Ankeny Career Academy
Career Academy Contacts
Ellen Sandholm
Academic Advisor
emsandholm@dmacc.edu
515-201-1289
Alyssa Ploeger
Career Advantage, Coordinator
arploeger1@dmacc.edu
515-065-7172
Career Academy Programs at
DMACC Ankeny Campus
The DMACC Career Academy on the Ankeny Campus provides state-of-the-art career and technical training and college credit to high school students.
The educational academies on the Ankeny Campus are auto collision, automotive technology, business administration, computer-aided design, computer programming, criminal justice, culinary arts, cybersecurity, diesel technology, emergency medical technician, fashion, health occupations, machine operations/tool & die, and visual communication/graphic design.
DMACC Career Academy programs are college level coursework infused with professional skills. In addition to earning college credit, students in all programs will:
- Learn, develop, and practice professional communication skills
- Compose a professional resume
- Complete job shadowing or internship experiences in business/industry
Classes Offered
These classes provide area high school students with excellent educational opportunities. All DMACC Career Academy programs are one year long (two semesters). Several academies offer a second year of programming. Students must complete Year 1 before enrolling in Year 2. Registration in these courses is handled by local guidance counselors and principals.
Programs Available
This program introduces students to the highly technological industry of Auto Collision and Repair. Students will gain experience in the areas of basic shop operations and procedures, welding, painting and shop safety. Sixteen DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings. Completion of this program as a high school student provides the opportunity to complete the college diploma program in two college semesters.
The Automotive Technology program is designed to prepare students for employment in the automotive service industry. This technological program allows students to gain experience with shop tools, automotive engines, brakes, suspension and alignment. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings. A second year of programming is available for returning students by arrangement.
The Business Academy is an exploratory academy for students who have an interest in entering the business profession but are not sure what pathway they want to go. Students are provided a foundation of business-related courses that will prepare them for entrance in multiple business-related postsecondary opportunities. Fourteen DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
These courses provide an introduction to the latest in computer science and programming. Eighteen DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
Course # | Course Name | Credits |
Courses Offered: M-F 7:45-9:45 am | ||
CIS125 | Intro to Programming w/Logic (Fall) | 3 |
CIS169 | c# (Fall) | 3 |
CIS303 | Intro to Database (Fall) | 3 |
CIS174 | Advanced C# Programming (Spring) | 3 |
CIS332 | Database & SQL (Spring) | 3 |
CIS940 | Software Project Application (Spring; 1st 5 weeks) | 1 |
CIS940 | Software Project Application (Spring; 2nd 5 weeks) | 1 |
CIS940 | Software Project Application (Spring; 3rd 5 weeks) | 1 |
If you’re a dependable team member with mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and analytical thinking, CAD Tech could be for you. Careers are available in computer-aided design (CAD), including drawing in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional realms, designing new products, creating models, and more. Through DMACC’s CAD technology program, you’ll learn how to use a variety of software packages, create prototypes, practice reverse engineering, perform geometric dimensioning, and more. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
You will be introduced to the field of criminal justice. You will encounter project-based learning in Introduction to Criminal Justice, participate in hands-on experiences in Criminal Investigation, begin career exploration through tours and guest speakers in Survey of Criminal Agencies, and engage in service learning in Juvenile Delinquency. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
Through hands-on experience, you will learn the scientific principles used in food preparation, the hospitality industry, plus fundamentals of dining and sanitation. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings. A second year of programming is available for returning students by arrangement.
This program prepares students for a career in the area of diesel repair. Instruction
is in the repair, maintenance, and testing of diesel engines, power trains, and components
of trucks and construction equipment. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion
of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
Ready to make a difference? The Emergency Medical Technician program will provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills needed to provide lifesaving services to your community. In EMT students will function in uncommon and high stress situations by performing comprehensive patient assessments, obtain vital signs, control hemorrhaging, bandage wounds, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators and provide prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system injuries. Six DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
*Students will have the opportunity to enroll either Fall or Spring.
*Students must be 17 years of age by the first day of class.
*In addition to classroom time, students will be required to attend clinical and field rotations during the course of the class which will require an investment of approximately 48 hours outside of the normal classroom hours. Students will also have to complete a criminal background check and be CPR Certified required before the course begins. Must be American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Professional Rescuer/Healthcare Provider.
Course # | Course Name | Credits |
Courses Offered: M-F 7:45-9:45 am | ||
EMS214 | Emergency Medical Technician (Fall or Spring) | 6 |
Immerse yourself in a dynamic, creative environment with other students who are passionate about the fashion industry. Whether you want to design, learn the business, or discover the latest trends, we'll help you find your place in the fashion industry. Students in the DMACC Fashion Institute (DFI) Career Academy get to participate in the annual DFI Fashion Show. Twelve DMACC credits are available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
Course # | Course Name | Credits |
Courses Offered: M-F 12:50-2:15 pm | ||
APP109 | Creative Design Foundations | 3 |
APP255 | Intro to Garmet Construction | 3 |
APP261 | Fashion Industry Analysis | 3 |
MKT160 | Principles of Retailing | 3 |
*Courses require extended lab and clinical time in the evenings and/or weekends
Students will learn the basics of machining, measuring, and print reading, and other workplace skills. The majority of time is spent in hands-on labs. Completing these classes would be a great start to a machining engineering career. There are Eleven DMACC credits available upon completion of all DMACC Career Academy course offerings.
Course # | Course Name | Credits |
Courses Offered: M-F 12:45-2:45 pm | ||
MFG250 | Engine Lathe Theory (Spring) | 1 |
MFG251 | Engine Lathe Operations Lab (Spring) | 2 |
MFG260 | Mill Operations Theory (Fall) | 1 |
MFG261 | Mill Operations Lab I (Fall) | 2 |
MFG105 | Machine Shop Measuring (Spring) | 3 |
MFG121 | Machine Trade Print Reading I (Fall) | 2 |
Do you aspire to help others? Does the thought of working in healthcare excite you? Or is it just too much blood and guts? Don’t worry – healthcare pathways are available where you can still impact others, minus the blood and guts!
Have you considered a gratifying career in healthcare as a Patient Access Specialist? This role serves as the initial point of contact for patients and the face of the organization while advocating for the community's healthcare.
DMACC’s Patient Access Specialist Certificate program is 16 credits and may be completed online. Program courses are taught by instructors who have experience in the industry, providing best practices and guidance throughout the academic journey.
Upon completing the program, students may obtain positions with job titles such as Patient Access Specialist, Service Coordinator, Patient Advocate, Patient Experience Representative, etc. Many healthcare settings need the administrative services provided by the Patient Access Specialist to provide patient connections. This includes hospitals, clinics, health insurance organizations, home health agencies, etc.
If continuing your education is intriguing, the Patient Access Specialist program does ladder into other programs at DMACC, expanding opportunities in learning and in the field. Did you know that Iowa State University has a Bachelor of Healthcare Management? Opportunities abound!
The DMACC Science Academy is for exceptional science students who wish to pursue college level. Chemistry and Physics courses while in high school. Completing these challenging courses during high school gives students a chance to explore various careers in science and engineering. These science courses will help students springboard ahead of their peers, preparing them to be a year ahead in your major. Being a step ahead of the rest of your peers could potentially open doors to you such as being first in line for advanced undergraduate research projects or obtaining a coveted internship.
Student can decide if they want to take PHY160 and PHY161 OR they can take Classical Physics - PHY213 and PHY223