ACADEMIC CATALOG WEST CHICAGO PROFESSIONAL CENTER SCHOOL OF TECHNICAL TRAINING HEATING - AIR CONDITIONING & ELECTRICIAN LICENSE CERTIFICATE THEORY HANDS ON TRAINING THREE ELEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM 1801 E. Fabyan Parkway West Chicago, IL 60185 Phone: 630-232-3250 (Español) Website: www.westchicagohvac.com Email: dalex@westchicagohvac.com Issue Date: March 20, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # 1. Introduction 2 2. History of School 2 3. Mission of School 2 4. Vision 2 5. Location 2 6. Description of Training Program 3 6.1 Curriculum Organization 5 7. Course Descriptions 6 7.1 HVAC Courses: HVAC101, HVAC102, HVA103 6 7.2 EPA Courses: EPA101. EPA102, EPA103 7 7.3 Career Counseling for HVAC: H-PCC101, H-PCC102, H-PCC103 9 7.4 Electrician Courses: ELEC101, ELEC102, ELEC103 10 7.5 NEC Code Courses: NEC101, NEC102, NEC103 11 7.6 Career Counseling for Electrician: E-PCC101, E-PCC102, E-PCC103 12 7.7 Testing and Grading 13 8. Miscellaneous Items 13 8.1 Transfer of Credits 13 8.1.1 Credit for Prior Educational Training 13 8.1.2 Credit for Prior Work, Military Service, or Life Experience 13 8.2 Approvals & Accreditations 14 8,21 Approvals 14 8.22 Accreditations 14 8.3 Partnerships With Other Schools 14 8.4 Admission Requirements 14 8.5 Records and Transcripts 14 8.6 Reentry Procedure 14 8.7 Graduation and Awarding of Certificate 14 8.8 Complaints Against the School 15 8,9 Veterans-Only Policies ( See Administration Office) - ADDENDUMS A. Student Success Data 16 B. Tuition, Fees, and Payment Plans 17,18 C. Cancellation and Withdrawal Refund Policy 19 D. School Calendar and Length of Programs 20 E. Curriculum Courses 21-1 -
1. Introduction The West Chicago Professional Center (WCPC) vocational school prides itself in being the choice of candidates wanting to enter the fast growing field of heating and air conditioning or as an electrical technician. Enrolling at WCPC is the sure way to start or advance in a dynamic and challenging field. WCPC realizes that time and money are important to a prospective student, therefore its training programs are highly compressed and accelerated, giving the student the fastest and most complete training program in the shortest amount of time. In a very short time you will gain the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to become a first-rate heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) or electrical technician. The West Chicago Professional Center school wants to help you get the job you want. Enroll in WCPC and get started on a new, exciting and challenging career. You will be glad you did! 2. History of School The West Chicago Professional Center school was founded in 2012 by Alexandre Drozdov the owner and director of the school. Mr. Drozdov graduated from the Far Eastern Polytechnic Institute in Vladivostok, Russia in June of 1987 as an Electrical Engineer, specializing in Electric Drive and Automation of Industrial Plants. He came to the United States in 1998 and is currently employed fulltime as a locomotive electrician for the Union Pacific Railroad. He is a member in good-standing of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) since 2002,and holds professional residential, commercial, and industrial electrician licenses. 3. Mission of WCPC The mission of the West Chicago Professional Center vocational school is to provide a training program that combines theory, hands-on training, and certification or licensure for members of the workforce seeking employment as a HVAC/R or electrical technician. 4. Vision of WCPC West Chicago Professional Center s vision is to learn of or witness the contributions of its graduates being employed in the United States workforce known worldwide for its high caliber of capable and skilled technicians. 5. Location and Description of WCPC School The West Chicago Professional Center school with its classroom and training facilities occupies approximately 1500 square feet and is located in the rural town of West Chicago, Illinois at 1801 Fabyan Parkway. West Chicago lies approximately forty miles west of the City of Chicago, Illinois. Fabyan Parkway intersects the south side of Route 38 (Roosevelt Road) at a point about two miles west of State Highway 59, which is a main north-south artery through DuPage County. Classroom The classroom where lectures and audio and visual presentations are made has a capacity of sixteen students. Several desk top and lap top computers are available for students to use to access local and on-line software type training modules. Some of the modules contain practice exams which enable students to practice with the types of - 2 -
