What Is It Known For?
The Career Technical Institute’s story winds through a few different phases. It began in 1949 through a New York City employment agency that first focused on job placement, then added training services as demand grew.
Much later, in 2002, Moses Rabi purchased the Career Blazers Learning Center and continued to expand its reach. The name officially changed to Career Technical Institute in 2007, and enrollment has climbed from around 80 students to more than 375.
As the programs grew, the school leaned heavily on hands-on training with the hardware and software used in workplaces today, helping learners move through material quickly without losing depth.
Degrees & Certifications
With long-term programs ranging from 585 to 1260 hours, CTI gives students options that fit different goals. Some students enroll in full programs that carry 18 to 90 quarter credits, while others pick shorter courses that span 15 to 150 clock hours.
Programs offered by CTI include:
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Hospitality
- Office Training
- Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)
Depending on the track and financial standing, graduates may earn a Diploma, an Associate Degree of Applied Science, or a Certificate of Completion.
Class Schedules
The Career Technical Institute schedules classes in weekly blocks of 25, 22.5, or 15 hours. Day and evening options are both available. Some programs include online or hybrid formats, letting students learn through a mix of digital instruction and classroom teaching.
Externships are included in several programs, such as Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, IT Professional, Hospitality, and most degree pathways, giving students supervised practice before they finish their training.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. CTI is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and is licensed through the Washington, DC Education Licensure Commission, showing that it meets state and accreditation standards.
Acceptance Rate
Applicants who meet the basic admissions requirements are accepted, resulting in a 100 percent acceptance rate.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
CTI program costs range from $7,490 to $28,040, depending on the field. For a more personalized estimate, the school provides a net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Hospitality
- Human Resource Administration
- Bookkeeping Specialization
Healthcare
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Assistant
Technology
- Information Technology
Campus Locations
Washington 1101 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20005
Reviews
Based on google reviews, Career Technical Institute (CTI) appears to be a for-profit vocational school currently facing severe administrative collapse or closure issues, with a consistent history of student loan debt complaints and poor instructional quality in certain programs, despite a few successful graduates.
Overall Score: 3.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Success in Medical Programs: The Medical Assistant (MA) program is highlighted as a success, with one graduate stating they received their certification and have been a “successful MA since.” Instructors in this and other medical/office classes were praised for being helpful, great teachers, and knowledgeable.
Effective Placement (Historically): A few older reviews mention that the school’s career services team successfully provided job placement assistance as guaranteed, with one graduate placed on their “first IT Contract.”
Specific Hands-On Value: The hands-on computer assembly and disassembly course was noted as being worthwhile, suggesting a small amount of practical value in some IT classes.
Common Criticisms
Extreme Administrative Failure/Closure: This is the most critical issue. Recent reviews confirm that students and graduates cannot get in contact with anyone, even after calling and leaving messages for weeks. Complaints include not receiving diplomas, not receiving promised financial aid checks, and one graduate receiving an email stating the school “NO LONGER EXIST[S],” suggesting a failure to maintain operations or properly notify students.
High Debt and Fraud Allegations: The school is frequently labeled a “scam” and “trash school.” Graduates cite being stuck with huge loans ($10k to $20k) for what they describe as “worthless” training that did not lead to a job in their field. Reviewers allege the business “targets low-income residents” who do not understand student loans.
Poor Program Quality (Especially IT): Several students in the IT Professional curriculum called the program “trash,” too “far too fast for anyone to grasp anything,” and described instructors spending the majority of time on “Facebook” or simply selling recorded videos instead of teaching.
Holding Credentials for Debt: The school is accused of holding diplomas, degrees, or transcripts until student loans are paid off, forcing students to retake courses elsewhere. The school’s own catalog states credentials are only issued if the student has “no outstanding tuition balance.”
Momentum
The momentum for CTI is catastrophic. The severity of the recent complaints—inability to contact staff, transcripts withheld, unfulfilled financial promises, and graduates stating the school “NO LONGER EXIST[S]”—indicates a complete breakdown of administrative function. This situation aligns with the historical red flags of many for-profit institutions that face scrutiny for high-cost, low-value education, and failure to support graduates.