NIACC works with area high schools to provide opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school. Students earn both high school and NIACC credit for the classes they take through this concurrent enrollment arrangement. By taking college classes while in high school, students get a head start on their college and career goals, have the opportunity to take more challenging classes, and experience a smoother transition into postsecondary degree programs.
Career Link Programs and Classes
Career Link is the name given to the NIACC program that allows high school students to earn college credit. Students are able to enroll in NIACC programs on campus and learn the skills needed to perform in today’s workforce. A major component is an applied (hands-on) curriculum that recognizes the widely varying learning styles of students. It involves the creation of a carefully designed sequence of high school and college courses leading to an associate degree.
Career Link programs at the NIACC campus include:
- Agriculture
- Automotive Service Technology
- Building Trades
- Business Administration
- Diesel Technology
- Health Care
- Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
- Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance
- Industrial Systems Technology
- Teacher Education
- Tool and Die Technology
- Welding
All area school districts offer NIACC classes taught at the high school during the regular school day. In many cases, high school instructors, who meet NIACC teaching qualifications, teach the courses. Some classes at area high schools are taught by NIACC full time or adjunct instructors. Another option for high school students is to take online NIACC classes. Students can take online NIACC classes at their high school or from home.
Regional Centers and Academies
Regional Centers are locations where students from multiple high schools can take classes in an established academy. An academy is a set of classes in a particular field delivered to students from multiple high schools. NIACC has academies located in area high schools and currently has one functioning Regional Center.
John V. Hanson Career Center
The John V. Hanson Career Center is located in Forest City. It is a partnership between NIACC and four area high schools: Forest City, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Lake Mills, and North Iowa. Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Health Careers, and Information Technology are the four academies offered at the John V. Hanson Career Center.
Academies at Area High Schools
Entrepreneurship: Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School
Industrial Technology: West Fork Community Schools (Rockwell)
Nationally Accredited Program 
The NIACC Career Link program is nationally accredited by NACEP, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. This accreditation demonstrates that the Career Link program meets or exceeds rigorous national standards of quality in the areas of Partnerships, Curriculum, Faculty, Students, Assessment, and Program Evaluation.
For information about the Career Link programs and classes available at your high school, contact your high school counselor or contact the NIACC School Partnership Department at (641) 422-4175 or 1-888-466-4222, Ext. 4175.
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