Trade Schools in Central & Southern Texas

Southwest Schools:
Southwest Schools consists of ten schools in seven cities throughout Central and South Texas, offering a range of allied health, business, accounting & cosmetology career programs. Southwest Schools, also known as "Career U", has three career schools in Corpus Christi in Nueces County, McAllen in Hidalgo County and San Antonio in Bexar County, and seven cosmetology schools - in Austin North and Austin South in Travis County, Del Rio in Val Verde County, Eagle Pass in Maverick County, San Antonio - Commercial and San Antonio - San Pedro in Bexar County and Uvalde in Uvalde County.

Specialized Career Training Programs:
Allied health, business, accounting & cosmetology specialized career programs include:

Pharmacy Technician Program:
Our Pharmacy Technician Program curriculum meets the specific current and projected employment needs of the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll learn about pharmacology basics, common terminology and abbreviations, adverse effects of pharmaceuticals, how to fill and dispense prescriptions, as well as billing, communication and computer skills.  Get the knowledge, training and self-confidence you need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s National Certification Exam and continue toward a rewarding pharmacy career.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Corpus Christi and San Antonio.

Clinical / Medical Assistant Program:
Our Clinical / Medical Assistant Program teaches you what you need to know to thrive in an allied health care environment. You’ll learn the medical front and back office duties, communication and computer skills, CPT and ICD-9 coding, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and reception duties.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Corpus Christi, McAllen and San Antonio.

Medical Office Specialist Program:
Our Medical Office Specialist Program, we provide you with the skills and knowledge to work within a variety of healthcare specialties.  You’ll get specific training in the front office and administrative duties that you’ll perform every day in a medical office environment. You’ll develop of thorough knowledge of front-office clerical duties, communication skills, computer programs, billing and coding (CPT and ICD-9), medical management software, payroll, accounts payable, reception duties, and customer service skills.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Corpus Christi, McAllen and San Antonio.

Cosmetology Operator (Hair Stylist) Program:
The Cosmetology Operator Program provides you with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that can lead to future specializations. Learn all phases of basic cosmetology, including manicures, pedicures, facials, shampoo, cut and color, perms and other techniques. These are the essential skills that will get you hired at a salon or other beauty facility - the basis for a new and successful career.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Austin North, Austin South, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Antonio Commercial, San Antonio San Pedro and Uvalde.

Cosmetology Instructor Program:
The Cosmetology Instructor Program is designed to develop the students' skills normally associated with cosmetology, including hair styling, hair coloring, manicuring, facials, and shampooing.  In order to be able to teach the cosmetology program, the student must take and pass an examination, both written and practical, which is required to obtain a license as a cosmetology instructor.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Austin North, Austin South, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Antonio Commercial, San Antonio San Pedro and Uvalde.

Cosmetology Manicure Specialist (Nail Technician) Program:
Our program offers the latest techniques and the most up-to-date procedures in nail care. You’ll learn how to use advanced implements and equipment, work with sophisticated materials and styles, and learn how to create elegant, professionally finished nails.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Austin North, Austin South, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Antonio Commercial, San Antonio San Pedro and Uvalde.

Cosmetology Esthetician (Facial Specialist) Program:
Our Cosmetology Facial Program will provide you with the most advanced skills, techniques, procedures, and chemicals available for treatment and care of facial and other skin. The experienced SWS staff will guide you every step of the way in gaining the expertise you need to practice this elite form of cosmetology.

This program is available at the following campuses:   Austin North and Austin South.

General Office Skills / Business Office Technology Program:
Our General Office Skills Program equips you with all the skills, knowledge and abilities you need to get a great clerical position in a modern office environment. Learn such office essentials as front office duties, business communications skills, computer applications, accounts payable and receivable functions, payroll operations and general office equipment.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio and Eagle Pass.

Comuterized Accounting Specialist Program:
The Computerized Accounting Specialist Program gives you the skills and savvy to perform all the duties required of an accounting/bookkeeping specialist in today’s computer-driven business office environment. Learn how to post transactions to accounts, use record-keeping systems and operate accounting software, while also developing a thorough understanding of general accounting principles and practices.

This program is available at the following campuses:  Corpus Christi, McAllen and San Antonio.