North Miami Adult Education Center CNA Program

This program focuses on both foundational and practical CNA training. Students begin with core instruction in healthcare safety, infection control, and communication, then move into hands-on topics like patient transfers, vital signs, dressing wounds, and other real-world caregiving skills. The curriculum is designed to align with the state’s articulated nursing assistant guidelines, which means it also provides a good foundation for further nursing education down the line.

Students are taught how to assist with daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and mobility. They’ll also learn how to interact respectfully and compassionately with patients in long-term care settings. The role of a CNA often involves working closely with patients for extended periods, and this program emphasizes how to do that safely and professionally.

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Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., making this an ideal option for those who work during the day or have other daytime obligations. There is no indication that this course is offered online, so students should expect to attend in person throughout the duration of the training.

Evening hours also make it easier for adult learners with families or day jobs to access training without sacrificing their other responsibilities. However, because it’s held within a public high school, the classroom setting may feel a bit traditional compared to standalone career institutes.

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The cost of the program is low, especially when compared to private CNA schools. Tuition for career technical education programs in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system is $2.56 per hour for in-state students, bringing the estimated base tuition to around $422.40 for the full 165-hour program. In addition, students must pay a $15 application fee, a $15 materials fee, and a $5 student ID fee per trimester. There may be added costs for books, uniforms, and testing.

Out-of-state students will pay a higher hourly tuition rate. Students are encouraged to bring proof of Florida residency to qualify for the lower rate. The program is also eligible for financial aid for those who qualify, and there’s even a quarterly $2,500 scholarship opportunity through EdFed’s “Career in a Year” program for students enrolled in M-DCPS technical or adult education programs.

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The program is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), which adds credibility and ensures the instruction meets national standards. After completing the training, students will be eligible to take the Florida CNA exam, which is required to become a licensed CNA in the state. This program does not include test prep for the exam, but the hands-on training and longer duration should help students feel prepared.

Students who complete each section of the course receive a certificate at the Occupational Completion Point (OCP). These can be valuable for students who want to begin working quickly, even if they haven’t completed all 165 hours at once.

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To enroll, students must meet the general admission criteria for M-DCPS Adult Education programs. These include:

• Minimum age of 16 with parental consent
• Two forms of ID, including one photo ID
• Proof of Florida residency (for in-state tuition)
• Not currently enrolled in high school

No high school diploma or GED is required to start this CNA program, but students interested in advancing to higher-level nursing education will likely need one in the future. For those who don’t yet have a diploma, M-DCPS offers adult high school and GED prep classes at other campuses.

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Miami-Dade County Public Schools has a long history in adult education, dating back to 1935. Today, it operates 21 campuses, offering technical and adult education throughout the county. That means the infrastructure is in place to support a wide range of student needs.

Although the North Miami location only offers the CNA program in the evening, other locations might have different schedules or course formats. If students need flexibility, they should reach out to other campuses to compare. While this specific program does not offer online classes, students do benefit from the in-person instruction, particularly with the hands-on nature of CNA training.

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The demand for CNAs continues to grow nationwide. According to federal data, employment for nursing assistants is projected to increase by 9% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than average. In Florida, the average pay is $12.90 per hour, or about $26,840 annually, though wages can vary based on location and experience.

This program does not list formal job placement services, but the Miami-Dade school system has strong connections to local healthcare facilities. Students may benefit from networking during training or asking instructors and staff for job leads.

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