questions and answers they will be seeing on the exams they will be taking to get their own certification or licensure. As an integral p;art of the training program, there are modules of interactive computer-driven exercises. The exercises simulate real-life hardware problems to be solved by the student, interactively working on a computer in the classroom. Therefore, a student sitting at a computer in the classroom, can gain a lot of experience in recognizing and troubleshooting problems (such as low refrigerant pressure, blown fuse, etc.) which are associated with certain types of unit and system failures. And, since the simulated problems are really in a computer they can be repeated over and over with little effort by the student, until the student is confident they could recognize and solve comparable hardware failures in the field. This part of the training process is intended to complement the hands-on training a student gets in the lab. oratory The laboratory (the lab) is where hands-on training is given. It is of moderate size with a high-ceiling room and encompassing approximately 700 square feet of space. In the lab are complete units of heating and air conditioning units used HVAC training. Also in the lab are and various wiring and electrician-type training units for the electrician technician training program. And there are several workbenches with industrial grade vices, soldering/brazing apparatus, pipe and tubing cutters, testing devices, and other implements making up a modern fully-equipped training facility. 6. Description of Training Program Brief descriptions of the design of the training program and associated elements of the study elements are discussed in the following sections. Curriculum Organization The unique design of the WCPC training program is the reason for its success. WCPC s training program consists of three study elements: theory, hands-on, and certification/licensure preparation. (Certification for HVAC students and licensure for electrical technicians.) At WCPC all training elements have equal priority, since it is WCPC s belief that being proficient in all elements greatly increases the chances for a WCPC graduate to get the job they have invested their money and time in. Although all training elements have equal priority of attention, they do not have equal amounts of time allocated to them. For vocational-type training a term known as clock hours is used. A clock hour is an hour of training time with a five-minute break. For a typical school-day class, the instructor spends an apportioned amount of time on all elements. Study Elements Hands on Training The student goes to the lab to get hands-on experience working by doing a lab exercise on real-life equipment the instructor has prepared beforehand. Usually students are grouped in teams of two or three when working on a lab exercise. Having students work together to solve problems greatly increases synergy and encourages sharing of experiences and knowledge. - 3 -
Theory Students are given lectures covering their text book reading assignments, informative video presentations, and demonstrations using tools of the trade, testing apparatus, safety measures, and so forth by highly qualified and self-motivated instructors. Certification & Licensing Students are taught the government rules and regulations that govern the air conditioning and electrical industries. To work in these areas as a skilled worker requires passing an exam given by an applicable governmental agency. Not only is certification and licensure desirable, but having such credentials are often a minimum requirement just to qualify for consideration (such as for an interview) with a prospective employer. An air conditioning technician needs to be certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Electrical technicians need to be licensed by a local government agency to work in a given geographical area. WCPC provides for taking the EPA exam at the school, but for reasons of governmental regulations, electrician exams must be taken at a designated testing facility. At the completion of the electrical technician class, the student will be sufficiently prepared to take the following electrician licensing exams given by the municipal of Downers Grove, Illinois: a. Class A - Master Electrician b. Class B - Residential and Light Commercial (up to 250 Volts ) Electrician c. Class C - Residential Electrician Programs of Study At WCPC the major component of the training curriculum is called a Program of Study or a Study Program (the two terms can be used interchangeably) with the actual name of the Study Program indicating the technical area of training. WCPC s curriculum consists of the following Programs of Study: 1. The HVAC Technician Training Program 2. The Electrician Technician Training Program 3. The Combined HVAC and Electrician Technician Training Program Each Study Program is divided into the following functional modules: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each module contains a fixed number of courses. Courses have specific designations, called Course Codes such as HVAC101 which is a course in the Beginners Module of the HVAC Technician Training Program of Study. The charts on the next page show how courses map to modules and modules map to study programs. The table also shows how many clock hours are needed for courses, modules, and study programs and the associated cost of tuition. (As previously discussed, a clock hour is an hour of attendance, including a five minute break.) - 4 -
