ACADEMIC SUPPORT             

OVERVIEW
This new program of short-term courses, workshops and other services helps working adults prepare for and succeed in college. Offerings include "BRIDGE Courses" - big picture overviews that better prepare students to pass Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology. Our BRIDGE courses are offered prior to the start of the fall or spring semesters. Participants receive a broad overview of what to expect before starting their science prerequisite classes. Academic Support also provides workshops to help limited English speakers better understand the work place as well as workshops on exam preparation, study skills improvement and on-going group or individual tutoring.

APPLICATION PROCESS
> Apply Now!
> Download the application for upcoming Study Skills Workshops in Santa Clara, Sacramento and Los Angeles
> Call 888.872.4606 Toll-free or e-mail us for more information.

PROGRAM CATALOG & COURSE SCHEDULES
Course schedules and class descriptions are included in our
PROGRAM CATALOG and on the SCHEDULE page by region. The Catalog is published twice a year; in late October for our Spring Semester and in late mid-May for our Fall Semester. Additional courses or services may be offered throughout the year, so please come back often for the latest information.
> Sign up to receive our Catalog

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The following courses may be available.

ENTRANCE/EXIT EXAM PREPARATION
Compass Math Prep
The Computer-adaptive Placement, Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) is a group of exams created by the AMerican College Test Program (ACT), designed to evaluate math and reading skills. The exam is most commonly used in college settings to help to determine exactly which classes a student belongs in when entering college. Our comprehensive COMPASS Math preparation course is designed to help you make the critical connection between the materials you've learned, and how to use that material to succeed on the COMPASS test. We will cover the 5 essential skills necessary to do well on the COMPASS test, plus detailed reviews covering the Math component of the tests. Course duration: 18 hours

TEAS Prep
The Test of Essential Academic Skills™(TEAS®) is used by many nursing and other professional programs to determine admissions. The TEAS® consists of four content areas: Math, Reading, English and Science. Our comprehensive TEAS® preparation course is designed to help you make the critical connection between what you already know and how to use your knowledge to succeed on the TEAS®. We will cover the 5 essential skills necessary to do well on the TEAS®, plus detailed reviews covering the Math, Reading, English and Science subtests individually. Course duration: 24 hours

RN-NCLEX Review
This one-of-a-kind RN-NCLEX Review course is designed to support students after graduation from nursing school. The course will provide students not only with insights into testing strategies, but also content review in each of the areas of nursing practice as it relates to "client needs" and the "integrated processes." Understanding the way the questions are framed will be key to mastering the ways of the NCLEX. Our innovative instruction will help you decipher the secrets of the test. Students will receive step-by-step guidance, intensive practice, and comprehensive home-study materials. Pre and post Diagnostic Readiness Test (DRT) for RN Licensure from the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). Practice test questions straight from the source, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing - MCSBN Learning Extension, will be provided.
Course duration: 50 hours

COLLEGE PREPARATORY
Academic Success
This all-inclusive workshop is designed for returning adult learners who want to excel in demanding college level classes. You will walk away from our classes with survival strategies and techniques for navigating the school system, organizing your time effectively, managing study groups, speed reading, note-taking, studying, testing well, and other key learning tools to help you become a successful 'professional' student. Class topics include:

• Understanding How College Works
• Mastering Your Time
• Studying Smart
• Reading For Results
• Test At Your Best
  

Course duration: 6 hours

Anatomy Bridge
Designed for students majoring in the allied health fields, such as nursing, this course will give students a broad mapping of anatomy to prepare them to success in a college-level anatomy course. It will cover fundamental principles of the structure and function of the human body. Course duration: 18 hours

Chemistry Bridge
This survey course is designed for students majoring in the allied health fields, such as nursing. This course will give students a broad mapping of chemistry to prepare them to success in a college-level chemistry course. It will cover the fundamental principles of chemistry including types of matter, physical and chemical processes, atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, properties and theories of gases, properties of solutions, acids and bases, equilibria, oxidation-reduction and an introduction to organic functional groups as they pertain to medicine or biological systems.
Course duration: 18 hours

Microbiology Bridge
Designed for students majoring in the allied health fields, such as nursing, this course will give students a broad mapping of microbiology to prepare them to success in a college-level microbiology course. It will fill in the basics (e.g., basic chemistry of life processes in microbes); bolster students' content knowledge; explain the role of microbes in human illness as it related to the study of disease pathology and immunology; and reinforce students' critical thinking skills in the study of reproduction and growth of microbes.
Course duration: 18 hours

Nursing Bridge
The aim of this course is to bolster students' nursing competencies prior to the start of class, and to acclimate students to the speed and rigor of the nursing program. This course will cover:

• dosage calculations (pharmacology)
• the nursing process (pathophysiology)
• critical thinking skills
• care plan writing skills

Course duration: 18 hours

Physiology Bridge
This course will give students a broad mapping of physiology to prepare them to success in a college-level physiology course. It will bolster students' content knowledge, and reinforce their critical thinking skills about the connections between physiology and healthcare, with specific references to chemistry and anatomy.
Course duration: 18 hours

WORKPLACE ENGLISH SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Responding to Workplace Demands
This practical workshop, designed for working adults with limited English writing and speaking skills, provides smarter ways to handle workplace demands. Topics and techniques includes: confirming information, clarifying procedures, documenting work, writing instructions, responding to complaints, dealing with difficult people, meeting deadlines, and negotiating solutions. The importance of clear, concise communication will be emphasized. Participants, including English language learners, will improve their workplace communication skills.
Course duration: 15 hours

Workplace Culture
What are the spoken and unspoken expectations of your workplace? This learner-centered workshop will help workers to identify and reflect upon the skills required for their current position and the next step in their careers. From writing a job description and examining evaluation forms to reviewing procedures, mock interviews, and writing safety instructions, students will also develop the techniques and English vocabulary to display their job skills and improve their prospects for promotion. English language learners will especially benefit form this practical workshop.
Course duration: 15 hours

Safety & Patient Care
Safety matters. Workplace errors endanger patients, staff, and visitors, and create extra stress and job related pressure. This practical workshop, focusing on the often difficult language used in medical environments, will help improve safety. This course will include reviewing forms, documenting procedures, clarifying techniques, and reporting accidents. Classroom activities will include role-playing exercise, writing accident reports, pronunciation drills,a nd making presentations on safety procedures. English language learners are especially encouraged to take this workshop.
Course duration: 15 hours