Austin Community College Catalog
Adult and Continuing Education

Continuing Education

As part of its mission, ACC offers non-credit programs that are open to all individuals who wish to improve their job, career, or personal skills. Programs include personal enrichment opportunities; career, business, and professional development courses; and journey training. Many courses have prerequisites or special requirements, as listed in the ACC Continuing Education course schedule.

Programs

Workforce Development Center

The Workforce Development Center is designed to provide a wide range of training and educational opportunities for individuals getting started in the workplace, furthering their current careers, or working to meet licensure/certification requirements. The Center is made up of three Institutes that cover a wide range of industries.

  • Health Professions Institute: Provides entry-level training opportunities for individuals beginning their career in healthcare. The Health Professions Institute also provides continuing education opportunities for current healthcare professionals needing this education as part of their recertification, relicensure, and/or professional development.
  • High Technology Institute: Provides technology training through practical hands-on instruction for both new and experienced users. Courses range from computer fundamentals to web authoring, from software programming to AutoCAD training. The Technical Certification Programs include: Cisco, Oracle, Linux, CompTIA, Sun, Project Management, Microsoft, Smart Phone Apps, and more.
  • Business & Industry Institute: Provides training for those starting or transitioning to a new career, meeting professional continuing education requirements, or simply expanding upon their existing skills in a variety of industry specific program areas. Program areas include job entry training, business development, professional development, professional continuing education training.

Community Programs

Lifelong learning over a wide range of areas, ranging from interior design, floral design, and landscape design to kayaking and trail riding. The Home and Garden courses are award winning and have all the elements for hands-on, practical training. Offerings change as the needs and interests of the community change.

Teaching & Learning Center (TLC)

Training for those with a bachelor's degree and subject competency to become teachers in Texas. Candidates enter an internship as a first-year teacher and finish with a teaching certificate. Educator training is also available for professional development and additional certifications, training for instructional aides, online substitute teacher training, and childcare classes. Tutors With Vision offers certification training for AISD.

Customized Training Programs

Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) provides individually tailored training and assessment to meet the needs of business, industry, government, and professional associations. Areas of training and testing address technical skills, management and supervision, employability skills, workplace literacy, Command Spanish, and other skills to improve job performance and productivity. Offered days, evenings, and weekends, these programs can be offered either on-site or at Austin Community College, for college credit or CEU credit.

Registration

Registration for Continuing Education courses is ongoing until a course is filled or until it begins. MasterCard, American Express, VISA, and Discover Card are accepted.

Register online: Visit continue.austincc.edu and follow the instructions for registering for a course.

Register by mail: Complete the Continuing Education registration form that is provided in the ACC Continuing Education Course Schedule. Mail the form to the Highland Business Center, along with a check, money order, or credit card information for the full amount of the tuition and fees.

Register in person: Visit the Continuing Education Registration Office, Fourth Floor, Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752. Hours are 8 a.m.—7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.—5 p.m. Friday.

Business Assessment Center

The Business Assessment Center (phone 223.7769) provides professional licensure and certification exams and other high-stakes testing. These include Castle Worldwide, DSST, IELTS, BABCEP, GED, ACT, Pearson VUE, Workkeys, CLEP, TOEFL, and TExES exams The Business Assessment Center also provides proctor services to students from other colleges and universities. For a complete listing of exams and services visit austincc.edu/bact.

GED Testing

  • Call 223.7714 to make an appointment for GED test.
  • Call 223.7715 to make an appointment for the Spanish GED exam.

Note: Also see GED Testing in the Adult Education section.

ACT Center

Contact the ACT Call Center at 800.205.6366 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday—Thursday and Saturday to schedule an appointment for the following tests.