6.1 Organization of Curriculum HVAC & COMBINED STUDY PROGRAMS (12 weeks) ELECTRICIAN & COMBINED STUDY PROGRAMS (12 Weeks) Study Program COURSE CODE Beginners Module (1 st 4 Weeks) Lec Intermediate Module (2nd 4 Weeks) Lec Advanced Module (3 rd 4 weeks) Lec Beginners Module (1st 4 Weeks) Lec Intermediate Module (2nd 4 Weeks) Lec Advanced Module (3rd 4 weeks) Lec HVAC101 12 26 H HVAC102 10 26 C HVAC103 8 34 V EPA101 10 O EPA102 12 A EPA103 6 M H-PCC101 2 C H-PCC102 2 B H-PCC103 2 ELEC101 14 24 I E ELEC102 12 26 ELEC103 10 16 N L NEC101 10 NEC102 10 E E NEC103 22 E-PCC101 2 D C E-PCC102 2 E-PCC103 2 / Clock Hours Module Clock Hours 24 26 24 26 16 34 26 24 24 26 34 16 50 50 50 50 50 50 Table Showing Number of Clock Hours for Programs of Study Name of Program Number of Clock Hours HVAC Technician 150 Electrician Technician 150 Combined HVAC & Electrician Technician 300 Note: See Addendum B for details on costs and convenient payment plans. - 5 -
7. Course Descriptions This section of the catalog gives brief descriptions of the courses (building blocks) that make up the programs of study. A chart showing the overall design and organization of the curriculum is given on the preceding page. 7.1 HVAC Technician Training Courses (HVAC101, HVAC102, & HVAC103) HVAC101 Basic Craft Skills and Fundamental Principles of Heating and Air Conditioning 12 26 None This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. This course introduces the student to the basic skills of working with their hands by using various manual and power tools that are used for repairing, maintaining, and installing new heating and air conditioning equipment. This type of work includes using electrical, plumbing, carpentry, construction framing, brazing/soldering, tube bending, pipe cutting/threading, sheet metal work, and cutting tools and various types of fasteners. A lot of time is spent in the lab doing exercises that develop the knowhow for using these tools safely and with confidence. The importance of safety is always stressed while using any tool, and safety glasses must be worn in the lab at all times. This course also introduces the student to the basic operation of various types of furnaces and air conditioners found in normal residential and business places. The student is taught how these units are set up, monitored, and controlled to provide a comfortable living or shopping environment. Some of the theory subjects that are covered at this level of training include the principles of heat transfer, temperature versus pressure concepts, and refrigerant technology. The student learns the basic components of heating and air conditioning systems, their operation cycles, and how to work on them with safety in mind. The importance and usage of the basic air conditioning testing device, known as the manifold gauge set, is covered in detail. HVAC102 Practical Skills for Heating and Air Conditioning Technicians 10 26 HVAC101 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. In this course the student is taught to do the normal every-day tasks of a heating and air conditioning technician. For heating, different types of furnaces (gas, oil, and electric) and air duct systems are worked on while stressing the importance of proper combustion, air flow, and temperature controls. For air conditioning, the student learns to do the regular tasks of an air conditioning technician, such as recovery, evacuation, and charging systems. The student learns different ways to charge a system so that it is working properly. The course also covers different kinds of furnaces, and blends of air conditioning refrigerants, and the importance of safety measures when working with refrigerants. The main thrust of this course is to teach the student to become a competent and skilled heating and air conditioning technician. The highlight of this course is having the students take a house furnace and an air conditioner completely apart and put it back together. This exercise teaches the student how these systems are manufactured, how they consist of many small parts, and how they are to be taken apart and put back together again in the field. There is a minimum of troubleshooting hardware problems in this course. Troubleshooting and repair are covered in the Diagnostic and Troubleshooting training course (HVAC103) which is in the Advanced Training Module (discussed next). - 6 -
HVAC103 Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Training for Heating and Air Conditioning Technicians 8 34 HVAC101 & HVAC102 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. For this course the student spends much of the time in the lab doing troubleshooting exercises on working furnaces and air conditioning systems. As a lab exercise, a problem of some sort is purposely put into the system (by the instructor) causing it to malfunction and not work properly or even completely stop. The student is given the task of finding and fixing the problem and restoring the system to service, just as they would be doing in the field. By fixing many different types of troubles on working systems, under the watchful eye of the instructor, the student will develop valuable diagnostic reasoning and troubleshooting techniques in a very short time. Repairs are normally easy to do, once the problem is found. When the repair is completed it is verified by the instructor before the system is turned up for service. Some types of problems could require a lot of time to set up in the lab, or considered to be hard on the system, such as causing a burned out motor. There are computers in the classroom that have programs in them, called simulators, that can simulate (imitate) the operation of heating and air conditioning systems. The instructor can set these software systems up with problems just like the real-life ones in the lab. The advantage with software systems is that problems can be put in a system, without causing damage to the system, very easily, and repeated over and over, with very little effort, until the student is satisfied with results. Also, there are no safety issues involved with software driven systems. spent doing troubleshooting exercises on the computers counts as lab time. Classroom lectures for this course cover heat pumps and low presssure types of air conditioning systems. These systems, called chillers can be enormous in size and are found in large buildings, for example hospitals, department stores, schools, and so forth. Due to physical limitations of the school, the lectures for these systems utilize professional produced training videos and similar media.. 