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) and online courses 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 Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development offers classes in the areas of adult basic skills, English as a second language, business, computers and technology, health care, test preparation, kids on campus, and personal enrichment. Students can take classes that lead to certification and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for classes 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). 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.
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 weekly and weekend library hours found on the main campus. 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. Students may access in-person or virtual academic advising services day or evening. Wireless service is available throughout the campus. The college’s Help Desk has extensive hours to provide student assistance. Self Service provides access to student planning, online registration, transcripts, student accounts and financial aid awards. Payment via Self Service 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, veterans and their dependents; the office of records, registration, and veterans' affairs assist students with veterans benefits and tuition assistance; a veterans deferred payment plan; a student lounge for members of the campus military community; and a chapter of the Student Veterans Organization.
HCC evaluates prior learning earned through military training and experience; in keeping with the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding and the Principles of Excellence, students using veterans benefits or tuition assistance are required to submit all prior learning transcripts for evaluation within 45 days of their admission to HCC. Information regarding the college’s credit for prior learning policies is available in the Prior Learning section. HCC’s Test Center offers a broad range of tests for credit for prior learning, such as CLEP and 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/adultlearner.
For further information, contact the office of admissions and advising (RCF-242; adm-adv@howardcc.edu; 443-518-1200; select #3) or the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (443-518-1700) or www.howardcc.edu/adultlearner.