Thinking about enrolling at Pinnacle Career Institute (PCI)? Here are quick, straightforward answers to some of the questions we hear most from prospective students interested in our HVAC Technician, Tower Technician, and Wind Turbine Technician programs.

What does “attending” PCI actually look like?
Most of your coursework is completed online through our Learning Management System, Canvas, with weekly deadlines. Coursework may include presentations, videos, simulations, assignments, labs, quizzes, tests, and discussion forums. Each program culminates in a hands-on, in-person practicum in Kansas City, Missouri, where students apply what they’ve learned in a fully equipped training facility.

Do I have to travel for the hands-on portion?
Yes. Each program includes an 80-hour boot camp as part of a 10-consecutive-day residential practicum in Kansas City, Missouri. PCI arranges air travel when applicable, lodging, program-related local transportation, and daytime meals as part of program tuition. Evening meals, snacks, and other personal or incidental expenses are the student’s responsibility.

PCI is located at 11500 NW Ambassador Drive, Suite 221, Kansas City, MO 64153.

What if I’d rather drive than fly?
Students who live within a 250-mile radius of the Kansas City campus are required to drive to boot camp. Upon arrival, they receive a $500 prepaid gift card to help offset travel costs.

Students who live outside the 250-mile radius and choose to drive may also receive a $500 prepaid Visa gift card upon arrival. Hotel and meal arrangements remain the same for students who drive.

What should I wear and bring to boot camp?
Students should dress for hands-on work. PCI’s boot camp dress code includes:

• A short- or long-sleeve T-shirt or work shirt with no profanity, inappropriate language, or vulgar graphics
• Clean jeans or khakis with no holes or frays
• Work boots, preferably steel-toed

Good personal hygiene and a professional appearance are also expected throughout boot camp.

What technology do I need for online classes?
You’ll need access to a computer or tablet with a reliable internet connection and web browser capabilities. Google Chrome is the recommended browser.

PCI also strongly recommends having administrative rights on the device you use for coursework so you can install any required plug-ins or software. A valid email address that you check daily is required, and coursework is completed and submitted through Canvas.

How is attendance tracked online?
PCI monitors attendance weekly. An academic week runs from 12:00 a.m. CST Monday through 11:59 p.m. CST Sunday, except during scheduled school breaks.

To be counted as present for the week, students must submit at least one graded attendance-qualifying activity, such as an assignment, quiz, lab, paper, or discussion forum. Simply logging into Canvas does not count as attendance.

Students should prepare to be academically engaged for an average of at least 25 hours per week. A student who does not submit at least one graded activity for two consecutive weeks may be administratively withdrawn from the institution.

What if I get sick or have an emergency and miss coursework?
PCI may grant an attendance waiver for qualifying extenuating circumstances when appropriate documentation is provided. Circumstances that may be considered include:

• Serious illness or injury requiring medical treatment
• Death of an immediate family member
• Military training or related travel
• Jury duty lasting longer than three days
• Natural disasters in the student’s area
• Other extenuating circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis

Students must provide documentation to the Director of Education before the end of the module and make arrangements to complete missed work. Additional attendance and academic requirements also apply when a waiver is considered.

Is there an entrance exam?
PCI requires applicants to pass two admissions assessments: the Online Readiness Assessment (ORA) and the Entrance Exam (EE). A minimum score of 75 is required on each.

The Online Readiness Assessment evaluates areas related to succeeding in an online learning environment, such as time management, adaptability, resources, mindset, and self-directed learning. The Entrance Exam evaluates foundational academic skills, including basic math, verbal reasoning, and reading comprehension.

If you don’t receive a passing score on your first attempt, you may immediately take an alternate version of the assessment or exam.

Are military education benefits available?
PCI’s programs are approved for the use of eligible military education benefits, and PCI participates in military Tuition Assistance programs and the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding.

PCI also offers a Tuition Assistance Military Scholarship. Students interested in using military education benefits can contact PCI’s VA Certifying Official for information about using eligible benefits while attending PCI.

What’s available on campus?
PCI occupies approximately 6,000 square feet inside the historic TWA professional building near Kansas City International Airport. The campus includes classrooms and program laboratories, indoor and outdoor climbing towers used by Wind Turbine Technician and Tower Technician boot camp participants, an on-site café, a computer lab, and ample free parking. Hotels, restaurants, and other amenities are also located nearby.

General campus access is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Have a question we didn’t cover?
Reach out to PCI Admissions. Our team can help answer your questions about enrollment, online coursework, boot camp, travel, and what to expect as a PCI student.