Pitt Community College (PCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Pitt Community College (PCC) is a place of growth, from its humble beginnings in 1960 to its vast number of continuing education and associate degree programs offered today. Pitt Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Because Pitt Community College is a community college, the “typical” college life of dormitory living on campus or intramural sports are not offered. However, Pitt Community College does provide assistance to students that need housing. Pitt Community College is located in Greenville, North Carolina, roughly 85 miles outside of Raleigh. At Pitt, students will find a unique blend of course offerings that focus not only on the realm of academia, but combines a practical application of the workforce also, through comprehensive academic divisions and programs that strive to serve the community at large.

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Information Summary

Ranks 105th in North Carolina and 2799th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	53.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$3,530
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	59% / 45%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,185

Academics

Pitt Community College offers 44 associate degree programs and several certificate programs. PCC also offers 22 diploma programs and 18 university transfer programs. Continuing Education is becoming a big business in the college industry. Continuing education offerings provide adults with access to courses that will give them the skills necessary to perform the majority of jobs that are in constant high demand across the natioin. Normally, continuing education focuses on topics in health care, computer technology, and business.

Furthermore, Pitt offers several continuing education programs in lesser known areas. PCC offers an Auto Safety and OBD inspection course. These courses allow auto technicians to be certified in performing the required North Carolina state safety and emissions testing. PCC also offers adult basic education, adult high school diplomas, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Compensatory Education, in the form of courses that help mentally handicapped adults to become more independent and self directed.

Overall, whatever sector of the economy that needs fostering, Pitt has responded by providing continuing education course that correspond accordingly. Business and industry services are available to help keep businesses in the community productive and competitive. A healthcare program, which is one of the most in demand services today, are offered at Pitt Community College. In particular, PCC has a “Command Spanish” class that trains healthcare workers in the Spanish language in order for them to become more productive on their jobs when assisting Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency. Pitt Community College in its public safety division have programs that are recognized as official local and state programs to certify students in law enforcement, fire fighting, emergency medical technician, detention officers and emergency management.

Pitt Community College also offers associate degree programs. In their Arts and Science Division, Pitt Community College offers an associate in general education which is a predecessor for those who have chosen a health profession program. The Business Division offers certification and degrees in administrative and medical office technology. The Construction and Industrial Technology Division offers an associate in fine arts and air conditioning, heating and refrigerator technology. The Health Sciences Division offers an associate in nursing and certification in computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging technology. The Legal Science and Public Service Division offers criminal justice certification and paralegal associate degree services.

Weekend College is a new program offered at Pitt Community College. This program allows students that may not be able to make it to traditional classes due to work or other commitments the opportunity to pursue degrees and certification on the weekends. This program offers 3 different ways for students to gain their degrees and certification: Through traditional classes in an actual classroom setting, web based classes that have face-to-face meetings but the majority of the instruction and assignments are online, and finally hybrid classes that combine the two, in which face-to- face classes are required but primary course delivery is online. Some current courses available for the weekend college are basic anatomy and physiology, expository writing, college algebra, elementary Spanish, and critical thinking.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Incoming freshmen are required to submit official high school transcripts, take a college placement test unless they have adequate SAT/ACT scores or have taken college level English and mathematics. Students must also meet with academic counselors prior to enrollment. Incoming students going into PCC’s electronics engineering technology and architectural technology program need to have at least 1 course of algebra or geometry.

Dual enrollment is also offered at PCC. Students must be 16 years old and have written approval from a high school counselor and principal and lastly,students must be enrolled in at least 3 high school classes (high school students are not required to pay tuition).

PCC allows undocumented students a chance to go to school, as well. However these undocumented incoming students must present an Adult High School diploma not a GED, to be admitted into PCC.

Transfer students must submit an official high school and college transcript in order to be admitted to PCC. International students must submit proof of English proficiency by taking the TOEFL test with the following outcomes: computer 173 written 500 and 17 on reading, listening, speaking and writing sections. International students must also take the placement test that could substitute for the TOEFL if their scores are high enough. International students are also required to submit high school and/or college transcripts with English translations attached. Bank statements and a notarized letter of support must be sent as proof of financial obligation and finally proof of medical insurance must be provided.

Admissions into health programs offered at PCC are totally separate from admission to the college in general and as a result is quite competitive. Typically when students apply for any medical program, they must have completed all the core requirements for general education. Once completed, quality points (which are points assigned to letter grades) are added up and those with the highest quality points are accepted.

Financial Aid

As expected at a community college, tuition cost at Pitt Community College is remarkably affordable but for those who still require additional assistance, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed. It is necessary for the FAFSA to be completed in order for the determination to be made regarding which federal loans, grants, or work study programs for which you may be eligible.

At Pitt in particular, possible grants can be given to single parent students for day care costs and the Pell Grant is an option for those who qualify. Scholarships such as PCC’S High Demand/Low Enrollment is given to students that enroll in programs that are for high demand occupations like biomaintenace or mechanical engineering technology. The Golden Leaf Scholarship, Morris Undal Foundation and Barry M. Goldwater are primarily merit-based scholarships allocated to incoming high school freshmen or continuing students. Scholarships are also offered through certain subjects like math and science majors may be eligible for a scholarship. Pitt Community College reports however, that many students entering the school have outside community scholarships and encourage all students to inquire of these sources of funding prior to seeking admission to Pitt.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5939th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in North Carolina.

Students

It is through extracurricular activties that students develop the networking and social skills needed for life after college and a well rounded college education is essentially tied to a student’s exposure to and participation in clubs and activties on campus. Annual events such as Black History Month, Women’s History Celebration, the PCC Career Fair, and International Education Week (celebrated every November) are just the tip of the iceberg. Students can attend the Spring Fling, Summer Splash and Fall Fest as a good way to start looking into the rich selection of activities that PCC has to offer. These events are tailored to fundraise and bring attention to the many clubs and organizations on campus. Here is a brief list of some clubs on campus, just to name a few: The Circle of Sisters, the Environmental Science Club and the Healthy Eating Active Life Club (HEAL).

To ensure the acacedemic success of Pitt Community College students, Pitt offers tutorial services in the core subjects such as math, English, biology, and substantially challenging courses for some students like Spanish and accounting. As seen at larger and four-year institutions of higher education, PCC offers students counseling services and has extensive services tailored particularly to mentally disabled students, providing them with educational auxiliary aids .

Furthermore, with a focus on diversity Pitt also assists minority men and women groups. The Next Level is a program that focuses on minority males. This program coordinates meetings, activities, peer tutoring and mentors that are geared toward minority male high level academic achievement and personal, as well as professional growth.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Pitt Community College is part of the NJCAA Division I. This college offers men’s basketball and baseball, women’s volleyball and softball. Greenville, in particular, has been named by USAToday as the “Sportstown” of the state of North Carolina. It has a remarkable amount of athletic centers and serves as an attraction for many students interested in taking advantage of Pitt’s strategic placement in the mist of a town known as a sports gem.

Bibliography

City of Greenville, North Carolina. Web. 10 May 2011.

Pitt Community College. Web. 8 May 2011.

Visit Greenville-Pitt County NC Convention and Visitors Bureau. Web. 7 May 2011.

Pitt Community College