  • American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABCOPP)
  • American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)
  • American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM)
  • American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE)
  • Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
  • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
  • Board of Environmental, Health & Safety Auditor Certifications (BEAC)
  • Boston University (BU)
  • Compliance Services and Assessments, LC (CSA)
  • Continental Testing Services (CTS)
  • Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM)
  • International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)
  • International Door Association (IDA)
  • COMPASS® Internet Version Remote Testing
  • Lawson Learning
  • Liebert Services, Emerson Network Power (LSENP)
  • National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC)
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, Inc. (NMT)
  • Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM)
  • Professional Golfers' Association (PGA)
  • Rockwell Collins Electronic Technician Certification (RC)
  • RV Service Technician Certification Governing Board (RVDA-RVIA)
  • Standard and Poor's (S&P)
  • The Commission on Dietetic Registration for the American Dietetic Association (ADA)
  • U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
  • Virginia Board of Pharmacy

WorkKeys Testing Center

The ACT Center also administers the WorkKeys Assessment for businesses wishing to assess their workforce. An assessment and profiling can be arranged by calling the ACT Center at 223.7769.

THEA and Quick THEA Exams

There are two ways to schedule a Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) exam. Students may register at the National Evaluation Systems (NES) website, at www.thea.nesinc.com, or mail a registration application to NES. Applications are found in the THEA Test Registration Bulletin, available in the ACC Advising Office.

Students wishing to take the Quick THEA (QTHEA) may purchase a QTHEA ticket from an ACC Cashier's Office. They should take the ticket to the either Assessment Office or Advising Office to schedule an appointment. View the QTHEA testing schedule at austincc.edu/bact. (Click on THEA Testing.)

Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES)

The ACC Business Center (austincc.edu/bact) administers the TExES by computer or paper and pencil. Students must visit the Educational Testing Service at www.texes.ets.org to schedule their TExES session.

CLEP Testing Center

  • Composition and Literature
  • Foreign Languages
  • History and Social Science
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Business

Educational Resources Test Center

  • Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET)

Proctoring Services/Invigilation Services for U.S. and Foreign Colleges, Universities, and Business

Exams are administered by computer or paper and pencil depending on the college, university or business delivery method.

Pearson VUE Authorized Testing Center

Austin Community College is an authorized Pearson VUE Center. Candidates can register for an exam at www.pearsonvue.com.

Castle Worldwide

Castle Worldwide full service testing and training company for testing information and to register for a test go to http://castleworldwide.com/index.htm for information.

DSST Program

There are currently over 37 test titles in the areas of Social Science, Business, Mathematics, Applied Technology, Humanities, and Physical Science. Call 223.7769 for an appointment.

IELTS

English for International Opportunity. Go to http://www.ielts.org to register for the exam. Center information number is (512) 223.7722.

NABCEP

Certified Energy Practitioners. Call 223.7769 for an appointment.

Other Exams

The following exams are administered on scheduled dates established by the agency responsible for the program.

Candidates must contact the individual agency to register for the following exams:

  • Chartered Market Technician Program Exam (CMT)
  • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Pharmacy Admissions Test (PCAT)

For more exams go to continue.austincc.edu.

Refund of Tuition and Fees, Continuing Education Courses

Continuing Education students are due a 100 percent refund if their request is received before the weekday before the first class day or if the class is canceled by ACC. Classes that are one day long must be dropped before the class starts for any type of refund to occur. See the table below for refunds after classes begin.

Class Length
in Weeks

Last day for
70% Refund

Last Day for
25% Refund

2 or fewer

2

N/A

3

3

4

4

4

5

5

5

6

6

5

7

7

7

9

8

8

10

9

9

11

10

9

12

11

10

14

12

12

15

13

13

16

14

13

17

15

14

19

16 or more

15

20
  • ACC mails refund checks to the address on file at the college. Check with Continuing Education registration staff to verify current and accurate information. Please allow four to six weeks for processing.
  • Credit card refunds will appear on a student's monthly statement as soon as possible after the official reporting date. Students are responsible for interest charged to the credit card account while the refund is processed.
  • ACC charges a $25 processing fee for any refunds that are reissued.

