Brightwood Career Institute-Philadelphia (BCIP, Formerly Kaplan Career Institute-Philadelphia) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Students at the Thompson Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, benefit from hands-on training that is applicable to the real world. The school is committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of the modern workforce by developing programs to train qualified and eager students to become more suited to gain employment in today’s company. Many of these companies are local employers, and so Thompson is a very committed member of the vibrant local community, identifying and attempting to meet employment demands. The school, which is owned by the Kaplan Higher Education Corporation, a group which sees more than a million students annually through one of its numerous educational institutions, has been in operation since the year 1918. students benefit from numerous training labs which mimic real-life situations and settings.

Fast-track programs award certificates of completion at the end of a successful 8 to 10 month course. Knowledgeable career specialists and numerous career fairs throughout the school year make it easy for students to connect with prospective employers, receiving career counseling, and learn more about the opportunities available to them and how to become a more competitive candidate for such opportunities. Externships, such as those available in the allied health fields, further aid students in their hands-on training and experience. Students at Thompson gain real-life experience in fields integral to today’s society, such as healthcare, professional trades, and computers.

Information Summary

Ranks 231st in Pennsylvania and 3683rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	38.0
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	75 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	54% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	749

Academics

Academic specialties at Thompson are designed to address the needs of the changing American workforce, especially in terms of local employers. Current specialties available at Thompson include dental assisting, computer tech support, medical office management, electrician work, and medical assisting.

Computer tech support encompasses a wide range of academic areas, including computer systems support, network maintenance, and administration through group discussions over computer programs, hands-on learning, and lectures.

Dental Assistants are trained in computer basics and the clinical and administrative duties of a dental office. Externships are often a part of the dental assistant program.

Medical assistants learn about filing insurance claims, medical lab procedures, completing administrative tasks, bookkeeping, and EKG’s. An externship is usually available.

Medical office management courses center on medical insurance processing, administrative duties, and patient care, through externships and school training labs.

Electrician courses teach students about circuit wiring, programmable controllers, transformers, AC and DC motors, and electricity in terms of wiring homes and commercial buildings.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Admissions

Admissions at Thompson operate on an “open door” policy, allowing in all qualified applicants on a first-come, first-admitted basis. Prospective students are required to pass a test which demonstrates their ability to benefit from enrollment in a course of study at the college, and successfully complete said course. Students are also required to furnish the institution with high school transcripts or GED records.

Students

The majority of the students at Thompson Institute are female, and there are over 1000 students altogether at the school. Students are able to get access to tutoring on-campus, and academic support and career counseling are two strong points of the Institute’s student services division.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Local Community

Thompson Institute is located in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This green city, which was first settled by Europeans in the 1600s, is a mecca of arts and culture. Historical sites abound; these include the spot where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the homes of Edgar Allen Poe and Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Liberty Bell, the Gloria Dei Church, and the First Bank of the United States. History buffs will enjoy the thriving museum scene, with the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania among the major ones in the area. The Philadelphia Sketch Club is one of the nation’s classic artists clubs, and the First Friday event is a big attraction for locals and visitors alike. The first Friday of every month art galleries are open late, inviting in guests to marvel over the art over a glass of wine and a handful of hors d’oeuvres. Big employers of workers in Philadelphia include the Pennsylvania Hospital, the Fox Chase Cancer Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson and Johnson, and Siemens Medical Solutions. These employers often have a need for graduates of programs in the health sciences and dental fields, as well as other technical specialties.

Brightwood Career Institute-Philadelphia