Advanced Manufacturing
A fast-paced, highly technical environment that blends hands-on skill development in a variety of areas to offer students a competitive edge in today’s workforce.
Career Academies (High School Dual Credit)
Learning Opportunities for Your Future
One of the most popular ways area high school students can earn free college credit in high school at Kirkwood is through our Career Academy offerings. Geared toward high school juniors and seniors, Career Academy programs are made up of collections of courses focused around specific careers or areas of interest. They allow students to explore potential careers with exciting, hands-on learning opportunities
Career Academies are offered at local high schools and at Kirkwood Regional Centers – select academies are offered at each center, so make sure to check local availability. Credits earned in academy courses count toward a student's high school diploma AND their future college degree, and are easily transferred to colleges and universities across the state.
Agriculture Science
Connect with modern agriculture through class lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and an introduction to the broad selection of careers in the field.
Architecture, Construction & Engineering
Unique, hands-on laboratory and classroom experiences in basic architecture, construction, and engineering skills.
Automotive Technology & Collision Repair
A unique, hands-on learning experience provided in a state-of-the-art transportation lab, working side-by-side with industry certified technicians.
Energy, Electrical, & Automation
Unique, hands-on laboratory and classroom experiences in this academy provide foundational skills, including access to industry experts and jobsite tours.
Graphic Communication
Explore the cutting-edge technology and software used by today’s commercial artists and communication specialists.
Pre-Business Administration
Determine if you are a born marketer or if management is more your style. Thinking about Finance as a major? This will help you decide what area in business is for you!
Computer Programming & Software Development
Fast-paced, highly technical environment that blends hands-on skill development in a variety of areas to offer students a competitive edge in today’s technology-heavy workforce.
IT Networking and Virtualization/Cloud
Geek Squad™ beware! Unique, hands-on hybrid learning environment with networking, programming logic, computer support, and PC hardware.
Dental Academy
Make mouths beautiful! Explore the hands-on, state-of-the-art lab facilities preparing future dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Explores health careers and allows students to develop knowledge and skills in providing basic life support management of medical and traumatic emergencies.
Patient Care
Work side-by-side with healthcare professionals in a healthcare facility and fulfill prerequisites for many college health programs.
Pre-Professional Health Careers
Rigorous academic preparation for some of today's most popular pre-professional programs at colleges and universities.
Pre-Social Work
Learn foundational skills and insights from experienced social service professionals into the many careers available in the field.
Pre-Criminal Justice
Through this program, explore fast-paced criminal justice and law enforcement careers with instructors who have been in the field!
Pre-Liberal Arts
You'll be that much closer to your certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree after completing the Arts & Sciences Academy.
Pre-Education
This program helps students meet transfer institutions’ requirements and provides specific training and general education in working with children or youth in educational settings.
Hospitality Management
Experience the life of a hospitality professional, from interacting with guests and selling rooms to planning events and managing food and beverage services.
“I loved taking Kirkwood classes in high school. It was a great experience where I really learned how to be a college student… it was affordable and I got to do it at a great school that was close to home.”
Jack Scott,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Kirkwood Regional Centers
In addition to serving traditional and adult college students, the Center helps area high school juniors and seniors to take advantage of college-level courses, Career Academy programs, advanced high school curriculum, and a wealth of other educational possibilities.
High school academies at Jones County Regional Center include:
- Advanced Manufacturing with Robotics & Welding Academy
- Architecture, Construction and Engineering (Pre-Apprenticeship) Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Liberal Arts Transfer Academy
- Automotive Technology Academy
- Computer Programming & Software Development (Coding) Academy
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B Certification) Academy
- Graphics Communication Technology Academy
- Hospitality Management Academy
- Patient Care Academy
This list is subject to change. Download the full program of study packet.
Located on Boyson Road in Hiawatha, the Linn County Regional Center offers in-person courses for traditional students and adult learners, as well as Career Academy programs for current high schoolers.
High school academies at Linn County Regional Center include:
- Advanced Manufacturing with Robotics and Welding Academy
- Architecture, Construction & Engineering (Pre-Apprenticeship) Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Business Administration Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Criminal Justice Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Education Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Liberal Arts Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Social Work Transfer Academy
- Automotive Technology and Collision, Repair & Restoration Academies
- Computer Programming & Software Development (Coding) Academy
- Dental Academy
- Emergency Medical Services (EMT-B Certification) Academy
- Graphics Communication Technology Academy
- Hospitality Management Academy
- IT Networking & Virtualization/Cloud Academy
- Patient Care Academy
- Pre-Professional Health Careers Academy
This list is subject to change. Download the full academy packet.
Know Before You Go
The Regional Center at University of Iowa gives high school students the opportunity to access high tech companies and research centers on the University of Iowa campus such as the State Hygienic Laboratory, National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa Institute for Hydraulics Research, and Center for Computer Aided Design. Access opportunities to join in research projects with University of Iowa faculty.
Career academy offerings at the Kirkwood Regional Center at University of Iowa include:
- Advanced Manufacturing with Robotics & Welding Academy
- Agriculture Academy
- Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE) Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Business Administration Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Criminal Justice Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Education Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Liberal Arts Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Social Work Transfer Academy
- Automotive Technology and Collision Repair and Restoration Academies
- Computer Programming & Software Development (Coding) Academy
- Dental Academy
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Academy
- Graphics Communication Technology Academy
- Hospitality Management Academy
- IT Networking and Virtualization/Cloud Academy
- Patient Care Academy
- Pre-Professional Health Careers Academy
- Energy, Electrical, and Production Automation Academy.
This list is subject to change. Download the full course packet.
Additional Resources
The Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center offers all the services of a community college, right in your backyard!
High School Career Academies at the Washington County Regional Center include:
- Advanced Manufacturing with Robotics & Welding Academy
- Agriculture Science Academy
- Architecture, Construction & Engineering (Pre-Apprenticeship) Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Business Administration Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Criminal Justice Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Pre-Education Transfer Academy
- Arts & Sciences: Liberal Arts Transfer Academy
- Automotive Technology & Collision Repair Academies
- Emergency Medical Services (EMT-B Certification) Academy
- Hospitality Management Academy
- IT Networking and Virtualization/Cloud Academy
- Patient Care Academy
This list is subject to change. Download the entire academies packet.
Questions?
Your best resource for information about earning college credit in high school will be your high school guidance counselor or the contact at your nearest Kirkwood location.
Additionally, you can read through some of our frequently asked questions – just don't hesitate to reach out if you have other questions of your own!