Education Partners

Propel America and National Louis University have partnered to develop a jobs-first higher education model, a first-of-its-kind, affordable, flexible pathway to an immediate in-demand job and credit toward a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution. The pathway, called “Accelerate America,” offers young adults the opportunity to–with just a Pell grant and in as few as six months–start a living-wage job, gain college credits that can be applied toward future degrees, and receive career training, coaching, and support that equips them with the skills to be successful in their job and with a plan for ongoing education and career advancement.

Accelerate America currently offers a medical assistant pathway in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The program aims to provide high-wage, high-demand pathways that will stack into associate and eventually bachelor’s degrees.

Beginning in 2023, Propel launched a partnership with College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) to support medical assistants in training in Baton Rouge. CHCP has over a decade of experience training medical professions online, which will help ensure our fellows secure meaningful jobs and help address workforce gaps in the healthcare industry. The Medical Assistant (MA) Fellowship is a tuition-free, 30-week academic and clinical training program that includes a 40-week academic experience followed by a 180-hour clinical externship at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Fellows will be enrolled online at CHCP, and receive support from Propel in the form of 1:1 coaching, professional development training, and interviews.

In partnership with Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), Propel offers a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) Fellowship. This is a tuition-free, one-semester academic and clinical training program. The two courses required for completion of the program will take place at BRCC’s downtown Baton Rouge campus. While participating in the academic and clinical training, fellows receive support from Propel in the form of 1:1 coaching, professional development training, and job search support.