Drops and Transfers/ Continuing Education

In order to drop a Continuing Education course and receive a refund, students must adhere to the guidelines identified in the refund policy. To transfer from one course to another, students must apply in person or by telephone, meeting the same deadlines listed under "Refunds." The transfer option is limited, and additional transfers are at the sole option of the college. Students may not transfer from a Continuing Education course to a college credit course or vice versa.

Textbooks and Supplies/ Continuing Education

Some Continuing Education courses require textbooks, most of which can be purchased at the ACC Bookstores. Other courses may require special supplies. Generally, such requirements are announced at the first class meeting or are included in the course description in the current course schedule. There is no bookstore at HBC.

Highland Business Center

The Highland Business Center serves business, industry, government, associations, other educational organizations, and the general public. This facility provides multipurpose training and meeting rooms, computer labs, electronic labs, and two-way interactive classrooms, all with teleconferencing capabilities. Healthcare labs are also available. Visit continue.austincc.edu for room rental rates.

Teleconferences

Distance Learning manages ACC's teleconference program. Teleconferences are offered at college sites on a variety of subjects throughout the year. Call 223.8070 for either a list of upcoming teleconferencing events or information about how local groups can use the college's teleconference facilities.

Marketable Skills Achievement Award

A marketable Skills Achievement Award may be given to students upon completion of a Continuing Education course or sequence of Continuing Education courses of 144—359 contact hours. Courses approved for this award by the state of Texas are reviewed annually and are subject to change

Adult Education

ACC's Adult Education Department offers adult basic education, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) and EL Civics classes throughout Travis County. Any person 18 years old or older living permanently in the U.S are eligible to attend. Seventeen year-old students may attend with a copy of a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended. Sixteen year-old students may attend with a copy of an official court order and a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended. ESL students who have completed high school may attend classes. B1 and F1 visas are NOT eligible for this program (please call 223.5123 is you have a question about your visa). Adult education helps students who:

  • are not required to be in secondary school
  • need to improve their skills in reading, writing, and speaking English (ESL)
  • need to improve their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics and need the GED equivalent to a high school diploma

Adult Education classes are offered free of charge throughout Travis County. For information on orientation and registration for classes, call the Adult Education office at 223.5123, or 223.7532. ABE/ESL 24 hour information line: 223.5300.

Instructional Programs

Adult Secondary Education/GED Preparation
Adult Secondary Education classes are designed to help students prepare for the GED test. These classes, which also offer life and job-readiness skills, can provide students a successful transition into the world of work or into other educational and job training programs. The GED (General Educational Development) is a national examination developed by the GED Testing Service of the American Council of Education. The GED test consists of five examinations: Language Arts, Writing, Social Studies, Science, Reading, and Mathematics. The ACC Adult Education Division does not administer the GED exam. The GED exam is administered by the ACC Business Assessment Center.

English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language classes are for adults who want to read, speak, and write practical, everyday English. (Students who are not U.S. citizens must be permanent residents.)

For Special Populations
English Literacy—Civics Education: The English Literacy—Civics Education Program provides English literacy instruction in the context of responsible American citizenship and culture. It addresses the rights and responsibilities of good American citizenry while teaching students how to read, speak, and write everyday English.

Classes in Correctional Institutions: Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language classes are offered to the incarcerated at the Del Valle/Travis County Correctional Center, and the Travis County Community Justice Center.

Family Literacy: ACC's Adult Education Department works in partnership with local community organizations to provide instruction in basic skills, English as a Second Language, and GED preparation within an environment that promotes and nurtures parenting and child development issues.

GED Testing

austincc.edu/bact/ged

Students must attend a registration session before they can be scheduled for GED testing. Students must be on time for registration or testing or they will not be admitted to the session. Students must have all their paperwork with them at registration, i.e. government-issued Photo ID, Social Security card. Seventeen year old students only must bring Parent/Guardian Consent/Administration Withdrawal Form which can be downloaded from the web. Sixteen year olds must bring a court order (if applicable). To make a test appointment call 224.7714 for English and 223.7715 for Spanish.

GED registration sessions are 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. on designated Saturdays. Spanish-only registrations sessions are at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.