Skip to main content

What is the purpose of the SCC Career Academies? 
Southwestern Community College Career Academies are designed to provide training in a particular field of interest and lead to certification and employment in a short period of time.
*Free tuition now available for select Career Academies
Funding from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund can be used for student scholarships enrolled in selected short-term training courses below designated by an asterisk (*). Click here for more info.

Current Academies

Academy

Certification(s)

Real Estate Pre-Licensing

This course meets the educational requirement for the North Carolina real estate broker license. It prepares you to pass the real estate broker examination administered by the N.C. Real Estate Commission (NCREC). 

NC Real Estate Broker

Table Gaming

SCC, in collaboration with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, is offering certification to help individuals enter the exciting gaming industry.

Industry Credential

Independent Auto Dealers

Prepares individuals to become license NC Independent Auto Dealer.

NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles

Bartending

This course will assist students in becoming a professional bartender.

RASP Certification

 

Academy Certification(s)

Fire Fighter Academy

This State accredited program is designed to prepare entry-level individuals with cognitive and physical skills to become certified firefighters.

NC Level II Fire Fighter - Eligible

Wildland Firefighter Academy

These courses provide instruction in the primary environmental factors that affect the start and spread of wildfires and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. Also, human factors on the fire line and basic incident command structure will be discussed.

NC Forest Services / USFS Eligible

*Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy (BLET)*

The NC-BLET academy training session is a state-accredited program designed to prepare individuals with the requisite cognitive & physical skills to become entry-level certified Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs within the State of North Carolina. 

NC Law Enforcement Certification - Eligible

Detention Officer Certification Course Academy

The North Carolina Detention Officer Certification Course (DOCC) is a State accredited program designed to prepare entry-level individuals with the cognitive and physical skills to become certified detention officers.

NC Detention Officer Certification - Eligible

*Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (NPS-PRLEA)*

Seasonal Law Enforcement Park Rangers may be assigned to one of more than three hundred (300) parks, monuments and other facilities within the contiguous forty-eight states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam, under the authority and jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS).

Federal LE Commission - Eligible

Telecommunicator Certification Academy

This is a 47-hour course that will provide participants with the entry-level knowledge and skills to practice as an emergency services Telecommunicator. (North Carolina certification course).

NC Sheriff Standards - Eligible

Emergency Medical Dispatcher Academy

This course must follow the guidelines established by the NC Office of EMS.

NC Sheriff Standards - Eligible

Emergency Medical Responder

The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Responder is to initiate immediate lifesaving care to critical patients who access the emergency medical system.

NC Medical Responder - Eligible

*Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) Traditional and Hybrid*

The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.

NC EMT-B - Eligible

Advanced - EMT

The primary focus of the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.

A-EMT - Eligible

Paramedic

The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.

Paramedic - Eligible

 

Academy Certification(s)

*Nurse Aide*

This course is designed to prepare graduates to provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for the elderly and other adults.

NA1, NA2, Med Aide, Home Health Aide, Geriatric Aide

 

Academy Certification(s)

*Pharmacy Technician*

This course provides curriculum that will prepare students for employment as a pharmacy technician in the health care or retail setting.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam

Veterinary Office Manager

This program will allow you to gain the skills needed to work as a veterinary assistant or a medical office assistant in any type of medical facility. 

Certified Medical Admin. Assistant (CMAA)

*Medical Transcription*

This course is designed to teach students to transfer audio-recorded dictation into hard copy medical documents.

 

*Medical Coding/Billing*

The AHIMA-approved Professional Medical Coding and Billing with Applied PCS program is a two-part course that prepares students for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exams.

Certified Coding Associte OR Certified Professional Coder

*Electronic Health Records Office Professional*

Train for a new career as an Electronic Health Records Office Professional

Certified Medical Admin. Assistant (CMAA) AND Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)

Alarm System Installation

This course introduces students to operation and skill standards for the alarm industry.

Certified Alarm Security Technician

*Computer Technician*

This course is specifically designed to prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification exams.

CompTIA A+ Certification

 

Academy Certification(s)

Master Potter

The Master Potter Certificate is designed to give students the training and knowledge to open and operate their own studio based business in the field of ceramics.

 

 

Academy Certification(s)

Job Corps

If you are 16-24 years old, you may qualify for Job Corps, a free residential career training program.

 

For help with the accessibility of this website, please use this form.