AEL College and Career Academy

The College and Career Academy is designed to prepare adult learners to enter post-secondary education, higher education, training programs, and/or to improve their employment skills. Getting a High School Equivalency Certificate or graduating from high school is such an important accomplishment that it can be hard to think beyond that moment. The same is also true when an immigrant to the United States learns English well enough to function easily in American society.

For most people, high school credentials or mastery of English is only the first step toward the ultimate goal of finding a job that fits their talents and interests and pays well enough to provide a healthy, satisfying life.

We have several class locations to serve you with both morning and evening classes.

Current high school students are not eligible for this course due to Federal funding guidelines. The course would be available after finishing high school.

So what do you want to do with your life? Here’s a little guidance for making that decision and getting a head start on the next phase of your life:

College Placement, Career and Military exams

If you have your high school diploma and want to score better on the ASVAB or college entrance exams, or job-related testing such as WorkKeys (NCRC), the AEL program can assess your knowledge and help you focus on those specific skills and learn the concepts needed to score higher on any academic test.

The AEL program is free to everyone. We also offer basic computer training, literacy tutoring, and life-skills instruction. Students must be 16 years of age or older and not enrolled in high school. Parents of 16- and 17-year-old students are required to attest students are no longer enrolled in school and have permission to attend Adult Education classes.

What’s the Career for You?

When you enroll in the East Central College Adult Education Program, we will assist you with identifying the best career options that match your personal interests and skills. You can also do some research on your own:

Find out what kind of education or training is required for your chosen career and whether it pays enough. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will give you that information; just put your desired occupation in the search box. For information on Missouri’s top jobs and local salary ranges, check out MERIC and JOBS.MO.GOV.

Think you already have the skills you need for your chosen career? Find out, and get a National Career Readiness Certificate to prove it, at a Missouri Job Center.

Volunteer now and choose a career later:
Not sure what you want to do with your life? Check out AmeriCorps and see how you can earn a stipend and living expenses while you spend a couple of years working in the United States, helping people or areas in need. The experience could change your life. Or check out VolunteerMatch to find an opportunity — sometimes volunteering leads to employment.