Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Home Health Aides
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Inver Hills Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Saint Paul College and MCTC.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider White Earth Tribal and Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Northland Community and Technical College, Rainy River Community College, Minnesota West, and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Rainy River Community College, Northwest Technical College, Itasca Community College, and HCC.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at White Earth Tribal and Community College, HCC, Itasca Community College, and Northland Community and Technical College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Dakota County Community College • Rosemount, MN
Studying Nursing-LPN (completion in 2009)
• 7/8/2011
"I felt I was not getting the education I was paying for. As for the HHA course, I felt that was a great investment and educational experience. Ultimately, I left that school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I have gotten the chance to compare this school to my current school and in all aspects I would not choose DCTC. The support by staff was horrible, the content of what was taught was irrelevant, and the teachers didn't teach well. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Only 1 out of 25 people in my class did not pass and didn't seem to enjoy it. Everyone I talked to said they enjoyed taking the HHA/CNA course, so I'd say it has a good reputation. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I got my CNA/HHA license while enrolled in the nursing program. I was very happy with the training for the CNA license, but for most of my other classes I felt they just picked random people off the street to teach them. I got my CNA certification there but switched schools for the rest of the classes. |
| Instruction | 10 | My instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful as to the techniques to deescalate behaviors. She is an RN-BSN. The hands on practice in labs and clinicals was the best part. |
| How Difficult | 3 | It was fairly easy because of the hands on practice. A lot of the stuff I studied was common sense. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Although I had a few labs, the instructors didn't tie in how it related to what we read. Most of my classes were book learning based. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was working two jobs and have a strict child care schedule and was able to work 5 classes per semester around that. They offer most classes in the summer and some in the evening. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | The library was small and always full. The tutors and study groups were almost impossible to find time to meet with or make a decent appointment with. Professors were all accessible by email. The open lab times were decent. |
| Social Life | 2 | I heard of a few soccer games going on but thats about it. I never participated in social events there. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I did not use their career placement assistance to get a job. I found one on my own. Compared to the school I transferred to, it doesn't seem that helpful and I never heard anyone advise anyone else to use it, whereas my current school makes it a big deal and has companies calling to hire new grads. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I don't know of any alumni network. The academic advisors were helpful. |
Alexandria Community And Technical College • Alexandria, MN
Studying CNA (completion in 2001)
• 7/31/2011
"Alexandria Tech has so much to offer. If I ever choose to further my education, I will return there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Lots of events and fun things and knowledgeable staff. Alexandria Technical and Community College is a fantastic place to learn and thrive. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Alexandria Tech is very reputable for providing high quality individuals to teach classes. Classes are also small, so training is more one on one than a larger school would be. I loved it. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Alexandria Tech is a great place to go to school and all the teachers are very knowledgeable. The coursework is easy to follow. |
| Instruction | 9 | As mentioned, the teachers are all very knowledgeable. The best part is that all teachers at ATC have real life training and skills. |
| How Difficult | 1 | Most of the CNA coursework is pretty basic. The only real "learning" is memorizing and repeating the hands on "skills" for the state testing. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Part of the state exam is hands on and part is a written test, and because of this the course is laid out to copy that. There was a couple of days of in class work and then a week of practicals. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | CNA is only a short class and then a test away. It's not too hard to set aside a couple of days to take the classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | All of this is true with other programs -- there are a ton of resources at your disposal. The thing is though, as I stated before, CNA is a pretty straight forward program and you don't need much assistance, but it is all right there if you do. |
| Social Life | 10 | This course was only a couple of days long and then we had a week of practical job experience at a nursing home. It wasn't really set up to utilize any social aspects of college life, but ATC does offer a plethora of events and other social things to their students. |
| Placement Services | 10 | There are lots of resources available at ATC to find a career. They actively seek out employers and post all relevant job postings to students. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There is no alumni support for CNAs at this time. This is a pretty basic field, so I'm not sure it is necessary. |
Minneapolis Community & Technical College • Minneapolis, MN
Studying Home Health Aide Certification (completion in 2009)
• 9/5/2011
"I liked the atmosphere and what I learned. I hated having to pay such a high fee."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I don't really talk to others who want to be in home health. If I do, I might recommend it. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I guess I've never heard anyone else talk about it. Everyone in my class seemed happy. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I didn't like having to pay so much for the class. I liked the fact that my certification lasts for awhile and is easy to renew (I can't remember exactly how long). |
| Instruction | 7 | It wasn't very social. We basically all just took the course and then went on about our lives. |
| How Difficult | 4 | It was nice that the work load wasn't like college. It was nice to have flexible hours. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We got to do a lot of the practice techniques on each other and dummies. We also did some book stuff. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | They had a few different times for classes. However, you had to go to that time slot every single time. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I never researched anything outside of the course. I did all my work off campus. |
