LEARN FROM A LEADER
Are you interested in how the legal system works? A career as a paralegal is an exciting choice for those who want to learn more about the law. Paralegals, under the supervision of attorneys, provide services in all phases of the legal system including courts, law firms, and government agencies. If you’re ready for a career in the legal profession, the Paralegal Associate in Applied Science Degree program at Northwestern College is where you want to begin.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED APPROVAL
The Northwestern College Paralegal Associate in Applied Science Degree is approved by the American Bar Association, and NC is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
• Understand and exhibit expected ethical behavior of the paralegal professional
• Understand and demonstrate the necessary steps to bring a case to trial by preparing pleadings, discovery requests, and other litigation-related documents
• Display the ability to independently research legal issues and prepare appropriate legal documents
• Perform, through an externship, paralegal skills necessary to competently work in a legal environment
• Exhibit computer proficiency and knowledge of computer software used in the legal profession

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Paralegals are in demand at law firms, court systems, government agencies at all levels, corporations, non-profit organizations, insurance and health care companies, real estate title companies, and financial services organizations.

LEARN FROM A LEADER
Do you want to make the world a safer place? Would you like to make a difference within your own community? Are you interested in how the criminal justice system works? If you answered yes to these questions then consider getting your Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Northwestern College, and prepare for a new career in law enforcement.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Identify and analyze issues relative to protection of life, liberty, and property
• Evaluate the dynamics and cultures of working within the legal system
• Critically evaluate the legal rights of individuals, recognition of legal limitations, and use of discretionary authority
• Exhibit professional behavior and high ethical standards
• Demonstrate effective oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills as expected in criminal justice professions

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The government’s effort to meet society’s need for a safer living environment is driving the rising demand for law enforcement personnel. This means that criminal justice graduates will find an increased number of opportunities for employment. Some occupations in the criminal justice field may require additional training, licensing, and/or education.

THE NC ADVANTAGE
Health information technology combines the areas of health care, administration, and information systems to manage and report health care data. This is one of the few health-related occupations in which there is no actual hands-on patient care. Health information technicians collect, summarize, utilize, and report data collected for patient care and reimbursement. They organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security; and they regularly communicate with physicians and other health care professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Health Information Technology Program seeks to educate entry-level health information technicians who meet the requirements determined by the profession as stated by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and upon graduation, students will be qualified to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) examination and find employment in the field.

ACCREDITATION
The Northwestern College Associate in Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
• Be adequately prepared as Health Information Technicians in health data management
• Be adequately prepared as Health Information Technicians in health statistics and quality management
• Be adequately prepared as Health Information Technicians in health services organization delivery comparably in Medical Law and Ethical Standards
• Be adequately prepared as Health Information Technicians in health informatics
• Be adequately prepared as Health Information Technicians in organization management

VIRTUAL LAB
Learning is important, but all the lectures and reading in the world can’t properly prepare anyone for a real world, HIT working environment. Experimental learning (or learning by doing) adds an essential component to the academic experience. For HIT students, getting hands-on practice with virtual software they’ll encounter outside the academic sphere can help prepare them for anything their careers might throw at them. The vLab, a cutting edge software program, provides students in campus-based and distance learning colleges with access to a full array of health information management technologies that support best practices. The Virtual Lab allows students to work with software they will encounter in the workplace that closely simulates real world applications in health information technologies. Lab exercises emphasize the acquisition of skills related to the use of the electronic tools to solve problems and make decisions, enabling students to become leaders of tomorrow’s health information management workforce.

Note: An additional fee for the Virtual lab is required.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Health Information Technicians are employed at hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics, home health agencies, ambulatory care practices, insurance companies, and public health organizations.

CARE FOR OTHERS AND YOUR CAREER
Increasing year after year in use, massage therapy is one of the most sought-after services! More and more people are looking for ways to relieve aches and pains. Spa menus, complementary and alternative treatment regimens, and wellness alternatives include massage as a premier health and wellness service. This trend ultimately leads to job opportunities for students who pursue an advanced education in massage therapy, such as the associate degree at Northwestern College.

Northwestern College offers a hands-on education in a college setting, while you earn your degree. Along with general education subjects, NC’s massage therapy program offers a top quality curriculum, with the option to choose explicit coursework in a business or a medical emphasis. While the business emphasis provides the integral skills to manage a massage therapy practice effectively, the medical emphasis teaches you to integrate medical massage therapies into your treatment sessions. Learning a variety of therapies and techniques helps you to move ahead in this rapidly growing field.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Understand medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology
• Understand, assess, and recommend massage therapy treatments
• Demonstrate the necessary skills to execute therapeutic massage sessions
• Actively participate in the functions of a health care team
• Be adequately prepared to become licensed as massage therapists in the state of Illinois

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Massage therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and a number of employers are adding massage therapists to their staff, including sports medicine centers, holistic health centers, chiropractic and naprapathic practices, orthopedic clinics, health and fitness centers, spas and physical/occupational therapy departments. Massage therapists can also start their own private practice or work in a hospital.

