Community Education
In response to the community's unique needs, Laredo College offers a diverse range of educational opportunities through its Continuing Education and Adult Education and Literacy programs, with a particular focus on adult learners. Courses and programs are available to support the lifelong learning goals of adults across all backgrounds, providing flexible and accessible education options. For a full listing of available courses, descriptions, and fees, please visit www.laredo.edu/ce
Continuing Education
The Continuing Education Department offers courses and programs to community members interested in enhancing their occupational, professional, cultural, or social skills beyond their current levels. We continually strive to provide a comprehensive inventory of short non-credit courses in various disciplines.
Continuing Education courses are featured in a printed quarterly schedule which is disseminated throughout the community and on the LC website. Courses are also publicized by the Marketing and Public Relations Office with the cooperation of the local news media. All courses are taught by highly qualified instructors, and general information pertaining to their content is provided at the time each course is publicized. For Continuing Education course descriptions and fees refer to www.laredo.edu/ce or visit us at the Ft McIntosh Eloy Garcia Building Room 102 or South Campus Academic and Advanced Technology Center (AAC) Room 231.
Under the following general categories, a variety of programs are available:
Business Applications
Bookkeeping Certification
Payroll Certification
QuickBooks Workshops & Certification
Office Management & Leadership
Associate Professional in Human Resources
Professional Legal Secretary
Microsoft Office Suite
Safety & Health
OSHA 10-HR- General Industry
CPR/First Aid/ AED
Cat & Dog First Aid
Workplace Preparation
Food Manager Protection Certification
Substitute Teacher Training
Professional Health Programs
Registered Dental Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Patient Care Technician
Medical Billing & Coding
Medical Administrative Assistant
EKG Technician
Community Health Worker
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
Logistics & Transportation
Certified Logistics Associate
Certified Logistics Technician
Professional Truck Driving (CDL - Class A)
Professional Bus Driving (CDL - Class B) Forklift
Operations & Certification
Hazardous Materials Transport
Continuing Education Grading Criteria
Generally, there are no examinations required for courses within Continuing Education. However, it is recommended that you inquire about prerequisites or placement requirements before enrolling in a course or program. Continuing Education instruction is offered as short non-credit courses or programs. Continuing Education awards CEUs (Continuing Education Units) upon successful participation or completion of a course. CEUs indicate a measure of substantive professional education and training. A CEU is defined as one-tenth of a contact hour.
To receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must meet 90% attendance of total course hours, and when applicable the following grading criteria apply:
Criteria | Percentage |
---|---|
Attendance | 70% |
Assignments | 10% |
Quizzes | 10% |
Class Final Exam | 10% |
For course descriptions and fees refer to www.laredo.edu/ce.
Adult Education and Literacy
The Adult Education & Literacy program provides services throughout the year at Webb, Zapata and Jim Hogg Counties. Services are provided at Laredo College Ft. McIntosh and South campuses, as well as at numerous sites within the tri-county area. The Ft. McIntosh office is located in the Eloy Garcia Building Room 111 and the South campus office is located in the Academic & Advanced Technology Center (AAC) Office Room 231; office hours at both campuses are open from 8 A.M. to 9 P.M. from Monday through Thursday, and 8 A.M. to 12 P.M. on Fridays. The program offers classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), English Literacy/Civics (EL Civics) Instruction, and the High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam preparation. Classes are also offered to prepare participants to enter the workforce or to transition to post-secondary education. A specific class schedule will be determined on an individual basis when the student enrolls.
In compliance with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grant funding guidelines, a student may be admitted to the Adult Education and Literacy Program at Laredo College if the student:
- Is 18 years old or older living in Webb, Jim Hogg or Zapata County. (If the individual is 17 years old, he/she must have a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended along with a signed parent consent form. If the individual is 16, he/she must have an official court order along with a withdrawal letter and parental consent form.)
- Is not enrolled in, or required to be enrolled in, secondary school under state law;
- Lacks mastery of basic skills;
- Does not have a secondary school diploma or equivalent; or
- Is unable to speak, read, and write English.
Purpose of Adult Education & Literacy
- To assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency;
- To assist adults who are parents to become full partners in their children’s education;
- To assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.
Assessment
Adults interested in Adult Education & Literacy programs supported through TWC grants must be assessed prior to enrollment in an adult education course.
