Passaic County Community College (PCCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Passaic County Community College (PCCC) is a comprehensive coeducational public college offering two-year programs for the residents of Passaic County, New Jersey. A charter for setting up the college passed in 1968 primarily to serve the higher education needs of the residents of Passaic County. The college started enrolling students in 1971 and the first class graduated in 1973. Passaic County Community College currently has a total enrollment of more than 7,000 students.

The main campus of PCCC is located in Paterson with two Academic Centers in Wanaque and Passaic and a Public Safety Academy in Wayne. The main campus in Paterson features the Academic Hall, the Spine, Founders’ Hall, Hamilton Hall, and the Pruden Building.

The Passaic County Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Information Summary

Ranks 58th in New Jersey and 3283rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	46.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$6,670
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	29 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	62% / 46%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,480

Academics

Passaic County Community College offers more than 60 Associate degrees and programs. The college offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs for students who eventually want to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The college offers the Associate in Arts degree programs for various areas of study such as Communication, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Humanities, Journalism, Psychology, Sociology, and Teacher Education. The Associate in Science degree students can opt for numerous areas of specialization such as Accounting, Management, International Business, Public Administration, Biotechnology, Exercise Science, and Environmental Science.

Passaic County Community College also offers the Applied Associate of Science (A.A.S.) degree programs for students who want to enter the work force directly after completing their courses. The areas of study that students in the Applied Associate of Science (A.A.S.) degree program can opt for include Accounting, Fire Science Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, Health Information Technology, and American Sign Language.

The college also offers various career-oriented certificate programs in areas such as Corrections, Criminal Justice, Network Administration, and Medical Coding.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

To apply for admission to Passaic County Community College, students need to have a diploma from an accredited high school or its equivalent (GED or EDP). Students are also required to take the academic placement testing for evaluation of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

For academic programs that are in high demand, the college gives preference to Passaic County residents. Some programs such as Health Information Technology, Radiography, and Nursing have specific admission requirements. The application procedure involves submitting the completed admission form and official high school/college transcripts.

International students need to submit the application for admission and a certificate of finances to demonstrate availability of funds to finance the education expenses for a year. They are required to submit their high school and college transcripts.

Financial Aid

Passaic County Community College participates in a variety of financial aid programs to help students meet their educational expenses. Various types of financial aid available include scholarships and grants, loans, and employment opportunities. The federal grants available for students include Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitive Grant, and the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG). Students can also apply for various loans such as Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Direct Parent Loans. Students can opt for work-study programs wherein they can seek employment with on or off-campus employers. Different scholarship options available for students include the Passaic County Community College Foundation Scholarships, NJSTARS, Edward and Virginia Casey Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Anthony J. Addeo Scholarship, Zonta Club of Ringwood Scholarship, and NJ Broadcasters Association Scholarships.

To apply for financial aid from Passaic County Community College, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. PCCC recommends a priority deadline of June 1 to apply for financial aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5920th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in New Jersey.

Students

Student Organizations

Passaic County Community College encourages students to participate in co-curricular activities to enhance their educational experience. The Student Association Government (SAG) represents the students’ interests and coordinates various students’ activities. The campus has a number of students clubs and organizations. Some of the more popular ones include Business Club, Asian American Student Club, Computer Club, Nursing Students Organization, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the Science Club.

Student Services

Academic advisement facility is available for students to help them gather accurate information regarding college majors and academic programs. The Career Services office is responsible for providing career guidance to the students and helps them in gaining insights into their interests and skills. Other services provided by the Career Services office include career selection, job search assistance, employment opportunities, career fair, and workshops.

The Center for Student Success assists students with academic planning, goal setting, coping with stress associated with college life, and transfer planning. The college features a Child Development Center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center provides services for children between 2 months of age through school age. The Library at the campus maintains a huge collection of resources in different formats.

Campus Facilities

The college also features the Broadway, LRC and Hamilton Club Galleries which exhibit art works of individuals and world famous photographers, painters, and sculptors. The college bookstore stocks required textbooks, study guides, additional course materials, school supplies, stationery, clothing, gift items, and snacks.

Dining facilities are available for the students at the Cafeteria in the Academic Hall. The cafeteria serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, cold items (salads, beverages, and sandwiches), and dinner. Vending machines are also located at various places throughout the campus.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Passaic County Community College is a member of the NJCAA Region XIX and Garden State Athletic Conference. The intercollegiate athletic teams include Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Women’s Volleyball. The men’s and women’s basketball teams of the Passaic County Community College have won numerous conference and regional championships over the past 6 years. The college also features a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, lockers, showers, and flat screen televisions. The game room is equipped with pool tables, air hockey, chess, foosball, dominos, and other board games.

Bibliography

Passaic County Community College. About PCCC. Web. 11 September 2011.

Passaic County Community College. Academic Programs at PCCC. Web. 11 September 2011.

Passaic County Community College. 2009/10 Student Handbook. 2011. Print.

Passaic County Community College