7.2 EPA Certification Courses (EPA101, EPA102, & EPA103) EPA101 Preparing for EPA Certification - Part 1 10 None This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. This course covers the first section of the EPA certification process called Core. Core gives general information about ozone depletion and the Clean Air Act which was enacted to prevent it. Damage to the earth s ozone layer is caused by escaping air conditioning refrigerants. Also included in Core is the role of the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement made by major industrial countries of the world, including the United States, to take measures to protect the earth s environment. The student is taught the use of substitute refrigerants, types of compressor oils, recycle and recovery units, disposable and recovery cylinders, safety measures, regulations for shipping cylinders filled with refrigerants., and the three Rs principles of working as an air conditioning technician (recovery, recycle, and reclamation). The Core section of the exam must be passed before passing any other section/s of the exam counts. The instructor leads question/answer study sessions to prepare the student to take the Core exam. The student can also practice studying questions and answers on CDs using their home computer or on a school computer if they do not have a home computer. - 7 -
EPA102 Preparing for EPA Certification - Part 2. 12 EPA101 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. This course covers the second and third sections of the EPA exam for Tech 1 and Tech 2 technicians, respectively. In general, Type 1 technicians service small appliances having less than 5 pounds of refrigerant. A Type 2 technician works on high-pressure air conditioning systems. A home air conditioning unit is an example of a unit that a Type 2 technician works on. The instructor leads question and answer study sessions with the students, asking them the types of questions they will be getting on the EPA exam. Although the questions are not the same exact questions as used on the exam, the study sessions are a valuable way to prepare the student for the exam. In addition to study sessions with the instructor, the student can do more practice sessions either at home or at the school using interactive computer based study sessions which they have purchased on CDs as part of course materials. EPA103 Preparing for EPA Certification - Part 3. 6 EPA101 & EPA102 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. This course covers the fourth section of the EPA exam for Tech 3 technicians. A technician passing this part of the exam is certified to work on low pressure equipment. As is covered in the Advanced Technical module (HVAC103), these types of units are usually large in size and are used to condition large buildings, such as hospitals, office buildings, schools, etc. Parts of these systems can be inside the building, parts on the roof, and parts such as the cooling towers will usually be outside, not necessarily on the roof. The instructor will cover all types of questions and answers that will be on the EPA exam for these special units. As with the other EPA courses (see EPA101 and EPA102 above), the instructor leads question and answer study sessions with the students and the student can use the practice CDs at home or at the school. - 8 -
7.3 Professional Career Counseling Courses for HVAC Technician (H-PCC101, H-PCC102, & H-PCC103) H-PCC101 Personal Career Counseling for HVAC Technician - Part 1 2 None This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to give the student ideas of job opportunities for heating and air conditioning technicians. Opportunities in the separate areas of Tech 1, 2, 3, and Universal certification are discussed. The importance of networking is stressed. The importance of networking is stressed. H-PCC102 Personal Career Counseling for HVAC Technician - Part 2 2 H-PCC101 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to discuss the importance of maintaining good relationships with your managers, coworkers, and especially customers you come in contact with via phone, email, or in person. The subject material is for HVAC technicians. The importance of continuing education is stressed. H-PCC103 Personal Career Counseling for HVAC Technician - Part 3 2 H-PCC101 & H-PCC102 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the HVAC Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to show the student how to make a good resume. Having certification and a good resume greatly increase the chances of landing an interview with a prospective employer. The subject material is for HVAC technicians. The course also teaches the student how to make a good impression on an interview. The student will have a chance to participate n a practice interview at the school. - 9 -
