and May for $15. These classes are offered on Tuesdays from 6-8 pm.

The Moonlight Garden course will take place on April 20 and will teach students how to create a garden designed to be enjoyed at night. On April 27, the Simple DIY Hydroponics will teach students how to grow vegetables and herbs without digging or weeding. The Square Foot Gardening method will be taught on May 4, and the basics of creating a Healing Garden will be taught May 11.

The CE department also offers courses in health careers and technical training. To learn more about other courses being offered and to register, visit http://www.hillcollege.edu/ce.

 

Excel Level I and II (8 weeks) Upcoming Course Offerings

  • 4/26-6/18
  • 6/21-8/13
  • 8/16-10/8
  • 10/11-12/10

QuickBooks Level I (6 weeks) Upcoming Course Offerings

  • 4/26-6/6
  • 6/21-7/30
  • 8/16-9/24
  • 10/11-11/19

QuickBooks Level II (7 weeks) Upcoming Course Offerings

  • 4/26-6/11
  • 6/21-8/6
  • 8/16-10/1
  • 10/11-12/2

Word Level I and II (7 weeks) Upcoming Course Offerings

  • 4/26-6/11
  • 6/21-8/6
  • 8/16-10/1
  • 10/11-12/2

Intro to Computer Systems (7 weeks) Upcoming Course Offerings

  • 4/26-6/11
  • 6/21-8/6
  • 8/16-10/1
  • 10/11-12/2

Upcoming Enrichment Course Offerings

  • 5/11/21-6/8/21 - The Art of the Camera Portrait
  • 5/15/21-6/19/21 - The Art of Camera Story-Telling
  • 4/20/21 - Moonlight Garden
  • 4/27/21 - Simple DIY Hydroponics
  • 5/4/21 - Square Foot Garden
  • 5/11/21 - Healing Garden