All applicants should be aware that courses at Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) are designed to give our graduates the education and skills necessary for entry-level positions in their chosen field. In some instances, further education, training or work experience may be required for advanced positions, or to fulfill voluntary certification requirements or to obtain state licensure. Requirements will vary from state to state and even county to county or town to town, and may change over time. Students are encouraged to research licensing and certification requirements for the location in which they intend to work.
Automotive Technology
There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment in either CT or MA. We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state. Certain industry-recognized certifications can enhance employability. As part of their program, PCI students have the opportunity to earn the ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Certification.
Computer Aided Drafting and Design
There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment in CT, MA or PA. We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state. Certain industry-recognized certifications can enhance employability.
Computer and Network Technology
There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment in CT, MA or PA. We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state. Certain industry-recognized certifications can enhance employability. PCI students are able to sit for the following credentialing exams as part of their program:
- CompTIA A+ Certification Exams 1 and 2
- CompTIA Network + Certification exam
- CompTIA Cloud + Certification exam
Career Industrial, Commercial and Residential Electrician
MA: This program has been approved at the MA campuses for the 600 hours of “Related Instruction” required for the Massachusetts Class B (journeyman electrician) license. Candidates also need to accrue 8,000 hours of work in the field (approximately 4 years) prior to being eligible to apply to sit for the licensing exam. As part of their program, PCI students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification.
CT: This program is not formally approved by the Connecticut apprenticeship board. Graduates may apply to CT as candidates with out-of-state education to have their eligibility for licensure determined.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Electrical Technology
CT: This program has been approved at the CT campuses for the 720 “Related Instruction” hours required for the Connecticut E-2 license. Only courses passed with a grade of 75 or higher are counted toward Related Instruction hours. Candidates also need to accrue 8,000 hours of work in the field (approximately four years) prior to being eligible to apply to sit for the licensing exam. As part of their program, PCI students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification.
MA: This program has been approved at the MASS campuses, candidates for a Class B license (journeyman electrician) must have completed 600 clock hours of approved classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of electrical work experience. The classroom lecture componet of PCI’s electrical program has been approved by the Board toward the 600-hour classroom instruction requirement.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Dental Assisting
PCI students are able to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Infection Control exam and the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam as part of their program. The Radiology and Infection Control certificates can be applied toward the Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) exam, as can the General Chairside Assisting exam. PCI graduates who wish to sit for the General Chairside Assisting exam may do so after working 3500 hours in the field (or approximately 2 years). The DANB exam applications ask about any criminal records. Students with a record will need to provide copies of their court records to the DANB board which will make the decision as to whether or not the student may sit for any of the certification exams.
CT: Dental Assistants who have not yet passed the (DANB) Infection Control exam must take and pass it within nine months from the start of their employment.
MA: Graduates must apply for and receive a license from the Board of Registration in Dentistry prior to working as a Dental Assistant. PCI’s program has been approved by the Board, so candidates apply as “formally trained”. The MA licensing process involves a “CORI” (criminal background) check, but there is no licensing exam. Candidates must also have their CPR certification, which PCI students earn as part of their program.
PA: There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
HVACR
CT: This program has been approved at the CT campuses for the “Related Instruction” hours required for the Connecticut B-2, D-2 and S-2 licenses. Only courses passed with a grade of 75 or higher are counted toward Related Instruction hours. Candidates also need to accrue hours working in the field prior to being eligible to apply to sit for a licensing exam. The Related Instruction/Apprenticeship hours for each license are: S-2: 720/8,000; D-2: 432/4,000 and B-2: 252/2,000. As part of their program, PCI students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification and their EPA action 608A certification.
MA: There are no licensing requirements in MA for general HVACR work. As part of their program, PCI students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification and their EPA Section 608A certification.
PA: There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Low Voltage Technology
CT: This program has been approved at the CT campuses for the “Related Instruction” hours required for the Connecticut C6, L62, and T2 licenses. Only courses passed with a grade of 75 or higher are counted toward Related Instruction hours. Candidates also need to accrue approximately 4,000 hours of work in the field (two years) prior to being eligible to apply to sit for a licensing exam. As part of the program, students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification.
MA: This program is not currently taught in Massachusetts and we have not made a determination about licensing requirements
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Medical Assisting
There is currently no license or certification requirement for entry-level employment or practice in CT, MA or PA. We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state. Certain industry-recognized certifications can enhance employability or may be required by the employer. PCI graduates are able to sit for a credentialing exam; the Certified Clinical Assistant (CCMA) administered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as part of their program. Candidates must sit for the NHA exam within 5 years of completing the Medical Assisting program to be eligible.
Plumbing
CT: This program has been approved at the CT campuses for the 720 “Related Instruction” hours required for the Connecticut P-2 license. Only courses passed with a grade of 75 or higher are counted toward Related Instruction hours. Candidates also need to accrue 8,000 hours of work in the field (approximately four years) prior to being eligible to apply to sit for the licensing exam. As part of their program, Porter and Chester students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 30 certification.
MA: This program is not currently taught in Massachusetts and we have not made a determination about licensing requirements.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Practical Nursing
CT This program meets the educational requirements of Connecticut for graduates to be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and apply for licensure.
MA This program does not meet the educational requirements of Massachusetts for graduates to be eligible to apply for licensure.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state. Licensing reciprocity is often an option, but we have not made a determination about reciprocity availability for CT licensed practical nurses in any state, including MA.
Welding
CT: There is no license or certification required for entry-level employment in Connecticut. Certain industry-recognized certifications can enhance employability.
MA: This program is not currently taught in Massachusetts and we have not made a determination about licensing requirements.
Other States: We have not made a determination about licensing requirements in any other state.