7.4 Electrician Technician Training Courses (ELEC101, ELEC102, & ELEC103) Introduction to the Electrician Technician Study ELEC101 None Program 14 24 This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. This course introduces the student to the study areas and hands-on training required to be employed as a licensed electrician in one of today s fastest growing areas of employment. In addition to covering basic electrician topics, the course contains part one of a two-part course on the fundamentals of electricity where the properties of electricity, such as voltage potential, current flow, and resistance are taught by well-versed and experienced instructors. The course also teaches the difference between various types of conductor materials and how to analyze the structure of electrical series and parallel circuits. Knowledge by the electrician of these subjects and more, such as awareness of power consumption, inductive and capacitive reactance, circuit testing, are also included in the course. In addition to the study and hands-on training in the areas of electricity discussed above, the course also covers study and handson training of skills needed by an electrician, such as using a pipe bender, working with various types and sizes of wires and conduit, mounting junction boxes, and wiring in receptacles and switches according to electrical wiring drawings provided by building planners. The course also teaches the student how to calculate the number of branches and size of wires that supply electricity to a normal size home. All electrician type tasks that are taught in this course are done according to latest electrical codes as covered in accompanying courses (NEC101, NEC102, and NEC103) of the Electrician Technician Study Program. Intermediate Level of Study for Electrician ELEC102 ELEC101 Technician Study Program 12 26 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. This course builds on the foundation of the beginners class ELEC101. The study of electricity continues with part two of the twopart course in basic electricity. In part two, the student is introduced to alternating current and voltages, commonly referred to AC voltage. Methods of producing AC voltage are taught in detail, as are principal attributes of AC voltage, which are inductance and capacitance, and the corresponding circuit elements, the coil and the capacitor, respectively. Instruction will teach how AC voltage is different than DC voltage and the importance of understanding why power consumption is calculated differently for the two types of voltages. Also discussed are the reactive and impedance components of series, parallel, and series parallel AC circuits and the affects of these components in the design and of motors and generators. The study and hands-on training for electrician skills continues with lectures and lab exercises in areas such as: proper bonding and grounding, design and working with motors, feeder bus systems, nterpreting upper level diagrams, overcurrent protection, how to select and install a panel board, emergency standby power systems, and others. All electrician type tasks that are taught in this course are done according to latest electrical codes as covered in accompanying courses (NEC101, NEC102, and NEC103) of the Electrician Technician Study Program. - 10 -
Advanced Level of Study for Electrician ELEC103 ELEC101 & ELEC102 Technician Study Program 10 16 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. This course builds on the knowledge the student has gained from completing the beginners and intermediate electrician classes, ELEC101 and ELEC102. The topics that are covered in this course include: three-phase power load calculations, construction plans and site work, trolley busways, hazardous locations and safety, ventilation and airconditioning, installing motors and controllers, lighting protection and site lighting, and other areas make the student knowledgeable for taking and passing the examination for Master Electrician - Class A. All electrician type tasks that are taught in this course are done according to latest electrical codes as covered in accompanying courses (NEC101, NEC102, and NEC103) of the Electrician Technician Study Program. 7.5 National Electric Code Training Course (NEC101, NEC102, & NEC103) NEC101 Preparing for NEC Examination for Master Electrician - Part 1 10 None This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to integrate NEC codes with the ELEC101 electrician course, while at the same time preparing the student with the information and knowledge to pass the following content areas of the test for Master Electrician: a. General Knowledge and Plan Reading b. Wiring Methods and Materials c. Branch Circuits and Conductors NEC102 Preparing for NEC Examination for Master Electrician - Part 2 10 NEC101 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to integrate NEC codes with the ELEC102 electrician course, while at the same time preparing the student with the information and knowledge to pass the following content areas of the test for Master Electrician: a. Equipment and Devices b. Services and Service Equipment c. Feeders - 11 -
