Academic FAQs
Our website contains several sets of Frequently Asked Questions on the topics most people ask about. The FAQs on this page are concerned with academic programs, courses, degrees and specific fields. You may also be interested in FAQs about the following:
If you cannot find the answer to your questions here, we encourage you to contact one of our friendly Harrison Admissions Representatives who can help you.
Go directly to questions about:
General Academic Program Questions
School of Health Sciences
School of Business
School of Information Technology
School of Criminal Justice
General Academic Program Questions
After graduation, what type of job skills will I have?
Harrison graduates enter the workforce in dozens of fields from many types of academic programs from our five schools of study. The skills you earn will depend on which program you decide to enter. On this website you can read about the careers and skills related to each of the programs offered at Harrison. To do so, visit our Find-a-Program page or view a complete list of all academic programs. Click on the program that interests you most to get salary, career and skills details.
How much does the average Harrison graduate earn?
Just as with job skills, the answer to this question varies depending on the program you decide to enter. On this website you can read about the typical entry-level salaries related to each of the programs offered at Harrison. To do so, visit our Find-a-Program page or view a complete list of all academic programs. Click on the program that interests you most to get salary, career and skills details.
If I attend full-time, how much will an Harrison degree cost?
The tuition to attend Harrison varies depending on many factors, including whether you attend full- or part-time, which program you enter and whether you qualify for our Tuition Freeze program. (Don’t forget that 93% of Harrison students receive some sort of financial aid!) You can see a list of tuition costs on our Quarterly Tuition Costs page.
Where do Harrison graduates work?
Harrison graduates work in many industries, in many cities, even in many states across the country! Harrison has relationships with dozens of Indiana companies who hire Harrison grads as interns, externs and full-time employees, but your Harrison degree could take you anywhere.
Once I graduate, who can I count on to help me with my career search?
All Harrison graduates enjoy lifetime employment development. We also offer many online tools for you to take advantage of to better develop all the important job search skills you’ll need to find your first job after school, your second job, and every job going forward. Visit the Student Career Services section of this website to learn more.
How can I determine if credits I’ve completed at another college will transfer?
Harrison College considers credits for transfer from accredited colleges. Simply provide Harrison with a copy of your transcript and we will be happy to review it in order to determine if advanced course placement is an option for you!
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School of Health Sciences
What type of jobs can I get with a diploma in Medical Office Assistant?
Any student who successfully completes our Medical Office Assistant diploma program will have employment opportunities at physicians’ offices, clinics, med-checks, and virtually any health care setting. For more career information, view a complete list of all academic programs. Click on the “Medical Office Assistant – Diploma” program title to get salary and career and skills details.
Can I start out with the Medical Office Assistant - diploma program and then switch to the Medical Assistant – associate degree program?
Any student wanting to start out in the Medical Office Assistant program may transfer all applicable earned credits toward the Medical Assistant – AAS program and go on to earn an Associate degree.
How long is the typical externship within the School of Health Sciences?
The externships in the Health Sciences programs provide an opportunity for hands-on experience in an actual health care facility. The externship hours required for the Medical Assisting, Massage and Medical Reimbursement programs is a minimum of 160 hours. The externship hour requirements for the Surgical Technology and the Medical Laboratory Technology programs are a minimum of 360 hours and 480 hours respectively.
Are drug screenings and criminal background checks required for Health Sciences externships?
Many externship sites and health care employers require that a drug screening and a limited criminal history check be performed before accepting a student for externship or as a condition for employment. A positive drug screen or a conviction record may hinder employment placement and/or affect eligibility to register for a certification or licensing exam.
What certification exams will Harrison graduates from the School of Health Sciences programs be qualified to take?
Harrison College is dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for graduates. This includes researching the eligibility requirements for taking certification and licensing exams and acquiring necessary programmatic accreditation. Please see your campus Dean for a current list of accredited programs qualifying graduates to take certification or licensing exams.
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School of Business
What is the difference between the Accounting and Accounting Assistant programs?
With completion of the Accounting program you will earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. With completion of the Accounting Assistant program you will earn a diploma. If you are in the Accounting - AAS program, the completion time is six quarters for full-time students versus the Accounting Assistant - Diploma program which has a completion time of four quarters for full-time students. Upon completion of the Accounting Assistant program, students may transfer all earned credits toward the Accounting - AAS program.