| Social Life | 4 | Like I said, I didn't really feel close to and didn't interact with many of the other students. We just took the course and then left. |
| Placement Services | 4 | They didn't have many options for out where I live. They did offer a lot of options in the Minneapolis area. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I never talked with anyone other than my teacher. She was knowledgeable and helpful. |
Rochester Technical College • Rochester, MN
Studying Graphic Arts (completion in 2002)
• 10/27/2011
"Rochester was alright, and I think if I had applied myself more or had more time, I may have gotten more out of it. I liked that it was a small school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | There are lot more schools that offer CNA courses or other home health aide classes. Rochester offers a lot more tech classes. |
| Program Reputation | 2 | I don't actually know how my school is rated. It has been a long time. |
| Program Quality | 1 | I did not study to be a caregiver, but there weren't any real programs for caregiving. Most programs were for nursing or CNAs, but not really for in home caregiving or companions. |
| Instruction | 1 | |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a lot of busy work and going to class to have discussions. We did have some computer lab work, which was helpful. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There were lots of options for certain areas. There were quite a few distance learning classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I feel like there was always support if I needed it. I just wished I had figured out what I wanted to do before rather than during going to school. |
| Social Life | 2 | There weren't really a lot of social events at this school. But I was also working part time so I didn't have much time to participate anyway. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There were a lot of career help options and it was known that you could always go see a counselor. I was more interested in getting to a 4 year college but my adviser was still helpful in trying to help me decide. |
University Of Minnesota, Morris • Morris, MN
Studying Philosophy (completion in 2011)
• 10/29/2011
"I couldn't be happier. Even facing a mountain of student loans, the experience was perfect."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Morris's philosophy program could suit ANYONE well. The investigation into the fundamental nature of reality develops one to think analytically, and produces a powerful thirst to learn and understand the world around you. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | We have a stellar reputation that keeps getting more stellar. The bar has been raised because of a new face in the philosophy staff. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Philosophy is something I cannot divorce from my life, and it helps me understand my career in home health care much more. The search for knowledge through questioning is an important and relevant part to serving the community by assisting the developmentally disabled in their homes. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were top of the line. Their rigorous coursework forced me to grow and comprehend real life values; as philosophy should prepare you to examine. |
| How Difficult | 10 | I have heard that my education in philosophy at the U of M, Morris is by far more difficult than other universities in the system. The challenge was not overwhelming because there was an intrinsic drive to overcome ALL challenges; made true by the instructors' passion for instilling knowledge. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Philosophy is a very verbal and reading intensive major. Had I done more scientific studies, art, music, etc., I might have done more hands on work. My program was just right in its “bookness.” | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | It was extremely inflexible, but this was not a bad thing. School was a priority and other things must take a seat to coursework and class time. Classes never seemed to "get in the way" if your priorities were correct. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I felt, the entire time during my undergrad coursework, that I had the world at my fingertips. The library, computer labs, and student body all assisted graciously to meet everyone's education needs. |
| Social Life | 10 | I made great friends at Morris. I participated in the men's soccer team, the philosophy club, and many other programs. I never felt left out. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I did not tap into the career services department as much as I probably should have. I have heard, from others, that career services truly connects students with relevant careers to their majors of study. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni are all in communication with each other. This is made even easier with the advent of social networking sites, such as Facebook. |
Northland Technical College • Thief River Falls, MN
Studying Medical Administrative Secretary Technical (completion in 2009)
• 12/8/2011
"I found everybody very helpful and the other students were happy in the classes too."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend this school because they are firm but fair. Meaning, if you work hard they will help you as much as you need. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | This school has a good reputation for this program. Many students have gone straight into work in this field upon graduation. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The school I attended was very accessible and the teachers were very thorough and always available to help. The teachers formed good relationships with me and were very encouraging. |
| Instruction | 10 | I was fully prepared for any situation that could arise in this profession. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Most of the program was average. But with hard work it was easy to obtain A's. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Many of the classes were available online and so there was a lot of reading. However, lab classes that needed hands-on work were available on campus. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school was very flexible. It offered courses at different times of the week and year. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Accessibility to staff and counselors was very good. They were very helpful and appeared to really want to help the students to do well. |
| Social Life | 5 | I am sure there were some good social occasions at the school, I heard of many but due to my own family situation was not able to attend. |
| Placement Services | 5 | One of the classes for this degree was in business. It made you look around for job availability. The school finding a job for you was not an option. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The college was very supportive. Counselors were available for every subject or question. |
Northland Community And Technical College • Thief River Falls, MN
Studying Nursing (completion in 2003)
• 12/29/2011
