Vocational Degree Programs

Vocational training provides you with a focused, career-oriented education in the field of your choice. Whether you're interested in a skilled trade or a specific set of courses, the specialized education you receive in a vocational career training program can serve you well.

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Accredited Vocational Career Training

Vocational schools can provide the training you need in the fields that interest you the most. Vocational programs typically lead to a certificate, though many allow you to enroll in coursework on a one-off basis. Popular certificate programs include:

Appliance/TV Repair
Auto Mechanics Courses
Carpentry Courses
Construction Management
Electrician Courses

Many students first come to vocational school to gain certification and initial ability, and then return later to update their knowledge, re-certify, and learn new skills.

Typical Vocational Training Coursework

Unlike a traditional college or university, the training you receive in a vocational school relies heavily on the field you choose. In an HVAC training program, for example, typical coursework includes the basics of installation, repair, and maintenance, along with equipment construction and electronics design.

Vocational Programs Branch Out

While vocational schools initially focused on hands-on trades, career training programs have expanded to include a new range of areas. Today, you can train in a variety of fields, including:

Bridal Consulting
Jewelry Design
Art & Writing
Child Day Care

Earning a vocational certificate can help illustrate your ability to potential employers or customers, who may ask to see proof of your formal training.

Salary Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2007, the median hourly wage of HVAC mechanics and installers was $18.44. That same year, jewelers earned $31,200, and construction managers took home $76,230. While no vocational training program guarantees a top-of-the-line salary, the education and the experience you receive can be valuable commodities.

Degrees in Vocational Programs

Degree programs in vocational subjects from accredited universities and colleges:

Applied Technology	More and better technology appears every day--requiring newly trained technicians to maintain and repair a wide variety of devices. Study electronics, computer technology, telecommunications, industrial tech and more.
Automotive Vehicle	There won't be any shortage of cars, trucks and motorcycles to repair in the near future--though there may be new ones that you'll need training to handle, such as hybrids and fuel cell engines.
Aviation	With more people traveling the world over, every airline and airport needs highly trained avionics technicians to keep us safe in the air. Get the training you need in aviation mechanics and technology.
Beauty & Cosmetology	Study to become a cosmetologist, nail technician, esthetician, hairstylist and more. Work in a salon or day spa--or open one of your own.
Computer & Appliance Repair	Few Americans can live without their computers--or their toasters, dishwashers or microwaves. Get specialized training in appliance repair for a steady job with a good income.
Electrician	Electricians face no shortage of jobs, especially as new sources of energy combine with electricity (and require well-trained technicians to handle problems). Electrician training can be completed in a few months to a year.
HVAC	Learn to maintain and repair a variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, from individual units to major industrial systems.
Plumbing	Plumbers can find good work not only in homes and businesses but on construction sites, where they may help design the building's water and waste flows.
Transportation	Get the training you need to become a truck driver or other transportation specialist.
Welding	Get a good manufacturing job--employment prospects are outstanding for properly trained, highly skilled welders.