Mar 29, 2024  
2015-16 Catalog 
    
2015-16 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Information


Associate Degree Programs

MCC offers associate in art and associate in science degrees in over 40 disciplines. Associate degree programs prepare the student for work or for transfer, with advanced standing, to colleges or universities where studies will be continued toward a bachelor’s degree. MCC is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and credits earned in MCC courses can be transferred to colleges and universities all over the country.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are specialized curricula designed to equip students with the skills and educational background needed to get a job after graduation. Although certificate programs include course work that can be transferred, those programs are not intended specifically for the purpose of transfer. Each certificate career program represents a briefer, concentrated period of study in a specific discipline. A student who successfully completes the program receives a certificate of completion for the work.

Part-Time Studies

Almost all programs can be pursued part-time. The college has no minimum requirement for the number of courses for which a student must register. Courses are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. each weekday, weekends and online in order to provide students with a wide range of scheduling options. Many students complete the degree requirements in three or four years.

Double-Degree Program

An alternative to the customary single-degree program is the double-degree program that allows a student to combine two degrees at graduation. Application for the second degree is normally made after a student has completed 30 credits in the first program of study. A minimum of 15 additional credits is necessary for the second degree. Students wishing more information should speak with a counselor.

Academic Community Engagement

860-512-2783

MCC’s Academic Community Engagement (ACE) program includes courses that enhance students’ academic and civic learning through meaningful and relevant service to the community. Offered in some classes as an optional or a required component, academic community engagement gives students the opportunity to experience the real-world application and implications of course material. Class assignments and activities challenge students to reflect upon their experiences, further enabling them to uncover and explore connections between their service work and course work.

For additional information, including a list of classes with academic community engagement components, please visit the ACE Program’s website or contact Maria Koistinen, ACE Program Coordinator, mkoistinen@manchestercc.edu or 860-512-2783.

Computer Facilities

Manchester Community College offers comprehensive computing resources. College classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art instructor stations. In addition to the traditional computer labs, there are also specialized computing facilities in disciplines such as language, science and advanced technology. Student access is available in the Library and in open computer labs.

Both Windows and Macintosh computers are available at MCC. College computers are connected to the campus local area network, as well as the Connecticut Community College System wide-area network, which provides access to the Internet. Students can also access the Internet through wireless connections in the college’s many public areas such as the Library, building lobbies, and the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium. Community members can also connect to the Internet with personal devices through a wireless partnership with the Town of Manchester.

Cooperative Education and Work Experience Opportunities

860-512-3312

At Manchester Community College, students have the opportunity to earn credit, pay and work experience through the Cooperative Education program. Academic credit is awarded for cooperative education and work experiences under the supervision of selected faculty. Cooperative education and work experience opportunities allow students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and on-the-job training in an actual work environment.

Cooperative Education is available to students in the following programs of study:

Accounting Career; Administrative Assistant (all options); Business Administration; Communication; Computer Network Technology; Computer Programming Technology; Criminal Justice; Disabilities Specialist; Foodservice Management; General Studies; Graphic Design; Health and Exercise Science; Hotel-Tourism Management; Journalism; Management Information Systems; Marketing; Paralegal; Social Service; Speech-Language Pathology Assistant; and Therapeutic Recreation.

In some programs of study, Cooperative Education/Work Experience is a required course within the curriculum.

Enrollment Requirements: Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better, have completed 12-15 credit hours towards a program of study, and receive permission from the program coordinator and Cooperative Education director. Prior to registering for the course, students must complete a “Statement of Understanding” form available at the Cooperative Education office or on the web at http://www.manchestercc.edu/students/form.php. During the semester, students are required to attend a weekly, one-hour seminar in which work-related issues are addressed. The course is also offered online.

Placement: For paid placements, students must complete a minimum of 300 hours of employment during one semester. Positions that provide monetary compensation are paid for by the Cooperative Education employer. There is no guarantee from the Cooperative Education office that each student will receive a placement. Unpaid internships are for 150 hours during a semester.

The Cooperative Education office is located in the Lowe Student Services Center, room L120. For more information contact the Cooperative Education office at 860-512-3312.

English as a Second Language

860-512-3241

Manchester Community College offers the non-English speaker a variety of courses and levels of English classes to improve language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. For more information on ESL classes, call Alina Ciscel, professor of ESL, at 860-512-3241.

Honors College

860-512-2669

The Honors Program helps students demonstrate high levels of motivation and performance to prospective employers or transfer institutions. Students have a chance to investigate topics of interest, conduct research, work on special projects, and actively share in the learning process with other classmates and their instructor.

There are three ways to earn Honors credit.  Honors Courses are those where students enroll for and meet all requirements for a regular section of a class designated as Honors; Honors Options are regular sections of classes that offer interested students the opportunity to work independently with their professors to complete Honors-level work for honors credit;  Honors Option On Demand provides students with the opportunity to take a course they would like to pursue for honors credit and ask an instructor if he or she would personalize an honors option for them.  Students have two weeks from the start of a class to select the Honors Option.

Students who complete the requirements for the Honors College will graduate with Honors which will be noted on their diploma and college transcript.

For more information, visit http://www.manchestercc.edu/students/current/honors-college/.

Library

860-512-2880

The library is located in the Learning Resource Center. It holds over 50,000 books, DVDs, and music CDs, has a strong reference collection, subscribes to over 300 print periodicals, and has online access to a wide range of research databases, e-journals, and ebooks. An online catalog provides easy access to all library materials. The collection supports college programs of study and provides students with information and enrichment outside of course work.

The library offers numerous amenities including five group study rooms, individual study carrels, computers, WI-FI, laser printing (b&w and color), scanning, and photocopying. A magnification device for printed material is also available. In addition to traditional materials like books and CDs, students may borrow equipment such as laptops, Kindles, and iPads at the circulation desk. The Fireside Commons is a large, contemplative space that is a designated quiet study area and features a working fireplace. The Library Garden is also available during warmer months for members of the MCC community to enjoy.

Students can seek help with research for papers or projects from one of our reference librarians. The librarians are available to assist students in formulating research strategies, searching the library’s online catalog, and using library services. The “Ask-a-Librarian” reference service allows students to connect to a librarian 24/7 wherever they are. Students can request books and articles not available at MCC through our interlibrary loan service.

Any state resident of high school age or older is welcome to register as a borrower at MCC’s library.

Technology Help Desk

860-512-3456

The Technology Help Desk, located in Suite 204 of the Student Services Center facilitates a wide range of technology related services for the entire college community. Services for classrooms, conference rooms and public spaces include computer and audio-visual support, support for wireless network access, user account assistance and password reset services. The Help Desk also provides support for file storage, printing, email, and other technology services including telecommunications and end-user training and documentation. The Technology Help Desk uses an incident handling process that provides the framework for an orderly response to events that threaten or compromise the security, integrity or operation of computing resources at Manchester Community College.