NEC103 Preparing for NEC Examination for Master Electrician - Part 3 LECTURE 22 NEC101& NEC102 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to integrate NEC codes with the ELEC103 electrician course, while at the same time preparing the student with the information and knowledge to pass the following content areas of the test for Master Electrician: a. Motors and Generators b. Control Devices c. Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions. 7.6 Professional Career Counseling for Electrician Technician (E-PCD101, E-PCC102, & E-PCC103) E-PCC101 Professional Career Counseling for Electrician Technician - Part 1 2 None This course is part of the Beginners Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to give the student ideas of job opportunities for electrician technicians. Opportunities in the separate areas of residential and commercial licensure are discussed. The importance of networking is stressed. E-PCC102 Professional Career Counseling for Electrician Technician - Part 2 2 E-PCC101 This course is part of the Intermediate Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to discuss the importance of maintaining good relationships with your managers, coworkers, and especially customers you come in contact with via phone, email, or personally. The subject material is for electrician technicians. The importance of continuing education is stressed. - 12 -
E-PCC103 Professional Career Counseling for Electrician Technician - Part 3 2 E-PCC101 & E-PCC102 This course is part of the Advanced Training Module in the Electrician Technician Study Program. The purpose of this course is to show the student how to make a good resume. Having certification and a good resume greatly increase the chances of landing an interview with a prospective employer. The subject material is for electrician technicians. The course also teaches the student how to make a good impression on an interview. The student will have a chance to participate in a practice interview at the school. 7.7 Testing and Grading Testing is done at regular intervals throughout the training program and a final examination is given at the end. As is shown in the following table, the final grade for the program of study is determined by several factors. Final Grading for Program of Study Type Exam Percentage Credit Final Exam 50% Class Participation 10% Participation 10% Study Exams 10% Class Exams 10% Mid-Term Exam 10% Total 100% (100 Points) Extra Credit Features Max 10 points per feature (max 2 features) Resulting Grade [94-100=A] [85-93=B] [76-84=C] [70-75=D] [0-69=E] 8. Miscellaneous Items 8.1 Transfer of Credits 8.1.1 Credit for Prior Educational Training West Chicago Professional Center does not provide for transfer of credits into its educational institute, and it does not guarantee acceptance of its credits to another educational institute, since transfer of credit is controlled by the receiving school. 8.1.2 Credit for Prior Work, Military Service, or Life Experience West Chicago Professional Center will consider giving a reduction in tuition to a student with applicable prior work experience on an individual, per-case basis. In order to qualify for such reduction, the applying student will have to demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill as determined by the school. Final decision of acceptability and amount of - 13 -
reduction of tuition will be at the discretion of the Director. All requests for consideration of credit for prior training or experience must be made before enrollment in the school has occurred. 8.2 Institutional Approvals & Accreditations 8.21 Approvals a. West Chicago Professional Center is approved to operate by the Private Business and Vocational School Division of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. b. U. S. Veterans' Educational Benefits c. Illinois Better Business Bureau (BBB) 8.22 Accreditations Currently, West Chicago Professional Center is not accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education 8.3 Partnership The West Chicago Professional Center is not in partnership with any other institutional counterpart. Except for leasing the building that it occupies, it owns all the training equipment (classroom, laboratory equipment, tools, testing devices, etc.) and is not in any contractual agreement with other schools for sharing of equipment. 8.4 Admission Requirements Admission Requirements: For admission to the West Chicago Professional Center school an applicant must be of majority age (18) and have a High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or have successfully passed applicable admission exams given by West Chicago Professional Center school and have the permission of the director of the school. 