CARE FOR OTHERS AND YOUR CAREER
Massage therapy was once regarded by many simply as a pampering activity. Nowadays, massage therapy is part of treatment regimens that control pain, reduce stress, improve circulation, and induce relaxation! People continue to discover the many benefits of massage therapy to improve their health and well-being. Because the federal government classifies massage therapy as a growing occupation, earning a massage certificate to join professional massage therapists in the field is most advantageous.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, and kinesiology
• Understand, assess, and recommend massage therapy treatments
• Demonstrate the necessary skills to execute therapeutic massage sessions
• Actively participate in the functions of health care teams
• Be adequately prepared to become licensed as a massage therapist in the state of Illinois

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Massage therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and a number of employers are adding massage therapists to their staff, including sports medicine centers, holistic health centers, chiropractic and naprapathic practices, orthopedic clinics, health and fitness centers, spas and physical/occupational therapy departments. Massage therapists can also start their own private practice or work in a hospital.

THE NC ADVANTAGE
Are you interested in health care and helping others? Working with patients, performing medical procedures, and managing a doctor’s office are all part of a fulfilling career as a medical assistant. The School of Health Sciences at Northwestern College offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting that can enable you to make the most of your compassion for others and interest in health care.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Medical Assisting program prepares students with clinical and administrative skills in accordance with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) guidelines that will enable them to perform effectively as an entry level member of a multidisciplinary health care team within an ambulatory care setting. The rigors of the medical assisting curriculum prepare students to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credentialing exam which is the gold standard of the medical assisting professional. The CMA credential means a professional edge, increased prestige in the workplace, and increased job opportunities.

MEDICAL ASSISTING EXTERNSHIP
This externship provides an opportunity for students to complete a minimum of 160 hours in a selected physician’s office or health care facility. Students are supervised and evaluated by qualified medical personnel as they perform both clinical and administrative practices. Although there is no remuneration for this externship, the hands-on experience gained is invaluable.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Meet the entry-level administrative competencies as identified by CAAHEP
• Meet the entry-level clinical competencies as identified by CAAHEP
• Be prepared to successfully obtain industry accepted medical assisting credentials
• Display professional and ethical standards of practice in a variety of health care situations

ACCREDITATION
The Northwestern College Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of the Medical Assisting program can expect to find employment in a variety of health care settings including medical offices, hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, outpatient laboratories, free-standing surgical centers, and occupational medicine clinics.

THE NC ADVANTAGE
All businesses need core people with a variety of knowledge and skills, including accounting, marketing, computer applications, human resources, and management strategies. While most people can’t be experts in all these areas, a general background gives you a solid foundation on which to build. You can then apply your general skills and education in any industry that interests you, and develop specific skills further while on the job. With an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Administration, your career can grow from an administrative services team member, to a management position with varying levels of responsibility and supervisory duties, to a top executive.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the common professional components of the business environment
• Understand and analyze ethical behaviors in the business environment
• Recognize and apply clear oral, written, and electronic communication when making professional business decisions
• Construct and implement strategies to maximize operational effectiveness in a dynamic and rapidly evolving business environment
• Prepare and present a complete business plan

BUSINESS EXTERNSHIP
This course offers students a supervised learning experience outside of the classroom. Students deal with day-to-day office situations and perform services of value for a participating employer in order to receive academic credit. Although there is no remuneration for this externship, the hands-on experience gained is invaluable.

ACCREDITATION
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

A degree in business administration prepares you to work in almost every industry including large corporations, colleges and universities, health services, social services, government agencies, financial services, insurance companies or firms, and marketing and public relations firms.

THE NC ADVANTAGE
If you enjoy working with numbers (beyond just balancing your checkbook), consider a career in accounting. Accountants are vital people in the business world, analyzing, measuring, and documenting the performance of business by applying their knowledge of accounting principles. The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Executive Accounting program at Northwestern College can help you realize your dream of a fulfilling career.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Distinguish and reproduce the fundamental concepts of accounting
• Demonstrate computer literacy and familiarity with information resources
• Develop an understanding of taxation and its impact on financial and managerial decisions
• Differentiate between financial and managerial accounting
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and assess ethical issues within the accounting profession

ACCOUNTING EXTERNSHIP
This elective course offers students a supervised learning experience outside of the classroom. Students deal with day-to-day accounting assignments and situations, and perform services of value for a participating employer in order to receive academic credit. Although there is no remuneration for this externship, the hands-on experience gained is invaluable.

ACCREDITATION
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Executive Accounting is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

You’ll be qualified for a career in virtually any industry after earning an accounting degree. Accounting students are prepared to become bookkeepers, staff accountants, payroll processors, credit analysts, auditors, tax preparers, purchasing agents, and could possibly advance into management positions.

THE NC ADVANTAGE
Do you have excellent organizational skills? Are you detail-oriented? Would you like to put these strengths to use in the workplace? Then enroll in Northwestern College’s Human Resources Management Associate in Applied Science Degree program. This degree provides training in skills related to human resources management, and prepares individuals to provide support to companies as well as employees. It allows you to enter a field with a great deal of growth and opportunity.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Define and understand the founding principles unique to human resources management
• Identify and validate an understanding of the conceptual knowledge of behavior science and general management theories
• Apply knowledge of human resources management to identify and deal with employee issues
• Examine, differentiate, and implement relative employment laws
• Have a working knowledge of diversity in the workplace

HUMAN RESOURCES EXTERNSHIP
This course offers students a supervised learning experience outside of the classroom. Students deal with day-to-day human resources situations, and perform services of value for a participating employer in order to receive academic credit. Although there is no remuneration for this externship, the hands-on experience gained is invaluable.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Human Resources Managers are employed at federal and local government agencies, elementary and secondary schools, general medical and surgical hospitals, corporate offices, and non-profit organizations.