Frequently Asked Questions for Parents of High School Students
Parents want the very best educational opportunities for their children. Ogden-Weber Tech College is an excellent opportunity for your child to get a quality, hands on, self paced, technically advanced and relevant education….while they are still in high school! Here are some FAQ’s about the tech college that will be helpful:
What is technical education?
Technical colleges provide career directed education and training. This education is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills they need to enter the work place and be successful. Technical education provides students the advantage of being trained using the most advanced technology available. This means that upon completion of a student’s program, they are highly skilled, thus being highly sought after by employers because of the quality of their technical education.
What type of degree or certificate is available upon completion of a program?
At the tech college, students completing a program will receive a certificate stating that they have been trained and are competent in a specific area of study.
Is technical education respected in the community/work place?
You bet it is! At the tech college we are dedicated to providing our students quality education that they can take literally take to work. Many of our programs have internships and/or clinical programs that provide students real-world experience while they study! Our Student Success Center, as well as our qualified instructors, work with thousands of students each year to help them find that all-important first job, or a more enjoyable, better paying job. Because of the tech college’s outstanding reputation for providing relevant education, local businesses and employers come to us FIRST to fill their employment needs!
What can my child study at Ogden-Weber Tech College?
With over 50 programs to choose from, the answer is just about everything! The tech college has programs in the areas of manufacturing, construction, health, business and information technology, and service. To view all of the specific programs offered at the tech college please view our program catalog HERE.
What if my child doesn’t know what they want to study?
No problem. We can help with that. Our testing center and counselors are available to guide students through www.utahmentor.org, a program designed to help your child determine what career choice is best for them. Our counselors are here to help students make informed educational choices for their future. It is easy for students to meet with them. Just call 801-627-8300 to make an appointment today.
Can we afford it?
Yes! In fact, tuition for high school students is free! When your child turns 16 and has completed the 10th grade, he or she can start taking classes at the tech college. High school students pay a yearly enrollment fee, and some programs may have other fees that students would be required to pay, but a high school student will never be required to pay tuition while they are a high school student. Upon completion of high school, the tech college offers numerous scholarships and grants that are available to students. Take a look at our Financial Aid page for more information.
How does the scheduling work for high school students?
Scheduling is surprisingly convenient. We are determined to offer flexible schedules for our students. High school students will work with their high school counselors/CTE coordinators to determine a schedule that will allow them to get all the classes they need to graduate from high school, and still be able to take classes at the tech college. If a student is on an A/B day schedule, students may attend high school classes on the A day and attend classes at the tech college on their B day schedule. If students are not on an A/B day schedule, these students can work with a counselor/CTE coordinator to determine the best time to take college classes. Students can take classes between 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday through Friday, and most programs offer evening classes that high school students can take advantage of as well. These are typically offered Monday- Thursday evenings from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Will technical college courses transfer to other educational institutions?
Yes. The tech college currently offers articulation (transfer of credits) with Ogden City and Weber County School Districts as well as Weber State University. High school students must check with their CTE Coordinator to determine which of the high school classes are articulated with the tech college. For Weber State University articulation or concurrent enrollment, contact the Records Office for an up-to-date listing (see articulation page).
What is the benefit of self-paced education?
Self paced education simply means that no one gets left behind! Studies show that students that are engaged in a self paced learning environment learn material more efficiently. This approach allows students to work quickly through areas that they may have a strong knowledge base in, and yet slow down when they come to material that may prove to be more challenging. The end result is that students who finish a self paced program are more likely to enter the work place, or 4 year college or university, and already have the skills to be a self motivated, capable self learner, and independent worker/student. Students are required to meet a minimum standard of 67% progress.
How can my child benefit from going to the tech college if my child is going to a 4 year college or university after high school?
They can benefit enormously from a quality technical education! By taking advantage of technical education in high school your child will have the skills to:
- Find employment making good money while in college. This may mean that as a parent you have to worry less about funding further college education. Your child will be more independent.
- Be a self motivated, responsible, independent self learner who will thrive at other educational levels simply because of their experience and the study skills they will acquire at the tech college.
- Have an instant advantage over other students who have not had technical education. Having this “hands-on” education will open doors for your student. If your student wants to go into engineering, the medical field, information technology, or the business world, they will go further because of the “hands-on” foundation they received at the tech college.
Who is the college accredited through?
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College is accredited through The Council on Occupational Education (COE). Learn more at www.council.org
How do we get started?
It’s easy. Talk to your student’s high school counselor/CTE coordinator today!