8.5 Records and Transcripts West Chicago Professional Center maintains permanent records for each student. The records contain information regarding the academic activity of the student while enrolled in the school, such as dates attended, study programs taken, grades received, and so forth. These records are useful when applying for employment or for reference when pursuing academic endeavors. A copy of the student's transcript is given to the student at graduation. Proper identification or a release-of-information document which has been signed by the student or their personal representative must be given to the school before a copy of the student's transcript will be released after graduation. Note: If at any time, the student is in arrears with school payments, or there exists an unresolved discipline and/or legal dispute with the student, the school reserves the right to refuse to release a copy of the student's transcript until the debt has been paid or any dispute has been resolved. 8.6 Reentry to Study Program A student who has been terminated from a study program for personal or other reasons may apply for reentry to the same study program. The request must be in written form, addressed to the Director, and personally delivered to the school's administration office where a receipt will be given to the requestor. The request must give the nature and reason of the termination and the corrective action taken, if applicable. If reentry is approved by the Director, the school's Program Director will work with the student to make a near-as-seamless reentry for the student as possible. 8.7 Graduation and Awarding of Certificate For a given Program of Study, graduation occurs at the completion of the term. If the student has completed the study program with a minimum grade of "D" and all financial responsibilities have been satisfied, they will receive a Certificate Of Completion document. If there are outstanding financial obligations, a certificate will be issued after the debt is paid. There will be a $15.00 service charge for issuing the "back issue" certificate. - 14 -
8.8 Complaints Against the School The West Chicago Professional Center complaint/grievance procedure provides a way for a student to request the school to correct an offending or inappropriate condition that they feel exists at the school. The written complaint is submitted on a form that is provided by the school. After the school receives the complaint, it has 20 days to respond, in writing, to the complaining student. The merits of the complaint will be investigated and its resolution will be determined by the school director. If the student does not agree with the school s decision, they can file a complaint against the school with the Illinois Board of Higher Education at the address given below. Grievance Process Procedure 1. Obtain a copy of the school s official grievance policy and a blank claim form from the school s administration office. 2. Fill out the claim form and submit it to the school s administration office. 3. The school has 20 business days to give a written answer to the complaining student. During this time, the student and/or other affected parties may be requested to be interviewed by the school director in order to obtain more information. 4. If the student does not agree with the school s decision, or the process, they may file a complaint against the school with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) at the address given as follows. Complaints against the West Chicago Professional Center are to be addressed to the Illinois Board of Higher Education at the following address: Illinois Board of Higher Education 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333 Springfield, Illinois 62701-15 -
ADDENDUM A - STUDENT SUCCESS DATA Reporting Period: July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 Study Program Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) Disclosure Reporting Category HVAC Technician Electrician Technician Combined HVAC & Electrician Technician [A1] Number of students continuing from previous reporting period; i.e., number of carryovers from previous reporting period. 0 (See Note 1) 0 (See Note 1) 0 (See Note 1) [A2] Number of students admitted during the next 12 months as per the following categories: a) New Students 7 3 2 b) Re-enrollments 0 0 0 c) Transferred into program from some other school program [A3] The total number of students in the program during the 12-month reporting period. (=A1+A2a,b,c) n/a n/a n/a 7 3 2 [A4] The number of students who: a) Transferred out of the program and into another program at the school b) Completed/graduated from the study program n/a n/a n/a 7 3 2 c) Withdrew from the school 0 0 0 d) Are still enrolled 0 0 0 [A5] Number of students who: a) Placed in primary field of study 1 1 2 b) Placed in a related field of study 5 1 0 c) Placed in a non-related field of study 1 0 0 d) Not placed due to personal reasons 0 1 0 e) Not employed 0 0 0 f) Unknown Status 0 0 0 [B1] Number of students taking a related licensing or professional certification examination during the reporting period. [B2] Number of students taking and passing a related licensing or professional certification examination during the reporting period. [C] Number of graduating students who obtained employment in the field and did not use the school's placement assistance. (See Note 2) 7 0 2 4 0 2 1 1 0 [D] The average starting salary for all school graduates employed during the reporting period. (See Note 2) $14.30/Hr. $16.75/Hr. Same as for HVAC & Elec. Technician Note 1. The school does not have data/results prior to its IBHE approval date for operation of January 1, 2015. Note 2. The school may obtain such information by contacting graduates by written correspondence. - 16 -
