EDUCATION

Workforce Training

The strength of Irving's workforce lies not just in its size, but in its level of readiness—and in the educational community that stands behind it.

  • Three independent districts—Irving, Coppell and Carrollton-Farmers Branch—serve Irving students. The city is also home to outstanding private and charter schools.
  • Four colleges and universities are located in Irving.
  • More than 30 colleges and universities and three community college districts are located within an hour's drive of Irving.
Local schools and businesses benefit from the partnerships that have arisen in the community: Several major Irving companies work with area high schools and colleges to prepare Irving's workforce—present and future—through programs such as mentoring and job-shadowing, as well as by providing lecturers and input on curriculum development.

Local colleges and universities tailor workforce development and other professional programs to meet the needs of local businesses, often taking them on-site. All offer degree plans—both graduate and undergraduate—tailored to the needs of working professionals.

Colleges and Universities

DeVry University

Geared to working professionals as well as full-time students, DeVry offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology, business and management. Located in DFW Freeport, DeVry and its Keller Graduate School of Management have developed several partnerships within the local business community. Advisory councils made up of industry leaders review curriculum and help keep DeVry current on needs and trends. Businesses can recruit on campus, and business leaders frequently serve as adjunct teachers and guest lecturers.

North Lake College

In addition to the broad range of degrees and professional certificates it offers, North Lake College specializes in workforce development and corporate training. North Lake's staff will analyze a company's training programs, identify gaps, then design and implement the means to fill them—from individual courses to helping the firm set up its own "corporate academy." North Lake, located in Las Colinas, is part of the Dallas County Community College District.

The University of Dallas

The Catholic-affiliated University of Dallas, adjacent to Las Colinas, features a core curriculum rooted in liberal arts education. Consistently ranked by the Dallas Business Journal as the most popular MBA program in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, UD's Graduate School of Management attracts students from around the world, as well as from across North Texas. The school brings on-site classes to local companies as part of its MBA coursework and tailors classes to fit local firms' training needs.

The University of Phoenix

The country's largest private university, a for-profit school with over 170 locations nationwide, opened a learning center in Irving in 2003. The college, which is geared to professionals, offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in business administration and management. Courses are offered sequentially in six-week periods to allow students to take a full load with fewer classes per week than a traditional schedule requires.