FAQs

The federal guidelines for programs eligible for Financial Aid require that clock hour programs, which include the programs available at the SouthWest Skill Center, must be at least 600 hours in length. The Skill Center has 2 programs that meet this criterion, Practical Nurse and Medical Billing and Coding. Please see the Disclosures / Programs information in the Student section of the Estrella Mountain website for further information on these programs. http://www.estrellamountain.edu/disclosures/programs

In addition to this, see the program links on the home page of the SouthWest Skill Center website for specific program topics and requirements.

The SWSC offers short term certificate programs that allow students to enter quickly into the work force.  SWSC programs are clock hour based, EMCC offers credit hours. This allows students to complete programs in a shorter overall period of time, which helps to get them in to the job market sooner. See the program links on the home page of the SouthWest Skill Center website for specific program hours, as well as topics and program requirements.

The SWSC offers:

• Dialysis Tech (non credit / non clock hour)
• Distribution Logistics (160 clock hours)     
• Electronic Health Record Management (non credit / non clock hour)
• Home Healthcare  Aide Program(non credit / non clock hour)
• EKG Technician  (non credit / non clock hour)
• Emergency Medical Technology Program (152 clock hours)
• Industrial Electronics Technology Program (550 clock hours)
• Medical Billing and Coding Program (805 clock hours)
• Nurse Assistant Program (144 clock hours)
• Spanish Medical Interpreter Program (170 clock hours)
• Practical Nurse Program (1008 clock hours)
• Pharmacy Technician Test Preparation Program (non credit / non clock hour)
• Veterinary Assistant (non credit / non clock hour)

Please see an advisor to discuss individual programs, or contact via email: mailto:Swsc.advisor@estrellamountain.edu

For clock hours the student physically clocks in and out each day to record the total amount of hours that they are in the classroom. A typical day is from 8 AM to 2:30 PM, with a half hour lunch break. This can vary with certain programs.

• The LPN program is not required for the RN program and will not help you get into the RN program more quickly, however, it is a good way to start a Nursing program of study. Many students complete the PN program and transition in to the RN program. Doing so at Estrella Mountain allows the student to start the RN program in the 3rd block of instruction, receiving credit from the PN program for the first 2 blocks. The SWSC PN program is also a good way to directly enter the workforce and gain experience in a nursing field. For our PN program the pass rates for students taking the licensing exam (NCLEX PN) for the first time are over 90%. This speaks well to the quality of instruction in this program.

Yes, SWSC students use the same resources as EMCC students, and the  Disability Resource Center is available to SWSC students, as well.

• We do not offer job placement at this time, but we do suggest the free resources available through our Career Services Center located on campus.  Here students can explore opportunities for employment with area businesses, as well as opportunities for internships, and learn how to navigate the road to employment. More information is available at:  www.estrellamountain.edu/students/career-services

All SWSC classes are open to all students. However, Veteran's services are available through our EMCC Veteran's Services office. Here they provide "one stop" services for Veteran's academic support. Please see our Veteran's Services site at: http://www.estrellamountain.edu/students/veterans-services for more information, or call: 623 935 8937.

There is not a specific course, although students can certainly take CPD 150. Each program does provide guidance on how to succeed in its specific coursework.

The SouthWest Skill Center uses the Accuplacer placement test to determine eligibility into programs. The minimum scores are listed below:

Reading

EMT: 62 or higher

Medical: 74 or higher

Nurse Assistant: 74 or higher

Distribution: 74 or higher

Math:

EMT: N/A

Medical: 23 or higher

Nurse Assistant: 23 or higher

Distribution: 23 or higher