A Kirkwood art student works on a project for class
Dual listed classes let students try college for less
For those who’ve wanted to take college credit classes but either didn’t want to commit an abundance of time and resources, or weren’t sure if college was the right choice for them, Kirkwood has introduced dual listed classes.
Designed for working adults, dual listed classes are academic credit classes listed in the Kirkwood Continuing Education class catalog. Anyone can sign up; there’s no lengthy admission process or required course load. Individuals can take in-depth college classes that are challenging yet rewarding, without worrying about grades, and earn valuable skills to advance in their current jobs.
“Lifelong learners now have convenient access to respected faculty members who are industry experts, Kirkwood’s state-of-the-art facilities and classroom opportunities never before offered,” said Kim Johnson, vice president of Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services. “Plus, dual listed classes promote diversity in our classrooms, fill seats that would have gone empty, maximize faculty expertise, and make good use of equipment and space resources. This innovative delivery method meets our customers’ needs and leverages the college’s resources, which in turn saves tax payer dollars.”
Classes in art and industrial technology were chosen to pilot the dual listed program and course options. Classes include Drawing I, Painting I or Painting II; or industrial technology classes in Electrical Safety & Shop Methods, Maintenance Math I, Maintenance Math II, Micro Computer for the Trades, Mechanical Drive Systems I, Mechanical Drive Systems II, Torqueing and Tensioning, Electrical Theory, Measurement and Circuits, or AC, Magnet, Transformers and Relays.
“Students in dual listed classes attend class alongside other credit students, however, the dual listed students skip the college admission process,” said Johnson. “All course objectives, requirements and deep learning opportunities are the same. Everyone takes the same tests, completes the same homework and participates in the same projects. Anyone in the community can get a great college experience while at the same time keeping their workload manageable.”
Continuing Education students who want to earn college credit after completing a dual listed class can convert the Continuing Education contact hours earned to college credit through an agreed upon articulation outlined in college policy.
“If you’re interested in pursuing a credit degree in the future, this experience can help you understand what it takes to succeed in college classes and determine how large of a course load you can handle,” Johnson said. “We decided the industrial technology course offerings would be very important because of the huge workforce skills gap and the need for qualified workers in local manufacturing. Working adults can use dual listed classes as a way to ‘try before they buy,’ and earn credentials in a less intimidating way.”
Courses generally are the same cost as typical college credit courses. Financial assistance may be available to income-eligible participants through the GAP Tuition Assistance Fund. To enroll in dual listed courses, or for more information, go to www.kirkwood.edu/ce or call 800-332-8833.