Harford Community College (HCC) was established in 1957 in Bel-Air, Maryland, a small town about 23 miles from Baltimore. If you attend HCC in Bel-Air you will truly get to experience the old concept of hometown charm while being only miles away from a bustling city. The main campus of Harford Community College sits on 332 acres and includes two other campuses. Harford Community College is considered one of the greenest colleges in the country, having LEED buildings and green rooftops. This east coast community college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Harford Community College is striving towards a solid reputation as a college that provides affordable quality education opportunities to its community. Furthermore it is HCC’s goal—which it is proudly on its way to accomplishing—to establish long lasting ties to the surrounding community through its continuing education and career development programs which will be mentioned in greater detail in the proceeding passages below. These programs were created in hopes that the Maryland State Plan for higher education would be implemented through HCC’s fostering of critical need programs in health care, technology and teacher preparation courses.
Harford Community College
Academics
Harford Community College offers over 65 programs of study. The college awards associate of arts, associate of sciences, associate of applied science, and associate of arts in teaching degrees, as well as some certifications in various industry areas. These majors and certifications are highly diverse and represent both non-traditional and traditional program of study choices, such as horticulture, science laboratory technology, chemical dependency counseling, and computer aided design and drafting.
HCC offers an honors program to incoming freshmen, transfer and current students. In order to be admitted, students are required to have at least a 3.2 GPA, be eligible to take college level English without taking remedial courses and maintain a 3.0 in all courses designated “honors”. Being in the honors program offers students the unique opportunity to be in classes with no more than 15 other students allowing more personal time with instructors to better understand the material being presented. Honors students are also eligible for special scholarships and possibly transferring to the honors program offered by Towson University.
Cooperative Education, similar to an externship, is a program that combines college study programs and hands on experience in a workplace setting. To enroll in this program, students must already be HCC students with a minimum of 12 credits (9 of which must be related to their major) have a GPA of 2.0, and have declared a career direction such as criminal justice, English, environmental technology, general studies, or history and interior design.
HCC offers online learning programs that give students the option of earning associate degrees in business administration, general studies or psychology. Online learning allows students to attend classes at their own pace. As many community college students fall under the category of a non-traditional student due to age and workforce experience, online courses help to better serve this sector of the school’s population. Working parents, already established professionals, and others who cannot attend classes in a traditional setting, can take advantage of HCC’s online learning programs.
Continuing Education is becoming a booming business in the college industry. Continuing education allows adults to obtain the skills necessary to perform the majority of jobs that are in constant high demand. Harford Community College offers several continuing education programs such as computer training and certification in A+, Network+, Cisco, for example. And much more is offered in the realm of adult basic education and advancing literacy such as GED preparation and English as a second language (ESL) courses. Harford Community College also offers community education courses. Community education caters to those in the community that may want to take classes in order to learn certain skills in such areas as cooking or finance, dance or driver education.
Harford Community College also has a business and industry division. This division offers apprenticeship programs in air conditioning and electrician training; each apprenticeship is a four year program. This division also does quality training for various businesses in the area. Classes are nearly offered at any time, anywhere and are specialized to fit the needs of the local business sector.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Harford Community College.
Harford Community College has an open door policy. Incoming freshmen are required to submit official high school transcripts. Students from 16 to 19 years of age who are applying for enrollment are required to attend the “one-stop session” in which students take an academic skills assessment, meet with an academic advisor to register for classes and receive their IDs.
Interestingly, HCC has several programs in place that welcome high school attendees on its campus. In fact, high school students can attend college at HCC while still in high school in four different ways. Students in their senior year can waive going to high school and take courses at HCC. Students need to only have a letter of explanation and a parent letter supporting the student’s choice. The student will still graduate with his/her senior class, but will get the experience of being in college.
Dual enrollment is another option; this option allows students in high school to take college level courses for college credit while completing high school courses. Part time enrollment and concurrent enrollment are pretty much the same, high school students can take high school credit courses at the college while still attending high school classes, however high school credit is not given for courses taken, students that are taking courses at the college through this program are mainly taking part in classes pertaining to career training programs.
Transfer students must submit a high school and college transcript to be admitted to HCC. International students must submit proof of English proficiency by opting to take the TOEFL. Bank statements, a notarized letter of support must be sent as proof of financial obligation and finally proof of medical insurance must be documented in order to be eligible for admission as an international student at HCC.
Financial Aid
Tuition costs at Harford Community College are quite affordable, but those who still need additional financial assistance should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid found at www.fafsa.ed.gov). Possible grants like the HCC Head of Household Grant can be given to students that have dependent children and the Pell Grant is always an option. Eligibility for these grants can only be determined after the FAFSA has been submitted and reviewed, thus it is essential that the FAFSA is completed well ahead of time.
Other forms of assistance include scholarships such as HCC’s Non-Traditional Scholarship which are given to students that enroll in programs that are non-traditional occupational programs. The Presidential Scholarship and Honors Scholarship are primarily merit-based and reserved for incoming high school freshmen or continuing students. Scholarships are also offered through certain departments such as nursing and music.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Harford Community College 5166th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Maryland scholarships and financial aid
Learning does not just belong in the classroom. To get a well rounded quality education, college students need to be exposed to activities around campus. Harford Community College offers several clubs and organizations in which students can become involved. Such clubs, like the American Society of Interior Designers which is a networking club brings together future interior designers with well-established interior design professionals. The organization called The Legends of Step perform “step” events around the campus and is an excellent precursor for those who may want to join a sorority or fraternity at a 4 year college. The Vagina Warriors is a club that uses the peformance of the Vagina Monologues to raise awareness of violence against women and support for abused women and children. HCC also offers recreational activities at its fitness center which is scheduled to undergo a massive renovation.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Harford Community College?
Hoo hoo hoo? The fighting owls, that’s who, are Harford’s mascots. Harford Community College has 12 intercollegiate sports teams, and is part of the NJCAA Division I. HCC offer men’s basketball, baseball, golf, lacrosse, soccer and tennis and women’s volleyball tennis, lacrosse, basketball and softball. Harford Community College maintains Harford Sports Complex, a full-sized soccer/lacrosse/hockey field, two premiere lighted softball diamonds, one premiere lighted baseball diamond and a convertible turf field. This complex is open to the public and in fact, hosts training and playing of minor league baseball and children’s baseball teams.
Harford Community College
Additional School Information
Harford Community College operates many community service outreach programs. HCC owns and operates a preschool and an elder and child care center. The Adult/Childcare center is located on campus and is partnered with the YMCA. The Adult Day Care Services allows relief for families that need care for mentally or physically frail older adults. The center provides stimulation, socialization and medical supervision for these individuals on a temporary basis.
HCC coordinates the Small Business Development Center. This center assists potential small business owners by providing consulting and training services at little or not cost. HCC assists in developing a business plan, analyzing marketing for a service and products and helping with any other technical services.
Bibliography
Harford Community College. “2010 Harford Community College”. Web. 7 of May 2011. <http://www.harford.edu/default.asp>
Maryland Small Business Development Center. Web. University of Maryland. 7 of May 2011. <://www.harford.edu/sbdc/aboutus.asp>
Town of Bel-Air. Web. 7 May 2011. <http://www.belairmd.org/>
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Bel Air, MD 21015-1698
Surrounding community
Midsize suburb (inside urban area but outside city, pop. between 100,000 to 250,000)
This website and associated pages are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Harford Community College. StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Harford Community College.
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can i study in harford community college if i haven't finished my senior highschool?