What Are Some Requirements to Get Into a Trade School?
Trade schools offer career-focused education which prepares students for success in diverse fields such as industrial technology, cosmetology, graphic design, medical billing and culinary arts. Trade school may be a good postsecondary educational option if you are interested in a shorter degree program than traditional colleges and universities offer. Trade schools have academic requirements for admission, some of which differ from major to major.
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High School Diploma or Equivalency
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Admission to any accredited trade school program requires you to possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some programs require high school graduates to have earned a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Students applying with lower grades from high school may be able to gain full acceptance into the program after taking and passing remedial courses. Grade point average requirements usually do not apply to students who have earned a General Education Diploma (GED).
Application and Interview
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Gaining admission to trade school requires completing an application. Trade school applications usually require information about your educational background, trade programs of interest, work history, career goals and plan for paying tuition. The information you provide assists trade school admissions counselors to place you in the appropriate program and level. Trade schools require applicants to review their information in an interview with an admissions counselor. The admissions counselor will then clarify any ambiguous information and assist you in your transition to trade school.
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Standardized Tests
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Trade school admission requires the completion of at least one standardized placement test. Most trade schools require the Career Programs Assessment (CPAt), which tests the applicant's knowledge of fundamental reading, writing and math skills. Trade school programs based at community colleges may use the Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) or the American College Test (ACT). Depending upon the school's testing requirements, a certain score may be a requirement for program admission. Some schools do not have a score requirement but use results to place the student into appropriate courses.
Certificate or Associate's Degree
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Students applying for some types of trade school programs at the bachelor's degree or advanced certification levels may need to demonstrate prior training in their field of study. For example, you may apply to a trade school that offers a transition program for licensed practical nurses to become registered nurses. To gain admission, you would need to provide documentation of your previous nursing education. Applicants for first-level certifications, diplomas and associate degree programs do not need to demonstrate prior experience or education in their fields of choice.
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