Media Contact: Evelyn Gard, 203-314-4250 (Mobile)
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Nov. 5, 2018) - Students concerned that sharpening their academic skills will eat up time and stall their progress toward a college degree now have the option of enrolling in accelerated online courses that can be completed in one semester.
Housatonic Community College (HCC) will be offering four eight-week courses this spring to meet the needs of those requiring a boost to their academic skills while they begin their path toward achieving a degree. The First Year Studies Department designed the courses to provide concentrated support, educational and career planning assistance, and strategies for success.
Rebecca Samberg, professor of English and chairperson of The First Year Studies department, said that the accelerated spring schedule was designed so that students could complete a number of requirements in one semester. The schedule allows students to concentrate on two courses at a time and complete all four by the end of the term.
The courses offered are:
- CRN 1251 ENG092 Introduction to College Reading (three credits) 1/24/19 – 3/20/19
- CRN 1811 FS100 Freshman Seminar (three credits) 1/24/19 – 3/20/19
- CRN 2174 ENG094 Introduction to College Writing (three credits) 3/21/19 – 5/15/19
- CRN 2175 MAT095 Elementary Algebra (three credits) 3/21/19 - 5/15/19
The schedule was specifically designed for students who need first year courses, like the flexibility of an online format, and want to quickly transition into degree programs. Credits for Freshman Seminar fulfill a degree requirement for students in the General Studies program; credits for Introduction to College Reading, Introduction to College Writing, and Elementary Algebra do not satisfy degree requirements toward graduation.
Samberg noted that students can expect the pace of the accelerated courses to be similar to that of summer classes. She added that the courses allow for focused concentration, since students usually enroll in only one or two of them at a time. Samberg said that there is a financial benefit to having a degree and this format puts a college diploma within reach more quickly.