Additionally, in the Associate degree program students receive more advanced training in accounting concepts. Although both programs are designed to provide entry level training, an individual completing the Associate degree program may find that they are able to begin their position with a higher level of responsibility, or move into positions that they may have otherwise been unqualified for under the diploma program. Of course, the job procured by any Accounting student relies on the company and the student’s prior professional and educational experience.
What is the difference between Accounting and Business Finance?
Students with successful completion of the Accounting program can begin a career in cost accounting, tax accounting or internal auditing. Students with successful completion of the Business Finance program will have the foundation to begin careers in banking, insurance, lending and many other related industries.
As a graduate of the Accounting - Bachelor of Science degree program, would I be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam?
Requirements to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam are outlined by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and can be found on their website. The requirements may vary depending on the state in which you sit for the exam. In the majority of cases, individuals interested in sitting for the CPA exam must have successfully completed coursework at the master’s degree level in order to be eligible. The state of Indiana further dictates that college credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution. Graduates from Harrison College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting are not eligible to sit for the CPA exam in the state of Indiana.
Keep in mind, CPAs are those professionals who have the final authority to sign off on financial audits. Typically, they are not the professionals involved in the day-to-day accounting activities found in business. If you’re interested in a career in accounting that will put you on the front lines of an accounting department, then Harrison College’s Accounting program may be right for you!
I see Harrison offers both Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees for the Business Management and Accounting programs. What’s the difference?
Harrison College’s Associate of Applied Science degree programs provide students with the hands-on skills necessary to secure an entry-level position within most businesses and industries. Our Bachelor of Science degree programs provide additional training with a greater emphasis on systems, application, and analysis of issues and problems found in industry today.
Although many entry-level positions require an Associate degree, there are a number that require a Bachelor degree. Furthermore, the Bachelor degree may provide greater opportunities for salary and advancement based on the requirements of the business and industry.
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School of Information Technology
What kind of career can I have with an IT degree?
Having a degree in Information Technology can help you land a position in just about any company. For more detailed career information, visit our Find-a-Program page or view a complete list of all academic programs. Click on the IT program that interests you most. If you have more questions, we encourage you to contact one of our friendly Harrison Admissions Representatives who can help.
Do I get my IT certifications when I graduate from one of the IT programs?
Students are not required to become certified in order to graduate; however, much of the material in the courses is strongly related to several industry-standard certifications including: COMPTIA A+; COMPTIA NETWORK+; COMPTIA I-NET+; CompTIA Linux+; Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA); Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE); and Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST).
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School of Criminal Justice
Does Harrison's School of Criminal Justice have a forensic lab?
Yes, our Indianapolis-Downtown campus has a forensic lab on site. Students will learn fundamental skills and become familiar with technology used in the field of criminal justice.
How much money will I make in the criminal justice field once I graduate with an Associate degree?
Just like in any other field you will have to work your way up. The great thing about holding an Associate degree is that you will now have more opportunities: opportunities you didn’t have when you had only a high school diploma or GED. Harrison is proud to now offer a Bachelor of Science program in Criminal Justice and several of our Criminal Justice Associate degree graduates are continuing on in this program. By pursuing their Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice, these students will be opening up even more doors of opportunity.
For more detailed salary and career information, visit our Find-a-Program page or view a complete list of all academic programs. Click on the Criminal Justice program that interests you most. If you have more questions, we encourage you to contact one of our friendly Harrison Admissions Representatives who can help.
As a graduate of the Criminal Justice program, would I be eligible to attend the Indiana State Police Academy to become an Indiana State Policeperson?
Individuals interested in the Indiana State Police Academy must apply for admission into the Academy, but a Criminal Justice degree does not guarantee admission.
The Indiana State Policy Academy provides a rigorous training program for any individual wishing to pursue a career with the Indiana State Police Department. The Academy has their own unique set of rules and qualifications for eligibility into the program. Please visit the Indiana State Police Department website for further details.
I see Harrison offers both Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees for the Criminal Justice program. What’s the difference?
Harrison College’s Associate of Applied Science degree programs provide students with the hands-on skills necessary to secure an entry-level position within most criminal justice organizations. Our Bachelor of Science degree programs provide additional training with a greater emphasis on systems, application, and analysis of issues and problems found in the field today.
Although many entry-level positions require an Associate degree, there are a number that require a Bachelor degree. Furthermore, the Bachelor degree may provide greater opportunities for salary and advancement based on the requirements of the business and industry.
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