Distance Education Delivery at Porter and Chester Institute
There are multiple components to the delivery of education in an online format.
Synchronous learning: This is distance learning happening in real time, live, using conferencing applications or software. Learners login at a designated time and participate in live demonstrations and lecture at the same time as the instructor. Student are expected to attend all synchronous (live) sessions. Course assignments have specific due dates and times and are worked on outside of the online class time. All fully Online and Blended programs schedule synchronous sessions during the first week of the term and periodically throughout the course for question and answer periods and exam review. Sessions are recorded so all students have access to the material regardless of whether or not they attend the live session. These occasional, synchronous meetings for most programs are intermixed with the primarily asynchronous learning. If a resurgence of COVID forces on-campus instruction to move online, the Practical Nursing (PN) program will use a synchronous method to deliver lecture instruction. Nursing students will be expected to attend all synchronous (live) lectures.
Asynchronous learning: This type of learning occurs when a course is delivered through an online format without live instruction. All fully Online and Blended programs deliver lecture material primarily in an asynchronous fashion. Faculty post a weekly announcement to guide learners through their course objectives, and each assignment has a designated due date. Assignments are usually due on a weekly basis, with the week running Monday through Sunday, and assignment for the week due by 11:59 pm on Sunday. Learners login at their convenience and have the flexibility to attend class at any time; access to course materials is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, through the school’s Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas. A syllabus is provided which outlines the learning objectives to be accomplished for the course. Weekly discussion boards, where students interact with the instructor and their classmates on designated topics, ensure that learners are examining the necessary subject matter and help to facilitate conversation, foster collaboration, and assist in developing high order thinking to better prepare learners for the demands of their career choice. Faculty post available office hours so learners can reach out for assistance with course content and materials and can schedule appointments for tutoring or additional educational support. Instructors monitor each learner’s progress through the online environment, and contact students to offer additional assistance, when it appears needed.
Fully Online delivery: The Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and Computer and Network Technology (CNT) courses are offered 100% through distance education. All courses are primarily asynchronous (with the occasional synchronous meeting as described above) and lab requirements are met through a combination of recorded demonstration and simulation activities. These programs offer learners the highest level of flexibility while ensuring that the necessary skills set is developed through the close collaboration and mentoring of faculty who have spent years in the industry.
Blended delivery. All programs other than CADD, CNT, CICRE, Electrical Technology (Massachusetts), Practical Nursing and Welding are delivered in a Blended format (“Blended Learning”), with lecture and other didactic activities and labs delivered on-campus and online. Some COURSES within a Blended program may be delivered fully online, while other courses combine on-campus labs with online lecture material. Lecture delivery is primarily asynchronous. Synchronous sessions may be scheduled, but are recorded so that students who are not available at the designated times can later watch the recording and benefit from the information shared during the synchronous meeting or review session.
Labs are scheduled on-campus and attendance is required. Lab schedules are provided prior to each course and may vary by program and term by term within a program.
These Blended courses require students to manage their time and complete their online work in a timely fashion, so as to be prepared for their hands-on lab experience. While the asynchronous portion of the course is available 24/7, students should plan and structure their time to ensure that they are prepared for lab and have reviewed all necessary content to make the most of their laboratory experience. Scheduled labs facilitate hands-on learning and give students the opportunity to put into practice the lessons they have been studying in the online environment. Practical application of a learned skill is an important part of preparing for a successful career and the Blended programs offer training in industry modeled laboratories allowing learners the opportunity to develop, practice, and master the required skills expected for an entry level position. Externship and clinical assignments are conducted in person either on-campus or off-campus at an approved clinical or externship site.
Shared Online Classes
Students attending distance education courses in either a Blended or fully online program may receive their online, didactic instruction from faculty assigned to various campuses and may be in online classes with students from other campuses. Faculty who teach the online component of courses may be assigned to any PCI campus, but work collaboratively with the faculty and campus management where the student is enrolled. Weekly lesson planning among faculty ensures that all students in Blended courses receive online didactic instruction that aligns with their on campus, hands-on labs and that each student is adequately supported. A student is enrolled at, and upon successful completion of all program requirements, considered a graduate of, the campus identified on their fully executed enrollment agreement.
Residential delivery. CICRE, Electrical Technology (Massachusetts), Practical Nursing and Welding are only delivered in a residential format with both lecture and labs delivered on-campus. These programs may move to a Blended delivery sometime in the future. All other programs may offer a residential delivery option at certain campuses, if conditions permit, in addition to their Blended or 100% online program versions.
Student Support in Distance Education Programs
Academic advising: For general academic questions regarding schedules, shifts, labs or leaves of absence, students should contact their Campus Director of Operations and Education via the links in Canvas.
Course Assistance: For content questions or extra help sessions, students should contact their instructor via the instructor page in the course in the Canvas LMS. Students should take note of their instructor’s office hours and plan their studies accordingly. “Night Owls” who like to do their school work while others sleep, should not leave new material until midnight the day it is due, as that does not give an instructor with office hours from 10-2 and 6-9 sufficient time to respond prior to the work needing to be submitted.
Financial Issues: Students who experience a change in their financial situation should contact the Educational Funding department via the links in the Canvas LMS.
Learning Resource Center: For information on library services, study skills, tutoring and other general educational support tips students should access the LRC page through the Student Services course in the Canvas LMS.
Student Services: Students should access the Student Services course in Canvas for information on student support services including resources regarding child care, housing, food pantries, shelters, transportation and other issues impacting the student’s ability to manage their coursework.
Technical Difficulties: Students should contact the student helpdesk using the instructions in the Student Support Guide handout which came with their laptop, or in the Technical Support page of the Canvas LMS, for any difficulties accessing or using the LMS.
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