MCC Career & Testing Services
Marshalltown Community College offers career and testing services to students and alumni through the MCC Admissions Office.
List of Services
For more information on our services, contact MCC Admissions at 641-844-5710; the office is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and some evenings by appointment.
Career Decision Making – Assistance is provided in deciding on a career, choosing a major, or making a career change. Staff will meet individually to assist in working through the career decision-making process. A wide range of career assessment instruments is available as well as a computerized career information system (Kuder). Staff can also help explore the different programs available at MCC. A Career Planning course is available in which one hour of college credit can be earned.
Career Information – A computerized career information system is available at no cost. Kuder has in-depth information on over 650 careers. Information includes job duties, education requirements, salary, working conditions, future outlook, working conditions, physical requirements and links to other career information. This information is up-to-date and online. The system also includes a search component that matches personal career preferences, skills and interests with various occupations. Click here to link to www.ivccd.kuder.com.
Job Seeking Assistance – There is a listing of area, state and national career search online resources covering a wide range of openings.
Resume and interviewing assistance may be available. Individual appointments can be made by calling MCC Admissions.
There is also a Job Seeking Skills one credit course available at MCC each semester.
Students can find additional valuable information online at the following sites:
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Consideriowa.org is a program designed to promote career opportunities available in Iowa.
Testing (COMPASS Assessment) – COMPASS (Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) is designed to provide an assessment of your basic academic skills to help you and your advisor choose courses and plan your educational program. Included in the exam are tests in Writing, Reading, and Mathematics. COMPASS was created for individuals with little or no computer experience. It is user friendly with no time limit, and our staff is here to help. COMPASS study materials are available in the MCC Admissions Office. Results are generated immediately following completion of the test. The Student Success Specialists will interpret the results individually and your scores will go in your file in the Admissions Office. (There is also a version for students whose first language is not English.) More information about COMPASS is available online at www.act.org/compass. COMPASS sample tests are online at www.act.org/compass/sample.
IVCCD has a mandatory placement policy which means the results of your test will determine which classes you may take in certain subjects. Please refer to the COMPASS and ACT Cut-Off Score Chart to see where you place. Your advisor or the Student Success Specialists can help interpret your scores if needed. There are re-testing and appeal options if you feel your scores do not accurately reflect your abilities. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. To locate a testing center nearest you, contact ACT at 1-800-645-1992 between 8:30 am to 5 pm EST.
CLEP Testing – The CLEP (College Level Examination Program) offers a wide range of college level exams, for which a student may receive college credit. If you have acquired knowledge through experience or prior academic learning that may be equivalent to college level courses, Marshalltown Community College offers the opportunity to get credit for that knowledge. CLEP is administered on the computer and is available for students from any college or university. There is a study guide with sample tests available for review at MCC’s Library. More details about CLEP testing at MCC are available by downloading the MCC CLEP Policy (click here). You can also visit CLEP’s website at www.collegeboard.com/clep.
Each exam costs $77 (payable to CLEP), plus a $45 MCC test administration fee (payable to IVCCD); additional charges may be made depending on the number of CLEP credits earned. CLEP is given by appointment only. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.
ACT Testing – Marshalltown Community College serves as a National Testing Center for the ACT test. Testing takes place on Saturday mornings beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at Noon; the fee is $31 for the basic ACT test.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Fee Required |
| Oct. 22, 2011 | Sept. 16, 2011 | Sept. 17-30, 2011 |
| Dec. 10, 2011 | Nov. 4, 2011 | Nov. 5-18, 2011 |
| Feb. 11, 2012 | Jan. 13, 2012 | Jan. 14-20, 2012 |
| April 14, 2012 | March 9, 2012 | March 10-23, 2012 |
| June 9, 2012 | May 4, 2012 | May 5-18, 2012 |
ACT study guides are available in the MCC Library. For more information you can also visit the ACT website at www.act.org.
Kuder Career Planning System – The Kuder Career Planning System is an innovative, internet-based system combining scientific interests, skills, and work values assessments along with comprehensive educational and occupational databases. The Kuder system is backed by over 65 years of research. The internet based delivery system allows for students to take the assessment at home or on campus. The assessments are brief, results are provided immediately, and the occupational databases provide very current and up to date information. Access to the system is free to MCC students and a counselor is available to help interpret results. For a Kuder user name and access code, contact the MCC Admissions Office. Once you have the user name and access code, Kuder is online at ivccd.kuder.com.
Dental Professional Testing – The Iowa Board of Dental Examiners has authorized Marshalltown Community College/Iowa Valley Community College District to administer certification exams of Dental Jurisprudence, Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence, Dental Assistant Radiography/Radiography, Dental Assistant Infection Control/Hazardous Materials, and Dental Assistant Jurisprudence. The administrative fee is $20 per exam with most tests lasting an hour. Contact MCC Admissions for more information or to register.
PRAXIS Series Exams – The Praxis is available for college students hoping to enter a teacher education program. There are three different sections: writing, reading and math. Exams are given on the MCC campus in November and March. More information is available online at www.ets.org/praxis.
Job Fairs – Each year Marshalltown Community College, Continuing Education and Buena Vista University host a Job Fair, usually the first Wednesday in April on the MCC campus. About 50 employers set up booths, giving students and area residents an opportunity to meet and discuss potential opportunities. Workshops are also offered. Watch here for information about the next job fair in spring 2012.
Resources for careers in Health Occupations:
http://www.bop.gov/jobs/hsd/index.jsp
http://usnursingjobs.net/
http://cnacareer.org/