Adult Fast Track |frequently asked questions




Fast Track A.A.S. Human Services Generalist Degree Fast Track Home	Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Human Services Generalist FAQs What is the Adult Fast Track (AFT) program? The Adult Fast Track program is an accelerated program designed to accommodate the needs of adults, age 24 or above, who lead busy lives but are seriously committed to continuing their education. Students in the A.A.S. Human Services Generalist program complete their associate’s degree in approximately two and one-half years by attending classes one night per week. While the program is intensive and rigorous, it is manageable for individuals who are highly motivated and self-disciplined. What is the AFT Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Human Services Generalist degree? The A.A.S. in Human Services Generalist degree prepares students to enter the Human Services field with a multitude of skills, including the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to deliver professional services that assist clients with their bio-psychosocial growth. Students enroll in courses on the C.O.D. main campus in Glen Ellyn during the first year of study and at one of the C.O.D. Regional Centers during the second year. What does the A.A.S. Human Services Generalist curriculum cover? Students have a choice of many theoretical and experience-based learning opportunities in the fields of mental health, advocacy and crises intervention. Coursework covers topics such as group dynamics, interpersonal dynamics, domestic violence and psychiatric rehabilitation. Individuals are prepared to act as a client advocate. Once students have earned their associate’s degree at C.O.D., they can choose to make a “seamless transfer” to the Human Services program at National-Louis University (NLU), completing their bachelor’s degree with approximately one more year of study. Is the A.A.S. Human Services Generalist degree program accredited? All degrees offered through the AFT program are fully accredited by the North Central Association and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), which requires that students pass the State of Illinois Constitution test. How do I apply to the program? Once you have become familiar with the AFT program and have decided to apply, follow steps outlined on the Admissions Check List. All students interested in the Human Services Generalist program must meet with coordinator Rita Bobrowski, (630) 942-2024, prior to submitting an application to the AFT program. The application process, including the coordinator appointment, applying to C.O.D., and testing and transcript evaluation, may take eight weeks or longer. The application process must be completed prior to determining a student’s acceptance into the AFT program. Students should begin the application process as early as possible. Acceptance to C.O.D. does not equal acceptance into the AFT program. When should I register for classes? Prior to each term, AFT students will receive an AFT registration letter in the mail. Students must register for all of their classes no later than three weeks prior to the start of that term. Standard late fees apply to students who register late. An interest free monthly payment plan, FACTS, is also available. Am I required to take the Math Placement Test? Students who are interested in completing the A.A.S. Human Services Generalist degree are required to take the Math Placement Test because the required math courses in this program necessitate an algebra background. By taking the math assessment at an early stage in the application process, students know immediately if their basic algebra needs strengthening. If this is the case, the preparatory course(s) can be worked in before the program begins. The results of the math assessment have no bearing on acceptance into the program; results are used solely for advising purposes. What types of jobs are available for people with an A.A.S. Human Services Generalist degree? Students who enter this field with a two-year degree can expect to earn a mean salary of between $27,000 to $30,000 per year. Employment opportunities include careers as case managers, counselors and/or client advocates in a variety of treatment settings. What if my assessment results in the Reading or Writing Placement Tests indicate that I do not have college-level skills? Often, adults returning to school need refresher courses to prepare them for the rigors of college-level work. The placement tests identify the assistance you might need and allows College of DuPage to guide you toward completion of the appropriate preparatory courses. In most cases, students who require academic preparation need only take one or two preparatory courses. If this is the case, you can be accepted into the program once you have successfully completed the required preparatory courses in reading and/or writing. Can I be considered for the Adult Fast Track program if I have already earned college credit? The AFT program is designed for students who have little or no college credit, but it can sometimes work well for students who have already earned a significant number of credits. All prior college credit for the A.A.S. Human Services Generalist degree must meet the cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students must maintain a College of DuPage GPA of 2.5 to remain in the program. What if I have already taken some of the courses that are part of the program? If a student has previously completed a specific course in the program, he or she does not enroll in that course session. Other course options can be considered during that session, such as independent study, traditional courses, and Internet courses, or a student may decide instead to enjoy a brief “vacation” and continue when the next session begins. Are courses in the program taught differently than traditional courses? The program is designed around a series of eight- to 12-week courses. These courses usually require less in-classroom time, but more time outside of class devoted to homework, online activities and other innovative learning environments. Textbooks, materials and content of the courses, however, are the same as for traditional 16-week courses. While textbooks, materials and content of the courses are the same, the method of delivery is different, as the program is geared toward adult learning. Instructors may lecture, but there are more opportunities for active participation in this program through discussions, simulations, exercises, group work, projects and demonstrations. Some instructors prefer to test in order to evaluate learning. Tests take place during either regularly scheduled class time or outside of normal classroom hours. How much homework can I expect? These courses are scheduled in an abbreviated time frame. Because of this, more emphasis is placed on the learner to complete work outside of the classroom setting than in traditionally-scheduled courses. Homework varies according to teaching style and course content, but students should plan on a minimum of 20 hours of homework per week, depending on their skills and comfort with the assignments. What are the Illinois Constitution test requirements? Per the college Catalog, all students must satisfactorily complete the Illinois State Constitution test requirement for graduation. An Illinois high school diploma generally satisfies this requirement. Students may also opt to take the Constitution test at C.O.D. Is help available if I need it? A full array of support services are provided for students in the AFT program, including Admissions, Registration, computer resources, online access to library databases, math and writing assistance, tutoring, Assessment and Testing services, and Counseling and Advising. The AFT program is administered out of the Westmont Regional Center and most support services are available at this center. How much does the AFT program cost? For residents and full-time workers in the College of DuPage district, the current tuition is $108 per credit hour. There is a $15 per course fee for all AFT students to cover the additional administrative costs of this program. This amounts to approximately $300 per student over the approximately two-year program. Students only pay the $15 fee for the classes they must complete in order to receive the degree. In addition to tuition, a student can expect to pay approximately $75 to $100 per course for books. In addition, several courses have minimal lab fees ranging from approximately $10 to $30. Can non-AFT students take AFT courses? Yes, if there is space available, we do open sections up to non-AFT students. Though, rest assured that non-AFT students need to meet the same admission guidelines as an AFT student. Also, be aware that determining available space in a class depends on the number of AFT students who need a particular section. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to register for your classes as outlined in your registration letter. Once we are three weeks out from a term start, enrollment is totally opened to non-AFT students. Do cohort groups ever fill up and prevent someone from enrolling? Yes, cohort groups do fill up, so it is best to apply early. Check our web site for specific dates. Do AFT courses ever cancel? On occasion, due to low enrollment, individual courses in the AFT program are cancelled. If this happens, your AFT adviser will help you to identify alternative options. More questions? Call (630) 942-FAST and ask to speak with a C.O.D. counselor or an AFT adviser. A.A.S. Human Services Generalist Application Form	Adult Fast Track College of DuPage Westmont Center 650 Pasquinelli Drive Westmont, IL 60559 Roberta M. Sell Associate Dean (630) 942-FAST fasttrack@cod.edu