Northwestern College

Overview
Established in 1902, Northwestern College, formerly Northwestern Business College, is a career college structured to prepare recent high school graduates and working professionals with skills and training to achieve a higher level of success in the working worlds of Business, Health Care, Law/Criminal Justice, Technology, and Real Estate. Graduates receive either a Certificate or Associate Degree in their field of study.

Student Appeal
For current and recently graduated high school students, Northwestern Business College offers specific career options in rapidly growing fields in order to focus options without lengthy or complicated admissions processes. Working adults also will benefit from the flexible learning approach and straight-forward career learning with personal attention and small class size. All Northwestern Business College graduates will be in a more marketable career position and prepared for the option of continuing their education with a solid core degree foundation.

By offering career placement for life, Northwestern College works to assist students and graduates alike in completing their educational experience with employment. Additional career resources include resume writing workshops, career advising, mock interviews, and on-campus recruiting.

Financial
Financial Aid is available to qualified students and includes scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Financial Aid representatives are also available to assist in financing advice and answer any questions. Northwestern Business College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Programs offered*:
*Programs may vary with location.

Business Programs

• Accounting - CertificateAccounting - Certificate
  Designed for students with a knack for analyzing business situations and manipulating numbers, the Accounting program offers training and a Certificate in less than 12 months. Careers include entry level positions as a bookkeeper assistant, payroll processor assistant, or individual income tax preparer.
• Administrative Assisting - A.A.S.Administrative Assisting - A.A.S.
  Multitaskers and focused managers tend to pursue the Administrative Assistant program in order to add degree training and credibility for increased earning potential. Administrative Assistant careers are available in nearly every industry from corporate offices, legal and medical offices, to schools and universities.
• Business - CertificateBusiness - Certificate
  Learn fundamental knowledge to run a successful business through training in marketing, computer applications, and management strategies. Typical careers include Administrative Support and Management roles with large corporations, colleges, health services, social services, government agencies, and PR firms.
• Business Administration - A.A.S.Business Administration - A.A.S.
  Gain a professional background in accounting, marketing, computer applications, human resources, and management strategies to apply generally or in one of four focus areas: general Business Administration, Entrepreneur, Finance and Investment Management, or General Management. Graduates typically earn mid to high starting salaries and have a variety of advancement opportunities in corporations, financial services, government agencies, and universities.
• Executive Accounting - A.A.S.Executive Accounting - A.A.S.
  Students interested in advanced accounting and analyzing business performance utilizing accounting knowledge are strong Executive Accounting graduates who often find mid-range salary positions as bookkeepers, tax preparers, and staff accountants with rapid advancement after a few years of experience.
• Human Resources Assistant

Criminal Justice/Law

• Criminal Justice - A.A.S.Criminal Justice - A.A.S.
  Cultivate an interest in community service and safety through criminal justice by learning the skills and earning degree recognition to apply toward a career in law enforcement or toward further education and training. Additional careers include security guard, telecommunications officer, or private investigator.
• Paralegal - Certificate/A.A.S.Paralegal - Certificate/A.A.S.
  Learn more about the law under the supervision of an attorney while developing skills in understanding the steps involved in trial cases, analyzing and drafting contracts, independent researching, and computer proficiency in legal professional software. Graduates typically earn mid to high salaries to start in various industries requiring legal departments, including law firms, government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Externship opportunities are available.

Health Care

• Health Care Billing & Coding Specialist - CertificateHealth Care Billing & Coding Specialist - Certificate
  Develop medical record coding skills as a new career or as an enhancement for existing competencies for mid-range salary careers in physicians' offices, medical insurance companies, and home health agencies. The program is designed for students with attention to detail and a knack for data entry and analysis.
• Health Care Billing Specialist - CertificateHealth Care Billing Specialist - Certificate
  Learn skills in clerical administration and billing practices to optimize and expedite payments and reimbursements for patients, organizations, and officials in the out-patient health care profession. Entry-level salaries are generally mid range for Billing Specialist positions in insurance companies, physicians' offices, and physicians' billing services companies.
• Health Information Technology - A.A.S.Health Information Technology - A.A.S.
  Students who are detail-oriented seeking Health Care professions with minimal patient contact generally gravitate toward the Health Information Technology program to learn skills in compiling, coding, analyzing data and maintaining records for hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics, insurance agencies, and public health organizations. Average entry-level salaries are in the middle range.
• Massage Therapy - Certificate/A.A.S.Massage Therapy - Certificate/A.A.S.
  Specialize in massage therapy and adjunctive therapies while pursing a well-rounded Associate Degree or as an exclusive certificate. Students learn business skills in addition to muscle manipulation, hydrotherapy, reflexology, and a host of other therapeutic methods to affect the "health and well-being"* of clients (*according to the American Massage Therapy Association). Massage Therapists have a variety of career locations including sports medicine centers, holistic health centers, chiropractic and naprapathic practices, orthopedic clinics, spas, and cruises. Salaries are in the mid to high range.
• Medical Assisting - A.A.S.Medical Assisting - A.A.S.
  As one of the fastest-growing occupations, Medical Assisting careers provide a stable choice for students who like working with patients, performing medical procedures, and managing a medical office. While starting salaries are only mid-level, the enormous growth in the field creates higher specific demand and permits greater employment flexibility.
• Patient Care Technician Certificate
• Pharmacy Technician Certificate

Technology

• Information Management Systems