"I am going to go back! No complaints."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Good and cheap education. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Only hear positive reviews. Great commercials on TV. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I graduated and I have a job in my field, so I am satisfied. It was a difficult program that taught me a lot. I'm happy with it. |
| Instruction | 10 | I passed with a 3.0. It was easy to understand. |
| How Difficult | 10 | Difficult, but that was good. I learned more that way. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Book and hands on. Labs are hands on. Classroom is book centered. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I could work full-time and still go. They had plenty of class opportunities at different times. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Computers were available. Library was amazing. |
| Social Life | I never attended social activities. I was not interested. | |
| Placement Services | 10 | They make sure they give you the skills to get a job. I have a job! |
| Alumni Network | 3 | Don't ever hear from it. Wouldn't know who to contact. |
University Of Minnesota • Crookston, MN
Studying Applied Studies - Business & Equine Science (completion in 2008)
• 2/10/2012
"If I had the accommodations that I wanted, I would have been able to participate in the classroom more. Aside from that, the campus had a healthy balance of clubs, activities, support, technology availability, and so much more that makes it worthwhile to attend here."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is an excellent school for those who are pursuing agriculture, criminal justice, or even natural resources. I would recommend those who are deaf or hard of hearing who need interpreters to attend one of the bigger campuses, however, due to the lack of interpreters in the area. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | University of Minnesota is well known for being one of the excellent research systems in the United States. They also have an active agricultural operation that includes research on top of the academic offerings. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The school was not able to provide accommodations for me that I needed. Also, many of the professors did not slow down so that I could participate better in labs. |
| Instruction | 5 | With my deafness, it is difficult to understand what is being said, as the college was not able to provide an interpreter for me. I did manage to not fail the classes, but for me, the quality was just average for that reason. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There is a lot of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition involved. We did not focus on any one animal, but the whole farm animal group (goats, sheep, cows, horses, etc.). |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | About half of the classes had a hands-on lab component, where we were expected to participate and be graded on how well we did. We did a lot from the book for tests, and the labs were used to further our understanding of the concepts. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The University of Minnesota system offers students the option to take online courses from any campus, with no restrictions. They did not provide weekend classes and often only had one session for many classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library could be better, as it is small compared to the size of the school. There is an excellent support system for technology, classroom space, quality academic advisors, tutors, and study space outside of the dorm room. |
| Social Life | 5 | I was never a partygoer, but I did participate in several clubs on campus. School spirit is big on campus, with many students wearing the school's colors to support the sports teams. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I did not actively seek out this service, as I chose to finish up the major online from home, instead of on campus. I did, however, have help in creating my resume and making it of better quality. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | They provide networking opportunities and events on campus for the alumni annually. My school also had career support for those who had graduated but had yet to find jobs. |
Inver Hills Community College • Inver Grove Heights, MN
Studying Home Health Aide (completion in 1993)
• 3/13/2012
"It was a great experience for me, and I am very grateful that I chose that particular degree. The school is highly recommended by me. I am a more rounded individual because of it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This degree has enabled me to pursue many other things in my academic career. I think that many others would benefit from taking those courses, even if they are not sure exactly what they want to be. It can be a stepping stone. It can lead to other avenues. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The reputation of our school is known throughout the state of Minnesota. There were many people attending who were from other parts of the country. One of my good friends is from Illinois. She had heard it was a great school. |
| Program Quality | 9 | They have a great reputation for their programs. The school itself was very pleasant to attend, and I learned a lot of new information that would be pertinent to my job. |
| Instruction | 9 | In my training, the teachers were most helpful, and they were available to spend time explaining every procedure. They really seemed to care about their students. Most of what was taught was important for me to learn for this job. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was hard, but not impossible, considering that I was working full-time at the same time. I don't think that I could have handled many more classes at that time, and I thought the curriculum was pretty time-consuming. The workload was challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I wish it had been more hands on, but I understood that that had to come with experience. There were a lot of materials to study, and they did their best with the hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I was hoping that it could be more to my schedule, but as I was working, I had to take what I could. Online classes were not as well known then. I also took a bunch of classes in the summer so that I could finish up sooner. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There were ample opportunities to be a part of a study group. I found that it was not really needed with me. The availability of the teachers was enormous. They were willing to stay after school to help you with whatever you didn't understand. |
| Social Life | 8 | I did not have much time for socializing, but I had heard that there was a social world all around me. I found 2 good friends who were to become my lifelong pals. |
| Placement Services | 10 | They have many bulletin boards throughout the school promoting jobs for a particular program. There is also job placement for most programs. I had gotten a job about a week after I was done with my degree. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Everyone was very helpful, and I helped a lot of others during this experience. I believe that my going to school there has given me the opportunity to gain real friendships. There was a lot of support available if I had needed it. |
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