Douglas Education Center

src: www.dec.edu

Douglas Education Center (DEC) is a private, for-profit, higher education career school located thirty miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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History

From its earliest days, this institution has strived to provide the skills and education necessary for its graduates to be a successful part of an ever expanding job market.

The history of Douglas Education Center (DEC) began back in 1904 when founder Warren Douglas decided to open a business and secretarial school in Charleroi, PA. It operated under the name Douglas Business College for the next 44 years until the state mandated the college to rename itself Douglas School of Business (DSB) in 1948. In 1957, Douglas School of Business moved from Charleroi to the neighboring city of Monessen. When a devastating fire in the late 1960's destroyed the school's building, a new location had to be sought out. In 1970, DSB took up residence in the former Gemmill Hospital in Monessen, just a few blocks from its previous location. That building has remained a part of the Douglas campus ever since and now serves as the main administration building.

Since its inception, the school has seen multiple changes to its curricula. Douglas at one time offered a sixteen month Associates' in Specialized Business Degree in Business Administration and Executive Secretary. However, as job markets and employer needs changed it became clear that Douglas had to expand its offerings. In 1992, the first degree program outside of the business and secretarial field was offered. It was decided, with input and assistance from Mon Valley Hospital, that a Medical Assistant Program would be a welcome addition to the curricula and that program has been a part of Douglas ever since. In 1998, it had become clear that Douglas School of Business had to find yet another niche outside of its current offerings in order to diversify itself from its competitors in the surrounding areas. DSB made a commitment to redefine and expand its market by implementing a more specialized curriculum that focused largely in the art fields. DSB's first art related program was added in 1999. The program was named the Graphic Communications/Visual Design and Animated FX Program. It has since been renamed the Graphic Design and Web Program.

The expansion into the arts continued in 2000 when Tom Savini signed on to be signator for the school's special make-up effects program. Now in its 16th year, the Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program has become known as a "destination" program and has graduated students from all 50 states. It has also attracted international students from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, and Serbia just to name a few. Since the name Douglas School of Business seemed to no longer fit the direction that the school was going, it was decided in 2001 that Douglas Education Center (DEC) would become the new namesake in order to further enhance the school's identity and image. Allan and Wilson's Digital Illustration Program was the next art related program to come to DEC. It was introduced in 2002. In 2003, DEC decided to look beyond the arts and opened the doors to The Cosmetology Academy. These program offerings were designed to give students a well-rounded education in the fields of General Cosmetology, Esthetics, Esthetician and Nail Technology, and Cosmetology Teacher/Salon Management. The final wave of art programs was added in 2008 when DEC introduced Dorian's Fantasy Art Program and The Factory Digital Filmmaking Program. It was announced in the summer of 2016 that George A. Romero would become the signator for the rebranding of the Filmmaking program. DEC's vision is that the George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program will become another destination program starting fall 2016. DEC also expanded into the area of skilled trades in 2013 with the addition of its training programs for those seeking a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or training in Natural Gas Extraction and Distribution Techniques. The latter program was modified in 2016 and renamed the Heavy Equipment & CDL with Safety & Natural Gas Program. Today, what started out as a business and secretarial school housed in one building grew exponentially and now DEC spans eight city blocks. Today, over 112 years after its inception, Douglas Education Center continues to break new ground in academic achievement, staying true to its mission by providing a quality education to those who wish to follow their dreams.

Maps Douglas Education Center

Philosophy

The philosophy of Douglas Education Center was developed through years of educational experience and knowledge.

The core of this philosophy is the belief that students of diverse ages and backgrounds can work together effectively in the classroom, thereby growing in skill, knowledge and maturity beyond the normal expectations, to achieve any goal they may desire.

The educational programs at DEC are oriented towards meeting the needs of its students by developing professionalism, leadership, and technical, interpersonal and communication skills.

DEC offers an understanding, friendly and considerate environment where students feel welcome and cared for by the administration and faculty. At DEC, students are thought of as individual personalities and are, therefore, treated as individuals. The school is concerned with the human element and strives to develop the potential of each student. This is done by determining the strengths and weaknesses of each student and the type and the amount of assistance he or she needs.

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Admissions

Douglas Education Center grants admissions to individuals who have successfully earned a high school diploma or a GED high school equivalency. Douglas Education Center accepts applications year round.

src: www.dec.edu

Academic Programs

Douglas Education Center offers specialized business degrees, diplomas and certificates in various fields. Below is a breakdown of the programs offered.

Creative Programs

• Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program Formed in 2000, Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program is a sixteen-month Associate in Specialized Business Degree Program. World-renowned special effects artist, Tom Savini, developed this signature program that has graduated students from 48 states and has achieved international attention. Tom Savini has been in the industry for over 30 years. He is responsible for revolutionizing many special make-up effects techniques that are still utilized today. Tom Savini tutored under Dick Smith who is considered to be the "Godfather" of the special make-up effects industry. Tom Savini's Special Make-Up Effects Program began with 24 students. With each subsequent class, the program has gained great notoriety and accolades. Douglas Education Center makes every attempt to stay current with industry trends. Industry superstars Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger of KNB EFX Group have visited Douglas Education Center to provide industry insight, critique 4th semester student portfolios and perform seminars on recent make-up trends and techniques.

• George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program Founded in 2008 (under the name The Factory Digital Filmmaking Program at Douglas), George A. Romero's Filmmaking Program is a sixteen-month Associate in Specialized Business Degree Program. The program is a hands-on, modern approach to learning the art of filmmaking. Facilities include a soundstage with green screen, infinity wall, rooms for make-up, wardrobe and props, editing suites, a sound mixing studio, and a 50+ seat theater for film classes and collaborating among other programs at DEC. Students learn techniques from industry professionals including Robert Tinnell, a motion picture screenwriter, director, and producer as well as the director of the program.
• Graphic Design & Web Program Founded in 1999, the Graphic Design & Web Program is a sixteen-month Associate in Specialized Business Degree Program.

Allied Health Programs

• Medical Assistant Program
• Medical Billing and Coding Program

Cosmetology Programs

• Cosmetology Program
• Cosmetology Teacher Program
• Esthetician Program
• Esthetics and Nail Technology Program

Skilled Trades Programs

• Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety and Natural Gas Program
• Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety Program
• Commercial Driver's License Program

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Accreditation

Accreditation is evidence that an institution maintains an approved course of study, that it employs a competent faculty of instructors, that it has adequate facilities and equipment, that it is supported by an enrollment of students sufficient to give assurance of stability and permanency, and that it enjoys a reputation of ethical and honorable dealings with the public.

Douglas Education Center is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and is approved to award Associate in Specialized Business Degrees and Diplomas.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Its accreditation of degree-granting institutions is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Association.

src: www.dec.edu

Location and Contact Information

130 Seventh Street Monessen, PA 15062 1-800-413-6013 www.dec.edu

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References

src: www.dec.edu

External links

• Official website

Source of article : Wikipedia