Warren County Career Academy

WARREN COUNTY CAREER ACADEMY CONTACTS

Melinda Williams, MSW​, MAEL
Site Director and Career Academy Coordinator
DMACC Southridge Center
1111 E. Army Post Rd
DSM, IA 50315
515-287-8701


Paige Bolton
Academic Advisor
515-287-8715
email

How to Sign up for a DMACC Career Academy​​​ →​
Step 1: DMACC Career Academy Application →​

Step 2: DMACC Career Academy Pre-Registration form 2024-25 Form Opens
January 4, 2024

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The Warren County Career Academy at Southridge provides state-of-the-art career and technical training and college credit to high school students from five Warren County school districts - Carlisle, Indianola, Martensdale St. Mary's, Norwalk and Southeast Warren, and some Marion County schools as well.  The Academy allows students to explore possible career fields and earn college credits at no cost to the student.

Programs Available Include:

  • Automotive Technology (Year 1)
    Automotive Technology (Year 2)
  • Auto Collision
  • Business & Marketing​
  • ​Criminal Justice
  • Health Occupations
  • Human Services
  • Teacher Academy
  • Welding

What are Career Academies?

Career Academies have become used widely to engage high school students and prepare them for successful transitions to post~secondary education and employment. They are organized as small learning communities which combine academic and technical curricula around a career theme, and establish partnerships with local employers to provide work~based learning opportunities.

DMACC's Career Academies

DMACC and area high schools have formed a partnership to offer high school students opportunities to earn college credit. Juniors and seniors are able to enroll in and complete DMACC courses at DMACC campuses.

  • Career Academy courses supplement high school courses
  • DMACC course competencies, course materials and textbooks are used in the classroom
  • Courses are the same quality as the courses taught on college campus
  • Instructors are certified through DMACC
  • DMACC Academies serve over 1,000 students annually

Career Academy Advantages

  • Students earn free college credit and experience while still in high school.
  • ​Students gain experiences that lead directly to degrees, diplomas, certificates and/or apprenticeships.
  • Students gain hands-on training in an area of personal interest.
  • Career/technical programs give students excellent opportunities to explore career options before leaving high school.
  • Career/technical programs are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
  • Students enter the workforce with marketable skills.
  • There is no cost to the high school student to enroll in dual-credit courses.
  • Students save time and money with the chance to get an early start on college.​​ 

 

Programs Available

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This program introduces students to the highly technological industry of Auto Collision and Repair. Students will gain experience in the areas of basic shop operations, and procedures, welding, painting and shop safety. A total of 15 DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Year 1 classes offered M-F 7:40-9:40 am OR 1:10-3:10 pm
Loading... Basic Shop Safety (Fall) 1
Loading... Sheet Metal Fundamentals (Fall) 5
Loading... Sheet Metal Welding (Year-Long) 2
Loading... Principles of Refinishing 5

The Automotive Mechanics Technology program is designed to prepare students for employment in the automotive service industry. This technological program allows students to gain experience with shop tools, automotive engines, brakes, suspension and alignment. Twenty-three DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Year 1 classes offered M-F 7:40-9:40 am OR 1:10-3:10 pm
Loading... Intro to Automotive Technology I (Fall) 6
Loading... Intro to Automotive Technology II (Spring) 6
Year 2 classes offered M-F 10 am-Noon
Loading...  Automotive Engine Repair (1st Sem) 3
Loading...  Auto Electrical I (1st Sem) 4
Loading...  Auto Electrical II (2nd Sem) 4

 

The Business Academy is an exploratory academy for students who have an interest in entering the business profession but are not sure what pathway they want to go. Students are provided a foundation of courses that will prepare them for entrance into multiple business-related postsecondary opportunities. Fifteen DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Courses Offered: M-F 1:10-3:10 pm
Loading...  Introduction to Business (Fall) 3
Loading... Human Relations in Business (Fall) 3
Loading... Selling (Spring) 3
Loading... Principles of Management (Spring) 3
Loading... Small Business Management (Spring) 3

 

 

You will be introduced to the field of criminal justice. You will encounter project-based learning in Introduction to Criminal Justice, participate in hands-on experiences in Criminal Investigation, begin career exploration through tours and guest speakers in Survey of Criminal Agencies, and engage in service learning in Juvenile Delinquency. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.​

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Classes offered M-F 7:30-9:30am OR 12:50-2:50 pm
Loading... Intro to Crim Justice (Fall) 3
Loading... Survey of Criminal Justice Agencies (Spring) 3
Loading... Criminal Investigations (Fall) 3
Loading... Juvenile Delinquency (Spring) 3

This program will provide students the opportunity to explore careers in health care and work toward CNA training. A total of 14 DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings. Courses require extended clinical sessions in evenings and/or weekends.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Classes offered M-F 7:30-9:30 am OR 1:10-3:10 pm
Loading... Emergency Care 1
Loading... Survey of Health Careers 1
Loading... Intro to Health Careers 3
Loading... Medical Terminology 3
Loading... Nurse Aide 75 Hours 3
Loading... Advanced Nurse Aide 3

Ready to make a difference? This program is designed for those students who are interested in gaining a better understanding of the Human Services field and the helping professions. The program emphasizes skills needed in working with clients such as interviewing, making appropriate referrals and assisting with mental counseling. Due to the nature of this class, mature topics will be discussed.
Course # Course Name Credits
Loading... Intro to Human Services (Fall) 3
Loading... Interviewing/Interper Relation (Fall) 3
Loading... Discrimination and Diversity (Spring) 3
Loading... Introduction to Psychology (Spring) 3

This program provides students with an opportunity to explore education-related professions and take part in real-life teaching experiences. Students will spend a total of 120 hours shadowing elementary and secondary teachers during portions of their assigned class time. Courses fulfill Level I Field Experience requirements at many four-year colleges. Students may earn up to 8 credits in this Academy.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Classes offered M-F 1:10-3:10 pm
Loading... Foundations of Education 3
Loading... Electronic Portfolio Development 2
Loading... Initial Field Experience 2
Loading... Exploring Careers 1

This program allows students to engage in experiential learning in the area of welding. Students will learn a variety of skills and processes in several methods of joining metals. A total of 10 DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.

 

Course # Course Name Credits
Classes offered M-F 7:30-9:30 am
Loading... Intro to Welding, Safety, and Health of Welders (Fall) 1
Loading... Print Read/Sym Inter: SENSE 1 3
Loading... OFC-I Manual & Mech: SENSE1 (Fall) 2
Loading... Inspection/Test Princ: SENSE1 (Spring) 1
Loading... Gas Metal Arc Welding Short Circuit Transfer (Spring) 2
Loading... PAC/CAC (Spring) 1