Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

Adult Learners

Howard Community College recognizes the varied interests and needs of adult learners. The college is committed to programming, scheduling and services that facilitate the ability of adult learners to achieve their academic, career and personal goals in a convenient and timely way.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING—Distance learning, such as hybrid courses (combining online and traditional class sessions), online courses, and telecourses are offered to minimize the time traveling to and from class. To enable students to accelerate their academic and career programs, flexible scheduling and programs are available, such as weekend classes; late start courses; fast track (short, compact terms); open entry office technology classes; once per week class scheduling; consecutively scheduled classes within the same term; and noncredit classes that lead to immediate employment eligibility. HCC’s Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development offers a number of compact class offerings some of which lead to certification, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that enhance employment opportunities and advancement. HCC also offers classes that create opportunities for self-employment and launching new ideas such as entrepreneurial courses and programs, and classes that prepare students to assist others in the workplace, such as coaching and conflict resolution.

Courses and services are available on HCC’s main campus and at the conveniently located Laurel College Center, a regional higher education center. In addition to the courses offered through a partnership with Prince George’s Community College, programs and courses are also offered by four-year colleges and universities to facilitate completion of baccalaureate and masters programs in several different fields. Noncredit programming is also available at the Laurel ­College Center (and other locations throughout the county). At the Mount Airy College Center for Health Care Education, Howard Community College has entered a partnership with Carroll Community College and Frederick Community College to offer selected lab science courses, general education courses, and several allied health programs. For more information about the course and program offerings at Mount Airy, please contact the Office of Admissions and Advising.HCC has other unique partnerships with four-year institutions with a primary focus on higher education for adult learners, such as the Excelsior College Consortium (see Excelsior College Consortium section).

STUDENT SERVICES—HCC offers a broad range of services with the adult learner in mind. Career and personal counseling, job placement assistance, programs for displaced homemakers, ­career and employment-oriented workshops, such as resume writing and interview preparation, and a childcare center are all available. Adult learners benefit from HCC’s virtual library services that facilitate off-campus research and learning as well as the main campus’s weekly and weekend library hours. Technology services are available throughout the campus for convenience and for use by students who may not otherwise have easy or adequate off campus access. Wireless service is available throughout the campus. The college’s Help Desk has extensive hours to provide student assistance. The student portal myHCC provides access to online registration, unofficial transcripts, and viewing of grades and financial aid awards. Payment via myHCC is also possible along with many other services.

The college provides services for military personnel, veterans and their dependents. These include an application fee waiver for active duty military, their dependents and for veterans; a veterans affairs office to assist with veterans benefits; a veterans deferred payment plan; and a veterans student organization. HCC seeks to assist those relocating to the region as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure program (BRAC). Adults and their dependents relocating to Maryland due to BRAC are eligible for a waiver of the three month residency requirement for in-county or in-state tuition depending on where they reside in Maryland. See Student Residency for more information. 

HCC evaluates prior learning earned through military training and experience. Information regarding the college’s credit for prior learning policies is available on (Prior Learning). HCC’s Test Center offers a broad range of tests for credit for prior learning, such as CLEP and Dantes Subject Standardized Test (DSST) and also offers industry certification exams through Microsoft, Pearson VUE, Castle Worldwide Testing, ISO-Quality Testing and others (see Test Center).

STUDENT LIFE—HCC recognizes that adult learners want to engage in campus life. Flexible honors programming, events, and lectures, cultural arts, the Café on the Quad, the Children’s Learning Center, comfortable study areas, fitness classes, access to the Athletic and Fitness Center, wellness programs and a Wellness ­Center, courses, seminars, and credit and noncredit classes and workshops on important topics of the day, such as financial literacy and financial planning, are all available to the adult learner. The college’s website for adult learners is www.howardcc.edu/adultlearners.

For further information, please contact the Office of Admissions and Advising (RCF-242; adm-adv@howardcc.edu; 443-518-1200; select #3) or the Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (443-518-1700) or www.howardcc.edu/adultlearner.