AzCAN: Professional Development | College Success Arizona

College access professional training (cap)

AzCAN wants to ensure all students receive assistance with planning for postsecondary education and that college access professionals have the knowledge and expertise to provide accurate information to students.

AzCAN’s College Access Professional (CAP) Training will help professionals develop an understanding of their role in developing a college-going mission for all students, particularly students in poverty or facing other barriers in postsecondary planning. All the courses are designed for anyone who provides direct service to students, no matter what their role may be. AzCAN encourages cohorts of staff to participate in the courses together as creating an action plan is a course component.

The curriculum includes readings, activities and online discussions, allowing professionals from all over the state of Arizona to interact and learn from each other. Each module takes approximately 4-6 weeks and 20 hours to complete, consisting of 1-2 hours per day. Students who successfully complete a module are eligible for 20 continuing education units. Those who complete the three core modules become an Arizona College Access Professional.

CAP Training is provided in online modules, consisting of three core modules and three specialized modules:

BUILDING A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE FOR ALL STUDENTS (CORE)

Session 1: Understanding The National Workforce Landscape and 21st Century Careers
Session 2: Cultural Competency and Equity
Session 3: Understanding, Communicating, and Advocating for the Role of the School Counselor in College and Career Planning
Session 4: Creating a School-Wide College-Going Culture
View Syllabus

COLLEGE, CAREER, AND ACADEMIC PLANNING (CORE)

Session 1: Supporting Student Career Awareness and Development
Session 2: Engaging Students in Career and Postsecondary Planning
Session 3: Using Data to Address Equity and to Guide Academic and Career Planning
Session 4: Helping Students Make Postsecondary Choices
View Syllabus

FINANCIAL AID AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS (CORE)

Session 1: Guiding Parents and Students through the Complexities of Financial Aid
Session 2: Assisting with the Financial Aid Process
Session 3: Preparing for College Admission Tests
Session 4: Application Process
View Syllabus

COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVISING IN THE MIDDLE GRADES

Session 1: Developing a College-Going Culture in Your Middle School
Session 2: Helping Middle Grade Students and Families Understand the Value and Affordability of Postsecondary Education
Session 3: Engaging Middle Grade Students in Self-Exploration of Career Interests and Skills
Session 4: Using Data to Address Equity and Create Early Warning Systems
Session 5: Engaging Middle Grade Students and Families in Academic Planning and Transitions
Session 6: Helping Students Develop Mindsets and Skills for Academic and Career Success
View Syllabus

COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVISING FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Session 1: Understanding and Identifying Special Populations
Session 2: Building Support Systems for Special Populations
Session 3: Academic Progress and Planning
Session 4: Postsecondary Exploration
Session 5: College Admission Process & Financial Aid
Session 6: Transition to College
View Syllabus

MAXIMIZING SCHOOL COUNSELOR IMPACT ON STUDENT SUCCESS: A MODULE FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

Session 1: The Impact of School Counselors on Student Achievement
Session 2: Understanding the Role of the School Counselor
Session 3: Setting Expectations for a Comprehensive School Counseling Program in Your School
Session 4: Strengthening the School Counselor-Principal Relationship
View Syllabus

ADVANCING COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

Participants must have completed the three core modules prior to taking this course.
Session 1: Advancing the Role of the School Counselor Through Ethical Practice and Advocacy
Session 2: Evaluating and Refining Your College and Career Advising Programs
Session 3: Working with School-Based and Community Partners
Session 4: Maximizing School Counselors’ Time and Effectiveness

ADVANCED SKILLS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVISING

Session 1: Communicating Career Options and Associated Postsecondary Education
Session 2: Connecting Postsecondary Planning to Career Goals
Session 3: Helping Students and Families Make Informed Postsecondary Decisions
Session 4: Maximizing Success for Students in the Application and Admissions Process
Session 5: Supporting Students’ Transition to Postsecondary Education

UPCOMING CAP COURSES

October 6 – November 5, 2020
College, Career, and Academic Planning (CORE)

October 19 – November 30, 2020
College and Career Planning in the Middle Grades – Session 2

January 11 – February 12, 2021
Financial Aid and College Applications (CORE) – Module III

January 11 – February 22, 2021
College and Career Planning in the Middle Grades – Session 3

March 1 – April 2, 2021
College, Career, and Academic Planning (CORE) – Module II

March 1 – April 12, 2021
College and Career Planning in the Middle Grades – Session 4

April 19, 2021 – May 21, 2021

Building a College-Going Culture for All Students (CORE) – Module I

2021 Summer Series: Modules I-III
May 24, 2021 – September 5, 2021
Click Here to Register

AzCAN can create courses upon request for 12 or more professionals. For more information or questions CAP Training, contact Shaylinn Aleman at saleman@collegesuccessarizona.org or 602-710-1366.

Arizona college access professionals

These leaders are prepared to help all students plan informed decisions about their education beyond high school. The Arizona College Access Professional designation involves 60 hours of coursework, discussion and action planning in three areas: creating a college-going culture; college and career planning; and financial aid and college applications.