Orientation
In order to prepare the adult to be successful in the program and to assist in the transition back to the classroom, an orientation is conducted as a separate component prior to enrollment. During the orientation, a variety of topics are presented. Among them are program information, goal setting, review of study skills, note-taking, time management, and learning styles.
The objectives of the orientation session are to help the adult decide if he/she is ready to commit to the education process and to provide him/her with some of the necessary tools to be successful in his/her studies
Enrollment
Adults wishing to enroll in Adult Education & Literacy courses will be asked to provide a valid identification and proof of residency. The following are valid identifications:
- Birth certificate
- Official record showing date of birth
- Baptismal record
- DD-214, Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty
- Driver's license
- Federal, state, or local governmental identification card
- School records
- School identification card
- Work permit
- Native American tribal document
- Other official documents issued by a federal, state or local government agency, such as discharge documents from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, with date of birth included, or a voter registration card or certificate
- Other official documents issued by a foreign government agency, such as a consular
Note: Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, states will have to prove that adult education students have earned their GED, are gainfully employed, and/or are enrolled in higher education or other training programs. The Social Security Number is the only identification number that can be used to check the respective files in the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. If a Social Security Number is not provided, student success will be difficult to track.
Attendance
Adults enrolling in adult education courses funded through TWC grants must be committed to attending and actively participating in the respective course(s) in which they are enrolled. Adults are required to attend classes to remain enrolled. Adults will be dropped after being absent for three consecutive class periods or six non-consecutive class periods. In case of an emergency, the adult must make arrangements with the instructor to make-up all missed work in order to remain enrolled in the program.
Class Schedules
Daytime and evening classes are offered at Laredo College Fort McIntosh and South campuses. Classes are also offered throughout the community with a variety of schedules. For additional information, please contact the Adult Education & Literacy Offices, Ft. McIntosh Campus at (956) 721.5436 or South Campus at (956) 794.4436.
High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam
The HSE Series consists of four exams: Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, Science and Reasoning through Language Arts (Reading & Writing). Students will be tested on their ability to read and process information, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Students will also be required to write an essay when applicable to the subject area.
The State guidelines specify that in order for students to be eligible to take the HSE exams and receive a certificate of High School Equivalency, the following conditions must be met:
- The individual must be a resident of Texas or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed at a Texas installation.
- The individual must be at least eighteen (18) years old. A seventeen (17) year old is eligible to test after submitting the High School Non-Enrollment Form and the Parental Consent Form to TEA A sixteen (16) year old may test if
- recommended by a public agency that has supervision/custody under a court order or
- in a Job Corps. Training program and submit the Court Ordered 16 or 17 year-old Form.
- The individual must have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID, such as a state driver license, Department of Public Safety identification cars, military ID, passport, U.S. passport card of a matricula consular
- When applicable, the individual must also present a Social Security Card.
Applicants must register, schedule and pay for the HSE exam by visiting www.myged.com or www.myged.com.
Local Testing Centers
- Laredo College Assessment Center 956-721-5418
- TAMIU Testing Center 956-326-2131
Customized Training
The Continuing Education Department offers Customized Training to the business community, through specialized training customized to meet your company’s needs. The Continuing Education Department can be your single source for on-site or on-campus training.
Why customized training?
- Businesses will improve their overall performance by enhancing employee productivity and morale, offering employees professional development opportunities, and meeting regulatory and state-mandated certification needs.
- Customized training is convenient; we will design and deliver top-quality training that is effective and timely.
- Customized courses are affordable; learn more by calling 956-721-5374.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program is a collaborative initiative involving Congress, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Governor of Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission's Workforce Development Division, and Workforce Solutions for South Texas. This partnership is designed to create pathways for individuals to enhance their employability through skills development and training. Through Texas Workforce Solutions, eligible participants are sponsored to receive specialized training at Laredo College (LC), empowering them to build in-demand skills and advance their career prospects in alignment with regional labor market needs. This joint effort ensures a robust connection between education, workforce development, and economic growth in Texas. The following areas of study are eligible:
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Applied Accounting
- Automotive Technology
- Computer Electronics Technology
- Dental Assisting
- Diesel Engine Mechanics and Repair
- Electrical Technology
- Import-Export
- Management
- Medical Assisting
- Nursing
- Pharmacy Technician
- Professional Truck Driver
- Vocational Nursing