Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How long will it take me to graduate when taking one class per month?
Diploma & Certificate programs can be completed in as little as 12-15 months. Associate
degree programs can be completed in as little as 2 years. Bachelor degree programs
can be completed in as little as 4 years.
Why Brown Mackie College?
Because we care. We want to see you achieve academic success and are willing to
support you in any way we can to help make that happen. We consider ourselves a
'family' of sorts. Students feel comfortable asking questions, getting help, and
explaining concerns that need to be addressed. Also, our ONE COURSE A MONTH℠ scheduling
enables you to have a consistent weekly routine that is important when juggling
multiple responsibilities.
What if I haven't been in school for a very long time?
Many of our students have been out of school for a while. This is why we put so
much emphasis on our support services and personal attention in the classroom. You
may even surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish!
Financial Questions
How do I find out if I qualify for financial aid?
Your Student Financial Services advisor will help you with this. You can schedule
an appointment to review the required documents that will be needed to apply for
financial aid. We will help you along the way with any questions and assistance
that you need to complete this step in your enrollment.
Do you guarantee financial aid?
No. Financial aid is only available for those who qualify. Each student's financial
situation is different. A student/family must complete a number of applications,
and sometimes provide supporting documentation. These applications will result in
a determination of whether a student and/or family is eligible. If certain conditions
are met, generally a U.S. citizen is at least eligible for loans to assist in paying
a portion of educational costs
Can you fill out my financial aid and loan forms for me?
Someone in the Student Financial Services department may assist you, if necessary,
with the proper completion of forms after you have provided the supporting information.
However, you and your family are responsible for the accurate completion of all
financial aid forms.
Student Support Questions
How can the Career Service department help me?
The Career Services department can help you in a variety of ways. The staff can
assist you with resume preparation, interviewing techniques, and connecting you
with potential employers in the community. You don't have to wait until you graduate
to work with our Career Service staff - they are happy to support you in any way
they can while you are still in school. In addition, the staff will reach out to
you when you hit your 12- week countdown to graduation to help you prepare for your
transition into the workforce.
If I'm struggling in a class, can I get help?
No worries. At each Brown Mackie college location an emphasis is put on personal
attention with the instructor and tutoring services that are built into the classes.
Our small class sizes offer the opportunity to ask questions if you need more information
about a topic. Our goal is to see you achieve academic success.
What relationship does the school have with employers?
The Brown Mackie College family of schools actively identifies and builds relationships
with potential employers. Each Brown Mackie College Career Services department identifies
potential local employers, builds partnerships with them, maintains contact with
employers who have previously hired our students, invites prospective employers
to portfolio reviews, encourages internships, and posts job openings
Areas of Study Questions
Do all schools within the Brown Mackie College Family of Schools offer the same
programs?
There are more than 30 programs at different credential levels offered across the
Brown Mackie College family of schools. Program offerings vary by location. While
schools within the Brown Mackie College family of schools offer similar programs,
curricula vary among schools to address regional needs and specific state regulatory
and accrediting commission criteria and employability
What is the difference between degrees, diplomas, and certificates?
A bachelor's degree is awarded at the completion of a four-year program, and an
associate's degree is awarded at the completion of a two-year program. A program
resulting in receipt of a diploma is generally less of a time commitment and is
structured to provide students with a specific skill set. A certificate is awarded
at the completion of a series of courses that prepare students for employment in
a selected vocation. A certificate may be earned while preparing for an associate's
degree
Why are my classes not offered online?
We believe that hands-on work is important. Our students enjoy face-to-face interaction
where they can discuss and ask questions while they learn. We are committed to providing
outstanding support to our students to help you along the way. It is our view that
this is done more effectively in person.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Questions
What is the difference between an Occupational Therapy Assistant and a Physical
Therapy Assistant?
Both Occupational Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapy Assistants help patients
in regaining the ability to perform every day functions.
The major difference: Physical Therapy Assistants focus on helping patients regain
or improve physical movement in the body. They can treat patients who have medical
problems or a health-related condition that limits their ability to move resulting
from an illness, medical condition, or other debilitating issue.
Occupational Therapy Assistants focus on restoring the patient's ability to carry
out essential tasks at home or in the workplace. Our everyday function can be affected
as a result of an accident or illness, so Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients
relearn tasks such as putting on socks, using a can opener and so on.
Is your Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited?
Specific accreditation information varies by school. Please review the program description
at your location for more details.
Once I graduate, will I have to take any more exams to become an Occupational Therapy
Assistant?
After successfully completing all program requirements, graduates will be prepared
to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification
examination for Occupational Therapy Assistants. An admissions representative can
help you determine the requirements for the Brown Mackie College location you're
planning to attend.
How much money will I make as Occupational Therapy Assistant?
For the most recent salary information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau statistics Web site.
Nursing Questions
What is the difference between the Practical Nursing and Nursing programs?
The most significant differences are in the degree level and licensure of the programs,
i.e. Diploma vs. Associate's and LPN vs. RN.
Associate's in Nursing: Graduates of this program have gone through the coursework
designed to prepare them for the licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN)
in the state where the school is located.
Diploma in Practical Nursing: Graduates of this program qualify to pursue the LPN
State Board licensure. For more information about the differences, check out the
U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics Web page – registered nurse and licensed practical
nurse.
Are there any pre-requisites required for admissions into the nursing programs?
Several Brown Mackie College schools require nursing program applicants to take
"The Test of Essential Academic Skills" (TEAS Test) as part of the admissions process.
Please contact our Admissions Department for more information school-specific requirements.
Do you offer online nursing programs?
Brown Mackie College does not offer any programs online. We have over 25 locations
throughout the United States.
Once I graduate, will I have to take any more exams to become a Nurse?
After successfully completing all program requirements, graduates will be prepared
to take the licensure tests associated with the nursing program they completed at
a Brown Mackie College school. For example, a Practical Nursing education prepares
students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN),
and an Associate's in Nursing education prepares students for the National Council
Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Please note: Brown Mackie
College does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies
control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and
are subject to change without notice to Brown Mackie College.
How much money will I make as a nurse?
For the most recent salary information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau
statistics Web site and choose a nursing career track: Registered Nurse or Licensed
Practical Nurse. To obtain the most recent salary information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site
and choose a nursing career track: registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
Admissions Questions
What if I don't know exactly what program I want?
That's ok. Your admissions representative can help you get the information you need
in order to make the decision that is best for you. We want you to be sure that
you have all of your questions answered before applying for admission to a specific
program.
Is the enrollment process difficult?
No. Your admissions representative can provide you with step-by-step support in
this process. Sometimes incoming students think that the process is long and tedious…it
definitely is not!
Does the enrollment process take a long time?
Usually, the enrollment process does not take a lot of time. Since we operate on
a monthly course schedule, it is customary for our admissions staff to help you
enroll in as few days as possible given the short period of time between classes.
Our commitment to assisting you getting the education that you want begins in the
admissions process, and then throughout your entire enrollment.