ADDENDUM B PROGRAM COSTS AND PAYMENT PLANS I. Tuition Costs and Other Charges A B C D E Programs of Study Tuition Books Supplies and Fees HVAC Certification Exam TOTAL (E=A+B+C+D) HVAC Technician $4125.00 $260.00 $95.00 $61.00 $4541.00 Electrician Technician $4125.00 $132.00 $110.00 $4367.00 Combined Program $7920.00 $392.00 $205.00 $61.00 $8578.00 II. Payment Plans and Total Costs Payment Terms and Total Costs See Note 1 at end of chart. Plan Type No. Payments Schedule of Payments Total Multi-Payment Fee (See Note 3 at end of chart) Total Cost Of Study Programs A 1 Pay 100% by day of enrollment None B 2 C 3 Pay 50% by day of enrollment, 50% by first day of first class Pay 50% by day of enrollment, 25% by first day of first class, balance 25% before start of 5 th week of class. D 4-12 See Note 2 below. $100.00 (2 payments) $150.00 (3 payments) $200.00 (4 payments) HVAC $4541.00 Electrician $4367.00 Combined $8578.00 HVAC $4641.00 Electrician $4467.00 Combined $8678.00 HVAC $4691.00 Electrician $4517.00 Combined $8728.00 HVAC $4741.00 Electrician $4567.00 Combined $8778.00 Note: The payment chart is continued on the next page. - 17 -
ADDENDUM B - Payment Chart Continued Plan Type No. Payment Schedule of Payments Total Multi-Payment Fee (See Note 3 at end of chart) Total Cost Of Study Programs D 5 See Note 2 below. D 6 See Note 2 below. D 7 See Note 2 below. D 8 See Note 2 below. D 9 See Note 2 below. D 10 See Note 2 below. D 11 See Note 2 below. D 12 See Note 2 below. $250.00 (5 payments) $300.00 (6 payments) $350.00 (7 payments) $400.00 (8 payments) $450.00 (9 payments) $500.00 (10 payments) $550.00 (11 payments) $600.00 (12 payments) HVAC $4791.00 Electrician $4617.00 Combined $8828.00 HVAC $4841.00 Electrician $4667.00 Combined $8878.00 HVAC $4891.00 Electrician $4717.00 Combined $8928.00 HVAC $4941.00 Electrician $4767.00 Combined $8978.00 HVAC $4991.00 Electrician $4817.00 Combined $9028.00 HVAC $5041.00 Electrician $4867.00 Combined $9078.00 HVAC $5091.00 Electrician $4917.00 Combined $9128.00 HVAC $5141.00 Electrician $4967.00 Combined $9178.00 Notes: 1. A non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 which applies to all study programs is not included in the total costs. 2. Plans having four or more payments must be negotiated with the school director. 3. There is a $50.00 fee for each payment of a Multi-Payment plan. - 18 -
ADDENDUM C West Chicago Professional Center Cancellation and Refund Policy The general policy for refunds is based on the percentage of the program that was completed by the student. The number of days the student was enrolled in a given program is compared with the total number of days the program is scheduled when making the calculation. The table below shows the refund schedule. All refunds must be requested in writing and accompanied by a receipt as proof of payment. For students who are withdrawing and are receiving federal or state financial assistance, the refunded amount will be made to the appropriate financial aid program as required. Percent Program Completed Refund Schedule* HVAC & ELECTRICIAN PROGRAMS (Full program is 36 days) COMBINED HVAC & ELECTRICIAN PROGRAM (Full program is 72 days) Interval Interval Refund** From Day# Before Day# From Day# Before Day# Refund* Less than 5% 0 2 100% 0 4 100% 5% to 10% 2 4 90% 4 8 90% 11% to 25% 4 10 60% 8 19 60% 26% to 50% 10 19 40% 19 37 40% More than 50% 19 0% 37 0% *All students are responsible for knowing and understanding the contents of this table. ** The Refund Amount applies only to tuition payments. Refunds for text books, lab manuals, and EPA certification test kits will be considered only if the text/manual/kit packaging seal has not been broken. The registration fee of $50.00 is not refundable. Special Considerations The West Chicago Professional Center realizes there are a variety of reasons why a student may not be able to start or complete a course. When circumstances exist, such as death in immediate family, military activation, serious medical condition, or other extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a written request (appeal) for refund, with supporting documentation, to the Registration Office. Such requests do not always result in refund and must be made before the end of the term in which the termination occurred. The amount of refund will be considered on a per case basis. - 19 -
ADDENDUM D West Chicago Professional Center Academic Calendar Term# Term Name #Weeks Per Term #s Per Year 1 First Semester 12 1 2 Second Semester 12 1 3 Third Semester 12 1 4 Fourth Semester 12 1 Calendar - 2016 Semester Start Date End Date Dates School is Closed for Observed Holiday First January 5 April 3 Jan 18: Martin Luther King Day Feb 15: President s Day Second April 6 June 26 May 30: Memorial Day Third July 6 September 25 Sep 5: or Day Fourth October 5 Jan 8, 2017 Nov 11: Veterans Day Nov 24 & 25: Thanksgiving Day Dec 24-26: Christmas Day Dec 31 & Jan 1 (2017) New Years - 20 -
ADDENDUM E Curriculum Courses Combined HVAC and Electrician HVAC Technician HVAC101 HVAC102 HVAC103 EPA101 EPA102 EPA103 H-PCC101 H-PCC102 H-PCC103 Electrician Technician ELEC101 ELEC102 ELEC103 NEC101 NEC102 NEC103 E-PCC101 E-PCC102 E-PCC103 A brief description of the courses listed above is given in section 7 of the catalog. - 21 -
WEST CHICAGO PROFESSIONAL CENTER 2016